More Qs from me. COmparison advice

[ScottC25]

HI all

Getting closer to the big purchase and have narrowed it down to 3 PVR based recievers but struggling to see much of a difference between them other than price!
Topfield TF5500
Dreambox 7025
Manhattan PLaza ST550

All seem to have twin tuners, 160gb or larger HDD and various other features that all appear similar to my novice eyes.

What would you all recommend and why.

Most likely to be in a set up to recieve Hotbird and the 2 Astra satellites.

The Manhattan appears considerably less expensive than the other two but is highly rated by What Satellite

Any suggestions to why that is??

Thanks again for all your help

Scott

[Mickha]

The Dreambox is a complex piece of equipment, it used to have poor quality tuners on earlier models, but I am unsure on the 7025, as most dream box owners are waiting for the 8000, due out at the end of the year, or early next year.
If you intend to explore all avenues of this hobby, link it to your computer, and know anything about Linux, then it's a good choice, but will drive you insane in the beginning.
Read through the Dreeambox section and ask a few questions, you'll find dreambox owners like to talk about their receivers, I think it's a form of madness, like trainspotting
http://www.satellitehelp.co.uk/forum....php?board=5.0
The other two I don't know a lot about except I think Manhatten Plaza machines are the only ones capable of working with a 36v motor without a v-box.
I'm sure others will be able to supply more information.

[Jimdefruit]

You dont need to know anything at all about linux to use a dreambox.

I would recommend the dreambox hands down. There is a huge amount of help available and if you have a broadband internet connection and some knowledge of using windows files transfers using windows explorer you wil really enjoy it.

If you just want to watch tv go for one of the others.

[BGonaSTICK]

I've heard some bad reports on the Manhattens reliability-wise, so my gut feel would be to avoid it. There is virtually no forum/community support for them, and believe me, that's worth a lot.

The Topfield is a lovely piece of equipment, and Topfield still have a lot of admirers. They are a class box, but overpriced IMHO.

My vote goes to the Dreambox. As I said before, with the 7025 in particular, buy from a reputable UK supplier, as a few early ones didn't last 48 hours before they died.

I would also keep the standard firmware in for a few weeks to prove your box, as some retailers claim that by loading third-party firmware, you invalidate the warranty. Think about using a USB stick with it.

Hmm, I don't know too much about the 7025, but I assume you can pseudo-boot from USB like the 7000/7020?

Once proven in terms of operation, and you've loaded some proper software, they are many times more capable and flexible than the other two boxes you mention. If you don't know what I mean, then just say, and we'll explain it.



STICK

[ScottC25]

As ever the answers give me both more info and more confusion! Thanks. Why would I want to alter the firmware on the box or use a usb stick with it. What can that achieve? IF the answer revolves around connecting to the web I should maybe give the info that I only have a 512k connection and that is all I can get 5 miles outside one of the UKs largest cities. Thanks BT!!!(not)

[Mickha]

Hi ScottC25,
because that would give you a lot more channels to view !!!!!!!
As BGonaSTICK stated there were problems when the 7025 first came out and one person that bought one had so many problems he eventually returned it and went for the older 7020 model instead. He did have problems returning it though, as he had loaded some different images on the box, that were not the manufacturers, so the supplier wouldn't touch it, but after complaining he finally got it resolved, so the advice to get a USB stick, and keep your images on that, is highly recommended, at least for the first few weeks.
Have a read through the Dreambox section as this machine is capable of a lot more than just receiving satellite signals and very few have pushed it to its limits.
Best wishes
Mickha

[BGonaSTICK]

Yep, as usual, Mickha's got it covered.

There's so much it can do that it's hard to explain in one or two posts.

Normally I don't mind repeating myself, but in the case of the Dreambox, it really is a good idea to spend at least a few days reading up. You'll have loads of questions. That's normal. Write them all down and come back here to ask them.

We don't expect you to know much after a few days, so we certainly won't mind even the most basic of questions.

In my opinion, it's well worth finding out what the Dreambox can do. It's a fabulous piece of kit, and blows the socks off of all other receivers if you want to push it.

STICK