Skybox F3

[Lazarus]

No idea - I wasn't sure what it was either and no amount of Googling left me any the wiser.

 

[Ghostleader]

You guys seen the F4 yet? Comes with a GPRS aerial! Lol unreal.

 

[Lazarus]

You guys seen the F4 yet? Comes with a GPRS aerial! Lol unreal.

I recall reading summat about it not too long ago - do you have a current linkie?

Edit: Priced at c£75, it seems, but not much "Review" info as yet. Will happily use F3 Channel Lists.

 

[Ghostleader]

Here mate, best link as the listing has screen shots etc: ebay.co.uk/itm/SKYBOX-F4-HD-REPLACE-OPENBOX-S10-S11-F3-M3-X3-HDMI-CABLE-3-PIN-UK-/280981758983?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Satellite_TV_Receivers&hash=item416bd16407

 

[Stew.art]

On paper, apart from the GPRS & Scart socket, it looks the same as the F3 and it seems to be using the same software and main chip (Ali 3601HD) because the name of F4’s software updates includes 3601 and the problems it’s meant to fix are identical to those in the F3’s own update.

The specifications are listed on the manufacture website: _http://www.yojiatech.com/a/Product/DVB_S/Skybox_Receiver/

more images can also be found here: _http://skybox.cc/

 

[Analoguesat]

Well I havent had an insane urge to take the F3 outside and put a pickaxe through its case yet.

Its a reasonable little box for the price. Got a few quirks that are a bit aggravating but for less than 50 quid its ok.

 

[Lazarus]

What quirks would they be?

Only minor issue I have is "Motor Moving" popping up when it isn't (moving).

 

[rossy]

What quirks would they be?

Only minor issue I have is "Motor Moving" popping up when it isn't (moving).

Yep that one can get a tad annoying and as far as the remote works fine but if you have big chubby fingers could be annoying as buttons are quite small.

Would be nice if when you wanted to change the display settings that video was visible as you have to make any changes go see how it looks then go back in and adjust again. Not a big issue once you have it setup the way you want

Cheers

 

[Hughes]

My Skybox F3 is going great, I love using it. One question- I've got the WiFi working, although I don't yet get the weather for my chosen cities, including London, but will there be any further use for the WiFi in the future, apart from software updates? ( I am specifically not referring to any possible illicit activities )

 

[Lazarus]

The weather feature worked a couple of months ago but, as there has been so firmware upgrade since then, I assume the problem lies with the server: This is not at all uncommon, I believe, as companies change their policies about disseminating data for free.

No idea about other potential uses for Wi-Fi.

As the box has no Server capability, streaming around the house and stuff is clearly not going to happen.

 

[Analoguesat]

Ive had my F3 for as few weeks now, and its a decent enough box for what I want it for (53E / 52.5E if the European beam is ever lit up again / 42E & possibly 26E or 39E depending on where the next lnb gets installed)

However Id hesitate to recommend it as mine has a couple of annoying quirks.

The front panel clock is completely useless - its losing anything up to 10 minutes a day! A bit of time drift is to be expected, but thats terrible. I have left it unadjusted for 2 weeks - its currently 1145am here according to my radio corrected clock, or 1002am according to the F3

The remote is plasticky and insensitive, and the buttons are too small.

I dont get the insane urge to take the F3 outside andgive it a half hour introduction to Mr Pickaxe like I do with the horrible Duo, maybe just take it down to the pond and practise my frisbee techniques

I know a few folks have said its fairly sensitive, but I havent noticed any improvements over the other receivers Ive got here.

 

[Lazarus]

Clock on mine keeps perfick time!

 

[aceb]

I'm not really complaining for the price I paid for it but my gripes are the remote, seems very low power and has to be aimed directly at the F3 to work. EPG seems to be just now and next and the single USB socket on the front makes for a really untidy look with an external HDD plugged in.

 

[Lazarus]

Agree with both of you that the odd grumbles have to be set against the price - and I have to say that the Picture Quality is MUCH better than anything else I've got in use.

 

[Analoguesat]

Cant comment on the pic quality - its connected to an rf modulator to get it onto my computer which is good enough for screen grabs for the forum & our facebook page.

 

[Costactc]

I'm still using my f3 as my main c band scanner with my azbox on the side for 4:2:2 and 4:2:0 feeds. For what I paid for it, the f3 has more then paid for itself and it has an awesome picture to boot.

 

[Hixxy1]

Mine seems to be fine. Menus seem better with the latest firmware.
Remote is a bit low power so you've got to point it directly at the box.
Timeshift and hdd features are good inc. playback of hd movies downloaded from the net.
Avatar cam seems a bit of a gimmick but it's good how you can also hide the cas menu to stop people playing around with the configurations.
Didn't have to re-scan when the bbc channels changed parameters either which was handy.
Picture quality is indeed very good, especially on the hd channels.
Disecq switching is fairly quick as well.

Well worth the money from my experience.

 

[Lazarus]

As a matter of interest, what is the date/version of Firmware you are using, Hixxy?

Mine is 5th June (or 6th May, depending upon what Format the date stamp represents!).

I think there is a newer one from September, but the changes are chiefly re. Time Zones (Might be a fix for Analoguesat's wonky clock!! :-thumb1 )

 

[Costactc]

My sotware version dates to March 3, never even bothered looking for an upgrade. Just curious as to where an upgrade may be found?

 

[Lazarus]

Various places (usually other Forums!) host them, but it would be more politic here to go straight to source


_http://www.skybox.cc/down.asp


Edit: Fortuitous that you should ask, as I've just spotted that there is an Edit Tool in the list of available Downloads.