data100
01-07-2007, 11:45
DREAMBOX HOW TO
Dreambox : How to
1 Introduction :
For many years, I've been into TV broadcasting via satellite. I started out with analogue TV in D2MAC format. For a couple of years now, the satellite world has been changing and switching over to digital broadcasts in the DVB-S format. The first satellite receiver (Set top Boxes, AKA demod) generation had to be rented from satellite TV channel providers. Such hardware "featured" low quality components, with very slow zapping speed, quite ugly OSDs, no digital audio output, poor reception sensibility, low quality MPEG2 decoding and a locked firmware, that only your provider could update (whenever they felt like it). A few low priced digital receivers also appeared, but they were often not (entirely) compatible with the special services satellite TV providers offered (e.g. Electronic Program Guide AKA EPG, Pay Per View AKA PPV°etc.).
The second generation of satellite receivers was equipment like the Xsat 310/410 and the Aston Xena series, which opened the door to the Of-The-Shelves Set Top Boxes (STB), independent from providers, compatible with official decryption cards. Such devices would allow you to reconfigure the position of each channel, manage favorites from your PC and even flash firmware with a serial cable.
Today, we can get the 3rd generation of settop boxes. The Dreambox is one of the popular 3rd generation boxes. Based on a powerful IBM PowerPC (not PC !) with an MPEG1/2 hardware decoder, this box is FULLY open, with an open source Linux operating system. The Dreambox not only offers high quality video and audio, but also has a variety of connections to the outside world: Ethernet, USB, PS2, Compact Flash and two Smartcard readers. The box can handle any dish configuration, an unlimited number of channels or satellites, has a very fast channel scan, allows for direct digital recording, etc. To receive encrypted channels, you need the proper decryption card from the appropriate organization and a PCMCIA CAM which supports your card. Alternatively, you can load a firmware that enables the built-in smart card readers to handle your decryption card. As the Dreambox is more a computer than a consumer electronic device, it can hang some time and it takes a bit of time to learn how to use its full potential.
1.1 Target audience of this tutorial
The goal is to provide you with a guide to have your Dreambox fully running with a first software image, and set up multiboot, allowing you to test different software combinations. This includes a working network, and channel setup (both free to air and encrypted ones).
1 Introduction :
1.1 Target audience of this tutorial
1.2 Equipment Needed
2 : Installation
2.1 Dish Positioning
2.2 Satellite & Channel Configuration
2.3 Network Configuration
3 : Operational basics
3.1 Basic Communications
3.2 Editing channel lists and favorites
3.3 Flashing an image
4 : Multiboot from HDD or USB memory stick
4.1 HDD multiboot setup
4.2 USB memory stick multiboot setup
4.3 Managing Images
5 Image Example : MisterX installation
5.1 Basics
5.2 Emus
5.3 Config Customizations
6 Digital Video recording & Playing
6.1 Recording on Dreambox' HDD or PC's HDD
6.2 Playing back on PC
6.3 Playing back on DVD Player
6.4 Other Formats
6.5 Broadcasting over the LAN
6.6 Playing DivX and other formats on the Dreambox
7 Conclusion
7.1 Tips & tricks
7.2 Final words
1.2 Equipment Needed
A Dreambox !
The first Dreambox DM7000 revision suffered from several hardware problems, solved in the 2nd revision of the V1 (except for a limited power supply). The v2 is a modified V1 revision2 (2 extra capacitors have been added to the power supply). Both revisions have a blue LCD display.
V3 has a new PCB that includes corrections for the power supply, plus perhaps other minor, undocumented changes. V3 has an Amber LCD and a serial number 3xxxxxxxx.
I personally bought a box from a German site (Dreambox MK4) but cannot find any documentation about this version. It seems it just a revision 3 unit.
- A Harddisk to integrate into the Dreambox : Not Mandatory. I personally have no disk. Harddisks create more noise and use more power. You can begin without a harddisk and buy one later anyway. Be aware though that you cannot use every type of disc.
- A USB memory stick 128 Mb : Highly recommended if you have no harddisk, and mandatory to use this guide. I use a Dane-Elec one, USB2.0, which causes no major compatibility problems. Just be wary that several USB key have write protection turned on by default, and need to be unlocked under Windows with a special software provided by the manufacturer.
- A Null modem serial cable is highly recommended. It allows you to still access the Dreambox if flashing fails or if you kill the network.
You can buy such a cable at a store, or you can build one on your own. Use a good shielded cable that is not too long. The cable shouldn't be longer than 2 meters, recommended is 1 meter.
- A PC with a 100 mbit/s Ethernet card. You can connect your PC directly to the Dreambox using a crossover Ethernet cable, or connect both PC and Dreambox to a hub/switch using regular Ethernet cables.
2 : Installation
2.1 Dish Positioning
This step is only necessary if your satellite dish has not been set up yet. It is a quite involved procedure, so you might want to get somebody who has already installed a satellite system before to help you, or buy an installation and mounting package from the place you got your setup from. If you think you're up to doing it by yourself, here's how.
2.2 Satellite & Channel Configuration
I assume that your dish is now installed and working. At the first boot of your Dreambox, you have to choose your language, Time Zone and then your dish configuration: Basic (one LNB/One dish), Medium (several LNB/Dishes with DiseqC switching), or complex (a motorized unit). Then you need to add at least one satellite.
Now it's time to scan at least one satellite for channels. The Dreambox has an impressively fast scan, based on a XML file containing all transponders available on the chose satellite. Keep in mind that it is normal if some transponders do not have any digital channels, as several are still used for analog broadcast, or temporary feeds. Press the blue button to access next page :
Press the blue button, then select automatic scan, then the progress screen will be shown:
2.3 Network Configuration
Now, it's time to configure the network. Press the small dream Button on the remote, then select Setup - Expert Setup - Communication Setup.
I suggest to use 192.168.0.24 for the Dreambox as more and more OS images have this value built-in. Set the Gateway to the IP address of your local Internet gateway (usually 192.168.0.1 if you have a router or do Internet connection sharing from your primary PC). Set the Netmask to 255.255.255.0. Note that if you use a residential gateway (DLS or cable router), then your IP addresses will be in the 192.168.1.x range and you have to assign the appropriate IP to your Dreambox. The netmask stays the same, but the gateway will usually be 192.168.1.1.
The Name server to be used is the one you use for your PC, once connected to Internet.
If you are currently not connected to the Internet, establish a connection now and then go to the Start Menu, select run, then type “command” for windows 98 computers and “cmd” for windows 2000 & XP. Then type "ipconfig /all" to get a listing of the configuration of all your network interfaces. Note the two DNS Servers as marked in the screenshot.
Also, make sure that the IP address for your Ethernet card is in the same subnet (192.168.0.x) as the Dreambox and that other computers in your network can access the Internet. This requires either a hardware router (that's most definitely the best solution and also gives you some additional security), or an active Internet connection sharing (search google for more information on Internet Connection Sharing). Having done that, your Dreambox can now access the Internet to download updates. To check if everything is working properly, try pinging the Dreambox:
If pinging 192.168.0.1 (in this case your PC) does not work, your PC is not configured properly. If you have a software firewall running, try disabling it for a test, and make recheck your network settings. If pinging 192.168.1.24 (your Dreambox) does not work even though your Dreambox is turned on and you've properly configured it, check the cabling.
3 : Operational basics
Dreambox : How to
1 Introduction :
For many years, I've been into TV broadcasting via satellite. I started out with analogue TV in D2MAC format. For a couple of years now, the satellite world has been changing and switching over to digital broadcasts in the DVB-S format. The first satellite receiver (Set top Boxes, AKA demod) generation had to be rented from satellite TV channel providers. Such hardware "featured" low quality components, with very slow zapping speed, quite ugly OSDs, no digital audio output, poor reception sensibility, low quality MPEG2 decoding and a locked firmware, that only your provider could update (whenever they felt like it). A few low priced digital receivers also appeared, but they were often not (entirely) compatible with the special services satellite TV providers offered (e.g. Electronic Program Guide AKA EPG, Pay Per View AKA PPV°etc.).
The second generation of satellite receivers was equipment like the Xsat 310/410 and the Aston Xena series, which opened the door to the Of-The-Shelves Set Top Boxes (STB), independent from providers, compatible with official decryption cards. Such devices would allow you to reconfigure the position of each channel, manage favorites from your PC and even flash firmware with a serial cable.
Today, we can get the 3rd generation of settop boxes. The Dreambox is one of the popular 3rd generation boxes. Based on a powerful IBM PowerPC (not PC !) with an MPEG1/2 hardware decoder, this box is FULLY open, with an open source Linux operating system. The Dreambox not only offers high quality video and audio, but also has a variety of connections to the outside world: Ethernet, USB, PS2, Compact Flash and two Smartcard readers. The box can handle any dish configuration, an unlimited number of channels or satellites, has a very fast channel scan, allows for direct digital recording, etc. To receive encrypted channels, you need the proper decryption card from the appropriate organization and a PCMCIA CAM which supports your card. Alternatively, you can load a firmware that enables the built-in smart card readers to handle your decryption card. As the Dreambox is more a computer than a consumer electronic device, it can hang some time and it takes a bit of time to learn how to use its full potential.
1.1 Target audience of this tutorial
The goal is to provide you with a guide to have your Dreambox fully running with a first software image, and set up multiboot, allowing you to test different software combinations. This includes a working network, and channel setup (both free to air and encrypted ones).
1 Introduction :
1.1 Target audience of this tutorial
1.2 Equipment Needed
2 : Installation
2.1 Dish Positioning
2.2 Satellite & Channel Configuration
2.3 Network Configuration
3 : Operational basics
3.1 Basic Communications
3.2 Editing channel lists and favorites
3.3 Flashing an image
4 : Multiboot from HDD or USB memory stick
4.1 HDD multiboot setup
4.2 USB memory stick multiboot setup
4.3 Managing Images
5 Image Example : MisterX installation
5.1 Basics
5.2 Emus
5.3 Config Customizations
6 Digital Video recording & Playing
6.1 Recording on Dreambox' HDD or PC's HDD
6.2 Playing back on PC
6.3 Playing back on DVD Player
6.4 Other Formats
6.5 Broadcasting over the LAN
6.6 Playing DivX and other formats on the Dreambox
7 Conclusion
7.1 Tips & tricks
7.2 Final words
1.2 Equipment Needed
A Dreambox !
The first Dreambox DM7000 revision suffered from several hardware problems, solved in the 2nd revision of the V1 (except for a limited power supply). The v2 is a modified V1 revision2 (2 extra capacitors have been added to the power supply). Both revisions have a blue LCD display.
V3 has a new PCB that includes corrections for the power supply, plus perhaps other minor, undocumented changes. V3 has an Amber LCD and a serial number 3xxxxxxxx.
I personally bought a box from a German site (Dreambox MK4) but cannot find any documentation about this version. It seems it just a revision 3 unit.
- A Harddisk to integrate into the Dreambox : Not Mandatory. I personally have no disk. Harddisks create more noise and use more power. You can begin without a harddisk and buy one later anyway. Be aware though that you cannot use every type of disc.
- A USB memory stick 128 Mb : Highly recommended if you have no harddisk, and mandatory to use this guide. I use a Dane-Elec one, USB2.0, which causes no major compatibility problems. Just be wary that several USB key have write protection turned on by default, and need to be unlocked under Windows with a special software provided by the manufacturer.
- A Null modem serial cable is highly recommended. It allows you to still access the Dreambox if flashing fails or if you kill the network.
You can buy such a cable at a store, or you can build one on your own. Use a good shielded cable that is not too long. The cable shouldn't be longer than 2 meters, recommended is 1 meter.
- A PC with a 100 mbit/s Ethernet card. You can connect your PC directly to the Dreambox using a crossover Ethernet cable, or connect both PC and Dreambox to a hub/switch using regular Ethernet cables.
2 : Installation
2.1 Dish Positioning
This step is only necessary if your satellite dish has not been set up yet. It is a quite involved procedure, so you might want to get somebody who has already installed a satellite system before to help you, or buy an installation and mounting package from the place you got your setup from. If you think you're up to doing it by yourself, here's how.
2.2 Satellite & Channel Configuration
I assume that your dish is now installed and working. At the first boot of your Dreambox, you have to choose your language, Time Zone and then your dish configuration: Basic (one LNB/One dish), Medium (several LNB/Dishes with DiseqC switching), or complex (a motorized unit). Then you need to add at least one satellite.
Now it's time to scan at least one satellite for channels. The Dreambox has an impressively fast scan, based on a XML file containing all transponders available on the chose satellite. Keep in mind that it is normal if some transponders do not have any digital channels, as several are still used for analog broadcast, or temporary feeds. Press the blue button to access next page :
Press the blue button, then select automatic scan, then the progress screen will be shown:
2.3 Network Configuration
Now, it's time to configure the network. Press the small dream Button on the remote, then select Setup - Expert Setup - Communication Setup.
I suggest to use 192.168.0.24 for the Dreambox as more and more OS images have this value built-in. Set the Gateway to the IP address of your local Internet gateway (usually 192.168.0.1 if you have a router or do Internet connection sharing from your primary PC). Set the Netmask to 255.255.255.0. Note that if you use a residential gateway (DLS or cable router), then your IP addresses will be in the 192.168.1.x range and you have to assign the appropriate IP to your Dreambox. The netmask stays the same, but the gateway will usually be 192.168.1.1.
The Name server to be used is the one you use for your PC, once connected to Internet.
If you are currently not connected to the Internet, establish a connection now and then go to the Start Menu, select run, then type “command” for windows 98 computers and “cmd” for windows 2000 & XP. Then type "ipconfig /all" to get a listing of the configuration of all your network interfaces. Note the two DNS Servers as marked in the screenshot.
Also, make sure that the IP address for your Ethernet card is in the same subnet (192.168.0.x) as the Dreambox and that other computers in your network can access the Internet. This requires either a hardware router (that's most definitely the best solution and also gives you some additional security), or an active Internet connection sharing (search google for more information on Internet Connection Sharing). Having done that, your Dreambox can now access the Internet to download updates. To check if everything is working properly, try pinging the Dreambox:
If pinging 192.168.0.1 (in this case your PC) does not work, your PC is not configured properly. If you have a software firewall running, try disabling it for a test, and make recheck your network settings. If pinging 192.168.1.24 (your Dreambox) does not work even though your Dreambox is turned on and you've properly configured it, check the cabling.
3 : Operational basics