Pace Receiver 1.2z4n - problems

[w hole]

Hello All

I have a problem with my Pace DigiBox.

The picture looks as though the Horizontal Hold needs adjusting, and occasionally rolls as well.

It holds but with a somewhat distorted image when the transmission is of a stable pitcure e.g. Set Up Menu etc.

On my first TV - B&O - the sound is also gone, but on TV number two - Thomson - the sound is OK.

The same results occour on RF as well as via SCART.

Any ideas what it can be, and more importantly what I can do.

Regards

W.H.

PS. 1. I updated the Software on my Humax F1-CI today, and so this was unplugged from the syatem then plugged back in again sunsiquently. This includes RF and Scarts.

PS. 2. This is exactly what happend to my Amstrat Analogue set abour 12 months ago.

 

[w hole]

Still no joy, but I notice that B&W pictures seem more stable than Colour, although the screen is offset to the top and right. i.e. a thickish black line at the bottom, and a thin one on the LHS.

I am about to get murdered for this!!

regards

W.H.

 

[rolfw]

Bit difficult without seeing the setup W.H., but first thing I would do would be to check the settings on the B&O make sure that it hasn't magically changed to PALG, Secam or NTSC. Then remove all of the leads and try the RF only from the digibox, retuning to see if you can get a better picture. Go into the services menu on the digibox and make sure that the picture settings conform to the set type, 16:9 on a wide screen or 4:3 on a standard. If you can get that right it only remains to test the scart lead on AV1 and first off set as PAL composite on the digibox with a matching setting on the B&O, that should give you a basic picture.

If after all of that you can't get a good picture, then I think there is probably a fault on the Digibox.

Rolf

 

[w hole]

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 05-Feb-02 AT 07:09 PM (GMT)]Thanks Rolf

I have taken everything off the DigiBox except the LNB lead, the Power Lead, and the RF Lead, and still no joy even when pluged into other TVs. i.e. Same result.

I have even tried without the LNB, but even then the 'no signal received' page is distorted.

I agree that there is a problem with the DigiBox, any idea what it might be?

Regards

W.H.

PS. Humax working fine on RF and SCART

 

[rolfw]

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 05-Feb-02 AT 07:15 PM (GMT)]No unfortunately W.H. I know nothing about what's inside the cover, just an installation monkey.

Rolf

 

[rolfw]

Just a thought though, try a forced update, remove the card, switch off at the mains and then switch back on at the mains whilst holding in the backup button on the receiver, keep depressed untill all of the lights flash on. It may just be a corruption of the software.

Rolf

 

[w hole]

Hello Rolf

Sorry forgot to mention that I have tried that.

Do we have anyone in the group who knows about the 'insides'?

Regards

W.H.

 

[rolfw]

Well I would think Zansi and Channel Hopper, so just have to bluff it out until they log in.

Rolf

 

[w hole]

Thanks Rolf,

Let's hope so.

Regards

W.H.

 

[Channel Hopper]

So Ive come back in to see a murder scene ?

If picture is the same on both SCART and UHF, it sounds like the video driver circuit has gone. A low video level will cause some TVs to lose the sound as well

One unauthorised way out of it ( and the Sky box has just what you need) is the second UHF output. Go into the installation menu and enable it using the voltage on setting.

The additional potential on this output may just increase the threshold level just above what the TV needs and the picture will reappear

Could damage the tuner (unless the video is betwen the TV and the receiver) in the long term but you need to get out of it tonight

 

[w hole]

Hello CH

Thanks for the advice.

Regret to say I already had the 12v on, that is probably why the second TV was getting sound.

So where do I go from here?..

I had the back off the DigiBox, and can't see anything to 'twiddle', so guess its a component issue.

Any advice? I'm not an expert, but can do a reasonable soler joint.

Or is there something else I can try?

I would also be interseted to know if I caused this, especially as it seem to have happened on two different receivers - this one, and the Amstrad Analogue.

Kind regards

W.H.

 

[BarMoo]

Dear All,

>The picture looks as though the Horizontal Hold needs
>adjusting, and occasionally rolls as well.

Sync problem somehow. I take it that there is not a pile of books stacked on top of your digibox !

>It holds but with a somewhat distorted image when the
>transmission is of a stable pitcure e.g. Set Up Menu etc.

Menu is no different to Programme content on DSAT. WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get); especially, when its modulated for RF outputs. In what way does it distort ? Does the distortion look 'analogue' ?

>
>On my first TV - B&O - the sound is also gone, but on TV
>number two - Thomson - the sound is OK.

That puzzles me. So, the picture is also OK on the second TV ?

>The same results occour on RF as well as via SCART.

Lost, now. I assume that a SCART connection would deliver sound as well; given that straight A/V is offloaded by the box before modulation.

>
>Any ideas what it can be, and more importantly what I can
>do.

read .... your post, then:

>PS. 2. This is exactly what happend to my Amstrat Analogue
>set abour 12 months ago.

Could it be your set-up ?

My Panasonic goes straight into the back of my SONY TV via SCART. STOP.

Is your setup like this ?

Try again, a dedicated SCART into your main TV - I have read the entire thread so far - and one you know that works. Second, do exactly the above but with your 'second' TV. Don't forget, it may be your main TV at fault.

Have Fun,

Mark.

 

[BarMoo]

Dear All,

Sorry, forgot to mention. If you are of the engineering type - just remember the addage of "start with the fuse".

Don't eliminate problems by starting new ones. Test the box on your other TV before sticking a screwdriver into the box. Your post had too many questionable elements ;-)

Mark.

 

[w hole]

To clarify.

TV 1. has sound but picture problems via SCART, but no sound via RF.

TV 2. is RF only and has picture probelms but sound is OK.

Have tried direct SCART and Direct RF to TV, but same problems exist.

Looks as though CH has the 'problem' sussed, has anyone got the solution?

Regards

W. H.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Dear all

The reason the second box has gone the same way as the first is not absolutely clear, did you get the first one checked out or did it go in the bin ?

Possibly the device fitted just after the receiver, either the video or the TV has a voltage potential on the Video input that has just damaged the outgoing components on the digibox, or even an intermittent voltage spike that goes back to the box when the TV is switched off

Either way all components in the digiboxes Ive seen are surface mount and a pig to get off the board.

 

[w hole]

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-Feb-02 AT 01:40 PM (GMT)]Thanks CH.

Looks like its Digi-repairman time!

Meanwhile regarding the 'cause', could I check the other equipment i.e Humax and TV with a Volmeter without doing any damage?

Apart from the RF input/output, can you say what potential I should find on which scart pins?

Regards

W.H.

PS. Analogue box is in the loft. (stored)

 

[Channel Hopper]

Only voltages that should be on the outputs are normally less than 1V

Most will be left over from discharges within the receiver from the SMPS, though these should have some form of decoupling circuit to ground to conform with present Low Voltage Directives. Whether they do comply is uncertain as the original prototypes from the manufacturer are usually modified before mass production to save costs.

Only way to check video output levels is with an oscilloscope (1V peak to peak with normally 0.37v blanking level). Pin 19 on both SCARTs with chassis as reference level

Good luck

 

[zansi]

What is the actual model of the errant Pace? is it a BSKYB 2200? these being older units have now started to give problems with capacitors in the PSU having a bad ESR.

Most digiboxes are a return to specialist item for anything else but if you have a local TV man with a ESR meter it's worth a check of the cap's in the PSU

zansi

 

[w hole]

Hello Z

Thanks for posting.

PART 1. The Problem and its solution:

I have now found the model number proper, the 1.2z4n was from the Sky menu.

It is a BSKYB 2500B. I think this is a bit newer, so it looks like a return to base job.

Any advice on the best way to go about this.

HiSat want £80.00, my origianl supplier want £15.00 now and then decuct this from final cost but can't estimate it. A very nice man I know is going to give me an address and contact from a Trade Magazine so that I could send it off myself.

Any recommendations?.

PART 2. The Cause:

I will be posting shortly the results of the voltmeter check on my SCARTs, I'm afraid there are a few that are over the +1v limit that CH expected, so I would appreciate any assiatance on this when I can get the info together.

Thanks for you patience and help.

Regards

W.H.

PS. The Murder has been postponed pending results.....

PPS. Reminds me of my Uncle who remembers hearing a news vendor shouting "'Orrible Murder!!" - He always wondered if there was any other sort...

 

[w hole]

Hello CH and All

The continuing story...

I have now check all my SCARTs, and can report that there ARE some voltages over +1.

Details:

Humax F1-CI:

TV SCART - Pin 7 = 5.5v In Power On Mode

VCR SCART - Nothing over +1v

VCR (LG):

AV1 - Pin 21 = 3.5v In all modes
................(Drops as it is measured)

AV2 - Nothing over +1v
......(A bit odd?)

TV (B&O):

AV1 and/or AV2 - Pin 7 = +2.5v Stby and ON
...........Pin 21 = +3v When ON

SKY PACE (2500:

VCR - Nothing over +1v

TV - Nothing over +1v

Measurements taken with no connections.

When in use, connections as follows: (SAT = Humax F1-CI)

VCR AV1 - SKY TV
VCR AV2 - TV AV1
SKY VCR - SAT VCR
SAT TV - TV AV2

Plus of course RF connections.

I must find out if I am 'causing' this failure, can anyone see a problem with the above?

Regards

W.H.

P.S. Sorry about the fill stops, but the forum won't allow ANY sort of framtting, not even repeated spaces, and I wanted to make this as clear as poss.