Manhattan Plaza ST100 questions

ShaunSat

hi, just a few questions regarding my Plaza ST100,

Today, finally got a hole drilled through the old window frame so the wire is not longer going through the window (having to be unplugged every time when turned off) so my system can now stay on.
As it is now permanant i would like to sort out a little problem i have had since i got it. Basicly the rf out to the tv is giving me a poor picture, the picture has lines going accross the screen at an angle. Also when watching a standard analogue terrestrial channel the picture is snowy, not terribly but its noticable even from a distance .

As some of you may remember last year i was given my system from a very nice man who went by the name of RedAltoGL on these boards. The receiver isnt that old and still had the plastic over the display and remote when i got it so i dont think the receiver is at fault, unless someone has an idea as to what it might be.


Also, i would like to set up my sky box aswell, as the Plaza has a loopthrough will it be ok to connect the digibox to this? The Markings on the back of the Plaza state 600mAmps max and the digibox states 350mAmps or somthing like that so thats not a problem, i just want to check so i dont bugger up my setup .

thanks for any help and advice, i'll get there in the end

rolfw

With regard to the lines across the picture, if you remove the aerial input from the manhattan, do the lines go away? If they do, then you simply need to adjust the rf output channel to a clear one.

You grainy picture of the terrestrial channel is indicative of a weak signal, could be that you have it split somewhere and it needs an amp, or perhaps the connections are bad.

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ShaunSat

thanks for the reply, i usually dont connect the aerial as it hasnt been connected perminantly so its not that, the terrestrial picture if fine when the aerial is connected straight to the tv.

I suppose the lead i am using between the receiver to the tv could be knackered, would the signals/power etc going down the lead to the motor/dish be a possibility? If so i will use a length of screened satellite grade cable to see if that helps (actually i can try that tomorrow).

Bit of a mystery

thanks once again

rolfw

Sounds like the connector cable then, make up a new one and the problem will probably go away. You satellite receiver would be better connected by scart anyway.

You may have problems if you use the loopthrough for the digibox, as even when in standby, it still powers the LNB.

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ShaunSat

Unfortunatly the tv in the dining room is quite old so doesnt have scart, wish it did though .
Will leave the digibox out of the equation for now, better to be safe than sorry .

thanks

edit: the interference looks somthing like this, although its only when looping through the receiver:_http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/interference/tv/tv_08_0004.jpg

ShaunSat

no luck
Tried the same setup with my digibox and the picture was fine, the mystery deepens

jimbo

Agreed, I don't think you can loop to a digibox for this reason. I tried it out with a ST550 and nothing.

Jimbo

ShaunSat

Thanks for letting me know, to be honest i wouldnt need the digibox in the same room as the Manhattan, an i have plans to have it in the bedroom to get a few extras.

Looks like its somthing to do with the Manhattan itself thats causing the picture problems, i tried it on another tv and it was the same although when initially turned on at the wall there was very little interferance. It was only once it was turned on that lines appeared all over the screen and turning it off made no differance .

I have a few theorys:
1. I read that there were issues with the quality of the images produced, as i am only on version 70 and the latest version was 74 i have missed the update to correct this, or rather i cant find the update on hotbird so will try the smaller dish i tried last time (which worked)

On satellite superstore's site the say the following:

New 72 software coming soon
The issue of the video performance has been dealt
with and using special video overlay software, the picture quality has been
greatly improved. The hardware was not the problem, it was the software
driving the video chip which at first looked like it couldn’t be
over-written. A clever bit of overlay software solved that problem.
Indeed they say it is at least as good as the picture
quality from a good modern Sky Digibox.

And,

New 74 software now out
Enhancements in v72 software,
Channel browser sort by Alphabetical order is corrected.
RGB and Composite video levels have been optimised
with picture sharpness improved.
Satellite name now displays in advance
search download page.

So its most likely that its just the software thats at fault, and i have missed the update to correct this (if i am reading it right). As i have never really had to use the rf loopthrough before (never been left set-up for a great deal of time) so never took much notice.

Now i check the Plaza site daily in case an update is released, is the last update likely to still be being broadcast? Or do they only broadcast the update for a few weeks?

thanks

jimbo

72 was OTA and that may be the last OTA. 74 is by PC only I believe. Rumour has it that all future updates will be by PC only and the OTA service closed.

Jimbo

ShaunSat

cheers for the info, looks like i'll have to get myself one of those data cables and do the updates via pc.

thanks once again

Edit: would this be suitable? amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000747OE4/qid=1140369472/sr=8-4/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i4_xgl/203-3305546-1246321" target="_blank">http://www.,amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...305546-1246321 thanks

ShaunSat

Anyone? thanks

d2macdomz

that cable is the one i have, and have used it sucessfully to patch my manhattan plaza st100, by the way u may be interested to hear that a patch has been released to unlock digital+ and the likes for the plaza.

ShaunSat

ahh, cheers for that, will order it right now, would the current update for the plaza st100 include the previous update to correct the video issues as i missed it, thanks