QBOX HD coming soon

[T_G]

so lads any actual owners of the beast??Wondering, how sensitive its tuner on weak signal satellites, comparably to Dreambox 7000 which has quite crappy tuner.Another Q to experts, in the meantime waiting for 3rd party software, any chance to program diablo embedded with "proper" software to watch "proper" channels???

Hmmm I thought it was quite clear that I got one, but just for those who are not sure: I have got a box right in my living room and I am watching TV with it

Regarding the tuner: It is difficult to say as I only got a 5620 Dreambox to compare it with - but just this evening I tuned into station that has a 5620 symbol rate, that would not have been possible with the Dreambox. I am trying to find a transponder with an even lower symbol rate to see what happens.

 

[localchap]

Perhaps if you spell it out then people would not have to guess what you mean and you would get an answer, what do you mean by the word proper?

by proper software I meant image with emu, otherwise this box is nothing but FTA one for more then 400 quids. There have been lot of talks about quite poor support for Qbox SD, if there is the same situation with this one then dreambox rules the game.

 

[localchap]

T.G., sorry, missed you mentioned being an owner of the one. Few more Qs to you then.
Is that getting hot much???It seems to be real problem for DM800.
Freezing on HD channels?!How fast is zapping between HD>HD , SD>HD channels???Is there embedded diablo cam in your box??If so, what do you think, any chance to program it until any image with emu comes up???How is the picture quality n both SD HD channels, compare to your old DB?

 

[T_G]

No worries
To answer some of your questions:

Heat: The box does not have a fan, but due to its regular size I don't think heat will be a problem. I have had it running for a long time without freezing, but then again it does not have any cams working, nor did I use the HDMI, which surely is going to put a bit ore load into it (I probably will do this tomorrow). I have had it running on HD channels but viewing it on SD without frezing. I have had a crash lately while I was messing with the motor setup, a green screen appeared telling me that a serious problem has happened, but before I knew what happened it rebooted and was back working in a matter of 25 seconds or so. The way it works, the initial boot (when disconnected from the mains) takes about 2 minutes, but if you then restart it takes about 30 seconds.

Zapping Speed: I know this is a big issue with many people, frankly I can't see what the big deal is as long as it does not take 4 seconds. When I switch channels I usually use the bouquets, so it is not that speed reliant. But switching seems to take a second or so (don't have means for accurate measuring), and switching between SD and HD does not seem to make a difference - however I am connected to the TV via scar at the moment. The zapping speed is a little bit slower than my Digibox, but I am not annoyed by it. Fast zapping did not crash the box, unlike my Dreambox which used to hang when I first got it, after which it was sored by beter images.

The diablo is definetly in, see the pictures in the other thread. It is not activated at the moment as the image is very very basic and does not operate the diablo, the wifi and some other features. I am pretty sure this box will have better support than the qbox one, as it offers a real alternative to the Dreamboxes. I have heard from a German forum that new images will be available next week, so I am waiting for that.

Picture quality seems to be at least as good, and maybe better. In the other forums people have done comparisons with DM 800 and Kathreins, and the picture was usually deemed to be as good as.

At the moment the box has quite a few bugs, for instance the 16:9 does not show correctly on some channels, and even though it does not crash a lot, there are sometimes delays in calling up the main menu (but I can zap channels and other things in the meantime) and some other issues. But I am sure these are going to be sorted out - the big test is going to be the cams, CS and the stability when running HD and cams. Also, the recording onto the hard drive (when available) will be interesting to see, does it do HD recording while viewing another HD?

A lot of questions, but it has a lot of potential. Be assured that if it turns out to be crap I will be the first to say so - at the moment I am quite happy with the prototype. The boxeas are not available for retail at the moment, and I would recommend waiting a bit longer until more testing is done.

Hope this helps

TG

 

[localchap]

TG, thanks a million for such detailed story. You say, you are quite happy with it so far, well, would you be happy when there is only a couple images with emu unlike dreambox has them dozens??Nothing insulting, just wanna know your opinion as regards. See, I'm myself being a Dreamboxer over 5 years (7000, 7020). But now neither happy with DM800 for its bugs nor with the price of DM8000 so very determined now to get this box. But if there's no images with emu it'd remain FTA which is not worthwhile the money.If the support is at least half of dreambox's one, I'd order it straight away.

 

[T_G]

Hi
Of course I will only endorse this box if it has the EMUS, CS and motor control - this is the reason I did not buy the Kathrein for instance (lack of diseqc 1.2). I believe that Duolabs know EXACTLY what is needed for this box (I.E. cam, CS etc), after all you would be an idiot not noticing the impact Dreambox has made in the market.
So they come up with a box that has a diablo cam built in (which everyone knows what it is for), and high speed wifi for even better and easier connection to the internet. If after all the effort of producing the hardware they are not going to supply the software, I would be very very surprised.

It is true that the Dreambox has a superb support, the Gemini team does provide a very good image service - but don't forget that when the Dreamboxes first appeared the images were very unstable, streaming was not possible and recording to your computer only a dream. It took a while, but I think that if the qbox turns out to be "good" there will be images produced.

I don't need 12 images to be honest, I have been using Gemini images for 2 years or more - if the Qbox has one or two good working images, that will be enough for me - it is not a reason to pay 1000 Euros and more just because there are 7 different images. At the end of the day I only got one set of eyes


As you noticed I am not telling everyone go buy this box today - wait until the software has appeared - but one thing is for sure: I for one will not pay double or more than the current price for a Qbox - I will continue to use an SD box until a reasonable pricved HD box is on the market. If it is the Qbox, I will be very happy. If not, something else will pop up - and be sure I will tell you about it

 

[localchap]

Thanks TG for the last input, very informative. Are you sure theres WiFi onboard???Duolabs claim to have wlan module as extras. By variety of images I meant emu for specific scramble system. Lets say, for example, NDS was h**cked now it would require new emu. I'd bet DM partners would react within a few days with new emu, in your opinion, would it be the same with this yoke??

 

[T_G]

The wifi will probably be an extra, my box though has one installed :toke:

See the pictures I posted here http://www.satellites.co.uk/satellite/813470-post2.html You can clearly see the module and the three antennae.

The image in my box does not activate it, but it will be working for sure. The wifi is supposed to be a high speed 802.11N up to 300 Mbit/s

Regarding the speed of development, it's anyone's guess. As I said before, if the box will be working well, and lots of people buy it, there will be development. I am not sure if Duolabs themselves will do it through their Diablo module, or if it will come through independent teams. There is a dedicated qbox forum (in German), and if looking at the Qbox 1 it seems to be that there will be sufficient support. The main drive for the development of the dreambox came through German forums, so if this one goes the same way I am hopeful

For the QBOX1 it states (taken from the qboxforum.com website faq - they claim to be the official support website)

Images available: Avalon oder SifiTeam Images

Blue panel for downloading

Settings compatible with dreambox settings
Cams available: CCcam, MGCamd, Camd3, and most common Emus

The Diablo module uses the "Underworld" files

 

[T_G]

updater software available see here http://www.satellites.co.uk/satellite/815207-post5.html

 

[T_G]

I have put up some information related to the tuner http://www.satellites.co.uk/satellite/815438-post6.html

I would be interested to know if it would be possible to insert a different/better/more sensitive tuner into that slot. Not that I had any problems with this one, it would just be nice to know.

TG

 

[localchap]

did you find the tuner onboard to be not sensitive enough???

 

[T_G]

I would be interested to know if it would be possible to insert a different/better/more sensitive tuner into that slot. Not that I had any problems with this one, it would just be nice to know.

Hmmmm I thought that would be clear enough

No problems with the tuner, if you look up the link it also states there that the tuner seems to be fine - but on the other hand I only got the shitty Dreambox 5620 tuner to compare it with, so almost any tuner wins there. It is just out of interest to see what else can be fitted there.

As warranty is not an issue with this box, I can take a far deeper look into the components than with a regular box

 

[localchap]

you mentioned for more sensitive thats why i thought this current one was crap. My dreambox 7000s locks channels with SR 3000 as well as 49500 no problemo but tuners sensitivity is awful.

 

[T_G]

How do you measure or know hat a tuner is not sensitive?

 

[solly]

on turksat 42e how the channel symbol rate 2000-2800 on qbox hd ?

 

[localchap]

How do you measure or know hat a tuner is not sensitive?

Yes, you are right, measuring scales kinda different, i had openbox x820 receiver for a few days, so those channels which were working perfect on it, dreambox 7000s couldn't even lock them.

 

[localchap]

Any updates regarding software support for the baby? I'm having dilemma at the moment whether DM800 or this one.

 

[T_G]

No news yet, still working on it. The minute there is something I will let you guys know.

 

[T_G]

Software update released, see beta test thread

 

[localchap]

it'll be interesting to find out whats new in that software but am afraid if its official release nothing like emu expected. But if there's access to diablo now, its much more interesting ;)
PS. BTW, how is the testing getting on??Any new bugs found like freezing after long time working on HD channels and such.