Which new receiver with specific features?

[oldsmobile]

My venerable Micro HD has died. It's time for a new one.

It seems that the Linkbox 9001i and the Manhattan 1978 are currently good choices.

Is there a respected receiver that has ability to:
Import channel list, such as custom channels on 103
Audible tones for aiming and tuning dishes.
Front panel control for changing channels.

Thanks for any personal recommendations.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using the SatelliteGuys app!

 

[Lone Gunman]

So what's wrong with your Micro HD?

 

[olliec420]

I wish I hadn't sold my microhd!

 

[Arion]

So what's wrong with your Micro HD?

He said that it died. I had two MicroHD's and they both kakked after about 6 months. Nice and cheap receiver but too cheap. The little transformer in their to provide juice to the USALS mover was just too lightweight to move the 1.2 meter dish very long.

 

[oldsmobile]

The MicroHD's coax jack was a bit loose, and today, it finally broke. I may try to solder it, even though I'm far from an expert, because I figure I have nothing to lose.

I had been using it successfully for years, even driving an SG2100 and a 90CM on it. Nothing lasts forever, though, right?

Funny it happens now. I took some time off work, specifically during sun outage time, to do some dish work and then this happens. Ah, well, at least I know the spots for 125 that I can use.

For basic dish aiming, I think I might pull out a DVB-S receiver I have in storage. The X2M1 that I have doesn't seem to have a tuning tone.

 

[Lone Gunman]

Thanks for the info on you Micro HD. And YES, do try to re-solder that connection cuz like you said, it ain't working like it is now.

I have 3 of those in Cband service now and two of them are OLD and they all work well for the most part. They don't drive any USALS dish movers though.....yet.

 

[oldsmobile]

Gunman, it seems like you are a die-hard MicroHD user! I take it that you don't fix what isn't broken?

 

[Lone Gunman]

Gunman, it seems like you are a die-hard MicroHD user! I take it that you don't fix what isn't broken?

As far as the Micro HDs go, with my 3 Cband systems I like to keep them where I can swap files and or receivers between them, ie, they are all setup exactly the same so I don't have to change anything when I swap them from system to system.

Those Micro HDs have that 30 second step forward feature in playback that I like a lot for skipping over commercials. I can usually fast forward through a 4 minute commercial in about 5 seconds and that's kinda important because about 90% of the TV that my Wife and I watch together is recorded.

In the past I've been known to "fix stuff" that wasn't broken but I've found that as I get older (I'm 73 now) I want to work on stuff less. Those Micro HDs are a decent receiver for the money but like all the rest, they have their "quirks" and "short comings" in some areas and I've learned how to work around those.

 

[Blindowl1234]

The MicroHD's coax jack was a bit loose, and today, it finally broke. I may try to solder it, even though I'm far from an expert, because I figure I have nothing to lose.

I had been using it successfully for years, even driving an SG2100 and a 90CM on it. Nothing lasts forever, though, right?

Funny it happens now. I took some time off work, specifically during sun outage time, to do some dish work and then this happens. Ah, well, at least I know the spots for 125 that I can use.

For basic dish aiming, I think I might pull out a DVB-S receiver I have in storage. The X2M1 that I have doesn't seem to have a tuning tone.

Olds, Not sure how to get a PM to you. I have a Micro still in original box if you want it? I think I got it for my brother when I bought mine and he only used it a few times. I have no use for it. Shoot me a name and address and consider it your early Christmas present lol

 

[oldsmobile]

Blindowl, that is an amazing and generous offer. Thank you, sincerely. I started a Conversation with you for the specifics.

I really enjoy how helpful and useful this group is to everyone.

 

[WhiteBeard]

Finding a receiver that'll do everything you want is gonna be tuff. Or you'll find one that claims that it'll do everything you want but doesn't (like the 9000i). I'm not a fan of the microHD either but it works but I wouldn't use it for timed recordings (same for the 9000i). The Azbox Elite/Ultra was decent but I guess they weren't making enough money to keep it going.

 

[Lone Gunman]

Finding a receiver that'll do everything you want is gonna be tuff. Or you'll find one that claims that it'll do everything you want but doesn't (like the 9000i). I'm not a fan of the microHD either but it works but I wouldn't use it for timed recordings (same for the 9000i). The Azbox Elite/Ultra was decent but I guess they weren't making enough money to keep it going.

Yup, the multiple recording thingie is a PITA on the Micro HDs, which is why I never setup to do more than one recording at a time. Funny that the V7 junk I had would do as many recordings as was possible and never missed a beat? Lightning got that one though a few months back.

The AZbox Elite and Ultra I have?? These were/are my biggest disappointment of all the receivers I've ever owned, and, were the MOST EXPENSIVE to boot at $275 EACH!!! Keith Brannen, KE4EST and I spent about 2 months via PM trying to fix mine to no avail! Neither have been used since and I'll NEVER, EVER pay that much for a receiver again!!

Just saying..........................

 

[WhiteBeard]

Yup, the multiple recording thingie is a PITA on the Micro HDs, which is why I never setup to do more than one recording at a time. Funny that the V7 junk I had would do as many recordings as was possible and never missed a beat? Lightning got that one though a few months back.

The AZbox Elite and Ultra I have?? These were/are my biggest disappointment of all the receivers I've ever owned, and, were the MOST EXPENSIVE to boot at $275 EACH!!! Keith Brannen, KE4EST and I spent about 2 months via PM trying to fix mine to no avail! Neither have been used since and I'll NEVER, EVER pay that much for a receiver again!!

Just saying..........................

Well, I paid $1000 for my DSR922 (and the additional cost for the HD decoder) so if I'm willing to spend that much money I'll probably consider buying another $1000 receiver. Of course, the DSR922 was very well built and mine still functioned about a year ago (as a dish mover) but now it's collecting dust. I'd be willing to pay more for a receiver if it works as advertised and had long term support. Usually you get what you pay for but not always. C-band dishes aren't cheap either. In my humble opinion, if you're going to spend the big bucks for a BUD (including concrete, LNBF, cables, etc) then get the best receiver. Either that or go subscribe to DN or DTV or cable. When I got into BUD's over 20 years ago I thought that I could save some money - it didn't turn out that way.

 

[primestar31]

I'm using a MicroHD with the last good firmware with a WD Mybook usb drive and doing timed MULTIPLE recordings, and never have a problem. Timer goes off, it moves my dish, then the drive starts recording.

The main thing to remember with the MicroHD, is you MUST set the time to LOCAL, and NEVER, EVER shut it off (or if you do, resync the clock to real time afterwards). Then it keeps everything just fine. I then only have to resync the clock due to a little drift about once per two weeks or so.

I've tried some other receivers, but I've never found another one that has the good dvr control that the MicroHD has after we had Brian get it tweaked. I love the 30 second skip, and the "last place" file marking ability.

 

[Keith Brannen]

The AZbox Elite and Ultra I have?? These were/are my biggest disappointment of all the receivers I've ever owned, and, were the MOST EXPENSIVE to boot at $275 EACH!!! Keith Brannen, KE4EST and I spent about 2 months via PM trying to fix mine to no avail! Neither have been used since and I'll NEVER, EVER pay that much for a receiver again!!

Just saying..........................

Yep, and my AZBox Ultra is still working just fine! Still wonder what was wrong with your two.

 

[waylew]

Yep, and my AZBox Ultra is still working just fine!

Mine too.

 

[Cham]

I still have two Ultras running. Can't remember what software they are using but they work flawlessly. One of the remotes is getting worn out though. They always record on-time and never miss a program. There are a few quirks with them but they are easy to work around. They certainly don't like power failures so they are on UPSs.

 

[norman881]

I'm using a MicroHD with the last good firmware with a WD Mybook usb drive and doing timed MULTIPLE recordings, and never have a problem. Timer goes off, it moves my dish, then the drive starts recording.

The main thing to remember with the MicroHD, is you MUST set the time to LOCAL, and NEVER, EVER shut it off (or if you do, resync the clock to real time afterwards). Then it keeps everything just fine. I then only have to resync the clock due to a little drift about once per two weeks or so.

I've tried some other receivers, but I've never found another one that has the good dvr control that the MicroHD has after we had Brian get it tweaked. I love the 30 second skip, and the "last place" file marking ability.

My Amiko Impulse only loses 1 minute every 3 weeks. I have used it on and off for 3 years. I had to send my Linkbox 9000i Local in for repair. While it was gone, I got attached to the Amiko again.

 

[Larry1]

I'm using a MicroHD… and doing timed MULTIPLE recordings, and never have a problem.

I have a MicroHD setup for recording COZITV. I like the fact that you can have overlapping timers for you can start a recording early and end late for back to back recordings. Just setup a second channel with the same information but a different channel ID. Once I found out not to have it power off after a recording everything was fine. My Amiko HD RE is also good, but I prefer the MicroHD. (probably because I have had it longer and used it more)

 

[Cham]

Back to topic on receivers, has anyone tried this one (available though Ebay):
"GTMEDIA GTS Satellite Television Receiver Android6.0 Satellite Television"
Claims to do 4k video / H265, basic looking package with a bit of CPU/GPU etc.