A year ago we tested AB-Com's IPBox 250S, one of the most affordable Linux-based satellite PVRs – which can be considered an inexpensive Dreambox alternative.

As with the Dreambox, the 250S benefits from the third-party ï¬rmware support that its operating-system encourages. Now we have the IPBox 9000HD, which also runs under Linux.

The spec (and price!) is greatly expanded relative to the 250S. You get two tuners, plus full hi-def (DVBS-2) compatibility. Interestingly, we're still awaiting its Dreambox equivalent.

Tuner options

UK distributor Satellite Superstore also sells plug-in DVB-T (digital terrestrial) and DVB-C (cable) tuners (not compatible with Vision Media) for £60 each. You can replace one or both of the satellite tuners with these, giving rise to interesting possibilities.

Satellite Superstore sells the 9000HD pre-conï¬gured with a generous 500GB SATA HDD and the default software installed. Installing third-party firmwares from the internet also gives you CAM emulation using its card slots.

Extensive connectivity

The front panel is dominated by an alphanumeric fluorescent display showing status information and channel names.

A smart but flimsy full-width drawbridge lowers to reveal operating controls made of rather tacky chrome-plated plastic. In addition to volume and channel change, full menu-access without the remote – a fully featured affair capable of operating many TV sets but spoilt by tiny buttons – is possible. Unusually, you get a handy 'ï¬le' button that brings up the recording list. In its lowered state, a pair of CI slots are also visible. On top of this are the two aforementioned card slots.

On a receiver of this sophistication you expect USB connectivity – and it's present, albeit only on the rear panel. There are two USB sockets – a host (for memory devices and external HDDs) and a client (enabling the 9000HD to be recognised by a PC – a deï¬nite plus for the transfer of recordings).

The client port is intended for multimedia playback and ï¬rmware upgrades. Other data connectivity includes the all-important 10/100Mb/s Ethernet port, an old-fashioned RS232 serial port and – unusually – a jack for the built-in modem.

Tuner configuration

The tuners are independently connected, two sets of IF inputs and outputs being present. Although the output of one can drive the other's input, you'll need to buy or make your own loopthrough cable because one isn't supplied.

Ideally, both tuners should be fed from a dual-LNB – that way, they'll be able to simultaneously receive channels of different band and polarity. It's also possible to feed each input from an independent dish or multi-feed setup (DiSEqC 1.0 is supported). As far as motorised dishes are concerned, the receiver is compatible with DiSEqC 1.2 and USALS protocols.

The rear-mounted TV Scart caters for composite and RGB – its VCR counterpart located just above, supports only composite video. There's also a component output and an HDMI port. Both are capable of going all the way to 1080i for hi-def and upscaled standard-def alike.

Also on offer are composite and S-video, stereo analogue sound and Dolby Digital-ready optical digital audio outputs. No UHF modulator is on board, which is a pity.

Easy setup

The System Setup menu deals with parameters like languages, time, parental locks, wake-up timer and banner time-out periods. A further Advanced settings menu covers networking (DHCP is supported, for automatic conï¬guration) and HDD formatting. It also looks after timeshift buzzer size, timer start/ï¬nish delays and even HDD cooling fan activity.

In Service Searching you'll ï¬nd the LNB/dish/tuner conï¬guration settings and channel scans. Also here reside the motorised dish options, separate menus being provided for DiSEqC 1.2 and USALS/DiSEqC 1.3.