Sat Box upgrade recommendations

[paul22]

Currently using a Skybox F5s with UK subscription and I've been very happy with it but I understand the trusty Skybox is only the tip of the iceberg so it's time for an upgrade. I have a budget of ?150 for a new box so what do you guys recommend bearing in mind I'm a little wet behind the ears. Cheers people

[Marmite123]

My first box was a skybox F5 and recently stepped up to a Blade box BM7000 ! Absolutely love this sat box ! Priced at about ?150 😀


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[paul22]

Nice one, will look into the Blade. Is it fairly straightforward to use mate? What advantages do you find over the satbox?

[Marmite123]

Yeah it's fairly straight forward better EPG can record 2 channels, fairly good media player built in which only plays MKV DIVX and AVI files so it's good for the films for the kids. If you go for the Blade a couple of regulars on here are always happy to help. RAMJET and HAPPY HIGHLANDER I will always try to help too when I can but these 2 seem to be in the know as far as this box is concerned.

Have a quick look at this link also

http://bladesupport.webs.com/Documents/Blade%207000%20The%20Essential%20Guide_P1_03Mar_2011_no9991.pdf

[ramjet]

its a single tuner box so can only record more than one channel on the same transponder

you need a twin tuner box to be able to record 2 different channels that are on different transponders

[paul22]

So with the bm7000 you have to be watching the channel you are wanting to record? A twin tuner is going to be out of my budget then?

[ramjet]

So with the bm7000 you have to be watching the channel you are wanting to record? A twin tuner is going to be out of my budget then?

not necessarily , this is where it gets difficult for people to understand what is going on, it also does not help when well meaning members say the box can record 2 different channels because this is rarely the case, unless you buy a twin tuner box with 2 separate lnb feeds , which is how sly plus works for instance

you may even find you can do these tricks on your slybox f5 or whatever

so bear in mind that sat channels are grouped onto a transponder , set a recording going and then try to change channel , the chances are your options are limited because you can only access other channels that use the same transponder, which as there may be only say 12 channels on that transponder means your choice is very limited

so you may be able to watch one channels whilst recording another channel - BUT ONLY ON THE SAME TRANSPONDER

so not a no , not a yes , but a maybe but it depends on blah blah

a BM7000S only has a single tuner, same as your slybox has

so for full capability you want a tm twin or gigablue quad or a vu duo or a vu solo2 or a vu duo2 - also you need a quad lnb with at least 2 cable feeds from the lnb to the twin tuner box - this gives you various options when wanting to watch and record 2 channels , or record 2 or more channels

[Marmite123]

The Blade box comes in on your budget of ?150 the boxes mentioned above, I suspect maybe more expensive.

I didn't mean to mislead you at all I should've explained things a little better.

[happy_highlander]

Bm7000 is also closed source same as f5 and when things do go pear shaped you are going to be left with little more than a fta box. Going for one of the boxes mentioned by ramjet or even the vu uno with twin tuner (slightly cheaper option) you will always have the iptv and streaming options available via plugins as well as fta and they are much better media players than any closed source. If you don't mind taking a bit of a punt on a clone the solo 2 clone had just been released at around the ?185 mark. Just a tad over half the price of an original. A lot of people will dismiss the clones but we have to accept they have their place in the current market. As long as you know you are buying a clone and not expecting an original I don't have to much of a problem with them

[paul22]

I can't find a clone for the Solo 2 but it's something I would look into. Not sure if it's allowed on here but if it is can you advise where to find these?

[happy_highlander]

Sorry m8 I wouldn't post on open thread but that doesn't mean I can't help you.

[jaws2]

what dish have you got m8, if you are in the uk you would need at least a 1 meter with a motor,

[paul22]

Just using standard sky set up with F5s at the moment as I'm only streaming UK. House move in the new year though so I'm going to treat myself to a motorised dish and new box! Cheers H_H