OpenBox S10 Review

Exos

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Quick review. Can't take claim for this I'm afraid as I found it over at another site:

Inside the box is the STB wrapped in the static bag, the NEW remote, and power cord with the adapter already attached. There are no batteries. There is also no instruction manual. This is no big deal as most China manuals are all but worthless anyway. A small trifold sheet was included showing stuff about cardshare. It actually looks like it is from a S9 by the menus shown, not an S10.

Here is a picture to show how tiny the OpenBox S10 HD PVR is. The bottom unit is the AZ Premium HD+, the middle is an OpenBox S9, and on the top is the new OpenBox S10 HD PVR.

compare.JPG


Each unit had prescanned channels in it from Asia, they had apparently tested each piece. The menu layout of the S10 is a bit different than the S9. Instead of the main menu items being vertical on the right, they are horizontal across the top. It took all of about 2 minutes to get used to this. Otherwise it functions just like a S9. The Ali 3602 chipset has the ability for the engineer to change the look and feel of the box, and that is all they did. Same trick that the so-called “Manhattan” is using to make it look like something new.

The USALS and DiseqC 1.2 motor controls like the S9, both are flawless. 22kHz and DiseqC switch settings also work fine. The signal meter appears to read and curve just like the S9. Ku and C-band on the small dish work just like the S9. The tuner is the same Sharp high sensitivity tuner, except that it is mounted on a module/board and can be replaced. I have yet to see a tuner fail in an OpenBox so this shouldn’t be necessary.

Blindscan
Blindscan functions similar to the S9 with the latest 0321 “greenfix” file. It is somewhat slower than earlier firmware, but it is accurate and still faster than a great many units out there. Like the S9, the OpenBox S10 HD PVR scans for DVB-S and DVB-S2 at the same time.

Remote control
The OpenBox S10 HD PVR is available with either the v3 or a new remote control. As much as I personally like the v3, it has caused many people issues with accidental pressing of the VFORMAT button and losing picture because it only cycles thru PAL modes. The latest remote has a much smaller VFORMAT button that is harder to hit by accident. This is the smallest OpenBox remote control yet. It seems well built, button presses are good, and the range/angles are probably better than the v3. It has its own satlist button. The “zoom” button still activates the satlist just like on the v1, v2 and v3’s. The S10 also works with the v1, v2 and v3 remotes. The only downside I see to the new remote is some of the buttons are tiny. If you have chubby hands they might be a bit harder to hit. Personally I am not having issues other than learning the slightly different layout.

As for a name for this remote, I guess we can call it the v4.

remotes.jpg


The new “v4” remote is pictured on top, the v3 is in the middle, and the v1 is on the bottom. The “v4” is the smallest remote yet from OpenBox.

Hardware Changes
I don’t have to say how tiny the new OpenBox S10 HD PVR is. Other than the tiny design I observed the following changes:

* SCART has been eliminated. Unless you have an old EU analog TV or VCR, this is not used in North America.

* Video and audio output is simple now: HDMI or composite (analog 480i) output. There is no component (Y/Cb/Cr) outputs. There is also no S/PDIF output. Dolby/AC-3 is either thru HDMI or thru the RCA red & white jacks.

* Replaceable modules for HDMI and Tuner. I have yet to see a tuner fail on an OpenBox, but I did have a guy fry his HDMI port before.

* Smaller mainboard, power supply, ect. That is a given for the much tinier case size.

* 12V, 50mA power output. This is not an 0/12V switch which we could use. It appears to be a continuous 12VDC output. I see no legitimate use for this, but it is there.

back.JPG


inside1.JPG


inside2.JPG


Heat
I had to wondered about heat with everything being so tiny. The OpenBox S9 literally ran cold. I’ve had an OpenBox S10 HD PVR running for over an hour, C-band LNBF, switching, PVR/HDD. I’d say 250mA continuous. It is luke warm, that’s it.

Audio/Video
As noted before, you get HDMI or analog composite. HDMI picture is just as good as the S9 or AZbox. HDMI modes are NTSC 480i/480p/720p and 1080i. EU PAL modes are also supported at 50HZ: 576i/576p/720p and 1080i.

Analog/composite supports 480i NTSC, 576i PAL, PAL-M and PAL-N or whatever those goofy modes are. All are tested and work with my NTSC/PAL TV.

The S10 does not appear to have the “green” tint issue observed with 480i analog on some NTSC TV’s with the older S9 files.

OpenBox S10 HD PVR Utilities and files
The S10 played my S9 PVR files perfectly and uses the same .dvr format. The PVR Tool, serial loader and Ali Editor all work with the S10. The OpenBox S10 also loaded my S9 TP_PROG.dbs file fine. The only thing I did not test was a full S9 to S10 firmware flash, I am not in the mood to fry a S10 on the first day.

Recommendation for S9 owners and guys that were going to buy the S9
Other than the tiny size, guys with the S9 are not missing anything. They did change the GUI, but function wise it is the same Ali technology. The real time clock still resets when rebooting and they have not yet put the H/V polarity scan back in the unit. S9 guys are fine with what you have.

If you were looking at an S9, buy the S10. It is the newest model and as such I would expect it will receive factory improvements first. Should anything go wrong, the replaceable modules should make repair and turnaround time faster. The wife might like the cute, tiny little box better too.

”New” GUI
As noted before, the OpenBox engineers went in and changed the GUI. It effectively functions like the S9 or a Traxis, just with horizontal layout for main item access instead of vertical. Looks fancy and new, but it is in all Ali 3602 based STB’s. Here are some screens…

screen1.JPG

screen2.JPG

screen3.JPG

screen4.JPG

screen5.JPG

screen6.JPG
 
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Yeh, Its still not quite electrically legal, No Earth and a metal case?
Should either be a plastic case or have a three cord cable.
 
can u show me a screen shot of the a to z has it been change like a technomate ie u can skip passed a b c d to get e not have scroll through abcd
 
I've no idea to be honest, but your right metal case and no earth, but then is this some alternative colour standard?

http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_5/chpt_2/2.html

As with the S9 I'm not really in favour of the direct attached cord either, certainly for this type of electrical equipment and without an earth, i like to have the option to choose my connection type, for me when i'm buying IT equipment as an example they are shipped with both EU/UK cables.

:wtf:
 
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so if you go for this box what could you do to give it a good Earth
 
so if you go for this box what could you do to give it a good Earth


Cut off the existing lead, fit a 3 core lead to it, connect the earth onto the baseplate, with a flying lead onto the back plate and the top cover. Fit a three pin plug to it aswell.
 
Cut off the existing lead, fit a 3 core lead to it, connect the earth onto the baseplate, with a flying lead onto the back plate and the top cover. Fit a three pin plug to it aswell.

Any firmware today Swanside? I've people telling me, its out today.
 
hi im thinking about getting 1 of these to connect upto my hd projector in my bedroom, was just wondering how easy are they to setup, is the epg any good on them, and also how do you add your own channel list, like tonedeffs for instance or is it totally different, thanks for any replies!
 
very easy to set up. epg is now and next only. You have to make up your own channel list or you can load one from the stickies at the top.
 
very easy to set up. epg is now and next only. You have to make up your own channel list or you can load one from the stickies at the top.
arrrr thought the epg might have been 7 days, im not gunna bother id rather put the extra 40 quid and get a 800 pro, cheers for the info though!
 
Whoa people!!!!

DON'T modify the mains unless you know what you are doing! See that little symbol on the back panel of a square within a square? Do you know what that means?

It is the symbol for "Double insulated". In other words the box has been designed NOT to be earthed! It's an IEC Class II product! Most other AV equipment is designed in the same way and is not meant to be earthed.

Fudge around with the mains wiring at your own risk, guys! If you don't know what you are doing (And it's obvious some of you don't, because you don't know what class II is) I'd advise leaving well alone.

Appliance classes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sorry to be so blunt but safety is paramount and a little knowledge is a dangerous thing!
 
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Maybe you could be so kind to show where the two layers of electrical insulation are around the single insulated mains cables inside the box before after they leave the on/off switch and go to the power supply board?
That would clear up any confusions.
Thanks
swanny
 
ive had a look at my m8s today it is a s10 as there is no scart on the back but the menu is not like in post 1 going from top left to top rite his goes top left to botum left
 
ive had a look at my m8s today it is a s10 as there is no scart on the back but the menu is not like in post 1 going from top left to top rite his goes top left to botum left

My S10 menu scrolls left to right and when you select each from the top row it effectively provides you with a drop down list in the central pane.

That menu system is S9. Suggest you re-flash it with a S10 FW. Factory default S10 FW is CHDS2-2011-5-22

As i understand it you can flash the S10 with S9 firmware, but not the other way around (Not tried this mind, but this seems to indicate so)
 
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Hello guys,
I bought this receiver yesterday and tested all the function is working but compare to my original satellite receiver picture qualitys, S10 is down grade. viewing like a 3rd copy of VCD. what is worse can't adjustment display, there have a only 3 things to adjust but never get good result. if adjust my TV then other channels program view is run out. audio out alos very low signal S10 to change TV programs suddenly boisterous sound come out.
What I paid for this S10 will take 120days to recover my money after all is profit.
 
you have a faulty box or hdmi cable then as there is nothing wrong with s10 picture
 
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