Enigma 2 Newbie Seeking Advice

[leftcase]

Hi all,

I've lurked around on these and other forums trying to learn as much as I can about receiving FTA satellite. I've just cancelled Sky+HD and I'm looking for a satellite receiver to replace it with. Basically my needs are:

- Receive Sky FTA channels
- Full HD 1080p output
- Dolby-D via HDMI
- Record
- Pause
- Schedule Recordings
- EPG

So nowt too outlandish or niche. Full HD is fine for me as I don't have a 4K telly and I don't plan on buying one anytime soon.

I'm quite happy working with Linux, Bash, Python etc but the missus really needs this to be a point and click deal (after I've set it up I guess). She only figured out the other day how to access Netflix via the telly.

I came across this neat little box and it looks like an absolute bargain. Is there anything I should know about it before hitting the purchase button?

Finally, a couple of other things pop into my mind.

- Do these boxes upscale SD content?
- Is the picture as good as it is on Sky?
- Is the interface 'snappy' or does it tend to be a bit laggy?

 

[twol]

Hi all,

I've lurked around on these and other forums trying to learn as much as I can about receiving FTA satellite. I've just cancelled Sky+HD and I'm looking for a satellite receiver to replace it with. Basically my needs are:

- Receive Sky FTA channels
- Full HD 1080p output
- Dolby-D via HDMI
- Record
- Pause
- Schedule Recordings
- EPG

So nowt too outlandish or niche. Full HD is fine for me as I don't have a 4K telly and I don't plan on buying one anytime soon.

I'm quite happy working with Linux, Bash, Python etc but the missus really needs this to be a point and click deal (after I've set it up I guess). She only figured out the other day how to access Netflix via the telly.

I came across this neat little box and it looks like an absolute bargain. Is there anything I should know about it before hitting the purchase button?

Finally, a couple of other things pop into my mind.

- Do these boxes upscale SD content?
- Is the picture as good as it is on Sky?
- Is the interface 'snappy' or does it tend to be a bit laggy?

So which little box? If you mean E2 receivers, there are many and also several E2 images that run on these receivers…….
and Yes to the Q,s

 

[leftcase]

So which little box? If you mean E2 receivers, there are many and also several E2 images that run on these receivers…….
and Yes to the Q,s

I hyperlinked it in the post. You might have missed it since the link text is a similar colour to normal text. Here's the link to it buddy: https://www.world-of-satellite.co.u.../linux-enigma-2-receivers/amiko-viper-twin-e2

 

[leftcase]

And thankyou for the info twol. If anyone can confirm the Amiko Viper Twin E2 running OpenVix supports the requirements above, and confirm the picture is as good as Sky, I'll pop an order straight in for the receiver and hard drive.

 

[adm]

Hi all,

I've lurked around on these and other forums trying to learn as much as I can about receiving FTA satellite. I've just cancelled Sky+HD and I'm looking for a satellite receiver to replace it with. Basically my needs are:

- Receive Sky FTA channels
- Full HD 1080p output
- Dolby-D via HDMI
- Record
- Pause
- Schedule Recordings
- EPG

So nowt too outlandish or niche. Full HD is fine for me as I don't have a 4K telly and I don't plan on buying one anytime soon.

I'm quite happy working with Linux, Bash, Python etc but the missus really needs this to be a point and click deal (after I've set it up I guess). She only figured out the other day how to access Netflix via the telly.

You don't need to know anything about Linux, Bash, Python etc. to use these Enigma2 boxes when you have something like Openvix installed on them.
See
https://www.openvix.co.uk/ and the associated guides and features

It helps to have some technical knowledge to set the box up but for day to day usage just some knowledge of the menus.

- Receive Sky FTA channels - Yes
- Full HD 1080p output - Yes - but UK broadcast is 1080i not 1080p
- Dolby-D via HDMI - Yes but only if the broadcasters transmits it - Dolby Digital is on the minority of broadcasts - even BBC HD reserve it for a just few programs.
- Usually encoded stereo (prologic II)
- Record - You need to add a hard disk and then the box becomes a full functioning PVR when running openvix or similar.
- Pause - Yes (if you add storage - hard disk or USB stick)
- Schedule Recordings - Yes (with appropriate added hard disk/USB stick)
- EPG - the 7 day SKY FTA EPG can be obtained over the air or via the internet.
- Do these boxes upscale SD content? - Yes if you output in 1080
- Is the picture as good as it is on Sky? - Same satellite, same signals.
- Is the interface 'snappy' or does it tend to be a bit laggy? I have no experience of the box you have selected

 

[leftcase]

You don't need to know anything about Linux, Bash, Python etc. to use these Enigma2 boxes when you have something like Openvix installed on them.
See
https://www.openvix.co.uk/ and the associated guides and features

It helps to have some technical knowledge to set the box up but for day to day usage just some knowledge of the menus.

- Receive Sky FTA channels - Yes
- Full HD 1080p output - Yes - but UK broadcast is 1080i not 1080p
- Dolby-D via HDMI - Yes but only if the broadcasters transmits it - Dolby Digital is on the minority of broadcasts - even BBC HD reserve it for a just few programs.
- Usually encoded stereo (prologic II)
- Record - You need to add a hard disk and then the box becomes a full functioning PVR when running openvix or similar.
- Pause - Yes (if you add storage - hard disk or USB stick)
- Schedule Recordings - Yes (with appropriate added hard disk/USB stick)
- EPG - the 7 day SKY FTA EPG can be obtained over the air or via the internet.
- Do these boxes upscale SD content? - Yes if you output in 1080
- Is the picture as good as it is on Sky? - Same satellite, same signals.
- Is the interface 'snappy' or does it tend to be a bit laggy? I have no experience of the box you have selected

That'll do for me. Thank you for your reply.

I've hit the button and ordered one. I couldn't find many reviews of this particular box online, so when it comes I'll pop a review up to help others.

 

[Huevos]

I set one of these up for a customer a few days ago. Amiko Twin is a great bargain box, but... it is the only box in OpenViX line up that can't run a 1080 skin.

 

[leftcase]

I set one of these up for a customer a few days ago. Amiko Twin is a great bargain box, but... it is the only box in OpenViX line up that can't run a 1080 skin.

I'll give it a go and see how I get on. If I outgrow it I'll buy something a bit better and pop this one on eBay. [emoji106]

Sent from my SM-A715F using Tapatalk

 

[Huevos]

You are not going to notice much difference. More expensive boxes have more tuners and boot faster. And if the manufacturer supplies them, features like Kodi, or blindscan. Other than that they work the same because they have the same software loaded.

 

[adm]

I'll give it a go and see how I get on. If I outgrow it I'll buy something a bit better and pop this one on eBay. [emoji106]

Sent from my SM-A715F using Tapatalk

You will not notice any difference using one of the alternative "HD" skins (720).

 

[Huevos]

You will not notice any difference using one of the alternative "HD" skins (720).

Not really, but you have a smaller selection and the most maintained skins are 1080.

 

[leftcase]

Not really, but you have a smaller selection and the most maintained skins are 1080.

I'm not too bothered at the moment. I just wanted to give this a go and see how well it works. I can always upgrade in the future if needs be