Itgate 100 versus dreambox 7020

[Chappo]

Arguably the Box “IS” comparable to the 7020 as stated by Ding70
However “Comparable” does not mean IDENTICAL!

I think the point being made was that these box’s are similar to the 7020 by way of hardware and design but at ½ the cost. Some will argue that the hardware is much better than a dreambox 7020, but time will tell.

I personally don’t see any problems with the Box itself as it’s very well made and has all the credentials to perform at the top with anything out there.


The 7020 & the 7025 does indeed have slightly bigger processors, but the difference is so insignificant it’s negligible. For example neither can decode DivX (Mpeg4) format. So maybe you can enlighten us on what the advantage of the DM processor has over the Itgate please?

With memory it would land somewhere in-between the 700 and the 7020 and as such have more than enough to accommodate the normal user. I suppose having more will allow you to store more mp3’s and all sorts of other stuff but when would enough be enough?

I think its very comparable and ½ the price to go with it.

Having said that there is little support by way of “non official” images, addons, emu’s etc which is typical of any new hardware release in its early days.

As more box’ become available this will change dramatically as people will start writing more code and releasing addons & emu’s alike.

[Chappo]

Some Spec's to ponder over!!

- Fully DVB compliant
- Linux open source ; Standard Linux API
- Getting various Linux applications
- 252MHz IBM PowerPC Processor (350MIPS)
- Support internal HDD in any capacity up to 250GB for PVR
- Flash memory card Multi-Slot ; SD, Olympus, Memory Stick,
MMC & Smart Media Card etc. supported
- 10/100M Ethernet interface
- 2 Smart card slots
- S/PDIF interface(Optical & Coaxial) for Dolby bit stream out
- Sharp Tuner (2~45 Msps, SCPC scan)
- CI interface by a PCMCIA slot
- Firmware/ Software upgrade : through Serial(RS232C),
Ethernet(Internet) & Memory Card
- Unlimited TV/Radio channel storage
- Very quick channel change time ; < 1 second
- Support multiple LNB switching control (DiSEqC 1.0, 1.1 & 1.2)
- Full automatic service scan
- Smart Electronic Program Guide(EPG)
- OSD & VBI Teletext
- Variable aspect ratio(4:3,16:9)
- Multi-Language menu
- Programmable event timer
- Subtitle (by a hot button on RCU)
- Parental Control
- C & Ku band reception
- Video Out : RGB, CVBS, S-Video & YPbPr selectable

Tuner/Front-End Demodulator
Tuner Receiving Freq./ Loop through output 950 ~ 2150MHz / 950 ~ 2150MHz
Input Impedance 75 ohms
Input Signal Level Min. -65dbm ~ Max. -25dbm
LNB Polarization Switching Voltage 13/18Vdc@Max 400mA,Short Circuit Protection
Band Switching 22Khz Tone, DiSEqC1.2
I/Q Output 10MHz to 30 MHz, Variable( 2MHz step)
Demodulation according DVB-S
Symbol Rate 2 ~ 45 Msps
Link IC STV0299B
Viterbi Decoding Rate 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6, 7/8, Automatic or Manual rate
Reed Solomon Decoding FEC, block length( 204 byte )
Transport Demultiplexer
Demultiplex : (Video) According to ISO/IEC 13818-1
a MPEG-2 and MPEG-1 compatible
: (Audio) MPEG-1 & MPEG-2 Layer I and II
a Freq. : 32K, 44.1K, 48K, 16K, 22.05K, 24KHz
Video Decoding Parameters
Video Decoding ISO/IEC 13818-2 MP@ML
Aspect Ratio 4:3, 16:9
Resolution Max.720 x576
Baseband Video/Audio Output
Video Output Impedance 75 ohms
Video Output Level 1 Vp_p
Audio Output Impedance 600 ohms Unbalanced
Audio Output Ievel 3.0 Vp_p With Volume Control
Digital Audio Output Level 0.5 Vpp With 75 ohm Terms
Microprocessor and Main Memories
Microprocessor Type Vulcan(IBM) PowerPC Processor 252MHz/ 350MIPS
Flash ROM(for program memory) 8MByte x 2
SDRAM( for decoding) 32MByte x 2
Data Service Port
Connector/ Protocol/ Bit Rate D_Sub9P/ RS232 Async./ ~115200bps
RJ45/ Ethernet/ ~100Mbps
HDD Connection
Connector/ Protocol 40pin IDE / ATA-3
Front Panel
4 Digits LED Display Channel/ Time/ Process Display
8 Buttons Power, Up, Down, Left, right, Menu, OK, Exit
IR Sensor 38KHz
CI slot 1 slot
Smart Card slot 2 slots
Flash memory multi card slot SD / mini SD(with adaptor) / Olympus / MMC / RSMMC(with adaptor) / Memory Stick / Memory Stick Pro / Memory Stick Duo / Memory Stick Pro Duo(with adaptor) / Smart Media Card
Rear Panel
RF UHF Input/ Loop through Output 2 Ports ( 1 in, 1 out)
Satellite Receive Tuner Input/ Loop through Output 2 Ports ( 1 in, 1 out)
Module Jack IN/ OUT 6 ports ( Audio_L (1), Audio_R (1), CVBS (1),
S/PDIF Optical (1), S/PDIF Coaxial (1), S-Video (1)
2 SCART 2 Ports ( 1 TV out, 1 VCR in)
RS232 Serial Port 9 Pin D_SUB Female
Power Cord European Flexible Cord
Power Switch ON/ OFF
Remote Control Unit
Type IR (Carrier Freq. 38KHz)
Battery 2 x 1.5V AAA
32Keys POWER, 0~9, MUTE, TV, RADIO, 4 COLOR BUTTONS(R, G, Y, B), UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT, OK, MENU, AUDIO, PVR, EXIT, VOLUME UP/DOWN, HELP, SUBTITLE, PROGRAM UP/ DOWN, EPG, INFO, TEXT, PREV, TV/SAT, NEXT
General Data
Input Power Voltage AC95 ~ 250V, 50/60Hz
Power Consumption Max 30Watts
Dimension(W x D x H) 350 x240 x 60mm
Weight About 2.0Kg
Operation Temperature -10c ~ 65c

[ZBee]

as ampervolt stated it has also diffrent memmory...so they are not similar...cpu specs are very important when comapring hardware

[ampervolt]

Originally Posted by Chappo

With memory it would land somewhere in-between the 700 and the 7020 and as such have more than enough to accommodate the normal user. I suppose having more will allow you to store more mp3’s and all sorts of other stuff but when would enough be enough?

I think its very comparable and ½ the price to go with it.

Hi,
nope, it's not storage memory only, we're talking about RAM.
And, this is FONDAMENTAL feature, as letting enigma to run on more RAM is synonim of freeze-free decoding

The main 7000's problem is the too low memory on-boad (both ram and flash).
Enigma runs vith 600-1000 K on 7000's, exactly the same on TGS 100 (and the CPU is slower on itgate).

But, even more flash could be nice to have, providing more RAM is a MUST nowadays.
Then, no affordable price will be useful if box is freezing.... you'll notice it as soon as full emus will be working on tgs 100

[Chappo]

Originally Posted by ZBee

as ampervolt stated it has also diffrent memmory...so they are not similar...cpu specs are very important when comapring hardware

Yes you are correct Mr Bee.
Please be kind enough to point out the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Let us know why one is better than the other.
Some fact to support this would be wonderful.
Thank you kindly

[Chappo]

Originally Posted by ampervolt

Hi,
nope, it's not storage memory only, we're talking about RAM.
And, this is FONDAMENTAL feature, as letting enigma to run on more RAM is synonim of freeze-free decoding

The main 7000's problem is the too low memory on-boad (both ram and flash).
Enigma runs vith 600-1000 K on 7000's, exactly the same on TGS 100 (and the CPU is slower on itgate).

But, even more flash could be nice to have, providing more RAM is a MUST nowadays.
Then, no affordable price will be useful if box is freezing.... you'll notice it as soon as full emus will be working on tgs 100

Itgate has
Microprocessor and Main Memories
Microprocessor Type Vulcan(IBM) PowerPC Processor 252MHz/ 350MIPS
Flash ROM(for program memory) 8MByte x 2
SDRAM( for decoding) 32MByte x 2

7000 has 64Mb Ram also as does the 7020
Your point is?

Please post specifications from manufacturer supporting your perception to others.

[ozsatbox]

Sir a BMW & Mercedes have different engines, gearboxes etc, but are both comparable and that I believe is what the article is trying to get across to the user. Not that 1 is perhaps better or more powerful than the other, but both units are comparable.Yes sir CPU Specs are important when comparing hardware and yes sir the Dreambox does have different specs than the iTgate, but this is perhaps not the issue in fact, nor does it make the DreamBox that much better. This is another option for the user/buyer/hobbyist out there to use and software will improve as time goes by and more testing is made.Thank you.

[ampervolt]

@Chappo

You forgot I have a tgs100 AND a 7020 AND a 7000 (AND a 7025) So... the fact:

DM7020 running Enigma: 10.000 Kbytes free ram (average)

DM7000 - TGS 100 running Enigma: 600-1000 K free ram (average)


So... no specifications needed... just go to Telnet and type "free" on all boxes

[Chappo]

Mine runs @ 2,000 free, but this will be image and addon specific.
The more you have the less free, I run a full emu and is fine for 2 weeks now.

What is slow is EPG and I believe this is being worked on at present

[Alias1]

Originally Posted by ZBee

as ampervolt stated it has also diffrent memmory...so they are not similar...cpu specs are very important when comapring hardware

What is really important here is having moderators with an unbiased view.
Not someone who has a lot to gain ie more freebies from dream by putting other boxes down.
In my case as I dont yet have a ITgate box I cant comment on it from an enginnering perpective.
BUT having said that I know quite a few people who have this box and are very happy with it.
Seeing as dream mutlimedia now have some serious competition hopefully their prices will come down from the stratosphere.
BTW ZBee even though I dont have one YET, I bet you dont have to solder caps to these boxes so you can get decent picture