DiSEqC Configuration: Neli TNTSat Receiver

[Lazarus]

Actually, it does cross my mind that there might be some parallels here with our very own Humax Foxsat (Other Freesat Receivers are available) which is primarily a Platform Box but can do other things. In particular, in Freesat mode with either one or two Feeds direct from a 28E dish, DiSEqC doesn't come into play, but if one of those feeds is connected via a DiSEqC switch, then this is detected upon Installation or subsequently activated through the hidden menu.

ie Even though the Foxsat (Other Freesat boxes are available) is DiSEqC capable, it needs a special effort to engage it.

Substitute Fransat for Freesat and do we have a similar situation?

Certainly the External switch vs, Monoblock issue is a dead-herring as they can not be distinguished in any way whatsoever by the box. Ergo, if the fitted Monoblock isn't being switched then an External switch won't work either (Unless the Monoblock is actually faulty). So a way needs to be found to enable the DiSEqC switching capability of the box.

 

[keenite]

When I first posted two separate topics I had no idea that they could be related, as like you, I thought that the receiver should be able to activate the monoblock, which we now know doesn'T.

 

[keenite]

The French states that the switch will function "on the condition that ONE cable for each connected satellite is used, EACH cable connected to a DISEqC switch with 2-4 inputs, which in turn is connected to the antenna jack of the receiver", which in my mind clearly rules out monoblocks.
The back of the receiver has one each of: scart jack, HDMI, USB, S/PDIF and antenna jack.
The receiver's antenna settings only allow for a default setting (i.e. no LNB switch anticipating a direct connection to Astra 19) or 2 or 4 switch inputs, with A, B, C, D as possible selections, however regardless of whether A, B, C, or D is selected, it will always revert to A.
As I said earlier, others have experienced both the switching problem, as well as problems with the above-cited channels.

 

[Lazarus]

A Monoblock fits that description perfectly as each head is a separate LNB (or "Satellite") with a single connection (albeit internal to the Monoblock housing) to the two inputs of the DiSEqC Switch (which, again, is contained within the housing of the Monoblock), the whole (ie the output from the DiSEqC switch) then being connected by a single cable to the Antenna jack of the Receiver.

It's exactly the same. Just contained in one housing, that's all.

Also, the description of the available switching modes fits too (Which it would, as it conforms to a Universal Protocol) as Port A of the Monoblock is default and you can assign Port A and Port B in the DiSEqC settings.

If, then, it doesn't work, that will be due not to incompatibility, but to one or more of: Incorrect DiSEqC settings, Faulty Internal DiSEqC switch in your Monoblock, Incorrect Installation of the Monoblock, false claim by Neli of conformity with DiSEqC Protocols, faulty Receiver.

But, as you are convinced that a Monoblock differs in some way from a system with discrete switch and LNBs, it might be worth homing in on the root cause by lashing up a separate DiSEqC switch and two physically separate LNBs to test.

 

[keenite]

Thanks, I'm putting it down to either incompatability or perhaps a defective monoblock, will inform whenever I can figure this out...
FYI, on a German forum I was informed that 6° monoblocks with the suffix "AH" are switched inversely (e.g. OPTICUM Monoblock Twin LMTP-04H-AH), can anyone here confirm that?
It occurs to me that once my LNB problem is sorted out, I still have to figure out how to switch between my TV sat tuner and the Neli.
Until now, my antenna cable has passed through an Optex TNTSAT receiver, then to the single ANT-IN of my TV. This setup works fine except for one glitch: for the Optex to switch to B, I need to first choose a Hotbird channel on my TV before turning on the Optex. Assume that this problem is due to imcompatabilities that arise between the TV sat tuner, and that of the Optex?
Since the Neli has no ANT-OUT, an indoor additional switch would be required to switch automatically between the two. I understand that one solution is to get rid of the monoblock and install a system consisting of three separate LNBs with a separate cable for the Neli, but would like to avoid that option if possible.
My current dish configuration consists of a monoblock twin (A=Hotbird; B=Astra), plus a separately mounted LNB for Astra 28, with both LNB cables passing through a Spaun F211 on the antenna mast.
Another relatively easy solution would be to use a separate sat-tuner with loop-through instead of the TV's tuner, but am trying to keep the number of remotes to a minimum.

 

[Lazarus]

We are getting a lot of cross-posting between the two Threads, so I am going to merge them now: The continuity will look odd, but at least all the info ...... and the explanations .............. will be together.



Edit: Done

 

[keenite]

On another forum it has been suggested that a "priority switch" might do the trick, with the Neli as master and the TV as slave - is this plausible?
As far as I understand this setup, as long as the Neli is turned on the TV-tuner is basically disregarded, and once the Neli is turned off the TV takes over, or would this work only if the TV tuner were turned off, which of course is not possible here?
If the only drawback for this option is that I would always need to turn the Neli on/off to select the desired source then it would seem to be an acceptable solution.

 

[Channel Hopper]

@PaulR: I was tempted to merge the Threads earlier, but chose not to as the matter seemed to have reached some sort of end!

But captain, that would create a wormhole loop.

 

[Huevos]

On another forum it has been suggested that a "priority switch" might do the trick, with the Neli as master and the TV as slave - is this plausible?

Yes, but why don't you do it properly and run a second cable and dump the monoblock?

 

[keenite]

Yes, but why don't you do it properly and run a second cable and dump the monoblock?

Not sure what you mean by 'properly', are there binding laws governing these kinds of things? For technical/rental reasons I am not allowed to run another wire into the apartment - satisfied?

 

[Huevos]

Not sure what you mean by 'properly', are there binding laws governing these kinds of things?

By 'properly' I mean a bulletproof solution that won't fail if another receiver is brought out of standby. If you are limited to one feed you need to look at solutions for that, like Unicable, stacker/destacker, or getting a decent receiver that can control your aerial system fully AND read your TNT card.

 

[keenite]

All I need is an inexpensive way to make my current configuration work. Try to understand and respond to what I'm asking, and not to proffering expensive scenarios involving hundred of pounds of additional investment, which I am not about to make.

 

[rolfw]

In fairness something like a stacker destacker is not an expensive solution, probably only around €80, does the job perfectly and can be removed when you leave and resold on ebay or similar. Otherwise if you want to keep cost down to a minimum, then a simple manual A/B switch will do the job.

 

[keenite]

In fairness something like a stacker destacker is not an expensive solution, probably only around €80, does the job perfectly and can be removed when you leave and resold on ebay or similar. Otherwise if you want to keep cost down to a minimum, then a simple manual A/B switch will do the job.

Thanks, the idea of a simple switch has also crossed my mind, I'll report when I get it all sorted out.

 

[keenite]

Another screw-up from a supplier. Ordered the 'Opticum LMTP-04H-AH Premium Monoblock' from Ebay, specifically asking for the "AH" model, as Optcum assured me telephonically that these are switched such that Astra=1, Hotbird=2.
It arrived today, but wasn't the model I ordered. The supplier sent me the ''Opticum LMTP-04H', which is also offered on Ebay, but sells for €6 less. The article did not come directly from Ebay, but from a private shop that uses their online facilities. Hard to tell if it was an honest mistake, or if the supplier thought I wouldn't notice and he'd make a €6 profit.
So after fiddling around on the roof for an hour until I realized it was the wrong one, now have to go through the rigmarole of filing a complaint, sending it back, and waiting for the correct one to arrive - didn't life used to be more simple?

 

[Lazarus]

I don't often get the wrong (or a faulty) Item via eBay, Amazon etc, but it ain't half a pain when it does happen.

 

[keenite]

Sorry, made a mistake in my report, I bought it from AMAZON, which very rarely makes mistakes, but in this case it was sent by an external supplier, so have to first complain to him, wait for him to respond, then file an official return request with Amazon, print out the label, get my behind to the post office etc. I may even have to wait until the wrong item arrives back at the supplier, before he will send a new one - plus ça change

 

[Trust]

These brands are diseqc-correct for you !
I also searched for twins , strange but true , only diseqc mode descripsion for single ones .

Clarke-Tech Monoblock Single
Universele LNB met ingebouwde Diseqc switch voor de ontvangst van Astra + Hotbird.
Ruisgetal 0,3 dB (Diseqc mode Astra = A / Hotbird = B
Maximum Monoblock V-21 Single 0,2 dB
Universele LNB met ingebouwde Diseqc switch voor de ontvangst van Astra / Hotbird.
U kunt 1 ontvanger aansluiten.
Ruisgetal 0,2 dB
(Diseqc mode Astra = A / Hotbird = B

 

[keenite]

Thanks for the information. Have decided to use a manual switch until I can come up with an inexpensive automated solution.
e.g. www.amazon.co.uk/Top-Quality-Tools-SAT-MANUAL/dp/B00CSKW2ZG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372830870&sr=8-1&keywords=manual+lnb+switch

 

[Lazarus]

Ouch!

I have three of those in use on my system and they were around half that price.

Useful items, though.

Even my wife understands "If no picture, press button"