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First the disclaimer: I don't know if this is the proper place to post this, so mods...feel free to move it! I figure it wouldn't hurt here, and may get the proper exposure for some responses.

Can others chime in to help those of us "new' to this box?

My observations from a couple days...and, I'm sure I've missed some features, but I'd love to know it so I can better enjoy the new box!

The box arrived from Satguys Member Wallyhts "gotCband" site in a very prompt manner...containing the new Amiko Mini HD box. I had heard an upgrade from my MicroHD would be beneficial. So, given the reasonable price, why not try?

I've got intermittent issues with the MicroHD and am waiting on a new power supply offered by the company, but buying a new receiver was a 'faster fix." Since I never updated firmware in the MHD, maybe I'll try that when the new power supply arrives and end up keeping it...who knows!

On...to the new "MIND HD"...

First impressions: Remote felt "substantial" not "cheap." (as someone else noted on satguys.) Other than learning new locations for function buttons, I like it! A display on the front of the receiver? Nice! I didn't have much for a "clock" in that room anyway... I thought the fact you can mount the device out of the way, and that they supplied a remote I/R sensor meant you could have this box hidden away if you have a closed cabinet without other hardware needed, but I'm not able to make this work...perhaps I've not found that part in the instructions if it's not "plug and play." It also came with "mountable" feet which will slide over properly positioned screws, or you can use the double-sided tape for less "accurate" physical installations.

Powering up: the preset transparency of the graphics (favorites, satellite, etc) are perfect for me, and from a distance, the "favorites" list is more visible without glasses from across the room.

Programming the unit: First, know that I run a 22khz switch into two separate 4-place diseqc switches. The 8-place didn't "play nice" with my MicroHD, and I have learned to stay with what WORKS. The first two positions on the 0 khz side are for c and ku on my BUD. The third on side one goes to a stationary C-band on 137W. The fourth goes to a dedicated ku on 105 for Cozi TV. Naturally I set the stationary dishes first to verify operation and ensure the box functioned properly. It did. NO problem. Standard setup procedures, nothing special needed or expected. The 22khz ON side feeds all Ku dishes for Ebru on 97W, NBC on 72, and there's two open ports.

Things I'd love to see in a STB: (which I have either "not found" yet in this one, or are not there as features. Comments and any help welcomed!

1) When programming a timer, let the channel selections come from FAVORITES, not from the whole satellite list. This is the second box where you have to be ON the channel or scroll through way too many channels to set a timer!

2) Allow the user to VIEW and SET timers while recording shows! Am I the only one who plans a "day away from home" but may already be recording on a weekend when I want to set another timer?

3) The one thing the MicroHD had that the new box doesn't. 99 satellite positions! Not that you NEED that many, but you gain versatility! With the MicroHD, 99 west was 99, while something at 109 could BE "09"...and 97 could be "97"...which seemed logical in my simple-minded world. For instance, the MicroHD could allow entering 89w as "89" where on the new box it's "10" (for lack of more positions.) Maybe this will be updated at some point. The Amiko only goes to 60, if memory serves.

4) The timed recording is a bit clunky for me, mainly due to what another user already brought up here on satguys. There's no (instructions for) direct access to recordings without getting multi-clicks deep into the menu. I also couldn't "find" my first recordings made earlier today, but I'm not sure why. This evening, as I post this, I am pleasantly surprised to find out that this receiver CAN read all the recordings I made with the MicroHD, meaning I don't have to dump them off to another drive just to make them usable! And, the ones from today look FINE! I'll try my usual "timers" tomorrow and report back.

I would love to be able to simplify the recording timers and playback!

Quality of picture? Very nice.
Temperature running? Seems cooler than the MicroHD.
'Net features? nice, but not really needed. I see NO mention of the clock correcting itself in this model.

I have NOT updated firmware, it's whatever was packaged with it.

Overall? Not a bad little box!
Help and comments, even corrections welcomed on any of the above....