Patches vs. Cams - Techwatch: Satellite TV forums, FTA, Cable, Hardware, & Tech forums

widowmaker · 25-05-08, 11:29 PM

Hi

I am a complete newbe and am trying to figure out what equipment to buy on a low budget. It would be nice to have HD but I am not sure the extra cost is worth it.

The Arion AF8000HDCI looks good but can it be patched and are there patches available? Is it worth paying for cams and camloaders or are patches just as good/better?

There don't seem many reviews of the AF8000HDCI but DrDish seem to like it.

Would it be better to get a Technomate TM5400 CI+ USB and forget about about HD? The TM HD receivers are beyond my budget.

Please advise me!

Thanks.

Robbo · 26-05-08, 12:11 AM

The Darkbox 2008 HD is cheaper than the Technomate.

The Darkbox is about £200 I believe.

A Diablo CAM with porgrammer would cost nigh on £100 anyway.

If you could do without the HD then the TM5400 should do you OK, which would allow you to slip a CAM in at a later date if you needed to.

Robbo

F40 · 26-05-08, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by widowmaker

Hi

I am a complete newbe and am trying to figure out what equipment to buy on a low budget. It would be nice to have HD but I am not sure the extra cost is worth it.

The Arion AF8000HDCI looks good but can it be patched and are there patches available? Is it worth paying for cams and camloaders or are patches just as good/better?

There don't seem many reviews of the AF8000HDCI but DrDish seem to like it.

Would it be better to get a Technomate TM5400 CI+ USB and forget about about HD? The TM HD receivers are beyond my budget.

Please advise me!

Thanks.

Hi m8

I was in a similar dilemma. I have decided to go for the Technomate TM-6900 (the 5400 series look good too) and add a CAM as/if required at a later date. This unit has 2 tuners, is HD and can be turned into a PVR by connecting to a USB HDD when you need it.

Good luck

Rob

southernsatellite · 26-05-08, 11:31 AM

F40 the Technomate cannot accept a eSata only a USB HDD, the Darkbox can add a eSata HDD, the 2 tuners are 1 x satellite and 1 x terrestrial, only allowing you to watch one channel and record the same channel.

widowmaker · 26-05-08, 12:47 PM

Thanks for the replies.

I'd love a Technomate TM-6900 but having bought a HD TV and DVD/HDD recorder last year I fear for my life (or is it am in fear of my wife? - on reflection both) if I spend too much on a satellite setup.

Slightly confused by what you were saying southernsatellite, has the Darkbox got twin tuners or is that just the TM-6900? I notice that the TM-6900 upscales the image, does the Darkbox?

No one has commented on the AF8000HDCI, is that 'cos it's no good?

Andy

widowmaker · 26-05-08, 02:02 PM

Just spotted Darkbox REV 2008 HD OR Technomate TM-6900 COMBO HD thread which answers number of tuners question. Still don't know whether Darkbox upscales though.

Andy

widowmaker · 26-05-08, 02:18 PM

Just noticed Darkbox REV 2008 HD OR Technomate TM-6900 COMBO HD thread, which answers number of tuners question.

Still not sure whether the Darkbox upscales though.

Andy

widowmaker · 26-05-08, 02:23 PM

Just noticed "Darkbox REV 2008 HD OR Technomate TM-6900 COMBO HD" thread which answers number of tuners question.

Does the Darkbox upscale though?

Andy

southernsatellite · 26-05-08, 03:28 PM

The AF8000 is an excellent receiver but cannot be patched or record.

576P 720P 1080i , but it only upscales HD channels ,not SD channels although you will probably notice an improvement over normal SD

Physcogem · 31-05-08, 10:07 AM

hi
i have the arion though only just set it up yesterday have not viewed any hd stuff yet (dish alignment probs, hope to be sorted today

) but the box looks good, easy to use menus, only 169 from southern satellite. go to this http://www.tele-satellite.com/TELE-s.../eng/arion.pdf for a review, i chose this over the topfield on this review. hope this helps and as soon as the probs are sorted will report back with results. by the way its not patchable but i have a cam and that im sure will be another story............

25-05-08, 11:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
widowmaker Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wolverhampton Posts: 6 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Patches vs. Cams Hi I am a complete newbe and am trying to figure out what equipment to buy on a low budget. It would be nice to have HD but I am not sure the extra cost is worth it. The Arion AF8000HDCI looks good but can it be patched and are there patches available? Is it worth paying for cams and camloaders or are patches just as good/better? There don't seem many reviews of the AF8000HDCI but DrDish seem to like it. Would it be better to get a Technomate TM5400 CI+ USB and forget about about HD? The TM HD receivers are beyond my budget. Please advise me! Thanks.

26-05-08, 12:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
Robbo Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kent Posts: 5,020 Thanks: 27 Thanked 473 Times in 456 Posts	Re: Patches vs. Cams The Darkbox 2008 HD is cheaper than the Technomate. The Darkbox is about £200 I believe. A Diablo CAM with porgrammer would cost nigh on £100 anyway. If you could do without the HD then the TM5400 should do you OK, which would allow you to slip a CAM in at a later date if you needed to. Robbo __________________ كيبل اعضاء البلهاء TM6800,TM1000D.Triax TD110 on STABHH-90 motor.Orbital 1m on Moteck motor+2 x minidishes DigitAlb movie package. Electronics Engineer and satellite installer. Last edited by Robbo; 26-05-08 at 09:48 AM.

26-05-08, 11:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
southernsatellite Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,056 Thanks: 14 Thanked 58 Times in 55 Posts	Re: Patches vs. Cams F40 the Technomate cannot accept a eSata only a USB HDD, the Darkbox can add a eSata HDD, the 2 tuners are 1 x satellite and 1 x terrestrial, only allowing you to watch one channel and record the same channel. __________________ Before you buy contact or visit southernsatellite.co.uk on 01892 833007. We try hard not to be beaten on price!

26-05-08, 12:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
widowmaker Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wolverhampton Posts: 6 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Patches vs. Cams Thanks for the replies. I'd love a Technomate TM-6900 but having bought a HD TV and DVD/HDD recorder last year I fear for my life (or is it am in fear of my wife? - on reflection both) if I spend too much on a satellite setup. Slightly confused by what you were saying southernsatellite, has the Darkbox got twin tuners or is that just the TM-6900? I notice that the TM-6900 upscales the image, does the Darkbox? No one has commented on the AF8000HDCI, is that 'cos it's no good? Andy

26-05-08, 02:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
widowmaker Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wolverhampton Posts: 6 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Patches vs. Cams Just spotted Darkbox REV 2008 HD OR Technomate TM-6900 COMBO HD thread which answers number of tuners question. Still don't know whether Darkbox upscales though. Andy


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26-05-08, 02:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
widowmaker Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wolverhampton Posts: 6 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Patches vs. Cams Just noticed Darkbox REV 2008 HD OR Technomate TM-6900 COMBO HD thread, which answers number of tuners question. Still not sure whether the Darkbox upscales though. Andy

26-05-08, 02:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
widowmaker Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wolverhampton Posts: 6 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Patches vs. Cams Just noticed "Darkbox REV 2008 HD OR Technomate TM-6900 COMBO HD" thread which answers number of tuners question. Does the Darkbox upscale though? Andy

26-05-08, 03:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
southernsatellite Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,056 Thanks: 14 Thanked 58 Times in 55 Posts	Re: Patches vs. Cams The AF8000 is an excellent receiver but cannot be patched or record. 576P 720P 1080i , but it only upscales HD channels ,not SD channels although you will probably notice an improvement over normal SD __________________ Before you buy contact or visit southernsatellite.co.uk on 01892 833007. We try hard not to be beaten on price! Last edited by southernsatellite; 26-05-08 at 05:18 PM.

31-05-08, 10:07 AM	#10 (permalink)
Physcogem clueless but getin there Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: n.e lincs coast Posts: 240 Thanks: 17 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Patches vs. Cams hi i have the arion though only just set it up yesterday have not viewed any hd stuff yet (dish alignment probs, hope to be sorted today ) but the box looks good, easy to use menus, only 169 from southern satellite. go to this http://www.tele-satellite.com/TELE-s.../eng/arion.pdf for a review, i chose this over the topfield on this review. hope this helps and as soon as the probs are sorted will report back with results. by the way its not patchable but i have a cam and that im sure will be another story............ __________________ 70cm dish motorised, Arion af8000hdci receiver, Diablo v2.3, cas 3+, Alsat super dark motor, 60cm fixed 19e anologue.

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