Should I go with indoor aerial or cable?

[mystvearn]

Which cable receiver should I get? I just tried the outdoor aerial indoors. Very bad reception. Even the clearest channel is crap. I might as well return the product back.

[cactikid]

if your neighbour upstairs has cable could you ask them what channels they get,before you do anything it might give you a guide .

[mystvearn]

Why I need to ask what channels the person gets? I don't think it makes any difference right?

[marxian]

For the purposes of watching TV, any of Dreambox, Eurovox or Starview will do the job well. The Dreambox has more features, such as a web interface and the ability to stream video via the internet, but it takes a little more effort to set it up.

I don't have any personal experience of Starview, but I have previously owned a Eurovox Max, and I currently own a Dreambox DM500C. The Dreambox is superior in my view, due to the extra features and a better EPG.

[cactikid]

Why I need to ask what channels the person gets? I don't think it makes any difference right?

what i meant was if they were getting a number of channels you should also,but with your dodgy aerial cable box may not work until new line is fitted.

[mystvearn]

My neighbour is on VM, so not using the aerial. I could borrow my friend's VM box and hook it up to the cable just to see if the cable is live right?

What easy to use, cheap cable receiver should I get. I want something which gives me less hasle.

[marxian]

I don't think it would be a good idea to connect your neighbour's box to your cable feed. The box will talk back to VM. Your cable feed must be live if you are currently using the VM internet service, so you are good to go.

If you want ease of use, then either the Eurovox EX1000 SL or the Starview 4 are good choices. The Starview can be flashed via a USB stick and can record to an external hard drive. Mycablebox are a reputable supplier. Have a look here:

My Cable Box-Cable TV Boxes

[mystvearn]

What about that Dreambox 500c then? no good?

[marxian]

The DM500C is a very good box, but it takes a little more work to set up than the others. If you're OK with computers, then I would recommend it above the Eurovox and Starview. However, if you want a box that is very simple to set up, then the Starview is probably the best choice.

[mystvearn]

I am tech savvy. Bottom line which is best then. VM will not detect me "borrowing" the line using these third party boxes right?

[marxian]

The Dreambox DM500C is best. VM cannot detect the use of these boxes, since they do not talk back.

[mystvearn]

I noticed that the price for Dreambox 500c varies greatly among sites. Also reading the Dreambox thread, I could not find a preferred place to buy the item.

Could anyone PM me a good place to buy it :P

[marxian]

I got mine from satsun.biz. Very good service and a competitive price. Dvbseller are also highly rated.

Dreambox 500C Digital Cable STB [DM500-C] - $69.99 : Sat Sun, Digital TV

Dreambox 500S, Dreambox 500C, Dreambox 500T, Dreambox 600, Dreambox 7020

[cactikid]

any 500c model you buy now will be a clone as originals finished about 2 years ago.

[Delboy07]

i had a teknika and was missing some channels then got it replaced wiv one called all in one. It cost more and was meant to be better but then I was receiving much less channels from b4 and shudv stuck to the technika. I now got a cable line put into my room and am looking into some of the interestin formums on cable in here