Which Sat Reciever?

I'm trying to break into the Sat Scene and I have all the equipment except the Bracket and the Reciever. I'm just about to put up the Dish and I would appreciate any help in choosing this Box. I have been looking around a few site and reading up on these recievers but there are just so many.
I have questions like:
Does the Dreambox500 only support cs and not FTA?
Can I find a box that does support cs and FTA or are all these high end recievers?
I am big into future proofing things and this is one reason I'm having trouble choosing. With this in mind I would choose a high def box and is it true that in Ireland the reciever needs to be MPEG4?

I have always intended to go with a Technomate but lately I've been leaning towards boxes like the Spiderbox and Clarke-Tech, although Clarke-Tech are a bit pricey.
Any help appreciated!

 

every box supports fta. what you do after that is up to you

 

Ger if you always intended to go with a Technomate go with it, as Fintanni said all boxes support fta. You also say you are big into future proofing things if that is the case and you can afford it go with the Spiderbox, but only if you can afford that box, BTW I have a dreambox 500s clone and after I got it set-up have had no problems with it.

 

Cheers for the advice.
My main worry is that I get a box and then find that, it cant do this or it cant do that. Thats where I was heading with the future proof thing.

There are so many recievers out there I was thinking one may be ahead of the rest.

Am I right that the box needs to support MPEG4?

 

look up the dreambox 800hd supposed to be the bees knees that i have heard great reports on this box

 

Mpeg4 is in use for Digital terrestrial broadcast in Ireland, not satellite. Don't think it's used on sat scene. As far as I'm aware.

 

Am I right in thinking all the Hi-Def boxes are in the 300-400 range.
Are the the mid range Spider boxes or Dreambox's any good? DM 7025, DM 600PVR-S etc

Also, Just to add,I am a bit of a techno geek so I dont mind configuring or setting things up? However annoying.

 

yes but the clone dreambox Hd800 is prob the best to go with

 

OK e45, First you had me praying for N3 to be fully implemented(so a780 could come to Ireland). Now you have me searching for a clone box. Next you'll be telling me that BP oil is good for marine life. Ha Ha.

Dont suppose you know of a link to find such a box that you could PM me?

 

lol well what can i say you will get this then they will come to ireland sods law

here ya go below

LINK

 

as e45 says the dm800hd clone is as good as most at a reasonabe price. i've had it for some years and it does all that is required

 

yep and the reports i have seen are excellent

 

Doesn't firmware have to be added to the Dreamboxes. In doing this, Wasn't this the problem with cable reciever clones.
Are you saying there is no or minimal difference between a DM clone and an origional? I know its place of origion may be different. But I'm thinking how much difference there was inside a cable reciever clone than the origional. PCB etc.

 

yes but linux boxes are different there are lots of firmware for them clones

 

best image is dream elite. need to also integrate 7 day tv guide with satmate. nothing better

 

fintannl do you know any links in the irish market for Dreamboxes. Just seen someone on Gumtree with boxes that are probably clones selling them for 350 euro.

 

just google them or you could try

www.skywonder.co.uk for them

 

Ger 90% if not higher of all boxes sold are clones, If you want a link for an Irish place to buy try here http://www.satworld.ie/ as you will see quite expensive but if you want a shop to go back to if you have a problem it is handy, its only in Crumlin so handy to get to also, there are also plenty more, hope that helps.

 

Satworld is handy but WOW 449 euro. I was thinking if clones are acceptable then their price may be cheaper considering origional boxes are 350-500 euro.

A search didnt throw up anything for Ireland and none on fleabay which I thought was odd.
But nevermind I shall search on. The more I read about this box the better it gets.

A whole hearted thanx for all the help. My question was well and truely answered and I now know this is the box I'm after.

 

told you to try skywonder