Posts by spodge007

Hi All,

I have decided that I want to get rid of my clunky old desktop PC, and build myself a nice new compact CS server!

My current setup is Ubuntu 12x running Oscam, and I am using a USB smart card reader. I would like to save some space and power, and migrate to a Raspberry Pi if possible. Does anyone have a similar setup, or would recommend doing something else completely? Is there something better than Oscam to use nowadays?

I have been out of touch with this CS stuff for a while and there is absolutely nothing wrong with my current setup. I guess I am just bored and fancy a little project to keep my IT skills in check! ;-)

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Spodge

Just had a quick glance over the specs and I think it's definitely got to be either the Spycat or Miraclebox...

For that price they are both much smaller than the Xtrend and have a higher spec.

I have contacted WOS as well to see what they say, but I agree the Spycat seems to be the clear choice.

Thank you for the advice.

Spodge

- - - Updated - - -

So WOS have responded to my email already and they have said this...

We'd recommend the Xtrend ET9500 or ET8000. ET8000 is faster higher spec http://www.world-of-satellite.…DVB-S2?filter_name=ET8000

Conflicting information...

The ET8000 is £159, but definitely a higher spec box. Might as well spend another £40 and get a VU+ Solo 2 like I have. Although I did get mine second hand for £100! Lol

I guess it all depends on how much they want to spend, so I will give them a few options! :-)

Thank you for the prompt reply Master G.

IYHO which one has the better spec? For the sake of a few £££s extra I may as well recommend the better quality option.

I will check them out.

Hi All,

I have been asked for advice on what sat receiver to buy. I am looking for the best value dual tuner receiver available, that I can run an OpenViX image on.

I am currently pondering over the Xtrend ET9500 2x DVB-S2 which is currently listed for £129 on WOS which sounds very reasonable. A friend of mine has this and said it is a good box.

Is there anything better available for that sort of money, or would anybody recommend spending a little extra to get something better?

I am a little out of touch with what's out there at the moment, so any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Spodge

Just gave that tool a try, thanks dots looks exactly what I was after and very simple to use...

Sadly the COM port is still not responding! :-( I am starting to think there may be a more serious underlying hardware fault with the box.

I will take my null modem cable into work and confirm that it is working. If the cable is definitely OK then I don't really know where to go from there...?

I have also tried using Tera Term to connect but unsure of the settings baud rate etc. I left it on default 9600, but no response!

Spodge

This is the tutorial I think I followed before...

It's not working for me this time, just not picking up a serial connection from my laptop to the Dreambox! :-(

Thank you for the link to the tutorial...

Unfortunately I am very familiar with this process, the problem is I don't get a DHCP address (even when connected directly into my router). I was actually after a tutorial to re-flash the box using a serial connection...which appears to be my only option (other than trying a WiFi adapter).

I have re-flashed an image using a serial connection before, sadly I can't remember how I did it! Lol

Thanks for the replies guys.

I had already considered using a WiFi adapter, might look into that option...

I was struggling to re-flash using serial for some reason...does anyone have a decent procedure to follow...? I have done this before using dreamup, but I can't get it to pick up the serial connection via the null modem cable connected to my laptop!!

Spodge

Hi All,

I seem to have had a run of bad luck...

My DM800 is connected up in my bedroom, I use TP Link Powerline adapters to provide a network connection. This has worked very well for me for the past 18 months or so...up until recently anyway!

Just recently the Powerline plug in the bedroom decided to blow. No problem I thought to myself, just order another adapter. I did just that, only to find that the Ethernet port on my DM800 now seems to be dead as well! :-(

After doing some research I seem to be having exactly the same symptoms as described in this link!

So putting it to the very knowledgeable folk on this forum, what should I do...?

- Is it easy to replace the component on the board, and if so where would I get the necessary parts?
- Should I just cut my losses and sell it on for parts and order a new box?

I work in IT and would be quite happy to give the component replacement a go. I have never used a soldering iron before though, and have not got a clue where to get the parts needed. I'm sure one of my colleagues at work would be more than happy to assist me though! :-)

Any advice would be much appreciated, especially if it saves me some money! ;-)

Cheers,

Spodge

Hi All,

Just to let you know...

I decided to go with the Vu+ Solo 2 receiver. It is currently on back order so not sure when it will be back in stock (hopefully mid Feb as mentioned on the website). I went with the VIX image and decided not to buy a HDD from them as my friend has an external USB one he can use for recording.

The sponsor also gave small discount for being a member of this forum! :-)

Thanks again to all those who posted useful comments.

Spodge

Appreciate all replies people! :thumbsup:

I will let you know which one I decide to go with...

Thinking of ordering a HDD to go with it...is £50 a reasonable price for a 500GB internal drive, or can I get it cheaper elsewhere? I think I have a spare SATA drive kicking around at home... just worried about invalidating any warranty if I pop open the lid and install my own...?

Also there have been a lot of rumours for well over a year now about CS coming to an end with regards to sly. Could someone please advise on this, or point me in the right direction for any recent information/experiences...? I am concerned that the bubble is about to burst with all these rumours of sly pairing the cards to the receivers and killing HD and premium channels... :sad:

Best Regards,

Spodge

Thanks for the responses guys! :-)

I have narrowed it down to two choices I think...but will more than likely go for the Vu+ Solo 2...

The other receiver that has good reviews is the 'GiGaBlue HD QUAD'

A couple of other questions I did have...

What would be the best image(s) to have loaded onto the receivers?

They both appear to be out of stock on the site sponsors web site 'http://www.world-of-satellite.co.uk/'...any idea on how good they are at getting new stock in, and what time scales I can expect for delivery..?

Cheers,

Ben

Hi all,

I am trying to recommend a new receiver for a friend. Being a bit out of the loop as to what is currently available, some expert techie advice would be greatly received! :-)

Requirements...

- A twin tuner.
- A recommended user friendly image with a simple GUI.
- Something that supports cam software (CCcam, Oscam etc).
- Good support for Bouquets and EPG.
- Decent and simple to use recording functionality (preferably with an internal HDD).

His budget is around £200-300...

Best Regards,

Ben

Cheers for the upload Mee®kat, that binary seems to be working with my setup (at the moment anyway!)

More importantly... Now I have successfully upgraded oscam, BoxNation is working again hooray!!! :thumbsup:

Thank you for all the input guys, much appreciated as always. I love this website!!! :51_002:

Kind Regards,

Spodge

Cheers for the heads up Mee®kat, the i686 version worked a treat! :red:

Just need to work out what changes I need to make to my config files now! lol

NOTE: It would appear that my smargo usb card reader is not showing up even though the details are in the oscam.server file. I'm guessing I need to change something...???

Spodge

Ok so I've replaced the oscam binary with the one mentioned above and followed 'Step 3' in the guide.

My oscam web interface is now no longer accessible! I have no idea how to even check what is working and what isn't! lol

Help please....?

Spodge

NOTE: I have reverted back to the original binary for now to restore service! :-)

As promised attached oscam files...

Cheers,

Spodge

Hi Thatfellow,

Only backed up my server so far... not had time and my dad wants to watch the football now lol! Hoping to update oscam later on tonight.

Would you say that I'll be safe using this type of binary file for my particular setup...?

oscam-svn8771-x86_64-pc-linux-webif-libusb-ssl-Distribution.tar.gz

I will upload my oscam config files, let me know if you think there are any amendments I need to make.

Cheers,

Spodge

Cheers Thatfellow, you're an absolute legend! :2pints:

I'm using a 32-bit (x86) OS and a Smargo USB reader.

Just hope it sorts the issue out with BoxNation after all this! lol I am currently running OSCAM 1.00-unstable_svn build #5369. Pretty old now I'm guessing, but it has worked perfectly for me since configuring the server, which well over a year ago. Not really sure when the BoxNation channel stopped working...!!

Cheers,

Spodge

Thanks mate, just read through your tutorial and it looks very straight forward.

Couple of quick questions...

I am running Ubuntu 11.xx would you recommend upgrading to a newer version and then updating oscam?

Had a look at the latestoscam link and a little confused which binary I should be using...?

Can I simply download the latest oscam bin file and then just follow 'Step 3' of the tutorial or do I still need to follow Steps 1 & 2 as well...?

Sorry for all the silly questions, would just like to get it right first time round and with as little effort as possible! lol

Thank you for all your help so far! :caz3:

Spodge