Dreambox 500 vs TM1500 CI+

[nanochickin]

Cue the next thread

Told you so

Anyway, I've been getting a bit jealous of you lot that have a dreambox and i wouldn't mind one myself.

Anyway the problem is funds will probably only stretch to a Dreambox 500

The big question is ops:

Should i stay with my TM1500 CI+ and lupgrade it later if i need to with the use of cams etc or buy a DM 500 :?

I'm guessing there are people on the forum that have had experiences with both the TM1500 & the DM 500 so i thought you would be the best people to ask.

On the one hand i really like the TM as its easy to use and it does everything i need it to do (for the moment) but on the other hand i like messing and the DB looks an interesting toy to play with, although Linux does scare the poo out of me ops: . I'm starting to play with Mandrake Linux at the moment in preparation just in case i do get a DB 500.

So what should i do?



Nano

[Jimdefruit]

Well first of all, dont worry about the linux.

If you like messing about then the dreambox is the one for you. You will never have to buy another cam and the only card you will need to buy is an official one if you want guaranteed programmes.

Have you got a network/router to your pc and internet that you can connect to a dreambox. If so you can download all you need when you need it.

Go for it, you know it makes sense.

[BGonaSTICK]

I would think very hard about going down the CAM/programmable card route. It can be a bottomless pit!

Taking CS out of the picture, CAMs & cards will generally open more than either a patched Techno or a Dreambox, but the price can be high. The programming side can be fun, but if you've already done that in the past then it won't be a big draw.

The DM500 is pretty much the full monty. The main drawback for me (other than the HDD) is the lack of USB or other removable bootable media. Not the end of the world though, and probably the best value for money Dreambox available.

Don't expect to open a lot more on the Dreambox than the TM though. There's only a finite number of channels open, and the Techno has the vast majority at any given point in time.

Upgrading because you like the concept of playing with the Dreambox is as good a reason as any to upgrade though.

Basically, if you want to switch because the sound of fiddling about with the nuts and bolts sounds like fun, then I would say that you won't be disappointed.

If you're doing it just to watch loads of channels and don't really care for getting your hands dirty, then I'd think a lot harder.

It sounds to me like you're a Dreamboxer though

As far as I'm concerned it's not about how smart you are or how much reading you've done, it's more about the kind of person you are.

Oops! Sorry, don't want to get all philosophical here!

[nanochickin]

Don't expect to open a lot more on the Dreambox than the TM though. There's only a finite number of channels open, and the Techno has the vast majority at any given point in time.

I think I'll wait and see what happens. If my TM1500 CI+ will open near enough the same stuff as the DM500 then I cant really justify spending the money on it. :?

I think it will be a waiting game to see what happens. I've heard and seen so many rumors of what channels will be locked up soon that in all honesty i think it would be prudent to wait until the support for the TM1500 dries up and then go for a dreambox.

I see it this way, It will give me time to save up the £300 - £400 for one of the 7000 series units instead.

I'm sure the wife won't notice me syphoning off the odd £10 here and there from the joint accounts. :roflmao:



Nano

[BGonaSTICK]

OK, two points.

Firstly, if you want to card share, then the DM500 will open virtually every channel in every package for the price of a single card and some configuration work. That's not an option on most boxes.

Secondly, the whole hack scene is a commercial soup. The Dreambox is a hobby box. People write for it for fun, for the geekyness, the ego-trip and for the recognition. Some even make some money out of it.

'Hacks' are either 'public' or not. There are several parts to a 'hack' (I really hate that term because it's not a hack by any generally accepted definition of the word! > ).

Process and data. The process is the code used in the decoding process, the data is several pieces of information used in that process, one part of which is the 'key'.

If both process and data are public at the same time, then pretty much every single receiver on the planet could run that hack.

Why don't they?

Money.

Only the popular and current boxes get re-patched because it helps them sell.

If a hack is complete i.e. all the components are available and in the public domain, then a 'public' hack can be rolled out - and it will - in double-quick time.

All key logic and data on open systems like the Dreambox, Skystar etc is public, so there is no technical reason why it can't be implemented on another platform, like the Technomate for example. Programmers rip logic from emulators and firmware on other platforms for use on other boxes. They don't even have to reverse-engineer the code, as source-code is freely distributed between the big non-commercial teams.

Where commercial restriction is imposed on a hack (like with secure CAMs, cards and STBs where one or more components of the hack is hidden from public view, by encryption for example) then it won't roll out across all platforms. The teams that do this are making a living from piracy. They are simply mercenaries, but they still do the hobby a favour by injecting cash into the underground marketplace.

Hope that gives you a better insight.

[nanochickin]

Anybody know of a reputable seller where i can get a DB500 from in the new year.

I'm going to start with a 500 first then maybe upgrade next year (2008) to a 7000 series or maybe the new 8000 series when i'm used to how it all works.

I see it this way i'd rather f**k up a £150 box than a £350 box if you see where i'm coming from.



Nano

P.s The nearer to the midlands the better.

[BGonaSTICK]

Well, if you don't mind buying and selling.

I have to say this though. Working with the 500 is harder, and far more risky than the 7-series.

Why?

Because:

a) The 500 has far less memory, so you can only run limited stuff.
b) The 500 doesn't have a USB port, so you have to flash everything to the box. Here's the risk.
c) There aren't many images for it, or or much development going on.

The other downside of the 500, is that there are lots of reported problems driving a DiSEqC motor.

Mail order is the way to go IMO. Satstore.co.uk is good. The owner is a good supporter of the sat-scene.

Dreamboxshop is another UK supplier. Not sure what they're like though. Also, Satellite Superstore are a reputable dealer.

[nanochickin]

I see exactly where your coming from now Stick ops:

What do you think about the DM7020-S. I might be able to stretch to it if i sell my TM1500 CI+ and some of my computer stuff. 8) Dont think i can stretch to the DM7025 :'(

I'm assuming that you can boot them off a pen drive rather than onboard.

[BGonaSTICK]

The 7020 has your name on it, so stop messing about, sell your children and buy one :roflmao:

I wouldn't buy a 7025. It's just wrong.

The 7020 will boot off an empty beer can if you ask it nicely.

[Analoguesat]

nano - I splashed out on a 7020 over the summer, and its a great box. Its bl00dy hard work to get to know how to fly it to a reasonable level, and Im still having to be helped by Stick, Jim & the others, but I think its worth it.

The other advantage of the 7020 over the 500 is that its got an rf modulator so you can run it in a simple distribution system if you should so want.