TV/Sat

elgemcdlf · #1 (**permalink**) 07-10-2007, 04:18 AM

Does Fortec offer a receiver with blind scan capabilities where the TV/Sat feature is operational?

bill190 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-10-2007, 10:19 AM

I saw something about a bug fix for this awhile back. If you have the most recent software version installed and it is not working, report the bug to Fortec.

Their email is: fortecCA@fortecstar.com

Fortec software updates here...
http://www.fortecstar.com/downloads

wejones · #3 (**permalink**) 07-10-2007, 11:39 AM

Two of my 3 Fortec receivers don't even have this button, ie if you wanted to do that, I think turning off the receiver accomplishes the same thing. I'm a bit surprised that they would even provide such a function on the Mercury, because most people will be using either the A/V or component outputs for satellite anyway, and if turning off the receiver does the same thing, it seems like a waste of a good button on the remote to me. But I guess that for some setups, that might come in handy.
My Drake analog receiver has this function, but at least with it, they are switching an A/V source rather than a low quality RF source.

elgemcdlf · #4 (**permalink**) 07-10-2007, 12:00 PM

It makes for an easy way to switch over to local channels for those using an antenna.

wejones · #5 (**permalink**) 07-10-2007, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elgemcdlf

It makes for an easy way to switch over to local channels for those using an antenna.

I understand how it would be handy for people that only had rf inputs on their TV, but I thought that you had an HDTV, so I assumed that you had some A/V inputs, and assumed that you'd be using your Digital Stream thing for local and feeding the sat receivers through A/V inputs.
Or have you run out of A/V inputs?

Although I guess that A/V inputs aren't ALWAYS better than RF. I've noticed that some programs I watch on the DTV version of my local PBS station are TERRIBLE quality when upscaled to my HDTV for some reason. I think perhaps it is because they are from a British source and probably converted from PAL into NTSC, and then to whatever resolution DTV is using and then upscaled into my HDTV. But this program used to look great on my SD TV, but looks terrible on my HDTV, even though other programming on the same station looks fine. But I'm starting to wish I had an rf OTA option for local PBS, except that I'm blocked by a big hill from receiving that station.

elgemcdlf · #6 (**permalink**) 07-10-2007, 01:52 PM

Not for me. When someone asks me what about...? Ideally I want to install all the same receivers/systems. That way when I need to service something I only have one type to deal with and keeping spare anything on hand is much easier and less costly.

wejones · #7 (**permalink**) 07-10-2007, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elgemcdlf

Not for me. When someone asks me what about...? Ideally I want to install all the same receivers/systems. That way when I need to service something I only have one type to deal with and keeping spare anything on hand is much easier and less costly.

Oh...OK. That reminds me of my neighbor. He has Dishnet, a system for two receivers. When the Dishnet guys came to install it, even though both of his TVs were A/V capable, and had fancy VCRs, and DVD players, the Dishnet installer decided that rather than (1) figure out how all my neighbor's equipment worked, and (2) hook it up properly, and (3) explain to my neighbor how to operate it, he disconnected all the A/V connections, and had everything go through his Dishnet receiver, and into the TVs via the RF inputs. I guess the RF inputs are just easier for them to deal with, and easier for them to explain how to use, etc. When I went there to help my neighbor with his computer once, the guy complained that ever since the Dishnet was installed, that his fancy VCR/DVD player wouldn't work, so I looked and apparently this device didn't have an RF connection, so the Dishnet guy didn't know how to connect it, so he disconnected it completely, and just left it sitting there. So I reconnected his whole system via the A/V inputs so that everything could be used, however then the big problem was explaining to the fellow how to switch from one input to another. For the past 3 or 4 years, about every 6 months I get a call saying NOTHING WORKS, and I know what the problem is, ie he's switched the TV over to RF input, but I can't remember what his remote looks like to tell him on the phone what button to push, so I say I'll be right up. When I get there, he's all discouraged saying "the things really broken this time", at which point I pick up the remote, push one button, and he's back in business. So I guess I understand why some people would be better off going through RF inputs, even though in most cases the A/V inputs are greatly superior to rf inputs, at least for SD.

rainman · #8 (**permalink**) 07-10-2007, 02:38 PM

agreed Bill but I am always expaining to the wife out to switch from one to the other.LOL

elgemcdlf · #9 (**permalink**) 07-10-2007, 03:02 PM

I have mine set up fairly simple to handle. The SS receiver has 3 inputs for video so vid1 is the DVB MPEG2 receiver, vid2 is the 922 & vid 3 goes to a AV switch box (4 port). 1 port is the DS receiver, 1 is the DVD player & the last 2 are used for the 2 VCR's. Works pretty well that way. For handiness I will say running RF out from the DVB receiver to RF in of the 922 and then just switching source was a breeze but doing it through the SS receiver is just as simple. I am running nothing on component at this time. I do have the optical cable connected for the DVB receiver and a digital audio cable for the 922. The only real pain is analog stations on the 922 do not pass audio down the digital cable. The SS remote has no way to change audio input to RCA so I have to get up and do it. Then of course there is the hour of searching for the no sound only to find out she has the 922 set to Spanish and that channel has no secondary audio output. Sound like I have been there a time or 2?