My Review of the VU+ Duo2 FTA Receiver

View attachment 6328

The OpenVix or Vix Team image is the best so far for blind scanning. It is possible to blind scan both C and Ku bands with the image that is listed in the above picture. This is the first image that I have been comfortable enough to blind scan from scratch. I have imported channels and transponder information for previous image. I did not import anything with this Vix image.

You can blind scan one tuner while recording a different tuner with this Vix image. In other words, you may blind scan c band tuner while recording the ku tuner or vice-verse. This is the first fta receiver I have owned that will allow you to blind scan one tuner while recording on another tuner.
 
Great, so blind scan seems to be getting better depending on the image.

So, there's four available currently, unless I missed one?

1 - VTI
2 - Open PLI
3 - VIX
4 - BlackHole
 
eastof111 said:
Great, so blind scan seems to be getting better depending on the image.

So, there's four available currently, unless I missed one?

1 - VTI
2 - Open PLI
3 - VIX
4 - BlackHole
Click to expand...
There is at least one more, but those 4 seem to be the main ones right now.

chewie said:
Hello EB
how long does it take to blind scan the C-BAND
Click to expand...

Depends on the satellite. Which one(s) did you have in mind? I have not bothered to do any time studies, but usually the blindscans are probably within five minutes unless it hangs on a transponder. Sometimes the receiver will get confused or it will sit for some other reason on one transponder for several minutes before it moves.
 
Before I forget, Some of those 4 images that you listed were having problems with the picture jerking on some of the high bit rate HD channels. The image I am using now (see post#41) does not seem to have this problem.
 
thanks EB, is doing better than my Azbox, with ATV SW it takes about 30 minutes and not very accurate, i am hoping it gets better.
Regards.
chewie
 
http://images.mynonpublic.com/openatv/nightly/index.php?open=azboxhd

I used to run Openatv firmware in my Az Premium Plus. To compare, the Duo2 runs very similar to my Az, except the Duo2 has more features and it seems to be on a high dose of steroids when compared t6o the Az Premium Plus. So if you like Openatv firmware in the Premium Plus, you would love it in the Duo2. I can relate to the thirty minute scan, and the Duo2 would be 5-10 faster than the Az, depending on conditions.

Recording on the Duo2 is fantastic! As a test, I recorded a whole mux on 107.3W C band without any apparent issues. 11 channels at once.

107W 11 channel record.webp
 
The Duo2 is blind scanning well enough with this firmware that I could shut the Raptor down and replace it with the Duo2.

Here is a screenshot showing the blind scan update.
screenshot_2013-10-29_00-25-30.webp

Blind Scan Menu
screenshot_2013-10-29_00-58-41.webp

A Blind Scan found 104 Free Radio and TV at 30W Ku.
View attachment 6342
 
A blind scan of 97W ku took about 3 minutes 30 seconds using the Universal settings in the attached picture. The blind scan results are also attached. The found TV and Radio channel numbers are combined.

97W_Scan Settings.webp

97W_ Scan Complete.webp

I am running 4 DVB-S2 tuners and an internal 3TB hard disk. The tuners get up to around 110 degrees F or about 43 degrees C on the outside of the receiver case. This may feel hot or even burn some people with sensitive skin, but I do not see it as a technical issue. This is not enough heat to melt the coax or to start a fire.
View attachment 6351
 
I read earlier some people complaining in regards to the tuners getting hot to the touch. I wonder if this is just symptoms with twin tuners and not the single tuner. In other words, twin tuners in the same chassis vs. a single tuner in the same space. I guess setting up a cpu fan internally and hooking it up to a 5 volt supply (for quieter operation) wouldn't hurt.

How's the editing functions.... renaming, sorting etc?
 
Nothing to edit channels with so far. I will look for something to Plugin, but right now all editing is done over the network.

I did not buy a single tuner, so I have no idea how much cooler the tuners would be if they were singles instead of duals. It appears that the Duo2 tuner area is only about 10 degrees hotter than the same area on the Raptor, so I am not really concerned about it.

The receiver is well laid out with the top cover having vent holes drilled above the tuners and an internal fan to control internal temperature in the receiver. I am not worried about any internal temperature below 40 degrees Celsius.

View attachment 6352
 
ATSC Support continues to improve in the Black Hole image.
Black Hole makes a special image for us that contains some ATSC support. I have yet to watch terrestrial tv using the Duo2, but I think about 1 more firmware update will change that.
The 2.0.7 Black Hole image now allows scanning for some of the terrestrial channels that are available to my area. There seems to be a problem with where the scanned terrestrial channels are stored so I am unable to view the scanned channels. I expect this to change soon, probably 1 more update or less!
ATSC Service Scan.webp

ATSC Service Scan_1.webp
 
Looking better and better. I am waiting for the dollar to go up a few points before a order one. At least that should pay for the shipping.
 
Can't help but wonder if a second atsc usb tuner can be added?

Shipping is high because of the receiver weight, receiver size, and packaging. It is hard to tell what the dollar will do. It may go up or down, but I doubt it moves enough to chnage the price of this receiver. Plain and simple, It is Expensive!
 
"Can't help but wonder if a second atsc usb tuner can be added?"
Did you ask Angel?

In the last two days the dollar has brought the price down by $20. I have a feeling this might continue for a few more days. I might snag one by then. Never really bothered me with local prices when purchasing an expensive item, but for some reason, it irks me the way the Zone controls the prices so rigidly.
 
I will ask about the second ATSC tuner once the first tuner is working. Should hear something soon. They seem very interested in getting ATSC to work!
 
Killer networking capabilities!

I was messing around and did a network scan. The Duo2 was able to identify the network computer(s) and even found the Golden Media TripleX. It did not find the Raptor for some reason during a scan, but the Duo2 was able to connect to the Raptor once I told the Duo2 where to look. All I had to do was enter the Raptor's ip and tell the Duo2 to search for it. So now I have access to the 1TB hard drive in the Raptor, plus access to all of the other hard drives on the network. Very nice and very clean!
 
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