New member. New setup

M

Mike +

Member
My Satellite Setup
Samsung-S7800. Sony Bravia 40". iMac (snow leopard)
Sky dish
My Location
East London
I just set up my Freesat system yesterday. I chose a Samsung-S7800 box.
One constant problem I am getting, is that when I switch on or change channels, I get a message saying.

Cannot receive this programme. Please check connection.
​

Yet, if I go up a channel, and then back down again. The errant channel will work normally. So, there can't be any connection problems.
This is happening all too frequently, and is now becoming rather annoying.
 
It sounds like the box's software might need updating. Have a look in the menu structure for system details and write down the software versions. Then look for a menu option to update and see if that makes a difference.

Before doing that does the box have a method of displaying the signal strength and, especially, signal quality? It may just be a bit low - if so don't update the software!
 
May also be a problem with LNB compatibility, have experienced this on a few occasions with Freesat boxes, tried a different make of box and everyhting OK, or switched the LNB to another make and all OK.
 
Thanks for your replies.
The box did, I believe, do a self check, for updates, on initial installation, on Saturday.
And that was my next step. To replace the single LNB on my Sky dish.
I actually had a free Skybox exchange, a few months ago, under extended warranty. The engineers also changed the LNB and checked the dish.
 
As an addition. I have just done a check on my signal. And it gave the readings.

Signal strength 79%

Signal quality 50%

This looks like there might be room for improvements.
 
Does the Sky box give a reasonable signal reading Mike? Also does it work fine on the channels in question? This Samsung unit appears to be a bit buggy, particularly with regard to recording.
 
Hi Rolf. Perhaps we should stay in this forum. Sky was fine with operation, signal strength and quality.
I haven't tried recording with the Samsung box as yet.
 
Yes, didn't make the connection until a few posts.:)

Recording won't work properly without the second feed anyway, perhaps the change of LNB will cure the channel changing problem and whilst swapping it out, you can test the alignment.:)
 
Actually 'Recording' is just fine, on the Samsung. When I eventually found out where they are stored and played back. The owners manual leaves a lot to be desired.
 
So. Is it worth, perhaps, getting a motorised dish, for Freesat? Are there other sats. that I can latch on to?
 
Yes there are Mike, but firstly I have no idea how well the Samsung would handle a motor for multi-satellite use and secondly, with a twin tuner unit, where you are likely to have pre-set recordings, it isn't a good idea to have the possibility of the dish being left on the wrong satellite when it tries to record.
 
Hi Rolf. Many thanks. I will try to keep the stupid questions to a minimum. I have already found, probing into the various threads here, extremely stimulating.
I bought the Samsung, simply as the latest technology, and as an alternative to Sky. I had absolutely no idea, that there was so much 'out there' to latch on to.
 
Keep probing, this hobby gets far worse. ;)
 
One other 'bijou problem-ette' The Samsung-S7800 has a side card slot. But there is absolutely no reference, what-so-ever, in the manual, to what this is for.
I have read through the manual 3 times. Even in the pictorial diagrams of all the controls. There is no mention of this slot.
 
If the Samsung Freesat box is similar to the Humax Freesat box then it will have been developed from an existing design sold in other markets. These other markets are less restrictive than the UK one with the dead hand of $ly stifling competition and it's possible to use a box of your own choice to watch programmes that are encrypted. Obviously you need a card reader for that and so boxes either come with a card reader built in (like $ly's boxes) or with the facility to add a reader (not at all like $ly's boxes as $ly makes sure none are available).

These readers are called CAMs (and use a similar interface to the laptop PCMCIA cards) and fit into a larger slot which is what you can probably see. On the Humax this slot can be used in non-Freesat mode - for the Samsung I'm afraid i have no idea.
 
Actually. Delving deeper into the system menu. I have found the settings for the cam card slot.
It doesn't mean an awful lot to me, at the present. But, hopefully, it will come, eventually.
I guess, like everyone else. I know what my machine can do, and is supposed to do. But it would be nice, if it did a lot more. :D
 
PaulR said:
These readers are called CAMs (and use a similar interface to the laptop PCMCIA cards) and fit into a larger slot which is what you can probably see. On the Humax this slot can be used in non-Freesat mode - for the Samsung I'm afraid i have no idea.
Click to expand...

Actually. I have found, in the 'System' settings, that although it is a Freesat receiver. The S7800 can be taken out of Freesat mode. This is what I did, when I tried my unknown dish. (Another thread) I have no idea of what this means, or whether it increases the versatility of the receiver.

 
It does, indeed, increase the versatility. In non-Freesat mode you can scan 28E for channels which, although they are free to air (FTA), are not on the Freesat electronic programme guide (EPG). The only one that is of any interest to me is Radio Caroline!

My Humax can then control a DiSeqC switch or motor so that it can be used on other satellites - possibly your Samsung can do as well. It can also record from these other satellites but, as it only uses one of the two LNB inputs in this mode, is very limited in what it can do. Also if you tune in any of the Freesat channels again in non-Freesat mode then you will be limited to Now-and-Next information only - there's no nice 7 day EPG.

Be aware that whilst in non-Freesat mode then any recordings you have ordered in Freesat mode will not take place.

Be aware that
 
Well. I certainly intend to have fun, finding out what there is, to offer, up 'there'.
A case, of Sky, definitely NOT being the limit
 
:-ohcrap I just bought a new quad LNB for my Sky dish, off eBay. Thinking it would be more efficient, with my Freesat box.
When I opened it. It looked familiar. It would! It's identical to the one, Sky replaced on my dish, a few weeks ago.
How was I supposed to know, they would put a quad LNB up, for a single input Skybox? Luckily, it didn't cost a lot. :-DOH!
 
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