Advice Needed Openbox V8S -> Vu+ Zero

[dankargo]

I seek some more advice from you lovely people

Last year I started my multi sat obsession when I gave myself a challenge to go motorised on a budget - which consisted of motorising my existing 10 year old 80cm dish, a Technomate TM-2300 motor and a cheep and cheerful Openbox receiver. All in all it cost less than £100 which I was chuffed about.

A year later and the inevitable has happened, I want to upgrade the very basic Openbox receiver I'm using to something more advanced. I've set my eye on the Vu+ Zero as - (a) it's nice and compact and (b) is an enigma2 box which kind of opens up all kinds of possibilities.

Before I make the plunge and buy it from here VU+ Zero (BLACK) HD Single Tuner Linux Enigma 2 Satellite Receiver I wanted to ask a few questions from those that have used a Vu+.

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1) Although I only have an 80cm dish, I use an Inverto Black Ultra LNB which really helps in picking up weak feeds. My current Openbox is not bad at feeds, it tends to start breaking up once signal drops to 45% or lower - As this is the only box I've used, I have no idea whether this is good or not. So really my question is, if anyone has used the Vu+ Zero or any of the Vu+ range, how do you rate the sensitivity of the tuner? Does it do a good job at picking up weak channels/feeds?

2) I've heard some people say that this box can not record, despite having a USB port. Others say that it records fine. Can anyone tell me for sure whether it can or not?

3) More of an Enigma2 question - my Openbox allowed me to record channels no matter what - whether it was FTA, from a 'line' (that's as far as I'll go on that one!) or if it was encrypted. Will the Vu+ allow me to do the same? I've heard that some Technomate boxes refuse to record a feed if no BISS key has been entered.

4) Again, as I've only used an Openbox with my motorised setup, how easy will it be in setting everything up on another receiver? Will it require me to get up the ladders and press a button on the motor? Or is it literally - swap boxes and coax cable, select Motorised, input latitude/longitude and scan sats?

5) Is there a certain Enigma2 image that is preferred over others? Is there one that works better with motorised setups?

 

[drats]

1) Although I only have an 80cm dish, I use an Inverto Black Ultra LNB which really helps in picking up weak feeds. My current Openbox is not bad at feeds, it tends to start breaking up once signal drops to 45% or lower - As this is the only box I've used, I have no idea whether this is good or not. So really my question is, if anyone has used the Vu+ Zero or any of the Vu+ range, how do you rate the sensitivity of the tuner? Does it do a good job at picking up weak channels/feeds?

Sensitivity is as good as any of the Vu range and is excellent.

2) I've heard some people say that this box can not record, despite having a USB port. Others say that it records fine. Can anyone tell me for sure whether it can or not?

The box can record to a USB stick or an external USB HDD

3) More of an Enigma2 question - my Openbox allowed me to record channels no matter what - whether it was FTA, from a 'line' (that's as far as I'll go on that one!) or if it was encrypted. Will the Vu+ allow me to do the same? I've heard that some Technomate boxes refuse to record a feed if no BISS key has been entered.

You can record any channel you wish.

4) Again, as I've only used an Openbox with my motorised setup, how easy will it be in setting everything up on another receiver? Will it require me to get up the ladders and press a button on the motor? Or is it literally - swap boxes and coax cable, select Motorised, input latitude/longitude and scan sats?

If you use Usals then simply enter the long/lat in the box

5) Is there a certain Enigma2 image that is preferred over others? Is there one that works better with motorised setups?

I prefer Blackhole, others prefer VIX, its just what you get used to, there is no better or worse, its all personal preference. Try a few out and stick with the one you like.

 

[dankargo]

Thank you so much for answering the questions so quickly

 

[dankargo]

A few people have told me that the Vu+ Zero doesn't have a Blind Scan function. How important is this for feeds? Can I still scan them in manually from Satelliweb? Will I potentially not be able to pick up some new channels because of this?

 

[Mickha]

If I remember correctly, the VU+ Zero was made as more of a second receiver, you could connect to another VU+ model, like the Duo 2, Solo 2, etc...
You can find a lot of information, regarding all the current VU+ models, on their website, including the VU+ Zero:

http://vuplus.com/sub/sub0102.php

 

[dankargo]

Thank you for the response

It looks like my search for a replacement box continues then. I really want a single tuner Enigma2 box, without breaking the bank too much that has the following:

1) Allows me to record everything - including encrypted feeds with no BISS key. My Openbox allowed me to do this but I'm aware some Technomate's do not
2) Has a good sensitive tuner that will pick up weak signals and transponders. (Suggestions welcome!)
3) As I'm a feed hunter, I guess Blind scan is a must!

So far the only other box I've been able to find that fits my price range is the Edision OS MINI. I haven't come across anyone who has used this box though so unable to ask the above questions.