Which is best software image to use for IP9000HD?

[Paule]

Hi all,

As a newbie to the Linux based sat world, I've become rather disappointed with it. Having Tivo and Sky SD, I cannot see the reason for changing to use such

a complicated, bug ridden system to watch TV. Yes, you are able to view more programs (using motorised systems), but I would prefer to see 100 very good

programs which are easily recorded using a very good EPG than 10000 channels which are viewed using crude software which ultimately haves you

turning the system off.

I recently purchased an AB IPBox 9000HD receiver believing it was going to change my whole viewing experience, bringing x2 tuner HD content into my living room

was a big plus. But, all it has done is crash, freeze and generally be a pain in the butt.

I've read many forums regarding upgrading the system which I have done. I've used various images NL, Sirf, AB, DSG but still cannot seem to get a system

which I would call pleasingly usable. I cannot understand why so many features are missing from what people call "an open source operating system". I have

not (so far) seen an operating system which comes close to TiVO, SKY and recently Humax Foxat HD PVR. The smooth operating and features of their receiver

systems are far superior to anything I've seen so far using the Linux based IPBox 9000HD.

Please could someone try and change my mind as I have a £500 box sitting in my living room doing nothing. Maybe because I am a newbie, the features which I

wish to see are there but hidden in the maze of technical jargon.

My requirements are simple, could someone list the software required which will allow me to use my box as the mentioned systems (TIVO, SKY, Humax HD). What

I'd like to see is a EPG worth using, an interface worth looking at and features to make my viewing experience more of a joy.

Thanks in advance!

 

[animal666]

Just my opinion here!

Most people get the box so they can watch stuff that S*Y doesnt want us Simple people to see, Football at 3pm, Adult programmes that are actually Adult. Movies and programmes that you dont have to pay a subscription for!
A few HD channels that dont cost the Earth.

And we all like H*cking! Mainly because its Puts 2 Fingers up to the people that Decide whats suitable for us and what isnt!

If you just wanna watch S*y programmes use a s*y box.

The Box is Great if you know what it can do,

Ok the EPG needs some work maybe but plugins help.

 

[vt601]

This box tends to give you back the time you put into it, its not for sky even though you can use it for sky, but this box is as good as most other twin tuner sat box, when its set up right.

 

[rye787]

Paule, you hit the nail on the head. Generally Open source is good for utilities and servers, but not so good for GUI and dreadful for keeping your spouse happy. I had high hopes for the Cuberevo too, but I dont think it will be ever more than a toy.

 

[TerD]

I'll join the whingers. After2 months with a dud box ( and I still don't know why)I'm beginning from scratch. Definitely a clunky device if you have other things to do than loading up images every couple of weeks.

TerD

 

[healeydave]

Interesting thread and I'm really pleased to see you didn't get a load of people jump on you for criticising the receiver (sometimes you get that cos people take offence when they have spent a load of money also).

I have just purchased a CubeRevo after spending ages looking at the spec's of all the current Linux HD receivers.
I have seen so many cheap boxes come out (from the far east) over the years offering PVR functionality and they have all sucked when it comes to a UI (User Interface just incase

When you think Tivo came out in 2001, its a sad state of affairs that we have much more power under the hood and so much potential in these boxes and its all being let down by the UI which does not give a rich UE (User Experience). You know "Less is More", you almost need to make a UI that the Wife will use and then everything else will fall into place.

Considering Tivo's foundation was Linux, I doubt theres no reason really why a Tivo UI couldn't be written for these boxes!

Ironically, if someone virtually duplicated the Tivo UI on one of these boxes, even if it meant taking out some of the advanced features, people would be prepared to pay for it (as long as it was a nominal fee!).
I wish I had the necessary development skills myself, I would completely replicate the Tivo menu structure, even to the point where you ran "Guided Setup" at the beginning to choose your Tuner flavor;

e.g.
Tuner 1 = Sky , Tuner 2 = Sky
Tuner 1 = Sky , Tuner 2 = Freeview
Tuner 1 = Sky , Tuner 2 = Virgin Media
Tuner 1 = Freeview , Tuner 2 = Freeview
Tuner 1 = Freeview , Tuner 2 = Virgin Media
Tuner 1 = Virgin Media , Tuner 2 = Virgin Media

Imagine how cool that would be to have any combination of UK Media Services and their their respective EPG in a Tivo UI.

When the contract finished for Thomson manufacturing the UK Tivo Series 1 boxes, there were many rumours of new devices but they all centered on Tivo coming back with a Freeview only product (because of sky shafting Tivo and doing Sky+) but a CubeRevo with Tivo O/S would be amazing because it would be capable of exploiting every medium again (Satellite, Digital Terrestrial & Cable) like the original Series 1. That would exceed Tivo users expectations!

I wonder how long and how much it would cost to get a developer to produce such a thing, If it didn't bankrupt me, I would seriously consider it!!

 

[Paule]

Good to see there's a mix of members (junior/senior) who agree with my view of the IPBox 9000HD. This proves it's not a newbie problem but a problem for all who would like to see more effort put into the GUI (Graphical user interface) and stability of generic satellite receivers. Although TerD agreed with my comments, you did mentioned joining the whingers, of which we are not. I would say we are people who demand more effort and creativity by the developers selling the IPBox 9000HD, we demand more than second rate software and equipment. As stated before, I believe I have gone back-wards using this box. The TiVo system was released on March 31, 1999 (USA). YES, you read right MARCH 31, 1999. Great EPG and series link - YES, series link recording in 1999 or not far off. Putting this into context! No, I won’t insult anyone’s intelligence by explaining what this means as you can see for yourself. All I can say is, come on you Tech guys 10yrs have gone by AND WE’VE MOVED ON. You need to throw all those pieces of paper in the bin and start again. After 10 yrs of development and this is all you can come up with, then you’re not earning your money. Healeydave hit the nail on the head. A copy (taking best bits) version of the TiVo/Sky/Humax/Foxat PVR system is the only way forward for this Generic system.

 

[TerD]

Right on Paule,

I did become a whinger (no offence to other members) as I consider myself a much suffering early adopter who is in denial about what I can get long term from the IP BOX 9000HD. My box dies, went back end December, came back February, didn't work, was sent back end February and I'm still in limbo. I am at the stage where I'm beginning to doubt the integrity of the ( Benelux) distributor who continues to play telephone tag and never replies to my emails. Sometimes I copy ABCOM but how is their responsibility engaged? Zero tech support and even less from the dealer.

It's been an expensive exercise and thank you Paule for at least putting this into some kind of sane perspective.

TerD

 

[catseye]

TerD
Could you not contact your local trading standards office & ask them to act on your behalf. From what you have said previously you have been more than patient

 

[telewestTUM]

Personally if you want something as easy to use and Sky or TiVO then i dont think the CubeRevo is something for you!

DM800 isnt really far off as EPG and Layout goes

Linux based boxes are more of a hobby than a use out of the box device full of features

CubeRevo is in its infancy as well so you've jumped on the wrong ship if you wanted an easy to use box full of features

 

[TerD]

catseye & telewest TUM

The IP Box is one of the most comprehensive boxes, doing what I wanted, combining Cable plus Sat and PVR at what appeared to be a reasonable price.It worked perfectly for 1 month mixing both in one EPG and giving me a recording facility from two sources.

I'll hold for another couple of weeks before I get tough (I'm in a different country from the distributor), but liability is a tough one as the first thing you do with this box is open it up to install a HDD then frig around with the firmware (OK read the fine print)You know, Linux is a pretty robust OS, normally you just boot it up and it works so I had a lot of expectations from this. We guys are really 'bleeding edge' users, one step ahead of early adopters, so I fully expected a little pain to get this box up and running. But not for it to collapse.

TerD