Almost there !

Todd Wiedemann · #1 (**permalink**) 12-02-2003, 12:22 PM

Hello all my Sadoun forum friends !

I am lucky enough to be able to choose a gift from a friend and I am choosing to purchase an FTA system from none other than Sadoun !!

My friend will be calling to order it tomorrow (12/3/03). My choice now is the #3 system, Motorized Lifetime.

We'd like to keep the cost around $400. I have plenty of RG-6 and cable staples, etc.

I live in the Milwaukee, WI area and have an excellent view to the south.

Anyone have any comments ???

Specifically, Sadoun, I want to make sure the order doesn't get goofed up ... advice ??

Thanks a lot !

Todd.

Sadoun · #2 (**permalink**) 12-02-2003, 01:23 PM

Todd

The Motorized Fortec Star Lifetime complete system is an excellent choice. The receiver comes now with the latest f/w software version 2.19. Receiver has alot of good features like fast processing speed, sensitive tuner, fast channel switching, USALS, AC3 sound, and easy menu navigation.

Your friend will like this system.

:lol:

Todd Wiedemann · #3 (**permalink**) 12-02-2003, 02:02 PM

Actually, the system is for me !!

It's nice to get gifts !!

Do you think that, with standard shipping, I'll have it by this weekend ??

Also, how up-to-date is the frequency, etc. info ?

dtsexpert · #4 (**permalink**) 12-02-2003, 02:47 PM

Todd,
What a friend...:-)
You can't go wrong for this package. USALS will cut the time to set up the dish.
The pre-programmed freq list is pretty up-to-date. You should not have any problem to add new freq, even without reading the manual...:-)
Let us know if you face any difficulties to set it up (jsut in case)
Michael

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Wiedemann

Actually, the system is for me !!

It's nice to get gifts !!

Do you think that, with standard shipping, I'll have it by this weekend ??

Also, how up-to-date is the frequency, etc. info ?

Todd Wiedemann · #5 (**permalink**) 12-03-2003, 09:54 AM

It's ordered (through the website) !!

Sadoun, any idea on shipping to Milwaukee, WI ??

Thanks !

Todd.

Sadoun · #6 (**permalink**) 12-03-2003, 11:51 AM

If ordered before 2PM, we usually ship the same day. See the map here for estimated days in transit: http://sadoun.com/Sat/Shipping/tracking.htm

#7 (**permalink**) 12-03-2003, 07:47 PM

Enjoy the surround sound and the high performance of the Fortec performance(Made in Korea) the best. If you need help, just post messages in the forum and you'll get any help needed.
Enjoy the world of FTA. :wink:

Todd Wiedemann · #8 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 06:59 PM

Woo hoo !! I picked it up today !

Now, the weather here is terrible. Can I plug the receiver in and check out the menus and stuff without anything else plugged in ??

I really don't want to hurt my NEW Fortec Lifetime !!

Thanks. Especially to Jamal ... sadoun.com is great !

dtsexpert · #9 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 07:20 PM

You can sure do that, but without the dish installed, you will not see any channels...:-)
Don't forget to turn on the power switch on the back. I once sent an email to Jamal claiming the receiver is bad. It turned out I forgot to turn on the power switch...:-)
The Lifetime receiver is a cool one, very fast and user-friendly. For now, spend some time to read the manual, instruction on how to install the H-H mount. You should be OK. Don't worry to much. Feel free to post any questions.
FYI, in case you have questions, try to post them in a appropriate section such as Fortec or Installation where might get more help. Michael

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Wiedemann

Woo hoo !! I picked it up today !

Now, the weather here is terrible. Can I plug the receiver in and check out the menus and stuff without anything else plugged in ??

I really don't want to hurt my NEW Fortec Lifetime !!

Thanks. Especially to Jamal ... sadoun.com is great !

Todd Wiedemann · #10 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 07:53 PM

I did it, Michael !! Thanks a lot ...

The menus are *very* fast ... I'm impressed. Even faster than my ReplayTV or DirecTV receivers.

Can't wait to get the dish up !

I'll post in the appropriate forums if I need further help, thanks !!

Todd.

dtsexpert · #11 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 10:31 PM

What type of DirectTV dish you have. If you have the multi-sat type (2 or 3 separate lnbfs), you can run a cable from either 110 or 119 lnbf to the receiver to test the receiver (in case you can't wait)
Echo 6/8 @110W, Echo7 @ 119.
Let us know if you have the multi-sat type and are anxious to play with the receiver.
FIY, most of the DishNet channels are encrypted, but the audio channels are FTA.

Michael

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Wiedemann

I did it, Michael !! Thanks a lot ...

The menus are *very* fast ... I'm impressed. Even faster than my ReplayTV or DirecTV receivers.

Can't wait to get the dish up !

I'll post in the appropriate forums if I need further help, thanks !!

Todd.

Todd Wiedemann · #12 (**permalink**) 12-10-2003, 10:03 AM

Quote:

you can run a cable from either 110 or 119 lnbf to the receiver to test the receiver

Really ...

I have an 18x24 elliptical, all three LNB's, with a 2x4 multiswitch.

I just may do that !! What other content is available; any video stuff at all ?

Todd Wiedemann · #13 (**permalink**) 12-10-2003, 11:05 AM

Jamal,

I noticed that my receiver is at version 2.17 of the firmware. The Fortec website has the latest release at 2.19.

Should I attempt an upgrade ?? Is it worth it ??

Thanks ...

Todd.

aar5ac · #14 (**permalink**) 12-10-2003, 11:18 AM

Don't mess around with the firmware for a while yet. If you upgrade the firmware your warranty on the Fortec will be void. Sadoun recommends that you return the receiver and let a technician do the upgrading. With that being said I have uploaded firmware and used the computer for programming for a while now and can do so safely. Wait until you get it up and running first. On the slight chance that there is a problem with the receiver you don't want to take the chance of voiding the warranty.

Sadoun · #15 (**permalink**) 12-10-2003, 12:47 PM

Todd

I agree with aar5ac to wait until you are more familiar with the unit.

Upgrading the software is very simple using a straight thru serial cable. However, you could do it only after you carefuly read the instructions on the www.Fortecstar.com

:wink:

dtsexpert · #16 (**permalink**) 12-10-2003, 02:15 PM

Do not mess around the the firmware until you are familiar with the receiver. Firmware upgraded in simple but you must follow the instruction correctly. I don't mean to scare you, but first try to get the receiver work.
Back to the DirectTV dish. Check the dish to see if it has 3 lnbfs saperately. As I know, the new DTV dish has a new type of lnbf which has an internal switch for 3 sats.
If your dish has 3 saperate lnbfs, here is you can try:
Connect a cable from 119 lnbf to the Lifetime, set the LO as single, change the LO freq to 11250. Select Echostar 7, use scan transponder option, then scan the freq 12297, H. You should get 12 channels or so. One of the is NASA which is FTA.
Let us know if you want to try.
Michael
Note: There is a minor bug with firmware 2.17, the signal meter stay constantly at 50% or so. This bug is fixed with the firmware 2.19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Wiedemann

Quote:

you can run a cable from either 110 or 119 lnbf to the receiver to test the receiver

Really ...

I have an 18x24 elliptical, all three LNB's, with a 2x4 multiswitch.

I just may do that !! What other content is available; any video stuff at all ?

Todd Wiedemann · #17 (**permalink**) 12-14-2003, 12:09 PM

Ugh.

The weather is KILLING me ... my plan is to put the dish on the roof of the 2nd story, above the garage. So, of course, it snows Thursday, Friday, Saturday ...

What with one of the biggest news days in recent history (Saddam) it must be a field day for you guys, surfing all the newsfeeds !!

Oh, well ... just wanted to vent.

I'll post install pics if I ever get to install this thing !

Todd.

dtsexpert · #18 (**permalink**) 12-14-2003, 04:54 PM

The weather is so nice over here in San Francisco today. It was windy and raining so hard last night. All my dishese are still up...:-)
Let us know how things going.
Michael

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Wiedemann

Ugh.

The weather is KILLING me ... my plan is to put the dish on the roof of the 2nd story, above the garage. So, of course, it snows Thursday, Friday, Saturday ...

What with one of the biggest news days in recent history (Saddam) it must be a field day for you guys, surfing all the newsfeeds !!

Oh, well ... just wanted to vent.

I'll post install pics if I ever get to install this thing !

Todd.

Todd Wiedemann · #19 (**permalink**) 12-14-2003, 05:00 PM

Quote:

The weather is so nice over here in San Francisco today.

Excellent ! My wife and I vacationed in SF this past July. We love it there ... you are lucky. Hopefully going back next summer.

Sure is fun playing with a receiver that has no source

Too much hassle to pull the 119 LNB from the DirecTV dish.