Device Recommendation: Pause Live TV, Record, Ease of Use - Dreamlink T1? T2? Mag 256?

by theNotoriousJEU

I'm new to the IPTV world. I currently have a Freeview box (i.e. standard UK television) and a Chromecast; I am leaning towards ditching the Freeview and running the Dreamlink T2.

Here's what I'm looking for:

  • Pause live TV
  • Smooth, easy-to-use UI with TV guide
  • Record programmes to HDD
  • Integrate with dedicated IPTV provider like Helix, Vader etc.

Am I right to be leaning towards the Dreamlink T2?

Also, is there any device that supports a TV aerial for showing channels that don't need to come via the internet? For example, streaming BBC1-HD over the internet seems a waste when it's freely available through my existing aerial.

manosteel9423

You need to be looking at Enigma2. It would, by far, be the best overall experience for you once set up and working properly. Although, its not quite as easy a set up as some of the standard IPTV boxes.

That said, the Formuler Z7+ (or T2 if you prefer the lower spec version) does everything you want. You can buy a USB dongle that will access your freeview channels I believe.

Blue-Thunder

Manosteel makes some really good points. You have a tough decision to make. Having the ability to have FTA on the box is a great plus, but you should be able to have that on your TV if it has a tuner built into it. All you would need to do is just change the inputs on your TV and that's it.

Dreamlink is made by Formuler, and the Formuler Z7+ is the flagship product.

bobjameshelix

I would recommend against Dreamlink.

Best is go with a FireTV, FireCube, Nvidia. A lot more flexible than dedicated devices

__thrillho

I've owned the Formuler z7+ since it came out and I'd recommend against buying it. It's full of bugs and features that don't work properly. It was rushed to the market and basic things don't work - like the box getting stuck on standby mode. It's been an issue since release (which tells me they didn't properly test the box) and every update they've had allegedly addresses this issue, but it hasn't been fixed yet. They know it's a bug and are still working on it, but come on a basic feature like standby should have been caught and fixed either before its release or within the first few updates.

That's just one problem, they have issues with slow EPG, my wifi dongle died randomly and it cost me $40 to replace it which is crazy for a USB wifi dongle, there's a known recording bug where your storage will get filled up with a "timeshift" file until it's full and you have to manually delete it using a PC, the recording function doesn't work well (most of the time it doesn't record at all or you'll get an error). I could go on and on but you get the point.

I would avoid this box at all costs.