Linkbox 8000HD- The Review

Just got my Linkbox 8000HD receiver today and would like to thank Hugo at LinkTv Media for the fast shipping. I plan to use this receiver to complete my arc thread. I will be doing a full review of this receiver with pictures.



Feature

Full Compliant of DVB-S & DVB-S2(QPSK/8PSK/16APSK/32APSK) Digital & DVB broadcasting
High Definition Video output : HDMI1.2(HDCP) and Y Pb Pr
Video output resolution: 480i/p 576i/p 720p 1080i,1080p
Audio Decoding :ISO/IEC 13818-3
Satellite Tuner, 950-2150 MHz input Frequency (IF Loop Throughout),Symbol rate 1~45Msps
Very fast Smart Search(Blind Scan)
Flexible receiption of SCPC & MCPC from C/Ku-Band Satellites
Demodulation : QPSK/8PSK/16APSK/32APSK
USB PVR ready
FAT16/FAT32/NTFS,Format function ,Recording,Playback,EPG Time record,Time shifted recording
USB 2.0 Host Interface(Rear Panel)- JPEG Photo Album, MP3 and Firmware Update
Integrated USB2.0(Host) to support PVR
Multimedia files playback by USB2.0(BMP/JPG/Ogg/MP3(option)
Fast Channel Change(<1 second)
Satellite Scan-Simultaneous Scan,Manual PID/Satellite & TP/Network Scan
Closed Caption(CC) output through VBI
Supports DVB subtitle
10000 Channels TV & Radio Program
Timer setting supports automatic Turn-ON and OFF daily
User-friendly EPG(Electronic Program Guide)
Multi language on sceen menu(OSD)
Powerful Channel Editing Function(Favorite,Move,Find,Sort,Delete,Skip,Lock, Edit,Create)
Digital S/PDIF (Digital Audio or Dolby AC3 stream out)
Automatic PAL/NTSC Conversion
8 Favorite List
PIG (Picture In Graphic) ,Zoom Function
256 Colors (Graphic User Interface) Number
Screen Format : auto,4:3,16:9
Software Upgrade via USB and RS-232C (Receiver to Receiver, PC to Receiver)
Hardware Copy Protection
Multiple LNB switching control iseqc 1.0/Diseqc 1.2 and USALS Compatiable
Game
BISS CAS Embedded
Management Subscription
CH 3/4 Modulator(NTSC)
Skew LNB control : Optional(Control Kit througth RS232 Port)
Satellite Tuner

Input Connector: F-type,IEC169-24
Frequency Range: 950MHz to 2150MHz
Input Level: 65 dBm~-25 dBm
LNB Power: 14V/19V (400mA Max)
Symbol Rate: 1 to 45Msps.(SCPC,MCPC)
DiSEqc: Diseqc 1.2 & USALS Compatible
Band Switch: 22KHz tone
Demodulation: QPSK/8PSK/16APSK/32APSK
Viterbi Decoding Rate: 1/2,2/3,3/4,5/6,7/8
Reed Solomon Decoding: FEC 204,188,t=8
Transport Stream A/V Decoding

Demultiplex: 13818-1(System Layer)
Input stream: Max. 90Mbit/s
Aspect Ratio: 4:3(default), 16:9 letterbox
Video Decoding: H.264 Full HD Decoding
Video Resolution: 480i/p or 576i/p, 720p, 1080i,1080p
Audio Decoding: ISO/IEC13818-3 Digital Audio Decoding
Video Ouput: HDMI (HDCP), CVBS,YPbPr
Audio Mode: Single Channel /Dual Channel, Stereo, Joint Stereo
Main CPU & Memories

CPU: Ali M3606 (398MHz),Dual High performance 32bit CPU
Flash Memory: 4 Mbyte
External Memory Interface: 1Gb DDR2 800MHz SDRAM (128 Mbyte)
Data Port

Connector: 9 Pin D-Sub Type
Protocol: RS232 Asynchronous
Data Rate: Max. 115200 bps
A/V Output

Digital output: HDMI(HDCP), YPbPr
RCA A/V: CVBS,Audio Left.Right ,Component(Y,Pb,Pr)
Rear Panel

HDMI: HDMI 1.2 (HDCP option) , Type A
6RCA: Video, Audio L, Audio R, YPbPr
1 Tuner: 1 input & 1 Loopout
Modulator: CH 3/4 (NTSC)
Data Port: 9 Pin D-Sub Type (Skew Control Kit Optional)
UHF Input: Optional for UHF Remote Kit
Power Switch: Rocker Switch
Front Panel

7 Key: PWR,CH Up/Down, Volume Up/Down,Menu,Ok
Display: 4 Digit 7 Segment Display
USB: 1 Host USB2.0
Remote Control

Type: IR RCU
Battery: 2x1.5V AAA Type
Power Supply

Input Voltage: AC 90-250V, 50/60Hz
Type: SMPS ,AC Plug
Power Consumption: Max. 24 Watts
Physical Specification

Operating temp.: 0 ~45
Dimension (WxDxH): 260mm x 153mm x 45mm
Weight: 1.1Kg
Accessaries: HDMI Cable


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The linkbox 8000HD receiver comes equipped with a complete North American satellite list of all sats from 5-139w. There is a total of 96 in memory but I haven't tried to see if it will handle more, Since this receiver is ali-chip based that is more then the 64 allowed by the openbox/skybox line of receivers. I am already starting to like this receiver as it reminds me of older Pansat receivers that I used to use. Picture quality is phenominal and its signal meter is the best that I've seen on an hd and ali-chip receiver. Here are a few more pics and there is more to follow:


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Some more pictures of the Main Menu categories and sub sections:


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Along with the receiver I was sent a wifi adapter which connects with usb to the Linkbox 8000HD receiver for future upgrades and improvements to the receiver via the internet:


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Thanks for sharing the info Costa...

One thing that caught my attention is,Closed Caption(CC) output through VBI,but what is output thru VBI?

Good question Henric but there is no mention of closed caption through vbi in the User's Guide at all:

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http://www.linkboxusa.com/download/Linkbox_8000HD_Manual_20120422_1.pdf

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Thanks for the thread Cos

I am really starting to like this box which has a very fast blind scan and easy and functional menu and remote. I also like the fact that the last channel scanned in during a blind scan automatically appears on my screen after a scan without exiting and then I can check each individual channel that was scaneed in while still in the scan menu.


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This is the info I found for output thru VBI.

C/P.

The VBI / Vertical blanking interval. It is data that was used mostly on analog video before our TV switch to digital .

It was mostly used to keep peoples tv's and vcr's on correct time and other things. If a person has a tv that decodes that type signal, it may still work.

HD devices normally handle the CC display by having the receiver decode it and superimpose the text on the video.

Blind scanning with the Linkbox 8000HD is a piece of cake, most sats scan in in under 2 minutes. Pictures below show the steps:


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thanx for the great info costact i noticed this reciever does not have the ethernet port in rear , i just noticed the new model (the linkbox hd8000 plus has the ethernet port in rear plus a few other great feastures) i own many svhd8000s but of course they only seem to work with the ihub for now , so i was looking into a new hd reciever with built in ethernet port with great picture quality and was deciding to try either this linkbnox hd plus or the jynxbox ultra hd.....

I would say go with the Linkbox but I have never tested one with the ethernet port, have heard of plenty of bugs on the jynxbox though. This receiver was tested on true fta only and passed with flying colours, I use it outdoors now when installing a new dish or changing my feed.

great thanx looks like ill get the plus since its the latest and if the first one had bugs then hopefully they will be fixed on the plus unit......ive been testing ,installing, reparing and modifying units for years since the first pansat2500 units and 2700 and 3500 units clones and originals , fortec, coolsat , viewsat ,nfusion, sonicview ect...... i started with cable units then moved to fta.

i will post pics and review of the latest "plus" linkbox model...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BIGMANNYC

great thanx looks like ill get the plus since its the latest and if the first one had bugs then hopefully they will be fixed on the plus unit......ive been testing ,installing, reparing and modifying units for years since the first pansat2500 units and 2700 and 3500 units clones and originals , fortec, coolsat , viewsat ,nfusion, sonicview ect...... i started with cable units then moved to fta.

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I still have a panny 2500 and 3500 which I normally use as a sat meter outside but just replaced with the linkbox. Looking forward to your review.

Can someone tell me where to buy linkbox 8000 hd with wifi antenna at good and legit source not clone?Thanks.

Does this receiver work good on DN 110,119 129? Do you like it better then the Nano HD?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bill

Does this receiver work good on DN 110,119 129? Do you like it better then the Nano HD?

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I used it for several months on true fta, never attempted iks with this receiver.

I see the back of the Linkbox HD Plus looks just like the Nano HD.