ULTRA:AC3 with manual PIDS???

[wejones]

Ran into something I wasn't sure of today. I had to program in a channel that requires manual PIDs. I used the "Advanced scan", entering the video and audio PIDs, and it scanned in OK, however there was no audio. The particular channel I was entering has AC3 audio, and it worked fine using my Twinhan, but I couldn't find any way, using the remote, to tell the Ultra to use AC3 audio.
I hooked up the serial cable, and used the Gtools program to re-program that channel, and selected AC3, and it worked fine, but it seemed like there must be some way to do this without having to resort to the Gtools program.
What am I missing? Or is Gtools the only way to do this?


EDIT: I just noticed something strange. This particular channel, which now has audio, does not respond to the volume control for some reason. I don't know if other channels do or not, since I'm now on a sat that I only have this one channel programmed, so I guess it's possible that something changed when I downloaded my changes via Gtools.

EDIT #2 : I tried another AC3 channel, and can't control volume on it either, but then went to a regular audio program, and was able to control volume. Now, I'm wondering whether I was ever able to control volume on AC3 channels????? I know I changed volume, but may have done it via the Soundblaster Extigy I use to decode the AC3. Anyway, now the question is, can other people control volume on AC3 channels??? Weird, AC3 channels have been about 60% of what I've watched since I got these DVB receivers, and now I can't remember if volume worked or not. Old age syndrone I guess.

[rainman]

bill i finally got my ultra up and running. it seems to control ac3 audio with no prblems.

[Reinhold]

My ultra controls volume fine also.
I have another problem and don't know how to start a new thread.
I bought the QPH031 LNBF and the SDS41C 4Way DiSEqC switch back in april.I have since replaced the DiSEqC switch three times.It seems the liniar side of the switch seems to blow the switch.Sometimes it is intermittend,right now it seems to be permanent.Replacing the switch every few weeks gets to be expencive.Is ther something else I can use?.
I tried using a splitter in reverse.It works,but I loose some of the signal and with that some stations.Any help will be appreciated.
Reinhold.

[wejones]

Originally Posted by Reinhold

My ultra controls volume fine also.
I have another problem and don't know how to start a new thread.
I bought the QPH031 LNBF and the SDS41C 4Way DiSEqC switch back in april.I have since replaced the DiSEqC switch three times.It seems the liniar side of the switch seems to blow the switch.Sometimes it is intermittend,right now it seems to be permanent.Replacing the switch every few weeks gets to be expencive.Is ther something else I can use?.
I tried using a splitter in reverse.It works,but I loose some of the signal and with that some stations.Any help will be appreciated.
Reinhold.

Re new threads, when you are at one of the forum pages which list the threads, such as http://www.sadoun.net/forums/fortec-star/ , there is a "New Thread" button near the top left.

Re the Diseqc switch.... I've used a 2 way switch without any problems for a few years, but close to a year ago, I bought one of the 4 way switches. When the switch came, it only worked on 3 of the 4 ports, then after about a month, it only worked on 2 of the 4 ports then after a few more weeks, it stopped working altogether. I then put my 2 way switch back in, and it continues to work fine. I decided that the 4 way switches were just not very good quality, and I have not yet bought a replacement. I'm hoping that someone has a suggestion for where to get a high quality 4 way switch that won't go bad after minimal use.

Re the AC3 audio..... I'm going to have to go back and check whether my Ultra is still behaving that way or not. I'm not on a sat that has AC3 audio right now.

EDIT: I'm starting to think my Ultra is having {more} problems. I just went to AMC3. When on a NON-AC3 channel, the Ultra controls volume fine via the remote. However, if I switch to an AC3 channel, like the PBS channels with the volume high, I cannot lower it, but the volume display goes up and down fine, it just doesn't change the volume. If, however, I first lower the volume on a NON-AC3 channel, and THEN switch to an AC3 channel, then sometimes {but not always} the volume is lowered when I get to the AC3 channel, however, if I try raising it, the Ultra locks up, and I have to switch it off and on to recover.
My Ultra has been giving me more and more trouble over the last couple months. I'm starting to wonder if it is in fact going bad, or possibly the firmware is corrupted, and I should re-load the firmware, or perhaps there is a battery in there that is going bad. Anyone know if there is a battery that backs up the firmware or something?
I should just keep my Ultra turned off, and only use it to do blind searches, because my regular Lifetime works better for actually playing video, and most of my actual viewing is through my Twinhan anyway.

[Reinhold]

Thanks for your info.I could not reply sooner,I had problems getting onto the forum.
Reinhold.

[rainman]

Originally Posted by Reinhold

My ultra controls volume fine also.
I have another problem and don't know how to start a new thread.
I bought the QPH031 LNBF and the SDS41C 4Way DiSEqC switch back in april.I have since replaced the DiSEqC switch three times.It seems the liniar side of the switch seems to blow the switch.Sometimes it is intermittend,right now it seems to be permanent.Replacing the switch every few weeks gets to be expencive.Is ther something else I can use?.
I tried using a splitter in reverse.It works,but I loose some of the signal and with that some stations.Any help will be appreciated.
Reinhold.

Reinhold are you putting the disqec switch between your motor and lnb or motor and receiver. it's best to put it between motor and lnb.