Introduction
The dm800s is a digital television receiver produced by Dream Multimedia. It was released in the early 2010s as a successor to the original dm800 and dm800x models. The device is designed to receive broadcast signals via terrestrial (DVB-T/T2), cable (DVB-C), and satellite (DVB-S/S2) standards. Its popularity grew among users who sought an affordable, Linux‑based platform for advanced customization, firmware upgrades, and multimedia streaming. The dm800s supports a wide range of video and audio codecs, and its open‑source firmware variants have enabled a large community of developers to extend its functionality beyond the original factory configuration.
Historical Context
Predecessors
Dream Multimedia introduced the dm800 series in the mid‑2000s to address the demand for low‑cost digital receivers in European markets. The original dm800 provided basic DVB-T reception with a simple user interface and limited support for additional formats. The dm800x, released a few years later, incorporated a more powerful processor, expanded memory, and support for DVB-C. These models set the stage for the dm800s by establishing the company’s focus on modularity and compatibility with open‑source firmware.
Market Introduction
In 2011, Dream Multimedia launched the dm800s as a hybrid receiver capable of handling all major broadcast standards. The device was marketed primarily in Scandinavia, Central Europe, and parts of the United Kingdom. Retailers advertised it as a cost‑effective alternative to proprietary set‑top boxes, emphasizing its potential for firmware upgrades and support for third‑party applications. Early adopters praised the dm800s for its straightforward setup, flexible tuner configurations, and responsive remote control.
Design and Hardware
Processor and Architecture
The dm800s is powered by a Marvell Armada 370 ARM9 core running at 600 MHz. This single‑core processor is coupled with a VideoCore IV graphics subsystem capable of hardware acceleration for H.264 and MPEG‑2 decoding. The ARM9 architecture provides sufficient performance for standard‑definition and high‑definition content while keeping power consumption low.
Memory
Integrated on the motherboard are 128 MB of SDRAM and 256 MB of non‑volatile flash memory. The SDRAM supports dynamic video rendering and caching of channel data, whereas the flash memory stores the operating system, firmware, and user‑installed applications. The limited RAM reflects the device’s focus on lightweight operation and its typical usage scenarios.
Storage
Besides the internal flash, the dm800s includes a 2 GB microSD card slot and a 10 GB USB 2.0 port. Users frequently employed the microSD slot for firmware backups, media storage, and the installation of third‑party packages. The USB port allowed connections to external hard drives or flash drives for expanded media access.
Input/Output
The hardware interface comprises:
- Analog audio outputs (stereo RCA)
- Digital audio outputs (optical S/PDIF)
- HDMI 1.3 for high‑definition video
- Composite video and component outputs
- USB 2.0 port for peripheral devices
- Ethernet port (10/100 Mbps) for network connectivity
- RF and SCART inputs for cable and satellite reception
These connectors enable flexible integration into home entertainment systems and compatibility with a broad array of external devices.
Firmware and Software
Operating System
The dm800s runs a customized Linux kernel (version 2.6.32) tailored for embedded systems. The kernel supports real‑time scheduling, memory protection, and modular device drivers. A lightweight, menu‑driven user interface is implemented in C and Lua, offering navigation through channel lists, settings, and applications.
Custom Firmware Projects
Due to the device’s open hardware design, several independent firmware projects emerged:
- OpenATV – Focuses on providing a stable, community‑maintained firmware with extensive multimedia support and a user‑friendly interface.
- OpenDBox – Offers an alternative with enhanced streaming capabilities, including support for popular services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Spotify.
- OpenVision – Emphasizes a clean design, simplified settings, and improved performance for high‑definition playback.
These firmware variants replace the original Dream Multimedia image and provide additional features such as OTA updates, enhanced channel list management, and third‑party plugin integration.
Interface
The default user interface is menu‑based, accessed via the remote control. Key features include:
- Channel list with EPG integration
- Settings for tuner configuration, audio/video output, and network
- File manager for media files on the microSD or USB devices
- Plugin manager for installing and updating extensions
Custom firmware often enhances the UI with additional screens, such as an on‑screen display for system information or a built‑in browser.
Features
DVB Standards
The dm800s supports:
- DVB-T and DVB-T2 for terrestrial broadcasting
- DVB-C for cable networks
- DVB-S and DVB-S2 for satellite reception
Each standard is configurable through the tuner settings menu, allowing users to input frequency, symbol rate, and modulation parameters.
Video Codecs
Hardware acceleration is available for the following codecs:
- H.264/AVC (up to 1080p at 30 fps)
- MPEG‑2 (standard definition and high definition)
- MPEG‑4 Part 2 (for older content)
- VC‑1 (in selected firmware versions)
Software decoding is also supported for lesser‑used formats, though performance may be limited due to the device’s modest processing power.
Audio Codecs
Supported audio formats include:
- PCM (uncompressed)
- AC‑3 (Dolby Digital)
- MP3 (including AAC and MPEG‑1 Layer 3)
- OGG Vorbis (in community firmware)
- FLAC (in certain firmware builds)
The device can output audio via analog RCA, optical S/PDIF, or HDMI.
Streaming Capabilities
Community firmware introduces streaming support for various protocols:
- HTTP Live Streaming (HLS)
- RTMP (Real‑Time Messaging Protocol)
- RTSP (Real‑Time Streaming Protocol)
- BitTorrent media clients (in select builds)
These capabilities enable the dm800s to function as a media hub, playing content from local networks or the Internet.
User Interface
Main Menu
The main menu provides quick access to the channel list, settings, and plugin manager. It is organized into collapsible sections for clarity. Users can customize the order of items via drag‑and‑drop functionality in firmware that supports this feature.
Channel List
Channels are displayed alphabetically by default, with options to group by genre or network. The list includes electronic program guide (EPG) information, allowing users to view scheduled programming and set reminders.
Electronic Program Guide
The EPG fetches data from a local server or remote metadata service, depending on the configuration. Users can filter the guide by time, channel, or genre, and the interface supports scrolling and search functions. Some firmware variants add a "Now + Next" view for quick reference.
Community and Modding
Open Source Contributions
Because the dm800s uses a standard ARM9 architecture and a Linux kernel, developers can port additional drivers and applications. The community often contributes updates to the firmware source tree, bug reports, and patches. A dedicated mailing list and forum exist where users discuss hardware tweaks, such as overclocking the tuner or adjusting the memory allocation.
Add‑Ons and Plugins
Plugins extend the functionality of the device. Popular categories include:
- Weather widgets (displaying current conditions)
- News aggregators (RSS feeds)
- Social media integrations (Twitter, Facebook)
- Media center applications (Kodi, MediaPortal)
- Home automation controls (smart lighting, thermostats)
Installation of plugins is typically done via the plugin manager, which downloads packages from the firmware’s repository and handles dependencies automatically.
Hardware Modifications
Advanced users have performed modifications such as:
- Replacing the original microSD card with a larger capacity card for storage expansion
- Installing a custom power supply to reduce noise for audio applications
- Adding a second tuner via a PCIe adapter in experimental builds (rare)
These modifications are not officially supported and can void warranties.
Deployment and Use Cases
Home Use
For everyday consumers, the dm800s serves as an affordable set‑top box that can stream live TV and access on‑demand content. The device’s compatibility with HDMI makes it suitable for modern displays, while the analog outputs allow connection to older receivers.
Commercial Installations
In certain regions, the dm800s is employed in digital signage and public information displays. Its low power consumption and network connectivity enable remote management and content scheduling via a central server.
Educational
Some educational institutions use the dm800s as a teaching tool for embedded systems, demonstrating how Linux can be adapted to consumer electronics. The device’s open firmware and modular hardware provide a hands‑on platform for students to experiment with networking, audio/video processing, and real‑time systems.
Legal and Licensing
Copyright Issues
The dm800s firmware includes proprietary code provided by Dream Multimedia, alongside open‑source components licensed under GPL, LGPL, and BSD. The community must respect these licenses when redistributing firmware or derived works. Unauthorized copying of copyrighted media via the device can result in legal action.
DRM
Standard DRM schemes such as HDCP for HDMI output are implemented, restricting the ability to record protected content. Some community firmware attempts to bypass DRM protections, which may violate local laws and the device’s terms of service.
Region Restrictions
The device’s tuner settings must comply with regional broadcasting regulations. Users must configure the correct frequency bands and standards for their country to avoid reception of unauthorized signals.
Reception and Criticism
Performance Reviews
Independent reviewers noted that the dm800s delivers reliable reception across all supported standards. The hardware acceleration for H.264 results in smooth playback of high‑definition channels. However, the limited RAM can lead to buffering issues when running memory‑intensive plugins.
Reliability
Long‑term usage reports indicate that the device operates stably for extended periods. The power supply is designed for continuous operation, and the fanless cooling architecture reduces mechanical failure risks.
Security
Security audits of the device’s firmware revealed vulnerabilities related to buffer overflows in the media player and insufficient input validation for network services. Community firmware projects have addressed many of these issues by applying patches and hardening the kernel. Nevertheless, users should keep firmware up to date to mitigate potential exploits.
Discontinuation and Legacy
Replacement Models
In 2016, Dream Multimedia released the dm900 series, featuring a dual‑core ARM Cortex‑A8 processor and a 4‑GB SSD storage option. The newer models also incorporated a full‑HDMI 2.0 interface and improved wireless connectivity. Despite the introduction of these successors, the dm800s remains popular due to its affordability and extensive community support.
Continued Support
Official support from Dream Multimedia ceased in 2019; however, the open‑source community continues to maintain firmware updates. Several independent maintainers host repositories that provide daily builds and security patches, ensuring the device’s longevity.
Future Outlook
Emerging Technologies
Potential enhancements for the dm800s platform include:
- Software‑defined radio capabilities for experimentation with custom modulation schemes
- Integration with streaming services using DRM‑compliant protocols
- Support for 4K video decoding through firmware optimization
While hardware limitations may restrict the full realization of these features, community projects demonstrate ongoing interest in expanding the device’s capabilities.
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