Another CAM newbie

thecritic

I've just bought a Azurewave AD-SP400 CI version and a T-REX CAM. The idea is to receive sky tv via my computer. From posts in this area it looks possible. I have a current sky subscription and smartcard.

What i want to know is after installing tv card do i just insert the Sky card into the CAM and then the CAM into the CI tune in and hey presto viewing encrypted channels.

Is it that easy or do i have to do anything with the T-REX cam

Mickha

You will need to load Predator firmware onto your Cam, and the T-Rex cam cannot interpret the stay alive signal so you will have to replace your card in your S*y box every 4-6 weeks.
That should be sufficient to get the basic channels, but you will only get the channels you have subscribed to, no extra channels.

thecritic

Mickha, many thanks for the reply. I take it i will need a programmer for the CAM, Can you recommend one ?
My laptop accepts pcmcia cards and the CAM does fit, is there a method i can program it this way ?

Getting closer all the time

Mickha

You can not program the Dragon Cam in a PCMCIA slot on your laptop.
I recommend you look at getting a Cas 3+ programmer as this can program your Dragon Cam, without the need of a loader card, can program Diablo cams, and numerous cards, using just a USB connection.

thecritic

Mickha, thanks for your guidance here. I am getting hold of a CAS 3+ programmer soon. Can you advise on using CAS programmer with T-rex cam to install predator firmware. Also my CAM came with a loader card is that a help ?

Mickha

You don't need it with the cAS 3+, as it comes with a dummy card that does the same job.

thecritic

okey dokey, is there a guide on how to install the predator firmware. I've read somewhere about dragonloader.exe, which i've downloaded. I have no idea how to install the firmware. Also where do i get the predator firmware from ?

Mickha your patience is very much appreciated

Mickha

You don't need Dragon loader exe with the Cas 3 +.
You can download the latest software, for the cas 3, from duolabs, which is currently version 8.3a.
Once you have your programmer, you connect the dummy card, an oblong circuit board, to the programmer, using the cable supplied.
You plug your Cas 3 into your computer using the USB cable.
Insert the Dragon Cam into the Cas 3 programmer, and insert the dummy card into the cam.
Start up the Cas software, there will be an icon on your desktop.
Click on the Cam Module tab, and Dragon Cams icon.
Click on the icon representing you Dragon cam module, this will bring up the Dragon Loader program.
Click on the small icon with 3 dots, at the end of the File Name box, and navigate to predator364.dra.
Click on the Start Update icon and it will load for you.

thecritic

Cheers Mickha, will go a little quite now while i wait for the CAS programmer. i will update when it arrives and attempt the firmware update.

Loads of thanks, you have made the process very clear :-)

thecritic

Mickha, i now have a CAS3 + programmer, all connected up and ready to go, only are you allowed to tell me where to get the predator firmware from, if so where can i download it.

Mickha

If you check our forums you will find the Links Section, where other members have posted useful links, it might be worth checking them out for future needs.
I have uploaded you one of my modified versions of Predator 364 on sendspace.
_http://www.sendspace.com/file/dmujup
Due to work I will not be able to log back on until after 7PM, so please be patient is you have any problems.
Be careful when inserting your cam into your Cas 3 as it is easy to damage the pins if too forceful.
The dummy card should be inserted with the cable connection at the bottom, also ensure the dummy card is fully inserted into the cam.
Good luck, and if you do experience any problems please post back and I'm sure someone will be available to help.

thecritic

Mickha, a very big thank you. Had a little fun working out how to use the CAS3 but your instructions and the online manual i managed it. Everything up and running, viewing S*y on my PC, via Mediaportal. Now to see how the whole thing hangs together, recoding, streaming to a remote client etc.

Mickha

Congratulations,
if can you get any other satellites, Predator 364 is currently opening all of Premiere, 19E, TPS and Polsat, 13E, and Digi TV,1W, as well as a few other channels to enjoy.

thecritic

Hi,

After over a year of use with my S*y card in my T-REX Cam with predator 364, it seems to have stopped decoding. The S*y card works in the digibox, as i have had to return the card every 4 weeks for keepalives. Any ideas as to what the problem is, do i need an updated version of predator

Mickha

If it's the new Sky white card then I don't think it will work, not without a new Predator file, and unfortunately as there no longer seems to be any support for the Dragon Cam you might not be able to use this option.
I think it does work in a Dreambox, have a search for threads related to the new Sky white card.