Octagon SX88 multistream Receiver

In use…

My first test was on the Astra4 satellite tuning the Ukraine channels, in full blind scan mode, this is the slowest scan mode and did take a while. However the scan finished and revealed a perfect score, no channels missed.  The previous best performer, with its excellent tuner and hardware blind scan was the Technomate 5402 m3 model, which also added every possible channel, but obviously no multistream.  The multistream channel on Astra4 “Channel 112” came up ok in the channel list but without a name.  Easy enough to edit one in though. I don’t know if this is an anomaly with this Ukraine channel or with multistream.

The second test was the multistream Italian and French channels on Eutelsat 5w. Again the search was fairly slow but performed perfectly, all the Tivu Italian and Fransat French channels correctly identified in the channel list  and with crystal clear HD pictures on all channels. Note that the long term future of these channels is unknown and my own opinion is that it is unlikely to continue indefinitely without Fransat or Tivu introducing encryption at some point.

For quick installation and Backup/restore functions, there is an option to backup to a USB device your Channel list, settings, favourite groups etc.

The remote reminded me of the optibox , cheaply made but functional. The menu system is clear with big block icons.  Without even glancing at the instruction book ( yes a BOOK! ) I found it easy to navigate into the installation menu and select the options for scanning.

In conclusion,  excellent intro box for multistream. At half the price of a Fransat HD box and a third of the price of a Tivu box, its worth considering, despite the possible long term changes.