Echolink EL-7020 HD IR 2CI review

We've seen a fair few hi-def/DVB-S2 receivers with PVR support recently – whether standalone or through the use of an external hard drive. Thing is, they tend to be rather expensive. The midi-sized Echolink EL-7020 HD IR 2CI bucks the trend by providing this functionality for a mere £179.

Sure, it doesn't include the USB hard drive you'll need for PVR operation, but these are cheap enough nowadays. Other bonuses include HDMI and component hi-def outputs (to 1080i, with upscaling of standard-def), software-implemented blind search, 2-slot CAM emulation and a pair of CIs. While the specs differ, the software and casing are pretty much the same as those of Nano XX 9800HD.

Build and connectivity

The 7020's appearance may be somewhat undistinguished, but everything you need is here. On that bland fascia are an informative 13-character fluorescent display and a sensible control panel. In addition to the standby button is a joypad for channel-change and volume.

In conjunction with two further buttons – 'menu' and 'OK' – full access to the menus is possible without the remote. On the right is a small pull-down flap that hides the CI and card slots.

What a pity there's no convenient front-panel USB port. The remote is solidly built but its layout could be better. Some of the buttons are too small and crowded.

On the rear panel in addition to the usual LNB input/ output are the USB port for PVR use and firmware upgrades. There's also an RS232 terminal. The HDMI port and component ports are complemented by Scarts for TV and VCR, plus composite/S-video outputs and analogue/digital audio outputs.

Sadly, all standard-def outputs bar composite are disabled when the receiver is set for hi-def. Internal construction, partnering a Samsung tuner with an STi7101 chipset, is neat.

Setup

Of the reasonably well-organised main menus, the first one you'll need is 'installation'. In its 'antenna settings' submenu you can enter LNB parameters (DiSEqC/Unicable, LNB port/power and so on) for each satellite. The next, 'motor setting', configures DiSEqC 1.2/USALS mounts; from here you can choose a transponder for signal/quality display.

Dish movement can be continuous, for a specified period, or in 'steps'. It's powerful, but the layout and design are not intuitive. Manual scanning concentrates on a specific transponder. Entry of frequency/polarity/symbol rate is possible – as is the ability to specify PIDs. Transponders can be edited or added, although changes don't seem to be saved. A bug?

To find everything, especially on a new satellite, blind-search is the best option. Its downside is slowness – searching a satellite can take over an hour depending on the frequency step-size chosen. Another limitation is that it only seeks out DVB-S channels. And so if you're on the lookout for new hi-def channels (which tend to use DVB-S2) you'll be disappointed.

A weird bug we came across is that if a satellite's channels were initially found using blind search all you get on screen when you try to select one is the 'dish moving' message. The solution is to conduct a conventional scan beforehand.

Those with motorised dishes will appreciate the 'auto' (multi-satellite) search mode. Here, you're given a list of satellites – enable the one(s) of interest. Provided they've been defined, your dish will automatically move to the next bird when one has completed. To minimise the chance of missing the lower-frequency transponders a 'delay' is built in to allow for transit times.

Another benefit is that you can specify the types of channel found on each of the selected satellites during each such scan – choices include FTA-only, all, network and radio. It's a shame that you can't combine it with blind searching. You could then initiate the whole process on going out, and return to an up-to-date channel list. We hope such a feature will be added in future.

Other submenus look after system configuration, channel setup/organisation, parental lock, the conditional access hardware and multimedia (USB configuration, JPEG slide-show and timeshift buffer length, amongst other things).

Within the system configuration group are language options, AV settings (TV system, aspect ratio, switching between linear PCM and Dolby Digital for the HDMI output and timeshifting – if you're using an external hard drive), the clock and – for some odd reason – the timer. From the channel organiser, radio and TV services can be deleted or edited.

CHANNELS: Channel lists can be sorted alphabetically, by provider, frequency or whether in HD/H.264. Nine favourites can be created

Basic use

The channel list can be sorted alphabetically or by provider, frequency or HD/H.264 status. A press of the remote's blue button lists of all of the channels available from a specific satellite – motorised-dishes will move if necessary.