Satellite Digibox Advice
SOUTH BEAM TRANSPONDER SETTING
In order to download south beam programmes when out of range of the north beam it is necessary to change the "DigiBox" default transponder setting. This is accomplished using the "DigiBox" remote control handset and on-screen menus as follows.
Press the "SERVICES" button followed by the number "4" button.
(The system set-up menu will appear on-screen).
Press one after the other, buttons "0" "1" "SELECT".
(The menu headed "Installer set-up" will appear)
Press button "2" on the handset.
(The default transponder frequency 11.778 will be shown highlighted in yellow)
Change the frequency to 12.207 * using the handset numerical keys.
(Do not worry about the decimal point. If you make a mistake press the "BACKUP" button once to erase then re-key the number)
Press the "Arrow-down" button four times to highlight "Save new settings" then press the "SELECT" button.
Finally press the "BACKUP" button three times to return to the main screen.
The signal should now download.
* Please note: This frequency can change at any time. If you find that it does not work, then it may have been moved by SES Astra to another beam. If this is the case, then try another south beam frequency. Details can be found on the Astra web-site.
In order to download south beam programmes when out of range of the north beam it is necessary to change the "DigiBox" default transponder setting. This is accomplished using the "DigiBox" remote control handset and on-screen menus as follows.
Press the "SERVICES" button followed by the number "4" button.
(The system set-up menu will appear on-screen).
Press one after the other, buttons "0" "1" "SELECT".
(The menu headed "Installer set-up" will appear)
Press button "2" on the handset.
(The default transponder frequency 11.778 will be shown highlighted in yellow)
Change the frequency to 12.207 * using the handset numerical keys.
(Do not worry about the decimal point. If you make a mistake press the "BACKUP" button once to erase then re-key the number)
Press the "Arrow-down" button four times to highlight "Save new settings" then press the "SELECT" button.
Finally press the "BACKUP" button three times to return to the main screen.
The signal should now download.
* Please note: This frequency can change at any time. If you find that it does not work, then it may have been moved by SES Astra to another beam. If this is the case, then try another south beam frequency. Details can be found on the Astra web-site.
"SIGNAL TEST" SCREEN EXPLAINED
To access the on-screen bar-graphs and status information, using the handset press "SERVICES", " 4 SYSTEM SETUP", "6 SIGNAL TEST"
The "SIGNAL STRENGTH" bar graph indicates the relative signal level being received by the dish from any microwave source, the further to the right the better but can be misleading.
The "SIGNAL QUALITY" bar graph is the most important and again the further to the right the better.
The "LOCK INDICATOR" shows "OK" if the dish is correctly located on to Astra 2 and "NOT LOCKED" if otherwise. However this can be misleading and still indicate "OK" if the "DigiBox" has been receiving from Astra 2 and the dish is subsequently moved. In this case the "DigiBox" may require resetting.
Note: this applies to North Beam reception. If receiving South Beam only, the indicator can show "NOT LOCKED" when the "DigiBox" is receiving correctly.
The "NETWORK ID" and "TRANSPORT STREAM" display the following when receiving from the main three satellite systems.
Hot Bird 13E
Network ID ..........
Transport Stream .. 13e
Astra 1 19.2E
Network ID .......... 0000
Transport Stream .. 0000
Astra 2 28.2E*
Network ID .......... 0002
Transport Stream .. 07d4
* Astra 2 North Beam is being received, however this is not the case if receiving South Beam only when the indications may be unpredictable.
To access the on-screen bar-graphs and status information, using the handset press "SERVICES", " 4 SYSTEM SETUP", "6 SIGNAL TEST"
The "SIGNAL STRENGTH" bar graph indicates the relative signal level being received by the dish from any microwave source, the further to the right the better but can be misleading.
The "SIGNAL QUALITY" bar graph is the most important and again the further to the right the better.
The "LOCK INDICATOR" shows "OK" if the dish is correctly located on to Astra 2 and "NOT LOCKED" if otherwise. However this can be misleading and still indicate "OK" if the "DigiBox" has been receiving from Astra 2 and the dish is subsequently moved. In this case the "DigiBox" may require resetting.
Note: this applies to North Beam reception. If receiving South Beam only, the indicator can show "NOT LOCKED" when the "DigiBox" is receiving correctly.
The "NETWORK ID" and "TRANSPORT STREAM" display the following when receiving from the main three satellite systems.
Hot Bird 13E
Network ID ..........
Transport Stream .. 13e
Astra 1 19.2E
Network ID .......... 0000
Transport Stream .. 0000
Astra 2 28.2E*
Network ID .......... 0002
Transport Stream .. 07d4
* Astra 2 North Beam is being received, however this is not the case if receiving South Beam only when the indications may be unpredictable.
RESETTING A DIGIBOX
"DigiBoxes" are very sensitive particularly during dish alignment and can "Lockup" several times within a short period.
To reset a "DigiBox" unplug the mains lead and reconnect after one minute. After a further 30 seconds, the "DigiBox" should operate normally.
Please note that to reset the "DigiBox" , power Must be completely removed from it.
If using one of the Pace Mini "DigiBoxes" then be careful when removing the DC power plug from the rear of the unit, it is very easy to short the power to the metal rear panel of the unit. We advise removing the mains power supply from the A.C. socket, or in cases where the unit is supplied directly from 12 Volts, then turn off the 12 Volt supply by some means.
If you’ve reset a "DigiBox" once, don’t assume you won’t have to do it again in the course of satellite finding.
"DigiBoxes" are very sensitive particularly during dish alignment and can "Lockup" several times within a short period.
To reset a "DigiBox" unplug the mains lead and reconnect after one minute. After a further 30 seconds, the "DigiBox" should operate normally.
Please note that to reset the "DigiBox" , power Must be completely removed from it.
If using one of the Pace Mini "DigiBoxes" then be careful when removing the DC power plug from the rear of the unit, it is very easy to short the power to the metal rear panel of the unit. We advise removing the mains power supply from the A.C. socket, or in cases where the unit is supplied directly from 12 Volts, then turn off the 12 Volt supply by some means.
If you’ve reset a "DigiBox" once, don’t assume you won’t have to do it again in the course of satellite finding.
FAQ’s & TROUBLESHOOTER GUIDE
Q.... I’m getting good signal strength but no quality.
A.... The most likely solutions
.......... 1. Skew the L.N.B. (rotate), refer to satellite dish instructions.
.......... 2. The wrong satellite is being received (usually Astra 1), try realigning your dish approximately 4 degrees lower and 9 degrees further east.
Q.... My finder implies I’ve found the satellite and my "DigiBox" bar graph’s confirm it, but when I press "BACKUP" I get an on-screen message saying "No Satellite Signal is being received".
A.... The "DigiBox" has "Locked-up" and needs resetting. If you’ve reset a "DigiBox" once, don’t assume you won’t have to do it again in the course of satellite finding.
Q.... I’ve been searching for the satellite for a long time, my in-line finder implies I’ve found the satellite but the "DigiBox" bar graphs don’t.
A.... See previous two answers.
Q.... My satellite finder doesn’t light-up / make a noise.
A.... Both the satellite finder and the L.N.B. are powered via the coaxial cable from your digital receiver. The conductor in the cable could be broken (especially when it has been twisted or bent sharply) or you could have a bad connection at either end.
Q.... My "DigiBox" has stopped working now I’m in Southern Spain.
A.... The "DigiBox" software tells your box to look for a transponder on the North beam. Now that you are out of range of the North beam, you will need to change the "Default Transponder" setting to a South beam transponder (See instructions on this page).
Q.... I would like to receive North Beam channels in Southern Spain & Portugal.
A.... Although in Southern Spain and Portugal a satellite dish in excess of 100cm usually allows reception of Astra 2 North Beam channels, it is common to experience loss of some of them at certain times of day, typically between early evening and midnight. This is caused by slight rotation of the satellite essentially required to maintain solar array alignment with the sun, which alters the footprint slightly and hence the signal strength. Careful adjustment of L.N.B skew sometimes effects a cure but failing that a larger dish is the only answer.
Q.... I’m getting good signal strength but no quality.
A.... The most likely solutions
.......... 1. Skew the L.N.B. (rotate), refer to satellite dish instructions.
.......... 2. The wrong satellite is being received (usually Astra 1), try realigning your dish approximately 4 degrees lower and 9 degrees further east.
Q.... My finder implies I’ve found the satellite and my "DigiBox" bar graph’s confirm it, but when I press "BACKUP" I get an on-screen message saying "No Satellite Signal is being received".
A.... The "DigiBox" has "Locked-up" and needs resetting. If you’ve reset a "DigiBox" once, don’t assume you won’t have to do it again in the course of satellite finding.
Q.... I’ve been searching for the satellite for a long time, my in-line finder implies I’ve found the satellite but the "DigiBox" bar graphs don’t.
A.... See previous two answers.
Q.... My satellite finder doesn’t light-up / make a noise.
A.... Both the satellite finder and the L.N.B. are powered via the coaxial cable from your digital receiver. The conductor in the cable could be broken (especially when it has been twisted or bent sharply) or you could have a bad connection at either end.
Q.... My "DigiBox" has stopped working now I’m in Southern Spain.
A.... The "DigiBox" software tells your box to look for a transponder on the North beam. Now that you are out of range of the North beam, you will need to change the "Default Transponder" setting to a South beam transponder (See instructions on this page).
Q.... I would like to receive North Beam channels in Southern Spain & Portugal.
A.... Although in Southern Spain and Portugal a satellite dish in excess of 100cm usually allows reception of Astra 2 North Beam channels, it is common to experience loss of some of them at certain times of day, typically between early evening and midnight. This is caused by slight rotation of the satellite essentially required to maintain solar array alignment with the sun, which alters the footprint slightly and hence the signal strength. Careful adjustment of L.N.B skew sometimes effects a cure but failing that a larger dish is the only answer.