ViewSat Common User Problems

[grynner]

c&p from another site,thanks goes to teach.

Tens of thousands of ViewSats are being used successfully. It is an EXTREMELY rare, but possible, exception that your ViewSat problem is the result of a 'defective' unit; however, almost universally, your ViewSat problem is the direct result of "Operator Error" in setting the unit up.


A. The ONLY file needing transfer TO the ViewSat is the "V76.pgm"--as of Oct 30, 2005.


1. Black/Missing Channels
THE LARGEST single User problem reported is that of black channels or missing channels and is the result of "assuming" your satellite dish installation is receiving signals of adequate strength. In order to receive all possible channels, one must check PRIOR TO VIEWSAT setup that the satellite dish is aligned to receive the very highest possible signal strength.

2. DiSEqc switches - TWO problems
a. Most vendors "give" them away with the purchase of a ViewSat and the switch is an expense to the vendors; they "may" purchase less-expensive ones because the cost comes out of their bank account. I personally have a disceqc w/ a problem in that Inputs 2 and 3 do NOT work... because I just have 2 birds, I use input 1 and input 4 with the corresponding Port 1 and Port 4 in ANTENNA SETUP.

b. Failing to use the DiSEqC switch supplied by the vendor. Numerous posts tell of using other STB's which are replaced by the ViewSat. Then, the user experiences channel reception problems. Frequently, the problems are solved by replacing the existing DiSEqC switch w/ the new one provided by the vendor. They don't send the new switch for their health; it's costs the vendor $$$--so use it and avoid potential problems.

3. NULL MODEM CABLE
Failing to use the NULL MODEM cable supplied by the vendor. Other STB's use a "straight through" cable; ViewSat uses a NULL MODEM cable.

What's the difference?

NULL MODEM cable: (called a "twisted pair")--USED FOR VIEWSAT!!!
Has 9 pins, but only these are required:
Pin 2 to Pin 3
Pin 3 to Pin 2
Pin 5 to Pin 5

Straight through serial cable: (called, dah, "straight through")
Has 9 pins, but only these are required:
Pin 2 to Pin 2
Pin 3 to Pin 3
Pin 5 to Pin 5

4. LNBs
a. User's do not seem to know what kind of LNBs they are using--needed info in the ANTENNA SETUP section. Are you using LEGACY or PRO LNB's. And, if LEGACY, you cannot use "Twin" or "Quad" LNB's because of the built-in SW-21 which is incompatible with FTA boxes, in general, and ViewSat, in particular.

b. I know of 2 different setups using 2 LEGACY, single-head LNBs on a 500 dish using a "Y" bracket where 1 head was bad.... discovered after hours of checking, reflashing, etc... and only because someone suggested swapping heads which showed the problem swapped to. So, don't spend hours and hours with an empty or missing satellite. Swap the LNBs to see if the problem satellite swaps too.

5. Turning "OFF" the STB (unplug-Black model or rear panel "OFF" switch Platinum)
Turning "OFF" (Platinum) or "unplugging" (Black) ViewSat before the front panel displays "0 0 0 0". After the computer transfers data TO the STB, the Front Panel Display shows "inst" for 15 seconds while it installs the software; "DONE" is displayed for 10 seconds while the processor takes care of housekeeping procedures; next the unit REBOOTS displaying " on " and finally "0 0 0 0". Failure to wait for the all ZERO display interrupts the STB's processing of the data transferred. Interrupting the data processing may leave the STB w/ a corrupted file and unuseable--meaning a trip to the factory for repairs.

6. ANTENNA SETUP:
This problem has to do with another ANTENNA SETUP menu mal-adjustment: TP Frequency being set at 12224.... for whatever reason, sometimes that doesn't work and 12239 or another frequency does.

Try using the lowest number in this setting.

7. Basically, ViewSat setup is NOT difficult and generally works flawlessly in 15 minutes or less "IF" the dish is aligned and the cables run from the dish to the ViewSat receiver area.

That also assumes the LNBs are functioning properly and the cable is the "right" type and in good working order.

If one follows "common sense" and uses the supplied equipment, guides and exercises ordinary care and caution, setup should be a painless and easy experience.

Using the above ideas SHOULD reduce significant problems, and the resulting questions, by users.