Caution! Vu+ Clone

[Donnie]

Caution! Vu+ Clone

Dear partners and Customers,
Vu+, unarguably the leading supplier of Linux based set top box, works relentlessly to make sure the utmost quality that you expect us to achieve. This has been the integral part of the whole operations in developing and manufacturing.
However, we recently learned that a clone of Vu+ SOLO could now be traded through illegal transaction routes from China. In responding to this grave situation, we assure you that we will take all possible legal measures to ensure that such pirated copies of Vu+ products be not traded freely. Furthermore, we have already begun a technical process via which to upgrade the algorithm of system security implemented in all Vu+ products soon.
When this upgrade is put into place, no pirated copies of Vu+ products will work. While we sincerely ask for your unilateral support in dealing with this serious matter, let us state the following aspects so that you can inform those who might be interested in Vu+ clones.
1.No software update will be possible.
2.The hardware stability of clone is very questionable.
3.No repair support will be offered for clone boxes.
Also, please be noted that SOLO clones have several points that are different from the genuine SOLO as below:

We would be sincerely grateful if you send us email ( [email protected]) on any information regarding how these clones are actually traded by whom. We believe that fighting against pirated copies of Vu+ products is not just for the benefit of Vu+ only but also for all customers of Vu+ as a whole. Thus, we once again wish for your unilateral support.


Best regards,


Vu+ TEAM
​

 

[bassethound]

Thanks for the great post Donnie i have made it a sticky!

Looks like its going to be really difficult to spot a clone unless you take of the top cover off as the external difference are miniscule

 

[Larry-G]

Yes mate cracking post. Let's hope Vu can do every thing possible to eradicate these clones.

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

 

[Donnie]

I just hope Vu make a better job of it unlike DMM.
I am already aware that 3.1.1 images can kill the clone already.

 

[Stanman]

I think we should make this thread a mandatory read.

 

[ekkostar]

I can't even make out the difference in the logo. What exactly are those differences ?

It's not only the Solo, there are Duo clones out as well and they're selling at £131 and £191 respectively in the UK at the moment.

 

[sonc]

I can't even make out the difference in the logo. What exactly are those differences ?

It's not only the Solo, there are Duo clones out as well and they're selling at £131 and £191 respectively in the UK at the moment.

I think the genuine logo is nearer to the edge of the box in the first pic - can't see any other difference.

 

[Donnie]

I can't even make out the difference in the logo. What exactly are those differences ?

It's not only the Solo, there are Duo clones out as well and they're selling at £131 and £191 respectively in the UK at the moment.

Its hard to make out but I think the S is different but like you I am not 100% sure.

 

[Ev0]

The only 1 I can't see the difference of is the box, where the circle is in the middle between Vu+ and Solo.

 

[ekkostar]

TBH it looks frighteningly impressive for a RevA clone

The case housing looks identical so likely straight out the same OEM component factory.

The PSU and the card reader, make marginal differences. Not sure what else is too much different, tuner ? processor ? Does the mac address tie up with what's on the labels and box ?

I've pm'd you Donnie to get you started

Thanks

 

[Ev0]

If you look at the advert of the guy the admin / mods on here spotted, he has put up pics of the box on there.

If they are geunine pics of the clones he has (now admits there clone) then the insides looks alot more like the genuine thing that the images posted here.

Infact here is the pic he's put on the advert.

 

[ekkostar]

I think it gets incredibly difficult, especially so when the OEM's start to outsource elsewhere. VU will need to clamp down immediately to stand a chance.

The price differences to a Genuine box doesn't appear overly massive, the hardware almost indistinguishable and identical.

 

[Ev0]

I think it gets incredibly difficult, especially so when the OEM's start to outsource elsewhere. VU will need to clamp down immediately to stand a chance.

The price differences to a Genuine box doesn't appear overly massive, the hardware almost indistinguishable and identical.

I think Vu+ need to take some high res pics of there genuine box's and the same with the clones they have.

The pics they have posted so far, don't really help, as there too small and low quality.

 

[wullboy]

If you look at the advert of the guy the admin / mods on here spotted, he has put up pics of the box on there.

If they are geunine pics of the clones he has (now admits there clone) then the insides looks alot more like the genuine thing that the images posted here.

Infact here is the pic he's put on the advert.

If i was selling clones, then i would be using original photo`s of the box and any internal photo`s, as nobody would not know the diffenence anyway....????

 

[Ev0]

If i was selling clones, then i would be using original photo`s of the box and any internal photo`s, as nobody would not know the diffenence anyway....????

This is true, but if you look closely at the pictures in post 1 and the picture above, they are different, it doesn't 100% match the genuine OR the clone pics.

 

[ekkostar]

The ebay clone looks pretty close to the original. No doubt the cloners will have it perfected in no time at all.

The reality is during the lifecycle of a box, the OEM themselves will source components that will likely change due to supply issues. In other words two Genuine boxes may have slightly differing non critical components depending on build dates.

The clones are just an extension of this.

The difficulty is when you have clones of this calibre it is impractical and impossible for every customer to insist on opening the box and taking the lid off prior to buying.

Usually the best way to drive the clones out is to re-price the Genuine article via authorised sellers.

A clone Solo sells for £130 and a genuine for £209. If VU can try bridge that gap via authorised outlets then it hardly makes it worth the while going down clone route.

 

[Ev0]

The ebay clone looks pretty close to the original. No doubt the cloners will have it perfected in no time at all.

The reality is during the lifecycle of a box, the OEM themselves will source components that will likely change due to supply issues. In other words two Genuine boxes may have slightly differing non critical components depending on build dates.

The clones are just an extension of this.

The difficulty is when you have clones of this calibre it is impractical and impossible for every customer to insist on opening the box and taking the lid of prior to buying.

Yeh very true

 

[Mr. Mister]

guys..

you dont even need to open any box to spot a Vu clone..

I have just seen this for myself with a duo.. only 5 minutes ago..

A friend of a friend arrived at my home about 30 mins ago.. He had a nice new duo.. all packaged up exactly the same as a genuine one..

He did not tell me it was a clone.. until i asked him if it was.. He confirmed this right away..

You do not need to open the box.. Just have a look at the size of the rubber feet on the bottom of the stb..

They are in fact.. twice the size they are on the original.. and i know.. i got 5 duo`s..


He then asked me to flash his new clone duo as he waited.. So i agreed.. ( Having something up my sleeve as i wanted to have a closer look at things as i aint seen one of these before.. )

I knew that there was a fair chance that i could flash the box with the new bootloader and 2.3.. ok.. then if i done the updates.. the box would just stick on starting after the reboot..

Low and behold.. Thats exactly what happened..

So i now am in possession of a clone Vu+ Duo at the moment.. and this guy gonna call me tomorrow to see if i can get it working..

I aint had time yet to really have a look at it.. but im sure i could take the lid off it.. and take any pics ye guys want..

just let me know guys..

 

[ekkostar]

The VU is a premium machine but not to the extent of the Dream boxes. I suspect the Solo and Duo were being phased out by VU but the OEM's still see them as viable machines, as indeed they are and will continue to be.

I think where you have Dream, the boxes have become prohibitively expensive, which in turn has encouraged a secondary clone market.

It's ironic when you have a good product then the legacy of it spawns an enterprising industry in itself.

Whilst VU themselves are now moving on to the Uno and Ultimo, the OEM's have probably outsourced to develop this lucrative supply chain.

You cannot build a clone of this degree without OEM involvement.

 

[Ev0]

guys..

you dont even need to open any box to spot a Vu clone..

I have just seen this for myself with a duo.. only 5 minutes ago..

A friend of a friend arrived at my home about 30 mins ago.. He had a nice new duo.. all packaged up exactly the same as a genuine one..

He did not tell me it was a clone.. until i asked him if it was.. He confirmed this right away..

You do not need to open the box.. Just have a look at the size of the rubber feet on the bottom of the stb..

They are in fact.. twice the size they are on the original.. and i know.. i got 5 duo`s..


He then asked me to flash his new clone duo as he waited.. So i agreed.. ( Having something up my sleeve as i wanted to have a closer look at things as i aint seen one of these before.. )

I knew that there was a fair chance that i could flash the box with the new bootloader and 2.3.. ok.. then if i done the updates.. the box would just stick on starting after the reboot..

Low and behold.. Thats exactly what happened..

So i now am in possession of a clone Vu+ Duo at the moment.. and this guy gonna call me tomorrow to see if i can get it working..

I aint had time yet to really have a look at it.. but im sure i could take the lid off it.. and take any pics ye guys want..

just let me know guys..

Yeh get that lid off, and take some nice close up shots please, if you don't mind