Vu+ Duo Clone Tested First Impressions

**digicon** · 24th February, 2012, 02:43 AM

Hi all as promised have finished all of the tests available to me to put the clone duo through its paces.

Vu+ Duo Clone * No HardDrive Installed * Pre Kernel 3.1.1 Image BH 1.6.6

Tuner A set to Usals on Supreme Darkmotor
Tuner B set to Simple Single Sat 28.2?
Also had this setting in reverse

Ok Duo drives Motor no problem on tuner A and B signal levels on both via the box itself is the same as my Ultimo maybe -1db lower on quality but pretty much the same, Switching between Motor and static via Bouquets reacts exactly like my Ultimo and 800se.

Tuner A set to Usals Supreme Darkmotor
Tuner B set to Advanced with Diseqc 1.0 through switch on 0.8? west and 28.2? east
Also had this setting in reverse

Same as above signal levels still strong on Tuner A on tuner B as expected a -3db loss due to the diseqc switch intresting as the 800se clone also loses anothe -7db through the same switch so the Duo wins here Tuner wise.

I also did the same test on my test rig which is a Zone2 60cm Motorised Sky dish with TM2600 motor and results where the same the Duo never flinched.

Vu+ Duo Clone * HardDrive Installed * Pre Kernel 3.1.1 Image BH 1.6.6

I did the same tests as above but this time with an ex SkyHD 500gb seagate pipeline HD installed, I just did the various flick through different channels on the motor and satatic and the Diseqc arrangement just to see if the power supply flinced with the HD installed, I can confirm another pass no problems reported.

I also did some PTS tests with the Hard drive and a 16gb pendrive installed with picons, everything worked as it should and any recordings i tried via the EPG guide worked from standby. The only recording test i did not try was form Deep standby as it appears the pre Kernel 3.1.1 BH images have a problem waking up from deep standby infact i had to reflash the box twice after leaving it in a deep sleep for 2 days so that was one negative from the older BH 1.6.6 image.

Vu+ Duo Clone * No HardDrive Installed * Kernel 3.1.1 Image BH 1.7.2

Again tests where done identical to the above with the various configurations this time after updating the loader on the box via the supplied Null modem cable and IC security chip board.

All tests where done with and without hard drive installed and again everything worked exactly as expected PTS on HD and USB stick all fine no problems, EPG recordings from standby all performed as normal.

Now the differece with the new 3.1.1 Kernel and images BH 1.7.2 this time around had Zero problems with deep standby tested after a few hours and the longest i left it was around 3 days and it awoke via the remote no problem, From doing some research i dont think this is a problem with the clones as i have seen posts of exact same nature with originals until upgraded with the latest image.

Also the Patched Loader acts like the Original Duo and will let you install previous images if you so desire.

Heat issues from the box are along the lines of my Ultimo and 800se they get warm but so does a lot of electrical items, the only difference i have done with mine is i found that the installed fan is not getting rid of the heat from the PSU as it draws the hot air out. Now all i have done is reverse the fan so it blows cold air in and over the PSU. This is not advisable for everybody as people have them in cabinets and racks but mine is on a shelf with a lot of clearance around it and with the eversal i have found that the top left corner at the back above the PSU is now cold where as before it did get quite warm, Like i said not for everyone but some of you may give it a try.

And that is basically it, Everything seems to be working as the original would all Official Plugins work from the BH server and general day to day viewing is in my opinion as it should be.

Before anyone asks i am sorry i have not tried it with different images and just left it to Blackhole but this is the image i prefer and is what i run on my Ultimo, Any other member please feel free to do some testing on other images and post your results for comparison i would love to see it.

Conclusion:

Clone Duo wins over my 800se due to the fact it has twin tuners and also the Tuner sensitivity is slightly better and the big plus it runs Original images.

**the rock** · 24th February, 2012, 10:14 AM

just a quick question for the guys in ireland with saorview will the clones use a dvt -b dongle so we have a tripple tuner has any one tested this thanks guys

**chrisnasah** · 24th February, 2012, 12:42 PM

Excellent thanks for sharing will be useful for someone when trying to purchase one, although i am not able to justify why someone would pay approx ?200 for a clone when original can be obtained for around ?290-?300 approx. Not worth the worry if something goes faulty in few months i think.

If the difference was as such as the dm clones have with originals this would have been an excellent buy. I think if it was half the price then maybe worth it.

**dell_xps** · 24th February, 2012, 01:35 PM

Good write up m8 !

**redondo5** · 24th February, 2012, 06:38 PM

Thanks for that. How did you reverse the fan? did you switch the connections internally? or is it possible throught the image?

**digicon** · 24th February, 2012, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by chrisnasah

Excellent thanks for sharing will be useful for someone when trying to purchase one, although i am not able to justify why someone would pay approx ?200 for a clone when original can be obtained for around ?290-?300 approx. Not worth the worry if something goes faulty in few months i think.

If the difference was as such as the dm clones have with originals this would have been an excellent buy. I think if it was half the price then maybe worth it.

if you can get an original for ?290 then i would love to know where from as they are usually ?319 and the price for a clone is not ?200 if you shop around the price on average is around ?185 give or take depending on the exchange rate so a saving of ?134 thats another DM800HD pro.

Originally Posted by redondo5

Thanks for that. How did you reverse the fan? did you switch the connections internally? or is it possible throught the image?

No i just literally turned the fan around by removing the power supply and unscrewing the fan and turning it around. Simple.

**freck** · 24th February, 2012, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by the rock

just a quick question for the guys in ireland with saorview will the clones use a dvt -b dongle so we have a tripple tuner has any one tested this thanks guys

I've tested it on the Sole CE edition and it works fine on Black Hole image 1.6.6.
Easiest gadget for Saorview at the moment is the WIWA
Plugs into any tv with a scart,also's a media player..pause live tv,records to usb drive,plays media from usb/hdd.
Full epg and digital radio stations....great piece of kit.
My suppliers site is down but heres the main source
Polish translation needed or try ebay
Freck
P.S. Heres a translation of the page thanx to Google Translate.....

WIWA Tuner HD-50 - is a compact set-top box capable of receiving free Freeview DVB-T MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 H.264 video and radio channels (FTA) in the ranges: VHF (174-230 MHz) and UHF (470 -862 MHz) channels with a width of 7 MHz and 8 MHz.

Wiwa HD-85 - meets all the requirements of digital terrestrial television on Polish AND Irish territory.
It is equipped with:
- AC3 decoder (Dolby Digital),
- E-AC3 decoder (Dolby Digital Plus)
- HDMI connector for signal reception in HD
- MPEG-1 Layer I / II
- MPEG-2 layer II
- MPEG-4 LC 2ch/5.1

The device also gives the opportunity to:
-recording of television programs in digital quality on an external hard drive or memory stick.
-alloying image at any time watching.
-Play your favorite movies, music or pictures by creating HD Media Player.
Excellent image quality in high definition resolution (1920 x 1080p) guarantees a great pleasure and comfort of watching ..

Active remote controlled.
OSD in Polish - telewizowa displayed on the screen, clear intuitive, easy to use.
Language can be changed to English!!

**ekkostar** · 24th February, 2012, 10:05 PM

Nice write up, although I would go for an Original every time.

BH make by far the best image IMHO so if the clone runs original images then fair do's.

**chrisnasah** · 24th February, 2012, 11:28 PM

Originally Posted by digicon

if you can get an original for ?290 then i would love to know where from as they are usually ?319 and the price for a clone is not ?200 if you shop around the price on average is around ?185 give or take depending on the exchange rate so a saving of ?134 thats another DM800HD pro.

No i just literally turned the fan around by removing the power supply and unscrewing the fan and turning it around. Simple.

Well am sure everyone would have heard of world of satellite... on ebay he sells them on there too and also had some on best offer... if you talk to him he will agree for around ?290 plus ?10 postage so yeah ?300 but you have the peace of mind... i understand at present we can use the latest firmware on these clones but you dont know whats down the line in 2 months, maybe it should all be fine but for the sake of 100 pounds id still go for original one.

Yes you are right the clones can be bought for ?185 but i only managed this via China and again risky if it arrives DOA or issues down the line.

**trance** · 29th February, 2012, 04:16 AM

Thanks digicon, for taking the time to inform us all on the vu performance under different setups
cheers

**samoloko** · 1st March, 2012, 01:18 PM

digicon

Is It possible for you to test tuner sensitivity between DM800se clone / Vu Duo Clone / Vu Ultimo original at some week transponders for you at 11.8 - 12.7 range (5E or 7W) (If you have transponders that breaks would be better) but without diseqc switch - only cable
I am very Interested which box will win

**bigkenny1** · 3rd March, 2012, 05:08 AM

I cannot get my clone VU+ Duo to work with CCcam it will not connect, my friend has it working with Mgcamd but he too cannot make it work with CCcam. Can this clone box work with CCcam??

**digicon** · 3rd March, 2012, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by bigkenny1

I cannot get my clone VU+ Duo to work with CCcam it will not connect, my friend has it working with Mgcamd but he too cannot make it work with CCcam. Can this clone box work with CCcam??

Yes CCcam works perfectly with the clones, To help you we need to know what image you are using on your box.