Formuler F1 Review
Manufacturer: Formuler
Tuners: 2 x DVB-S2 fixed 1 x DVB-T2/C Pluggable
Tuner Type: DVB-S2 / DVB-T2 / DVB-C
Card Readers: 2 Card Readers
CI Slots: 1 CI Slot
PVR: External
CPU: 1300 MHz
Release Year: 2014Formuler F1, design and connectivity
Formuler F1 is a twin tuner tuner receiver which offers a slot for an optional third tuner (DVB-S2 or C/T2). Suggested retail price is 289 Euro.
Key Features on the Formuler F1
CPU / Chipset: BCM7356B2
1300 MHz
Flash 512mb nand 1gb ram
2 x SAT Tuners Fixed and 1 more optional tuner slot for SAT, or Terrestrial / Cable Reception
2 card readers
1 ci slot
Three USB 2.0 Host ports and SD card slot (for Video file Playback & MP3 Player & JPEG Viewer)
1 e-Sata port
10/10M / Gigabit Base Tx Ethernet port
The Formuler F1 is a compact receiver and in traditional black design which is only interrupted by the 8 character alpha numeric display. This VFD front display is of course an upgrade over the one used on the Formuler F3. We like the F1 display much better.
The F1 is still a pretty compact receiver but of course bigger than the F3. The F1 measures 260 x 55 x 210.
Behind the front flap we find 2 internal card readers along with a common interface slot. That is probably plenty for most people. Also conveniently located here are an USB port and a sd card reader slot which is great to see.
Apart from a standby button which is placed discretely on the side you need the included remote control.
The Formuler F1 has room for a bit more connections than the F3 and it takes advantage of this. Good selection of outputs available.
On the back we find these connections:
2 x LNB in
Optical digital audio out
HDMI
Ethernet port
2 x USB
e-Sata
Component video out
Composite video out
Analogue audio out
Serial RS-232 port
Power connector
Formular F1 Tuner installation
Along with the 2 fixed DVB-S2 tuners you have the option of installing a third tuner module in Formuler F1. This can be either a DVB-S2 or DVB-C/T2 hybrid tuner module.
This is the Hybrid DVB-C/T/T2 tuner. You select between DVB-C or T/T2 in the tuner settings menu on the receiver
The optional tuner module to add a third DVB-S2 tuner. Comes with LNB in and out
The installation of course requires you to take the cover off and then carefully install the module into the slot. The pin solution on the tuner modules are perhaps a bit more difficult to install than slot in tuners as seen on other receivers but works fine if you are careful.
Formuler F1 what is inside the box
The Formuler F1 is delivered with:
Power adapter
Remote with batteries included
HDMI cable
Quick install guide
Here is an unboxing video made by a third party
The Formuler F1 Remote
The included remote does not look or feel high end but it does fit quite nicely in the hand with the buttons sensibly positioned. Most buttons are reasonably sized.
Installation and Image support
The Formuler F3 came with software preinstalled from the German Team OpenATV. You also can use HDMU image available here
Both images are of course Enigma variants and more options are coming Formuler tells us.
What Image you choose is pretty much a matter of personal taste.
Installing an Image on the Formuler F1
It is easy to install a new image. Simply download the Formuler f1 image you want and put the formuler1 folder on a USB key.
Y0u put the USB key into the front port on the Formuler F1 one and connect power to the receiver then it starts flashing automatically.
Here are some screen shots from the OPENATV image
linux-tv.com/receiver/formuler-f1/
