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Those looking for a DVB-S2 satellite receiver that could receive and decompress MPEG HEVC/H.265 4K signals at 50 or 60 frames per second are still quite limited. Basically there are only two up-to-date models, others are limited to MPEG AVC/H.264 or 24/30P, first and second generation set-tops, used for demo's and trial over the past few years. The pair consists of one box from Technisat and one from Vu+. The Technisat Digit ISIO STC, in Germany also sold as the STC+ where it comes with a smartcard for SES' HD+ HD platform that also includes one UHD demochannel.
And there is the more feature rich VU+ Solo 4K.
This is my favorite of the two, as it is a linux box that allows for the use of apps extending the box functionality. And it operates on a fast dual core 1500 Mhz ARM processor. But its main advantage is that it has two wideband tuner/demodulators that each can demodulate four streams at a time, this makes for very smart channel switching, allowing for zapping speeds fondly remembered from the analog days. Well as long as the channels are on one of the two transponders being de-modulated at that time, currently satellite operators have limited 4K offerings, generally not more than one or two transponders per satellite, generally carrying two 4K channels each.
NEW: the Humax UHD 4tune+
The first two also carry a slight early adopter premium, with €399,- for the Technisat, and €499,- plus optional Harddrive, or additional satellite, cable/terrestrial tuner, for the Vu+. The new Humax UHD 4tune+ (again with free HD Plus smartcard, requiring a paid-for subscription after the first year in German shops) that starts shipping around this week, costs only €299,- and offers 4K DVR functionality by adding either an internal 2.5" harddrive, or an external (USB 3.0) harddrive. It also features a quad tuner, like the Vu+ it also has SAT>IP acting as a gateway transporting the IP to clients,as well as receiving IP from the LNBF at the Dish. IP can also be streamed via UPnP. The HDMI connector is 2.0, the box also has optical audio, and WLAN and Bluetooth. It has a SmartTV platform for on-demand over-the-top content.
The Kathrein UFSconnect 926 will only become available later this summer, so little is known yet, till the launch at next months ANGACOM trade show next month, but it looks like it will be a premium machine, as it features two wide tuners that can each demodulate 4 channels, four streams cover live-TV allowing for fast channel switching, and the other four are dedicated to the PVR, or IP streaming server function. Kathrein will offer two optional Harddrives one of 500 Gigabyte the other of 1000 Gigabyte. For conditional access it will allow for the use of two CI+ modules. One online shop has it listed for pre-sale at €799.-.].
And there is the more feature rich VU+ Solo 4K.
This is my favorite of the two, as it is a linux box that allows for the use of apps extending the box functionality. And it operates on a fast dual core 1500 Mhz ARM processor. But its main advantage is that it has two wideband tuner/demodulators that each can demodulate four streams at a time, this makes for very smart channel switching, allowing for zapping speeds fondly remembered from the analog days. Well as long as the channels are on one of the two transponders being de-modulated at that time, currently satellite operators have limited 4K offerings, generally not more than one or two transponders per satellite, generally carrying two 4K channels each.
NEW: the Humax UHD 4tune+
The first two also carry a slight early adopter premium, with €399,- for the Technisat, and €499,- plus optional Harddrive, or additional satellite, cable/terrestrial tuner, for the Vu+. The new Humax UHD 4tune+ (again with free HD Plus smartcard, requiring a paid-for subscription after the first year in German shops) that starts shipping around this week, costs only €299,- and offers 4K DVR functionality by adding either an internal 2.5" harddrive, or an external (USB 3.0) harddrive. It also features a quad tuner, like the Vu+ it also has SAT>IP acting as a gateway transporting the IP to clients,as well as receiving IP from the LNBF at the Dish. IP can also be streamed via UPnP. The HDMI connector is 2.0, the box also has optical audio, and WLAN and Bluetooth. It has a SmartTV platform for on-demand over-the-top content.
The Kathrein UFSconnect 926 will only become available later this summer, so little is known yet, till the launch at next months ANGACOM trade show next month, but it looks like it will be a premium machine, as it features two wide tuners that can each demodulate 4 channels, four streams cover live-TV allowing for fast channel switching, and the other four are dedicated to the PVR, or IP streaming server function. Kathrein will offer two optional Harddrives one of 500 Gigabyte the other of 1000 Gigabyte. For conditional access it will allow for the use of two CI+ modules. One online shop has it listed for pre-sale at €799.-.].