SKY decoders upgrade

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#48529 13-Oct-2006 07:32

Sorry - I think the tech was wrong. The Pace DS-620 decoders (TP2 and TP3) won't ever be able to support component output for hardware reasons.

Shin

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#48615 13-Oct-2006 19:59

manaia: Sorry - I think the tech was wrong. The Pace DS-620 decoders (TP2 and TP3) won't ever be able to support component output for hardware reasons.

Wow.. I better wait till 7th NOV to make sure upgrade is completed then.

Malpaso

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#48773 16-Oct-2006 11:21

I called Sky on Friday, the helpdesk assured me the DSR600 series would be component enabled in the very near future. Told him that this appeared contrary to everything I had read about this particular decoder, however he was adamant. Tempted to get a second opinion from them.

cyril7

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#48775 16-Oct-2006 11:34

The Pace DSR600 using the TP2/3 processors uses an output stage and DAC arrangement that simply cannot support component out. The support tech can think what they like, but ye caney break the laws of physics kapin, there simply is not enough sand (let alone dyrithium crystals) in the output chips to go round.

These processors use the STV0117/8 output encoder/dac that simply does not support component output, only encoding to composite or S-Vide and trancoding to RGB, there is simply no circuitry to support transcoding or direct bypass to component. This feature was only introduced on the next generation of ST singlechip processors known as the STi551X series.

The support tech could of course be refering to the fact that the DSR600 like all of sky's boxs will be upgrading to the new 0340 firmware, however only boxs that have hardware to support the component output will do so. The DSR600 and Zenith DTH-310-4 that use the TP2 and TP3 processors dont have the hardware to do so, but will have all the other upgrades of the 0340 firmware.

Cyril

Quidam

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#48782 16-Oct-2006 13:23

I'm curious,

what "are" the other enhancements of this latest firmware upgrade, other than component support? Anyone know?

"There is no way to Peace -Peace is the Way" (A. J. Muste)

cyril7

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#48811 16-Oct-2006 18:12

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TECHNICAL BULLETIN

Applies to: Legacy decoders

Overview:

Throughout Oct 2006 we will be progressively releasing a new STB software version to all legacy decoders, this will be known as A340 for Pace TP3 (DSR 620) and 0340 for all other platforms.

It contains many fixes and feature enhancements when compared to the current 0320 version. There are too many to list in this document, but below is a brief overview of the items most relevant to general installations

Details:

1) Teletext

General reliability improvements to Motorola DTH310, 320, 325, 335 and Pace DSR 620 (TP3 only)

2) Component (YUV) output

A new option will be available for the TV SCART output on the following platforms, Motorola DTH 320, 325, 335 Pace DSR2000, DS230

Suitable leads will be available on request from the Sky warehouse.

3) Dual LNB support

A third option will become available in the LNB setup / Set 22KHz Tone Use menu called Satellite/LNB Switching, this will become the new default setting for all dual LNB installations.

Any decoders with 0320 that have already had a dual LNB installed, will automatically default to this setting when the new software (0340 or A340) is downloaded and no further changes will be required.

Any installations which still have a single LNB but have downloaded 0340 / A340 will remain set to Tone Use - None, and will continue to function normally.

However, this will need to be changed manually to Satellite/LNB Switching if and when a single LNB is replaced with a dual in the future.

The Satellite/LNB Switching sub menus will need to be set up according to the 4 figures below.

Figure 1

These settings will all default to the correct values and will be simply a case of accepting each one by pressing the 'Select' key on each item as you walk through the options.

Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4

Once this new option is selected, you will be able to choose channel 999 to access the Optus transmission on the C1 satellite (as you currently do on the MYSKY).

Bear in mind this will only work if there is either a direct path for the 22KHz tone to reach the LNB, or if tone is being fed to the LNB from another decoder.

In a standard single outlet installation there should be no problem.

If multiple outlets and decoders are installed, the tone will only work on the power pass leg(s) and there is no guarantee that the tone will pass through diode steered splitters.

Whenever possible, this should be tested, and the BER / signal strength from the Check Your Signal screen should be noted on the work order - remember, you need to be able to see the Optus Aurora transmission before you go into the signal screen.

4) Signal Check screen improvements

There have been several changes to this screen which require explanation.

a) Bar Graph colour scheme

You will notice that the bar graphs have now been split up into orange and green sections, this is to more easily differentiate between a 'good' and 'bad' installation. Basically the target is to be 'in the green' under clear sky conditions. You will also notice that the Signal level bar graph turns orange again when you reach 80%, this is not an error, it merely highlights that there is such a thing as too much signal. This is unlikely to occur in a standard installation, but may be an issue where line amplifiers are used, for example in multiple outlet or long cable run installations.

BER on the other hand, has a 'bigger is better' philosophy and therefore the target is as high as possible.

b) Signal level / BER values

The signal level value has now been changed to represent as close as possible (within the limits of each decoder's hardware tolerances) an approximation of actual dBuV. Whereas before, it was an arbitrary value between 0 and 255, it will now give you a value of between 30 and 94 (dBuV)

The BER display also has a different range and has been extended out to 0.0E-7 to accommodate the results achievable in a good commercial installation using 1 metre or larger dishes.

Unfortunately, only the Motorola decoders have been calibrated at this time, the Pace decoders are still inaccurate and should therefore be ignored if accurate measurements are required for troubleshooting.

Pace decoders will be calibrated in a future release.

5) Four button reset defaults

The factory defaults have been updated to reflect the dual LNB and the move away from the old channel 38 RF output channel

A four button reset performed on a decoder with STB software Version 0340 / A340 will now be as follows,

a) LNB settings

These settings have now been updated to accommodate the dual LNB as per section 3 above.

If you are installing a decoder on a single LNB (as in an apartment complex), you will need to make sure the LNB Settings are put back to Tone - None and Local Oscillator Frequency to 11300

b) RF output channel

This has now been set to UHF channel 24 to bring the legacy decoders in line with the MYSKY

6) AMS

AMS (or Audience Measurement System) has been added to the Pace DSR 620 (TP3 only), this is signified by the 'A' in software version A340. Other than this, there are no end user functionality differences between A340 and 0340. AMS makes use of the decoder's modem to report back the daily viewing habits of selected subscribers. Therefore for this mechanism to work correctly, the decoder must be connected to a valid telephone line. Although all Pace DSR 620's (TP3 only) will receive the A340 version, only participating members will have the mechanism activated.

The only means of testing this, is to ensure that the modem is connected and working. This is done with the normal test procedure used for any other modem related fault finding (i.e. channel 203 or SMS triggered call-back).

7) Widescreen signalling

Widescreen signalling via line 23 has now been added to Motorola models DTH 320, 325 and 335. This is a method of conveying widescreen information within the video signal without having to rely on pin 8 of the SCART. This means (provided the TV / display unit supports it) these decoders can now signal the presence of a widescreen program via Composite, S-video or Component, regardless of whether the TV / Plasma / LCD etc, has a SCART connector or not.

There has also been a minor text change in the Widescreen setup menu to bring legacy in line with MYSKY. The wording 'Normal (Pan & Scan)' now says 'Centre Cut'

8) General bug fixes

Over 30 bug fixes / improvements have been implemented in this release. Below are the top five.

1) Dropping to channels 0, 44, 58 etc when the decoder performs a booked event channel change

2) Empty banners, this fix is dependent on the guide being adequately populated, which can take up to 30 minutes from decoder's initial power up

3) Random reboot on DTH 335 if modem is unplugged

4) EPG grid optimised for faster redraw

5) Motorola DTH310, premature modem hang-up on some exchanges

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cyril

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#48812 16-Oct-2006 18:33

Niiice!
Consider me a very satisfied customer of Sky!

I is a kollege stoodent. Bee nice.

sbiddle

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#48813 16-Oct-2006 19:03

Any idea what % of Sky decoders are going to phone home each day with your viewing habits?

sbiddle

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#48814 16-Oct-2006 19:06

Manaia: I assume you work for Sky?

Is there any chance of being able to find out if Discovery Travel & Living will be carried on Sky once D1 is cut over? I was lead to believe it will be however I've emailed CS twice over the past few months asking and have had no reply. It's the one advantage TCL have over Sky! :-)

tom4life

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#48840 17-Oct-2006 12:53

sbiddle, i'm not sure about that particular channel. i just hope skytv have some new channels like vh1,and most importantly fox news live. i know they air fox news live for a few hours on primetv each day but wouldn't it be great to have it 24/7. also,i think skytv might start-up their own 24/7 news channel,because there are lots of new reporters on prime news recently.

manaia

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#48952 18-Oct-2006 09:15

sbiddle:
Manaia: I assume you work for Sky?

Is there any chance of being able to find out if Discovery Travel & Living will be carried on Sky once D1 is cut over? I was lead to believe it will be however I've emailed CS twice over the past few months asking and have had no reply. It's the one advantage TCL have over Sky! :-)

Sorry - I don't know. SKY Customer Services don't have any way to find out this kind of information before a public announcement is made.

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manaia

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#48953 18-Oct-2006 09:27

sbiddle:
Any idea what % of Sky decoders are going to phone home each day with your viewing habits?

Information is only gathered from customers who have explicitly opted-in. Data is being gathered from around 1% of customers.

allstarnz

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#48979 18-Oct-2006 16:28

thanks cyril!!

1) Dropping to channels 0, 44, 58 etc when the decoder performs a booked event channel change

Thank god for this. This hacks me off to no end, as does it skipping to the weather channel randomly when channel surfing. Don't think mine's been upgraded yet.

tallPete

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Master Geek

#49005 19-Oct-2006 00:46

I thought I would post in here to tell of my success with this.

I have a Motorola DTH325-4 and an Acer AL2671W LCD. Video was being fed to my LCD via SCART set to Composite. I looked at the software version screen the other day and saw that I had received the 0340 update, and having already been very impressed by the difference using Component cabling for the DVD player direct to the LCD decided to try this with the Sky box.

Popped down to Jaycar and bought the WQ7255 cable. Plugged it in and went into the Sky Box menus which were initially very confusing. When you select to change the SCART setup, you get asked twice what type it is, it took me a wee while to work out (until I saw the title of the menu change) that the first selection is for the TV scart, and the second is for the Video Scart.

The TV Scart is the only one that allows component, the video scart is limited only to S-Video and Composite - Component only out of one scart.

When looking at the back panel of the Sky Box from the back, the TV Scart is the one closest to the Right hand edge, the Video one is the left most one.

Plugged it all in, and it worked first time. Audio and Component Video present. Someone on this forum said 30% improvement in Video, I would agree with that, I'm very impressed, picture improvement is very obvious. Things such as the Sky On screen menus in particular now very sharp and clear.

Picture improvement fantastic on high bandwidth channels such as the Movie ones, although low bandwidth feeds (such as my faves BBC and History) the pixelation because of Video compression is more obvious because the video feed from the decoder is now very clean. Your mileage may vary, the 'smoothing' engine on your telly may cover it better than on my Acer.

So I'm very happy with the result. I have a component video feed to the TV, and the old scart cable is now feeding composite video and audio to my (VHS) video recorder. A good upgrade - I'd love to see more bandwidt allocated to my fave channels now - perhaps it will happen with Optus D1 firing up.

Jazsaxman

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#49149 20-Oct-2006 00:33

no sign of tonights planned upgrade yet? anyone got 0340 on their 335-4? Steve

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