The DreamBox 500C was the first Linux based DVB Receiver to hit the mass market. This receiver runs on open-source software developed by hundreds of developers around the world and is widely available and free to use. This is the ultimate machine for anyone with a any cable TV feed into their house and can be up and running in minutes. If you're looking for a VERY powerful unit, and something to have fun on, the DM 500C is the unit for you.  These models have been recently upgraded to include the NEW Philips tuners which are the best for cable systems.  The Dream Box 500C is used on cable systems around the world.

Features:

• 250 MHz IBM PowerPC Processor (350 Mips)
• Linux Operating System
• MPEG2 Hardware decoding
• Common available NIMs (DVB-S, DVB-C)
• V.24/RS232 Interface
• 100Mbit full duplex Ethernet Interface
• 2 LED status
• unlimited channel lists for TV/Radio
• channel-change time < 1 second
• full automatic service scan
• supports directly bouquet-lists (indirect unlimited)
• supports EPG (electronic program guide)
• fully adaptable OSD in many languages (skin-support)
• SPDI/F Interface for digital bit stream out (AC-3 / DTS)
• 1 x Scart-interfaces (fully controlled by software)

DreamBox DM500C technical data

DBS-Tuner:
Frequency Range 950 .... 2150 MHz
Signal Level - 65 dBm .... - 25 dBm
Signal-to-Noise Level 12 dB max.
Input Impedance 75 Ohm
AFC +/- 3 MHz
Demodulation Shaped QPSK
Input Symbol rate 2 .... 45 Mbaud/s, SCPC / MCPC
FEC Viterbi and Reed-Solomon
Viterbirate 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8, automatic assimilation
Roll-off Factor 35 %
Demultiplexing according ISO 13818-1

Video decoder:
Video Compression MPEG-2 and MPEG-1 compatible
Video Standard PAL G/ 25 Hz
Video Formats 4:3 / 16:9
Footage 16:9, automatic assimilation for 16:9 TV-Device (over Scart)
Letterbox precolating for 4:3 TV-Device

Audio decoder:
Audiokompression MPEG-1 & MPEG-2 Layer I and II
Audio Mode Dual (main/sub), Stereo
Frequency: 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 16 kHz, 22.05 kHz, 24 kHz

Output analog:
Output Level L/R 0,5 Vss o-n 600 Ohm
THD > 60 dB (1 kHz)
Crosstalk < -65 dB
Output digital:
Output Level 0,5 Vss o-n 75 Ohm
Sampled Data Filtering 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz
S/PDIF-Output optical (AC3)

Video parameter:
Input Level FBAS 1 Vss +/- 0.3 dB o-n 75 Ohm
Teletext filter in conformity with ETS 300 472 Standard

TV-Scart:
Output: FBAS,RGB,S-VHS over OSD selectable

Serial Interface RS 232:
Type RS232 bidirectional
Bitrate 115,2 kBit/s max.
Plug Connector SUB-D-9
Function Update of Firmware and Reprogramming

Ethernet:
100 MBit compatible, bi-directional interface
Function Update of Firmware and Reprogramming

Power consumption:
< 10W / 12V

Input voltage:
DC12V,alternating acurrent +/- 15%

External power supply:
Input:
110-240V AC / 50-60Hz / 0,6A
Output:
12V = / 1A

Physical specification:
Ambient Temperature +15°C...+35°C
Humidity < 80%
Size (W x D x H): 195 mm x 130 mm x 40 mm