Advice Needed What to replace dead DM500 clone with?

V8 Dave

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Hi guys

For a long long time I've been campaigning what turned out to be a clone DM500 (was sold as genuine!) with various Gemini and recently OpenPLi images on 28.2/19.2 and occasionally running a local card (but mostly FTA).

I've put up with the dreadful response from the remote control for long enough (despite running a healthy PSU) and want to change, but this is very much a pocket money hobby for me, with zone 1/2 dishes being rescued from skips to get me going. I think I've spent less than 100 quid in five years!

So, what Linux based box (probably Enigma 1) is worth considering on an ultra budget? Requirements are simple, don't need HD, twin tuner or local HDD capabilities. I was thinking something along the lines of a TM500?

Any ideas?
 

A nonymous

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To be honest there aren't a lot of Enigma 1 boxes around now.

The TM500 box isn't a bad box but as with most Enigma 1 TM units there hasn't been any new images released for a while.

To be honest it may be worth upgrading to an Enigma 2 box, if you can find your way around an E1 box then you shouldn't have too much trouble with an E2 one.

Nano
 

V8 Dave

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You're right, they're kinda getting on a bit now. I always lusted after a DM7020, but now I see they go for reasonable money. Played with an early clone of a DM800HD when they first came about but like most clones, that went pop after a comically short time.

I really am lost as to what to look at, the only stipulation is it has to be under 100 quid and preferably new!
 

A nonymous

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Your not going to get much for £100 new, nothing thats anygood anyway. The DM7020 is a cracking receiver, although as already stated they are not HD. The DM600PVR is also a good little box too.

For £100 your only talking Amiko Alien type receivers which regardless of what people say are not proper Enigma 2 receivers and never will be. The same can be said for the nBox receivers which can be found on ebay. If you want to use CCCam, stay away from the SH4 Chipset receivers as they cannot run CCCam, only OSCam and MGCamd.

You would be better off buying a good second hand unit with a proper Broadcom CPU and MIPS chipset in all honesty if your on a budget.

Nano
 

V8 Dave

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Thanks Captain Jack and Nano, the advice is appreciated. I'm loathe to spend a lot of money on something I mainly tinker with and use infrequently, but Nano, I do use CCCam, so I appreciate the heads up on that.

Best have a think what I want and have another look. It's looking like either a TM500/600 or a used DM600PVR at the moment. I'm not relying on these as my every day boxes, so HD isn't a must have; if it's there I will use it but it's not a deal breaker. I've got that 7020 on my watch list now too :)
 

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Skybox F3 / F5 might fit the bill.
Cheap as chips, decent performance and you can run cccam on it.
 

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Ah, yes: The "BBC Approved" box!
 

A nonymous

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Most people myself included find the Skybox menus and favorites rather limiting after being used to a Linux Enigma based receiver. If your just going to watch TV on it then it may fit the bill, but if you want to tinker with it you will hate it.

I thought it was one of the most horrible boxes i have had the displeasure of owning, but thats just me, lots of the guys here like them. It just wasn't my cup of tea.

I can honestly say i prefer my DM100 and that has a ghastly menu setup too.

I feel the same way about the Skybox series as Analoguesat does about his Vu+ Duo :D

Nano
 

Analoguesat

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Ah yes - and I still want to introduce Mr Vu to Mr Sledgehammer :D
 

sonic1

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Just came across a second hand Gigablue HD 800 se for £95

Nothing wrong with a second hand unit to play with.
 

V8 Dave

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Hmmm, so many options, this is not proving easy!

Of course, if I could find a genuine used DM500 I'd be happy with one of those (I very much subscribe to the "if it ain't broke" mentality) providing the woeful remote response is limited strictly to the fact that my box is a clone.

Dang it, think I'm actually going to have to spend some real money here!
 

Captain Jack

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From what I hear, the latest DM800se clones are pretty good. Would set you back about £130-140. You would save as well if buying direct from China.

FWIW, the 7020's remote response is pretty good.
 
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