Wanted Hd receiver for skylink sk

jfrusc1

Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2020
Messages
24
Reaction score
3
Points
3
Age
44
My Satellite Setup
VU+ Duo
Motorised Dish
My Location
UK
Having wasted a weekend trying to get a VU+ Duo working again, looking for a new box.

1) Have a Cryptoworks CAM for the Sky Link card, so either needs to take that or have appropriate support on board.

2) HD is fine

3) Twin tuner preferably, but would consider single tuner if cheap enough.

4) Must have decent EPG support for Skylink

5) PVR functionality. Doesnt have to be flash. Preferably onboard HDD (dont need the HDD, just slot to stick mine in).

6) Ability to stream would be bonus but not essential.

Thanks
 

mariust5

Specialist Contributor
Joined
Dec 8, 2005
Messages
507
Reaction score
120
Points
43
Age
46
My Satellite Setup
Cristor Atlas 100HD , motorised 1.1 Triax on Stab H-H
My Location
hastings , uk

jfrusc1

Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2020
Messages
24
Reaction score
3
Points
3
Age
44
My Satellite Setup
VU+ Duo
Motorised Dish
My Location
UK
As far as i know Skylink is switching Crypto off so you might need a new card


Yes they switched to Irdeto several years ago and started shutting off the old CW cards. But she has one of the newer ICE cards, which still work in a Cryptoworks CAM. I presume so they don't have to switch out lots of subscriber STB's. If that changes I guess I'd have to pick up a new CAM for her. But it's been running for several years now without problem (well apart from the box dying).
 

mariust5

Specialist Contributor
Joined
Dec 8, 2005
Messages
507
Reaction score
120
Points
43
Age
46
My Satellite Setup
Cristor Atlas 100HD , motorised 1.1 Triax on Stab H-H
My Location
hastings , uk
If the Cam still works there are a few receivers that will read it .
 

jfrusc1

Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2020
Messages
24
Reaction score
3
Points
3
Age
44
My Satellite Setup
VU+ Duo
Motorised Dish
My Location
UK
I've been looking around and fortunately it looks like prices have dropped considerably since I got her the VU Duo. There are a few decent boxes sub £100 now.

The Octagon SF8008 was recommended on another thread, but it doesnt have a CI slot.

Zgemma H9 Twin is an option, but a little put off by it being a chinese box. Not sure about reliability. Also I spoke to World of Sat who suggested the H7S might be better with a motor.

Mutant HD51 is also viable, but can't find it new or second hand. And its replacement doesnt appear to have a CI slot.

Ideally want twin tuner (to future proof), PVR functionality and ability to stream would be good (although she'll be the only user). Not sure Skylink offer 4k and to be honest I doubt she'd sub as we have Sky Q 4K, Netflix and Prime to cover that (and can't see Skylink producing much 4k content worth paying for). But given the competitive prices of the Zgemma/etc thinking it may just be worth going for one of these 4k boxes for the snappy performance and HW overhead for the future.

Put a wanted thread here and on another forum and keeping an eye on eBay. But if nothing turns up I guess i'll have to buy a new one, probably the H7S or H9 Twin.
 

mariust5

Specialist Contributor
Joined
Dec 8, 2005
Messages
507
Reaction score
120
Points
43
Age
46
My Satellite Setup
Cristor Atlas 100HD , motorised 1.1 Triax on Stab H-H
My Location
hastings , uk
Mutant 51 was the one i was going to suggest but forgot the name , i've heard it will read all CI+ Cams ..

I would be apprehensive about the chinese boxes as well but some people swear by them .

Whatever you do please keep us posted .
 

jfrusc1

Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2020
Messages
24
Reaction score
3
Points
3
Age
44
My Satellite Setup
VU+ Duo
Motorised Dish
My Location
UK
Mutant 51 was the one i was going to suggest but forgot the name , i've heard it will read all CI+ Cams ..

I would be apprehensive about the chinese boxes as well but some people swear by them .

Whatever you do please keep us posted .

If only I could find the Mutant 51 :)

Will let you know what I go for. She's back to work this week, so less pressure to get it sorted. And other worries are taking precedence :(
 
Top