Hi,

Im thinking of taking the plunge and purchasing a Dreambox, I have limited knowledge of this subject and a little apprehensive when researching as these seem complicated to set up?

Basically i want the same functionallity as my sky plus box, pause record, twin tuner etc. I think i have identified the 7025 at £299 as the model i need. would this be all i need or would i need extra hdd's, cards cables and stuff.

I would like to know if they are easy to set up from day one? and also would like to know more about what attention / upgrades they require on an ongoing basis, I dont want to be spending 2 or more hours every week fiddling with bits of code and stuff as i have two kids 1 and 4 so that would be a mare!

I am a big footy fan and would like to watch on Saturdays 3pm etc on foreign channels, is this poss/ legal? please advise.

Any help would be much appreciated, not a techie or anything just want more viewing choice at a lower / no cost.

Many thanks

The Dreambox 7025 supports twin tuners, I think you have to buy the second tuner though, as it only comes supplied with one. Also it is an older model SD (standard definition) only not HD.
The options you have for Twin Tuner linux recievers are as below:

- Duolabs Qbox Mini HD
- VU DUO+
- Dreambox 8000HD (clone or original).

The Qbox Mini is relatively new, and does not have the same software support levels of the VU or the Dreambx...but all basic features are reported to work correctly, i.e: recording from both tuners, PVR recording playback, timeshift etc. It is also the best priced twin tuner unit at 199 pounds.

The VU DUO has a lot of fans, and has good image support from VIX team, Blackhole team etc.. based on Broadcom hardware...very similar to the Dream hardware platforms priced around 360 pounds.

The Dreambox 8000HD is the highest specced box of the three, capable of Quad tuners, built in DVD drive, SD card readers,dual card readers etc...this is the top dog of Linux recievers. originals are stupidly expensuve around 1000 pounds when they were released. Clones which are amost 1:1 copies are available for around 370..

So really comes down to budget, value for money, no frills average spec the Qbox Mini HD is good at 199. Price/performance/features/hardware the dm800HD clone is best... If you dont want a clone then VU DUO..

I agree 800hd clone does the job realy well best allrounder value for money etc, but I have used the vu and the performance of the unit itself and image are miles better the audio and video quality is amazing too, if you saw SD side by side on both boxes you would think that the Vu is running in hd its that good and crisp

best of luck!!

OK, thanks for respones guys much appreciated.
However i am still apprehensive about the whole thing and therefore thinking a £50 DM500 s might be my best starting point, and once i understand things more upgrade to twin tuner hd model etc...
Are these 500 £50 clones ok? can i just get one of anyone ebay etc or do i need to get a reputable clone?
Is a clone going to be more trouble than its worth ie harder to set up/ more probs.
Or am i just being a big wuss and should just dive straight in with one of the super jobies like the 800hd or VU
once again thanks in advance for all help/ advice