If I can't buy a new Beyonwiz, then what *should* I buy?

[strangerep]

It's quite depressing that I must ask this question here.

If one cannot buy a new Beyonwiz, then what other brands+models do experts here recommend instead?

[vader1111]

Two options seem to be gaining traction around here, in recent times.

The VU+ DUO 4k or DUO2 have been mentioned in a few posts. Apparently you will need to order this from World of Satellite, in the UK. There's a bit more information on it in this thread:
https://beyonwiz.com.au/forum/viewtopic ... 16&t=15191

The other option is the IceBox, which will shortly be released by IceTV. It is currently undergoing beta testing (I'm one of the lucky ones, selected to be a beta tester). You can find details on the box here:
https://www.icetv.com.au/icebox/

If you have a spare PC, IceBox will also have a BYOB (bring your own box) option. Details here:
https://www.icetv.com.au/bring-your-own-box/

[prl]

The VU+ DUO 4k or DUO2 have been mentioned in a few posts. Apparently you will need to order this from World of Satellite, in the UK.

It's mostly the VU+ DUO SE 4k, not the VU+ DUO 4k that's being discussed there. cwiggles also mentions having a VU+ DUO2. They're all different models. The DUO 4k is listed on vuplus.com, but on vuplus.de it's listed as a superseded model. The DUO2 is listed on both the .com and .de sites, but on the .de site, it's only listed as superseded (Vorgängermodell).

If you Google for VU+ DUO SE 4k, you'll find other suppliers, too, mostly in Germany. For example, https://www.deschotelshop.nl/en/vu-plus ... x-receiver (that one's in the Netherlands, rather than Germany) also allows you to get the DUO SE 4k with only DVB tuners. Make sure that you buy from somewhere that allows that, so you don't pay for a tuner you don't use.

If you buy from a European supplier, you'll almost certainly get supplied with a power plug that's not Australian standard.

[vader1111]

The following are my own opinions, based on very limited research (reading the VU+ posts here)...

The advantages of the IceBox are:

• Integration with IceTV.
  Australian plugs.
  Australian supplier.

The disadvantage:

• Immature software, but development is ongoing within IceTV (as distinct from Beyonwiz, where it's mostly done by users)

The advantages of the VU+ boxes:

• Engima2 firmware, similar to what you're used to with Beyonwiz (albeit updated).
  Mature firmware.

The disadvantages:

• No Australian support.
  IceTV integration(?)
  May require tweaking, requiring a high degree of technical skill, to get it working in Australia (?)

I'm unsure which option would be cheaper, though the IceBox BYOB option is likely to be the cheapest option if you have a suitable box lying around the house.

[strangerep]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

[...] If you have a spare PC, IceBox will also have a BYOB (bring your own box) option. [...]

I wonder why they (apparently) don't support (e.g.,) triple tuners which can record from 3 separate networks simultaneously. My (now ancient) Beyonwiz T2 can do that (albeit with an extra tuner dongle and some active amplification of my antenna signal.

Btw, I also had a look at enigma.net (since I'm a Linux systems programmer), but all the stuff on their website seems to be down in the detail level. I couldn't find a good overview/introduction of what it can do and how to get started using it.

[vader1111]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

[...] If you have a spare PC, IceBox will also have a BYOB (bring your own box) option. [...]

I wonder why they (apparently) don't support (e.g.,) triple tuners which can record from 3 separate networks simultaneously. My (now ancient) Beyonwiz T2 can do that (albeit with an extra tuner dongle and some active amplification of my antenna signal.

Btw, I also had a look at enigma.net (since I'm a Linux systems programmer), but all the stuff on their website seems to be down in the detail level. I couldn't find a good overview/introduction of what it can do and how to get started using it.

The Beyonwiz T2 has 2x single tuners built-in (which need to be daisy chained using a short coax cable provided), plus a USB single tuner dongle.

The IceBox doesn't have any tuners built-in, but is capable of using 2x twin-tuner USB dongles - for a total of 4 simultaneous networks.

If you wish to understand the reasoning behind some of the IceBox's design decisions, the IceTV owners have made several comments in this topic, on the IceTV forum:
https://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/ind ... pic=7185.0

[IanL-S]

The IceBox uses TVHeadend to manage tuners. I understand that it can support up to 8 USB tuners (to support that many tuners a powered USB hub would be needed). I supposedly supports a wide range of DVB-T tuners. Like vader1111 I am also doing Beta testing of the IceBox and hopefully will soon test it on bring-your-own box.

Ian

[ShawnK]

The VU+ DUO 4k or DUO2 have been mentioned in a few posts. Apparently you will need to order this from World of Satellite, in the UK.

It's mostly the VU+ DUO SE 4k, not the VU+ DUO 4k that's being discussed there. cwiggles also mentions having a VU+ DUO2. They're all different models. The DUO 4k is listed on vuplus.com, but on vuplus.de it's listed as a superseded model. The DUO2 is listed on both the .com and .de sites, but on the .de site, it's only listed as superseded (Vorgängermodell).

If you Google for VU+ DUO SE 4k, you'll find other suppliers, too, mostly in Germany. For example, https://www.deschotelshop.nl/en/vu-plus ... x-receiver (that one's in the Netherlands, rather than Germany) also allows you to get the DUO SE 4k with only DVB tuners. Make sure that you buy from somewhere that allows that, so you don't pay for a tuner you don't use.

If you buy from a European supplier, you'll almost certainly get supplied with a power plug that's not Australian standard.

Hi. Let me ask you a question. I can replace the power plug myself, right? Or do I have to ask the European supplier to offer me an Australian standard power plug?

[mikejg]

I've not seen one, but going by the specs, and photos, its a power adapter like for a laptop. All you would need to change is the IEC cable. ( like a kettle cord that goes from the power pack to the wall.

[prl]

Hi. Let me ask you a question. I can replace the power plug myself, right? Or do I have to ask the European supplier to offer me an Australian standard power plug?

Does this post contain enough information to answer your question: viewtopic.php?f=16&p=200509#p200550?

[Spot]

So sad to read the latest posts here. If I understand correctly (I sincerely hope I'm wrong), the Beyonwiz brand is dying and these forums are potentially also on their last legs.

I've said it elsewhere recently about another product, but truly nothing lasts for ever.

I would also love to get my hands on a backup V2. It doesn't look like that's going to happen now though.

Sad times indeed!

[ShawnK]

Hi. Let me ask you a question. I can replace the power plug myself, right? Or do I have to ask the European supplier to offer me an Australian standard power plug?

Does this post contain enough information to answer your question: viewtopic.php?f=16&p=200509#p200550link?

Thank you! There is enough information there to understand my question. And even more than required

[prl]

No problem.

[BarryGuff]

Wait... has Beyonwiz gone out of business?

[prl]

Wait... has Beyonwiz gone out of business?

There has been no official statement to say so, but there are no PVRs for sale in the Beyonwiz shop, and very little else.

The last forum post from anyone at Beyonwiz was in Aug 2021, and the last forum activity from anyone at Beyonwiz was in Jun 2022.

The registration of some of Beyonwiz's domain names was allowed to lapse in Nov 2022, meaning that the update feeds and the plugins fees stopped working, and they were only restored when peteru paid for the domain names to be re-registered (out of his own funds, AFAIK).

[walkerz]

I'm still getting errors for opkg update

Code: Select all

root@beyonwizt4:~# opkg update
Downloading https://feeds.beyonwiz.org/beyonwiz/19.3/inihdp/3rdparty/Packages.gz.
Downloading https://feeds.beyonwiz.org/beyonwiz/19.3/inihdp/all/Packages.gz.
Downloading https://peteru.net/feeds/beyonwiz/19.3/inihdp/Packages.gz.
Updated source 'beyonwiz-backup'.
Downloading https://feeds.beyonwiz.org/beyonwiz/19.3/inihdp/beyonwizt4/Packages.gz.
Downloading https://feeds.beyonwiz.org/beyonwiz/19.3/inihdp/inihdp/Packages.gz.
Downloading https://feeds.beyonwiz.org/beyonwiz/19.3/inihdp/inihdp_3rdparty/Packages.gz.
Downloading https://feeds.beyonwiz.org/beyonwiz/19.3/inihdp/mips32el/Packages.gz.
Downloading https://peteru.net/picons/beyonwiz/19.3/Packages.gz.
Updated source 'beyonwiz-picons'.
Collected errors:
 * opkg_download_backend: Failed to download https://feeds.beyonwiz.org/beyonwiz/19.3/inihdp/3rdparty/Packages.gz, wget returned 4.
 * opkg_download_backend: Failed to download https://feeds.beyonwiz.org/beyonwiz/19.3/inihdp/all/Packages.gz, wget returned 4.
 * opkg_download_backend: Failed to download https://feeds.beyonwiz.org/beyonwiz/19.3/inihdp/beyonwizt4/Packages.gz, wget returned 4.
 * opkg_download_backend: Failed to download https://feeds.beyonwiz.org/beyonwiz/19.3/inihdp/inihdp/Packages.gz, wget returned 4.
 * opkg_download_backend: Failed to download https://feeds.beyonwiz.org/beyonwiz/19.3/inihdp/inihdp_3rdparty/Packages.gz, wget returned 4.
 * opkg_download_backend: Failed to download https://feeds.beyonwiz.org/beyonwiz/19.3/inihdp/mips32el/Packages.gz, wget returned 4.
root@beyonwizt4:~#

I will be following to see if there are any worthwhile successors to Beyonwiz!

(Anyone want my old P2(?) and or an old AP-E1?)

[prl]

There seems to be a problem with the certificates used to verify a HTTPS connection to feeds.beyonwiz.org.

I tried to post examples of the output of wget, but it seems that some security checking of the contents are missing.

You can see the error by running

Code: Select all

wget -O /dev/null https://feeds.beyonwiz.org/beyonwiz/19.3/inihdp/3rdparty/Packages.gz

on your T4.

If you follow the suggestion in the error message to add --no-check-certificate to the command, it succeeds.

From the output of the command that succeeds, it looks as though the HTTPS request is being redirected from feeds.beyonwiz.org to ww25.feeds.beyonwiz.org, but the HTTPS certificate is for the DNS name feeds.beyonwiz.org (or for the IP address of feeds.beyonwiz.org).

It means that you can't do any online updates of the Beyonwiz firmware, except for what's on the picons feed, https://peteru.net/picons/beyonwiz/19.3. It also means that you can't install any plugins, even though you will see plugins listed in the PLUGINS, GREEN Download plugins lists..

However, if you're already running firmware 20211010, there are no new updates to download, apart from the new picon setup. However, it's not possible to install plugins (apart from the picons).

I think that this is something that only peteru can fix.

This isn't really the appropriate topic for the discussion. If there's a need for more discussion I'll move the posts to a more appropriate topic.

[peteru]

The beyonwiz.org domain name has been taken over by cybersquatters. It seems that they have snapped it up using a bot, so I never stood a chance when trying to register it manually.

As a result, all the feeds pointing to beyonwiz.org should be considered as compromised and a possible injection vector for malware.

[walkerz]

Thank you gents, I will pass on getting updates from that feed then!

(I was only wanting to install nano, as vi sucks!)

[stevebow]

The registration of some of Beyonwiz's domain names was allowed to lapse in Nov 2022

I did an ABN and ACN search for "Beyonwiz" but found nothing current. Looking back to my Paypal receipt when I purchased my T4 back in 2015, I see payment went through to a "DPG On Line Pty Ltd". It seems this company is still active, due for a review in June, and located in Subiaco WA. I'm not sure what its relationship to Beyonwiz is though, if any currently.

https://connectonline.asic.gov.au/Regis ... rgAndBusNm

This document:

http://pericles.ipaustralia.gov.au/ols/ ... 170202.pdf

shows that DPG On Line do (or did) indeed own the "Beyonwiz" trademark, as of 17 July 2016. It lists an address of "9 Lincoln St MINTO NSW 2566", however Google Streetview shows no such company at this address at this time, rather, some Nuts and Sweets company.

At Aubiz:

https://www.aubiz.net/company/dpg-on-li ... 144785455/

they show the address of DPG as "3 Austool Pl Ingleburn NSW 2565", but a Google Streetview of this address only shows a company called "Cumberland", who are "Manufacturers and Importers of Stationery".

Judging by the current location of the company, perhaps the owners have simply upped and moved to WA. It's all very mysterious, a little clock-and-daggerish.

[prl]

they show the address of DPG as "3 Austool Pl Ingleburn NSW 2565"

That's certainly an address where DPG/Beyonwiz used to operate from. I'm pretty sure it's where I visited them some time ago.

Just what's happened to the company, I don't know.

[MrQuade]

The beyonwiz.org domain name has been taken over by cybersquatters. It seems that they have snapped it up using a bot, so I never stood a chance when trying to register it manually.

As a result, all the feeds pointing to beyonwiz.org should be considered as compromised and a possible injection vector for malware.

It looks like the feed is serving content again. Someone on Whirlpool reported receiving an online update after having the box off for some time.

I checked for updates on my V2, and nothing available, so presumably whatever is being served is the latest set of packages (for now).

Do you know if there were any developments recently?

[prl]

The beyonwiz.org domain name has been taken over by cybersquatters. It seems that they have snapped it up using a bot, so I never stood a chance when trying to register it manually.

As a result, all the feeds pointing to beyonwiz.org should be considered as compromised and a possible injection vector for malware.

It looks like the feed is serving content again. Someone on Whirlpool reported receiving an online update after having the box off for some time.

I checked for updates on my V2, and nothing available, so presumably whatever is being served is the latest set of packages (for now).

Do you know if there were any developments recently?

None of the beyonwiz.org feeds (feeds.beyonwiz.org, beta.beyonwiz.org) are working. The recent picons update came from the https://peteru.net/picons feed, which is working.

[MrQuade]

None of the beyonwiz.org feeds (feeds.beyonwiz.org, beta.beyonwiz.org) are working. The recent picons update came from the https://peteru.net/picons feed, which is working.

Hmm, I was misled by the fact I could fetch a list of downloadable plugins.

Looking closer now, there is also a "backup feed" which also points to PeterU's repo. I assume that is where the plugin listing is now coming from.

[prl]

None of the beyonwiz.org feeds (feeds.beyonwiz.org, beta.beyonwiz.org) are working. The recent picons update came from the https://peteru.net/picons feed, which is working.

Hmm, I was misled by the fact I could fetch a list of downloadable plugins.

The misleading thing is that when opkg update runs, it doesn't remove cached information about plugins whose feed servers can't be reached, so when the Download plugins screen is accessed, it still lists the plugins, even though they can't be downloaded. If you try to download one of the plugins (like bitrate), you'll get an error.

Looking closer now, there is also a "backup feed" which also points to PeterU's repo. I assume that is where the plugin listing is now coming from.

The picons come from the beyonwiz-picons feed, which is also served from peteru.net (as I mentioned in the post you quoted), but it only has the picons package, and nothing else:

Code: Select all

root@beyonwizv2:~# wget -q -O- https://peteru.net/picons/beyonwiz/19.3/Packages.gz | gunzip -c
Package: enigma2-plugin-picons-tv-australia
Version: 3.0+git433+9077b25-r2.0
Section: base
Architecture: all
Maintainer: Beyonwiz
MD5Sum: 6fb246b2ace7992e22842ab8649d63f7
Size: 506208
Filename: enigma2-plugin-picons-tv-australia_3.0+git433+9077b25-r2.0_all.ipk
Source: enigma2-plugin-picons-tv-australia.bb
Description: Australian Free To Air TV Picons
OE: enigma2-plugin-picons-tv-australia
License: GPLv2+
Priority: required

root@beyonwizv2:~#

There's nothing in the beyonwiz-backup feed:

Code: Select all

root@beyonwizv2:~# wget -q -O- https://peteru.net/feeds/beyonwiz/19.3/beyonwizv2/Packages.gz | gunzip -c
root@beyonwizv2:~#

[MrQuade]

The misleading thing is that when opkg update runs, it doesn't remove cached information about plugins whose feed servers can't be reached, so when the Download plugins screen is accessed, it still lists the plugins, even though they can't be downloaded. If you try to download one of the plugins (like bitrate), you'll get an error.

Oh well, that explains that then.


I wonder if it would be possible for peteru to publish a package on his feed that overwrites the other feed configs, or alter the hosts file to redirect updates to a new domain.

Can that be done without introducing horrific conflicts or security problems?

[mike007]

How can I get access to https://peteru.net/picons? Please and thankyou

[prl]

How can I get access to https://peteru.net/picons? Please and thankyou

You can't. The server is set up to only allow access to full path names of files.
To get the current picons package, you need to fetch this URL:
https://peteru.net/picons/beyonwiz/19.3/Packages.gz

It's a tezt file compressed with gzip. It needs to be uncompressed with a suitable archive program (e.g. the U*ix commandline program gunzip), and then the Filename listed in it used to fetch the package by putting that filename into the URL in the place of Packages.gz.

To directly download the current picons package, fetch it using:
https://peteru.net/picons/beyonwiz/19.3 ... .0_all.ipk

Once you have the package, it's still in an archive format that needs to be installed manually, or unpacked if you want to access the files. But all the files are publicly available on the picon repository, anyway.

Why do you need to do all of this manually instead of just upgrading the picons on your Beyonwiz? Even though the Beyonwiz-hosted package feeds are no longer accessible from Beyonwiz PVRs, the picon feed is still available to use for updates.

[peteru]

You'll only get automatic access to the picon feed if you are on a recent firmware version. I made the last official releases available for download too. See the Current firmware - 19.3_20211010 post.

[REDark]

Hi
I also need to buy a new machine - my T3 has given up the ghost.

The replacement options below look very exotic - I've just been looking at the Panasonic Smart Network 1TB PVR with Twin HD Tuner.

My question is, will the mini dv3 tuner (bought through Beyonwiz) that currently lets me record 4 channels work with the Panasonic as going back to 2 channels sounds like a real limitation.

Thanks for any advice

[Paul_oz53]

I have a reconditioned T3 sitting in the cupboard. If you're interested, send me a PM.

Send me yours as a swap, $50 plus postage. I'll have a crack at fixing it as a hobby interest. A few years back I collected a spare motherboard and front panel and I can rebuild the PSU.

The bad news is that I'm leaving on holiday tomorrow so I won't be able to do anything until the 24th at the earliest.

[raj]

Hi
I also need to buy a new machine - my T3 has given up the ghost.

Thanks for any advice

Your T3 should have an external power supply. The first thing to do is try a new power supply pack on your T3. If you cannot get an original replacement, then the power supply needs to match the output voltage and current type (AD or DC), and then at least the same current - preferably the same current as well.

My T2 needs an output of 12 VDC, 3.0 A, Centre +ve.

I thought my T2 had completely failed ad was ready to send it to e-waste, but decided to get it checked out. All that was needed was a new power supply.

[sub3R]

Your T3 should have an external power supply.

Internal on a T3. But still good advice about power supplies.

[REDark]

Thanks for the offer of a refurbished machine but no. Have just spent money getting this one looked at and it feels like sending good money after bad.

Re power supply - I have power. My machine is just erratic - changes channels, drops volume, freezes, turns itself off. I've just had it back from the repair shop and it worked well for a few days before it all started again. Too frustrating.

Really I would just like to know about the Panasonic and the tuner!
Ta

[prl]

Really I would just like to know about the Panasonic and the tuner!

Did you look in the manual? https://www.panasonic.com/content/dam/P ... MANUAL.pdf

I did, and there doesn't seem to be any mention of being able to add a USB tuner in the manual.

In any case, from the manual it appears that it can't record more than two programs at once anyway.

[Paul_oz53]

Thanks for the offer of a refurbished machine but no. Have just spent money getting this one looked at and it feels like sending good money after bad.

Re power supply - I have power. My machine is just erratic - changes channels, drops volume, freezes, turns itself off. I've just had it back from the repair shop and it worked well for a few days before it all started again. Too frustrating.

Really I would just like to know about the Panasonic and the tuner!
Ta

No worries - the problem you describe is probably due to failed general purpose electrolytic caps in the PSU - not the ones Warkus named in his guide. It was in mine. They were on the low voltage lines to the front panel and motherboard.

Re the Panasonic, my mate has an older model that does the job but it is very inflexible compared to a Wiz.

[REDark]

Is the PSU problem is fixable?

The more I read about the Panasonic the less I like the sound of it. I may still be machineless by the time you get back from your holiday and might reconsider your offer.

Have a great time.

[prl]

The more I read about the Panasonic the less I like the sound of it.

IMO the "big brand" PVRs have always been behind the specialist PVR producers on performance and flexibility. They probably have better interoperability within their brand environment, though.

[Paul_oz53]

Is the PSU problem is fixable?

The more I read about the Panasonic the less I like the sound of it. I may still be machineless by the time you get back from your holiday and might reconsider your offer.

Have a great time.

Yes, the PSU is normally fixable. Most failures are due to poor quality low ESR capacitors which sometimes take out the diodes, etc..

My spare T3 was working fine after the PSU rebuild when we moved. No place for it at the new address. If you are interested I'll check it before we do anything, of course.

I'm usually the one prone to falls but my partner has had two and is sporting a black eye!

[Paul_oz53]

...

My spare T3 was working fine after the PSU rebuild when we moved. No place for it at the new address. If you are interested I'll check it before we do anything, of course.

My spare T3 is no more. I have sold it to another member for a new life in Queensland!

[REDark]

Damn! I was about to get in touch. That’ll teach me. Thanks for letting me know

[Paul_oz53]

Damn! I was about to get in touch. That’ll teach me. Thanks for letting me know

Hail Mary territory maybe but if you post it to me, I'll have a go at fixing it. It's a hobby of mine to repair stuff but I don’t do surface mounted component repairs.

I have a spare motherboard, front panel and can replace the caps in the power supply. As I mentioned earlier, mine developed the same symptoms and it was due to noise on the power rail feeding the front panel because one of the smaller caps failed.

[REDark]

Hi Paul
Let's do it!
I'm waiting on a big enough hard drive to save the various files of the Masters golf that it seems we HAVE to keep forever...
That's not coming till late next week so once I've sorted that I'll package it up and send it to you.

What's the best way of getting your address?
Cheers
Lynne

[Paul_oz53]

Hi Paul
Let's do it!
I'm waiting on a big enough hard drive to save the various files of the Masters golf that it seems we HAVE to keep forever...
That's not coming till late next week so once I've sorted that I'll package it up and send it to you.

What's the best way of getting your address?
Cheers
Lynne

I'll send you a private message Lynne. A notification will appear at the top right of the screen.

[Paul_oz53]

Damn! I was about to get in touch. That’ll teach me. Thanks for letting me know

Hail Mary territory maybe but if you post it to me, I'll have a go at fixing it. It's a hobby of mine to repair stuff but I don’t do surface-mounted component repairs.

I have a spare motherboard, and front panel and can replace the caps in the power supply. As I mentioned earlier, mine developed the same symptoms and it was due to noise on the power rail feeding the front panel because one of the smaller caps failed.

Turns out that the PSU had had all bar two capacitors replaced (i.e. 50uF, 35 V serving the front panel vacuum display unit), and swapping the mainboard and front panel did nothing to cure the random keypress fault. No amount of jiggling with the front panel wiring by myself or other repairers had worked previously.

In desperation, I wedged an aluminium drink coaster between the HDD connectors and the front panel, resulting in an immediate fix! This made a simple EM interference shield between the front panel and the PSU and HDD wiring.

My longer-term fix was crude but seemingly effective. I wrapped several layers (6 to 10 or so, doubled over) of kitchen foil about 15cm long around a ruler, wrapped them in paper and sticky tape as insulation, and earthed the foil using fuse wire to the PSU standoff screw. That restored normal operation for me, before returning the T3 to Lynne.

So far, no complaints from Lynne. May help someone else with that problem.

[peteru]

Sounds like the capacitors on the front panel needed replacing.

[Paul_oz53]

The measured voltages were fine though on those two rails. But, had the foil trick not worked, they were next. As Sherlock Holmes said:

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

They were literally the only two things left to change. I had one premium cap at hand and I was going to order the extra one rather than use cheapies.

[nylonnet]

My brother's Wiz (my old DP-S1) died recently. His needs for viewing and recording TV are minimal, so we finally decided on a TEAC HDB860.

Single tuner. USB recording. It's not fancy, but it suits his minimal needs nicely for less than $50. He seems to be happy with it.

As for me - when my Wiz inevitably carks it, I'm looking at the ICE TV BYOB option since I have a spare mini PC lying around with nothing else to do...

There are options to Beyonwiz, which is probably why the Wiz is now "was"