What we have tested for you is one of the first units that were produced, but despite this it arrived in its full retail packaging. The classic cardboard box decorated with a description of the main features of the receiver.

Inside the box we find the Solo2 maintains the same dimensions as its predecessor, a small cardboard box to the right, contains the HDMI 1.4 cable, the classic remote control, already used on the other models in the Vu+ range (except the Vu+ Ultimo which has a completely different remote control), the batteries, the external power supply unit and power cable, 4 screws and 4 anti-vibration rubber grommets to secure a hard drive.

Space for an internal hard drive for this receiver is the first big news for this little masterpiece. The Solo2 is able to accommodate a 2.5" SATA hard drive (the ones that are used in most common notebook/laptop computers), if you wanted some extra response you could fit a 2.5" SSD drive if you wish. Also included is the SATA and power cable required to use the hard drive.


Key Features:

Hardware:
Powerful 1.3Ghz Dual Core CPU
Twin DVB-S2 Tuners
Dolby Digital PLus & DTS supported
2 x SmartCard Readers (Xcrypt)
1 x Common Interface
Dual MPEG2/H.264 Hardware Decoding
DNR (Digital Noise Reduction)
12 Display VDF display
256MB Flash / 1GB DDR3 DRAM
Gigabit Ethernet
3 x USB 2.0
SATA3 2.5" HDD supported
RS232
HDMI 1.4
Composite Video
1 x SCART
SPDIF for digital bit stream out (optical)
Power Adapter
Automatic temperature sensor based FAN speed control system

Software:
Linux Operating System
Media Player
Downloadable Plug-Ins supported
EPG supported
Automatic & Manual Service Scan Supported
Multiple LNB control (DiSEqC) supported
Skin change supported

Aesthetically the Solo2 is very similar to the Vu+ Ultimo (although much smaller), but has a 12 digit VFD display as seen in the Vu+ Uno, in the centre and on the left hand side is the power button infinity style as used on the Vu+ Ultimo.

On the right hand side there is a flap that hides the front USB 2.0 port and also features a single CI slot and below it there are 2 conax embedded card readers. Note that there are no channel change or volume control buttons.

At the back we find many new features, starting from the left side we find two fixed satellite DVB-S2 tuners, then the inevitable scart socket and above it a composite output and audio output. In the centre we find the optical digital output, HDMI 1.4 socket, a gigabit Ethernet port and below it two USB 2.0 ports, and an RS232 serial connection, on the right hand side is the ON / OFF switch, underneath is the connector for the external power supply and finally a cooling fan to ensure things stay nice and cool.

Ok now it's time to look inside the Solo2, on the left side is the platform for the 2.5" hard drive, in the center, the new cpu Broadcom bcm 7356 1.3 GHz protected with the classic passive heatsink as seen in the previous Vu+ models, then to the right the block that houses the card readers and CI slot.