Vision Plus VP1030a PCI receiver Setup Please help SOS

[drdelazzo]

=D> This unit has been a super headache for me and I wish I have never purchased it. I have a signal finder and are using a 76cm dish with a linear lnb. This all seems right but the signal finder appears to respond to signals but they seem weak compared to signals received on a circular lnb which of course cannot be used with the PCI Card.
I am clueless on the reason the PCI card never seems to find a satellite even though the signal finder "seems" to tune in the signal. I may not have the technique down, or the PCI card is much harder to setup then a set top receiver.
I hope some one has successfully set up a Twinhan or other "PCI Receiver Card" and can help we with advice on how to set up this difficult unit.
If when the satellite signal detector sets up the dish the dial after adjustment is always more than the 85% of maximum range does this mean the signal is too weak? Where as the dial after the circular lnb is adjusted is around 50% The implication is a stronger signal from the useless lnb.
The receivers signal strength usually hangs around 50% and rarely goes to 65% and the receiver never receives a true visible signal. PLEASE CAN ANY ONE HELP WITH SETUP ON THIS DIFFICULT UNIT?

[wejones]

Originally Posted by drdelazzo

=D> This unit has been a super headache for me and I wish I have never purchased it. I have a signal finder and are using a 76cm dish with a linear lnb. This all seems right but the signal finder appears to respond to signals but they seem weak compared to signals received on a circular lnb which of course cannot be used with the PCI Card.

It's not that a circular lnb can't be used with this card, it's just that most of the circular DVB signals are scrambled. However the ones that aren't scrambled will work with this card.

Originally Posted by drdelazzo

I am clueless on the reason the PCI card never seems to find a satellite even though the signal finder "seems" to tune in the signal. I may not have the technique down, or the PCI card is much harder to setup then a set top receiver.
I hope some one has successfully set up a Twinhan or other "PCI Receiver Card" and can help we with advice on how to set up this difficult unit.
If when the satellite signal detector sets up the dish the dial after adjustment is always more than the 85% of maximum range does this mean the signal is too weak? Where as the dial after the circular lnb is adjusted is around 50% The implication is a stronger signal from the useless lnb.
The receivers signal strength usually hangs around 50% and rarely goes to 65% and the receiver never receives a true visible signal. PLEASE CAN ANY ONE HELP WITH SETUP ON THIS DIFFICULT UNIT?

I don't have a 1030a card, but I have a 1020a card, which is pretty much the same. This and other PCI cards are no harder or easier to set up than a set top receiver.
Assuming that you are right, and the sat finder has found the sat, the sat finder is seeing the cumulative signal from the whole satellite, ie all the transponders, not just a single transponder. However the signal meter when using the PCI card, or a set top receiver, is typically only looking at one transponder, and the most common mistake made, is that newcomers often have the receiver set to a frequency which is not being transmitted by the satellite they are looking at. You need to look at Lyngsat or some similar source to find both the frequency and SR value for an active channel on the sat you are looking at, which also assumes that you are really looking at the sat you think you are looking at. So the first question is, what satellite are you looking at, and what frequency is the receiver set to?
Second comment is that you can't really make any meaningful comparrisons based on signal strength meters. First of all, the circular DBS sats are much stronger than the regular KU satellites, but that is pretty much equalized by using a bigger dish, although 76cm is marginal for some sat signals. Then signal meters will react differently to different transponders on the sats because they are different with respect to strength, and bandwidth, etc. So don't put too much stock in what you are seeing with respect to signal level. Bottom line, it's the "quality" indicator that you are most interested in. It will typically be zero until you are locked on a signal.
Another thing newcomers often do wrong is to use the wrong LO freq. This is determined by what LNB you are using. Ie, even if you've entered the proper freq for a signal, if the LO freq is wrong, you won't see your signal. And also, if the SR value is wrong, you won't lock on the signal even if everything else is correct.
Another comment though is that unless Twinhan has made some major changes with their recent software, the VP software is not very user friendly. If you continue to have problems, I'd really recommend that you download TSREADER
( http://www.coolstf.com/tsreader/ ) .
and turn off the Twinhan program (ie you don't have to uninstall it, but just don't have 2 different programs controlling the card at the same time) and run TSREADER. This program will lock onto signals with just the freq and SR values, and let you know quickly if there is programming there. After you've verified the transponder/satellite you can go back to the Twinhan program if you like, or, it's possible to use plugins to play video with TSREADER if you like. TSREADER will also teach you a lot about the sat signals you are looking at.

[drdelazzo]

Thanks for the reply and I will investigate the program you suggested.
Forgive my ignorance what is "sr"?
Lo Frequency is not shown as a option. The satellite setup menu aka. version 2.602 just allows the user to input what type of Lnb ie. "universal, normal or custom". the frequency shown is 10,600 and 9,750 but they are "ghosted". When the program scans the transponders the frequencies of each transponder is shown. ie. 12120/30000 H.

[wejones]

Originally Posted by drdelazzo

Thanks for the reply and I will investigate the program you suggested.
Forgive my ignorance what is "sr"?
Lo Frequency is not shown as a option. The satellite setup menu aka. version 2.602 just allows the user to input what type of Lnb ie. "universal, normal or custom". the frequency shown is 10,600 and 9,750 but they are "ghosted". When the program scans the transponders the frequencies of each transponder is shown. ie. 12120/30000 H.

The SR is the sample rate, ie the 30,000 in the example you gave.
My computer's being used for something else right now, so I can't guide you through the setup screens, but there should be a window where you can define your lnb setups, where you choose between universal and custom, etc, then when you go into the satellite screen you can choose which to use with each satellite. For example I have a couple defined so I can choose between my C band lnb, the Ku or the DBS lnb. The 10,600/9750 is OK if you have a universal LNBF, but if you have a conventional lnb, you'd use 10750, which you'd use the custom setup to define. You should look at the specs on your lnb to see which kind you have.
But even if you have the freq, sr and LO set right, there is still the chance that you might be looking at the wrong sat, ie a sat that doesn't have a transponder with those parameters. With DBS sats that are separated by 9 deg or so, it is pretty easy to be sure you are hitting the right sat, but with the regular sats that are only a couple degrees apart, you could easily be looking at a sat that doesn't have the freq/sr you are tuned to.

[drdelazzo]

The lnb is universal, I notice that when I change satellites and hit apply the signal strength remains the same even on unrelated satellites. It seems like the Pci card is broken. I have been attempting to tune to galaxy 10r but no signal was found in the area ie. azimuth 187.9 and inclination 50 degrees. Yet at around 120 degrees and 44degrees inclination a strong signal seems to be tuned. But the receiver never responded to either "tuning", and or any other attempt. What's strange is no matter how small the signal the receiver indicates the signal strength at the last reading. If the first reading is 50% all the remaining readings are 50% no matter how many satellites are set up and settings are saved?!
Does this mean the card is busted? One time I tuned in but failed to get a response, so I went through all the satellites in the data base to look for what I had found its still did not work. I click apply after each one.
Is there "easy" to find satellite or procedure that may work? There has never been a "quality" reading with this card. Is there a sweet spot or inclination that produces a strong signal from a known satellite?
I understand sr and how to set it.
But the big problem is no "signal strength" is big enough to get a lock.

[wejones]

Originally Posted by drdelazzo

The lnb is universal, I notice that when I change satellites and hit apply the signal strength remains the same even on unrelated satellites. It seems like the Pci card is broken. I have been attempting to tune to galaxy 10r but no signal was found in the area ie. azimuth 187.9 and inclination 50 degrees. Yet at around 120 degrees and 44degrees inclination a strong signal seems to be tuned. But the receiver never responded to either "tuning", and or any other attempt. What's strange is no matter how small the signal the receiver indicates the signal strength at the last reading. If the first reading is 50% all the remaining readings are 50% no matter how many satellites are set up and settings are saved?!
Does this mean the card is busted? One time I tuned in but failed to get a response, so I went through all the satellites in the data base to look for what I had found its still did not work. I click apply after each one.
Is there "easy" to find satellite or procedure that may work? There has never been a "quality" reading with this card. Is there a sweet spot or inclination that produces a strong signal from a known satellite?
I understand sr and how to set it.
But the big problem is no "signal strength" is big enough to get a lock.

Pretty much everything you say sounds typical for you just not being aimed at the satellite. I don't remember you saying where you are located so I can't comment on the Azim/Elev values, plus you didn't say if the 187.9 value was a "true" direction or a compass heading. If that is a true heading for G10, which I think would put you in Southern California, then make sure that you have applied a magnetic deviation before getting the compass heading. If that is a compass heading, I think that would put you closer to Arizona, if my calculations are close. Where are you located.
Also, you don't say if you are using a fixed dish or a motorized dish. Assuming a fixed dish, since you are talking about Az/El, then make sure that you are rotating the lnbf to get the proper polarization angle.
All this info is at the Sadoun page at http://sadoun.com/Sat/Installation/S...Calculator.htm
Re an easy way to do this, assuming a fixed dish, then get the azim as close as possible, and make slow movements in the elevation.
But AGAIN, make sure you are on an active transponder. You didn't say what freq your receiver was tuned to when searching for the satellite. You mentioned 12120/30000 , but you won't find a signal set to that on G10. That sounds more like AMC2, which are all scrambled. If looking for G10, then why not set the thing on 11720V/27692, which should be transponder 1 . Make sure you hit apply.
Sounds like you just have to be more careful with your aiming the dish.

[drdelazzo]

You were right on the money. I now am getting AMC 3 and Galaxy 8i. Mostly religious programs and the Galaxy has mainly Chinese news and a Nature/Science channel. My location is Anaheim/Cal. 92801. The compass reading is with 15 degrees taken off for this area.
Do you know of any decent frequencies that has some movies? Or other satellites that have them. The Galaxy has a strength of 65% and quality 80%. The Amc has 50%, and 32% respectively. The Chinese channels come in on 11780h sr 20760, and the Amc 4 was Vietnam TV and various US religious programs and radio.
Your advice on sr was most usefull and the manual programming as well as favorable weather conditions have done the trick. :mozilla_cool:

[drdelazzo]

Oh do you know how to set up a circular lnb and dishes, I have two that I have found in the trash? Are they useless? Do you know of any satellites in the 92801 area that may be tunable and not scrambled? Thanks Again for the valuable advice. My 76cm can convert to the circular also, it does seem that some signals are quite weak, eg AMC 3 especially compared to the Galaxy 8I. There is some confusion since the lyngsat receiver data base refers to the active frequency on Galaxay 8i as actually belonging to Galaxy 3c? The frequecy at 11780h sr 20760.

[wejones]

I'm confused re where you got the info about Galaxy 8i? I think this sat is drifting out of control over the Pacific right now.
I think Lyngsat is right re G3r.
Re to finding movie channels, these occasionally go to FTA mode, but you won't find people talking about them in an open forum like this when they do, because many people beleive that when they become public then they go encrypted. Try to join a restricted group where people are using blind search receivers to find such signals, like the New finds section here, or one of the other similar forums.
Re setting up a circular lnb, it is no different other than that you have to use the appropriate LO freq for that lnb, which is usually 11250. Most everything on the circular DBS sats is scrambled, however there are a few thing that aren't, like NASA-TV on the 119 sat, and several music channels on several of the sats. Look in Lyngsat for the Dish network sats and the Nimiq canadian sats. I'm not sure how far south you can get the Nimiq sats, but they come in fine up north. But as with the Dish sats, most channels are scrambled.
Re weak signals on AMC3, I've noticed that the PBS channels are a bit on the weak side. If you are using a fixed dish, make sure you have your polarity adjusted right.

[drdelazzo]

The info for the Galaxy 8I is in the data base in my receiver. What is a blind search? The receiver that have this do they have an advantage? The amc 4 sat appears to have only foreign langauage news or religious programming.
Does the cirular lnb setting have to be manualy inputed? The 1030 only has "normal", "universal", or custom. For the circular do I enter the frequency range of the cirular unit starting with the lo end of the range. When custom is clicked it says "lnb1" then "lnb2" does on put the lower freq. in lnb1 and the higher one in lnb2? Thanx.

[wejones]

Originally Posted by drdelazzo

The info for the Galaxy 8I is in the data base in my receiver.

Yeah, the databases that come with receivers are always out of date, particularly if you are using the program that came with it. If you have downloaded an update at the Twinhan site, it might be better, but will still be wrong. I don't use the Twinhan/Vision Plus program, but use programs that make it easier to update the databases. The Twinhan program isn't very user friendly.

Originally Posted by drdelazzo

What is a blind search? The receiver that have this do they have an advantage?

Blind search receivers, like the Fortec Lifetime Ultra will find the transponder frequencies and SR values, then will find the channels. They will miss some, but do a pretty good job. Regular receivers require you to have correct freq/sr values before it can find the channels. Although if you can enter the values from a web page like Lyngsat, the reception isn't any different.

Originally Posted by drdelazzo

Does the cirular lnb setting have to be manualy inputed? The 1030 only has "normal", "universal", or custom. For the circular do I enter the frequency range of the cirular unit starting with the lo end of the range. When custom is clicked it says "lnb1" then "lnb2" does on put the lower freq. in lnb1 and the higher one in lnb2? Thanx.

For use with a single sat circular lnbf, you'd use the custom setting. I assume you just have a ku only dish, just put 11250 in both boxes or only put it in the first box. I usually use either TSREADER or DVBAPPS instead of the Twinhan program, because they are a lot easier to use. However the Twinhan program is better for some signals, because it makes better use of hardware. The version of the Twinhan program I have been using doesn't do 4.2.2 or HD , which is another reason I seldom used it. The newer version that you could download from the Twinhan site does HD, although my computer can't quite keep up with it, which is also the case with the other programs I use. I've only been using the new version for about 20 minutes though, so I'm not sure whether it works on 4.2.2 (I doubt it) or how it's HD performance compares to the other programs. The new version is supposed to have much better recording capabilities though, but I haven't tried that yet. I still suspect that I'll continue to use TSREADER though, just because I'm more familiar with it, but the new software does seem to be a vast improvement over the old versions I've tried.

[drdelazzo]

How does one sign up for the "new finds" forum it appears the link does not work or does not work for sign up.
So what is 4.2 version you write about? The twinhan software I am using is 2.62, does that do HD?
Thanks again for your advice.

[Davyjo]

Hello to all

[satnutwillb]

Hello Davyjo,hope you are enjoying the forum.

[rainman]

welcome Daveyjo.