IMHO the list would go like this:
1::: OpenPli 2
pros:
- fantastic epg support via rytec plugin, all works automaticaly, in background, no need to restart image, update can be done in stanby
- fast zap
- very stable, it basically never crashes
- fastest boot
- no annoying tuner failed messages, zap works fantastic & and OpenPli IMHO gives you the best experience if you just want to relax and watch TV
- i like preferred languages and subtitles option
cons:
- lack of device manager and system information (free memory, ram usage etc)
- i wouldn't call support on pli forum too good
- pli team seems to be slow (they still haven’t realesed proper version of image based on new OE, it’s only beta, which works great btw) but on the other hand when they publish someting, it is GREAT. They say that they use their own OS which is both good and bad. Final product is something special, speed of the development is downside
- i'm not huge fant of their “offline installer”
-pli doesn’t have some advanced option seen in other images
final thought: best image i tried, i would dare to say, by far the best! Only image for which I could say that my box works constantly without any problems. boot time, fantastic zap, stability & best epg support really win it for openpli
2::: DreamElite Black Hole (old image version of now nonexistent team)
pros:
- very stable
- DE team was very innovative (first to implement dvb-t support for e.g.)
- fast image
- best appearance (skins etc)
- well done internal epg support
cons:
- no support
- no server
- old kernel, outdated image
- closed source
final thought: DE BH is great image. Enough said is that even now with no support it still is one of the best images. All the best from Pli + all the best from DE BH would one make perfect image. now DE team doesn't develop it anymore for dreamboxes, but they left fine product behind them
3:::Newnigma
pros:
- fast zap
- great device manager with lot of options
- intuitive UI, it is easy to install any plugins or addon
cons:
- not so rare “Tuner failed” problems
- crashes from time to time while on heavy EPG load
- requires restart after each epg update while using CrossEPG plugin
final thought: has a lot of bright sides but need of restart each time on epg update and annoying "tuner failed" messages killed it for Newnigma
4:::iCVS + GP3
pros:
-idea sound great, you install only stuff you need
-great support
-wide range of skins plugins
cons:
-very buggy
- not so rare “Tuner failed” problems
- slow
final thought: idea has that revolutionary taste, but i was not at all impressed with new gemini
NOTE: i "tested", better said used these original images with ssl's made by sim2 team on clone box with sim 2.01 in it, and this only reflects my (and i am definitely not an expert) experiences with each of these images.
