Dreambox DM 900 Review
Manufacturer: Dream Multimedia
Positives
Easy HDD install
UHD support
Negatives
No FBC tuners
Only 1 card reader / CI slot
Dreambox has a new fast 4K / UHD receiver with a (Dual-Core 12K DMIPS) processor and the power to make an impression in the High End market.
Dreambox has perhaps been a bit in the shadows of VU+ in recent years. Now they have released a new fast 4K / UHD receiver the DM900 which has a very fast (Dual-Core 12K DMIPS) processor and the power to make an impression in the High End market.
DM 900 is priced very reasonable and we have borrowed a sample from Tektronic.dk for this review.
DM 900 unboxing
- 1 x DM 900
- Two AA batteries (for the remote)
- Power adapter
- Screws for hard drive mounting
- HDMI Cable
- Quick Installation guide English / German
Dreambox 900 has the option of using Twin DVB-S2 or Twin DVB-C/T2 tuner or mixed via the new Triple Tuner module. A maximum of two tuners can be used at once on the Triple Tuner.
Specifications and design
The front is classic Dreambox and has a touch button for standby.
The design is in black brushed aluminum look with a big 3″ color display. It shows Channel name and time as standard but you can of course install picons and customize it.
Behind the front flap we find a built in card reader and a CI slot. There is also a USB connection and a SD Card reader.
Technical Specs from Dream Multimedia
- CPU: Dual-Core 12K DMIPS
- 2 x HDMI 2.0 (input and output)
- 3″ Color LC-Display
- Touch on/off
- MPEG-2/H.264 decoder (Full HD)
- H.265 decoder (Ultra HD)
- Smartcard reader
- SD-Card reader
- Common Interface slot (CI)
- DVB-S2 or DVB-C/T2 tuner
- 2 GB RAM
- 4 GB Flash (EMMC)
- Gigabit Ethernet interface
- USB 3.0 Mini USB service port (Flash rescue)
- S/PDIF digital bitstream out
- Automatic service scan
- internal 2,5” harddisk (optional)
- WiFI support (optional)
- Web interface for PC and Smartphone
- DiSeqC 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, USALS, Unicable
- Measure: 270 x 187 x 60 mm(W x D x H)
The remote is classic Dreambox. It feels good in the hand and has well sized buttons.
Image installation
Installation of images on the Dreambox works like this. Turn off the receiver and hold your finger on the standby touch button while you turn on power. The light will flash red and blue when the flashing stops you can remove the finger.
The receiver should now be in recovery mode and you can go to your computer and in the browser type http://ip adress of your receiver.
This will bring up the recovery page where you can load a new image.
We have tested the DM900 with the images from May 2017.
Installation and daily use
The installation and operation is standard Enigma 2 style and easy to go through.
Speed wise this is the fastest booting box we have reviewed so far. Only 16 seconds from complete power off to picture on screen. Check the video above.
Installing a hard drive is super easy with the slot in option on the back. Just fasten your 2.5″ hard drive to the cage and push it into the receiver. Then you are ready to record tv.
The screenshot feature did not allow us to make a screengrab of UHD channels but of course they are supported on this receiver which also handles German DVB-T2 signal which is H.265 encoded.
Our Verdict
If you are in the need of a fast receiver with Ultra HD support and do not need Full Bandwith Tuner / more than twin tuner support then look no further than DM 900. It really delivers on speed and performance at a competitive price.
The booting speed is excellent and it has easy install option for a hard drive. Do note that the receiver only have 1 card reader and CI slot should you need more.
Linux-TV.com thanks tektronic.dk for letting us test the receiver.
