La satellite television reception, it is also an area where GNU / Linux distributions are immersed, there have been several advances made by the free software community, so that decoders or receivers increase their quality and offer greater advantages.
The free community has provided Firmware, drivers, channel lists, tools to locate satellites among others, not in vain, the linux enigma 2 is becoming the Most used firmware in decoders today. But there are also Sharing emulators like CCCAM, OSCAM, SBOX, MGCAMD among others.
In the same way there are decoders with GNU / Linux, which have very high benefits that make them practically computers capable of capturing satellite TV, in addition to offering functionalities such as: Connect via Wifi, record on external discs, multichannel, USB connection, streaming broadcast, among others.
In addition to the great functionalities of the receivers with Linux, we add the freedom to modify it to our liking, to have a community that supports, improves and optimizes these tools and, above all, the guarantee of not becoming obsolete in a short time.
In my experience I can consider that between Top 5 TV Boxes / Receivers with GNU / Linux we:
Vu + Solo2
A decoder with very high performance, weighs approximately 1.42kg, with dimensions of 5 × 28 cm, equipped with a remote control, HDMI port, SCART port and a pair of USB 2.0 ports. Its approximate price is about $ 300
It has a frequency range that oscillates between 950-2150 MHz, it is compatible with various video and image formats, among which MPEG2, MPEG4, JPG stand out among others, it also incorporates Dolby Digital.
In general, this powerful decoder has:
- 2 DVB ‑ S2 / H.264 Satellite Tuners
- 2 Card Holders and 1 PCMCIA Slot
- 3 USBs and 10/100/1000 Gigabit network card
- Video outputs: HDMI, Scart and RCA
Open Box X5
I am the owner of a Open Box X5, a fairly simple IKS decoder but with a power and quality that has captivated me. The fact that it has a fairly stable GNU / Linux distribution, allows it to offer web applications, a web player with high performance, compatibility with various video, audio and image formats, as well as high quality images and audios that it plays.
El Open Box X5 It has given me the freedom to configure, improve and add functionalities that the community has developed, it should be noted that since I have had it, I have not had any problem playing a file, even in formats that many times I have not been able to reproduce on my desktop. 
Integration with Youtube, Google Maps And now B makes it spectacular, and I have also been able to enjoy IPTV that, although it could improve, does what is needed.
Although its features are a bit simpler compared to other Linux decoders, what makes it one of the best is its fairly affordable price that ranges from $ 60, a bargain for all the features it offers.
Vu + SOLO 4K with Enigma 2
The VU + SOLO 4K is undoubtedly the best decoder available on the market, being the first 4K satellite receiver on the market that also comes with the Enigma 2 firmware.
It has an ARM MIPS Dual Core 1500 Mhz processor, which incorporates two satellite tuners, also allows Dual S2 or T2 / C2.HbbTV. All this means that the Vu + SOLO 4k can reproduce images with resolutions up to 4K, Ultra HD and 3D. 
In addition to this, the Vu + SOLO 4K is equipped with 2Gb of RAM, USB 3.0 ports, HDMI 2.0, Gigabit. In general, the characteristics of this decoder are:
- HDMI 2.0
- PIP-HD
- PVR, allows recording
- gigabit-lan
- 2,5 ″ SATA Hard Drive (not installed)
- Display 3.5. 12 characters VFD
- Optional: WiFi n 300Mbps
- Supports 4K and 3D
Dreambox 500-S
El Dreambox 500-S, is a receiver that works with open source software, has a number of pre-installed applications, the support of a very large community of developers and the ability to fully customize it.
This powerful computer has a 400 MHz processor, 256 MB of , EPG electronic guide and supports video recording via IP in addition to Wi-Fi and ethernet connection, also allowing direct recording on external drives
It is important to note that the Dreambox allows: unlimited channel lists for television and radio, changing channels will take less than a second. Likewise, it allows you to change the input of the Low Noise Multiple Block (LNB) receiver to receive programming from various satellites.
Azbox ME
I have had little contact with Azbox ME, but I have been amazed with its stability, it is a very used model in Latin America.
El Azbox ME It comes from the factory with 2 GNU / Linux images, but it can manage up to 3 including Android and Aztrino, it has a startup manager where you select the OS with which it will boot. 
Supports multiple antennas, has heatsink and switch for emergency images.
This kit includes a latest generation tuner, highly sensitive and with it we can choose 3 TV reception options: Satellite, TDA o Cable. It also has an eSATA port to connect to external equipment, wide compatibility with various multimedia formats and quite acceptable performance.
In conclusion, Regardless of the decoder / receiver with GNU / Linux that you purchase, you must bear in mind that you will have greater freedom to customize it to your liking, in addition to having the possibility of getting the most out of the hardware.
In particular, I consider that decoders with GNU / Linux greatly exceed many with proprietary OS, especially in the area of updates. Which decoder with Linux do you prefer?
Are they only compatible with Europe or are they multi-standard, like ISDB-T? Those who have usb, can you place an external disk to record?
regards
PS: DTT is the same as cable, I think you meant TDA
They are multi-standard, although some come only with satellites in Europe can be updated and configured, those with USB can store in memories of this type and most also have an Esata port for external sata disks. I was actually referring to TDA has been corrected
By fiber optic (ethernet from the router) ...
My network recognizes the PVR of Movistar Spain as Linux 2.6 (embedded), and KODI either on Android or on GNU / Linux can through plugins make PVR and read m3u lists with your operator's channels (the latter is more stable).
azbox died as a brand since it was used to be used as SKS and IKS the police seized the servers and the company stopped producing equipment so that the equipment is either off or they were transformed to other equipment that currently works, the azbox equipment was of the best that came in south america quality power good components among other things
Hello, I am from Uruguay, which one do you recommend?
I am part of LinuxPay (GNU / Linux users group of Paysandú, Uruguay)
From already thank you very much.
Fermin Barboza
How does this work? to whom is the fee paid?
I just bought a VU + receiver only 4k, and it is much better than my old Dreambox 500hd, better picture, speed in changing channels and operations, I recommend it
Hello friend… where does it work for you… in Latin America?
I'm from Chile… and I want a Vuplus only 2 se
Hello, what country are you from…. I want to buy a vu +, but I need to be in Latin America.
I'm from chile
Luigys, excellent article, I am making comparisons to buy and I am interested in the Qviart One. I would like to know your opinion. or if a friend has used it, thank you from Panama.