Dreambox Clones

**teleboss** · 21st April, 2008, 07:38 PM

With all the talk about dreambox clones, How does one identify one, I know dreambox have photos on their site, but with software killing boot loaders out there is there a simple script that one could run to verify the status of the box. It worries me that there is Malicious sofware out there to kill "clone" boxes. If there is copyright infringement on the clone boxes, there is legal recourse by Dreambox multimedia. However the propagation on the internet what can only be described as a virus. I think this could open itself to a legal case in itself, While the persons bought what they perceived as real dream boxes, If they look like a duck walk like a duck they most be a duck. Dreambox released a program to destroy the bootloader on these boxes rendering them useless. This legally could only be described as malicious damage, and malicious damage can be subject to legal recourse. It would be interesting to dissect the bootloader to see if there are any copyright infringement in relation to that. I assume that the image files from the different creators are GPL ?

**Devilfish** · 21st April, 2008, 08:20 PM

It used to be that all clones had the same MAC address but the last 2 clones I've bought had different MAC addresses.

Basically, if you've bought your dreambox in the last 18 months, chances are that it's a clone. If you've bought it from a trader or a website then it's a clone. Sure it could be someone selling a second hand original but that would be out of warranty now as well. The clones look 99.99% the same as the originals. Early clones has various differences but they are almost identical now. Well, except from the screw on tuners now, which are better than the originals. So actually the clones are better than the originals

.

**C64** · 21st April, 2008, 08:27 PM

I think it's a ~~~~ing disgrace that Gemini Project have sided with DM and took a stance against Clones, ~~~~ them, there are plenty of other great DEV on the enigma scene.

It reeks of double standards, makes you wonder at which opint exactly DM took over the Gemini Project!

My Clone passes their stupid test anyway

**teleboss** · 21st April, 2008, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by witchy2k1

I think it's a ~~~~ing disgrace that Gemini Project have sided with DM and took a stance against Clones, ~~~~ them, there are plenty of other great DEV on the enigma scene.

It reeks of double standards, makes you wonder at which opint exactly DM took over the Gemini Project!

My Clone passes their stupid test anyway

well if they are no longer making the 500s why are they jumping up and down, If they supplied the boxes then there would be little market for the clones. The boxes I got have phillips tuners, and the co-ax connectors rather than f type, The only niggle I have is the sound, once i put it through a external optical to analog connector it rocks,

i wonder what the story witht he bootloader, it would be worth a gawk to see whats in it, I really think that nukeing boxes is verging on crimnal, Proving that it originated with DMM could be the problem though !

**Neil** · 21st April, 2008, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by teleboss

i wonder what the story witht he bootloader, it would be worth a gawk to see whats in it, I really think that nukeing boxes is verging on criminal, Proving that it originated with DMM could be the problem though !

I suppose that depends on where you are standing. If you are the owner of an illegal clone who are you going to sue for breaking it? The bootloader belongs to Dream, no one else. If the cloners had made their own we would not have this problem now.

I can see it from a few angles.

Dream are trying to protect there copyright - ie they put the time and money into developing the hardware so why should someone steal it from them?

The owners of the boxes I also feel sorry for them, well some of them. Those that bought the clone boxes thinking they were original anyway. I feel sorry for them, they thought they were buying genuine boxes.

Anyone buying a clone box knowing it is an illegal copy of the Dream box should expect that it may or may not work. Just like I expect my genuine box's might stop clearing the picture any day. I would be upset if my clone box died yes, but that is the risk you take.

I in no way feel story for the people making the clone box's. They should be dealt with under copyright law and shut down. They have proven they can't make a STB with copying someone elses. That means they do nothing for the progression of the technology or our hobby. All they do is risk shutting down Dream through loss in sales. It could also be dues to the clones that genuine boxes have not come down in price.

**C64** · 21st April, 2008, 09:42 PM

Good points Neil.

My gripe is not with DreamMedia. They do afterall own the hardware - even if they did see the Dbox2 market and decided to cash in on it - but good luck to them!

My problem lies with 'The Gemini Project', an amature team of firmware developers that have took a stance in favour of a hardware manufacturer.

Gemini software is (unofficially - but widely known) geared towards pay television piracy, for these guys to judge that hardware piracy is wrong is just silly, it's ok to steal TV but it's not ok to clone someone elses hardware!

The Gemini Project are dead.

They have signed their own death warrant.

No matter though, there are plenty of far better DEVs on the Dreambox - Nabilosat is my own fav

**Neil** · 21st April, 2008, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by witchy2k1

The Gemini Project are dead.

I am not sure they are dead just yet.

They do produce some of the easiest to use and most reliable images.

**teleboss** · 22nd April, 2008, 03:05 AM

Originally Posted by Neil

I am not sure they are dead just yet.

They do produce some of the easiest to use and most reliable images.

I think witchy sums it up, to kill a box which is intended for piracy is hypocrital at least

**Hazza** · 22nd April, 2008, 04:31 AM

Where does this leave the Envision 500c? which is after all a Dreambox 500c with a different front. This is what I have, so I am wondering if this is also a clone, although I beleive it to be made under licence to DM. Does anyone know if this will also die in time or is it only the boxes with gemini software that will be affected? I am sure that 99% of people buying Dreamboxes wouldn't have a clue if they were clones or not judging by the no. of cries for help and lack of technical knowhow, and I include myself in this category.
Harry

**Alpha4321** · 23rd April, 2008, 01:21 AM

clone dm500 does not have a jtag port and oem dm500 has one

**mez** · 23rd April, 2008, 01:04 PM

hi mate if you both your dreambox from a an official dealers or on ebay then the is fake box you could read more here http://www.dream-multimedia-tv.de/im...50dpi%20A4.jpg and beware that fake and copied units are on all seires of dreambox not just on 500 seire

**aetius_1980** · 26th January, 2009, 06:33 PM

guys,

I'm looking at buying a dm500c, but the only reliable link for a genuine site says they're discontinued and recommends the 600pvr, which is sold out.

The only other sites I can find are UK looking sites which are in fact owned by Chinese cloners.

Any advice on where I can get a genuine dreambox from?

tx

witchy - does your clone still pass the test?

**westkill** · 26th January, 2009, 06:43 PM

dm600
239.00 euros with delivery here
Dreambox im HM Sat Shop

**aetius_1980** · 27th January, 2009, 10:45 AM

thanks for replies

west,

They advertise the dreambox 600 at 299, seems a bit much, at that price it's worth taking a chance with a clone even if it only lasts a few months.

I saw the 500 at 179 - are they still ok to use nowdays or are they still ok to use nowdays or are they obsolete?