Transcoding Vu+ Solo2 vs Duo2

[Johev]

Dear all,

As the title already suggests I am thinking of buying either a Vu+ Solo2 or a Vu+ Duo2.

I basically already researched and know about the differences, strong points and weaknesses of each box. Nevertheless there is one point which I could not get clear.

They both have the same processor (CPU) with the only difference being in the RAM (solo2 has 1Gb while duo2 has 2GB) and flash (but this probably has no impact on transcoding).

I would like to know if there are any differences when it comes to transcoding.

Does the solo2 transcode as well as the duo2 or will I be better with the second box? Is the transcoding very RAM dependant? Can we choose what bit rate I want to transcode the content to? For example I only have a 3Mb/s upload speed and I would only want to use 1Mb/s for the streaming upload. Is it possible to adjust the quality in order to fit the upload speed?

When I say transcoding I am referring to out of home network one (over the internet so that I can watch it on the go), not the streaming to devices on your internal network.

Many thanks in advance for all your help.

 

[Rob van der Does]

The Solo2 & DUO2 do not have the same soc.
The Solo2 has the BCM7356, the DUO2 the BCM7424

The DUO2 has some more flexibility in transcoding settings, but both can be set to a maximum bandwidth.

 

[bokkie]

My understanding is that the solo2 is software based transcoding whilst the duo2 is hardware based, resulting in better quality transcoding.
Duo2 you can also adjust the bitrate to suit.

 

[Rob van der Does]

Not sure what you mean by 'transcoding quality'; transcoding is meant to lower the required bandwidth and hence reduces PQ.

Transcoding for the Solo2 can also be adjusted.

 

[Johev]

Thank you all for the information. Here I thought I knew almost everything about the two boxes, just from reading some reviews however I have completely missed the different CPUs (only looked at the clock speed) and the hardware transcoding on the fly.

It is incredible that as soon as you pointed it out I found numerous places clearly stating it, not sure how I was able to miss it.

So the choice now is fairly simple, as I have the budget and I will be using the transcoding feature a lot (due to constant travelling) I'll be buying the VU+ Duo2. Nevertheless I would like to have your opinion on the VU+ DUO2.

Can it handle the 2 Dual DVB-S2 tuners, or is that a bit too much for it? I keep reading of some very hot tuner temperature and other issues with the 2 dual DVB-S2 tuners.

And related to transcoding, is it true that you cannot transcode the same channel that you are watching? Is it true for only solo2 or is it true for both boxes?

Many thanks in advance for all your help.

 

[Rob van der Does]

Can it handle the 2 Dual DVB-S2 tuners, or is that a bit too much for it? I keep reading of some very hot tuner temperature and other issues with the 2 dual DVB-S2 tuners.

Two dual-tuner boards plus 4 USB tuners can be handled without problems by the DUO2.
The dual-tuner boards do indeed get rather warm, but as far as I can see (and also according to the German importer) there is no reason for concern.

And related to transcoding, is it true that you cannot transcode the same channel that you are watching? Is it true for only solo2 or is it true for both boxes?

See attached screenies for the restrictions.
Also be aware that recordings can't be transcoded, only live TV.

 

[Johev]

Thanks again Rob van der Does

This is what the famous phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words" is all about . Do you think there is a possibility that solo2 (with an update) would be able to transcode and show the same channel? I am asking as before the duo2 came out my father bought a solo2 as he also wanted the transcoding feature (at that time it was still in alpha stage so I did not set it up).

On another note to know that Vu+ Duo2 can handle 2 dual tuners and 4 USB tuners is impressive, just not sure who would need such a setup

 

[Rob van der Does]

Do you think there is a possibility that solo2 (with an update) would be able to transcode and show the same channel?

Well, since you asked what I'm thinking, the answer is 'no'.
But I don't know.

 

[bokkie]

How can you adjust the transcoding on the solo2? Has there been an update allowing this that I don't know about?
By quality I meant the end result. The screenshots I've seen of solo2 vs duo2 show the duo2 having a much better picture quality on the mobile deviice.

 

[Johev]

How can you adjust the transcoding on the solo2? Has there been an update allowing this that I don't know about?
By quality I meant the end result. The screenshots I've seen of solo2 vs duo2 show the duo2 having a much better picture quality on the mobile deviice.

Yes there has been a new update to solo2 where you can change the bitrate and the reason why the duo2 looked better I think is because it is transcoding to 2.5Mb instead of 1Mb of the solo2 (more bandwidth = better quality).

 

[Rob van der Does]

DUO2 can transcode up to 5Mbs.

 

[bokkie]

Was this updated in the last build or do I have to replace the transcoding extension?

 

[Rob van der Does]

An online update should be sufficient.

 

[Trial]

Hi,

My understanding is that the solo2 is software based transcoding whilst the duo2 is hardware based, resulting in better quality transcoding.

Who told you this?

Hardware or Software is no indicator for Quality. None of the boxes have a CPU that can transcode nearly in realtime. Both are using parts of the SOC for that. The Solo2 for instance disables the anlog outputs because these parts are needed for transcoding.

The CPU of both have the speed of a 10-12 year old PC if not less. My 4 year old PC is >30 times faster and cannot reencode HD in realtime.

ciao

 

[bokkie]

Quote from linux-tv review of the Duo2.

" It is also worth a note that the Duo2 has dedicated hardware in the box for transcoding where as the Solo2 is software based."

Unfortunately the average user like myself can only go by what we read..

 

[Trial]

Hi,
the Solo2 switches of analog out when transcoding this would be not necessary if it´s done in software.

Tip: Don´t believe everything and this INCLUDES me

I do not know for sure but I am a programmer for around 30 years and I can make my own decisions on the facts I tested.

Perhaps it is partly done by software but not alone.

ciao

 

[bokkie]

Sorry. That's what I meant when I said software based.

 

[moskolio]

Hello

i am considering buying the duo2 instead of solo2 mainly because of the transcoding difference (and some other features but no1 is transcoding). For people that have seen/used both does it justify the price difference?

Also, is the fact that you can not transcode recordings something permanent or is it something that could be enabled as drivers and images mature? And while we are still on the subject what is the reason that makes it not possible to transcode recordings? is it not technically possible?

Thanks

 

[Rob van der Does]

I'm not sure about the not-transcoding of recordings, but my gut-feeling tells me that it's permanent.
Let's hope I'm wrong.

Or wait and see what the near future brings; improvement of this functionality on VU-hardware, or the Xtrend 10.000?

 

[pac2000]

Rob The Recordings (Made By The Box And Not Video Files FTPed To The Box Like MP4/MKV/AVI) Remain In Transport Stream Format... So If You Make A Recording Via Satellite Or Terrestrial, These Are Not Altered... In Other Words It Does Not Change Format Or Encoding From The Broadcast Stream To The Recording Stream (.ts)... In Theory You Could Send The Recording Back Through The SOC Simulating It As The Direct Feed From The Satellite/Terrestrial Signal...

When I Heard About The Transcoding Function, I Was Hoping It Could Be Done When Recording To Save On The Disc Space Required For A Recording...

In Addition, My Vu+ Duo Can Stream More Than One Channel Over The Network... I've Tested A Satellite And Freeview Channel Simultaneously Being Streamed To A Laptop (Wireless) And A Desktop (Wired)... I Was Wondering If The Solo2/Duo2 Could Transcode More Than One Over The Network... It's My Understanding Based On The Way, And Limitations You Have Described, That It Can Only Transcode One Channel...