channel list...

[scspur]

I have always "scanned" for my channels on 119 and 110. I was reading about creating a channel list to set up the dish LNBs. I am having problems with a couple of receivers not getting all the channels and would like to check the signals out by using that method....add channel list to get each LNB set-up etc.. I am not sure exactly what is meant about the "channel list" and adding it. Should I be looking for a dn load for this? Sorry maybe I can't see the forest for the trees.

Thanks

[boboisno1]

Not too many people use channels lists anymore except for pretty much what you want to use it for and the odd person who just likes using one. So with the limited users of channel lists it's pretty hard to find someone else's list, and you will have to make one on your own. Some makes will allow you to make a channel list to a usb thumbdrive and most others will allow you to make one using a program called channel master.

[s2byus]

To make the things clear:

What are Channel Lists

Channel lists are actually the collection of transponders and channels a receiver stores at a given time, making it possible to choose from and switch to, when changing from one channel to another.

Basically, channel lists are created and updated during scanning for channels. For example if after a factory reset, a 119W results with getting 250 channels and 110W with getting 350 channels, after saving, the receiver has and uses a channel list of 600 channels.

Channel list are kept in files called channel files or sat files.

With most receivers the channel/sat file can be uploaded to a memory drive or via a serial port and transfered to a computer.

It is to be noted that channel lists do not improve or reduce the ability or quality of receiving related directly to the dish setup, size, LNBs and aiming.

It should also be clear that a channel, not included within the channel list can not be selected and watched, regardless how good it is received by the dish, neither can be expected a channel not received by the dish due to low or no signal, bad aiming, bad weather etc., to be shown just because it is within the channel list.


Handling Channel Lists

A channel list can be modified in two ways:

The most common is using the features of most receivers that enable operations like adding transponders, deleting channels, renaming channels, creating favorite groups etc. The changes are saved within the receiver memory storage.

There are also channel list editors that are computer application programs capable to create modify and organize a channel list in a more feature rich, friendly and convenient way. Many editors are dedicated to a specific receiver model or brand. There are also a few more universal editors for many receiver models. The most popular is ChannelMaster.
After using such a tool, the file created or updated can be loaded back to the receiver.

When, Why and How

During time, satellites, transponders and channels change, get moved, added, deleted and replaced. Therefore, it is recommended from time to time to renew or update the channel list by performing a scan, reviewing and editing the channel file.

A new scan (auto, sat or blind) usually results with a channel list based on the transponders stored within the receiver and the actual channels got while scanning. During a new scan, most receivers do not erase the results of the previous scan but rather overwrite them. Therefore the channel list may have duplicate channels - the receiver could not identify from previous scans - but also lack of channels missed due to marginal or loss of reception during bad weather, or just not active or transmitting at the time the scan is performed.

It is always possible to add one or more transponders for getting additional wanted channels, by scanning the new transponders – one a time and saving the scan results. The channel list will then be updated with the new added channels.
It is also possible to remove duplicate channels or channels considered as never wanted, by deleting them from the channel list.

A factory reset, before a new scan, would erase all the garbage built up during previous scans, starting a new, clean page, but it would also erase any previous added transponders and channels that came with them. It is suggested to write
down the receiver settings for each satellite including LNB type, switches, diseqc port numbers etc., as they get also erased with the factory reset.

Keeping a copy of the channel list file, as a backup, is most useful for loading the receiver with this file after a factory reset, a dish re-aiming, or a more significant failure.

Each one can choose if, when and what to do, according to the personal preferences.

The specific “how to” for doing the above can be found in the appropriate receiver help sections.