Amiko sthd8820 cicxepvr

TEST REPORT Combo HDTV Receiver

Amiko
STHD-8820
CICXE PVR

• for reception of both DVB-T and DVB-S/S2 with low
threshold tuners
• automatic detection of DiSEqC configuration
• extensive customisation options for the OSD
• individual channel lists can be saved and transferred
to other receivers
• perfectly suitable for DXers thanks to 12V relay and
blind scan

44 TELE-satellite International — The World‘s Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine — 04-05/2012 — www.TELE-satellite.com www.TELE-satellite.com — 04-05/2012 — TELE-satellite International — The World‘s Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine 45

TEST REPORT Combo HDTV Receiver

The Best of Two Worlds
Satellite television (DVB- AMIKO have achieved just remote control that comes tery compartment cannot be
S/S2) offers a virtually un- that. Their latest combo re- with it. dropped accidentally when
limited range of channels ceiver bears the model name The remote sports an er- exchanging the batteries.
from all corners of the world, STHD-8820 CICXE PVR. gonomic design that makes Big cheers from us for so
while terrestrial broadcast- When we opened the pack- it sit nicely in your hand. much thoughtfulness.
ing in the UHF/VHF bands aging we noticed right away The material used is of high The receiver itself meas-
(for example DVB-T in Eu- that we were in for quite a quality, so that it doesn’t ures 300x231x64 mm and
rope) allows reception of treat. Everything smacked only look nice, but has a re- weighs some 1.8 kg. If it
channels from closer to of high quality and attention ally nice feel to it too. Added were a young woman we
home. Many of those local to detail, and the pleasant to that is a user-friendly ar- could easily say it would be
channels cannot be offered surprises just kept rolling rangement of buttons, all of fit for the world’s catwalks.
via satellite due to costs or on: We discovered a manual which are clearly labelled The core of the box is a 400
licencing restraints, but are boasting excellent design, and have a convenient pres- MHz CPU with 1024 Mbits
nonetheless part of what easy-to-understand text and sure point. We found that DDR SDRAM. The front panel
viewers watch every day. various different languages. all buttons we needed were is made of a stylish reflecting
So why not launch a set- It came with a warranty card positioned right where we material and features a total
top box that is able to re- that had the receiver’s cor- would have expected them of five buttons for operating
ceive and process DVB-S/ rect serial number already so that you’ll be best friends the receiver without the help
S2 signals just as well as printed on it, so that cus- with the remote control in a of a remote control (on/off,
DVB-T channels? As we are tomers can easily register matter of minutes. channel up/down, volume
witnessing different types the product online with the The manufacturer’s atten- up/down). Hidden behind a
of media converge, why not manufacturer. tion to detail shows in many flap we found the integrated
do the same for satellite and But let’s get to the heart ways, one of which is a strap Conax card reader (hence
terrestrial television? of the matter and look at on the remote that makes the CX in the model designa-
Hardware engineers at the receiver itself and the sure the cover of the bat- tion) as well as a CI slot for

04-05/2012
AMIKO STHD-8820 CICXE PVR
Perfect Box to Receive all Available
HDTV Programmes
www.TELE-satellite.com/
TELE-satellite-1205/eng/amiko.pdf

0.54

46 TELE-satellite International — The World‘s Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine — 04-05/2012 — www.TELE-satellite.com

1 6 11
all standard common access impressed with the level of
modules. All this makes the workmanship and the range
new AMIKO receiver a rea- of features offered by the
sonable choice for pay TV AMIKO receiver.
reception as well. The front After we had connect-
panel characteristics are ed the AMIKO STHD-8820
rounded off by a USB inter- CICXE PVR to our satellite
face which can be used to antenna, a DVB-T antenna,
attach a USB memory stick, our router and a TV display
for example, to watch photos our fingers were itching to
or listen to music with the flip that mains switch and let
help of the receiver. Thanks the receiver prove its worth.
2 7 12 to USB connectivity on the One of the first elements
front panel there is no need catching our attention was
any longer to fiddle around the beautiful and perfectly
in the back whenever you readable VFD display in the
want to present your holiday middle of the front panel.
photos on the TV screen. It permanently displays the
Speaking of the back pan- current time in the left sec-
el: It will please most users tion, while the right section
no end, since it sports all of the display provides sta-
required connection options tus information or shows
and some more, all neatly the name of the currently
arranged and demonstrat- selected channel. A num-
ing what makes a top-notch ber of small icons light up
set-top box these days. Ob- to indicate the reception
3 8 13 viously, there is an antenna mode (DVB-S/S2 or DVB-
input for each tuner as well T) or a storage medium at-
as loop-through output, fol- tached to the USB interface,
lowed by an HDMI output for among other things. While
connecting the receiver to these icons are too small to
the TV panel, a USB 2.0 in- be recognisable from a dis-
terface for an external stor- tance, we nonetheless found
age medium to make full use them to be a useful addition
of the box’s PVR features, to the brilliant VFD display.
an RS-232 interface, a total AMIKO has decided to
of three RCA jacks for ste- do without an installation
reo audio and CVBS video, wizard, which means the
one optical and one digital first piece of information
audio output, an RJ45 Eth- your TV screen will show
4 9 14 ernet socket, a mechanical is ‘No Channel’. No need to
mains switch and last but by worry, though, as now is a
no means least a switchable good moment to tap into
0/12V output – a specifica- the main menu. It sports a
tion that is hard to come by user-friendly design and is
and will be appreciated all based on a logical structure:
the more by satellite DXers. All main menu items are
Altogether, we were highly neatly arranged in the left

1. The Auto Install assistant automatically determines the existing
DiSEqC configuration
2. Menu items for channel list editing
3. System preferences
4. Both an integrated CA slot and a CI slot are available
5 10 15 5. The AMIKO STHD-8820 CICXE PVR is Internet-ready thanks to its
RJ45 socket
6. Channel search on EUROBIRD 9° East
7. SCR option
8. Useful azimuth/elevation calculator
9. Info bar
10. Extended EPG information
11. The channel list can come with one, two or three columns
depending on a user’s preferences
12. The channel list can be restricted to certain CA systems, if
required
13. The channel list can be restricted to favourites only
14. Current schedule for five channels
15. Complete EPG data for five channels


16

column, while the right col- They say that looks can be
umn shows all correspond- deceiving, so we tried to find
ing sub-items that belong out if the receiver can live
to any given menu section. up to its outside promises.
We ventured into the ‘Pref- First, its channel list has to
erences’ right away, which be filled with TV and radio
is required to make sure re- channels – and off we went
ceiver and TV panel work on to the antenna settings and
common ground. channel search. Before we
The STHD-8820 CICXE proceeded our eyes seemed
PVR offers video in 576i, to be glued to a menu item
576p, 720p 50Hz, 720p that read ‘Auto Install’. Out
17 60Hz, 1080i 50 Hz, 1080i of sheer curiosity we called
60Hz as well as 1080p for ei- up that function and after a
ther 50Hz or 60Hz devices. It few moments the receiver
goes without saying that we had found out the precise
went for maximum quality configuration and DiSEqC
and chose 1080p – after all setup of our reception in-
it’s a nice move by the man- stallation. And before we
ufacturer to provide hard- knew it a channel search
ware that can deal natively had started on all satellites.
with 1080p sources. As far Of course you can always
as video settings are con- choose to do all the work
cerned you can also select yourself and select ‘Satellite
how 4:3 material should be Settings’, which allows you
displayed on a 16:9 screen to define parameters such
18 (letterbox or pan & scan), as as DiSEqC protocol (1.0 for
you would expect from any up to four LNBs, 1.1 for up
HDTV receiver. to 16 LNBs, 1.2 and 1.3 for
In the ‘Preferences’ sec- controlling motorised anten-
tion you can select your nas) and LOF values (prede-
settings for OSD language, fined – even for SCR LNBs
audio, subtitles, EPG and – or free to select). The list
teletext. The receiver comes of default satellites includes
with a real-time clock (RTC) 28 positions, made up of
that can either be set manu- those birds that are most
ally, or you can have it pick commonly used in Europe.
up the time signal that is Considering the fact that the
transmitted on DVB-T and AMIKO STHD-8820 CICXE
DVB-S data streams. If you PVR comes with a switchable
19 choose the automatic option 12V output we would have
you have to indicate the time expected a more compre-
difference between your hensive list, to be honest, or
time zone and GMT so that at least a few positions that
the receiver can calculate are off the beaten track.
the correct local time. While For the actual channel
it is possible to change be- search, the following options
tween standard and daylight are available: Single Scan,
saving time, this has to be TP Scan, TP Edit, Auto DiS-
done manually as the manu- EqC and Auto Scan. Single
facturer has not implement- Scan stands for a search
ed automatic adjustment. performed across an en-
The ‘Preferences’ section tire satellite, while TP Scan
20 is also the place to go for a can be selected if only one
range of channel list options transponder needs to be
and for adjusting contrast, scanned. For both types the
brightness and transparency scan be restricted to FTA
of the OSD. channels, TV, radio or TV
and radio. In addition, both
16. Easy channel search with search modes can be per-
OSD keyboard formed with or without net-
17. Teletext work scan turned on. If you
18. Favourites lists can easily need to adjust the internal
be edited and renamed
transponder list you best se-
19. Channels can be moved to
the favourites list with a single lect TP Edit which allows you
touch of a button to add, delete or edit indi-
20. Audio settings vidual entries. Auto Scan is

50 TELE-satellite International — The World‘s Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine — 04-05/2012 — www.TELE-satellite.com

21 26 31
Karmacom’s term for blind tional providers.
scan and will set the hearts We did like the fact that
of satellite DXers and feed it is possible with DVB-S/
hunters racing. S2 reception to calculate
The channel memory the exact antenna alignment
holds up to 6000 entries and with the help of a very use-
a Single Scan on HOTBIRD ful OSD menu item. All you
13°E took six minutes and need to provide is your cur-
delivered 1487 TV channels rent location as well as your
and 407 radio stations. The desired satellite position and
same search performed as the receiver will automati-
blind scan was completed cally find out the right azi-
after nine minutes with a muth and elevation values 22 27 32
result of 1499 TV channels for you.
and 408 radio stations. With By its very nature, look-
less than ten minutes for ei- ing for DVB-T channels is a
ther scan type the receiver’s much quicker affair. Here,
performance is above aver- too, you can select manual
age and does not tax your or automatic search, the lat-
patience too much. If the ter having taken less than
exact parameters of a re- one minute for the entire
ception setup are not know, frequency spectrum in our
Auto DiSEqC is the search test.
method of choice, as it finds It goes without saying that
out the correct parameters all available channels were
all by itself. We tried out found without further ado.
that feature for a number If you only want to look for 23 28 33
of different setups in our or add new channels to your
test and can happily confirm existing line-up a manual
that the results were always search lets you do that eas-
flawless, even for positions ily and quickly. For indoor
such as BADR 26°E at port 3 antennas without power
of our DiSEqC switch. supply a 5V current can be
Subscribers of pay TV switched on that is provided
are schmoozed with the so- to the antenna via the exist-
called Fast Scan function, ing coax cable.
which only scans transpond- We could hardly wait for
ers for those signals that some moving images to ap-
are used by a specific pay pear on screen, but first it is
TV provider. This way your advisable to give the main
channel list is not filled to menu one final look and cus- 24 29 34
the brim with offerings you tomise the channel list. To
are not interested in and will this end the AMIKO STHD-
never watch anyway. Cur- 8820 CICXE PVR offers a
rently the Fast Scan list in- dedicated menu item that
cludes Cyfra+, Cyfra+ HD, can be accessed to move,
TNK and TNK HD, but in fu- delete or rename channel
ture we expect this list to entries, to mark individual
grow by a number of addi- channels for skipping, or to

21. Timer management
22. The AMIKO STHD-8820 CICXE PVR offers 1080p video output
23. Various OSD settings
24. New and useful: The info bar can be moved from the bottom to
the top of the screen 25 30 35
25. PVR settings
26. AMIKO has even implemented a fully-fletched FTP client
27. Weather forecast
28. RSS newsreader
29. Recording function, as seen in the right section of the info bar:
Available storage space is shown
30. All channels that are currently not available (due to active
recording) are shown in grey
31. DVB-T reception
32. List of recordings
33. Image viewer
34. JPEG images can be presented on the TV panel
35. Playback of a TS file


create a PIN-protected pa- pops up showing the title of lites, or alphabetic sorting), PVR functionality it is pos- built-in decoder or creates with flying colours. Thanks concept we would have liked We looked at all PVR func-
rental lock for certain chan- the current and next events individual providers, differ- sible to select any event for VBI insertion so that the TV to 1080p output this AMIKO to see two recordings be- tions of the AMIKO STHD-
nels. Favourites lists can of plus icons for teletext, en- ent CAS systems, HD only recording with the yellow panel’s decoder can be used receiver served up brilliant ing possible simultaneously. 8820 CICXE PVR in depth
course be created as well, cryption, subtitles, HD con- or terrestrial channels only. function key. instead. video to our large-sized LCD Time shift viewing, on the and discovered no problems
even though the manufac- tent and language options, The green button activates While watching TV it is pos- Both tuners used by and plasma panels, and the other hand, is possible on a or flaws. But then again,
turer has opted to offer a if available. Two bars indi- the extended electronic sible to change the language, AMIKO left nothing to be digital audio output brought second channel, and you can we would not have expect-
separate menu item for fa- cate signal quality and sig- program guide for the cur- activate closed captioning or desired in our test. Their re- out the best from our home even add the content of the ed anything less from that
vourites lists management. nal strength of the current rently selected channel and change a NVOD sub-channel ception capabilities are bril- cinema amplifier. Zapping time shift buffer to a record- manufacturer. A dedicated
While this may sound unu- channel and thus give a the yellow button allows di- on the fly – the manufactur- liant and thus meet the ex- is great fun with extremely ing that is started too late. overview lists all available
sual for some, we feel that quick hint at the current re- rect editing of channel list er has implemented all these acting demands Karmacom fast channel switching times That means the whole event recordings, which can be
it’s a clever move. ception situation. entries. Use this feature to functions with dedicated places on all components. of about one second if two is recorded, even though renamed or deleted, if re-
Now that all basic param- A simple touch of the ‘Info’ quickly rename or block in- keys on the remote control. The DVB-S2 tuner can eas- different DVB-S2 transpond- you only pressed the ‘REC’ quired. It is also possible to
eters are set we can finally button calls up extended dividual channels, to add What’s more, one press of a ily deal with weaker signals ers are concerned. Channels button some time into the simply unplug the storage
say good-bye to the main event information of the them to a favourites list or to button is also all it takes to as well, even when they only on the same transponder broadcast – provided you medium from the receiver,
menu and let the receiver current broadcast, while mark them for skipping. Fi- call up the satellites or fa- hover around the threshold are available even faster. It haven’t changed channels. attach it to a PC and create
switch to the first channel the red function button re- nally, the blue button can be vourites list. If you’re look- level. doesn’t get any better than This option can be activated a DVD with recorded events
on the list. As soon as the trieves all kinds of technical used to sort all entries ac- ing for a specific channel and When tested with signals this. in the PVR section of the using appropriate software.
channel appears an info bar data for a more professional cording to FTA/CAS, alpha- only know its name but not from ASTRA 2D at 28.2E or While the AMIKO STHD- main menu. If TV and radio reception,
at the bottom of the screen look at the signal. You may bet (A-Z or Z-A) or blocked/ its position on the channel BADR 26E the AMIKO box 8820 CICXE PVR does not A total of eight timer en- recording and playback are
even move the info bar from non-blocked channels. list, a fully-functional OSD impressed with flawless re- come with an integrated tries can be set to make sure not enough for you, the re-
the bottom to the top of the If channels provide the keyboard can be activated ception and processing of hard disk it does, however, you’ll never miss your fa- ceiver comes with an MP3
screen using a special menu relevant information, the to enter the name or a part channels from those two offer USB 2.0 to hook up an vourite show or movie. Each jukebox, an image viewer
item, and this is something AMIKO’s EPG is a valuable of it. Even the video resolu- birds. Carriers with small external storage medium entry can be marked for sin- and a movie player for MPEG,
we haven’t seen before and planning tool for a lazy even- tion can be changed with a bandwidths, such as those in order to make full use gle, daily, weekly or monthly VOB and TS files downloaded
find a rather innovative op- ing in front of the telly. Press dedicated button on the re- from TURKSAT 42E, for ex- of the receiver’s PVR func- recording. from the Internet. Unfortu-
tion. the ‘EPG’ button and the remote control without hav- ample, did not pose a prob- tions. No matter whether This latest AMIKO receiver nately however, the AMIKO
Users can also choose ceiver presents content in- ing to take a detour to the lem either, and even RASD it’s SD or HD, DVB-S, DVB- comes with an interesting set-top box does not support
whether the channel list that formation for five channels main menu. Talk about ease TV on INTELSAT 14 45W S2 or DVB-T, the set-top box ‘Record Scrambled’ option DivX.
appears after pressing the at a time. The red button of use! – usually a very bitter pill will record all input signals, that can be turned on or off. In this day and age of
‘OK’ button is made up of with the group function we The integrated zoom func- to swallow – came in nicely even though it can only deal The reason behind is a per- global communication via
one, two or three columns. know from channel list man- tion is a nice gadget, but with the AMIKO STHD-8820 with one recording at a time. sistent problem with PVRs the Internet it is only a logi-
A number of additional fea- agement is available here as due to ever decreasing video CICXE PVR. Once a recording has begun, and pay TV. Recordings that cal step for an increasing
tures can be called up using well and can be used to re- resolutions in standard defi- It was the same story with it is possible to watch an- are saved with encryption number of manufacturers
the colour-coded function strict EPG data to a specific nition it’s not really worth its DVB-T reception: We used a other channel live, but not can only be played back un- to add network connectiv-
keys. The red button chang- favourites list, for exam- while. If active, it offers up small indoor antenna with- to record a second channel til the corresponding pro- ity to their set-top boxes.
es the content of the chan- ple. The AMIKO STHD-8820 to 16-fold enlargement, to- out external power supply at the same time. We don’t vider changes the decryp- Karmacom is no exception
nel list to specific groups CICXE PVR is able to offer a gether with a corresponding and had nothing to complain want to sound like we’re tion key on the smart card and their AMIKO STHD-8820
(all channels, favourites, preview for up to seven days reduction of video detail, of about, even though the in- complaining for the sake of (which happens at regular CICXE PVR comes with both
channels of specific satel- and since it comes with full course. coming signal was extremely it, but given its dual tuner intervals). After that, the re- an RJ45 Ethernet socket as
We should want to men- cording becomes useless. If well as a WiFi option with
36 tion the top-notch teletext
38 ‘Record Scrambled’ is turned an external WiFi dongle that
decoder of the AMIKO set- off, all pay TV recordings are can be connected to the USB
top box. True, most users first decrypted and only then port. While you may choose
these days have high-speed saved on the attached stor- any brand you like for that
Internet access, smart- age medium. dongle, you must make
phones and all sorts of other You should bear in mind, sure it comes with a Ralink-
electronic media channels, though, that this way it is RT5370 chip, since this is the
but teletext still has not lost not possible to record an en- only chip that is currently
any of its appeal as a quick crypted channel and watch compatible with the receiver.
information source while another encrypted channel Thanks to its integrated
watching TV. The STHD- at the same time. We believe DHCP support it will auto-
8820 CICXE PVR provides that this is a small price to matically obtain valid IP and
teletext either through its pay for lasting recordings. DNS addresses from the
37 39 router, so that users don’t
error-prone and put a lot of need to worry about all
36. Language selection strain on the receiver’s error those settings. If need be, it
37. Satellite list correction routines. If we is of course possible to en-
38. RASD TV via had to do some nit-picking, ter all parameters manually
INTELSAT 14 45° West the only issue we can think as well.
comes in flawlessly
of is the lack of DVB-T2 com- For the time being AMIKO
39. With the useful
Fast Scan option patibility, which would have does not offer a web brows-
only transponders added even more shine to er, but has implemented a
of particular pay TV this set-top box.
providers are scanned fully-featured FTP client in-
stead. If you’re one of those
Signal output via HDMI persons always interested
as well as optical or coax in the weather, you will like
digital audio passed our test the built-in weather fore-


TECHNICAL
DATA
Manufacturer AMIKO EU
Website www.amikostb.com
Model STHD-8820 CICXE PVR
cast, and for the informa- your receiver or transferred keeps the receiver alert for er. Thanks to its two tuners Function / & Combo Receiver with PVR
tion hunters and collectors to any other AMIKO receiv- any commands you might it is capable of processing Input frequency / 950 - 2150 MHz
among you the latest news er. Electronics dealers will throw at it. In case you can’t all DVB-S, DVB-S2 and DVB-
Input frequency UHF (470-860 MHz) VHF (170-230 MHz)
are downloaded from RSS love that feature as it allows live without the current T channels available where
Symbol rates 2 - 45 Ms/s
feeds. to them to provide current time on the front display but you live. What’s more, this
Constellation QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM
The impressive range of channel lists to their cus- still want all other functions receiver is capable of find-
EPG yes
features of the AMIKO STHD- tomers at any time. in standby this can also be ing out the antenna configu-
8820 CICXE PVR is complet- Environmental aware- adjusted in the main menu, ration all on its own, which Video resolution 576i, 576p, 720p 50/60 Hz,
1080i 50/60 Hz, 1080p 50/60 Hz
ed by three integrated video ness has become one of the even though the standby adds even more fun when
games (Snake, Tetris, Othel- catchwords of our times, and power consumption will using it. Both tuners have a ENERGY DiSEqC 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3

lo) which can spice up seem- AMIKO has focussed on the then increase to 2W. very low threshold, so you DIAGRAM SCR yes

ingly unending commercial environmental impact of its The AMIKO STHD-8820 can be sure not to miss a RS232 yes
breaks. The box’s firmware products as well. In stand- CICXE PVR sports all fea- single channel and to get Ethernet yes
can be updated by using a by mode the AMIKO STHD- tures we have come to ex- the max out of your antenna USB 2.0 yes
USB storage medium, with 8820 CICXE PVR consumers pect from a modern receiv- equipment. CI Slot yes
the RS232 interface on the less than 0.5W, even though
back panel or – even more this means the front dis- Expert Opinion Card Reader
HDTV yes
yes (Conax)

conveniently – directly over play stays completely dark Very sophisticated and well-conceived MPEG4/H.264 yes
the Internet. and does not even show the receiver targeted to both average users and Apparent Power
Mode Apparent Active Factor OSD languages English, German, Greek, Italian, Russian, Spanish,
Apart from revised firm- time. In addition, the receiv- reception pros. Active 22 W 12 W 0.54 Ukrainian, Rumanian, Hungarian, Croatian,
ware versions the manufac- er takes some moments to
+
Fake StandBy 21.5 W 11.5 W 0.53
Perfectly suited to all current and future HDTV Active Power Bulgarian, Czech, Slovenian, Slovakian, Serbian,
Echter StandBy 7W 2.5 W 0.35
turer also offers new chan- power up from deep stand- offerings thanks to 1080p video output.
Hebrew, Portuguese, Dutch, Polish
nel and transponder lists for by. Brilliant ease-of-use with logical user inter- Thomas Haring regions United Kingdom, Germany, Greek, Slovenia,
download from time to time. If you expect your set-top face.
TELE-satellite
Test Center
Australia, Denmark, France, Italy, Poland, Russia,
Spain, Sweden
Your personal channel list box to be up and running in Austria

can also be backed up on a blink, you may select ‘Fake Power Supply 100 - 240V AC, 50/60 Hz
Even though two tuners are available it is not possible to
an external storage medium Standby’ in the menu, which – record two events at the same time.
First 15 minutes: Active use with channel switching, recording,
playback, etc. Second 15 minutes: Deep standby
and can later be restored to does not save energy, but


Amiko sthd8820 cicxepvr

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