skystar 1 usb

qwerty · 20-03-2009

has anyone solved this problem? I have the same problem of no signal

Adminthread split from Skystar 2 thread

**farr** · 21-03-2009

Qwerty - where are you up to? What have you installed? You need to ensure that the drivers are installed, that the Technisat software is installed (usually on the install CD or get a driver update from the Technisat website that contains all this) and then use a "TV viewer" to actually watch TV - ignore any red/green icons in the taskbar. DVBDream is a superb TV viewer and has extraordinarily low CPU usage.

I've just read your other thread on this matter - install DVBDream first and try setting it up. That should solve your problem. The icon in the taskbar is only for reception of Satellite Internet not for reception of TV programmes.

qwerty · 21-03-2009

I have installed the last drivers and the signal strength is ok. The signal quality is always 0% after 3-4 minutes of funcionting well.

I have tested many programs... dvbview, progdvb, mytheatre, dvbdream...

the problem is that every program works for the first 3-4 minutes and then the signal quality is going to 0%.

**farr** · 21-03-2009

This sounds like an overheating problem. Did you say you have a Skystar USB? If so, try directing a desk fan at it and see if this helps. Also ensure you have plenty of clearance below the unit for airflow. The internal Skystar 2, especially revision 2.3 but not exclusively so, needs a lot of cooling. I have a 60mm fan pointing at it and this is only just enough on warm days. If you have an internal Skystar 2, the best thing is to try opening a case and pointing a desk fan at it. If this helps, a more permanent solution, such as a small 60mmx60mmx25mm fan (a few pounds at most) somehow mounted onto the tuner module is best. In my case, I have a low profile, half height LAN card next to my SS2 and I've attached the fan on top of this, securing it to the backplate of the LAN card using a couple of cable ties threaded through the fan's screw holes.

qwerty · 21-03-2009

the fact is that when I touch it, it is overheated! I will try your solution and see if this has an effect!

P.S. I have skystar 1 usb, not 2.

I have put some ice (inside plastic) but with no luck...

Any other solutions?

**farr** · 21-03-2009

I'm unsure whether ice will have any effect as the components that need cooling are inside the case. Adding airflow in the form of a fan will push cooler air in via the ventilation grilles/slots thereby cooling the tuner and other associated parts inside. Also if you can increase the clearance below the unit by, for example, putting the Skystar USB on some coins that may help. Apart from that, I'm unsure what to suggest really.

**farr** · 21-03-2009

Originally Posted by BombedOne

Is your motherboard Nvidia chipset based?

Surely the problem with some motherboard chipsets only affects the Skystar PCI cards and not the USB models?

qwerty · 22-03-2009

My motherboard chipset is Intel based as I have a laptop with Intel graphics card integrated...

Any other suggestions?

qwerty · 22-03-2009

I have also tried to shorten the cable from the LNB to card. Nothing again. May it be an LNB issue? Anyone who had experienced the same problem and could help?

**Topper** · 22-03-2009

Originally Posted by qwerty

I have also tried to shorten the cable from the LNB to card. Nothing again. May it be an LNB issue? Anyone who had experienced the same problem and could help?

Ensure there is sufficient central core protruding through the f connector this has been an issue before with skystar equipment

I cannot see how it can be the lnb if it works OK with the sky stb.

Is you PC usb 1.0 or USB 2.0, if not USB2 it could be the PC restricting the signal

NB I have split this from the original thread since you are not using a skystar 2 PCI

qwerty · 23-03-2009

thanks for your fast answer! The central core protruding is sufficient. I have done lot of testing with various lengths of central core... It is really a mess, isn't it? And there is no answer all over the internet except for a friend's opinion to try with a different LNB.

My laptop has 2 usb 2.0 ports, so this is not a problem.

I don't have a sky stb. I have an opticum stb. Does this make a difference?

My big question, though, is why when I connect skystar usb to my laptop it plays fine for 2-3 minutes and then it stops! When I unplug it from the power and plug it again instantly it DOESN'T play for 2-3 minutes as before and I have to wait 1-2 hours to cool up to gain the 2-3 minutes again!

That's why I conclude that its communication with the LNB is faulty. Any suggestions?

**Topper** · 23-03-2009

Originally Posted by qwerty

I don't have a sky stb. I have an opticum stb. Does this make a difference?

Confusion caused because I was reading the whole original thread before I split it.

Originally Posted by qwerty

My big question, though, is why when I connect skystar usb to my laptop it plays fine for 2-3 minutes and then it stops! When I unplug it from the power and plug it again instantly it DOESN'T play for 2-3 minutes as before and I have to wait 1-2 hours to cool up to gain the 2-3 minutes again!

That's why I conclude that its communication with the LNB is faulty. Any suggestions?

Well I have to be honest lnb's are so cheap these day you may as well try changing it you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I had one fail a few years ago and it's performance was erratic and inconsistent. I doubt it is this though if it works OK all the time on the Opticum

If, as does seem plausible, you have an overheating component problem the only way is to fit a heat sink to the component using thermal grease and to provide forced air cooling as previously mentioned. Ice will not work as its cooling effect will not reach the inside of the electronic components where it is needed

**HB13DISH** · 23-03-2009

DVB-S USB cards are not supposed to get over heated.
I would throw it away if I had such a problem, as this can lead to fire hazards, especially when it is not attended, like leaving it to record overnight.

qwerty · 23-03-2009

Someone on another forum who had the same problem wrote 4 years ago:

"Hi,

I'm not the original poster, but I had the same problem as did / do quite many here in Finland. Karuselli located the problem and it only happens when computer is not connected to earthed wall socket. You have to install galvanic isolator between your DVB-card and antenna socket. Signal line can be connected directly but ground has to be galvanically separated. You can place 1nF condensator between technisat antenna socket ground and antenna cord ground. You can also buy these galvanic isolators to antenna socket from special shops. They can not be found from every market.

I don't know but I quess this only happens with this new 1.0A version of Technisat cards. I've had no problems at all after I made this galvanic isolator."

Can anyone help me doing this? If I don't misunderstand I have to buy a capacitor of 1nF and put it between my antenna's ground and the skystar's ground. Is it right?

I have a question on it. If I connect only the antenna's core cable to skystar (only for some seconds so that not cause any hazard, without the grounding) shall I have signal quality?

**Llew** · 23-03-2009

Can't do that. Won't be any voltage to power your LNB.

Llew

qwerty · 23-03-2009

do you think it's a possible solution what I posted before? (with the condensator between the ground of the antenna and the ground of skystar)

**Llew** · 23-03-2009

No, because you need the earth connection to complete the circuit for providing your LNB with an operational voltage. The capacitor blocks this.

Don't know what the 'original poster' you quote is on about, sorry.

Llew

qwerty · 23-03-2009

Originally Posted by Llew

No, because you need the earth connection to complete the circuit for providing your LNB with an operational voltage. The capacitor blocks this.

Don't know what the 'original poster' you quote is on about, sorry.

Llew

This solution is taken from another forum.
Ok, let's say that the tuner is very sensitive and cannot distinguish the high and low frequencies so when they are mixed it's getting confused.
This is because the cable that comes from the LNB also acts as a terrestrial antenna because of its length. So, supposing that this is the problem, how can I eliminate these low UHF, VHF frequencies so that the only frequencies that pass to my SKYSTAR will be the satellite high frequencies?

I am not much aware of electronics so correct me if I said something wrong!

**Topper** · 23-03-2009

Load of rubbish mate, the cable is double screened and therefore unlikely to be suffering from EM radiation. even if it was this would only affect certain frequencies not all frequencies which is what you have so far indicated.

qwerty · 23-03-2009

so, a solution to my problem does not exist? I am desperate

***BombedOne*** · 23-03-2009

Just after you had the problem, signal gone. Remove usb connector and plug it back. Will signal come back again?

qwerty · 23-03-2009

Originally Posted by BombedOne

Just after you had the problem, signal gone. Remove usb connector and plug it back. Will signal come back again?

no! I have already tested this several times. Only if I leave it out of power for several minutes (half an hour or more) then the signal quality comes back again for 2-3 minutes and then it's lost again.

**kamaleon** · 29-04-2009

Try a usb cable with a ferrite bead and please let me know if it worked

(and btw, there is no such thing as skystar 1 or 2 usb, there are only many revisions of the skystar usb, at least 4 of them)

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skystar 1 usb Discussion on systems using a DVB satellite receiver card SD or DH in a pc.

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