Need Help with VisionPlus 1020a

[jhwessell]

Any one in Las Vegas, NV willing to help a lost soul set up his 1020A card.

Have 922 4DTV and Bud set up and running great.

Have put in slave kit, installed card and hooked up switch.

Software is VisionPlus 2.42 and drivers installed.

I get 1 frame on Pentagon Channel on T5 says 544x480 Audio MPEG.

Freq Displayed is 4060 mhz
SR: 28000
Polorazation: Horz

Any help will be greatly appereciated.

Slim

[wejones]

Originally Posted by jhwessell

Any one in Las Vegas, NV willing to help a lost soul set up his 1020A card.

Have 922 4DTV and Bud set up and running great.

Have put in slave kit, installed card and hooked up switch.

Software is VisionPlus 2.42 and drivers installed.

I get 1 frame on Pentagon Channel on T5 says 544x480 Audio MPEG.

Freq Displayed is 4060 mhz
SR: 28000
Polorazation: Horz

Any help will be greatly appereciated.

Slim

Not sure I understand what problem is? Are you saying that Pentagon is the only channel you are getting, or that you are having a problem with that channel? Also, once you explain problem, it would help if you describe how you connected the slave kit and what steps you have done relative to tuning signals with the software.

[jhwessell]

LNB Set up 1 is C-band and is type Normal (5150mhz, 5750mhz)
Power is off/Switch Type empty/Diesqc is none

LNB Set up 2 is Ku-band and is type Universal (10600mhz, 9750mhz)
Power is off Switch/Type: 22hz tone enabled/Diesqc is none

I understand the 1020a changes LNBs thru the switch fed from the splitters at the 922, the switch is labeled lnb1 and lnb2 and output but not sure what triggers the switch. Is that the 22hz?? and which lnb side of the switch uses it??

What I don't understand is how the polarity is switched which may be the problem.

I set the dish on Telstar 5, peaked with the 922 and got a signal reading on the card. I hit scan and got a long list of feeds most of which tells me are scrambled when I try to double click. On the Pentagon Channel, I get a single frame but no motion.

Any help will be appreciated.

[wejones]

Originally Posted by jhwessell

LNB Set up 1 is C-band and is type Normal (5150mhz, 5750mhz)
Power is off/Switch Type empty/Diesqc is none

LNB Set up 2 is Ku-band and is type Universal (10600mhz, 9750mhz)
Power is off Switch/Type: 22hz tone enabled/Diesqc is none

I understand the 1020a changes LNBs thru the switch fed from the splitters at the 922, the switch is labeled lnb1 and lnb2 and output but not sure what triggers the switch. Is that the 22hz?? and which lnb side of the switch uses it??

What I don't understand is how the polarity is switched which may be the problem.

I set the dish on Telstar 5, peaked with the 922 and got a signal reading on the card. I hit scan and got a long list of feeds most of which tells me are scrambled when I try to double click. On the Pentagon Channel, I get a single frame but no motion.

Any help will be appreciated.

I can't help with respect to the Pentagon Channel since I haven't tuned that one in for several months, and don't know whether it is a 24/7 signal.

Re polarity, you change polarity via the analog receiver. Make sure it isn't turned off, or it may start changing channels and polarity by itself in the background, looking for a VCII channel to rest on.

Re your "switch", you don't say what kind you have, and the settings of course depend on what kind you have.

Re LNB TYPE, I forget the name, but think I use "custom". You want one for C band which has only 5150 (I put this in both slots), and you want one for KU which is 10750.

Relative to LNB Power, if you have a DISEQC switch, and possibly other type switches, you will want your LNB POWER turned ON. I saw that you got this response in other forum. This is because even though your analog receiver provides the LNB power, you need it turned on to power the switch.

HOWEVER, and for me this is a BIG HOWEVER, the 1020a doesn't seem to be very good at switching switches. My 1020a, just doesn't seem to work with the DISEQC switch I have. I haven't yet tried a 22khz switch. I've read posts from other people who have had similar problems and other people who don't have the problem, so you may or may not have this problem.
If things still don't work following advise above, try bypassing your switch, and things should work.

[jhwessell]

Thanks for taking the time to explain things for me. Much good info.

I bypassed the switch but does not seem to matter.

I set up the lnbs like you said in VisionDTV and did a scan on Galaxy 3R.

I get a signal strenght of 40 and a quality of 22.

I scanned the sat and got a list of feeds. Most will not open and the few that do give me one frame and freezes such as Ch170-MNT-L. I am running an AMD 2000XP which should be enough power.

I tried to enter the speed channel data for the race 4.2.2.

Galaxy 3C - 9 C-Band
3880MHz
Horitontal
SR28000

VPID308
APIDs256/257
PCRPID8190
FEC 3/4
SPEED CH1

But I got an error that it failed to play.

Any additional info will be appreciated.

[wejones]

Re the signal you're trying to tune, did you get the data from some web page or a mailing list or forum that gives feed info, or was this data already in the program, or did it scan in? I just went to G3 and don't see that signal either. One thing though, is that if that signal was indeed a 4.2.2 signal, then the program that comes with the Twinhan won't play it. You'd have to download a different program to play it.
One thing you should be aware of, is that many lists of signals and transponder freqs/SRs are quite out of date, so unless you get current data for a feed, it may not be correct. Even the list of transponder freqs that comes with the VisionDTV or whatever they call the program now, is probably out of date. The tbiggest reasons for new people being unable to get dvb receivers to work, is that they are using out of date freq lists that come with the receivers, and/or that they are using the wrong LO freq.
I would recommend going to Lyngsat, and find transponders that you are sure of to try. However I did just find time to switch over to T5, and tuned in the Pentagon Channel that you said you were having problems with, and I was able to get it to play fine. I used the same parameters you mentioned in previous post. I had my analog dish on an even channel.
If that one still doesn't play for you, I'd recommend that you quit trying to use the program that came with the Twinhan, at least for the time being. Most people don't use that program. I would recommend that you download TSREADER and DVBAPPS.
http://www.coolstf.com/tsreader/
http://www.dvbapps.com/
There are free and pay versions of both these programs, but even the free versions are easier to use than the crazy program that comes with the Twinhan. TSREADER doesn't play video directly, but plays through another application, VLC or something like that, but TSREADER is very useful for finding feeds, knowing only the freq and SR.
DVBAPPS will play the programs directly, and will even play the 4.2.2 signals and also HDTV signals. They are much easier to work with. I'd recommend using TSREADER to see if you can lock on the signals. It will show thumbprints of all fta signals on a transponder. Then when you find a good signal, switch to DVBAPPS to play it, or else feed the signal into the VLC thing (once you've downloaded that).
Sorry that you're having so much trouble, but I'm not surprised, because that VisionDTV program is really user unfriendly. If you do use it, I'd recommend not using the satellite scan, but chose a transponder that you know is good, and be sure to hit "apply" , and make sure you get green bars for a lock, then hit transponder scan. But the results of this should be similar to when you originally scanned in the Pentagon channel, and I don't have an answer for why it wouldn't play after saving it, unless your analog receiver changed polarity on you.
BTW, I assume that your slave kit involves a "T" with one leg with DC pass going to the analog receiver, and DC blocked to the Twinhan?

[jhwessell]

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.

The damn thing really works. I tried what you said about DVBapps and I finally have moving video. Using the data base in DVBapps as a staring point and data from Lynsat I was able to seveal feeds including the Pentagon Channel. I am still having problems pulling in feeds from Lyngsat. It finds the audio but can't lock on the video, which may be because they are encrypted.

VisionDTV does give me the green bars for signal strenght but the scanning still sucks. On most birds I try to scan the whole bird and I watch as the freq and SR display as the xponders scan in, but after the scan, the data field goes blank and there is no way to record the data. Have you tried the updated version form Twinhan? I downloaded it but haven't loded because it wants to delete VisionDTV.

The NASACR feed I tried was from a backhaul mailing list. Now that I better understand the whole process, I will try again tomorrow.

Still have a lot to learn about DVBapps and TSreader is way out there will work with both and see what I can learn. I don't understand VLC but will try it later.

Correct on the slave kit. LNB in one side of the DC pass and out the other and the switch from the dc-blocking side to the card. Haven't found much on Ku yet but will spend some time on it later.

Again, Many thanks for all your help.

[wejones]

Originally Posted by jhwessell

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.

The darn thing really works. I tried what you said about DVBapps and I finally have moving video. Using the data base in DVBapps as a staring point and data from Lynsat I was able to seveal feeds including the Pentagon Channel. I am still having problems pulling in feeds from Lyngsat. It finds the audio but can't lock on the video, which may be because they are encrypted.

Glad it started working. One quirk about DVBAPPS, at least the pay version, is that sometimes you have to put a zero in for the PCR-PID, or else it will say something like found audio searching for video, and get hung up. So try the"0" PCR.

Originally Posted by jhwessell

VisionDTV does give me the green bars for signal strenght but the scanning still sucks. On most birds I try to scan the whole bird and I watch as the freq and SR display as the xponders scan in, but after the scan, the data field goes blank and there is no way to record the data. Have you tried the updated version form Twinhan? I downloaded it but haven't loded because it wants to delete VisionDTV.

I've upgraded a couple times. It is recommended to COMPLETELY remove your current version prior to installing. I had a problem once and had to do that. There is a post from about a year or so ago in this forum from a representative from Twinhan talking about this. It was near or in a discussion about VisionData I think.

Originally Posted by jhwessell

The NASACR feed I tried was from a backhaul mailing list. Now that I better understand the whole process, I will try again tomorrow.

Yeah, I saw that posted just after trying it, and then saw where someone said it had gone elsewhere too, so it probably wasn't there when you were looking for it.

Originally Posted by jhwessell

Still have a lot to learn about DVBapps and TSreader is way out there will work with both and see what I can learn. I don't understand VLC but will try it later.

The VLC is pretty easy. If you install VLC, then, when you are using TSREADER, you just click on the program you want to view and select VLC in the menu above, and it will play the video. It can also be sent over a LAN to another computer, but you need a 100BaseT not just a 10BaseT.

There are 2 or 3 other programs out there that other people seem to like, but I've only tried TSREADER and DVBAPPS myself.
You might keep trying to get the VisionDTV program to work, because there are occasions when it is a bit more stable, especially if you want to record and watch at the same time, however for normal viewing, I'd stay away from it.

[jhwessell]

"Glad it started working. One quirk about DVBAPPS, at least the pay
version, is that sometimes you have to put a zero in for the PCR-PID, or else it will say something like found audio searching for video, and get hung up. So try the"0" PCR."

I found that out in the free version, please explain the pay version.

"I've upgraded a couple times. It is recommended to COMPLETELY remove your current version prior to installing. I had a problem once and had to do that. There is a post from about a year or so ago in this forum from a representative from Twinhan talking about this. It was near or in a discussion about VisionData I think."

I did uninstall the VisionDTV (VDTV) and tried the Twinhan version and its even more unfriendly so uninstalled it and put VDTV back in. It amazes me how badly it preforms. On Anik F1, I have the CBFT-TV in DVDApps and transfered the feed data to VDTV and it still would not display it.

I was trying to get the NASCAR feed on F1 and know I was on the right Sat because I was watch CBFT-TV. Good strong signal. I punched in the data from the mailing list and DVBApps says it found the audio but could not find the 4.2.2 video. Signal may just be low this far south. I did get a 4.2.2 on another sat for golf so I know the hardare and software are working fine.

"The VLC is pretty easy. "

I had it on my harddrive for viewing mpeg files nothing else would display. I told TSR where it was and bang three thumbnails on Anik F1 played just fine.

"There are 2 or 3 other programs out there that other people seem to like, but I've only tried TSREADER and DVBAPPS myself. "

DVBApps is working pretty good, I use a text reader to play with the CSV file for the sat lists. I did notice there is only one LNB listing in DVBApps. How do you change to Ku band LNB?? My switch is a Pansat Diseqc 2x1, 950-2150mhz. I believe it uses burst to change. So far no luck finding anything on Ku. Would love to get AMC9 tuned in.

" You might keep trying to get the VisionDTV program to work, because there are occasions when it is a bit more stable, especially if you want to record and watch at the same time, however for normal viewing, I'd stay away from it."

I will and let you know if I discover anything earth shattering.

I need more work in TSR also. I have read that its worth the $$$ to upgrade.

Finally, how do you show the quotes in the little boxes.

Thanks so very much. I put a link in Satforum so others could read your most infomative posts.

[wejones]

Originally Posted by jhwessell

"Glad it started working. One quirk about DVBAPPS, at least the pay
version, is that sometimes you have to put a zero in for the PCR-PID, or else it will say something like found audio searching for video, and get hung up. So try the"0" PCR."

I found that out in the free version, please explain the pay version.

It's called the "Pre-release verion". I can't remember the benefits, but you can read about it at Hans' web page. It is a pretty small donation.

Originally Posted by jhwessell

"I've upgraded a couple times. It is recommended to COMPLETELY remove your current version prior to installing. I had a problem once and had to do that. There is a post from about a year or so ago in this forum from a representative from Twinhan talking about this. It was near or in a discussion about VisionData I think."

I did uninstall the VisionDTV (VDTV) and tried the Twinhan version and its even more unfriendly so uninstalled it and put VDTV back in.

The Twinhan guy recommended not only uninstalling the old version, but manually going in and removing whatever files remain. These remaining files were interfering with the new version for me.

Originally Posted by jhwessell

DVBApps is working pretty good, I use a text reader to play with the CSV file for the sat lists. I did notice there is only one LNB listing in DVBApps. How do you change to Ku band LNB??

You should get both C and Ku channels listed for sats in DVBAPPS. If you don't, you probably have errors in the CSV file. I recommend using Excel for editing it because you can easily leave out commas with a text editor. The CSV files I use have all the C band first then all the Ku, but DVBAPPS searches the list and pulls all the channels for each sat.
To actually switch LNBs, that's taken care of in the Properties/LNB menu. I think you can define a universal lnb with 10750 and 5150 and a crossover somewhere in between, however I don't do that myself. I just us the single LNB and go in and manually change from 5150 to 10750.
Also on this setup menu, are entries for the DISEQc port and a 22khz setting. This should allow you to tell your switch to switch between the C and Ku LNB. HOWEVER, I haven't been able to get this to work on my system. I have seldom used a switch with the 1020a, since I have one of my other receivers switching my diseq switch. I've tried all three programs for controlling the switch, and can't get it to work. I put a scope on the lnb line, and it looks like the card is sending the diseqc signal, however I'm seeing a lot of noise on the line that mus be coming from the computer power supply. So the DISEQc switch may or may not work for you. I've had other people recommend using a 22 KHz switch instead, but I haven't tried that yet.

Originally Posted by jhwessell

Finally, how do you show the quotes in the little boxes.

In responding to posts, if you hit the "Quote" button at upper right, it will put the original message in your text, between some control commands inside brackets that start and stop the quote. However to get it to show up you have to unclick the "Disable BBCode" parameter which is right below the editing box when you reply. To divide up the original, you have to manually copy/paste start stop things in brackets at the appropriate places.

[jhwessell]

Originally Posted by wejones

It's called the "Pre-release verion". I can't remember the benefits, but you can read about it at Hans' web page. It is a pretty small donation.

Sent him $20.00 and got the pre-release version. Working thru it now.

Originally Posted by wejones

You should get both C and Ku channels listed for sats in DVBAPPS. If you don't, you probably have errors in the CSV file. I recommend using Excel for editing it because you can easily leave out commas with a text editor. The CSV files I use have all the C band first then all the Ku, but DVBAPPS searches the list and pulls all the channels for each sat.
To actually switch LNBs, that's taken care of in the Properties/LNB menu. I think you can define a universal lnb with 10750 and 5150 and a crossover somewhere in between, however I don't do that myself. I just us the single LNB and go in and manually change from 5150 to 10750.
Also on this setup menu, are entries for the DISEQc port and a 22khz setting. This should allow you to tell your switch to switch between the C and Ku LNB. HOWEVER, I haven't been able to get this to work on my system. I have seldom used a switch with the 1020a, since I have one of my other receivers switching my diseq switch. I've tried all three programs for controlling the switch, and can't get it to work. I put a scope on the lnb line, and it looks like the card is sending the diseqc signal, however I'm seeing a lot of noise on the line that mus be coming from the computer power supply. So the DISEQc switch may or may not work for you. I've had other people recommend using a 22 KHz switch instead, but I haven't tried that yet.

Played with the sat.csv and it does indeed change the LNB. Will build me a list off my database.csv. An e-mail from Hans recommends a 22hz switch, when I get 1 I'll let you know how it works.

Originally Posted by wejones

In responding to posts, if you hit the "Quote" button at upper

Screwed it up and had to hand massage it but I am learning.

Thanks, again, starting to really understand what I am doing.

[jhwessell]

Got my 22khz switch and it works pretty good. Still hand changing the default LNB set-up until I can build the sat.txt for DVBApps.

Card is working pretty good now. Biggest problem I am having is finding some of the satellites. G10 Ku and G11 Ku and Anik F1 are particually hard for me to find due to no NTSC signal to home in on. The 4.2.2 and HD look real nice even on my AMD2000 machine.

Thanks again for you all your help and the patience to explain it to me.

JH

[wejones]

Originally Posted by jhwessell

Card is working pretty good now. Biggest problem I am having is finding some of the satellites. G10 Ku and G11 Ku and Anik F1 are particually hard for me to find due to no NTSC signal to home in on.

Does your 922 have a baseband output? I know that the older 4DTVs didn't have baseband, but the newer ones do, so you might.
But what I have found to be very helpful, with respect to finding satellites which don't have an analog signal, is to hook up the baseband output of my analog receiver to a shortwave receiver. I then set the analog receiver on a transponder which has a known DVB signal (centering this can be a problem on some receivers), and set the short wave receiver on the SR of the known signal (ie if the SR is 28,300, then set the short wave on 28.3 MHz, FM mode). Then, when I move the dish, I watch for a signal on the short wave receiver, which will be a "quieting" signal, ie the absense of static, and tune to maximum signal strength on the shortwave as I move the dish.
This works very well when I can accurately put the analog receiver on the freq of the DVB signal, which is easiest when the DVB signal is centered on the transponder, but can also be accomplished by going on and off the channel if the receiver in question has an AFC that automatically peaks on whatever signal is on that transponder.
I could explain how this is done with a Drake 1824, but I'm not familiar enough with the 4DTV to comment on how to set the analog on the center of a signal, but if you can figure this out, and if you have a SW receiver that does FM, then it can be a handy tool.

[jhwessell]

Thanks for the suggestion, but it seems to be worn pivot points on the dish.

JH