"How To" for Various Viewsat Operating Procedures/Problems.

[grynner]

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

"How To" for Various Viewsat Operating Procedures/Problems

To SORT Channels in order like Dish (To get them in numerical order (100,101,102,105)

1) MENU --> 1. Edit Channels --> OK -->
2) Press “RIGHT” black arrow remote button 4 times to highlight last icon
3) Box below icons will say: “Sort channel list”. Press “OK”
4) Press “DOWN” black arrow remote button 4 times to highlight, “Sort by SID”
5) Press “OK”
6) STB sorts channels. When done, press “EXIT”
7) “Do you want to save? Press “YES”
8) STB updates and saves information. Click “EXIT” once.


Factory Default ViewSat Reset

Factory Default ViewSat Reset

Why would I want to "reset" my STB back to the Factory Default?

Messed up channel list; wrong satelitte info; changed settings; box working improperly, etc

HOW to...

MENU

INSTALLATION

FACTORY DEFAULT

OK


Box will STILL hold the last *.PGM file you uploaded and your satinfo.sat data.
Unless you believe the satinfo.sat file is corrupted, there is no need to transfer this file back to your STB.

Your scanned channel area and the system settings (Password, time, antenna settings, etc) will be reset to defaults and will need to be changed to your desired settings.

Just go to

MENU

INSTALLATION

ANTENNA SETUP

Plug in your LNB info and re-scan your channels.

Sort your list into D* order...

MENU--EDIT CHANNELS--OK

RIGHT ARROW x 4 to "Sort channel list"

OK and DOWN ARROW x 4 to "Sort by SID"

OK (does it in UNDER 1 second)

EXIT and "YES" to Save

Exit back to TV screen

... watch TV


Turn "OFF" the PASSWORD challenge each time you access the menu

Turn "OFF" the PASSWORD challenge each time you access the menu
HOW to...

MENU

INSTALLATION

FACTORY DEFAULT

PARENTAL CONTROL

MENU LOCK -- Change to "OFF"

Now, the PASSWORD challenge box will no longer display when accessing the MENU.

Also note that no channels will be PASSWORD PROTECTED either.

Now, you shouldn't be bothered by having to type in a PASSWORD before viewing/changing settings.


Set ViewSat Time to your time zone

Set ViewSat Time to your time zone

MENU

INSTALLATION

TIME SETTING

Set the "TIME ADJUSTMENT" (2nd line) to your offset from GMT (UTC)

For example, EDT is -5:00

Now, the time display on the STB front display and in the various screen menus will be your correct local time.



Change PASSWORD/LOCK channels

Change PASSWORD/LOCK channels

WHY?
To keep anyone from changing settings in the MENU and to lock out channels from viewing unless the viewer knows the PW.


HOW to...

MENU

INSTALLATION

PARENTAL CONTROL

Change PIN Code

ENTER NEW PIN code (4 digit number)

OK

CONFIRM NEW PIN code (same 4 digit number)

OK

EXIT back to TV

MENU LOCK -- Change to "ON"

This allows you to LOCK out channels you don't wish others--especially children--to view.

Verify that your "locked" channels are, indeed, locked!!!


ViewSat Default Menu Unlock Codes

ViewSat Default Menu Unlock Codes

WHY?
In case you forget your PW or if what you think is your PW doesn't work... worth a try.

If your ViewSat has a Menu PASSWORD challenge box and your "standard" password of "0 0 0 0" does not work, try these:

0000 - Factory Default

0937 - Alternate Default Code


8 8 8 8 Front Panel Display Problem


8 8 8 8 Front Panel Display Problem

This problem is created when the PC --> STB transfer cable is disconnected before the data transfer has completed or when the STB has been powered "OFF" before data transfer INSTALLATION completion.

This problem "may" be fixed by a reload of a file; it's suggested using a factory software file. The data is transferred from the PC to the STB (PC --> STB) [See How to Load or AZBill's 11 step procedures]

Upon successful STB data transfer AND a front panel display of "DONE" AND, finally, a front panel display of "0 0 0 0", THEN, you may turn the STB "OFF". Wait a few seconds (5 is recommended) and then turn the STB "ON". The "8 8 8 8" should be gone.

NOTE:
It is important to be aware that when data is sent from the PC to the STB, the STB takes a couple seconds to "process" the data. The "END" or "Inst" front panel display indicates the STB acknowledges an end to the data transfer to it and that it is installing the data.

After a few seconds to process the data, the front display then changes to:

"0 0 0 0"

indicating the STB has finished. The STB may reset after a data load. Once the front panel is all zeros, it is "OK" to turn the power "OFF".

Also note, the upgraded files starting at v70 do an automatic reboot and reset... BEST procedure is to just wait for box reset... PATIENCE! we're just talking seconds here--usually no more than a few with a max of about 10-15 seconds.

Move/Save Data/Info/Files from STB --> TO--> PC

Move/Save Data/Info/Files from STB --> TO--> PC by teach

Notes:
LOADER2 will SAVE your CHANNEL info as "chaninfo.cha"--usually in the LOADER2 directory when

using the MENU-INSTALLATION--RECEIVER UPGRADE--CHANNEL option.

LOADER2 will SAVE your SAT INFO file as "satinfo.sat"--usually in the LOADER2 directory when

using the MENU-INSTALLATION--RECEIVER UPGRADE--SATELLITE U001 option.

LOADER2 will SAVE "ALL" your info as "chaninfo.cha"--usually in the LOADER2 directory when

using the MENU-INSTALLATION--RECEIVER UPGRADE--ALL INFORMATION option.

If your existing files in LOADER2 (or whichever directory LOADER 2 writes file to are named

"chaninfo.cha" and/or "satinfo.sat" and are valuable, RENAME the existing files BEFORE

proceeding. If you do not rename the existing file(s), they will be over-written and the

previous data will be lost.

Hook the NULL MODEM cable between the STB and the PC

TO SAVE CHANNEL INFO:

Power "ON" STB

MENU

INSTALLATION

RECEIVER UPGRADE

CHANNEL

Open LOADER2 in your PC

Click STB --> to --> PC

Data will automatically move from the STB to the PC and be stored as "chaninfo.cha" usually in

your Loader2 directory

---------

TO SAVE "SAT INFO" INFO:

Power "ON" STB

MENU

INSTALLATION

RECEIVER UPGRADE

SATELLITE U001

Open LOADER2 in your PC

Click STB --> to --> PC

Data will automatically move from the STB to the PC and be stored as "satinfo.sat" usually in

your Loader2 directory

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

TO SAVE ALL USER DATA INFO:

Power "ON" STB

MENU

INSTALLATION

RECEIVER UPGRADE

ALL INFORAMTION

Open LOADER2 in your PC

Click STB --> to --> PC

Data will automatically move from the STB to the PC and be stored as "chaninfo.cha" usually in

your Loader2 directory


Common User Problems w/ ViewSat


Common User Problems w/ ViewSat by teach

1. The ONLY file needing transfer TO the STB is the "V69.pgm"--as of Oct 6, 2005.


2. "satinfo.sat" file, if used and when transferred to the STB, does not transfer 100%. I have had all folks I've helped have at least 4 or 5 missing TP's from the E6,8 missing. For CONUS USA, there should be 21 TP's for E*7 and 29 TP's for E6,8 in order to have all available TP's tested for viewable channels.

If you choose to use a satinfo.sat file, remember that you are using a file made up by someone who may/may NOT live in the same geographical area of CONUS as you and their chosen TP's may/may NOT be right for you!

3. 2. COMM PORT is either not established by the computer's BIOS or is configured to a port that is NOT the "standard" Comm Port 1 used by most of the FTA software.

4. Turning "OFF" the STB (unplug-older or "OFF" Platinum) before the STB front panel displays "0 0 0 0". After the computer transfers data TO the STB, the STB will display "DONE" and then 10 to 15 seconds LATER, after processing the data, the display changes to "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--meaing a trip to the factory for repairs.

5. 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.

6. Failing to use the NULL MODEM cable supplied by the vendor. OIther STB's use a "straight through" cable; ViewSat uses a NULL MODEM cable.
What's the difference?

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


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


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.

Fixing Spanish Audio Problem

Fixing Spanish Audio Problem
Note: LOADER2 will SAVE your data file as "chaninfo.cha"--usually in the LOADER2 directory.
If your existing file, "chaninfo.cha" is valuable, rename it before proceeding. If you do not rename the existing "chaninfo.cha" file, it will be over-written.

Power "ON" STB

MENU

INSTALLATION

RECEIVER UPGRADE

CHANNEL

Open LOADER2

Click STB --> to --> PC

Data will automatically transfer from the STB and be stored as "chaninfo.cha"

Open CHANNEL MASTER

FILE--> IMPORT--> VIEWSAT CHA FORMAT --> Navigate to directory where the chaninfo.cha file is located and click on it. You can also import the satinfo.sat file, too, if desired.

RIGHT click on SATELLITES in LEFT window

LEFT click on BULK MODIFY CHANNELS

Check the lower right corner box identified as "AUDIO PID" and insure the value is set to "0"

FILE--> EXPORT--> VIEWSAT CHA FORMAT --> type in a "satinfo.sat" file NAME and a "chaninfo.cha" file NAME

OK

NOTE: Channel Master will export the CHA and SAT files using the name(s):
chaninfo.cha
satinfo.sat

It placed them in my LOADER2 diretory. If you have files by those names in that directory that are valuable, rename them BEFORE export your "new" Channel Master files.

Then, re-install the modified CHA and/or SAT file(s) in your STB

Once the new file(s) are transferred to STB, each channel will be without sound for a couple of seconds the first time you view that particular channel while the STB downloads audio data from the satellite.


G/L and enjoy!