vu+ solo2

[cokeaddict]

Well I have a Duo, Uno, Ultimo (3x dvb-s2) and the Solo2.

I honestly didn't think the solo2 would impress me much as the Ultimo was quite frankly the Ultimate for me.

With 3 tuners it made things so easy with recording and 9 times out of 10 having a tuner spare to still have the option to watch something else.

Also the big front display with the picons is great and I love it.

However I've hardly used the Ultimo since I got the Solo2, due to the solo2 being so much faster to do everything.

Although a few times now, I have really missed the extra tuner being on the Solo2.

I need to get my arse into gear and fit an octo lnb and run some more cable, so I can use both box's at the same time

 

[Big-Apple]

duo2 details


This receiver is the new follow-up of the popular VU+ Duo.
Soon available. We already know the technical details so we wanted to share them already!
The VU+ Duo² is the follow-up of the very popular VU+ Duo. This VU+ Duo 2 has, as opposed to the previous version, more memory, more flash and two pluggable tuners.
And on top of that, this receiver also has an LCD and a VFD screen. Everyone knows the VFD screen, but an LCD screen on your front panel is a nice addon and never seen.
This screen can show your own uploaded pictures but also the logo of your favourite channel or the weather information or ...
This receiver is a diamond to be seen and has a sleek and slim design.
But, VU+ has not only redesigned the outside, also the inside has been remodeled. The VU+ Duo 2 now has a 1,3Ghz Dual Core MIPS based CPU, which causes this receiver to deliver an outstanding performance.
Pip (Picture in Picture) is shown in HD and the VU+ Duo2 can now show 1080p movies, even at 60fps.
As of now, you never need to miss a second of your favourite channels because the VU+ Duo 2 now delivers the possibility to stream your preferred channel to your own personal device (iPad, iPhone, ...). The VU+ Duo2 does this by converting the images to a suited format your device can read. The direct digital-to-digital conversion makes your VU+ even more special then it already was.
Just as the VU+ Ultimo, is the VU+ Duo2 equipped with WiFi but, as opposed to the VU+ Ultimo, this WiFi connection is now built-in. The VU+ Duo2 supports speeds up to 150mbps.
With the VU+ Duo2, you'll get a Linux based satellite receiver in your house with an unexplored amount of possibilities, just as all VU+ receivers have.
. The VU+ Duo² also supports the HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV) standard.
Thanks to HbbTV, you can now vote, use social media, use Just missed and use many other internet based applications such as digital teletext, EPG and many other interactive possibilities.
De VU+ Duo² has two cardreaders and two CI slots.
Technical specifications:

• Processor : Broadcom 7424
• Processor type : 1.3 GHz (3K + DMIPS)
• Display : 12 Segment VFD / LCD (High Resolution)
• Memory Controller : 32-bit DDR3
• Flash : 1GB
• Memory : 2GB
• Internal Hard Drive : 2,5″ / 3,5"
• Linux OS : Yes
• Tuner fix/pluggable : 0 / 2
• PiP/ SD/SD : H/W PIP
• PiP HD/HD : H/W PIP
• Playback of HD (1080p) Xvid/AVI – contents : Yes
• Loop tuner : through Software
• Number of optional USB tuners : 2
• Cooler / Fan : passive / Yes
• Remote Control : Universal (Sat/TV)
• Common Interface : 2
• Smartcard Reader : 2
• USB 2.0 : 2+1
• Image/Firmware via USB : Yes
• Flashing query : Yes
• HDMI : 1 (version 1.4)
• Lan/WLan : 1000Mbit / Yes
• HDMI CEC Control : Yes
• Dolby Digital Plus : Yes
• 3D Mode (Side by Side / Top & Bottom) : Yes
• 3D Themes : Yes
• Blindscan : Yes
• WebBrowser : Yes / Opera

Additional Information

EAN

No

Manufacturer

VU+

Type

Duo 2

Linux OS

Yes

# Tuners

2

# Smartcards

2

# C/I Slots

2

High Definition

Yes

E-SATA Connection

No

USB-connections

3

HDMI-Connector

Yes

YpRpB-Connector

Yes

DVI-Connector

No

Scart-Connectors

1

Internal HD option

Yes

SPDIF Output

Yes

Ethernet-Connector

Yes

Network speed

1000


NO esata thats only negative i dont know where i will find space to put sata cable outisde this box to connect sata hdd

 

[Captain Jack]

However I've hardly used the Ultimo since I got the Solo2, due to the solo2 being so much faster to do everything.

Hi cokeaddict. What exactly is it faster at doing? I have the Uno and find it to be quite fast at doing everything. Nice and responsive interface etc. Also, what's the tuner sensitivity like?

 

[Huevos]

What exactly is it faster at doing?

Anything that requires processing power or RAM. For example booting, restarting GUI, sorting EPG data, etc.

 

[cokeaddict]

Hi cokeaddict. What exactly is it faster at doing? I have the Uno and find it to be quite fast at doing everything. Nice and responsive interface etc. Also, what's the tuner sensitivity like?

Anything that requires processing power or RAM. For example booting, restarting GUI, sorting EPG data, etc.

Pretty much the same as Huevos has said, also reflashing the Solo2 is much faster, copying data to it, also much faster, I can send a 4.5gb file to the hdd via ftp, at an average of 40mb's.

Once you have spent a little time using a Solo2 you soon notice that the Uno is slower than you remember it being, it's all very odd.

 

[cokeaddict]

Sorry forgot to mention tuner sensitivity.

Compared to the Ultimo (same tuner as Uno), it's pretty similar, the AGC is reported lower on the Solo2, but the SNR is reported higher on some Transponders.

However there were some sats where I have scanned in more channels on the Solo2 than the Ultimo (both using same lnb's and dish's) and some very weak signals that were breaking up on the Ultimo, have been watchable on the Solo2.

 

[digi247]

I have one and also an Uno and to be honest for general sat viewing you dont notice the difference, I also found the Boot times vary and some on par with my Uno. When i first got it and installed Blackhole it literally took just 3 mins and booted into the setup then the first boot took around 27 seconds but since then and i only have 2 plugins extra and use the BH speedup which disables plugins you dont need then on some full reboots it takes over a minute from start to picture on screen.

Also take the SNR readings with a pinch of salt mine reports higher on some and lower on others compared to the Uno and most say 28.2° east are identical, Lets put it this way it wont be ousting my DRHD Grand Triple out for Fringe reception not by a long chalk. But for general satellite use its OK

 

[humaxboy1]

Sorry forgot to mention tuner sensitivity.

Compared to the Ultimo (same tuner as Uno), it's pretty similar, the AGC is reported lower on the Solo2, but the SNR is reported higher on some Transponders.

However there were some sats where I have scanned in more channels on the Solo2 than the Ultimo (both using same lnb's and dish's) and some very weak signals that were breaking up on the Ultimo, have been watchable on the Solo2.

...and some very weak signals that were breaking up on the Ultimo, have been watchable on the Solo2....

Can you post some pictures of concrete problematic signals ?
Question for others : does anyone use High Gain LNB with Solo2 ? Does it come that tuner has lower SNR values on strong signals ? Sorry i don't know the english phrase for "Tuner Uebersteuerung" (german).

Humaxboy

 

[cokeaddict]

...and some very weak signals that were breaking up on the Ultimo, have been watchable on the Solo2....

Can you post some pictures of concrete problematic signals ?

Humaxboy

No but a good example was RASDTV on 45°w, with the Ultimo I was getting 34% signal and alot of breakup in the rain, and with the Solo2 (same day and time in the same weather with same dish and lnb) it was 38% signal and perfectly watchable.

 

[Huevos]

No but a good example was RASDTV on 45°w, with the Ultimo I was getting 34% signal

I wouldn't use that as a test channel. The Ultimo and my Duo1 both struggle at such low symbol rates and to be honest both are only specified down 2 mega-symbols.

 

[cokeaddict]

I wouldn't use that as a test channel. The Ultimo and my Duo1 both struggle at such low symbol rates and to be honest both are only specified down 2 mega-symbols.

I've not had any problems with either the Ultimo or Duo in tuning to that channel (however I have had problems with Dove TV on 37.5°w before). But as said the signal level for me is low especially when it's raining, but the Solo2 on the same day at the same time, cleared it much better and without breakup.

I can't think of any other examples at the moment, that wasn't the only one, just 1 that I remember clearly.

 

[Captain Jack]

I have to put in SR of 2041 for Dove on 37.5W before it locked properly.

 

[digi247]

Did anyone try the new drivers released for the Solo2 yesterday, I had a go with them last night but did not notice anything out of the ordinary:

20130108(solo2)
- Enhance overall tuner performance.
- Fix tuning failre in specific TP
- Fix radio BG

20130109(solo2)
- Fix high bitrate problem in CI

 

[simon 2003]

yea made a big difference for me on latest blackhole,scanning seems much quicker..also i had the spinner appear whilst scanning some sats with lots of feed freqs ,10e for example and would just lock up ,this seemed to have cured it,,very very pleased with the solo2

 

[cokeaddict]

There are new drivers out today for all Vu+ box's including the Solo2.

Seems to be an update for the tuners

 

[Big-Apple]

have u read that?

drhans.janreznicek.com/solo2

 

[sonic1]

have u read that?

drhans.janreznicek.com/solo2

Good review of the first image release with a few errors but in all very good, many improvements since the report.

 

[Big-Apple]

can u check that freq @ 15west is it still not working?


just read news that VU+ duo2 can be realased after ANGA

 

[Robinson74]

Does VIX image come with Transcoding plugin on Solo2?
I tried OpenPLi but there is no trace of Transcoding plugin there.

Also, what are your impressions of transcoding? Pity it's not customizable. And it doesn't work with VLC 1.0.2. Maybe a newer version will work.

 

[digi247]

The Transcoding Plugin is available in Blackhole its a standard plugin in that image, As the Transcoding is done in software in the Solo2 then there are no customisable options for bitrate etc... this has been overcome with the Duo2 as this transcodes in hardware so you can set bitrate etc..

I think the whole idea of the Transcode option is to send to devices such as Phone/Tablet with which you download the relevant VU+ Player app and watch it through there if your streaming to PC/Laptop with Solo2 then i assume most would use the Webif as normal with any Enigma Box