Ezybox 8000
The EZY-Box 8000 HDTV satellite receiver is an interesting piece of hardware overall.
It’s High Definition of course, and it’s PVR-ready - which is sales-talk for the fact that is doesn’t contain a hard disk, but does have the connections for you to add one. At extra cost, naturally.
Fortunately, this hard disk can be connected externally over either USB2.0 or eSATA. The latter is a welcome addition to the satellite receiver market, it has to be said. You can never have too many options and these pluggable technologies make it much easier to transfer recorded material to the PC for subsequent editing and/or burning to DVD etc.
Though rather limiting, it is possible to receive two channels - including HD - at the same time (i.e. watch one and record one) but only if they’re on the same transponder. This may be an obvious limitation for those who understand just why twin-tuner boxes attract the premium they do, but it’s a feature that not all single-tuner satellite receivers have.
It is also possible to record a live broadcast whilst watching another from the disk.
The EZYBox 8000 features the following connection options:
* 2x SCART (RGB, S-video, FBAS, YUV)
* 2x F connections - LNB-in & Loop-through
* 1x TOSLINK (optical digital output)
* 1x Stereo-Cinch
* 1x Composite video
* 1x HDMI
* 1x USB 2.0
* 1x eSATA
* 1x RS-232
There are also two integrated CI-slots to enable reception of encrypted channels. These are located under a typical front-panel flap on the right hand side of the machine. Interestingly, the fascia and chassis under this flap also conceal what looks like a card reader slot, though this has been blanked off.
Output from the receiver can be pumped to your TV via HDMI or YUV as well as SCART. With the integrated EPG, recordings can be programmed simply and quickly.
For those with more than one satellite to interest them, the EZY-Box supports the DiSEqC 1.0 and USALS protocols, but there is no mention made in the specifications of DiSEqC 1.1 or 1.2, which (if actually missing) are a major oversight by the manufacturers.
As if by some measure of compensation, the receiver comes ‘pre-programmed with practically all satellites currently available in Europe’.
EZY-Box Technical Specifications:
* MPEG 4 part 10/H.264
* MPEG 2 HD & SD
* USBS 2.0 & eSATA interface for addition of external hard disk
* 2x DVB Common interface slots for CAM modules
* Supports 8PSK
* Sort channels by FTA/scrambled, satellite, alphabetically or by network
* Transmitter option key (German Pay TV)
* Teletext: OSG & VBI
* Subtitle: Dual-subtitle (DVB & Teletext-subtitle)
* Dolby AC3 digital audio output via S/PDIF
* EPG: Now and Next
* OTA S/W download
* Child protection lock
* JPEG mode
* MP3 music player
* Time-shift function
* Variable aspect-ratio: 4:3 (full, centre, letterbox) / 16:9
* Timer-function (30 items)
* Up to 6000 TV & radio channel storage
* 8 programmable favourite lists
* 1x RS-232C interface
* S/W upload via USB
* 9-digit, blue alphanumeric VFD display with real time update
* Standby-function, for reduced electricity consumption (<5W)
* Dimensions: Width - 37cm, depth - 22cm, height - 6cm
* Weight: 3Kg (approx).
