This HD receiver ticks most of the
boxes for a single-tuner model and it has some pleasing extras too
The opposition
Dreambox DM-800HDSE
With Linux Enigma upgradability and a
similar hardware spec, but limited functionality without plug-ins and much more
expensive
Dreambox
DM-800HDSE
GM Spark Triplex
Almost identical functionality, including
excellent capabilities online but with three DVB-S2 and DTT tuners for just $45
more
As one of the more affordable models in
Golden Media’s new Spark-powered range of HD receivers, the Spark One is not
short on features, with PVR functions, blind search, and twin Conax card
readers.
It also provides a relatively cheap way
into Linux. The receiver is Linux-based and uses GM’s own Spark operating
system, which has a number of software plug-ins available, in particular for
card sharing and the like. The option to dual-boot the ‘traditional’ Enigma 2
software is promised soon.
Build and connectivity
Behind the interchangeable acrylic fold-down
front panel, the Spark One has the same excellent fluorescent display as the
other Spark models, as well as two Conax card slots, a USB socket and basic
control keys.
GM
Spark Triplex
The remote control handset is the same as
the Spark Triplex. It’s sleek and stylish with well laid-out buttons, including
several dedicated to particular functions, especially the large central Portal
button.
The back panel is not packed. The single
tuner has both LNB input and loops through and supports DiSEqC 1.0 and 1.1
switches, and DiSEqC 1.2 and USALS motors. There’s also a second USB socket
along with a largely redundant RS232 interface and the well-used Ethernet
socket.
Outputs are adequate – HDMI for HD and a
Scart and separate video socket for HD with analogue audio and digital audio in
both coaxial and optical forms.
Setup
The Spark One has a short ‘wizard’ to set
the basics first time around, but then it’s in at the deep end for the actual
channel tuning. First the satellites you intend to receive are selected and the
LNB setup for each altered accordingly. You can modify the DiSEqC switch or
motorized dish settings here. Rather cleverly, the Spark One can determine the
right DiSEqC switch input for a satellite, so you don’t have to know which port
is connected to which LNB.
Then the satellites are scanned,
individually or one after the other. The scans can search for just TV or radio
channels, or FTA channels only. You can search a whole satellite or a single
transponder.
And the Spark One’s satellite scans are fast.
Even the huge Hot Bird position takes under four minutes to scan with this
receiver.
A blind search is also available; first,
this scans the four satellite sub-bands (with an impressive, if useless,
spectrum type display), in a couple of minutes or less, depending on how many
transponders are found, and then performs a database, scan on the result, so
the whole process takes just six minutes or so-which is blisteringly fast.
Basic use
The onscreen channel list appears complex
at first because the options to reorder the list are always on display. The
list is in three sections and you work your way across the screen to the
desired channel.
Spark
One has the same excellent fluorescent display as the other Spark models
On the left the filtering section allows
you to focus on individual satellites, initial letter in the name, encryption,
provider, or HD. The center section is where you pick the sub-category (letter of
the alphabet, type of encryption, etc.) and the right hand column is where the
channels meeting the criteria are displayed.
The Spark One also has 32 favorite channels
lists that can be named and populated as you want (and are included in the
channel list filter stage) and you can search for a particular channel by name.
The EPG is not like others. There is no
programmer grid-the most popular presentation. Instead, there are two display
modes-a table of the programmer currently showing (or the next to show) on ten
channels along with the start time and a progress bar, and a complete schedule
(you can easily change channel, call up the programmer’s synopsis, or reserve a
timer slot of the selected show (to change channels or record it), and with so
few channels actually transmitting a seven-day EPG, it’s an effective system.
