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TELE
2006 26th Year N 190
12-01
More Channels More LNBs

New Mount adds more LNBs to Your Existing Dish
INTERNATIONAL
Easy Use
TOPFIELD: An Excellent Receiver
PVR for 2
GOLDEN INTERSTAR: The Fast Channel Finder
Small but Complete

GLOBALTEQ: Interface to your PC
Convert Your PC
DVBSHOP: Ready for Satellite TV
Sensitive LNB
DSN: 0.3 dB in our Test Lab
ENG CD - English Edition
Dear Readers
SATELLITE
Main Address: TELE-satellite International PO Box 1234 85766 Munich-Ufg GERMANY/EUROPA UNION Editor-in-Chief: Alexander Wiese alex@TELE-satellite.com
TELE
INTERNATIONAL
Published by: TELE-satellite Medien GmbH, Germany Design/Production TELE-satellite Hungary Kft Nemeti Barna Attila International Advertising Alexander Wiese alex@TELE-satellite.com Tel +49-174-676-9968 Fax +49-89-921-850-23
These days, if you are looking to acquire a new satellite receiver, you rst have to answer a multitude of questions! Should it be a simple receiver? If so, then, for example, the new TOPFIELD introduced in this issue would be one to look at. Or should it be a box that you can also use to record the programs you are watching? In that case theres the GOLDEN INTERSTAR also being introduced in this issue. Oh wait you dont have that much room? Then the GLOBALTEQ might be for you since it only requires a small hard drive. This box can also be seen in this issue. Then you realize that you also have some room inside your PC so why not a satellite TV card for your computer such as the Technotrend card from DVBSHOP also introduced here. And last but not least what about the possibility of multifeed expansion such as the new mount from Vantage (also in this issue) so that you can receive a few more satellites with the dish you already have? And lets not forget low noise LNBs from DSN tested in this issue of TELE-satellite. Obviously, theres quite a bit to choose from, the only thing remaining is for you to decide what ts your needs.
This may not be as easy as it sounds. In order to properly answer all of these questions, you need to have a pretty good idea what you want to accomplish with satellite reception. Watching TV is not that simple anymore. And it will only get more involved in the future when additional questions need to be answered such as desired picture quality (high resolution or not), etc. Thankfully theres TELE-satellite, whose lab rats love to nd out what makes these new products tick and then present the results here. What better way is there for you to make an informed decision that you will be happy with? Sincerely, Alexander Wiese
CITY Advertising Monika Szabo monika@TELE-satellite.com Tel +36-1-788-1043 Fax +36-1-3102730 Subscriptions Europe and RoW TELE-satellite Subscription Service PO Box 1331 D-53335 Meckenheim GERMANY/EUROPA UNION sub-telesatellite@ips-d.com Tel +49-2225-7085-335, Fax -399 Subscriptions North America TELE-satellite North America PO Box 2622 North Babylon, New York 11703, USA ron@TELE-satellite.com Tel 1-631-422-5291, Fax -4318 Newsstand Distributors TELE-satellite English Edition
Australia: Europress Austria: Pressegrossvertrieb PGV Bahrain: Al-Hilal Publishing China: LSG Derong Trade Co. Denmark: Dansk Centralagentur Eastern-Central Europe: Sat Global Estonia: As Lehepunkt Finland: Rautakirja Oyi Greece: Hellenic Distribution Gulf Cooperation: Emirates Printing Hungary: Hungaropress India: Scan Strategies Indonesia: Indoprom Ireland: Eason & Son Israel: Steimatzky Jordan: JDC Kenya: Nation Media Kuwait: Kuwaiti Group for Publishing Latvia: SIA Preses Serviss Lebanon: Levant Group Macedonia: Tel-Sat Malta: Miller Distributors Malaysia: STP Distributors Namibia: MCS - Caxton Nepal: Bazaar Nigeria: Newsstands Distribution Norway: Narvesen Norge AS Oman: Dar Al-Attaa Est. Pakistan: Paradise Books & Distributors Philippines: Emerald Headways Qatar: Dar Al Sharq Printing Saudi Arabia: Saudi Distribution Singapore: STP Distributors South Africa: MCS - Caxton Sweden: Svenska Interpress AB Thailand: Infosat Intertrade UAE: Emirates Printing Publishing UK: Lakeside Publishing Services USA: Prestige Periodicals Vietnam: XunHaSaba
P.S.: My favorite radio station of the month is The Storm from England (ASTRA 2, 28.2E, 12.402, A-PID 2332): Endless modern Rock with very little talk; music to wake up to!
TELE-satellite is published in 19 editions in 15 different languages

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Copyright 2006 by TELE-satellite ISSN 1435-7003 Printed in SPAIN/EUROPA UNION www.TELE-satellite.com/eng Member of Distripress
German Edition
TELE-satellite International www.TELE-satellite.com
CONTENT TEST REPORTS Pixx Event Digital Twin Tuner PVR with 2 CI and Blind Scan .................. 23
TOPFIELD TF5000CIP Digital satellite receiver with 2 CI and positioner ..................... 32
FORTEC STAR FSIR-5400 NA Digital Satellite Receiver with Embedded Irdeto ............... 36
MBSat on your phone ....................................................................................... 12 Global TEQ 6000PVR Twin Tuner PVR with removable cartridge hard drive and blind scan ........................... 44 SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY Beginner Section: Setting Up a Motorized Antenna .......................... 14 FEATURE: Competition or partnership for satellite TV .......... 16 Golden Interstar 9000CI PVR Premium Digital FTA + CI satellite receiver and PVR ................................... 50 Media News .......................................... 22, 30, 42 3D TV via Satellite ............................................ 54 TSI Team: Your questions, our answers ....................59, 77, 82 SatcoDX News .......................................66, 67, 70 TELE-satellite Receiver Guide ......................... 72 Pansat 3500S Digital Satellite Receiver with Embedded Conax ...................... 56 ADVERTISERS
ARION ................................................... 9 ARIZAN .................................................79 AUSTRALASIAN SAT-2006 ....................67 CABSAT .................................................24 MATEL ...................................................91 MAX COMMUNICATION ......................... 19 MOTECK ................................................89 NETA .....................................................49 NEOTION ............................................. 100 OPENTECH............................................. 7 PANSAT 1 .............................................31 PANSAT 2 ..............................................61 PROMAX ................................................35 SADOUN ................................................47 SATELLITE EXPO 2006 ..........................93 SATFORCE .............................................25 SMARTWI ..............................................85 STAB ITALY ...........................................99 STARSAT ...............................................29 TECHNOMATE ........................................13 TELE-Satellite CITY ...............................48 TOPFIELD .............................................. 2 VANTAGE ............................................... 4 WISAT ...................................................37
New Satellite Channels ................................... 84 SatcoDX World Statistics ................................ 97
Vantage Digital Multifeed Adaptor for up to 4 LNBs .. 60
CSTB-2006 ............................................64 DGSTATION ........................................... 5 DOEBIS 1 ..............................................10 DOEBIS 2 .............................................. 11 DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT ....................95 DSN .......................................................53
Vantage Digital Amplier & Multiswitch .......... 63
DVB SHOP ............................................. 41 EDON ....................................................83 EMP .......................................................27 FAGOR ...................................................39 FORTECSTAR .........................................18 GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES .......................15 GOLDEN INTERSTAR .............................21 HORIZON ..............................................87 IAB ........................................................76 ITB ........................................................55 JAEGER/WEISS .....................................43
FAGOR MICROMATV PRO 100 Programmable Selective Amplier ............. 68 DVB-SHOP TT PREMIUM S2300 (REV 2.3) Digital satellite tuner PCI card ..... 74
MTI AK541-XT2BL Unicable LNB ..............78
DSN GR 3250 Universal LNBF for Offset Dish .................80
SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY Satellite TV on Mobile Phone
MBSat on your phone

Martyn Williams
So, you think you need a dish to watch satellite TV? Think again! A new service in South Korea and Japan allows people to receive satellite TV signals and watch them on cell phones or portable players.
Satellite TV cell phone from LG Electronics

in the city so the companies built large networks of terrestrial repeaters in major cities in both countries. The gap llers, which are fed by additional transponders that operate at 25GHz in the Ku-band, take over when the satellite signal is too weak. Broadcasts are made in MPEG4 in the DMB format, which is related to the Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) system used for radio in Europe. Video channels are sent at a resolution of 320 pixels by 240 pixels and audio channels are transmitted in stereo. So, how does it work in practice? TeleSatellite traveled to Seoul, South Korea, to test out the system on the streets. We took a Samsung SCH-B250 cell phone into shops, onto the subway, and all around town and the results were pretty impressive.
The service began earlier this year and is beamed to viewers from MBSat 1, a purpose-built satellite launched by the two service operators: South Koreas TU Media and Japans Mobile Broadcasting Corp. (MBCO). Its positioned in geostationary orbit at 144 degrees East. Part of the services secret is that transmissions take place in S-band, which is about 2.6GHz, and they are relatively high power. Because of this it doesnt require a dish antenna, just a small antenna built into the phone or player. The satellite has a huge 12meter reector to help deliver the signal and this makes it look quite different from other satellites. Despite its strength the signal can still get blocked by buildings and thats a big problem
An image of the top of the rocket, before launch, with the MBSat satellite inside
The phone showed a very clear picture on its small display and didnt suffer from any reception problems bar once. The phone lost the signal a couple of times while on a train and that resulted in the picture pausing for about 2 seconds before programming resumed. Otherwise the service worked perfectly, even underground on the subway when the gap-llers were providing service. Viewers get 11 TV channels and 26 radio channels on the TU Media service in South Korea and in Japan on the MBCO service there are 7 TV channels and 30 radio channels. It costs between around US$10 and $20 per month for the service. Its a great solution for people who want to watch TV on the move and the technology thats enabled it to be satellite-based is impressive. Unfortunately you wont be able to see such gadgets anytime soon. MBSat has a pretty tight footprint over Japan and South Korea so the handsets wont work anywhere else.
12
Using the Samsung SCH-B250 phone on the subway

BEGINNER SECTION Motorized Systems
Setting Up a Motorized Antenna

Heinz Koppitz
Every satellite antenna that is only able to receive one satellite and is thus xed on only that single satellite can be upgraded to a motorized antenna giving you access to numerous additional satellites. The antenna itself doesnt change, nor does the attached LNB. The antenna motor is the only extra part that you will need since most modern receivers already come with the required DiSEqC 1.2 protocol. Some boxes make this even easier with the USALS protocol, also called DiSEqC 1.3 or GoTo X.
The motor is what actually moves the antenna between the various satellite positions and is installed in between the antenna mast and the antenna mount. It is designed such that the axis of rotation is aligned with the North Star. This type of mount is often referred to as a Polar Mount. As a result, azimuth and elevation do not have to be adjusted individually. Instead, the antenna rotates on only one axis. The antenna motor is installed on the already existing vertical mast. The local latitude position of the location is then setup on the motors scale thus aligning the axis of rotation in the correct position. Similar to a xed antenna installation, the elevation scale on the antenna mount must be set for a satellite as close to south as possible. In the southern hemisphere you would be looking for a northern-most satellite. The selected satellite should lie within 5 of your southern-most position; the southern-most position being equal to your local longitude. For example, if your local longitude is 73 west, then the satellite you select should be located within +/- 5 of 73 west, or within the range 68 to 78 west. The elevation setting will be completely different than the original elevation setting. The actual value is almost completely independent of your local latitude position and is related much more to the construction of the motor. The post on the motor onto which the antenna is mounted is bent at an angle. The actual angle of this bend depends on what type of motor is used. STAB motors, for example, have a 30 bend while others such as MOTECK have a 40 bend in their antenna post. Latitude Elevation STAB MOTECK Original 30-Angle 40-Angle 15 72 27 37 30 55 25 35 40 44 24 34 45 38 23 33 65 17 22 32
The rst step would be to activate the DiSEqC 1.2 function in your receiver and also, if available, the USALS function. USALS greatly simplies the antenna setup. It simply asks you for your local geographical coordinates and calculates the satellite positions on its own using a complex mathematical formula. The receiver then drives the motor directly to the selected satellite position. Once you have a signal, you need only nely adjust the antenna mount and horizontal position (on the mast itself) for maximum signal. If the initial southern setting was slightly off, it would now be corrected. Once the rst satellite is perfectly set, all the other satellites in the arc would also be automatically set as soon as the orbital position of these additional satellites is entered into the receiver. Without USALS, the alignment of the antenna system is somewhat more difcult. DiSEqC 1.2 drives the antenna to the selected satellite position in almost the same way. But since the local geographical data is missing, the motor drives to a satellite position based on the prime meridian and the equator. Therefore, when aligning the motor for the rst time and then again later on with all the other satellite positions alignment with the actual satellite position has to be achieved with the motor commands move east/west. Because of these difculties, manufacturers of these motors make available helpful software on their web sites that enable you to easily calculate the true position of a satellite. TELE-satellite has also made a version of this tool (USPOS) available for download at www.TELE-satellite.com/Uspos.exe
Before starting to look for a signal, the antenna motor needs to be properly aligned. With the help of a compass, the entire motor/ antenna assembly is rotated on the mast until the zero-point on the motors scale is pointing south (pointing north in the southern hemisphere). From here the search for a signal can start. Simply set the receiver to a known active channel. It might not be a bad idea to rst verify the channel data with the SatcoDX Charts.
14
IPTV
FEATURE
Competition or partnership for satellite TV

Alberto Boselli
From Wikipedia, the free Internet encyclopedia: "IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) describes a system where a digital television service is delivered to subscribing consumers using the Internet Protocol over a broadband connection."
If you read carefully the above statement, you should immediately understand that IPTV is not the TV broadcasted over the Internet. IPTV just takes advantage of some of the protocols developed and used by the public Internet to stream digital video and audio contents, but in a completely different context. to the Internet, what kind of PC he's running (with some limitations), in which room he likes to watch TV and so on. In a word: it's an open, diversied and dynamic model, where both the great traditional broadcaster and the individual with niche audience could distribute their programs worldwide in the web. But the free Internet is not a suitable environment for a reliable, standard and easy-to-use service: watching Internet video requires at least a basic PC knowledge and a certain amount of time to install, congure, etc. and not everyone is able and/or wants to spend his time this way. IPTV is another world. At present stage of its development - we shouldn't forget that it's relatively young compared to satellite and cable broadcasting - it's a much more closed system. The service is usually provided by telecom companies owning also the physical infrastructure, that is the network (either the Internet or a private closed one) where data is transmitted. To offer a certain service
IPTV Vs. Internet video

The end user approach to Internet television is similar to that towards any other kind of information available in the Internet: search, try, discover and share the results. Also from the content provider's point of view, it follows the same model used for conventional ways of Web publishing, such as HTML pages or PDF les: the content is made available to everyone, regardless of where the consumer lives, how he is connected
Remote control for IPTV operation

level it's necessary to ensure enough bandwidth for every connected user; this means investments for maintenance and upgrading of the infrastructure. For this reason, each IPTV service cannot avoid to be geographically limited, be it to a country, a region or a big city area. Another key difference between Internet television and IPTV is the programming content. To be appealing for the paying customers, the service has to be comparable to "traditional" cable or satellite providers already present in the same area. So, the channel selection must be as wide as possible, with many available packages to fulll any kind of family requirements. Programs should be enjoyed not only on a small PC screen, but on the big TV in the living-room too, with a good video and audio quality, a remote control to change channels, browse EPG, program recordings and so on. This means an hopefully easy-to-use IPTV settop-box connected to the network, rather than to a satellite dish, from where it gets and sends data and delivering its output to the TV set.
Satellite Competitor
IPTV set-top-box (back) Note the Ethernet ports (LAN + WAN) and high quality video outputs (YPbPr + S-Video)
You'll agree that all this sounds terribly similar to digital satellite TV, at least from www.TELE-satellite.com TELE-satellite International
17
FEATURE IPTV
the point of view of a common end user who would like to sit down on his sofa and surf among the available channels to nd something to watch. And this is the reason why IPTV services are often considered as competitors for satellite TV services. Furthermore, the IPTV has some value-added applications compared with the older and much more consolidated satellite reception. The rst is interactivity. The user set-topbox is permanently connected to the provider servers and this allows a continuous two-way exchange of information. The often advertised Video-on-Demand feature, in practice achieved by satellite pay-tv operators using multiple channels broadcasting the same movie at different starting times, can much more easily carried out by IPTV. The user can browse the list of available movies or shows and press OK when he's ready to watch his favorite one, regardless of the time of the day. It's like a video rental but without having to move from home. The younger age of this technology allows it to quickly take advantage of newer solutions without having to worry about the existing installations. So, while the traditional satellite world still haven't decided what standard (either MPEG-2 or MPEG-4) to adopt for HDTV transmissions, thanks to the always increasing broadband capacity and the recently approved compression algorithms, some of them expressly designed for streaming data over a network, IPTV is actually ready for the High Denition.
scription) to make the most of the available bandwidth. But only in regions where they estimate there will be enough customers to repay their huge investments for the infrastructure. In remote areas, where sometimes neither a plain telephone line is available, any telecom operator would never establish an IPTV service. So, we're back to the satellite technology. Its ability to broadcast a signal over entire continents reaching millions of people at the same time can be the solution that allows IPTV providers to offer their services to a potential endless audience at a relative low cost. Yes, some of the above mentioned benets would be lost: the two-way satellite communication is reserved to business applications due to its high costs, so the return path from the end user to the provider would become either unavailable or very limited, but a conventional dial-up modem connection could be enough for ordering a VOD movie that will be delivered via a high-capacity satellite, without having to keep the connection active. On the contrary, other IPTV advantages such as newest compression formats suitable for HDTV, will still be available in a satellite network topology too. The reduced investments required to start an IPTV via satellite service compared to one based on a xed network would certainly lead to the appearance of free IPTV channels. This step would require additional efforts by the industry to have standard set-top-boxes able to tune and to display channels coming from different providers, rather than closed proprietary boxes factory programmed to accept only data from a specic source. This is exactly what happened in the recent past of digital satellite TV, where st came the Pay-tv operators and then thousands of free to air channels, isn't it?
Network cable
Satellite partner
The infrastructure is the critical point of the IPTV. Telecom companies operating xed lines, whose prots are threatened by mobile operators, offers the so-called "triple play" (phone, data and video on a single sub-
Network infrastructure (cables) to be maintained
Satellite dish
20
Satellite Receiver TEST REPORT
Pixx Event Twin tuner PVR with CI slots and Blind Scan
The rst Blind Scan receivers introduced a couple of years ago were very basic boxes, because this new feature was enough to make them appealing for the DXer. In parallel, there were receivers designed for common end users with PVR functions, CI slot, easiness of use and so on. Today, these two lines of products are becoming convergent so that every user can take advantage of the Blind Scan feature not only to search for exotic signals, but simply to keep his receiver up-to-date without having to enter new transponders data either manually or connecting to a PC. The digital satellite receiver Pixx Event introduced here is an example of a complete box: twin tuner PVR with Blind Scan feature and 2 CI slots for PayTV reception. The standard size silver colored cabinet looks very elegant. In the middle of the front panel the green display shows either the current time or the active channel. The good news is that this receiver is able to store up to 10000 TV and radio channels. Below the display a long ap protects the 2 CI slots for pay-tv reception. On the left, three buttons and a round shaped one with the four arrows allow also the complete programming of the receiver, except when a number (frequency, symbolrate, etc.) has to be entered. The stand-by on/off button is located near the display, while the main power supply switch can be found on the back panel. Here is also a full set of connections: two satellite IF inputs with corresponding looped-through outputs, two Scart connectors for TV and VCR, three RCA jacks for analog audio and video outputs and a fourth RCA for the programmable 0/12 volt output. For a better video and audio quality a S-Video connector and an optical S/PDIF output are available too. Via the RS232 interface new software can be uploaded either from a PC or from another receiver. The PC can also be reached via the USB 2.0 port. The UHF modulator output with the corresponding terrestrial antenna input completes the well equipped rear panel. The silver colored remote control is light and comfortable to hold in hand, but there are too many buttons and most of them are too small. Except for the arrows keys, the OK button among them and the on/off button that lights up every time a command is transmitted, all the other keys are almost unrecognizable in the dark, especially those for the HDD control that are very small and too close to each other. However, the remote can be programmed to control also a TV-set, a VCR and a DVD player. The user manual contains the codes to emulate hundreds of different brands. The user manual, unfortunately available in German only, contains very detailed instructions with pictures for connecting the Pixx Event receiver to TV, VCR, satellite dishes and terrestrial antenna. At the rst activation of the box, the user can choose the language for the menu among English, German, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish, Arabic and Russian. Then, the Main menu is displayed and the user is expected to select the Installation menu and the Antenna Setup. Here, each different satellite that can be received must be activated and all the antenna parameters for its reception can be entered. On the right of the screen two graph bars show signal strength and quality for the rst transponder of the satellite being setup, but a different reference transponder can be selected. A test tone to help the dish alignment without having to watch the TV screen can be activated pressing the green button on the remote. If a DiSEqC motor is in use, a specic submenu allows to enter all the necessary parameters and to control the motor. Unfor-
Installation
www.TELE-satellite.com TELE-satellite International
23
TEST REPORT
Satellite Receiver
bolrate and/or PID codes. The signal bars on the right allow to verify if there is a signal lock before starting the search. It would be nice to be able to use right and left buttons to increase/decrease the frequency by 1 Mhz instead of having to key in all the 5 gures. The last option is the Smart Search, that is how the Pixx Event names the feature more often known as Blind Scan. After selecting the satellite, the user can choose to scan both polarizations or one only, and whether to perform a search for all symbolrates, only symbolrate less than 5.6 Ms/sec or only those above 5.6 Ms/sec. This threshold value let a doubt raise: if I'm looking for feed signals, which often has a symbolrate of 5632, which option should I choose? No problem, they are found in all cases regardless of the selected option. Unfortunately, it's not possible to limit the scan within a frequency range. We performed a Smart Search at the Hotbird position selecting both polarizations and symbolrate above 5.6 Ms/sec since these satellites host nearly no SCPC signals. After almost 10 minutes the screen listed 93 transponders, 6 of them not previously stored in the database. A second test was performed on the PAS 12 satellite (still named as Eurostar 1 in the receiver menu) at 45 East. According to the coverage map, at our location we can receive only vertical transponders, so we selected this option together with ALL symbolrates. In 7 minutes the Pixx Event managed to nd almost all frequencies listed by SatcoDX, except the most difcult one: 11627 V with a symbol-
rate as low as 1.320 Ms/sec. Performing an Advanced Scan with these exact parameters, the receiver found the Mosaique channel and had no problem in keeping it locked, so we can conrm the manufacturer specication of the symbolrate range 1-45 Ms/sec. Unfortunately, the channel switching time is not very fast at about 1 second (a little more for different transponders and scrambled channels). A very long interval is also required for switching between different audio subcarrieres.
tunately, some of the 54 preprogrammed satellites are associated to a xed DiSEqC position between 0 and 26, while user entered satellites can be assigned a position from 27 up to 49. This is a problem because the user could have different positions stored in his motor and there is no way to change predened positions in the menu. The only solution would be to rename existing satellites so that mandatory positions match those stored in the motor, delete their preprogrammed transponders and then use the blind scan to search for actual frequencies and channels. Fortunately, USALS motor owners don't have to worry about this issue because the USALS protocol uses the satellite relative azimuth instead of xed stored positions. A separate menu called User Setup allows to enter all parameters for the connected equipment. A good idea is the warning message that pops up if the user selects NTSC output: NTSC is the American type. Choosing it will create a picture rolling problem when using European PAL TV type set. Select NTSC TV type ONLY in the area where this TV type is used. To conrm this choice the PIN is required.
The unit we got for our tests didn't come with the hard disk installed, so we mounted a standard 80 GB EIDE disk using the at cable and the four screws included in the package. We recommend to let your dealer to install the hard disk because opening the receiver usually voids the warranty. Furthermore, the user manual doesn't contain specic instructions even if this is not different than installing a hard disk into a PC. The Pixx Event is able to record two programs at the same time as well as to record a channel while playing a previously recorded program. Using the PIP (Picture in Picture) feature, it's possible to control what is being recorded while watching a different live program. Up to 60 recordings can be scheduled either manually or from the EPG. Stored programs can be edited to cut off unwanted portions at the beginning and at the end of the recording. Unfortunately, we didn't manage to cut off commercials from the middle of a movie. Like every PVR receiver, there is also the Time Shift function, but its behavior is some-
Hard Disk operation
The channel scan can be setup to search for FTA-only-channels, Scrambled-only, FTA + Scrambled or FTA + Scrambled + Data channels. This setting is not remembered each time the scan is started. There are several scan mode available: Satellite scan, Network Scan, Transponder Scan, Advanced Scan and Smart Search. The rst three modes use the transponder data already stored in the receiver memory. A Satellite Scan for FTAonly-channels over 101 transponders of the Hotbird satellites eet took around 8 minutes and found 786 TV and radio channels. During the scan signal level and quality for each scanned TP are shown and the channels detected are separated between TV and radio lists. The Advanced Scan allows the user to choose among stored transponder as well as to enter a new frequency with its sym-
Channel scan and management
26
how different than usual. It doesn't need to be activated by the user pressing the Pause button, because the Pixx Event always starts to record the current channel after a few seconds of watching. So, it's always possible to jump back and forth, to watch in both directions at increased or reduced speed and to pause within the recorded section. Pressing the stop button you are back at the live program (either in full screen or in PIP mode), while the receiver continues to record it in the background. It's a very good solution that allows in every moment to watch again an important scene that has been missed for any reason. It's important to remember that this is not a standard recording, but it's stored in a reserved portion of the hard disk that can be up to 10% of its size and it's deleted as soon as a different channel is selected to start the whole process again. Of course, pressing the REC button the current channel can be recorded (and the recording is kept) in the standard way.
Connecting the receiver to a PC via the USB port, the hard disk is visible from the PC as a removable storage device in the Windows Explorer (Windows 2000 or later required). With usual drag & drop a new rmware version can be uploaded into a specic directory of the hard disk from where the receiver will read and install it. In the same way, stored recordings as well as MP3 songs can be copied from/to the PC. The only drawback is that the hard disk can
be in use either by the receiver or by the PC, but not by both of them at the same time. Other features include a built-in teletext decoder, a MP3 player and the multipicture features. It shows on the screen 4, 9 or 16 different channels, but it's very slow to activate (40 seconds to show 16 pictures) and of course only the selected one is advancing, while all the others are freezed.
The Pixx Event is a really complete receiver, suitable both for the DXer with its powerful features and for the family usage thanks to its easy operation. We appreciate the way the Time-Shift function has been designed and the accuracy of the Blind Scan feature. A positive point is the absence of unnecessary frills such as videogames.
+ -
Expert conclusion
The remote control has too many and very small buttons. The channel switching time is somehow slow. www.TELE-satellite.com TELE-satellite International
Alberto Boselli TELE-satellite Test Center Italy
27
TEST REPORT Satellite Receiver Info-Box
Main menu
Pixx Event
TECHNICAL
DATA
Distributor
Digital Twin Tuner with 2 CI and Blind Scan

WISAT GmbH Sat-Grosshandel Brgermeister-Berger-Str. 6 a 92436 Bruck Germany http://www.wisat-gmbh.de/ +49 09434 202913 +49 09434 202929 info@wisat-gmbh.de Pixx Event Digital Twin Tuner PVR with 2 CI and Blind Scan 10000 54 + others 1-45 Ms/sec 1.0 / 1.2 yes yes 2 yes yes (optical) PAL / NTSC yes yes, UHF yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes (4 9 16) 90-250 VAC 50/60 Hz Max 55 Watts Less than 8 Watts
Smart Search (Blind Scan)
Internet Phone Fax E-mail Model Function Channel Memory Satellites Symbolrate DiSEqC USALS Programmable 0/12 V output Scart Connectors Video/Stereo Audio Output Digital Audio Output Color System S-VHS Output Modulator PAL/NTSC compatible C/Ku-Band compatible SPCS compatible EPG Teletext USB 2.0 Connector Picture-in-Picture Multipicture Power Supply Power Consumption Standby Consumption
Info Box
EPG
TEST
RESULT
Features Channel Memory Channel Scan Speed
NTSC Warning
SATELLITE
INTERNATIONAL
Channel Switching Speed Video Quality Audio Quality Tuner Sensitivity
HDD Interface
28
TELE
TEST REPORT
Satellite Receiver
Topeld TF5000CIP 2 CI receiver with Positioner and USALS

As DiSEqC motors take over the motorized satellite world, it would be easy for those of us with the traditional 36 volt motors to feel a little jealous of all the new receivers that appear all the time. But while DiSEqC and USALS give us ease of installation, if we already have a motor of the older style, or a dish too big to make use of these new technologies, a receiver with 36V motor control is still a necessity unless we use a separate piece of electronics to convert DiSEqC commands into something our motor can understand. So its good to see this latest offering from Topeld giving us full control of a 36V motor in addition to multipleswitch DiSEqC conguration, DiSEqC 1.2 and USALS. and LNB input and loopthrough connectors. An RS232 port is also available for connection to a computer. The menu system is well-designed and easy to read, in a yellow and blue style. While the colours are different, there are a lot of similarities between this receivers interface and that of the well-designed TF5000PVR Masterpiece we looked at recently. Menus are available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Arabic, Greek, Turkish, Russian, Polish, Farsi and Thai.
The TF5000CIPs silver case with a central black area housing the display gives off the usual quality look and feel weve come to expect from Topeld, although the black plastic remote control doesnt quite match the rest of it. The remote is however nicely shaped and easy to use, and the buttons are mostly in the places youd expect them after a short time it becomes intuitive to use without searching for the required button each time.
The receivers front panel contains the expected standby, channel and volume controls, with an LED display showing the time or channel number. Under the ap there are two common interface slots the card slots above them are blanked out. At the back, there are the terminals to connect to the motor, plus two Scarts, audio and composite video outputs, S-video, S/PDIF digital audio, TV antenna in and out sockets,
The setup menu gives us plenty of options for TV connection the Scart output can be set to composite, RGB, S-Video or YUV. Widescreen and 4:3 displays are fully catered for, including the often-forgotten option of scaling a 16:9 widescreen broadcast into either 4:3 or letterbox format for display on a 4:3 screen. The RF output can be set to PAL I, G and K variants, plus NTSC M. Teletext is available, both inside the receiver itself and by insertion into the signal sent to the TV. Choices of antenna connection cover just
Installation
about anything available. As well as the traditional 36 volt terminals, DiSEqC 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2 are supported along with USALS, also known as DiSEqC 1.3. Using DiSEqC 1.0 switches chained through a 1.1 switch, up to 16 LNBs can be connected to the single antenna input, thanks to separate 1.0 and
32
1.1 entries in the LNB menu. One thing thats missing though is a 12V switch output. The motorized setup works in the way wed expect. After setting the east and west limits of the dish, the most easterly and westerly satellites are set, along with one in the middle. After this, the list of satellites in the receivers memory are displayed. After choosing the ones we wish to receive, a nal press of the OK button tells the receiver to calculate the positions of the satellites between the selected positions. If additional satellites are needed that are not already in the list, these can be easily added later by entering the name and position of the satellite, plus at least one transponder. Setting up using a DiSEqC motor and the USALS system is even more simple. All that is needed is your longitude and latitude and a reference satellite, and the receiver calculates the rest. Now that the positions are stored, we need to go to each one in turn to search for channels. Thankfully, with a large number of channels to scan if we have a motorized system, searching is impressively fast. Scanning the 93 pre-programmed transponders on Hotbird takes just 2 minutes, 47 seconds. Including the network scan option adds a further 4 minutes to the scan, with a total of 104 transponders found.
deleted, locked or hidden from the list as required. Five favourites lists are available with editable names. Adding channels to the favourites is easily done, and if ve lists are not enough for you, no problem - further lists can be added, up to a total of 30. The EPG follows the rest of the design in being fast and easy to use. Two separate screens are available, with the red button used to switch between them. The rst gives data just on the current channel. Switching to the second, we get the familiar grid display showing multiple channels. While we dont have any recording functions inside the receiver, it does include some quite exible timer functions so that we can use it in conjunction with a VCR or DVD recorder. Theres no facility to add programmes to the timer from the EPG, which is a shame. But setting them manually lets us schedule the timer for any date and time into the future, and with some useful repeat scheduling periods that even some PVRs forget, such as every weekday or every weekend. The timer can also be used as a wake-up timer, but theres no sleep timer. Over-the-air software updates are available from the Astra 1 and Hotbird satellites. Software and/or channel data can also be transferred to another TF5000CIP via the RS232 port, or this can be done via a com-
puter using software from the www.i-topeld.com site. In addition to these features, youll also nd a powerful parental control system, three games and a calendar. Tuner sensitivity is good, and getting a lock on a channel never takes more than a second or two. Similar to the TF5000PVR Masterpiece, very low symbol rates seem to cause a few problems. There is an improvement from the Masterpiece though, the lowest symbol rate received in our tests is 1680, compared to 2098 in the Masterpiece.
Scanning through the channels with the up and down keys is fast and responsive, and the channel list thats brought up with the OK button is equally responsive. The remotes volume buttons double as page up and down, making navigating a long list easy. A sorting option is available that toggles the list between the default or alphabetical order, and a second button jumps through the list alphabetically. Further sorting, by satellite, encryption and favourites are available in the Organizing Services menu. Here, channels can be moved, renamed,
Everyday use
The TF5000CIP doesnt have any unique features or gimmicks. But it includes everything most users will need, and does it all very well. The interface is logical and easy to use, everything is where you would expect it to be. Unlike most receivers, there dont seem to be any quirks or problems that would become an annoyance in everyday use. All in all, it seems Topeld have made another excellent receiver.
Expert conclusion
Theres no 12V switch output, which might be a problem for some users. A 5000 channel memory could be a little small for multi-satellite reception. www.TELE-satellite.com TELE-satellite International
Andy Middleton TELE-satellite Test Center UK
33
Main menu
Topeld TF5000CIP
TECHNICAL
DATA
Manufacturer
Digital satellite receiver with 2 CI and posiitioner

Topeld Co Ltd, Duksan Bldg. 260-4, Seohyeon-Dong, Bundang-Gu, Seongnam, Korea www.topeld.co.kr +82-31-708-2607 TF5000CIP Digital satellite receiver with 2 Common Interfaces and positioner 5000 90 1 45 MS/s (lowest SR received in our test: 1.680) 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 yes no yes yes, 3xRCA S/PDIF (optical) PAL, NTSC yes yes yes yes 90-250VAC, 50/60Hz 230 watts max, 10W in standby
Installation menu
Web Page Fax Model Function
Channel Memory Satellites Symbolrate DiSEqC USALS Programmable 0/12 V Output S-VHS Output Video/Stereo audio output Digital Audio Output Color System Modulator C/Ku-Band Compatible SCPC Compatible EPG Power Supply Power Consumption
EPG
Search options
TEST
RESULT
Features Channel Memory Channel Scan Speed Video Quality Audio Quality Tuner Sensitivity
Internal teletext
SATELLITE
INTERNATIONAL
USALS setup
34
TELE
TEST REPORT
Satellite Receiver
Fortec Star FSIR-5400 NA Power Scan, Embedded Irdeto and more

In the previous issue of TELE-satellite we introduced Fortec Stars new model 5400 NA satellite receiver. But since we only received it a few days before deadline, we did not have time to thoroughly put it through its paces. But here it is now two months later, and as promised, wed like to give you a more detailed analysis of this receiver now that we have had some time to play with it. on a satellite receiver remote control plus a set of four colored function buttons at the bottom of the remote.
Everyday Use
This receiver is essentially ready to go right As we mentioned in the previous issue, the silver-colored receiver has a sleek design and comes with ve chrome-colored buttons on the left side (On/Off, Channel Up/Down and Volume Up/Down). The display window takes up a good portion of the center of the front panel and includes a number of status LEDs along with the green four-digit display that shows either the current channel number or the time of day. The status LEDs indicate if the receiver is locked on a signal or if it is in standby mode. The fold-down ap takes up a good portion of the right side of the front panel. Behind this ap is the SmartCard slot for the embedded Irdeto encryption system. The rear panel comes with almost everything you need. The The silver-colored remote control sits comfortably in your hand and comes with all of the standard buttons that would normally be IF input comes with a looped-through output and theres a terrestrial antenna input with corresponding modulator output that operates on either VHF channel 3 or 4. Video and stereo audio are also available on a set of three RCA jacks. If you crave even better quality video and audio, you wont be disappointed thanks to the S-VHS and digital audio outputs. The RS-232 interface serves to upload new receiver software. And lets If English is not your rst choice for menu language (default setting), you can choose from six other menu languages (Italian, Turkish, French, German, Spanish or Greek). Even more languages are available for the audio subcarriers and subtitles. The receiver comes preprogrammed with a very up-todate list of 48 North American satellites from not forget the main power switch. This allows you to easily disconnect power to the receiver so that you can avoid having to reach down behind the TV cabinet to unplug the receiver. out of the box. Simply connect the box to the antenna, scan a satellite and watch TV. The only thing you may need to do is change the local oscillator frequency (LOF) setting for Ku-band satellites since the default setting is universal and most North American Kuband systems use a standard Ku-band LOF (10.750 GHz) as opposed to the 9.750/10.600 combination found in universal LNBs.
36
TEST REPORT
Satellite Receiver
the Echostar satellite at 148 west all the way to Telstar 12 at 15 west. Theres even enough room to add 16 more user-dened satellites. Up to 4800 channels can be stored in the 5400 NA. Using this box with a motorized antenna is highly recommended so that you can take full advantage of everything this receiver has to offer. The receivers support of the DiSEqC 1.0 and 1.2 protocols as well as the USALS protocol lets you connect this box to a wide variety of antenna congurations. For example, you could connect the receiver to multiple xed dishes via a DiSEqC switch or you could go all the way and use a STAB HH motor. In the TV Settings submenu the Video output can be set to NTSC, PAL or MULTI mode and you can set the picture format to either Full Screen or Letter Box. on or off. The automatic channel scan can be set to search only for FTA channels or ALL channels and can be performed with the Network function set on or off. You can also choose to perform a Power Scan. This is Fortec Stars version of a Blind Scan. Fortec Stars Power Scan is a very powerful tool in that you can customize the scan to your needs. For example, not only can you scan for FTA or ALL channels or scan one or both polarizations, but you can also select the frequency range you want to scan and also specify the frequency steps the receiver should take during a scan. We tested the Power Scan feature The scan on Intelsat Americas 5 at 97 west with the frequency steps set at 4 MHz. required about 20 minutes to complete but in return for your patience the receiver identied 23 transponders on that satellite. But how does a standard scan stack up? A complete automatic scan of the 23 transponders on the Intelsat Americas 5 satellite was handled in just one minute and 45 seconds. The time to switch between channels was a brisk 0.5 seconds. At least with this receiver you can have some fun channel surfing. Here you can also turn the S/PDIF digital audio output
Of course, some form of organization of all these newly found channels will be needed so that the task of nding a specic channel will be much easier. This work is handled by the Channel Manager. Channels that you intent to watch more often can be moved into one of the four Favorites lists so that they are easier to get to. No doubt there will be channels that you dont want your kids to get to. Fortunately, Fortec Star also included a parental lock feature that lets you pick and choose what your kids can have access to. An individual transponder scan can also be performed. In Manual Scan mode transponders can be edited if needed, added or deleted. A Network Search can also be activated in Manual Scan mode. The PID scan lets you search for a channel with specic PID data. Fortec Star indicates that this receiver can handle symbolrates anywhere from 2 to 45 Ms/sec. When we tested this box on a 1.279 Ms/sec. signal on Intelsat 805, we were pleasantly surprised to nd that this signal was recognized and processed by the 5400 NA without any difculties. A push of the Info button on the remote momentarily displays a banner at the bottom of the screen with the channel name, channel number, encryption status and current time. Pushing the Info button again while this banner is still on the screen displays a second banner at the top of the screen with
more details on the channel including satellite name, transponder frequency, symbolrate, polarization, PID data as well as a signal quality bar graph. The Electronic Program Guide (EPG) can be accessed with the push of a button. The weekly programming information for all the channels on the current transponder is then shown. Pressing the green button on the remote displays programming data on the highlighted channel. The picture of the current channel is displayed as a picture-ingraphic (PIG). Pushing the yellow button The 5400 NA also brings up detailed programming information on the current channel. comes with an eight-event timer so that you wont miss your favorite program if you need to step out of the house. Simply highlight the program you want to record in the EPG and press the blue button on the remote. The timer function will then turn the receiver on at that appropriate time. Should you ever get bored with what is currently on TV or if you want something to do while youre waiting for those exceedingly long commercials to come to an end, you could pass some time with one of the three available video games (Tetris, Snake or Sokoban). While most of the operation of this receiver is self-explanatory, the detailed user-manual (written in English, French and Spanish) will help answer any questions that might arise.
The Fortec Star 5400 NA is an easy-to-use receiver that would be perfect for use in anyones living room. It comes with a multitude of features including Power Scan, embedded Irdeto, fast channel scanning, fast channel switching, etc. Add to that its ability to handle extremely low symbolrates and you have a receiver that not only makes a good family receiver, but also one that would make an excellent tool for a DXer.
Expert conclusion
Dont lose the remote control! Its ve buttons on the front panel do not provide access to the receivers menu functions.
Ron Roessel TELE-satellite Test Center North America
38
Fortec Star FSIR-5400 NA

Digital Satellite Receiver with Embedded Irdeto
TECHNICAL
DATA
Manufacturer Fortec Star Communications, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L4W 5A7 + 1-905-602-5289 fortecCA@fortecstar.com FSIR-5400 NA Digital Satellite Receiver with Embedded Irdeto 4800 yes 2-45 Ms/sec. (tested to 1.279 Ms/sec.) 1.0, 1.2 yes yes yes, 3 x RCA yes, S/PDIF (optical) 90-240VAC, 50-60 Hz 40W max
Channel Info Bars
Fax E-Mail Model Function Channel Memory SCPC Compatible Symbolrate DiSEqC USALS S-VHS Output A/V Outputs Digital Audio Output Power Supply Power Consumption
Main Menu
Channel Manager
TEST
RESULT
INTERNATIONAL
Features Channel Memory Channel Scan Speed Channel Switching Speed Video Quality Audio Quality Tuner Sensitivity
SATELLITE
Antenna Setup Menu
40
TELE
TEST REPORT
Satellite Receiver
Global TEQ 6000PVR Twin Tuner PVR with Blind Scan

The size of this receiver is quite a surprise! At just 23x20cm in size, it must be one of the smallest twin tuner PVRs available. One of the reasons the small size is possible is in the choice of hard drive. Instead of the 3.5 inch size as used by most desktop PCs that we are used to seeing inside PVRs, a notebook style 2.5 inch drive is used. This is easily accessible inside a removable cartridge located under the ap on the front panel. This makes changing or upgrading the disk much safer and easier there is no need to open the receivers case and risk causing damage or invalidating the warranty. Our test receiver was supplied with a 40GB drive that allows around 20 hours of TV to be recorded. Drives of up to 100GB in size can be used. The receivers front panel contains an LED display that displays the channel number when in use, and the clock when in standby. Buttons are available on the front to control the basic functions, and under the ap with the hard drive cartridge are two Common Interface slots and a mini USB interface. Around the back theres the usual selection of two Scarts, TV antenna in and out ports, composite video and audio, an S/PDIF digital audio output, RS232, and the twin LNB inputs with their corresponding loop-throughs. After the satellites are set up, its time to run the initial scan. Searching is quite slow, a scan of the 95 preset transponders for Hotbird took 9.5 minutes. There doesnt appear to be the usual network scan option where the receiver nds additional frequencies from all of those already in memory instead it will scan the Network Information Table of only a single selected frequency. But this is not such a problem as it might usually be, as we have another option blind scan!
The receivers menus are clear and easy to navigate, available in English, German, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish, Arabic and Russian. The initial setup options give us the usual choices when using two tuners. One or both tuners can be used independently or together. DiSEqC 1.0, 1.2 and USALS are available, making multi-satellite reception easy. 54 satellites are included in the receiver, with additional slots available to be set up manually if needed.
Installation
With a few reservations, the 6000PVRs blind scan is a very nice addition. Its very accurate: found frequencies and symbol rates are almost exactly right every time. For example, symbol rates of 27500 appear as either this or 27499, and lower symbol rates are just as accurate. The scan can be made with either or both polarities, and with all symbol rates or just those above or below 5600. The disappointment though is that no frequency range can be specied the search always covers the entire band selected in the antenna setup menu. So if youre using a universal LNB, the scan goes all the way from 10.700 up to 12.750. The scan does skip past unused
Blind scan
frequencies fairly quickly, but its still an annoyance when you only need to scan a portion of the band and have to wait for the whole scan to be completed. The blind scan works in two parts. Firstly, frequencies are scanned as wed expect,
44
with their frequencies and SRs displayed during scanning. After this, the found frequencies are looked at again to nd the channels contained inside them. Scanning Hotbird with the full SR range takes 13 minutes to blind scan, then a further 8 to obtain the channels within the transponders it found. As this satellite uses symbol rates exclusively in the range above 5600, selecting this option gets us the same set of channels with a time saving of 4 minutes. Moving over to a satellite carrying occasional services, Eutelsat W1 at 10 degrees east, a scan of the whole Ku band found just about everything available, but in a total time of 17 minutes. This is a long time to wait for the impatient feedhunter, especially if what you are looking for is somewhere at the far end of the spectrum! At least you can press the exit button during the scan without losing the frequencies it already found.
their channel name and time, rather than the name of the show, which could be confusing especially as the EPG data is not saved with it. Playback while recording is available, although not when two recordings are in progress. Timeshifting live broadcasts is also possible, although it is not a permanent option as on some other PVRs. To enter this mode, you must rst press the pause button. This starts the timeshift recording, inside which you can pause or move forward and back as needed. The PIP (picture in picture) button can be used here to view the live broadcast at the same time as the timeshift. A nice touch is being able to press the record button while in the timeshift mode. If you decide you want to record a programme you were already timeshifting, all that is needed is to rewind to the start and press record, but you must also remember to press stop at the end! But if you do forget, youll be thankful of the editing functions which let you delete parts of a recording you dont need to keep. The PIP button is also available when viewing live programmes without the timeshift, or a recording. A recording plus a live broadcast, or two live channels can be viewed together, with a dedicated button used to switch the large and small pictures. A multi-picture grid function is also available, showing 4, 9 or 16 channels at once. The pictures are frozen except for the selected channel, but it is a nice function when used in conjunction with the blind scan
when searching for feeds, being quickly able to scroll through a set of channels found while waiting for them to change from the test card to something more interesting.
So now we have the channels in memory, nally! The OK button brings up the usual list of channels to scroll through. Theres no sorting options here, but you can jump alphabetically through the channels using the coloured buttons on the remote. Data channels are included in the TV list, an annoyance that can be xed by deleting or hiding them in the Channel Edit menu. Here, sorting and other editing options are also available. Radio channels have their own separate list, accessible from the TV/Radio button. The EPG is fast, plus easy to read and navigate an essential feature for a PVR. Programmes can be added to the 60-event timer by simply highlighting them in the grid and pressing the record button. Only one programme can be recorded at once using this method, even when both tuners are using the same satellite. Manual recording is also available, simply by pressing record when viewing the desired programme. Strangely, manual recording does allow two channels to be recorded at the same time, so its just a software deciency that doesnt allow two programmes to be added from the EPG if their times clash. Timer events can be set up manually, these have the VCR-style options of onceonly, daily or weekly events. Again, this doesnt allow two programmes to be scheduled if their times clash. Sleep and wakeup timers are also available in a separate menu. Recordings are accessed from the HDD button on the remote. These are saved by
Everyday use
After using receivers with hard drives for a short time I soon discovered Middletons Law of PVRs: the amount of recordings you want to keep is always greater than the amount of space you have available. The easily removable hard drive means that we could use more than one drive if needed, but a more elegant solution is to use the USB interface, helpfully located on the front of the receiver. Once this is connected, all we need to do is select HDD Mode Change in the main menu, and it appears on the computer (under Windows XP at least) as an extra drive. From here we can move the recordings to the computer to free space on the receivers hard drive. The drive can be accessed via the USB cable even when disconnected from the receiver so it could discover a second life as an external drive for a PC if space was also a problem there! Whilst connected by the USB cable, MP3 les can be transferred for replay in the receivers MP3 Music Box. Updated receiver software can also be given to the receiver in this way, in addition to the more usual RS232 port route. Receiver software and channel lists can even be transferred between two 6000PVR receivers via the RS232 port.
Computer connection
Its quite an achievement to get all this into a small case. A blind scan on top of the PVR options is nice to have and appeals to both TV viewers and enthusiasts.
+ -
Expert conclusion
TELE-satellite Its a shame that all the hardware is in place which should allow Test Center us to do all the things other twin tuner PVRs can do, all from a nice UK looking compact box. It seems only the internal software would need a little work to make it a lot nicer. Urgently needed would be improvements such as allowing two scheduled recordings at the same time, frequency range selection in the blind scan, and EPG details stored with recordings. A few small tweaks like these would turn this good receiver into a top class receiver.
Andy Middleton
45
Antenna setup
Global TEQ 6000PVR

TECHNICAL
DATA
Distributor
Twin Tuner PVR with removable cartridge HDD & Blind Scan
Global Technologies Inc., 401 Kicox Venture Center B/D, 188-5 Kuro-Ku, Seoul, Korea info@globalteq.com www.globalteq.com +82-2-6300-4112 6000PVR Twin Tuner PVR with removable cartridge hard drive and blind scan 10000 54 1-45 Ms/sec 1.0,1.2 yes no yes yes, 3xRCA S/PDIF (optical) PAL, NTSC Yes Yes Yes Yes 90-250VAC, 50/60Hz 46 watts max
Blind Scan options
E-Mail Internet Fax Model Function Channel Memory Satellites Symbolrate DiSEqC USALS Programmable 0/12 V Output S-VHS Output Video/Stereo audio output Digital Audio Output Color System Modulator C/Ku-Band Compatible SCPC Compatible EPG Power Supply Power Consumption
Blind scanning
EPG
TEST
RESULT
Main menu
SATELLITE
INTERNATIONAL
Multi channel grid
46
TELE
TEST REPORT
Satellite Receiver
Golden Interstar 9000CI PVR Premium First-class PVR?

In the previous issue of TELE-satellite a combined DVB-T/DVB-S receiver from Golden Interstar was able to impress our testers by and large. This time a digital personal video recorder arrived at our test center and had to prove its worth. The Golden Interstar DSR 9000CI PVR Premium is a digital satellite receiver with PVR as well as common interface and claims to be a premium product. Form the outside the 9000CI ts smoothly into the corporate design of the Golden Interstar receiver line: a silver case, a four digit display behind a black glass window covering more than half of the front panel, a crescent-shaped lineup of front buttons in the center and a ap on the right side, behind which two smart card slots and the slots for two common interface modules are hidden. So far so good, there's nothing to criticize about the receiver's looks. It won't win a beauty pageant, but it will still be nice to look at after a couple of years. The remote control is nicely shaped and sits easily in your hand. The layout allows intuitive use of the control. Due to the PVR function of the box the number of buttons naturally is higher than with remotes for conventional receivers and the many buttons require precise nger movements and exact positioning. More than once our nger landed on the 'stop' button instead of the 'play' button after fast forward, with the result that the playback was stopped and had to be started again from the very beginning. Petite female hands and ngers are at an advantage here. As with the previously tested 8300CI we would have liked to see a dedicated pair of
factory-set language of the receiver. Contrary to many competitors' receivers, the Golden Interstar does not show a welcome screen asking you to select your preferred language before anything else, but starts with the main menu. But once this initial obstacle is overcome the box offers a whole universe of setting and conguration options, keeping up with Golden Interstar's image in that respect. For a rst-time user the installation menu may look confusing and 'too much too soon' at rst, but the logical user interface allows scanning a specic satellite without much fuss after clicking no more than two buttons. This makes the 9000CI a receiver that is perfectly suited for less experienced users as well. The majority of our readers will of course want to dig deeper here, and the Golden Interstar DSR 9000CI will not disappoint them. While even the pre-programmed congurations are sure to meet most demands, the receiver nonetheless allows manually setting or adding almost anything you like. The options range from the list of pre-stored satellites, which can be extended or edited, to the transponder list with manual editing fea-
Turn around the box by 180 degrees and you will discover an orderly and fully equipped rear panel featuring two LNB inputs with looped-through outputs, RCA outputs for stereo audio and video, an S-VHS output, an RS-232 interface, a USB connection, an optical digital audio output, an antenna input plus modulator output as well as two scart euroconnectors for the TV and the VCR. All you need, right in front of you.
buttons for volume adjustment on the remote control to make sure all four ring keys are exclusively used for navigation between and within menus and lists. This minor issue, however, does in no way impair the generally good usability of this receiver. The initial installation does not pose any problems, provided that you understand the
tures and all the way to PID values that can be changed or added. Aligning the antenna is made easy thanks to an exact signal strength and quality indica-
50
tor, and motorized systems can be set up in a whizz using the integrated DiSEqC protocols up to 1.3 and USALS. When we tested the other Golden Interstar box for the previous issue we gave special praise to the oscilloscope display showing the signal strength and quality over a certain time span, much like a spreadsheet chart. With this feature activated all signal changes can easily be traced. The same is true for this model as well. By the way: press 0 on the remote control and the oscilloscope will pop up cover half the screen at any time, giving you a detailed look at the state of the signal and allowing you to ne-tune the antenna alignment any time the need arises. Scanning for channels is always a very quick affair with Golden Interstar receivers, and the DSR 9000CI PVR Premium is no exception. Thanks to the timing clock in the lower right corner of the screen during the scan, it looks like the box thinks this is an Olympic discipline. In fact, the box scanned the major European ASTRA position at 19.2 East in just over three minutes, with activated network search! Unfortunately, the athletic stamina of the channel scan does not extend to channel switching: more than one second goes by before the selected channel will appear on the screen. If you switch to an encrypted channel which has to go through the inserted common interface module and smartcard the switching time is even longer than that. While it is true that there are slower model on the market, it is nonetheless a fact that the channel switching time is not one of this receiver's unique selling points, and even the different switching modes like an elegant fading out and in cannot completely disguise this. The channel list is one of the most interesting features of the DSR 9000CI PVR Premium: rather than being displayed as a single-column list of tens or hundreds of channels, the channels are either shown as thumbnails (like the miniature images on many websites) or as three columns lling the whole screen. We particularly liked the three-column display, as it allows navigating horizontally as well as vertically to the desired channel much faster than with almost any other design, even if many hundreds of channels are listed. The EPG has a smart design and loads the required information reasonably fast. Especially for marking certain events for recording the EPG is a very useful feature. Unfortunately we did not succeed in setting the time in a way that the current time display, the starting times in the EPG and the Now/Next times in the info bar all showed the correct time. Neither the automatic time setup using information from the data stream
nor a manual setting did seem to do the trick. Particularly for setting up recording using the EPG this may lead to some disappointment or even anger. However, the manufacturer has already announced a software update which will x this bug. Let's talk about the PVR now, as this will be the number one reason for many buyers to select the Golden Interstar DSR 9000CI PVR Premium. The 80GB harddisk is hidden inside the box and an upgrade with a larger harddisk might be a risky undertaking, especially since the receiver's casing is sealed on the rear panel and a broken seal will invalidate the warranty of the product. The exact recording bit rate is shown neither in the on-screen menu nor in the user's manual, but the quality of the recording does not leave anything to be desired and even a close look will hardly reveal any differences between a live picture and a recording. Contrary to many other PVRs the 9000CI does 'only' two simultaneous recordings at any one time, which can be from two different transponders if the antenna setup and cabling permits, as the receiver features two individual tuners. In everyday use you will hardly ever need more than two recordings at the same time, and the Golden Interstar box takes care of these two recordings very thoroughly and delivers much better results than most PVRs with 4 or 8 channel recording capacity, where recordings more often than not are of inferior quality. During our tests we did not come across any problems regarding recording, and playback surprised us with an above average audio and video quality. Very rarely and especially after excessive use of fast forward or reverse the image froze for a moment every couple of seconds and the video/audio synchrony
was lost. However, pausing for a moment and then going back to playback always resulted in everything being just perfect again. A software update will ultimately make this a thing of the past, anyway. Organizing the individual recordings is child's play thanks to a simple and clearly arranged menu which allows renaming or deleting recordings. It is not possible to cut out commercial breaks or to edit recordings that are too long. The same menu also lists radio recordings or MP3s that have been transferred from a PC. All this makes the PVR a feature of the 9000CI you wouldn't want to miss even after a very short time. If we were allowed to draw up a wish list regarding the PVR's features, it would certainly include a manual selection of the recording quality as well as an option to record all audio tracks (multilingual soundtracks, Dolby Digital audio) and a quicker fast forward mode. But even without these features this Golden Interstar receiver is a technologically sound and reliable PVR whose quality gives no rise to criticism. Of course it has become a conditio sine qua non for most manufacturers to take into account the play instinct of its customers: to this end the Golden Interstar DSR 9000CI PVR Premium offers a variety of games to kill time during commercial breaks as well as a very powerful zoom mode, which unfortunately does not work with recordings. Yet, these goodies are not really needed to make this receiver more attractive. With its combination of ease of use and the many manual setting options it can be recommended equally to families with children and satellite enthusiasts with a motorized antenna system. After all, the receiver's 9000 channel memory is virtually desperate for multifeed reception.
Timeless design coupled with reliable software and a wide range of functions. The tuning conguration is characterized by numerous manual setting options and a really fast channel search. Various display modes for signal strength and quality assist greatly in aligning the antenna. The PVR is easy to operate and works awlessly.
Expert conclusion
Because of the colorful design of the OSD some texts are difcult to read. The program name is not shown in the standard info bar. The recording quality of the PVR cannot be adjusted.
Armin Gottwald TELE-satellite Test Center Austria
51
Golden Interstar 9000CI PVR Premium

Digital FTA+CI satellite receiver and PVR
TECHNICAL
DATA
Hersteller Fax Email Internet Model Function Channel memory Satellites Symbol rate DiSEqC USALS Programmable Digital Audio Output Scart connectors Video/Stereo Audio Output Colour system S-VHS Output Modulator SCPC compatible EPG Teletext Power Supply Power Consumption Golden Interstar GmbH Stuttgarter Str. 36 73635 Rudersberg, Germany +49 7183 30594 20 info@golden-interstar.com www.golden-interstar.com DSR 9000CI PVR Premium Digital FTA + CI satellite receiver and PVR 9000 83 pre-programmed, total memory for 120 satellites 1 ~ 45 Ms/sec 1.0 / 1.1 / 1.2 Yes 0/12 V No S/PDIF (optical) 2 3 x RCA PAL, NTSC No Yes Yes Yes Yes (OSD und VBI) 100 250 VAC 50 W max.
Main Menu
Info
Channel list
Multi pictures
TEST
RESULT
Signal
SATELLITE
INTERNATIONAL
TP setup
52
TELE
SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY 3 Dimension TV
3D TV via Satellite
Alberto Boselli
At the recent satellite exhibition SAT Expo in Vicenza, Italy, visitors had the opportunity to watch the rst European 3D (three dimensional) satellite transmission. This service was provided by the Italian company 3DSwitch in cooperation with the satellite operator Eutelsat and the Telespazio space center located at Fucino, Italy.
3D transmission of a surgeons operation
The idea behind 3D is to cheat our brain using two different images of the same scene, like our eyes were actually watching that scene. To achieve this effect, one eye have to see an image while the other eye sees the second image. The brain will receive both impulses and compose them into a single three dimensional picture. This technique is as old as the cinema itself, and in the last century we had several examples of 3D movies that required glasses having a red lens over the left eye and a blue/green lens on the right (called anaglyph).
The 3D technology developed by 3DSwitch is based on the same optical principle. It supports both Standard and High Denition TV and it's a complete solution covering all steps of the process, starting from video production up to end user vision. Special 3D professional cameras allows to generate a 3D video source, otherwise two frames coming from two standard television cameras placed side by side are combined together by the 3DSYNC post-production software. Video and audio are then encoded according to the 3DSwitch proprietary protocol (an extension
of DVB) and broadcasted as a satellite, cable or terrestrial digital signal. At reception side special displays are required, such as LCD screens, DLP projectors or rear projection systems (depending on the required picture size) with a resolution up to 1600x1200 pixels. Spectators have to wear special glasses with polarized lenses. These very light glasses have been designed according to ergonomics principles and don't make any difcult their usage for a long time. One of the rst application of this technology is telemedicine, where three dimensional pictures allow the surgeon to have a precise perception of organs volumes, while HDTV gives a sharper and full detailed image. At Sat Expo a team of doctors and surgeons performed a demonstration of a successful surgical operation using a 3D HDTV transmission. Also remote control (productions lines, facilities, etc.) is a suitable application for 3D and it can take full advantage of the satellite link. For the future, the 3DSwitch ThreeDimensional TV project is planned to start within next year and it will offer regular programming contents directly to end users. 3D special displays will be available for consumers at costs comparable to those of present medium level TV set, but these devices will be able to receive both the traditional and 3D High Denition signals, without any kind of conict. The satellite test transmission is available (but probably it won't be any longer when you'll read this page) from Hotbird 1 at 13 East, frequency 11,534 GHz Vertical, symbolrate 27.5 Ms/sec. More information can be found at http://www.3dswitch.tv/
3DSwitchs stand at SatExpo. To see the transmissin in 3D special glasses are needed
54
TEST REPORT
Satellite Receiver
Pansat 3500S Conax Embedded Plus SD Memory Card Slot

Panarex Electronics has been in existence since 1983. They offer a complete line of satellite equipment including digital MPEG-2 DVB receivers, antennas, LNBs and LNBFs, feedhorns, positioners, DiSEqC motors and switches. One of their newest receiver models, the 3500S, found its way into our test labs. At rst glance it looks no different than many other receivers available on the market today. But once we took a closer look at it, we discovered that theres more to it than meets the eye. a optical digital audio output, an S-VHS output and even a main power switch. But there is also a set of quick-clamp connectors that can be used to connect this receiver to a servomotor on your LNB. Even more interesting are the component Y, Pb and Pr outputs! Last but not least is the UHF jack that can be used with an optional UHF remote control. The standard silver-colored remote control is long and narrow thus making is easy to grip. It comes with all the functions youd expect plus a number of extras including four colored function buttons. It is a universal remote control allowing it to be used with other major brands of electronic equipment such as TVs, VCRs, DVD players, etc. Even though it is narrow, most of the buttons are spaced far enough apart for your thumb.
The box has a rather simple-looking silvercolored front panel with a small squareshaped display located in the center. This display shows either one of the 5000 possible channels or the current time. The receiver has a built-in real time clock a very unique feature for a satellite receiver. Eight control buttons are on the right side allowing you to completely control this receiver from the front panel even if you should have a problem with the remote control. Its only when the ap on the left side is opened that we discover the rst surprise. In addition to a SmartCard slot for the embedded Conax encryption system, theres
a second, smaller slot just underneath the Conax slot. This slot can accommodate an SD memory card a feature you wont nd on every receiver. The rear panel comes with all of the typical connectors youd expect to nd in a North American box plus there are a number of extras that are very interesting. For starters, theres the IF input with corresponding looped-through output, a terrestrial antenna input with modulator output, a switch to select the modulator output between VHF Channel 3 or 4, an RS-232 interface for new software uploads, a set of three RCA jacks that provide video and stereo audio outputs,
When you turn on the 3500S for the rst time, you naturally want to choose a proper
Everyday Use
56
language so that you can talk with this box. By pressing the Menu button on the remote, the Main Menu page appears on the screen from which you can select from a number of Sub Menus. Simply go to the User Setup menu where you have your choice of English, German, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish and Arabic. Here you can also select the desired Aspect ratio (4:3 or 16:9), TV Type (NTSC, PAL or AUTO), set the current time, set the transparency of the OSD and initiate a software transfer. The next logical step would be setting up the satellites you want to receive. This is taken care of in the Installation menu. Accessing the Installation menu requires you to enter a four-digit password. While having this feature is not a bad idea, there is unfortunately no obvious way to turn it off. A password must be entered every time you access the Installation menu. The list consists of over 80 Ku-band and C-band satellites from the western hemisphere. Keep in mind that combined C/Kuband satellites such as Intelsat Americas 5 or AMC 4 are listed as two separate satellites, one C-band and one Ku-band. The current settings for a highlighted satellite are shown on the right side of the screen. From here a DiSEqC switch can be set up, A number of preset local oscillator frequency (LOF) settings are available but if the LOF you need is not preset, you can easily enter any LOF value that you need manually. The receiver supports both the DiSEqC 1.0 and 1.2 protocols as well as the USALS protocol. This allows you to use the 3500S in almost any conguration. Signal strength and quality bar graphs are also displayed during installation to help optimize antenna alignment. By far the most popular type of channel scan is the Blind Scan. More and more manufacturers are including this feature in their receivers. Called Smart Search by Pansat, this feature lets you scan an entire satellite for digital signals without knowing ahead of time any of the signal parameters.
Is the transponder list for a particular satellite obsolete? No problem. Where before you had to enter transponder data manually (and this was only data that you knew about!), now just let Smart Search do the work for you. It will identify any DVB signals that are on a satellite, tell you the transponder frequency, symbolrate and automatically scan all the transponders that it found. Its an incredible time saver! Unfortunately, other than selecting an FTA or ALL scan or selecting between all polarities or just one, no other parameters could be adjusted. You could not select a low or high symbolrate limitation nor could you scan a specic frequency range. Also, when the box was looking for channels on the transponders that it found, it would occasionally get stuck on some transponders for quite some time requiring in some cases minutes for the channels to be identied. But lets get back to the standard channel scan. The time to complete a full scan of Intelsat Americas 5 was about two minutes and thirty seconds during which a total of 182 TV channels and 98 radio channels were found. Simply press the OK button to display a complete list of the channels stored in the receiver. Press the OK button a second time to switch to the selected channel. Oddly enough, the channel list does not disappear until the OK button is pressed again.
The time to switch between channels is a good one second. Thus, channel surng is not all that much fun. A push of the Info button displays PID data for the current channel. The Electronic Program Guide can be called up by pushing the Guide button. It displays detailed programming information on the current channel. The manufacturer species a symbolrate range of 1-45 Ms/sec. Once all the channels have been stored, the Channel Edit menu can be used to organize everything that was found. Accessing this menu also requires a password. So, whats this extra slot on the front panel all about? Its designed to accept an SD memory card and gives this receiver a number of extra capabilities. For example, MP3 les stored on the memory card can be played back through the receiver. Even new receiver software can be uploaded into the receiver via the SD memory card. The SD card slot can be accessed directly through the Main Menu. The data on the SD card is then shown on the screen in a format that closely resembles the old MS DOS le system. The optional UHF remote control system consists of the remote control and a UHF interface box that plugs into the back of the 3500S. This lets you control the receiver from almost any room in the house.
The Pansat 3500S is a very versatile satellite receiver. It comes with a wide variety of features including Smart Search, component video outputs, servo motor control and an embedded Conax system. As many as 5000 TV and radio channels can be stored. The SD memory card slot lets you play back MP3 les or upload new receiver software.
Expert conclusion
During a channel scan, the receiver occasionally got hung up for several minutes on some transponders adding to the total scan time. Passwords are needed to get into some of the menu functions. While this is good, for those users that dont have to worry about unwanted access, this feature unfortunately cannot be turned off. www.TELE-satellite.com TELE-satellite International
Ron Roessel TELE-satellite Test Center North America
57
Channel List
Pansat 3500S
Digital Satellite Receiver with Embedded Conax

TECHNICAL
DATA
Manufacturer Fax E-mail Model Function Channel Memory Satellites Symbolrate SCPC Compatible SD memory Card Slot USALS DiSEqC A/V Outputs S-VHS Output Digital Audio Output Power Supply Panarex Electronics, Sun Valley, California, USA +1-818-768-5191 pansatusa@cs.com 3500S Digital Satellite Receiver with Embedded Conax 5000 80+ 1-45 Ms/sec. yes yes yes 1.0 and 1.2 yes, 3 x RCA yes yes, optical 90-250 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Main Menu
Antenna Setup Menu
Info Bar
TEST
RESULT
SD Memory Card Menu
58
SATELLITE
TELE
INTERNATIONAL
Your questions, our answers

www.tele-satellite.info
Andy Middleton
answers your questions however rumours that ITV and Channel 4 will follow the BBCs lead and switch to being truly FTA, which would allow viewers to use any digital receiver of their choice.
TSI Team
UK free view channels availability

I live in an area of the UK with very poor TV reception. In order to boost the signal I have a Sky dish. I only really want the UK Free to air channels and currently this is costing 15 per month (and I still do not have access to all of them). Is it possible to get the free to air channels if I bought a different satellite receiver?
Satellite dishes not allowed

Ive rented a at in London and I intend to install a satellite dish so that I can receive Nova Greece. The problem is that the block of ats that I will be staying doesnt accept satellite dishes. I was wondering whether it is possible to install the satellite dish on my own somewhere that will not be visible from the outside, for example on the our of the balcony or inside the at. The satellite that I want to receive is Hotbird located at 13 degrees east. What is your opinion? My rst opinion is that its sad that the shortsighted owners of these ats dont allow their tenants to have access to the 21st century digital world! A dish on a balcony would be no problem as long as you had a clear view to the satellite in the sky. Locating it indoors is more of a problem, but not impossible. If you have a window that looks out in the right direction to the satellite, it could be possible to use a dish from inside the window. The type of glass, whether it is single or double-glazed, and even the angle that signal passes through the glass contribute to success or failure. If you can get an analogue receiver this would be very helpful for you to experiment with you should be able to nd one for next to no cost as the UK has almost completely forgotten about analogue satellite channels. With this youll be able to nd the satellite much easier and be able to judge the signal level thankfully there are still some analogue channels on Hotbird.
Connecting multiple dishes and receivers with DiSEqC switches
Coffee beans and satellite beams

I am an Ethiopian living in Addis Ababa. Some years back I bought a digital receiver with a small Gulf Star dish. It was not possible to nd a satellite and I was forced to buy a bigger Eurostar dish. What is the problem with the small dish? How can I nd a satellite with this small dish? My wife wants to use the dish for traditional coffee roasting. Unless I get a solution for this I am going to permit my wife to use it. Would you please help me on how to nd a satellite with this dish before I decide on its fate? Some freshly roasted coffee sounds very tempting, but lets give the little dish one last chance. The problem with your location is that at least an 80cm dish is needed to receive anything, its out of the centre of most coverage areas. The most likely satellites you could receive are Arabsat 3A and the middle-east beams of Hellas Sat, Panamsat 12, Intelsat 10-02 and NSS 6. Have a look at the SatcoDX charts to get the frequencies, the SatcoDX World of Satellites software can also tell you the azimuth and elevation numbers that will help you nd the satellites. The larger the dish is, the more chance you have of success. Try frequencies with larger symbol rates as these are usually easier to nd. And remember if all else fails, youll still have a big dish to use and some quality coffee to drink!
Eurosport in English for free on analogue UK channels on satellite operating in Sky Digitals network use slightly confusing similar terms free to air (FTA) and free to view (FTV). FTA channels are genuinely free and can be viewed with any digital receiver, and the BBCs channels are the most sought-after among these. The other free channels such as ITV and Channel 4 are scrambled and require a card to view them. For these FTV channels, you dont need to pay Sky a subscription - an expired card will continue to work on these channels, or you can get one for the non-subscription channels. The BBC used to operate a service where anyone with a TV license could request a free card, this unfortunately ceased some time ago. A similar system is now available through Sky (see www.freesatfromsky. com), with a once-only charge of 20. While some of these channels remain viewable only with a card, youll need to continue to use the Sky receiver to see them. There are
Multiple receivers on a single dish

I have 4 receivers in my house. I am receiving three signals from three different dishes (Hotbird, Arabsat, Nilesat), do I need to install three different systems for the three remaining receivers, or there is a way to connect the four receivers to the same DiSEqC switch through a mixer/distributor? I think the easiest way to do this would be to use some multiple-output LNBs and some DiSEqC switches. Switches are inexpensive and 4-output LNBs are getting cheaper all the time at least for Ku band. This would mean you could use the existing cables, with only one going to each receiver (youd need one more cable and switch if you wanted all four receivers connected). At the dish end, a switch would be used for each receiver, with an output connected to each LNB. It sounds complicated, but is really quite simple. Installation and later maintenance can be made easier by using some coloured tape to colourcode the ends of the cables.
English language channels in Ireland

I have installed a 57 cm dish for digital reception. I want to receive BBC and ITV and other English language programmes. At present I get Eurosport in German - can I receive this in English? I am getting Sky News, CNN and BBC World in English OK. It sounds like at the moment your dish is pointing at Astra 1 at 19 degrees east. If you moved it around to Astra 2 and Eurobird at 28E, youd get all of these except Eurosport and BBC World, although to compensate this youd have all the other BBC channels including BBC News 24. The only place to get Eurosport in English without a subscription is the analogue service on Astra 1 at 19E. To get ITV, youd need to get a Freesat card registered to a UK address or join the growing band of us who are hoping the rumours of ITV going FTA will become a reality - see the earlier question about this for details.
FTA BBC on Astra 2
59
TEST REPORT
Multifeed Adaptor
Vantage Multifeed Mount Four Satellites with One Antenna

If youve ever thought about expanding your satellite system to receive more than one orbital position, you really only have two possibilities: either you install a DiSEqC motor or you utilize a multifeed construction. Your unfriendly neighbors might not like the idea of a DiSEqC motor since the noise from one of these small motors could be somewhat disturbing especially at night. This leaves only the second choice available: multifeed. Various manufacturers offer special antennas with double-reectors providing a reception range of roughly 60. Vantage, based in Germany, thought that it didnt always have to be this way and worked on a solution that allowed multifeed reception using a standard antenna. The result was a multifeed rail that at rst glance looked rather simplistic but after assembling the individual pieces it became apparent that the manufacturer spent quite a lot of time in its design. Typical multifeed mounts are usually the +/- 10 range of the antenna focal point, this for the most part works without any problems. But the further east or west you go, the worse the reception becomes. The receivable satellites are not positioned along a straight line, as you might expect, instead it is more of a curve as viewed from the satellite antenna. The southern-most satellite from your position is at the highest elevation point and all the other satellites are on a curve that runs from east to west. Thus, Vantage manufactured their multifeed holders in such a way that they can be adjusted vertically, horizontally and across. This lets you adjust the position of each LNB for optimal reception. The workmanship of the individual pieces is quite good and the assembly is easy. We also liked the fact that it only weighed 343 gm (~3/4 pound). This multifeed solution was ideally designed for use with Vantage antennas although we had no trouble installing this holder on other antennas (such as Gibertini). installed on a rigid rail and the LNB holders can only be moved to the east or the west. In
60
TEST REPORT
Multifeed Adaptor
In addition to the four holders for the LNBs, the package also included the actual multifeed rail as well as all the necessary assembly hardware. Unfortunately, assembly instructions were not included. putting this all together. Beginners might therefore have some difculties
Everyday Use
Two screws are used to mount the multifeed rail in the spot on the antenna where the LNB mount would have gone. Because of the design of this rail, it is not possible to install an LNB in the exact focal point of the dish since the mount for the rail is in the way. Before you start to install the LNBs and align them, you must rst decide what satellites you want to receive since this will determine which satellite will be roughly located in the focal point and how the rail is to be installed on the antenna. For our tests we played around with a number of different satellite combinations. We started with Astra 19.2 east, Astra3A 23.5 east, Astra2 28.2 east and Turksat 42 east. In this case the Astra2 satellite was aligned with the focal point of the dish after which one LNB after the other was set up and aligned. While reception of the three Astra satellites was excellent (and this naturally has to do with their high power output), Turksat was receivable although there was not all that much bad weather reserve. Additional satellite combinations tested were Astra 19.2 east, Hotbird 13 east, Astra2 and Sirius 5 east as well as Hotbird 13 east, Sirus 5 east, Thor 1 west and Amos1 4 west. We also went even further west with Hispasat at 30 west, as well as PAS 3R 43 west and PAS1R 45 west. The design of the LNB holder permits reception of satellites spaced only 3 apart allowing combinations such as Astra 19.2 east, EutelsatW2 16 east and also Hotbird 13 east to be received without any problems. In cases like this, make sure that the LNBs used are narrow enough and designed for reception of satellites only 3 apart. As excited as we were with all of the LNB holder alignment possibilities, it turned out that the actual setup was rather tiresome. Each LNB holder uses three screws, one to secure the LNB and the other two for setting the elevation and azimuth. And this is where Manufacturer Tel.: Fax: E-Mail: Function: While aligning the four LNBs, we unfortunately could see how there are fewer and fewer analog TV channels available; in the range between 42 east and 30 west it turned out to be just a mere 17 channels (not including Astra and Hotbird). This makes it especially difcult for beginners to properly align this multifeed rail with its multiple adjustment settings without the the problem is: once the LNB is mounted in its holder, it becomes somewhat difcult to loosen or tighten the two other screws. And if two or more of the LNBs are to be mounted with only 3 of separation, the entire affair will be a test of patience. And lets not forget to mention that with multifeed reception the LNB has to be installed on the rail on the opposite side compared to the position of the satellite. In other words, if the satellites are positioned on the east side of the antennas focal point, the LNBs would need to be installed on the rail on the west side of the focal point. And vice versa, the LNBs for western satellites would be mounted on the east side of the rail. use of a spectrum analyzer. Even for more experienced users it would help to have the spectrum of the more critical satellites memorized in order to speed things up.
The Vantage Multifeed Mount is solidly manufactured and offers the rst real multiple adjustment system allowing an expanded reception range. The universal mount allows the rail to be installed not only on Vantage-manufactured antennas, but also on antennas from other makers.
Expert conclusion
Unfortunately, the instruction manual was missing. It also needs to be pointed out that the adjustment screws were very difcult to reach.
Thomas Haring TELE-satellite Test Center Austria
TECHNICAL
DATA
Vantage Digital, Amalienbadstr. 36, 76227 Karlsruhe +49 (0) 721 / 96 14 17-0 +49 (0) 721 / 96 14 17-9 info@vantage-digital.com Multifeed Adaptor for up to 4 LNBs
62
Amplier & Multiswitch TEST REPORT
In the previous issue of TELE-satellite we introduced the Vantage line of DiSEqC switches ranging from a simple DiSEqC A/B switch up to an eight-input/single-output DiSEqC switch. In addition to this product line, Vantage also has a wide variety of Multiswitches and ampliers to complement their DiSEqC switches. In this issue we want to take a closer look at their assortment of multiswitches and ampliers. This report will focus on the following products: VT-AP 9/9-25 Amplier VT-MS 5/12 TNT Multiswitch VT-MS 5/28 TNT Multiswitch VT-MS 9/16 TNT Multiswitch The rst device we looked at was a simple
Vantage Digital Ampliers and Multiswitches

means, for example, that if a multiswitch has 16 outputs, you could connect 16 satellite receivers to the multiswitch and each receiver would function as if it were connected to its own antenna. The rst multiswitch we tested was the VTMS 5/12 TNT. Of the three we looked at, this was the most basic switch with four satellite inputs, one terrestrial input and 12 independent outputs. This switch can be used with a Quattro Universal LNB or with two Twin LNBs and can be connected to as many as 12 receivers. The rst two satellite inputs labeled LNC A and LNC B are driven with 13 volts and 18 volts respectively while the LNC C and LNC D inputs are also driven by 13 and 18 volts but require a 22 kHz signal from the receiver in order to be accessed. The signal level of each of the satellite inputs is adjustable by 15dB. There is no level adjustment for the terrestrial input. The switch functioned as expected with only a slight reduction in signal quality as measured on the receiver. The same signal quality was observed on all 12 of the outputs. Each of the outputs was sufciently isolated from the others so that no noticeable interference was observed between any of the outputs.
VT-MS 5/12 TNT
amplier. The VT-AP 9/9-25 amplies both satellite and terrestrial signals and is rated for a gain of 25dB for satellite signals and a gain of 35dB for terrestrial signals. The amplier comes with eight satellite inputs with a corresponding group of eight outputs. There is a single terrestrial input with associated output. The input frequency range of the terrestrial input is 40 to 862 MHz while the input range for the eight satellite inputs is from 950 to 2300 MHz. The gain for each of the inputs is individually adjustable by 15dB. The next group of devices we looked at was a set of multiswitches. There are multiswitches available for almost any application from distributing a satellite signal to a few rooms all the way to signal distribution to an entire apartment building. Multiswitches take a number of satellite inputs and distribute them to any number of outputs. Each of these outputs function independently from each other. That is, although the multiswitch may have one or two satellite dishes connected to the inputs, each output behaves as if it were connected to its own satellite antenna. This
Most multiswitches also come with a terrestrial antenna input. The multiswitch takes the terrestrial signal and combines it with the satellite signal into a single output. At the receiver end you connect an appropriate signal splitter to split the terrestrial and satellite signals.
The next multiswitch we looked at was the VT-MS 9/16 TNT. This switch is slightly
VT-MS 9/16 TNT
63
Amplier & Multiswitch TEST REPORT
larger in size compared to the 5/12 switch tested above and comes with 16 independent outputs. Its input frequency range is the same as the rst switch. This switch also comes with a terrestrial input that is internally combined with the satellite inputs and then routed to the 16 outputs. It has eight satellite inputs that give you greater exibility in what you can connect to its inputs. Here, for example, you could install a pair of Quattro LNBs on the eight satellite inputs or a Quattro LNB on one set of four inputs and two Twin LNBs on the other four inputs. A set of four DIP switches is mounted just
As expected, this switch also performed awlessly. An insignicant drop is signal quality was seen from input to output. The
signal quality observed at one output was the same for all the remaining outputs.
If you are looking to amplify and/or distribute satellite and terrestrial TV signals, then Vantage almost certainly has a product suitable for your needs All of Vantages ampliers and switches are powered by 110-250 VAC, 50/60 Hz so they could be used almost anywhere in the world. Whether you want to provide satellite TV to a few rooms in your house, to the rooms in a small Bed and Breakfast or if youre looking to supply satellite TV to a larger apartment complex, Ron Roessel Vantage has a multiswitch to TELE-satellite Test Center do the job.
North America
Conclusion
to the left of the rst satellite input and is used to turn on or off the 22 kHz signal needed for universal LNBs. As with the rst switch, here too the signal level is individually adjustable (15dB range) for each of the satellite inputs. This switch is also compatible with DiSEqC commands from the connected satellite receivers. These DiSEqC commands are used by the receivers to select between the rst set of four satellite inputs and the second set of four inputs. The VT-MS 9/16 TNT behaved much the same as the rst switch. A barely recognizable reduction in signal quality was observed from input to output with the same signal quality present on all 16 of the outputs.
TECHNICAL
Manufacturer E-mail Fax Model Function Inputs Outputs Frequency Range Insertion Loss Vantage Digital, Karlsruhe, Germany info@vantage-digital.com +49 (0) 721 / 96 14 17-9 VT-MS 5/12 TNT Multiswitch 5 12 VT-MS 9/16 TNT Multiswitch 9 16 VT-MS 5/28 TNT Multiswitch 5 28 Satellite: 950-2300 MHz 0 dB (40-862 MHz)
DATA
Terrestrial: 40-862 MHz, 3 dB (40-862 MHz)
3 dB (40-862 MHz)
5 dB (950-2300 MHz) 4 dB (950-2300 MHz) 4 dB (950-2300 MHz) Isolation Power Consumption 20 dB min. 45W max 30 dB typ. 45W max 20 dB min. 45W max
Last, but certainly not least, is the VT-MS 5/28 TNT. This switch is the same size as the 9/16 switch. As you can probably gure out by the model number, this multiswitch comes with ve inputs (four satellite and one terrestrial) and 28 independent outputs. The signal levels of all the inputs, including the terrestrial input, are individually adjustable (15dB range). The input frequency range is identical to the rst two switches.
VT-MS 5/28 TNT
Model Function Inputs Outputs Frequency Range Gain Isolation Power Consumption
VT-AP 9/9-25 Amplier 9 9 Terrestrial: 40-862 MHz, Satellite: 950-2300 MHz
25 dB Typ. (950-2300 MHZ); 35 dB Typ. (40-862 MHz) 30 dB Typ. 45W max www.TELE-satellite.com TELE-satellite International
65
TEST REPORT
Programmable Selective Amplier
FAGOR MicroMATV pro 100 Swiss Army Knife for the Terrestrial Antenna System
When writing about antenna systems here in TELE-satelite, we usually mean the satellite antenna systems. However, most of us who use the satellite receivers do not resign from the conventional terrestrial reception. After all, quite often an interesting channel is transmitted for free in your region via the terrestrial transmitter. This channel may be not available through satellite (for example local news channel) or be a part of a Pay-TV satellite package. New digital channels show up in the terrestrial TV what keeps it attractive. Control function. To put it simply, a selective programmable amplier enables us to connect a several antennae to one TV-set or to one distribution cable network. We took a closer look at the MicroMATV pro 100 model. You can connect up to six different antennae for various bands. You have the following inputs: FM (87.5-108 MHz0, BI (47-68 MHz), BIII/DAB (174-230 MHz) and 3 UHF inputs (470-862 MHz). Unfortunately the model we tested had no SAT IF input (9502150 MHz). This input is available in models 200C and 300C. However, it had an auxiliary input AUX (47-68, 130-862 MHz). Using this input and the additional device of Fagor Electronica called DISAT-4, you can connect a satellite dish to the system. Alternatively, the AUX input may be used for some other TV or radio signal (for example from another MicroMATV amplier output or from an existing cable TV network).
Depending on the region you live, you can receive the terrestrial channels with either a single dipole/yagi antenna or you have to install a number of them pointing in different directions. In the latter case, it is always necessary to combine the signals from a few antennae into one signal and send it down to the TV-set. In the family house, such signal is usually distributed among many rooms. In the block of apartments among many ats. Combining the signal from different antennae was usually done with a mixture of ampliers, multiplexers and lters (or traps). For a
regular mortal, it was a kind of black magic what kind of equipment should he or she use and how to interconnect all components. This kind of problem does not exist when you have a selective programmable amplier from Spanish company Fagor Electronica. The rst products from that company appeared on the market already in 1992. The products offered now belong to the third generation. Fagor Electronica designed and produced a family of products called MicroMATV pro, models: 100, 100C, 200C and 300C. They differ in number of inputs and Automatic Gain
68
Programmable Selective Amplier TEST REPORT
Figure 1 shows the exemplary antenna system that Fagor Electronica provide in their user manual. Not only can you connect a number of antennae to the amplier but also you have the possibility to adjust its amplication for different inputs. And thats not all. In the UHF bands, you can set a number of lters so that to pass only a portion of the UHF frequency spectrum: 470-862 MHz. In this way, you lter out the part of band in which the TV channels that you want to receive are transmitted. For example: you may take channels
settings and a power cord for 230Vac supply. The unit itself is rather big and heavy and it is designed to be wall mounted in the indoors. It makes an impression of a very solid piece of equipment. Its workmanship leaves nothing to be desired. The user manual that we got along with the unit was prepared in Spanish, French and English. Apart from the specications, it includes the programming guide. At rst we were somewhat afraid that it may be not that easy to enter all the necessary settings, but the reality was quite the
We started with FM band. As you can see in gure 2, the lter amplitude response is practically perfect. No passband ripple, and very steep rolloff of 25dB/8MHz. Filter covers exactly 87.5-108 MHz band. [Fig. 2.] The gain can be adjusted in 25 steps. According to the specication, the adjustment range should be 25 dB. We measured that actually the range is somewhat bigger: 28 dB. One step is roughly 1 dB. The difference between specication and actual adjustment range was even bigger in BI band (47-68 MHz). Instead of 25 dB adjustment range, the actual range was 35 dB. So, we got something between 1.5 and 1.7 dB per one step. While in practice, greater range and coarser resolution of the gain adjustment should not pose any problem, it is still a certain deviation from the published specication. The frequency response for this input was as perfect as for the FM input. Rolloff was about 20dB/8MHz. See gure 3. [Fig. 3.] BIII input (174-230 MHz) was better with respect to gain setting. For settings between 0 through 20 the actual changes were almost exactly 1 dB per step. For settings between 20 and 25 it was about 1.5 dB per step. Low ripple in the passband see gure 4 but the rolloff of 10dB/8MHz was not equally good as for the previous inputs. [Fig.4.] Before dealing with the UHF bands, we quickly checked the auxiliary input (47-68, 130-862 MHz). The atness of its frequency characteristics was a nice surprise see gure 5. You should take into account that our noise generator had ca. 5 dB decrease in amplitude at maximum frequency. So the amplier itself introduce maybe 1 or 2 dB difference in amplitude response over the entire band! [Fig. 5.] When we moved to the most interesting inputs UHF inputs, the rst observation was
Fig. 1. Exemplary antenna system
20-25, 36-37 and 55-60 from the rst UHF antenna, channels 40-42 and 63-65 from the second UHF antenna and channels 29-32 from the third UHF antenna. You may set up to 10 different lters in UHF band. The lters pass-through bandwidth can be individually set from a single channel (8 MHz) to six channel (48 MHz). MicroMATV pro 100 comes with an external control unit used to enter all necessary
opposite. The control unit with 2 line liquid crystal display and ve buttons could not be simpler to operate! It takes rather seconds than minutes to understand its logic. For our tests, we used the NG-281 noise generator and the Prolink-4C Premium spectrum analyzer of PROMAX. Additionally, we checked the operation of the amplier with the real TV and radio signals of different frequencies.
Fig. 2. FM input frequency response
Fig. 3. BI input frequency response
Fig.4. BIII/DAB frequency response www.TELE-satellite.com TELE-satellite International
69
Programmable Selective Amplier TEST REPORT
that the rolloff of the lter is slightly worse compared to the previous xed band inputs. Although we got quite good 17dB/8MHz for the lower slope but only 9dB/8MHz for the upper slope of the lter. When the lter was set to one or two channel bandwidth, its frequency response looked quite good, but for the wider settings we observed a dip between 2 peaks in the passband. Figure 6 shows a lter set for 1 channel and gure 7 shows lter set for 6 channels. [Fig. 6.] [Fig. 7.]
Still more passband ripple resulted when we tried to achieve more than 6-channel wide bandwidth by setting 2 adjoining lters on one UHF input. We set the rst lter for channels 21-26 (474-514 MHz) and the second lter for channels 27-32 (522-562 MHz). In such conguration, one could expect a frequency response more or less at for channels 2132 (474-562 MHz). As you can see in gure 8, the frequency response was not perfectly at. It had peaks and dips. Of course, this will result in lower and higher amplication of different TV channels. Fortunately, the difference was not great and it should not pose any problem for the TV-set to cope with such differences. [Fig. 8.] The gain setting for the UHF bands turned out to be very linear. Every 5 step setting change resulted in almost exactly 5 dB change of the amplier output. Apart from the frequency response and gain setting, we took a several measurements of signal to noise. All of them showed almost no degradation of S/N ratio between amplier output and input. MicroMATV pro 100 is really a low
noise amplier! Also, all the practical tests with live TV signals showed absolutely no distortion or noise in the output of the device. The MicroMATV pro programmable selective ampliers have other practical features like Automatic Equalization System or Automatic Gain Control. AES when activated, measures the signal at all inputs and automatically sets the optimum gain setting for every band. This is extremely convenient! Without this feature, the installer should either use something like spectrum analyzer to check the output level for every channel or group of channels or do it by trial and error. AGC helps keeping the optimal output level when incoming signal changes in power, for example due to weather conditions. The ampliers can automatically recognize the digital channels and keep their level 15 dB below the analog channel level. Thanks to this, DVB-T receivers or digital/analog TV-sets work properly. We can say that Fagors selective ampliers are really ready for todays mixed analog/digital terrestrial transmissions.
Fig. 5. Auxiliary input frequency response
Very versatile, replaces big number of classical devices like ampliers, lters or multiplexers. Easy programming. AES function makes the necessary adjustments very simple. Low noise. Flat frequency response of the AUX amplier.
+ -
Expert conclusion
Fig. 6. UHF lter set to one channel bandwidth
Different sensitivity of gain setting (dB per step) on various bands. The rolloff of the upper slope of UHF lters could be steeper.
Peter Miller TELE-satellite Test Center Poland
TECHNICAL
DATA
Manufacturer Fagor Electronica, S.Coop., San Andres, Mondragon, Spain www.fagorelectronica.es rf.sales@fagorelectronica.es +34 43 712526 +34 43 712893 MicroMATV pro 100 Programmable Selective Amplier FM, BI, BIII/DAB, AUX, 3xUHF 10 8 - 48 MHz (1-6 channels) 23-53 dB (depending on band) 23-25 dB (depending on band) 20-25 dB (depending on band) 6-8 dB (depending on band) 116 dBV (DIM 35dBc) for FM 121 dBV (DIM 60dBc) for other bands 230 Vac 15% 0-50C www.TELE-satellite.com TELE-satellite International
E-mail Phone Fax Model Description Fig. 7. UHF lter set to six channel bandwidth Inputs Number of programmable ampliers/lters in UHF band Programmable lter bandwidth Maximum gain Input adjustment Output adjustment Noise factor Output level Power supply Ambient temperature
Fig. 8. Interaction between two adjoining 6-channel wide lters
71
TEST REPORT
DVB-S PCI Satellite Card
DVB-Shop TT Premium S2300 (Rev 2.3)modied Satellite Afterburner for a PC

Media PCs have been increasingly nding a home in many a living room. This continually places new requirements on PC cards for satellite reception. The most important of these requirements is that there should be absolutely no cooling fan noise in the living room. The PC in our test labs is for the most part quiet but has obsolete hardware. A processor equipped, hardware based MPEG-DVB-S card always has to face these two arguments.
Technotrend cards are typically the rst choice in these scenarios - they dont manufacture the NEXUS-S card for no reason. Over the years however we saw the appearance of the FBAS output as well as other small inadequacies that, when used with high-quality displays such as projection systems or large screen TVs, didnt really help all that much. It was just a matter of time before someone would take a satellite PC card and modify it so that it meets todays requirements. The Technotrend Premium S2300 (Rev 2.3) modied is distributed exclusively by DVBShop. The signicant improvements to the otherwise identical card to the NEXUS-S from Hauppauge are summarized here: the Technotrend Premium S2300 (Rev 2.3) modied from DVBShop comes with a Crystal Audio DAC as well as RGB/S-Video outputs via Scart thanks to a modied J2 jumper block (this is where the modied term comes
from). Even the LNB power supply through a rebuilt LNBP20 was improved. The general manual were provided on the CD. Installation of the card was actually quite easy and even the occupied expansion slot did not present any problems. A disadvantage could be the full height of the installed PC card (also called full prole) since most living room PCs only come with a half-sized PCI expansion slots. room computers. This mechanical hurdle does not exist with most ofce and workSo, advantages of a satellite PC card over a standard set top box were discussed in a test report in the previous issue. if youre thinking about using a PC as a media server via a local network (UPnP and wireless LAN, for example), you should choose to use a robust satellite PC card such as the Technotrend Premium S2300.
The Card
The PC card is supplied with a cable cluster from which the audio output can be connected to the Line-In of the soundcard as long as the internal audio connector wasnt already connected to the card. Additionally, the expansion of the J2 connector was also available. The Windows drivers and a user
Installation
The installation of the cards drivers was accomplished on our test PC (HP Pavillion with 3 GHz processor, 512 MB RAM and Windows XP Professional SP2) without any difculties. According to DVBShop, 80% of these cards are built into HTPCs; Linux computers based on LinVDR (see also www. vdr-portal.de). Set top box manufacturers are also being shipped these cards from DVBShop since under Linux a hardware MPEG-2 card with a video output must be available. Back to our test PC: after the successful installation of the drivers, we loaded the software that was on the included DVD. On the one hand this consisted of the application Digital TV and on the other it was DVB data. Digital TV (we had version 2.19 with Direct Show Filter) is not all that userfriendly but, aside from the logo, is identical to the Hauppauge Nexus-S software.
74
DVB-S PCI Satellite Card
TEST REPORT
Watching TV
just about 15 minutes. overlooked channels.
With the card in operational mode, only 3% of the system resources were in use. A scan of the Eurobird 1 and Astra 2 positions at 28.2 and 28.5 east was completed in Its obvious that But a comparison this record speed might present a problem: with a list of all channels that are actually available showed that there were no errors. Its interesting to note that the manual comparison of the lists took roughly 45 minutes. Unfortunately, Digital TV only supports Simple DiSEqC or DiSEqC 1.0 thus limiting the number of active satellites to four. An alternative for DiSEqC 1.2 is the free ProgDVB software (www.progdvb.com) allowing this card to also handle DiSEqC 1.2 signals. Especially noteworthy are the various data formats that this card supports in recording mode: PVA: Recording of data in PES audio/ video format MPG / MPEG-2 PSV: PES video format (only video) MP2 audio format (only audio) The highlight of TV Mode is without a doubt the Program Guide, a compilation of EPG data that is displayed in HTML format. Unfortunately, Internet Explorer (with its activated Javascript) is implied here something that is not exactly modern anymore and somewhat takes away from the otherwise good impression we had. net/content.php?article.11). correctly executed. Of course Digital TV also supports Time Shift although actually using it might take a little getting used to. system. It functions only if Intervideo WinDVD is installed on the For time-shifted recordings the Therefore the video is software decoded. Alternative The recordsoftware is readily available (www.dvbsoft. ings that were selected via the EPG were
DVB-S PCI Sat Card
which can be on one or more transponders. Naturally this can take place via other networks if an IP/MAC Notication Table (INT) is available. The ofcial software and drivers as well as tips on third-party applications plus additional links are available in DVBShops Support forum (www.dvb-shop. net/forum). There are plenty of supporters for the Nexus-like cards in this forum and also quite a bit of helpful information when it comes to exotic congurations. The FAQs are actively being kept upto-date by DVBShop; something that with other manufacturers and dealers is more the exception than the rule.
The above-mentioned requirements dont sound all that much; the last time a Pentium III 500 MHz machine could be found in your local computer store was back in the summer of 2005. It will be difcult not to meet the minimum requirements for timeshift recording. The picture quality of the Technotrend Premium S2300 (Rev 2.3) modied was tested on a 42 plasma TV. We were not surprised with the results. The difference between the composite signal of a Hauppauge Nexus-S was not only measurable, but also visible. According to DVBShop, an expansion of the component output is being worked on that will eventually allow connection to high-quality projection systems.
Conclusion
If the PCs processor is running at less than 1.2 GHz or if its questionable if the Linux (VDR) operating system is in use or if a projection system, at screen TV or AC3 receiver is to be used, then theres no getting past this card. And lets not forget that the picture quality of a digital signal is not hinged on the tuner itself but rather on the various lters and (MPEG-2) decoders. Since the Technotrend Premium S2300 (Rev 2.3) modied is built around an MPEG-2 hardware decoder, it is relatively comfortable in handling the moderately coded transport streams of many smaller TV stations. If you are interested in quality, trouble-free satellite reception on your PC, you should denitely take a closer look at the modied version of the Technotrend Premium S2300 (Rev 2.3).
Data Software
The DVB Data software that is also included with the Premium S2300 naturally supports Internet-via-Satellite and comes already precongured with a number of service proles for Astra and Hotbird. IP radio, IPTV as well as one-way Internet services are also possible with this software. By means of an automatic conguration mechanism - based on the DVB specication for radiating data via satellite (EN 301,192) - according to the SES Astra "multi-transponder implementation guideline for IP multicast of services", this can automatically access the IP/MAC multicast stream,
As a hardware MPEG-2 DVB-S card, it is predestined for rigorous work in media servers or for upgrading older PCs. Outstanding RGB picture quality on plasma TVs and projection systems.
+ -
Expert conclusion
use of the time-shift function requires a Pentium III, 500 MHz, 128 MB RAM or higher system.
There might be a problem installing this Full Prole card in many living room media PCs. The TV application only supports DiSEqC 1.0 and Simple DiSEqC. www.TELE-satellite.com TELE-satellite International
Reto Jeger TELE-satellite Test Center Switzerland
75
TEST REPORT DVB-S PCI Satellite Card
Info-Box
S2300 v2.3 modded DVB-S PCI-card

TECHNICAL
DATA
Distributor Website Model Function System Requirements DVB Shop www.dvbshop.net TT Premium S2300 v2.3 modded Digital satellite tuner PCI card Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP, 500MHz PIII or above, 128MB RAM or above, VGA Card with at least 16MB Memory 950~2150 MHz 2~45Msps yes
DVB-Shop TT Premium
Input frequency range Symbol rate SCPC compatible
C-band compatible yes DiSEqC IP multicast Teletext EPG Channel memory 1.0 yes, EN 301 192 yes yes unlimited
76

Thomas Haring
answers your questions the Sky Digital platform www.sky.com and via Kabel Deutschland in Germany. So if you can receive any of these two PayTV providers, you should get all the games you want. A second way to get American and Canadian hockey would be to look for feeds, which can be found e.g. on the Atlantic Bird1 12.5 West.
TSI Team
RTL Switzerland via satellite?

Besides the German version of RTL, there is also RTL Austria available via satellite. Recently I was on vacation in Switzerland and I was able to receive another version of RTL there. For hours I tried to tune into this station when I was back home, but I failed. I called RTL, but they told me that this special and localized version of RTL Switzerland is just available via cable networks. Im pretty sure that I received the channel via satellite while I was there. Can you help to solve this mystery? RTL Switzerland can be received via satellite but not on the usual European satellite platform Astra 19.2 east but via Hotbird 13 east 11054H SR 27500 FEC 3/4. You can receive Astra and Hotbird with just one dish (at least 85-90cm in diameter) but you need to add a second LNC respectively a DiseqC switch or to use a Monoblock LNC.
Astra reception in Brazil

Im the owner of a hotel in southern Brazil and I would love to offer my German costumers their own German TV channels, while they are here on vacation. Is there a satellite in the southern hemisphere carrying German TV or do you know some way to get them over the Internet? TELE-satellite reader Klaus Schumacher from Brazil managed to get the analogue Astra channels with a self-made 8m dish, but Im pretty sure thats an effort you dont want to take. Furthermore there is no guarantee that the exact same dish would work at your location, we are talking of real out of footprint reception here. As far as I know, there is also no way to get German TV via Internet (at least not the major networks), so your costumers will have to abandon German TV, at least for the duration of their vacation. ABC7 Feed on Telstar12 15 West their spot beams are also directed to North America. Anyway, there are a few possibilities how to get, at least a glimpse, of US-TV in Europe. First of all you could sign a subscription to Sky Digital or Orbit. They broadcast a variety of US movies, TV series and news programs. Alternatively you can try to receive the MBC channels via Arabsat and Nilesat, which is not quite difcult and with a dish of about 1,2m you are part of it. These channels also show American movies, series and news programs, but they are for free. The third and last way to get your desired channels is to look for feeds. A lot of them can be found on EutelsatW2 16 east, Atlantic Bird1 12,5 west, Telstar12 15 west, Intelsat901 18 west and PAS3R 43 west.
American Hockey league in Europe

Im a big hockey fan and I would love to watch the games of the American and Canadian league here in Europe. To get this done, I would need access to American and Canadian TV stations like OLN, NBC, CBC, RDS or TSN. Can you please tell me, if I can receive these channels in Europe and which satellites I would have to use? Im sorry to tell you, but you cant receive neither one of these channels in Europe. All of them are broadcasting on satellites, which are fare below the horizon in Europe and furthermore their spot beams are directed to North America. Anyway, there is an alternative for you: The North American Sports Network NASN is broadcasting in Europe via
Indian and Pakistani TV in Europe

I would like to receive Indian or Pakistani TV channels here in Europe. I currently use a dish, pointed to Astra1 19.2 east, Hotbird 13 east and Astra2 28.2 east. Can I get any of those channels via these three satellites or can you tell me of any other available satellites? There are a few Indian channels via Hotbird and Astra2, e.g. Aastha International, B4U and SET Max via Astra2 and KTV, Lords TV and Sun TV via Hotbird. Unfortunately there is only one Pakistani channel available, Geo TV UK via Eurobird1 28.5 east. If you want to receiver further programs, you will need to upgrade your dish to at least 2,4 or even better 3m and then you can receive Paksat 38 East or PAS10 68,5 East in C-band with a lot of Indian and Pakistani channels.
Satellite gauge for a reasonable price

There are more and more digital TV stations and by loosing one analogue channel after the other, its getting harder and harder to correctly adjust and install a dish. Im looking now for satellite gauge, which helps me doing this, but since Im not a professional, I cant pay thousands of Euros for it. Do you have any advice for me? There are a few cheaper alternatives to professional gauges. First of all, there is the Digisat Pro, which offers good quality help for a cheap price. A little bit more expensive is the Satlook Micro from Swedish manufacturer Emitor, but it offers a lot of additional features. With the Satlook and Combolook we are entering the area of about 1000, but for that money you get a nearly professional gauge with spectrum analyzer.
US-TV in Switzerland
Can I receive any US-TV stations over here in Switzerland? Eishockey Feed on Atlantic Bird1 12,5 West Unfortunately, earth is not a plate, so all US-satellites are far below the horizon and Digisat Pro
77
TEST REPORT
Unicable LNB
MTI AK541-XT2BL Unicable LNB Movement in the Right DirectionAlbeit Slowly

Just about six months ago TELE-satellite rst discussed the subject Unicable and since then there have been a few developments. More and more manufacturers are integrating this protocol into their receivers. Even a leading LNB manufacturer, MTI in Taiwan, has begun to produce and sell Unicable LNBs. ent receivers on one cable. Therefore, in each Unicable-compatible LNB you will nd the SaTCR-1 chip developed by ST Microelectronics. Simply put, this chip does nothing more than take the requested frequency and shift it to a xed preassigned carrier frequency for each of the maximum of eight From the outside, this LNB, that found its way into our test labs shortly before press time, doesnt look all that much different than its similar brothers; it is slightly heavier than a standard universal LNB. MTIs workmanship is, as expected, very good. The F connector is protected from moisture by a plastic cap and the feed itself is also perfectly protected by a stable plastic cap. Its standard 40mm size makes it easy to install on almost any offset antenna. As is normal with a Ku-band LNB, the reception frequency range lies between 10.7 and 11.7 GHz in the low band and from 11.7 to 12.75 GHz in the high band. The AK541-XT2BL LNB that we tested can be simultaneously connected to four different receivers requiring the use of carrier frequencies in the range of 1180 to 2060 MHz. According to the manufacturer, maximum gain is at about 60dB. thing of the past, since from now on, only the rst receiver needs to be connected directly to the LNB. Any additional receivers would be linked through each receivers looped-through IF capability or through an inexpensive signal splitter. If youre somewhat familiar with standard satellite technology, you might be thinking theres no way this can work considering that receivers only provide 14/18 volts and a 22 KHz signal to switch the polarization and band of the LNB. Normally, this statement would be correct but this is where the rst big difference is between a Unicable LNB and a standard LNB. In the Unicable system, the receiver provides the power for the LNB however polarization and band switching no longer takes place because of the control voltage and the 22 KHz If two receivers were given the same carrier frequency, they would interfere with each other and reliable reception would not be possible. Since the number of available carrier frequencies is limited, so too is the number of connected receivers limited to eight. Before some of you get all red-faced with anger because you just recently spent megabucks on a brand new PVR receiver that does not support the Unicable technology, we want to point out that every receiver has the signal. Instead, the capability to support this new standard. Just a small software update is necessary as well as good intentions from the manufacturer. We tested the MTI AK541-XT2BL with four Lemon 030-CI receivers. After running a cable from the LNB to the rst receiver As new as this approach to or is, its four still not enough operate eight differand then a cable from there to the second receiver, and then to the third, etc., and then assigning each receiver with its own carrier frequency (from 1 to 4), there was no longer anything in the way of TV and radio recepcontrolling signal is now in digital form using col. a modied DiSEqC 1.0 protoconnected receivers. Each receiver would be assigned one of these carrier frequencies and would then simply tell the LNB what frequency should be shifted over to its carrier frequency. This sounds much more complicated in theory than it really is in practice since for the end user nothing really changes at all with Unicable. You just have to make sure that each receiver operates with its own carrier frequency. This takes place very simply, in that each receiver is assigned a number from one to four or one to eight in the LNB settings.
Everyday Use
If youre asking yourself right now what Unicable is all about and what kind of technology this is, then we would like to take a moment and briey explain it. Up until now, if you wanted to connect multiple receivers to a single LNB, you had to run a dedicated cable from the LNB to each receiver. necessary On top of that, it was often to install expensive mul-
tiswitches to distribute the signal. With Unicable technology, all of this is now a
78
TEST REPORT
Unicable LNB
weak satellites such as the horizontal transponders on Nilesat or Arabsat 2D turned out to be quite positive. Even the preliminary values we obtained from our measurement equipment supported the good reception characteristics of this LNB. The manufacturer claims a noise gure of 0.2dB; our test showed this value to be realistic.
tion. While the rst two receivers were each programmed with a transponder in vertical and horizontal polarization in the low band, we were able to easily surf through all the channels in the high band using the other two receivers. Also, while switching channels on one receiver, there were no signal interruptions or picture distortions to be seen on the other three boxes. Even turning off individual receivers could not disturb the rhythm of the Unicable system. In order to test this new system as realistically as possible, we connected the receivers rst with standard coax cable that you might nd anywhere and that is most likely installed in most homes. We connected the receivers a second time with double-shielded, high quality coax cable that you might nd in a specialty store. We want to say up front that Unicable is no more sensitive than the previously used technology. If you are used to various frequency conversions, where the signals from two LNBs are briey carried on one cable and then separated again at the receiver end, in which high quality cable needs to be used, Unicable does not have any special demands. If problem-free reception was possible before the installation of Unicable, then the same problem-free reception should be the case with a Unicable LNB. We were also interested in the reception properties of the MTI LNB. Multiple tests on
Unicable technology offers fascinating new possibilities and greatly reduces the overall installation cost. This new system seems perfectly suited for PVR receivers with more than one tuner.
+ -
Expert conclusion
The only negative point of this new Unicable technology is that at the moment there are very few manufacturers that actually support this new system. The ball is clearly in the court of the major receiver manufacturers. MTI and all the other LNB producers have done their work.
Thomas Haring TELE-satellite Test Center Austria
TECHNICAL
DATA
Manufacturer Fax E-Mail Modell Function Input Frequency Range Output Frequency Range Noise Figure Conversion Gain Output Connector Type Operating Temperature Range MTI, Hsinchu, Taiwan, R.O.C. +886-3-577-7127 http://www.mti.com.tw/contact_us.htm AK541-XT2BL Unicable LNB 10,7~11,7 GHz/ 11,7~12,75 GHz 1180-2060 MHz for 4 different receivers 0.2db 60db 75 Ohm F Type (female.) -30C to +60C
TEST REPORT
LNBF
DSN GR 3250 Are all 0.3 dB LNBFs identical

Practically every new model of an LNBF we are getting now for testing has a very low noise gure specied. Something not imaginable a few years ago 0.3 dB, has become almost typical these days. Headquartered in Greece, DSN Digital Devices Ltd. is just introducing a new model GR 3250. This is a universal LNB for Ku-Band. As advertised, it is proudly made in China, has 2 years guarantee and features high quality and low price. Is this all true? Thats what we are here for, dear readers. We did a benchmarking test of the GR 3250 against 2 other LNBs. All models were universal single LNBFs. The other two devices we used were: 5 years old 0.8 dB LNB and the brand new 0.3 dB LNBF of Max Communication (model 801 described in the previous issue of TELEsatellite). Let us not reveal the brand of the 0.8 dB device. Its producer could regard it unfair to compare their old product with the newest devices of other manufacturers. However, we thought that it was a good idea to present you the measurement results of an old device too. In this way, you can judge by yourself if it is reasonable to upgrade your receiving system. All three LNBFs were mounted in turns on
80
LNBF TEST REPORT
the 60 cm (24) dish. The dish was aligned to Sirius 2/3 at 5 East. We took the measurements in the center of Ku-Band at 11.766 GHz. The other transponders data: SR=27.5 Msps, FEC=3/4, polarization horizontal. The test signal was transmitted in the beam: Europe BSS, so it was not very strong in our location. Thank to this, it was easy to notice the difference between devices. Taking the measurements was a piece of cake because we had an excellent meter: Prolink-4C Premium of PROMAX. By the way, we want to describe this meter in more detail in the next issue of TELE-satellite. Do not miss it! Initially, the tested GR 3250 seemed to be very close in performance to MC-801. However, we soon discovered that even a few minutes difference in measurements could signicantly change the C/N or CBER values. The incoming signal was attenuated more or less by the clouds. So, we repeated the tests a number of times trying to keep the time interval between measurements of different LNBFs as short as possible. The test results are shown in the table. These are the best values we were able to obtain. C/N is the carrier to noise ratio - a parameter similar to S/N (signal to noise ratio) for analog TV signal. The higher the C/N, the better. Channel power is the parameter corresponding to the signal level. Provided that it is high enough, the difference of a few decibels makes no difference for your receiver. CBER or Channel Bit Error Rate corresponds to the quality of signal often shown by the satellite receivers in the form of a bar indica-
tor or percentage value. MER is a Modulation Error Ratio and this is also an indicator of the quality of signal. Finally, I supply is the current drawn by the device from a receiver. For all models, it is about 100 mA what makes no problem for any receiver.
XX 0.8dB C/N CBER MER I supply dB 10 -4 dB mA 6.5 71.6 13 9.3 113 Channel Power dBV MC 801 8 72.9 0.8 9.7 112 GR 3250 7.3 75.1 0.8 9.7 115
So, which parameters are the most important for us? Typically, in paper publication, the authors use C/N ratio to describe the quality of signal. However, the quality of video or audio will decrease in pace with the increase of the number of errors in the digital signal. As you can see in our table, GR 3250 has worse C/N ratio than MC-801 but their CBER is identical. This means that if your receiver has the front end of a similar performance as the Prolink-4C meter, you will get practically the same amount of erroneous bits at the demodulator output and thus the same video/audio quality from both LNBFs. However, if your receivers front end
performs slightly worse, the 0.7 dB difference in C/N can theoretically result in worse quality with GR 3250. Judging by the C/N ratio alone, GR 3250 should be marked as 0.5dB device rather than 0.3 dB. However, one must remember that the noise gure is always specied only as typical value, so we should not draw a nal conclusion after measuring only one sample. Moreover, the CBER and MER measurements show no difference between the GR 3250 and MC-801. Evidently, noise at the GR 3250 output is of such nature that it can be easily rejected by the receiver front end circuit. Its advantage over the MC-801 is smaller size. It will be easier to mount it on the multifeed systems. The quite evident and indisputable fact is much worse performance of the old 0.8 dB device. It can be clearly seen in all parameters. If you have an old LNBF and want to receive weak signals, it is time to think about an upgrade. Of course, it is always recommended to increase the dish size if only possible. When mounting the new LNBF, check the dish alignment (azimuth and elevation) and spend a moment to adjust the skew of an LNBF in its support. The skew as small as 5 may cause even 0.5 dB decrease in C/N ratio!
+ -
Expert conclusion
Small size. High output power. 2 years guarantee.
Although the achievable MER and channel BER are comparable to the other 0.3dB LNBFs, the measured C/N ratio is worse by 0.7 dB.
Peter Miller TELE-satellite Test Center Poland
TECHNICAL
DATA
Manufacturer/Distributor E-mail Phone Fax Model Description Noise Figure LOFs DSN Digital Devices Ltd., Volos, Greece, http://www.dsn.eu.com DSN-Factory@dsn.eu.com + 30 242 1095769 + 30 242 1095729 GR 3250 Universal LNBF for Offset Dish 0.3 dB (typ.) 9.750 and 10.600 GHz
81

Ron Roessel
answers your questions With the others you have to take the good with the bad. With the little dishes you are able to get everything on one or two satellites (sometimes three) and you usually only need a single dish. Just set it and forget it. With a BUD the channels you want might be scattered on a number of different satellites requiring you to possibly move the antenna from one satellite to another when you change channels. Since you already have the BUD, then the motor to move the dish is most likely already installed. Having a BUD brings with it a number of other advantages. You can watch things like news feeds, sports feeds, TV programming feeds and a host of other TV channels that you absolutely will not nd on Dish or DirecTV. One example of this is Intelsat Americas 5. This satellite has a wide variety of foreign language programming as well as some English language channels that can't be seen anywhere else. Raw news feeds on other satellites are sometimes very interesting to watch.
TSI Team
Saleh Al-Wehaimod
answers your questions
CI Slot
What is a CI slot and what is the advantage for a receiver to have it? Thank you. The CI slot is a feature that gives a receiver the capability to receive PayTV channels. "CI" stands for "Common Interface". A receiver with one or two CI slots usually can decode a variety of different encryption systems (such as Nagravision, Viaccess, etc.) as long as the appropriate Conditional Access Module, or CAM, is inserted into the CI slot. The CAM that is used will determine what encryption system is to be decoded. In other words, if you want to watch Viaccess encrypted channels, you would need a Viaccess CAM. The SmartCard needed to authorize the reception of the PayTV channels would be inserted into the CAM. A receiver can also have the CAM "embedded", or built into, the receiver. In this case you would only need the SmartCard. PayTV providers in the USA or Canada such as DishNetwork or Bell ExpressVu use receivers with embedded Nagravision CAM's. Unfortunately, there really isn't much use for a receiver with a CI slot in the USA or Canada. Even though, for example, you can get a Nagravision CAM, it will not work with Dish or Bell ExpressVu signals. Only their own receivers work with their own signals. There are quite a few PayTV channels available on Intelsat Americas 5 at 97 deg west, but here too you would need to buy their receivers in order to get those channels.
Hotbird in Sudan?
I have a 90 cm dish. Is it possibe to receive Hotbird in Khartoum, Sudan? Unfortunately, signals are getting weaker as we head to the north in Africa, so you will need a dish bigger than 240 cm to receive the wide beams from Hotbird 2,3,4,6.
Only some Hotbird channels
Big Ugly Dish

I have a BUD and I am struggling right now with upgrading to 4dtv or just go to the small dish. I'd like to ask rst which do you think is better? But my biggest question has been on my mind for a while now - What can you do with a BUD? Can I buy components and go on line with a BUD? Isn't there telephone service via satellite now? I sure hope the future of my BUD is not a very large birdbath. There has to be a use for it. There just has to be. It was an expensive investment in its day. Your input would be greatly appreciated Yes, your BUD still has uses. One of the biggest advantages with going 4DTV and your BUD is that you have much better control over what channels you want to get. With the small dishes (DirecTV or DishNetwork) you are limited to the three or four packages that they offer. With a BUD you can pretty much pick and choose what channels you want to subscribe to. This typically ends up being cheaper than subscribing to Dish or DirecTV.
I live in Omran, Yemen and I have a 360 cm dish to receive Hotbird satellites. I have problems receiving some frequencies that start with 11xxx. Why is that happening and is there any solution? You did not explain more about the frequencies start with 11xxx. However, it has to be known that some frequencies are hardly to DirecTV and DishNetwork are really nothing be received in Yemen, such as frequencies more than wireless cable but in my opinion from Hotbird 1. Also, some frequencies are they are far better than cable. BUD's let you impossible to be received even with much get most of the same cable channels, have bigger dishes such as, frequencies in super generally greater exibility in what you sub- beam. For the frequencies that are weak, the scribe to and usually give it to you for a better best solution is to make sure that the dish price. Check with the providers to make sure. is tuned well and that you have a very good Keep in mind that not every cable channel is LNB. available in digital format as yet so you would still need to use your analog receiver for some Arabsat in Zanzibar of those channels. Also keep in mind that the Dish and DirecTV use the same signals that I am an Arabian Living in Zanzibar Island. I you would receive with your BUD and simply received the analogue channels from Arabretransmit them to their own satellites. This sat. I want to to know if it is possible to receive means that some of those "digital" channels digital channels from Arabsat and Nilesat. you get from Dish or DirecTV are really analog It is hard to receive Arabsat and Nilesat in KU channels that they converted to digital. They band in you area because their beams are don't tell you that part. Yes, every channel focusing to the Middle East and some parts you get from them is digital, but some of those of Europe. However, you still can receive the channels come to them in analog form so the digital channels from Arabsat in C Band. You digital picture you see is only as good as the can check the latest frequencies updated from http://www.satcodx.com analog signal they get.
FTA with a Globecast Receiver

I would like to know more about FTA satellite. Do I need a special receiver to receive these channels or will my Globecast receiver pick up these available FTA channels? Your Globecast receiver should work ne for FTA reception. If you have a Globecast dish and it happens to be pointed at Intelsat Americas 5, you should have no problems tuning in to the FTA channels on this satellite. You have to set up the receiver to scan for these channels, but once they are found, these channels will be available to you. If I'm not mistaken, the Globecast dish is very much oval in shape so you may have better luck with channels on the horizontal beam than those on the vertical beam or vice versa.
Coverage Area of NILSAT in KU band
82

NCC7 in C band
I live in Khartoum, Sudan. How can I receive NSS7, 22 west in C Band? How big the dish has to be? You can easily receive the east hemi from NSS7 with a minimum 120 cm dish.
TSI Team
erage map for each transponder. If your city is included then you can receive that transponder.
Arabsat in Sydney
Is it possible to receive Arabsat satellite in Sydney. How can I receive more Arabic channels? All Arabsat satellites are beyond the horizon of Sydney; therefore, it is impossible to receive them in Sydney. However, there are a variety of Arabic channels at Telstar 10/ Apstar IIR, 76.5 East provided by UBI World TV. Visit http://www.ubiworldtv.com/ if you are intersted in subscribing.
Astra in Iraq
I live in Hilla, Iraq. I have 1.8 m dish and Humax f2 1002 with 0.3 dB lnbf. I receive some channels from Astra sats 19.2 east and some channels from Hispasats. Is it possible to receive Eurobird 1 and Hotbird Super Beam? It is nice that you receive some of these satellites which some people in the Middle East have diffculties receiving them. Regarding Eurobird 1, it is also considered as one of the difcult receptions to pick in the Middle East. I would suggest to try the frequencies from steerable 2 beam, such as 12.607 H 27500 3/4. If you are not able to pick it up with same dish, then a bigger dish like 2.4M is needed. You also have to know that you will receive some frequencies from that satellite, not all of them. For Hotbird super
Coverage Area of Hotbird Super Beam beams, it is hard to receive these beams even with bigger dishes.
Big dish in Saudi Arabia

I live in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. I receive Panamsat 10. I want to know if it is possible to receive Thaicom 3 and Insat 2E? If you asking about C band receptions, then yes both satellites are receiveable in Jeddah, but only the Global beams of each satellite. For the other beams, bigger dishes are necessary.
Satellites in Egypt
How can I know the all the Satellite I can receive in Egypt and how can I know their transponders? Go to http://www.satcodx.com then check any satellite you want. You will nd the cov-

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