Tuner firmware for Satellite dish: instruction and tips

An inexpensive alternative to cable television without monthly fees and with thousands of TV and radio channels is satellite television. It is enough to buy a tuner, a parabolic antenna, adjust it to the desired satellite, and you can enjoy high-quality image and sound without ethereal interference.

Digital satellite broadcasting

Almost all satellites broadcast FTA-channels, for the reception of which there is no need for conditional access systems. Satellite Hot Bird, for example, broadcasts about 500 open television channels, including 17 high-definition channels and more than 260 radio stations. Paid channels are broadcast in encodings Conax, Mediaguard, Irdeto, Viaccess, Betacrypt, Cryptoworks, Nagravision, PowerVu, BISS. To get access to them, you will need to buy a smart card, an inexpensive satellite receiver and pay a subscription fee.

Sometimes coded TV channels can be viewed using a smart card emulator - a program that simulates the operation of cards in different encodings. To decode the signal the emulator needs keys that can be entered manually from the remote control or can be received from the network if the satellite receiver has this capability. The firmware of the satellite tuner is also used.

Cardharing

If the above described method does not help, you can access the official card via the network, even if there is no conditional access module (CAM) and a card reader. Called such a method by carding is that the satellite receiver to decrypt the signal refers to the smart card installed in the DVB board of the server, through a network connection. It is not so much the speed of the connection that is important, but its stability. A large signal delay can affect the reception quality.

You can use the cardsharing to watch satellite TV on several TVs without the need for additional payment. For example, the operator "Tricolor TV" for the opportunity to watch its TV channels on two TV sets simultaneously increases the subscription fee by two thirds, which is 800 rubles. in year.

Operators in Russia

An example of satellite broadcasting in Russia is the "Tricolor TV" system. Broadcast to the European part of the Russian Federation is conducted from the geostationary position 36E, and to Siberia and the Far East - from 56E. The main package includes 195 television channels, including 30 high-definition, 35 radio stations and 2 television channels ULTRA HD. In addition, you can connect 15 children channels of the package "Children", 8 channels of the package "Night" and the channel "Our football". Broadcasting is conducted in the encodings of Exset and DRE-Crypt.

The first operator of satellite TV was NTV-Plus. The broadcast is from positions 36E and 56E of the geostationary orbit. The basic package includes 167 channels, and additional - 115 more. The Viaccess encoding system is used.

The operator of satellite TV "Orion Express" is broadcasting from satellites at the positions 85E and 140E. Offers satellite TV under the brands:

• "Content TV" - position 85E, 50 channels + 13 free and there are HDTV channels, Irdeto encoding.
• "Orient Express" - position 140E, 46 channels +11 free, encoding Irdeto.
• "Telecard" - position 85E, more than 170 channels, encoding Conax.

Why and how to change the firmware?

Whichever tuner is used - FTA or with a CAM module, with or without an emulator, there is always a need to replace the software of the satellite receiver.

The reasons can be different:

• Troubleshooting or errors in the software;
• The emergence of such new software features as the addition of a clear interface language, teletext, improved design;
• The ability to tune in to new satellites;
• Ordering of frequencies and channel names;
• Return to the old version of the firmware due to the deterioration of the tuner;
• The ability to watch more channels.

There are several options for updating the tuner software:

• Manual replacement with the help of a personal computer;
• Replacement with a similar tuner with a new firmware;
• From satellite or through CAM-modules and cards;
• Via an internet connection.

Each method has advantages and disadvantages.

So, a minus of installation from the PC is the necessity of having a computer, an Internet connection or any data carrier with the firmware recorded on it, a special cable. The advantages are freedom of choice of software and the possibility of downloading it at any convenient time. The firmware of the tuner will be easily found on the sites of manufacturers and sites of fans of satellite television.

When downloading from a satellite manually, its data and software update channel parameters will be required. But the signal can not be accepted, and the advantages of the new software are unknown. The positive aspects of this method are quality assurance and unlimited time.

Loading the firmware from the satellite in automatic mode is inconvenient because it can start any time, and it is not desirable to interrupt it. There are also incomprehensible benefits of replacing the tuner program. However, the stability of the work and the speed of updating speak for this method.

The use of cards and CAM-modules for downloading the firmware is complicated by the fact that many tuners do not support this method of updating, and, of course, you need a CAM-module and a smart card. The advantages are the same as when manually loading from a PC, plus the possibility of using a card and a module for viewing closed TV channels.

The latter option is possible only with the support of the satellite receiver network interface or Wi-Fi and the availability of such an opportunity in the firmware of the device. In this case, most likely, the update is limited to the framework of the already installed software.

So, the most preferable is installing the firmware from the PC. The possibility of updating should be taken into account when choosing a satellite receiver.

Precautionary measures

Receivers and programs for recording it are usually delivered without any guarantee, so the responsibility for the result of their use, especially if this test software, lies with the user. Moreover, an unsuccessful firmware of the digital tuner leads to a loss of warranty on the satellite receiver, so it is advisable to entrust this procedure to a specialist.

The connection of the tuner and the PC should be made with the devices powered off. A null modem cable is used.

For recording, use only the programs that are designed to work with the satellite tuner of this model.

Before tuning the tuner with new software it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the feedback of users who have already installed it. Make it easier on forums dedicated to satellite TV. After all, sometimes after installing new software, some of the features of the previous version disappear, which I would like to keep.

You can not turn off the PC or the tuner while recording a program.

Null-modem cable

To flashing the receiver from a similar device or PC, you will need a null modem cable. The receiving and transmitting lines in it are connected crosswise, which makes it possible to connect two devices via the RS-232 protocol without a modem. In general, 9-pin female connectors are used. The data is transmitted sequentially in full duplex mode.

If desired, the null-modem cable can be manufactured by using two conventional cables for the COM port. To do this, remove the plug connector of one cable and solder in its place the socket connector in accordance with the scheme. It is enough to connect contacts 2-3, 3-2, 5-5 and "body-housing".

Firmwares for Strong SRT 6006 Tuner

To transfer software from one tuner to another, you need:

• Disconnect both receivers and connect the serial RS-232 ports with a null modem cable.
• Enable the receiver that will transfer the software, and leave the second in the disconnected state. At the sending device, go to the main menu item "System Setup - System Update - Receiver-Receiver".

If the status of the tuner has changed to "Detecting the receiver", then you need to turn on the second receiver. The data will be written to the memory of the receiving device.

You can not turn off the power of satellite receivers during a data transfer session and save them. This will lead to a breakdown and the need to repair the tuner.

After updating the software, turn off both receivers and disconnect the cable.

Via satellite

Updates are available from the Astra 19E and Hotbird 13E satellites.

Select "System Setup - System Update - Via Satellite". Then select Astra 19E and Hotbird 13E, go to OK and press OK on the remote control.

The receiver will determine if a new version of the software is available, and begin downloading. If the latest firmware version is already installed, a message will appear on the screen. You can not turn off the power during recording.

Updating through the satellite in some territories is impossible, because it depends on the coverage area of the satellites.

The firmware of the satellite tuner using a computer:

• Disconnect the receiver from the network and connect its RS-232 port to the COM port of the PC with a null modem cable.
• After selecting the menu item "Start - Programs - Standard - Communication - Hyperterminal", start the Hyper Terminal on the computer.
• Select the COM port number of the connection (COM1 or COM2) and configure the port parameters:

- Transmission speed: 115200;

- parity: no;

- Data bits: 8;

- flow control: no;

- stop bits: 1.

In Hyperterminal, select the "Transfer" and "Send File" menu.

Then select the file with the extension UPD, the data transfer protocol "1K Xmodem" and click on OK.

A data transfer window should appear on the screen.

To load the software, you must turn on the tuner. The process takes up to 2.5 minutes.

Updating the software of the digital satellite receiver General Satellite GS B210

• Automatic update from the satellite.

At its discretion, the satellite TV operator initiates the software update of the receiver from the satellite. The update service will display a message on the availability of new software and ask you to confirm the update.

The request is confirmed by selecting OK on the screen and pressing the OK button on the remote control. After this, an update will begin, accompanied by messages about its progress and an indication of the degree of completeness. It is important not to turn off the receiver while recording the program, as it may fail.

If the update is successful, the tuner will automatically reboot.

User settings, including antenna configuration and channel list, will not be saved after the update.

• Firmware of the tuner using a USB flash drive.

New software, which can be downloaded from the manufacturer of gs.ru, must be written to the root folder of the USB-medium formatted in the FAT32 system. A flash drive can be formatted on a PC or in the tuner itself using the Multimedia application.

Connect the drive to the receiver. A dialog box pops up asking you to update the program.

Confirm the request by selecting OK on the screen and pressing OK on the remote control. The update procedure will begin.

The firmware of the TV tuner will end with a message about the end of the download, upon successful update the receiver will reboot. Remove the USB media from the device.

When installing alternative software, this procedure will have to be repeated twice. The first time the file is b210.upd, and then - b210_lcs1_app.upd.

Firmwares for Tuner Eurosky 4050C / 4100C

This device and its analogues are interesting in that they are used by the operator "Tricolor TV".

In the instructions to the tuner, only the method of updating using the Master-Receiver method is mentioned. However, with various modifications of the bootloader wizard and the receiver, the attempt to transfer the data will fail. You can change them using the ALI Tools 3329 B.

Tuner firmware instructions with simultaneous replacement of the loader:

• Connect the receiver to the serial port of the PC.
• Run the Upgrade Tool and select Upgrade in the Mode Setting window.
• Select COM port.
• By clicking the Browse button, specify the directory where the tuner firmware is located.
• Select the binary file type.
• Add the firmware file to the "File name" window and click "Open".
• In the "Update Type" window, select allcode + bootloader.
• Turn on the receiver and put it in the standby state.
• Click the Next button. The loader will go into standby mode of satellite receiver readiness.
• Turn on the receiver. In the process of work, there will be messages about checking the COM-port, about collecting information about the device and about starting the download. The degree of readiness is displayed on the PC screen.
• After the download is complete, the recording process starts, the readiness level of which is also displayed. Replacing the loader and updating the firmware is accompanied by the output of the Finished message.
• Disconnect the tuner and disconnect the cable.

As a result, the bootloader and the firmware of the TV tuner for the satellite dish will be updated. But that's not all. The new firmware of the tuner "Tricolor TV" already contains keys that will allow you to open part of the coded channels, but there is no channel list, since the previous one was destroyed by the replacement of the firmware.

For normal operation of the receiver, you should scan the channels, or rewrite from another device with the same loader, or stitch it with a computer if there is a ready-made channel list. In addition, the new stuff will need the actual keys. This will help the program - the key loader.

The Euroscay tuner firmware described here is also suitable for OpenFox 4100, GLOBO 4000C / 4050C / 4100C / 9100a, Opticum 4100C, Orton 4050C, Tiger Star 8100, Star track SR-55X, WinQuest 4050C / 4100C.

Upgrade of OPENBOX SX4 Base HD via support server

The firmware of the satellite TV tuner OPENBOX SX4 Base HD occupies more than 70 MB. To update the firmware over the network, you need a reliable high-speed connection. Otherwise, one can not avoid long waiting, and the final result will be unpredictable.

First, you need to connect the USB drive to FAT32 and go to the "Download - Software" menu. The satellite receiver itself will connect to the server and provide a list of available software. The choice should be confirmed by pressing the red button on the console, after which the tuner firmware will start. The receiver will report the completion of the process with a message and will reboot.