KC85 only with more power

Until recently, I had not heard of Cool Stream, but in my search for a new cable box I stumbled in many forums about it. As the general opinion was really very good, I've just ordered the model.

The excitement began then already when unpacking:

I expected it to just the device, a remote control and a power cord are included. But it turned out differently. In Cool Stream is all kinds included, so also is located in a box quite wertig translucent HDMI cable, a 512MB large USB stick with an emergency firmware and as a piece of cake even a complete installation kit for a 2.5 "HDD with SATA cable and rubber washers for decoupling. As the tuner is designed as F-jack, also an IEC coupling is still in order to connect normal coax cable can.

The box itself is equipped with everything you can imagine. So are located at the back next to HDMI output even SCART and composite outputs, and a TOSLINK. Next Hing there are USB and e-SATA. The dual tuner is running in the latest revision no more than two single tuner, but has a single tuner with Twin functionality.

The establishment:

Who will not join for the first time a receiver does not have to face major hurdles. In my current constellation only, HDMI, network and antenna cable must be connected.
After the box is turned on, the rest is all by itself.

For people looking for Plug'n'Play the works! Right away. But we doubt the software seem a bit complex here.

Neutrino:

Anyone who has ever owned a dBox 2 will love the system, it runs on the device super fast and stable. Who will take something familiar with Linux quickly add several plugins and customize the system according to his will. I myself have had no system in which the modding so quickly and easily by equipping went like this.
Take time a modded firmware upload to without even getting up from the couch and have to bypass any bootloader. This is top!

Meanwhile, I have yet fully integrated the station logo in the system and I am curious as to when the HbbTV find away in neutrino.
There seem to find even other distributions like Enigma 2 or TitanNit of the Community in the implementation.

A special gimmick is the Web server installed on the box, with it you can configure and control the box from the PC. Even to stream the TV image to your PC and take up is not a problem. Central FTP can transfer files to or copied from the box.

Hardware:

The box is Leistungstechnisch with the Dreambox DM8000 comparable, although it can not be added in addition tuner, but the SoC makes plenty of power. 600MHz ARM CPU + own graphics unit, ensure that even can be upscaled 1080p 60Hz in Ruckelfrei or can be shown directly. It may just about all file formats are reproduced and DTS is also no problem.

With 385MB RAM, the device also comes not so fast to its limits, even if many plugins simultaneously running reserves the Cooli a cool head.

The OLED display can be excellently read. The sender name and mission progress is easy to read. Only the additional information such as resolution, recording / playback channels you do not properly recognize from the couch because they are too small.

The box can slebst has Wi-Fi, but you can buy as an accessory Coolstream a wireless stick, this is the price 30-40 Euro. Who does not want to spend the yellow, can also use any stick which has a specific chipset or just re-install drivers in the system. So you can also get Wi-Fi and is only 5-10 out.
This scenario shows but how to expand the box. No matter what you want to connect, with drivers and some patience you could even install Webcams.

Cool Stream utilizes HDMI-CEC and called the CST-Link, it works so well that all my other Fernbedienungnen are superfluous. I need the other remotes only switch to signal sources. But even here you can work around that as the remote control of Neo² is programmable and can take over the functions of other devices.

Image:

The Coolstream conjures up a vivid picture in my opinion at the screen. The image is crisp and sharp, rapid movements are reproduced without distortion. Additionally, however, a couple of filters can still be turned on. With Dering and DEBLOCK fractals and Corona formation can be suppressed, which actually do not show up anyway.
The normal TV picture can be scaled from PAL to 1080p. Scaling helps SD formats to an impressive sharpness gain.

Conclusion:
Since the dBox 2 I had not had such a brilliant receiver. Handling is for people with a little Linux knowledge extremely well. The scope of supply, equipment and quality convince.

Appreciation:

Delivery includes: 5 Stars
Hardware: 5 stars
Software: 5 stars
Image: 5 stars
Expandability: 5 stars

Total: 5 + 1 star