There are several reasons to choose to purchase a Dreambox:
- Perfect picture and sound
- Very fast switching times (even with HD TV)
- Multi-tuner capability (record a program while watching another)
- Decryption of Pay-TV and foreign channels (please note read)
- Paging and access to multimedia content over the network (eg, the use of a NAS server)
- Installation of plug-ins (. Extensions examples see below)
- Optical adaptation of the menu according to your wishes
- Integration of a DVD and hard drive
- FAF (Women Acceptance Factor) higher than in a HTPC
- Control and device via computer or smartphone (many apps available)
- Internet Radio
- Device 'Made in Germany'
Note: LEGAL SIDE NOTE !!!!
1. Guarantee: In order to use the extended functions of a Dreambox, you have a third-party software called Image (eg Newnigma2) them. Under certain circumstances, you lose
so its warranty.
2. Decoding of Pay TV offerings without existing subscription is illegal. The Dreambox is not certified or Sky HD + receiver. The possibility does not respect the
Terms of the respective providers.
Examples of plug-ins:
- Fritz Call: Who has a Fritz box (router) to incoming calls can be displayed on the Dreambox.
- Project Valerie: A Media Center plug-in for managing movies (recordings, video files). The tool analyzes the file name and automatically downloads movie cover art and movie information
down.
- Webcam Viewer: See My IP camera or Internet webcam on TV.
(Find similar items; for example, shooting more dates find; etc.) Numerous plug-ins on EPG (Electronic Program Guide) -
- Permanent Timeshift: Timeshift must not be started. When selecting a channel Timeshift will start automatically.
Dreambox vs. HTPC
Before my Dreambox I had a multimedia PC, I thought such a solution would be cheaper than a Dreambox. At the end of the PC was clearly more expensive than the Dreambox 8000 HD. I took advantage of the HTPC with Windows Media Center. The system was very maintenance intensive and read only limited extensions. The switching speeds were rather sluggish and the organization of the channels was cumbersome. The volume of the HTPC's was also higher and the picture a little worse. Personally, I have not regretted the purchase of the Dreambox. My wife was skeptical at first, because she liked the menus in Windows Media Center visually better. By adjusting possibility of the Dreambox but this skepticism could be eliminated quickly. Of course reasons to a HTPC. How far can be no Blue-Rays with the play Dreambox (But this should change in 2012). Basically you could but discuss endlessly. HTPC professional can certainly with his multimedia PC realize more than a Dreambox. Nevertheless, the Dreambox has won for me.
Time:
- Most applications as I have wished ran with me for a weekend. I was an absolute novice in matters Dreambox !!!
But who has fun tinkering is amply rewarded.