We're also pleased with Enigma2's timesaving ability to accept the original DiSEqC memory locations ('satellite numbers') assigned to your motor by a previous receiver.

Satellite searching

Searching can take place for single transponders or complete satellites. For some odd reason we could search Astra 1x, Astra 2x/Eurobird and the Hot Birds without problems, but we weren't so lucky with some other satellites – Thor, or Eutelsat W1/W3, for example. Here, there's no progress at all – after moving the dish, searching doesn't proceed beyond the first transponder and so obviously no services are found.

The receiver doesn't crash, though – you can exit the search mode and return to normal operation. But you can't tell the 800HD to home in on only FTA or scrambled channels. Also allowed are multiple-satellite searches, the dish moving automatically where necessary. As long, that is, as none of the satellites in your list are ones that the 800HD doesn't like.

As regards manual searching, Enigma2 doesn't permit PID entry for non-standard services; also regrettable is the lack of blind search. We hope these features will be added via plug-ins.

Something that is welcome is the 'satfinder' option, with its large signal strength/quality bar graphs and ability to select a specific satellite/transponder.

Channel lists

If you are used to more conventional satellite receivers, operating the 800HD can be bewildering – although you'll get used to it in time and the UEI-made handset can also control many brands of TV.

From the receiver's 'channel list menu', it's easy to delete unwanted channels or bouquets and add an unlimited number of user-defined bouquets (essentially favourites) to your liking.

The navigation joypad's up/down keys access the channel list. From here, the list can be switched between all services, the channels carried on individual satellites, service providers and the bouquets using the coloured buttons.

You can easily change channels with the left/right keys. If the relevant EPG data is in the machine, the name of the programme currently being broadcast by the channel is listed next to it.

EPG features

The now-and-next/seven-day EPG is presented as a rather unexciting text list as opposed to the traditional magazine format.

One mode focuses on one channel's schedule; another allows you to see what multiple channels are offering in a given timeslot. The timer can be programmed from the EPG and manual timer programming is also allowed.

Interestingly, you can watch one channel while another records – provided that both are on the same multiplex. When a recording is in progress you can view either this or an existing one – the 'video' button displays the list.

Timeshifting is also possible. The timeshift files aren't shown in the recording list, but logging onto the receiver using a FTP client shows that they're present – and accounting for a fair slice of HDD capacity. Using this method they can be transferred to a PC if the programme's worth keeping.

Installing firmware

Plug-ins/updates available at the press of a button or from the preset FTP site include onscreen e-mail and a multimedia player. This currently handles MP3 audio and MPEG files, but does not support images or DivX/WMV. You can view photos, but only with a different plug-in (the 'picture player').

However, the main advantage of the Dreambox approach is the ability to completely change the personality of your receiver with third-party firmware. This is easy if you've a PC with web-browser and the 800HD happens to be jacked into your home network. Holding down the receiver's front-panel standby button, you then enter its IP address into a web browser. You can then upload the firmware from a PC, via the 'bootloader' page that's shown.