The True Standard of HD Zapper : vuplus zero

“The True Standard of HD Zapper”
Vu+ have been very quiet lately, working away behind the scenes on their new creation, there was no mention of the Vu+ Zero at Anga 2014, so for many the Vu+ Zero will be a bit of a surprise.
So what is it, and is it any good ?
Let’s find out.
Features:
The Zero is a very small and compact, a bit like it’s price tag, make no mistake this is a budget STB, but don’t let it’s small size and price-tag fool you.
Hardware:
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• 2K DMIPS Single Core Dual Thread 750MHz CPU
• 1x Fixed DVB-S / S2 tuner
• 256MB Nand Flash / 512MB DRAM
• Dolby Digital Plus & DTS Supported
• 1 x Smartcard-Reader (Xcrypt)
• 2 x USB 2.0 Ports
• 10/100 Mbit Ethernet Port
• 1 x HDMI 1.4 video / audio output (digital)
• Full HD 1080p Output
• 1 x RCA video output (analog)
• DiSEqC 1.0/1.1/1.2, USALS
• External 12V power supply
• Power Switch
• Fanless Silent Operation​

Software:
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• Linux Operating System
• Media Player
• Downloadable Plug-Ins supported
• HbbTv
• EPG supported
• Unlimited channel lists for TV / Radio
• Automatic & Manual Service Scan Supported
• Multiple LNB control (DiSEqC) supported
• OSD in many languages
• HD 1080p Skins Supported
• Skin change supported​

As you can see, it’s certainly not lacking in features for a low cost STB.
Inside the box:
I am testing a pre-production model here, therefore the box that mine arrived in may well be different from the final retail models. Mine arrived in a cardboard box, with a sticker on the front of it, showing the Black and White Editions of the Zero.
On opening the box up, you find the following inside:
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• Vu+ Zero Satellite Receiver
• Quick Start instruction manual
• Remote Control (the same popular Universal type that is supplied with other models in the Vu+ range and will come in either Black or White, depending which colour Zero you choose)
• 2x AAA Battery’s
• Hdmi 1.4 cable
• A/V Cable (3.5mm Jack – RCA)
• IR Blaster
• External Power Supply unit​

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Appearance:
The Zero like the SoloSE is just a small (it really is small) plastic box. The front panel is simple with only the IR sensor, a single LED and a single card slot to the right hand side. It would not look out of place in a kids play room, the bedroom, spare room or if you don’t need a big flashy all singing all dancing box for the living room then it would fit in just as well there. It’s available in both Black and White so you can decide which will match your furniture the best. Once again for me it’s Black all the way, however my wife is a fan of the White. If you can’t decide you could easily hide this away behind the TV if you wanted as the dimensions are (W x D x H): 160 mm x 145 mm x 20 mm (not sure why you would want to though) and thanks to the included IR Blaster it makes this even easier.


The plastic case (well more of a top cover) it seems to be a good quality plastic that they have used, and as the Zero uses an external 12v power supply unit, there is no need for it to be made of metal as it doesn’t get hot (warm but not hot).
At the rear we find the connections available on the Zero:

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• 1x Fixed DVB-S/S2 Tuner
• 2 x Usb 2.0 ports
• 10/100 Mbit Ethernet port
• 1 x HDMI 1.4 video / audio output (digital)
• 1 x A/V video output (3.5mm analog Jack)
• 1x IR Sensor / RS232 port
• External 12V power supply connector
• Power Switch​

Inside the Zero,, at the rear right, is the single fixed tuner, in the centre, is the

Broadcom BCM 7362 2K DMIPS 752 MHz single core, dual thread Cpu, protected with the same new design passive heatsink as found in the SoloSE, then to the front right is the single card slot. There is no room for an internal hdd in the Zero and therefore you will not find any Sata or power connectors inside.