U4 Quad Hybrid: New UHD DVB-S2 + OTA receiver

[N6BY]

The specs on this new UHD receiver look very nice. Its got a quad core HiSilicon 3796 processor and is available in 3 configurations:

#1.Andriod with DVB-S2&ATSC
#2.Android with DVB-S2&DVB-T2/T/C
#3.Android with DVB-S2 TWIN TUNER

The BIG question is whether the software is stable enough to use.
Its available now from AliExpress, but won't ship until after the Chinese new year on 2/16/16.

Here is the link: http://www.aliexpress.com/store/pro...-DVB-S2-DVB-T2-DVB-C/1987779_32598954963.html

A review here: http://www.cnx-software.com/2016/01...-teardown-with-dvb-t2-dvb-s2-and-atsc-tuners/

 

[Comptech]

It kind of looks like the one Joe is advertising at fridge.

 

[. Raine]

Now that looks like Kodi, on that box! Unlike....hmmm, a certain other box. Quad core, too.

 

[N6BY]

Now that looks like Kodi, on that box! Unlike....hmmm, a certain other box. Quad core, too.

I like the choice of configurations -- dual DVB-S2 or S2 + OTA. I also like the Hisilicon Hi3136 demodulator. Probably supports ACM like the Hi3712. Maybe I should order one and pull the heatsink to verify the quad core?

 

[N6BY]

After looking at similar ads from the same company, I am not sure that option #3 (dual DVB-S2) is actually available. Vivant tech has about a dozen ads on Ali-Express with different shipping options and slightly different titles. Most only list two tuner options (DVB-S2+OTA) and (DVB-S2+DVB-T2).

I'm now thinking about waiting until more reviews come in for this receiver before ordering -- especially since the Chinese rarely get the software right. My previous 'direct from China' purchase, a Vigica C90S, was bug ridden and still not fixed.

 

[Cham]

"This item can not be shipped to Canada"... Interesting.
At least it can be shipped to the USA!

 

[armadillo_115]

Too many bells and whistles for me.Why can't someone build a North American FTA receiver that receives ALL available formats...with built in positioner and polarity control for those who need it? Leave internet streaming to the Roku.Now that I could get excited about! I'd part with $200 for that if necessary.

OH...and put buttons on the front of the box for when I can't find the @#$&*0*& remote control.

Guess no one would buy it except for me.

< Rant Ended >

 

[kittyhas1000legs]

Too many bells and whistles for me.Why can't someone build a North American FTA receiver that receives ALL available formats...with built in positioner and polarity control for those who need it? Leave internet streaming to the Roku.Now that I could get excited about! I'd part with $200 for that if necessary.

OH...and put buttons on the front of the box for when I can't find the @#$&*0*& remote control.

Guess no one would buy it except for me.

< Rant Ended >

You forgot 4:2:2

 

[armadillo_115]

You forgot 4:2:2

Nope...I said "a North American FTA receiver that receives ALL available formats".

 

[fred555]

Leave internet streaming to the Roku.

I agree, I watch FTA because I want FTA, not Internet channels.

 

[danristheman]

Double like on Fred 555 post. Leave the Internet tv out of it plain jane receiver with buttons on the front of the receiver.

 

[LocutusOfBorg]

I'm not a fan of Android devices. Every one I've bought has poor wifi performance as well as other issues.

 

[N6BY]

This new U4 Quad seems like 'Android for TV" that just happens to receive FTA.

The 'manual' on the support web site is just a random collection of topics. There's almost nothing thats satellite specific (like blind scanning, motor control, etc).

But the hardware shows promise. Given that its got a HiSilicon SOC and Demodulator (like the HDVR3500), the hardware has potential to do things few others can, like ACM, low bit rate transponders, etc., not to mention UHD and dual tuners.

Hopefully we'll see a full review soon. When the Chinese holiday is over, maybe someone can get Vivant to send them a free unit to review here

 

[pacificrim]

I'm done with android boxes too. I bought a Vigica C90S and then an A3 and pretty quickly went back to my A2. The last update for the A2 stripped out most of the non-satellite stuff. I'd also put my name in for a UHD box that does 4:2:2 and acm.

 

[. Raine]

Android closed source boxes stink. Unless the company releasing it fixes issues, you're stuck. Something open source, on the other hand, you're not dependent on the company that released it to fix it. I don't think the problem is the Android boxes themselves, it's the lackluster support and crappy coding in fixes afterwards by the companies releasing them.

I like the quad core aspect of this receiver and having S2 and OTA in the same box would be cool, no switching between inputs on the TV!

The quad core and if it's not totally locked down tight would make me want one. After fixing a lot of issues with my HDVR3500, I really like it as a receiver, but I've lost interest in messing with it because it's just so weak on resources. If it had better resources, it would be doing quite a few cool things right now, but it just doesn't have much oomph to it.

 

[gpflepsen]

Would it drive a USALS positioner motor?

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

 

[N6BY]

...
The quad core and if it's not totally locked down tight would make me want one. After fixing a lot of issues with my HDVR3500, I really like it as a receiver, but I've lost interest in messing with it because it's just so weak on resources. If it had better resources, it would be doing quite a few cool things right now, but it just doesn't have much oomph to it.

I agree, a receiver similar to the HDVR3500 with more computing power would be the one to get, IMO. The U4 Quad could be what the 3500 wanted to be, as it's advertised as Quad Core with 1 GB of RAM, a HiSilicon SOC (same company as the 3500) and HiSilicon demodulator.

I'll be on the lookout for reviews and more information about the DVB-S2 software and its stability.

Would it drive a USALS positioner motor?

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

Don't know. You would think all modern DVB-S2 recievers would do that, but last year I bought a Vigica C90S that tries to do USALS but fails. Its way off on the position calculation.

 

[iBoston]

Yea, i have the Vigica C90S too. My son actually uses that. The only problem i noticed other than the screwed up USALS positioning is that if you stay on a channel for awhile, it seems to loose signal quality. Weird? He uses it for KODI to access network content and to watch KU 125w and 121w.

There is a reason why its on my sons TV and not mine!

 

[pacificrim]

My A3 (working only as a media player) is crashing constantly. I updated from .73 to .78 and I think its worse now. I might order a USB air-mouse for the Vigica and put it back in service as a media player only.
Is there a sat box coming out soon that isn't a media player?

 

[N6BY]

Yea, i have the Vigica C90S too. My son actually uses that. The only problem i noticed other than the screwed up USALS positioning is that if you stay on a channel for awhile, it seems to loose signal quality. Weird? He uses it for KODI to access network content and to watch KU 125w and 121w.

There is a reason why its on my sons TV and not mine!

The C100S software works in the C90S. It changes the logo and the interface, and there are probably some other random changes. Might be worth a try for the loss of signal problem.