GbSat 2CI 20 - The Time Shifter (Page 1 of 6)

The Box

Input frequency	950-2150Mhz
Symbol rate	1-45 MSys/S (SCPC/MCPC)
LNB control	22kHz tone A/B, DiSEqC 1.0, 1.2, USALS
LNB type	Universal Type 1 or 2 / C band, overload protected
Picture format	4:3, 16:9 Pan&Scan, Letter Box
Audio mode	32, 44.1, 48KHz Stereo, Dual, Mono, Join Stereo
Memory	4000 channels, 1000 transponders, 32 satellites
Compatibility	PAL, NTSC
RF modulator	CH 21-CH 69 (supports PAL-B/G/I/D/K)
Outputs	1xSPDiF, RGB, 2xSCRT, 1xRS232C, 1xUSB, 2x F, 2x RF
CA Slots	2x PCMCIA DVB CA type I, II
Menu languages

The GbSat 2Ci 20 receiver/PVR on our table today arrived bundled with a USB cable, Win98 USB driver, small installation manual and an extremely well written, brief and easy to follow guide on how to set up the GbSat receiver with a Stab HDT DiSEqC 1.2 motor.

Upon opening the colourful box with virtually all the features prominently printed on the top of it we found good looking, silver unit of suspiciously regular size. Not that one would expect those 20 Gigabytes hanging somewhere at the back or anything, but the 2CI 20 is both very light and just an inch or so deeper in size than your regular Nokia or Echostar. If silver is not your favourite, the receiver is also sold in solid black.

The plastic front fascia of the receiver looks neat and pleasing, with a four-digit green LCD and a single stand-by button to the left. Behind the flap cover to the centre there are two PCMCIA slots for Conditional Access Modules and 6 button-operating menus.

At the busy but not cluttered back of the 2Ci 20 we found two SCRT connectors, standard LNB input in the form of an F connector and loop through to another receiver, RF input and loop connectors, RGB outputs, S/PDiF optical audio out, serial socket and finally… a USB connector. As we mentioned already this box has a standard 3.5 inch hard drive hidden somewhere inside, Seagate EIDE model to precise, yet you don't really get to hear the hard drive spinning even though the box has a fair amount of ventilation holes on the top cover.

The 2x AA battery operated remote control is a simple plastic affair that can hardly be called the design of the century but it is firm, responsive and easy to operate thanks to its surprisingly small size considering it also operates teletext and PVR.

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