Dreambox DM7025 TWIN review

Two or so years ago, Dream Multimedia launched its revolutionary Dreambox DM 7020 - arguably the most radical and exciting enthusiast-grade satellite receiver of its time.

Instead of being based around the proprietary firmware (internal operating software) of most receivers, the DM 7020 relied on the 'open' Linux operating system. This encouraged enthusiasts to develop programs like software CAM emulations in an online community of users and developers.

The source code of the 'standard' DM 7020 firmware, known as Enigma, is available on the Internet. Some enthusiasts have modified Enigma to make their own custom versions, which are also available for download.

Not that messing around with firmware is a prerequisite. New DM 7020s come with the standard Enigma pre-installed so you can use them 'out-of-the-box' just like any other satellite receiver.

Perpetual motion

The satellite world, of course, is in a state of perpetual motion: the DM 7020 is still available, but now has a 'bigger brother'. Dream Multimedia's new DM 7025 looks identical to the original model, but the rear panel reveals that it now has two tuners.

Interestingly, the tuner modules are 'pluggable' - digital satellite (DVB-S), terrestrial (DVB-T) and cable (DVB-C) are all available. If you buy a version that only has the one, you'll be able to upgrade by filling the other socket in at a later date. Our review sample was pre-installed with two DVB-S tuners.

Having both boosts the PVR's functionality because it means you can record one channel while watching another. As with the DM 7020, no hard drive is fitted. It's easy to fit your own, but if you're worried about doing the job yourself you'll be pleased to learn that some dealers sell these receivers with compatible drives already fitted.

The DM 7025 is still so new - we got our mitts on one of the very first models available in the UK - that, at the time of writing, none of the third-party firmware that benefits the DM 7020 was yet available.

Consequently, this review will focus on the Enigma firmware that ships with the unit. Note, too, that the DM 7025 uses different hardware to the 7020, so you won't be able to install firmware intended for use with the older model.

As with the 7020, the DM 7025's dominant feature is a large backlit LCD graphic screen. On either side of this are standby and channel change buttons, the only front-panel controls on offer.

This means the remote, which was made by One For All and can be code-programmed to work your TV too, is essential for all but the most basic of tasks. A flap that runs for much of the front panel's left side lowers to reveal a Compact Flash memory-card reader for upgrades, two card slots (for emulated software CAMs or 'emus') and a CI slot (for any CAMs you may have).

At the time of writing, no software CAMs for the DM 7025 were available. If the DM 7020 is anything to go by, this situation will change rapidly.

Ethernet port

Unlike the average satellite receiver, the DM 7025 is equipped with a 100Mbps Ethernet port on its rear panel. This is fully IP-conversant and will communicate with a network, whether it's Internet-enabled or otherwise. This gives rise to some useful functionality like FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and means you can receive firmware updates over the Internet.

Both tuners, where fitted, have independent inputs and outputs. Each is fed from a dish trained on a diff erent satellite or, in more advanced installations, from a dualoutput LNB on a motorised dish. If you only have a single output LNB, you can 'daisy-chain' the input of one from the other's output.

This, of course, means that you'll only be able to simultaneously watch and record channels of the same polarity and satellite.

The DM 7025's innards are quite busy despite the fact that most of the work is done by a single ATI Xilleon chip. A complex component, the Xilleon combines a 300MHz RISC processor with dedicated circuitry for MPEG decoding, a UDMA66 interface for the optional hard disk drive, digital-to-analogue video conversion (DAC) and much else besides.

This giant metal-capped chip is clearly visible if you open the box to install the hard drive needed to timeshift radio and TV programmes. This isn't supplied, but some dealers might fit one at an extra cost.

Thankfully, the receiver is supplied with all of the bits and pieces needed to fit your own drive: we successfully pressed an ex-PVR 40GB 5400rpm drive into service. Those with hearty televisual appetites will appreciate that the system supports 300GB of information.

Each tuner plugs into a dedicated edge-connector that resembles a small-scale PC expansion slot. Also improving on the DM 7020's specifications are 128MB of RAM and 32MB flash RAM (the non-volatile memory that stores the firmware).