Golden Interstar ALPHA X- DVD-S2 H.265 Linux Review

Golden Interstar ALPHA X: Satellite receiver and IPTV box

The Golden Interstar ALPHA X is a well-equipped and Full HD small satellite receiver  but large capabilities, such as Linux OS and the new H.265 / HEVC compression standard. Thanks to the built-in DVB-S2X tuner, the receiver receives all satellite T2-MI PLS streams, however it is not only a satellite receiver but also an equipped IPTV, multimedia and DLNA player.

External description - Connections

On the front we find a 4-digit display for program number or time, while the connections extend to all surfaces of the receiver and in particular: On the back there is the LNB input, Ethernet 10/100 port, HDMI output, S / PDIF coaxial audio output and output AV (mini jack).

On the left side we find a RS232 socket (mini jack), 12 V input for the supplied power supply and one - of the two - USB 2.0 socket. On the right side we have a socket for external IR (provided) and the second USB 2.0 port.

Menu - Functions

The description of the menus that will follow, concerns an unofficial version of the software. In the main menu, we find the icons with the main options, which are: IPTV, VOD, TV SERIES, Stalker TV, Xtream IPTV, WebTV, Radio via Internet, YouTube, IPTV Settings, Wi-Fi Settings, APPLICATIONS and Settings.

Clearly, the receiver has a dual status, as a satellite receiver and as an iptv / media player, while several menus are presented more than once in various options, resulting in a relative confusion, however it is overcome shortly after a short menu navigation.

The setup for the iptv portals takes place in the Stalker TV and Xtream IPTV options, while in the WebTV option, we find streaming content from various sources and countries. Also, in the Radio option via the Internet we find numerous internet radio stations for various types of music, while on YouTube the well-known service is provided.

At the last Settings option, a new card opens with further settings and options, and there we find the satellite part of the receiver, which should be on the original card.

At this card there are the options Software Upgrade, OSD Settings, SAT setting, Audio / Video Output Settings, Network Status, Open VPN, Time, Parental Control, Various Settings, Receiver Screen Adjustment, Save and reset settings, Network Search, DLNA, Factory Settings and System Information.

Settings and satellite downloads

As mentioned, in the Settings -> SAT setting path we find the settings for the satellite section, which are very complete and include the Channel options, Antenna Settings, TP Catalog, Quick Scan, CAM setting, Timer List, PVR Settings and Storeroom.

An important advantage of this receiver is the support for receiving MultiStream (MIS) channels, which is used in some satellites to distribute program signals to terrestrial transmitters or cable distributions. A typical example is the Eutelsat 5 West B - 5W satellite, from which we can receive a large number of multistream channels, mainly Italian and French.

In the Antenna Settings option, we find 236 satellites with the ability to add or modify! For each satellite, we have full DiSEqC 1.0 (A, B, C, D) & 1.1 (1-16) settings, as well as DiSEqC 1.2 & USALS motors, covering all signaling and installation cases.

The signal bars are very fast, and the motor control - especially at USALS - is exemplary, making the Alpha X an excellent satellite receiver, which in combination with its unofficial software and Oscam usage, easily reveals Digea's channels to 3 degrees east, but also ERT at Hellas Sat, without the need for any user action. For OSCAM in the CAM Setting option, you can - if you are advanced - make additional computer settings, as long as you enter the browser at 192.168.1.16:8888 and of course as long as the receiver and PC are on the same network. The rest for Oscam can be found on the screen!

Also, channel detection supports blindscan or in Greek blind detection, without further options, however efficient, as at 5W it gave us about 100 extra channels compared to simple automatic scanning!

When it comes to satellite, you can also set timers, timeshift in the case of an external hard drive, and easily edit channel lists or create favorites with your own name.

Media player

In addition to IPTV capabilities, the receiver is also an excellent media player, as we performed seamless playback of video files with external Greek subtitles, including of course compressed files. Note that in the playback of video files we have an excellent seek in order to go to different parts of the movie very quickly, even in hevc.

Others abilities

A very interesting feature at the option Various settings, is the option to start with TV, mainly menu, radio, IPTV in memory, Autoget .m3u playlist, Portal 1,2,3,4 Stalker, Youtube, Xtream IPTV, WebTV, radio via Internet , Weather, PVR, Media. In this way, we use the device according to our basic interests.

We can also set Open VPN, display, add network nodes (Samba), set a notification for the availability of new software for online upgrades and more!

Our opinion

Although the receiver is not 4K, its numerous capabilities - as the tests showed - in all areas such as iptv, satellite reception, media player, webtv, online content, make Golden Interstar Alpha X a very interesting case!

Source: IPTVSAT.gr

Author: Periklis Pantoleon