The Dreambox 500 HD comes, as well as 800 in a noble black box with silver lettering - the packaging can compete definitely with Apple products :)
The box itself looks rather unimpressive - incredibly small, but with many connections.
Unlike the 800HD, which has only a DVI connection the Dreambox has an HDMI port, which thus also supports the HDCP standard.
The display so high resolution and is - If the device was also omitted the display, which in my view is not particularly bad, since my in 800 due to the small size could make out hardly anything anyway.
About eSata I have connected an external 500GB hard drive so that timeshift recordings and not be a problem (you have previously the disk format only in the device manager).
The picture on HDMI is top, the switching super fast and due to a huge community on the Internet the Dreambox 500HD are virtually unlimited.
Whether tools, plugins, skins or channel lists - if you are looking for something, you will find it quickly and can set up his box exactly as it likes it.
In addition, the box plays all popular video formats (as well as H.264 / .mkv), so you can use the device as a media / Network Media Player also wonderful.
I am very happy and can ausprechen a strong buy recommendation!