The Dreambox is a Linux-powered DVB satellite, terrestrial and cable digital television receiver decoder (set-top box), developed by German multimedia system vendor Dream Multimedia. Its firmware is officially user-upgradable, because it's a Linux-based computer, as unlike third-party "patching" of alternate receivers. All units support Dream's own DreamCrypt conditional access (CA) system, with software-emulated CA Modules (CAMs) obtainable for a lot of alternate CA systems. The Dreambox is really alike to the DBox2 units sold by Kirch Media for its pay-TV services prior to its failure; it utilizes the equivalent Linux-based software in the first place produced for the DBox2. The built-in Ethernet interface permits networked computers to access the recordings on the interior hard discs on a few Dreambox models. It also enables the receiver to store digital copies of DVB transport streams on networked filesystems or broadcast the streams as IPTV to VideoLAN nodes. Contrary to several PC based PVR systems that utilize free-to-air type of DVB receiver cards, the built-in conditional access grants receiving and storing encrypted content.
The combination of third-party developers and electronic network connectivity which helps card sharing, establishes Dreambox use especially common amidst enthusiasts and those who think to get services without payment. Third-party package for this use is neither officially backed nor supported by Dream Multimedia and nullifies the official warranty; nonetheless, unofficial internet sites support a really big community of enthusiasts.