TEST REPORT HDTV Satellite Receiver

ABCom IPBOX 9000 HD Plus

HDTV via DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
or DVB-T
Recent developments and product launches follow a clear high and the box is pleasing to The great thing is you don’t
trend: PVRs are becoming the norm for HDTV reception as well the eye as well. have to be a scientist to be able
and while the pioneers of HDTV PVRs equipped their products with to exchange tuner modules and
a single tuner at the beginning, these days two integrated tuners Turning around the IPBOX even with no technical back-
have become standard so that at least two simultaneous recordings 9000 HD Plus reveals a per- ground at all it should be fea-
are now possible. Most manufacturers have such offerings in their fectly equipped back panel. sible. Each tuner always comes
range and ABCom is no exception. However, their new IPBOX 9000 What strikes right away is the with a loop-through output so
HD Plus has a few astonishing extra goodies in store as well, as you fact that the two tuners are that an additional receiver can
will see shortly. not permanently integrated but be connected or the input signal
rather only plugged in as mod- can be forwarded from tuner 1
ules. So if you would like to not to tuner 2.
ABCom offers their latest alphanumeric VFD display and only receive DVB-S and DVB-S2
box in silver or black, which will – stylishly hidden behind a flap signals, but rather also DVB-T Right next to the slots for the
please customers who prefer – eight buttons to control the or DVB-C, all you have to do is two tuners two scart eurocon-
electronic gadgets to fit in box whenever the remote is not open the receiver and exchange nectors are available to con-
smoothly with the rest of their at hand or out of battery. one tuner (or both) for a differ- nect a CRT TV or a conventional
existing equipment. So if your ent one. VCR.
flat screen TV and home theatre The same flap also hides two
receiver is black, simply go for CI slots for all standard Condi- By the way, the only differ- If you’re lucky enough to own
the black IPBOX as well. tional Access modules such as ence between the IPBOX 9000 a beamer there are three RCA
Irdeto, Seca, Viaccess, Nagravi- HD and the IPBOX 9000 HD Plus sockets for providing a YUV
The receiver’s front panel sion, Conax or Cryptoworks. is that the Plus model comes signal, three more RCA sockets
comes with the standard with two DVB-S2 tuners as put out composite video and
standby button, an easy to read The level of workmanship is standard. stereo audio. Of course there’s

0.59

36 TELE-satellite & Broadband — 08-09/2008 — www.TELE-satellite.com

 also an optical output for digital preferred on-screen, audio and and foremost all DiSEqC pro-
audio and HDMI for lossless dig- subtitle language(s). As it turns tocols (1.0, 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3/
ital video and audio transmis- out the IPBOX 9000 HD Plus is a USALS) are implemented in
sion to an LCD or plasma TV. genuine globetrotter, with avail- an exemplary way and various
able languages including English, other settings make sure the
In addition, you’ll find an S- Russian, French, Dutch, Italian, IPBOX 9000 HD Plus will fit per-
video connector, a telephone German, Danish, Slovak, Czech, fectly into any existing recep-
jack, a USB 2.0 host interface Hungarian, Norwegian, Polish, tion equipment, no matter how
and USB 1.0 client interface, a Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, out of the ordinary. The LOF can
10/100 Mbit Ethernet port as Greek, Turkish, Korean, Croat, of course also be set manually
08-09/2008 well as an RS-232 serial inter- Bosnian and Serbian. so that all varieties of LNBs are
ABCOM IPBOX 9000 HD PLUS face. There’s even a mechanical supported. Control signals such
A huge range of connection options power switch to disconnect the Next, the receiver wants to as 22 kHz can be manually acti-
make this box a true all-rounder – yet it
remains easy to use as a family receiver.
receiver from the mains. know the local time difference vated or you can let the receiver
to GMT and whether the clock arrange all settings automati-
The remote control that should be synced via satellite or cally.
comes with the package sits set manually by the user.
nicely in your hand, boasts This brilliant overall impres-
clearly labelled buttons and The third segment of the sion is further enhanced by
– given the enormous range of installation wizard takes care the intelligent way in which
features offered by this box – is of configuring the reception signals are distributed to both
not filled to the brim with keys system that is used with the tuners. Either both tuners are
and buttons. receiver. By default the IPBOX provided with signals or one of
9000 HD Plus comes with a list them becomes master while the
If we really have to identify of 161 currently active satellites second becomes slave and is
a downside it’s the rather small which – apart from all relevant hooked to the first with a short
size of the RC buttons, so you’d European positions – includes connecting cable so that it can
better factor in some extra Asian and American birds as receive its signal from the first
time and training until you get well. By and large the transpon- tuner.
really used to working with the der lists seem to be up to date,
remote. even though we detected some Finally, the installation wizard
weak spot for a few satellites, prompts the user to initiate a
such as NILESAT 7° West, for signal scan. You can choose

Initial setup example. whether this should be done for

tuner 1 only or for both tuners,
When turned on for the first What really thrilled us were and you can select whether all
time an installation wizard pops the countless detailed options set satellites should be scanned
up on screen and asks for the for satellite configuration. First or whether you’d like to limit the

www.TELE-satellite.com — 08-09/2008 — TELE-satellite & Broadband 37

 on
the RECORD
button. You can also
Video automatically add a pre-defined
is provided to amount of time before and after
the TV either as YUV, S- each timer recording or you can
video, CVBS or RGB in analog activate a temperature-sensi-
and will
format, or digitally via HDMI in tive fan control system. If you
easily accom-
520p for PAL and NTSC or 720p encounter problems with your
modate all the channels
and 1080i at 50 or 60 Hz. Dolby hard disk it can be formatted
search that become available.
Digital 5.1 audio is available as or checked the next time the
to
individual
PCM or bit stream via a fibre- system starts up. Similar to a
positions. Convenient Where there’s so much light,
optical cable or can be deacti- PC the receiver then detects and
features like network scan or there has to be some shadow as
vated in case it is not needed. repairs any problems in the file
FTA only are available and in well, as we were not really happy
structure so that you can rest
case you’re looking for signals about the time it took to scan a
Once you open extended set- assured that all your recordings
on a particular transponder only 110-transponder satellite. More
tings menu you realise what the are stored reliably.
the IPBOX 9000 HD Plus even than seven minutes definitely
lets you even finish the instal- is too long for a receiver that is receiver has on offer. Its Ether-
net port cries out for connecting As the IPBOX 9000 HD Plus
lation wizard with a manual supposed to be state of the art.
it to a DHCP compatible router is based on the Linux operating
search by defining a valid fre-
so that the receiver is automati- system it can access all avail-
quency with correct polarisa- Once the scan is completed
cally assigned an IP address and able and enabled drives and
tion and FEC values. you’re all set to actually use
all required parameters such as directories in a local network
the box for watching and lis-
standard gateway address and thanks to its Ethernet port.
Either way, the installation tening. Before that, however,
DNS server can be obtained To that end mount points for
will not finish before one search it’s a good idea to flick through
from the router. If you prefer NFS and CIFS are available.
mode is selected and completed the main menu and familiarise
to set all parameters manually This way individual directories
and this is actually a good thing yourself with all the features
you’re welcome to do it that or complete hard disks (for
because what’s the point of sat- that are available. One of them
way as well and the IPBOX 9000 example with MP3 audio files or
ellite receiver with no channels is the extremely convenient
HD Plus can even automati- image files) can be enabled and
on its list? By the way, here’s an transponder editor that allows
cally establish a DSL connection accessed with the receiver.
important message to all DXers adding new transponders to the
out there: Of course the IPBOX satellite list in a breeze. Alter- using either the PPoE or PPP
protocols. We particularly liked the
9000 HD Plus allows manual natively, you can also edit or
option to make a software
input of PID values instead of delete existing entries.
In case you’re still waiting for update via the local network.
performing a search, so it’s the
more out of the ordinary fea- The IPBOX 9000 HD Plus is pre-
perfect gadget for feed hunting As we’re talking about a DVB-
tures have a look at the hard disk configured to access the cor-
as well. S2 receiver here both QPSK and
manager for the built-in 500 GB rect FTP server and this way
8PSK modulation is supported
hard disk. Rarely before have we can download current software
Thanks to the automatic with FEC values of 1/2, 2/3,
tested a PVR with so many indi- from the Internet at any time
signal scan the channel memory 3/4 , 3/5, 4/5, 5/6, 6/7, 7/8,
vidual settings options, which and in next to no time. This cre-
fills up quickly. Its capacity 8/9 and 9/10. The same menu
include extending the time shift ates an added value for users
for 10,000 channels is impres- even includes DVB-T channels
buffer to up to eight hours and as they can be certain to always
sive and means that the IPBOX for EU countries and Australia,
the option to save the complete run the latest software ver-
9000 HD Plus can be the perfect which can also be edited and
buffer content with a single click sion without having to rely on
companion for rotary antennas extended.

TELE-satellite World www.TELE-satellite.com/...

Download this report in other languages from the Internet:
Arabic ‫ﺍﻟﻌﺮﺑﻴﺔ‬ www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0809/ara/abcom.pdf
Indonesian Indonesia www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0809/bid/abcom.pdf
Bulgarian Български www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0809/bul/abcom.pdf
Czech Česky www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0809/ces/abcom.pdf
German Deutsch www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0809/deu/abcom.pdf
English English www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0809/eng/abcom.pdf
Spanish Español www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0809/esp/abcom.pdf
Farsi ‫ﻓﺎﺭﺳﻲ‬ www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0809/far/abcom.pdf
French Français www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0809/fra/abcom.pdf
Greek Ελληνικά www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0809/hel/abcom.pdf
Croatian Hrvatski www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0809/hrv/abcom.pdf
Italian Italiano www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0809/ita/abcom.pdf
Hungarian Magyar www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0809/mag/abcom.pdf
Mandarin 中文 www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0809/man/abcom.pdf
Dutch Nederlands www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0809/ned/abcom.pdf
Polish Polski www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0809/pol/abcom.pdf
Portuguese Português www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0809/por/abcom.pdf
Romanian Românesc www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0809/rom/abcom.pdf
Russian Русский www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0809/rus/abcom.pdf
Swedish Svenska www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0809/sve/abcom.pdf
Turkish Türkçe www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0809/tur/abcom.pdf
Available online starting from 25 July 2008

38 TELE-satellite & Broadband — 08-09/2008 — www.TELE-satellite.com

updates via satellite which take Digital audio, teletext, subtitles, switching from standard defini- all of which are implemented
much longer and are less reli- broadcasting standard etc. In tion to high definition channels with user friendliness in mind.
able. In our test the operating addition the bar informs viewers your patience is not put to test. Both the MP player and the pic-
system was updated flawlessly which tuner is in use and which Time shift is a feature you will ture viewer can be activated
and ABCom even lets the user satellite transmits the currently never again want to do without with dedicated buttons on the
know beforehand which bugs watched channel. Two coloured as it allows freezing an event at remote control, so that a single
will be fixed and which new meters let you know the level of any given time and then con- touch of a button is all that’s
features will be added with the signal strength and quality. tinuing from that very moment, needed. However, we were only
updated software. in case the telephone rings or able to play back content that
To access the entire program any disturbance happens while was stored on the internal hard

Everyday use details provided by the indi-

vidual channels all you have
you’re watching TV. disk as we did not manage to
gain access to a digital camera
Once the initial setup is com- to do is press the EPG button. In our test recording and connected to the USB host
pleted you can leave the main With another touch of the same playing back SD and HD con- interface, a USB memory stick
menu and let the receiver tune button you can call up extended tents took place flawlessly, or an external hard disk.
into the first channel on the list. information about the selected and we also liked that playback
Pressing the OK button prompts event and with the RECORD always continued from where it No test is complete without
the clearly laid out channel list button you can set a timer entry was last stopped. The overall pushing the receiver to the
to appear on screen, with a small for recording that event. remarkable ease of use of this edge with weak signals, and
preview window in the right sec- receiver is complemented by the IPBOX 9000 HD Plus had to
tion of the screen showing the Video and audio are of very useful add-ons such as picture- share the same destiny as any
currently selected channel. good quality in everyday use in-picture, integrated teletext other box we evaluate. To that
and zapping between channels decoder and automatic detec- end we fed it with very weak
It’s quite common that more is reasonably fast. tion of sub-channels. Thanks to signals from ASTRA2D at 28.2°
than 2,000 channels are stored Even when two built-in tuners it is possible East, BADR 26° East and the
in the channel list after a scan of to simultaneously record two horizontal polarisation of NILE-
one or two popular satellites, so events without interference or SAT 7° West. All results were
the first job always is to neatly interruption, no matter whether fairly average and we obtained
rearrange that list so that it SDTV or HDTV. flawless reception with a C/N
becomes user friendly rather value of approximately 5 dB and
than overwhelming. Luckily, the One of the few negative higher.
IPBOX 9000 HD Plus offers a aspects we noted is that it
range of sorting option accord- sometimes seems to take We did notice, however, that
ing to CAS/FTA, FTA/CAS, forever until the box reacts the signal quality bar of the
alphabet, provider and satel- to commands sent by the IPBOX 9000 HD Plus seems
lite. Channels you watch on a remote control, and that to have a mind of its own as
regular basis can conveniently in some cases we had to it showed 96% signal quality
be moved into one of the favou- reboot the receiver by for a transponder that merely
rites lists which are extremely turning the main power reached the threshold level.
powerful and versatile, so that switch off and on again SCPC reception of the IPBOX
each family member can create to bring it back to life. 9000 HD Plus was OK with
their personal list and never has However, we assume glitch-free reception of signals
to mess around with the end- that the manufac- from TURKSAZ2A 42° East with
less overall list. Thanks to a turer will address 2 Ms/s.
dedicated button on the remote these issues with
control the favourites lists can one of the next The manufacturer is con-
be called up with the touch of software updates. stantly working on improving
a button. the Linux-based software of this
As mentioned receiver and as a next step they
Every time you switch to a above the are planning to implement IPTV.
new channel or press the INFO IPBOX 9000 A simple software update via
button on the remote control HD Plus comes the local network will add that
the receiver inserts a cleverly with a range feature to a box that is right up
arranged info bar with icons of multime- there with the best even right
indicating features like Dolby dia features, now.

www.TELE-satellite.com — 08-09/2008 — TELE-satellite & Broadband 39

 Expert Opinion
+
The IPBOX 9000 HD Plus is a new-generation
HD PVR receiver that is convenient to use every
day. The manufacturer constantly improves the
operating software so that we can expect new fea-
tures for a box that already includes all you could
Thomas Haring
wish for. TELE-satellite
Test Center Main menu
-
Austria

Signal scans should be faster. There were a number of system

crashes during our test.

TECHNIC
DATA
Manufacturer ABCom s.r.o., Gogolova 1, 95501 Topolcany, Slovakia
Tel +421-38-5362-611
Fax +421-38-5322-027
E-Mail info@abcom.sk
Model IPBOX 9000 HD Plus
Function Digital HDTV PVR receiver for DVB-S,
DVB-S2, DVB-C and DVB-T reception
Channel memory 10000 Channel list
Satellites 161
Symbol rate 2~45 Ms/sec. (2 Ms/sec and higher in our test)
SCPC yes
DiSEqC 1.0 / 1.1 / 1.2 / 1.3
USALS yes
Scart 2
HDMI yes, 520p for PAL and NTSC via HDMI not supported
A/V output 3 x RCA
YUV output 3x RCA
UHF output no
S-Video output yes
0/12 Volt connection no
Dig. Audio connection yes
Ethernet port yes EPG
USB 2.0 Host yes
USB Client yes
RS232 interface yes
EPG yes
C/Ku band compatible yes
Power supply 110-245 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Power consumption 50W max. (according to manufacturer)
Dimension 375x60x280mm

ENERGY
DIAGRAM

Apparent Power
Firmware update via Internet

Active Power

Mode Apparent Active Factor

StandBy 46 W 26 W 0.56
Reception 54 W 32 W 0.59
with HDD 62 W 38 W 0.61

At 09:16 the box boots, then operates normally with activated hard disk from
09:17. At 09:22 the hard disk is shut down, at 09:27 the receiver is set to
standby mode and at 09:34 the receiver is disconnected from the mains. LNB settings

40 TELE-satellite & Broadband — 08-09/2008 — www.TELE-satellite.com