Receiver - Blade 7000s vs. Skybox F3

[akbarirfan]

Hi All,

I intend to install a fixed satellite dish to pick up the FTA channels on 28.2E. I have used the Blade 7000s before but at a third of the price the Skybox F3 HD has caught my eye.

My requirements are that I am able to watch HD and 3D content and also update the box through USB. I don't plan on recording or anything.

I remember configuring the Blade was very straight forward. Are the instruction on this site for configuring/flashing the Open Box the same for the Skybox? (I no longer have access to a computer with a serial port so don't want to go down the RS232 port route).

Do you guys think I need the Blade for my requirements? or will the Skybox F3 HD do?

Is the Skybox F3 definitely 1080p HP? (I read that the Open Box S11 is 1080i capable but not 1080p)

Will both boxes work with wifi dongles?

Thanks!

[grahampaull]

F3

The F3's are a bit clunky but if its just for FTA HD stuff then yes, this will do the trick.

Nothing broadcasts in 1080P as far as I know, all HD broadcasts are 1080I

I would get a Wifi Bridge rather than a dongle, you can get a bridge off pleabay for about ?15-20, these are a lot better in my opinion.

HTH

G

[ramjet]

dongles do not work with these bespoke firmware boxes, only some linux boxes

the tenda wifi adapter or the vonets wifi adapter can be used with these boxes, as can homeplugs too

I would say deffo the blade, better epg, better box, better support

buy cheap you buy twice is what they say

an openbox is fine for fta and the occasional cs but I wouldnt rely on one as my main box

[akbarirfan]

Ah ok thanks guys - will stick to the blade then!!

Surprised that the price of the blades has not dropped at all.

Thanks

[Manic01]

Why drop a price on a successful receiver?

[akbarirfan]

No need to really - it is price inelastic..

Are there any new models coming out to replace the Blade?

[digicon]

I have just aquired an F3 for a fixed dish position such as your self and find it very good, Picture quality wise as well it is certainly a cut above most of the other ?50 receivers out there.

Personally and this is just my opinion i think the blade is overkill for a fixed dish the F3 will suit you just fine, as for the Wi-Fi dongle i assume you mean connecting it wirelessly to your router, in that case i think for the extra ?5 on a certain auction site you can get one with the official F3 wi-fi adaptor.

[digger99]

I've got one of these F3 along with a TM5402 which I believe is very similar to the blade, the TM5402 is a far superior box and alot more stable when using it for CS that the F3.

[akbarirfan]

Thanks all, will stick to the Blade then for overall stability.

[cactikid]

i dont think the f3 have an audio out for hookup to amp so no 5-1 sound.

[digicon]

i dont think the f3 have an audio out for hookup to amp so no 5-1 sound.

True but do people still use Coaxial/SPDif Toslink connectors these days for audio i mean HDMI capable receivers can be had for around ?140 now, Personally been using HDMI for 5.1/7.1 for the last 7 years at least.

[cactikid]

yes i still use them ,box to tv with hdmi and audio to amp,box is advertised as having one

[mdt]

i dont think the f3 have an audio out for hookup to amp so no 5-1 sound.

your right m8 ive got one here ATM and its got component,analogue audio but no digital audio,regards mdt