Formuler F1 Twin Satellite Tuner plus hdd for sat and saorview.

ShaneOC

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

If your BB is up to it you could also set up a noip type address for the box and access it from outside the home.

I have tried setting this up previously but not got it to work - google has failed me!

Do you have a link to a step-by-step guide?

vasch_ro

Took a punt on one based on this Thread ! It seems like a genuinely good deal for a decent triple tuner

bk

I currently have an Amiko Alien 2+, that I've never really been fully happy with. It often crashes and suffers from freezes, which is very annoying for the OH, etc.

Anyone upgrade from the Amiko to this box? Do folks think this box is more reliable and might resolve these reliability issues?

Thanks

Zardoz

bk wrote: »

I currently have an Amiko Alien 2+, that I've never really been fully happy with. It often crashes and suffers from freezes, which is very annoying for the OH, etc.

Anyone upgrade from the Amiko to this box? Do folks think this box is more reliable and might resolve these reliability issues?

Thanks

Yes,its definitely worth the upgrade ,its a much more powerful receiver and Mips based so it supports more plugins.
Its a dual core cpu running at 1.3Ghz ,the Alien only runs @550Mhz .
Much more Ram and flash storage space on the Formuler too .

The Alien was a great box for its time ,but dual and triple tuners are much cheaper now so its no longer a good buy in my opinion.

The picture quality on the Aliens cant be beaten though ,no Mips or Arm based receiver comes close for SD and HD.

Gerry Wicklow

The reason I bought one of these was to replace an AA2. It's like going from a pushbike to a Ferrari.

Zardoz

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

The reason I bought one of these was to replace an AA2. It's like going from a pushbike to a Ferrari.

The engine of a Ferrari perhaps but not the bodywork of a Ferrari ,the picture on the Alien is nicer :P

bk has a high end Plasma like myself and Mips based standard definition doesn't cut the mustard for me on it.

Former Former

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

The reason I bought one of these was to replace an AA2. It's like going from a pushbike to a Ferrari.

Pretty resounding endorsement, just pulled the trigger on one, cheers

Update: worked out at €125 delivered, including the optional Wi-Fi adaptor, vs €164 from Satworld without Wi-Fi, so a decent saving.

Gerry Wicklow

Zardoz wrote: »

The engine of a Ferrari perhaps but not the bodywork of a Ferrari ,the picture on the Alien is nicer :P

bk has a high end Plasma like myself and Mips based standard definition doesn't cut the mustard for me on it.

I'd agree there is a very slightly better pic on the AA but at this price point...
Anyone looking for super-duper video and super-duper audio wont/shouldn't be looking at this end of the market.

bk

Zardoz wrote: »

The picture quality on the Aliens cant be beaten though ,no Mips or Arm based receiver comes close for SD and HD.

Zardoz wrote: »

bk has a high end Plasma like myself and Mips based standard definition doesn't cut the mustard for me on it.

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

I'd agree there is a very slightly better pic on the AA but at this price point...
Anyone looking for super-duper video and super-duper audio wont/shouldn't be looking at this end of the market.

Fantastic feedback, thanks guys. I'll have to think on it so.

I've a lovely Pioneer Plasma, but to be honest, most of what we watch on sat is casual viewing, mostly Cbeebies and background TV in the evenings, Masterchief, etc.

Movies and quality TV shows (e.g. Game of Thrones, etc.) are mostly off Bluray or Plex via Nvidia Shield TV.

I've really liked the AA2, but the issue has been reliability and that impact on the family acceptance factor and visiting babysitters, etc. So worse picture quality in exchange for better reliability might be worth it given the nature of what it is mostly used for.

Though on another thread I see mention of putting OpenATV on AA2 improving reliability, so maybe that is worth giving a go first.

Also any recommendations on a box that might have the same picture quality of the AA2, but otherwise the specs close to the F1?

projektzwoo

How can you compare picture quality to VU+ zero or Solo2?

Aquos76

Has anyone ordered the F1 via addresspal, lately I find PM so hit and miss?

Zardoz

bk wrote: »

Fantastic feedback, thanks guys. I'll have to think on it so.

Also any recommendations on a box that might have the same picture quality of the AA2, but otherwise the specs close to the F1?

To the best of my knowledge there isnt one ,and I've tried loads of receivers .

The ironic thing is that whilst receivers in general are getting more and more powerful with added features and cross platform support like Kodi ,IPTV etc the primary feature of picture quality is not improving .

Obviously 4k is an improvement but that has very limited content at the moment and you need a 4k tv.
Standard Definition and 1080p content will look worse on a 4ktv than a 1080p tv due to the upscaling.

Mips picture quality has always been its weakness and the transition to ARM chipsets in the newer 4k receivers was supposed to bring picture improvements but unfortunately this hasn't happened yet.

On a 1080p or 720p set ,the SH4 chipset is widely considered to render the best picture ,Arm is next and Mips last .

I'm currently using a Mutant HD51 running Openatv and the picture in BT 709 mode and that gives as close a picture to the Aliens that I have found.
Its an Arm 4k based chipset .

How can you compare picture quality to VU+ zero or Solo2?

They are both Mips based chipsets so have the same inherent failings as other Mips based receivers.
I've compared different receivers on two identical sets running side by side .

bk

Zardoz wrote: »

The ironic thing is that whilst receivers in general are getting more and more powerful with added features and cross platform support like Kodi ,IPTV etc the primary feature of picture quality is not improving .

Sounds like the TV market over the last 5 years or so! Lots of new features like 3D, curved, smart TV's, 4k, etc. But the picture quality of these LCD's was a lot worse then my now 8 year old Plasma!!

Only with OLED and HDR is picture quality being focused on again.

Hopefully we will see the same trend with sat boxes.

wiz569

Aquos76 wrote: »

Has anyone ordered the F1 via addresspal, lately I find PM so hit and miss?

Can you not just get it delivered to your house? Works out almost the same.

Zardoz

bk wrote: »

Sounds like the TV market over the last 5 years or so! Lots of new features like 3D, curved, smart TV's, 4k, etc. But the picture quality of these LCD's was a lot worse then my now 8 year old Plasma!!

Only with OLED and HDR is picture quality being focused on again.

Hopefully we will see the same trend with sat boxes.

Yes ,that's exactly the case.

Most people won't really notice a difference in picture quality though as their tv's are probably still running the same default picture settings out of the box.

Contrast levels way too high ,brightness too high and Gamma too low ,so huge amounts of detail are lost.

Dont get me wrong ,the Formuler F1 is a great bargain at its current price and its an extremely capable receiver that will be perfect for the majority of people.

Gerry Wicklow

bk wrote: »

.....

Though on another thread I see mention of putting OpenATV on AA2 improving reliability, so maybe that is worth giving a go first. .....

No harm in giving it a shot to see how you get on. Just remember the age old mantra, backup, backup, backup. With a backup of your current setup it would only take a few minutes to restore if all else fails.

GerryDerpy

Anyone know if it is possible to control the sound volume on an LG TV (webos 3.5) with the Formuler F1 remote?

I have HDMI CEC enabled on both ends and it works for powering on/off the TV with F1 remote. The “forward volume keys” CEC setting on the F1 does nothing.

Thanks

vasch_ro

So my box arrived yesterday via parcel motel, fiddled around last night, its far cry from my last experience with a Humax Freesat set up which was just plug and play, I got a satellite feed with over 900 channels, then realised I could scan for Free to air channels only, I assume I can delete channels I don't want etc. I asked for open ATV flash mainly as I had seem Gerry_Wicklow mention he uses it, but I might need a pointer to a good set up guide. The box itself is nothing special black box , display on the front, first impressions of the remote are that its quite good,
can't give any indications of picture quality yet but I am a "joe regular" user and am mainly setting it for the family who will be happy once there is a picture no matter the quality!

Supercell

vasch_ro wrote: »

So my box arrived yesterday via parcel motel, fiddled around last night, its far cry from my last experience with a Humax Freesat set up which was just plug and play, I got a satellite feed with over 900 channels, then realised I could scan for Free to air channels only, I assume I can delete channels I don't want etc. I asked for open ATV flash mainly as I had seem Gerry_Wicklow mention he uses it, but I might need a pointer to a good set up guide. The box itself is nothing special black box , display on the front, first impressions of the remote are that its quite good,
can't give any indications of picture quality yet but I am a "joe regular" user and am mainly setting it for the family who will be happy once there is a picture no matter the quality!

My recommendation is download the "willobuild" OpenVix for the Formuler1 ,it is very nice and pretty intuitive and includes a skyesque interface by default (though includes some other skins as well if you want to check them out also) . I would recommend running the system update (needs internet connection) after you have flashed it to bring everything up to date - took me about 15 -20 mins to complete yesterday so be patient as nothing happens on the screen . Made things very easy to set up with the autobouquet maker (Saorview is there too assuming you got one with a dvbt tuner in it as well).
Not sure if I'm allowed share the link, google is your friend.

vasch_ro

Supercell wrote: »

My recommendation is download the "willobuild" OpenVix for the Formuler1 ,it is very nice and pretty intuitive and includes a skyesque interface by default (though includes some other skins as well if you want to check them out also) . I would recommend running the system update (needs internet connection) after you have flashed it to bring everything up to date - took me about 15 -20 mins to complete yesterday so be patient as nothing happens on the screen . Made things very easy to set up with the autobouquet maker (Saorview is there too assuming you got one with a dvbt tuner in it as well).
Not sure if I'm allowed share the link, google is your friend.

Thanks flashed to Willowbuild and looking good so far ! I got the dvbt tuner as well .

Gerry Wicklow

Once you have it running as you wish with your channels sorted to your choice etc, make a backup of the settings. It is then a simple matter to try other images using your backed up settings to find what you like best. Like many things in life it often comes down to personal preference which setup you settle on.

Myles67

Hi,

1st time poster long time viewer!

My Formuler F1 arrived today but I have a small issue that maybe someone can help me with. I live in an apartment which has a Sky fibre distribution system, satellite and Saorview. I am fed from a Global Fibre MDU Virtual Quad which is powered by my satellite box (LNB). My issue is that when I change from the satellite channels to my Saorview channels the LNB power is turned off and the MDU stops working, as a result I lose the Saorview signal.

If I am recording a satellite channel and go to a Saorview channel the LNB power stays on and the MDU continues to work allowing me to view the Saorview channels.

Any suggestions as to how I can keep the LNB power on in all cases?

Thanks

Vic_08

Myles67 wrote: »

Hi,

1st time poster long time viewer!

My Formuler F1 arrived today but I have a small issue that maybe someone can help me with. I live in an apartment which has a Sky fibre distribution system, satellite and Saorview. I am fed from a Global Fibre MDU Virtual Quad which is powered by my satellite box (LNB). My issue is that when I change from the satellite channels to my Saorview channels the LNB power is turned off and the MDU stops working, as a result I lose the Saorview signal.

If I am recording a satellite channel and go to a Saorview channel the LNB power stays on and the MDU continues to work allowing me to view the Saorview channels.

Any suggestions as to how I can keep the LNB power on in all cases?

Is there a socket for a power cable on the fibre box? I have been researching fibre satellite systems and the ones I have been looking at (Global Invacom) can be powered by either LNB input or though a regular PSU. They also sell PSUs separately online.

https://www.gionlineshop.com/product_result.php?gID=46&sID=60&type=3&subgroup=fibre-irs&sm=4

satworld.ie also stock some of that system and seem to be cheaper than ordering direct.

another if not particularly elegant solution would be to connect another satellite box to one of the other fibre box outputs to keep it powered up, assuming you have any spare. If you wanted to add more outputs then a multiswitch would also permanently power the fibre box.

Supercell

I've noticed that if I press the power button on the remote when watching a Saorview channel it goes to BBC1 and I have to press shut down again. I prefer it just went to deep shutdown (running OpenVix) , anyone know of a fix or am i the only one with this issue?

STB.

bk wrote: »

I've really liked the AA2, but the issue has been reliability and that impact on the family acceptance factor and visiting babysitters, etc. So worse picture quality in exchange for better reliability might be worth it given the nature of what it is mostly used for.

Though on another thread I see mention of putting OpenATV on AA2 improving reliability, so maybe that is worth giving a go first.

Also any recommendations on a box that might have the same picture quality of the AA2, but otherwise the specs close to the F1?

The perceived picture quality is only noticable to those that were running SH4 boxes in their traditional OS, ie not E2. It really only applied to SD channels. The porting of SH4 boxes to E2 involves the use of a non STAPI driver so the perceived picture quality gain is lost anyway! SH4 box manufactuerers leaked the drivers to sell more STi chipset boxes as E2 had a better interface and was ouselling their OS.

The other problem with a lot of the Sh4 boxes and their reliability running ported versions of E2 is not alone that the E2 platform was written for a different chipset, but also more mportantly down to the low RAM, Flash and CPU power of the boxes.

Picture can be adjusted with your TV and settng on a real E2 box. Reliabilty is free. What I have noticed is that images are getting bigger and bigger, so get an E2 box with a lot of all of the requirements to run smoothly. The box being discussed here the F1 has the requisite amounts of each.

Apogee

Myles67 wrote: »

Hi,

1st time poster long time viewer!

My Formuler F1 arrived today but I have a small issue that maybe someone can help me with. I live in an apartment which has a Sky fibre distribution system, satellite and Saorview. I am fed from a Global Fibre MDU Virtual Quad which is powered by my satellite box (LNB). My issue is that when I change from the satellite channels to my Saorview channels the LNB power is turned off and the MDU stops working, as a result I lose the Saorview signal.

What image are you using - there may be a setting in the tuner configuration? It seems unusual that the box is powering off the sat tuner when you switch to terrestrial.
[edit] In OpenVix, there is a setting under Setup->System->Customise->Force LNB Power. The default is off.

As suggested already, an external PSU seems the easiest solution - it appears to take a 6Volt input?

Alt. try a set of rabbit ears antenna for Saorview if you're in a strongly signal area.

Or you can also get PSUs with IF type connectors which connect to the LNB port.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spaun-1000-Power-Supply-832114/dp/B001GQHB7W

Zardoz

STB. wrote: »

The perceived picture quality is only noticable to those that were running SH4 boxes in their traditional OS, ie not E2. It really only applied to SD channels. The porting of SH4 boxes to E2 involves the use of a non STAPI driver so the perceived picture quality gain is lost anyway! SH4 box manufacturers leaked the drivers to sell more STi chipset boxes as E2 had a better interface and was outselling their OS.

Thats simply not true though,the picture in Enigma 2 on an SH4 box is better than that of a Mips receiver .
There is a slight loss of quality in E2 from Spark but its still better than that on a Mips receiver especially SD.
Anyone who says otherwise needs to go to Specsavers.

Picture can be adjusted with your TV and settng on a real E2 box.

That is true, you can adjust the picture via the video enhancement plugin but you cant add detail that isn't there in the first place.
The Mips chipset renders the video differently to SH4 .

Generally those adjustments will tend to lose even more detail as its software based adjustments.
The best way to calibrate the picture is by the TV's picture settings.

Sorry for taking this thread a bit off topic ,the Formuler F1 is a great buy.

STB.

There is an option in the terrestrial menu to turn a 5v phantom on.
"Enable 5V for active antenna". But thats for indoor aerials that need to be powered. I dont know if it will work for Myles.

There are specific settings for unicable in the satellite tuner too (LOF)

STB.

Zardoz wrote: »

Thats simply not true though,the picture in Enigma 2 on an SH4 box is better than that of a Mips receiver .
There is a slight loss of quality in E2 from Spark but its still better than that on a Mips receiver especially SD.
Anyone who says otherwise needs to go to Specsavers.

So you agree that some quality is lost when e2 was ported to Sh4 boxes from its native OS. It was generally accepted by the guys who hacked it (Teamduck) that the picture quality was not good as the native drivers versus those that where the STM from Havana.

Perhaps I do need to go to specsavers, or perhaps I'm just used to e2 via mips!

Sh4 boxes running E2 are still not stable. The perceived PQ gain rather than the lack of reliability I think is were we disagree.

Zardoz

STB. wrote: »

So you agree that some quality is lost when e2 was ported to Sh4 boxes from its native OS. It was generally accepted by the guys who hacked it (Teamduck) that the picture quality was not good as the native drivers versus those that where the STM from Havana.

Yes ,I've read that fascinating thread ,but its quite old now and Team Ducktales did subsequently release better drivers that improved the picture quality .
https://forums.openpli.org/topic/22737-bad-picture-quality-of-enigma2-vs-katherinhumaxtechisatazboxetc/

We've had this discussion before ,you and I

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=94886529&postcount=21

STB.

Zardoz wrote: »

Yes ,I've read that fascinating thread ,but its quite old now and Team Ducktales did subsequently release better drivers that improved the picture quality .
https://forums.openpli.org/topic/22737-bad-picture-quality-of-enigma2-vs-katherinhumaxtechisatazboxetc/

Well they hacked it in 2008. Then they released the source. Whats more likely is that there was a reaction from the OEMs when they saw the chipsets & boxes shifting ala Amiko sales in the widespread c/s markets. That Havana STM didnt just appear out of nowhere

Zardoz wrote: »

We've had this discussion before ,you and I

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=94886529&postcount=21

I'm consistent at least.

My view is simple. Run the OS in its native environment and you'll have no problems. PQ comes second.

Gerry Wicklow

At the end of the day, when it comes to PQ, you are straying into the realms of personal taste to some extent. I've been in houses where the saturation was cranked up so much it looked like a child's drawing. Others had the contrast so low it was like a foggy day. I reiterate, anyone looking for the optimum video or audio quality shouldn't be looking at this end of the market. For it's price point I think the Formuler is a cracking box that will satisfy many households needs.

Myles67

Hi Apogee,

I'm using the Virtuosso Image Xtreme 5.1.009 (release) Image. I don't have a force LNB power option in the Customise menu.

Can you advise what iamge you are using?

Regards

Gerry Wicklow

Myles67 wrote: »

Hi Apogee,

I'm using the Virtuosso Image Xtreme 5.1.009 (release) Image. I don't have a force LNB power option in the Customise menu.

Can you advise what iamge you are using?

Regards

See post #77 above

STB.

@ Gerry. A competitor to your cheap priced 1.3g Processor MIPS (BCM7356) box!

This one takes an internal 2.5 drive. Its £99 from WOS. 512Mb flash. 1 Gig RAM. Made by Korean company Fortis. Nice remote. FOUR USB Ports! OpenVix/ATV

Tiviar Alpha+ Plus Triple Tuner Combo Linux Engima 2 2x DVB-S/S2 + 1x DVB-C/T/T2 PVR Receiver

vasch_ro

After a successful Friday using the box, having flashed to the willowbuild,
box would'nt start yesterday or today, I can see the redlight when I hit the buttons one the remote, but it wont start, it appears to be stuck on yesterdays date...

Update ;powered it down by unplugging it and re plugging it and all seems good

MuddyDog

Getting a 2nd one of these for myself after the inlaws loved theirs. When ordering it asks for a 3rd tuner. I have 2 sky cables and 1 normal terrestrial cable coming through the wall where my tv is. Which tuner do I need?

DVB-C/T/T2 Tuner which is free
or
DVB-S/S2 tuner which is an extra tenner?

GY A1

DVB-C/T/T2 Is for cable / terrestrial aerial
You can use this for saorview

DVB-S/S2 is another satellite tuner

You need first one DVb - c/t/t2 for your aerial

MuddyDog

I'll also need those plugs so I can plug an ethernet cable into the box. My route is in the attic. My box will be downstairs in the living room.

Would this do the trick?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TL-WPA4220KIT-Powerline-Broadband-Configuration-UK/dp/B01LXOZ4EN/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1516122813&sr=8-2&keywords=tp+link+av600

projektzwoo

Yes, powerline adapter should do the job. I have 3 storey house, modem at the top floor and tv box downstairs, use this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/TL-PA4010KIT-V1-20-Powerline-Configuration-UK/dp/B01BECPIMC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1516131534&sr=8-3&keywords=powerline+adapter

Just remember that it should be connected directly to the power socket, if you connect it through extension lead it may affect quality. The range between 2 adapters may affect speeds as well.

MuddyDog

Got this up and running this week and it's a dream. Are there any plugins or anything I should add?

Main ones I have are the IPTV Player and the XCPlugin. Box is running OpenVix.

Gerry Wicklow

If it's doing all you want don't mess with it. Oh and make sure to make a backup once your happy with it.
Too many add-ons just slow the box down.

MuddyDog

Thanks.

Is it possible to remotely login to the box from a Laptop say (outside of my home network) and watch TV on that laptop or would the video be too choppy?

STB.

MuddyDog wrote: »

Thanks.

Is it possible to remotely login to the box from a Laptop say (outside of my home network) and watch TV on that laptop or would the video be too choppy?

Yes.

On a PC just type the name of the IP LAN in your browser. ie 192.168.1.x (where x is the IP given to the box) Click on Channels and Click on Channel Name. It will doanload a small stream file which you can play with VLC.

There is also an free AP for Android called VU+ Player HD which will allow you do the same on Android devices.

MuddyDog

STB. wrote: »

Yes.

On a PC just type the name of the IP LAN in your browser. ie 192.168.1.x (where x is the IP given to the box) Click on Channels and Click on Channel Name. It will doanload a small stream file which you can play with VLC.

There is also an free AP for Android called VU+ Player HD which will allow you do the same on Android devices.

Thanks.

If I'm not on my home network though how do I access it if I know it's local IP address?

Jurgen Klopp

Quick question

I have been advised to get a terrestrial USB tuner to add a second T tuner if I get this box

Now, it seems it only has one USB port, is that not needed for the EPG or can I connect a wired net connection to the box for that?

Also what OS version do lads rec I choose for pre installation?

While I'm at it, what is a good USB terrestrial tuner stick to use for this? I often record RTE and TG4 at the same time so need it

Former Former

Jurgen Klopp wrote: »

Quick question

I have been advised to get a terrestrial USB tuner to add a second T tuner if I get this box

Now, it seems it only has one USB port, is that not needed for the EPG or can I connect a wired net connection to the box for that?

Also what OS version do lads rec I choose for pre installation?

While I'm at it, what is a good USB terrestrial tuner stick to use for this? I often record RTE and TG4 at the same time so need it

The Formuler F1 has three USB ports so room for all of the above, but you can also connect via wired ethernet.

I got it with OpenVix and it's very easy.

Jurgen Klopp

Former Former wrote: »

The Formuler F1 has three USB ports so room for all of the above, but you can also connect via wired ethernet.

I got it with OpenVix and it's very easy.

Oh great I thought it had only 1 port thanks

greasepalm

yes go with openvix from wos and might i also suggest a 8gb usb kingston can be used for flashing and/or storing epg.

Jurgen Klopp

greasepalm wrote: »

yes go with openvix from wos and might i also suggest a 8gb usb kingston can be used for flashing and/or storing epg.

Thanks I have decided to go with a Tiviar after advice as it can take the HDD internally so I'll get then them to add a 500GB for 40 pounds extra I couldn't even begin to think where I've left the old PC HDDs at this stage and don't fancy having an externally powered one as it will be knocked

I have a few 32GB cruzers lying around thankfully