StarBox (DSS FTA)

[DvDDude]

Hello... I just recently purchased and recieved a Twinhan VisionPlus Starbox see url below TwinHan VisionDTV USB Sat STARBOX USB satellite receiver by Twinhan USB2.0 I received the product but I have some questions that need to be answered...

1. Most importantly. I have this connected to a 1000.2 DPPlus Dishnetwork Dish pointed at 3 satellites. 119, 110, 129 (in that order on the LNBs) .. I have 2 Dual Tuner Recievers, one is a 622 and one is a 625. I am using the DishNetwork Recievers to power the LNB array. I disconnected one of the receivers to try finding the FTA channels on the DishNetwork Satellites, but I can not seem to get any application to scan/lock on the channels at all... I am a complete newbie when it comes to this.. but I am pretty certain I have heard this is done all the time. What I am missing or needing to add to scan the channels and actually get some response from the Starbox. Any help you can give me on this is appreciated.

2. Is this product capable of receiving HDTV FTA from satellites? IE: is it USB2.0 as the description suggests? because the one I received did not seem to be USB2.0 (no indication on the box at all, and the product seemed old tech).

3. I originally wanted a Twin102G card, but went with this one as it was suggested on your site that this one would do anything the 102G did. Is this really true?

-Tim

[elgemcdlf]

If what you want is the FTA channels from DN (which are very few) and other FTA channels either HD or regular digital. Dump the DN dish/dishes and lnbf's. Purchase a 90cm dish with a QPH-031 lnbf, DiSEqC switch and a SG2100 motor. Setup the motorized dish and lnbf. You now should be able to see all FTA channels available to a standard linear lnbf in the arc along with all FTA circular channels.

[wejones]

Originally Posted by DvDDude

Hello... I just recently purchased and recieved a Twinhan VisionPlus Starbox see url below TwinHan VisionDTV USB Sat STARBOX USB satellite receiver by Twinhan USB2.0 I received the product but I have some questions that need to be answered...

1. Most importantly. I have this connected to a 1000.2 DPPlus Dishnetwork Dish pointed at 3 satellites. 119, 110, 129 (in that order on the LNBs) .. I have 2 Dual Tuner Recievers, one is a 622 and one is a 625. I am using the DishNetwork Recievers to power the LNB array. I disconnected one of the receivers to try finding the FTA channels on the DishNetwork Satellites, but I can not seem to get any application to scan/lock on the channels at all... I am a complete newbie when it comes to this.. but I am pretty certain I have heard this is done all the time. What I am missing or needing to add to scan the channels and actually get some response from the Starbox. Any help you can give me on this is appreciated.

2. Is this product capable of receiving HDTV FTA from satellites? IE: is it USB2.0 as the description suggests? because the one I received did not seem to be USB2.0 (no indication on the box at all, and the product seemed old tech).

3. I originally wanted a Twin102G card, but went with this one as it was suggested on your site that this one would do anything the 102G did. Is this really true?

-Tim

I'm a little confused about the Subject line for this message, ie the "DSS" part. DSS refers to the DirecTV format.

As Steve said, most of the channels on the sats you're talking about are encrypted. You should be able to get the GOL channels on 110, and the NASA channel on 119 though. It would be easy if you could get a line direct from each LNBF, but you're using the coax at the receiver, which means that you're behind the switch. Off hand, I can't remember how the switching works for Dishnet, I think there are several different systems involving different kinds of switches, etc. I think some systems take the signal from one satellite and convert it up in freq, then combine it with the signal from another satellite, or something like that. There may also be some 22khz or diseqC switches involved too, to select sats. I'm sure someone can give you the details, but the bottom line is that Dishnet uses complicated means to give you the signal from 2 or 3 sats over the same line, so signals may not be at the frequencies you expect them to be at, and/or you may need to activate the switches to get the signal from a specific sat.
However, despite the complicated switching, I would assume that either the 110 or 119 sat probably has it's signals where they are supposed to be.
I would set up the Starbox LNB type to Standard with a LO freq of 11250, then see if you can get a lock on either the 12341 transponder on the 110 sat, or the 12370 transponder on the 119 sat. I would think that one of those 2 should work, to get GOL or NASA respectively. If they don't work, you'll have to do some research to find out how what kind of bandstacking and switching is used on the specific system you have. You can probably do it with the Starbox, but it would be easier if you connected directly to the individual lnbfs rather than needing to activate the switches.

Another way around it is to keep your existing Dishnet receiver connected, and "T" off the coax, using a DC-block to the Starbox. You can then use the Dishnet receiver to select the satellite/polarity, and you'd be able to receive whatever channels are FTA on the sat/polarity that the Dishnet sat is tuned to.

I think that there are 2 types of Starbox. The older one that works with both USB1 and USB 2 and the newer on that only works with USB2. I have the older Starbox, and my main complaint with it is that it isn't supported by the 3rd part software that I use with the Twinhan PCI cards, plus the Starbox isn't as sensitive as the PCI receivers. I don't know much about the newer Starbox, other than that it isn't supported by the 3rd party software I use either. Personally, if I was going to get another USB receiver, I think it would be a DVBWorld, not a Twinhan, because there is more software for that.

[DvDDude]

elgemcdlf - Yes I know there are just a few DN FTA channels (most of them music, NASA/ Golf and a few public service). I am trying to prove a concept to my wife before I go crazy and spending all kinds of money that I dont have. If we can get something off the existing antenna I have a better shot at going bigger (motorized and automatic satellite searching is on my that would be cool list)

wejones - Thanks.. I did not know DSS was DTV ... I thought I read it was DN ... my bad... Yes the DPPlus seems to be a 4 port switch to which the installer ran down 2 cables (I had 4 in place but he used only 2) ... then he put on some sort of Dishnetwork Seperator... I am guessing this is doing some sort unstacking like you were talking about.. it have a Tuner 1 and Tuner 2 designation on the outputs, I have tried connecting the starbox to all tuner inputs and directly to the cable run as well... but still get absolutely no signal what soever...

I am beginning to think this Starbox was a returned item and is fried ... but I am still hoping someone can give me a few more things to test/try etc... -Tim

[elgemcdlf]

What settings are you using for the lnbf? Does the dish have a built in switch? If so you most likely can not use it. If you are not splicing as Bill suggested you will not get anything on the Starbox. Are you able to view any channels via the DN receivers? You should be seeing something with them if they are connected correctly and the system is complete. May be nothing more than a promo screen but you should be seeing something.

[boroda1]

I did the same thing, when I got Starbox: I tested it with Dish Network.
It worked, with MyTheatre and ProgDVB software, not with Starbox software.
So, I think right steps would be: switch to NASA or Angel channel with your DishNetwork receiver, in order to switch polarity in LNB.
2.Connect Starbox instead of DishNetwork.
3. In ProgDVB, manually enter LNB type (Standard 11250), manually set Tp frequency for NASA/Angel, get that one from lyngsat
4. Scan

[dwinters]

Did you ever get it to work, I ordered one from Sadoun and have been trying for a week to get the box to lock on to a signal. I have a viewsat connected to the coax 36 inch dish and sg2100 motor and it works great. I cannot get anything with it this Starbox. I am going to return mine and try a nexus card. I hope I get a full refund, I ordered this from Sadoun because I thought they sold only the best products. I had ordered my dish and motor from Sadoun last year.

[DvDDude]

Originally Posted by dwinters

Did you ever get it to work, I ordered one from Sadoun and have been trying for a week to get the box to lock on to a signal. I have a viewsat connected to the coax 36 inch dish and sg2100 motor and it works great. I cannot get anything with it this Starbox. I am going to return mine and try a nexus card. I hope I get a full refund, I ordered this from Sadoun because I thought they sold only the best products. I had ordered my dish and motor from Sadoun last year.

No I never got mine to work.. and with the limited support I received here, and the fact I can't return mine (because its been taking way to long to get a response from them), I am not happy at all with Sadoun... I am hoping they will take it back .. but if they don't I will not buy from or recommend them to anyone.. if they do I will look into a complete FTA system with out this Starbox which I am certain is toast from the day I got it..

[Sadoun]

Hi,

If the StarBox is not working for you, send it back (follow our return policy). We will be happy to exchange it for you.

If you want to try it again, get the latest drivers from Twinhan's website.