Viewsat Ultra scanning

[1965olds]

I found this to be some very interesting reading, I used it on 3 boxes, works great every time, great channel lists, no duplicates

Everything you need to know about Spot Beam’s, and Scanning your Viewsat.

A (Spotbeam) is only an issue when you delete all your [TP] address contained on your Ultra, (sat info file) so you can scan only a single [TP] address, which contains information on local broadcast channels.

Note:
Please remember that even if you delete (All) sat. info but [12224] on echostar 8,10 and scan [F1]. The viewsat will automatically rescan every single [TP] address and find every new [TP] address that has been [Moved], [Deleted], [Channel Renamed], or [Added] to that address itself. This can only be (stopped) if in (0ptions), you turn (0ff) Auto [TP], then it will only scan local addresses on that [TP] alone.

Example:
So if you go to (edit TP) on your ultra, you will see a box to your left that contains lines from:
1) 12224 << [tp address], V, 20000, 7/8, auto
2) 12239 << [tp address], V, 20000, 5/6, auto
3) 12253 << [tp address], H, 20000, 7/8, auto
4) and so,on to [21] tp address for nimiqs 1, 3 and [32] for echo 8,10, echo 7 each.

Note: To start a (Spot Beam) itself, you will need to manually delete all [TP] address, [each line]. Most satellites commonly use around [21] address, to as many as, [29 to 32] standard [TP] address the viewsat will scan to receive broadcasted channel's from the satellite.


What is a [TP] address,
Its just an address freq that the satellite use's to transmit a split bandwidth-signal from a ground transmitting station to the bird, then onto your dish onto you're receiver. Not much different than your email address.

Example:
(221.23.78.1) its just a assigned set on numbers, or with your satellite, it's known as a (frequency) ei; a number of complex cycles of a periodic process occurring per unit to complete a variation of sequences to continue a waveform transmitting a signal to one address assigned by the [FCC].
That’s why the spot beams are broadcast on [only], one frequency such as [12224] for echostar 8, 10.
Echostar was the first to introduce Bandwidth Stacking to increase the productivity and quality of there broadcasts, this is done by, uses each TP address twice, called [band stacking] there signal is split into a [vertical], and [horizontal] side.

Broadcasting this way Dishnet has found it can transmit twice as much information at half the cost, this of course was a huge saving it money, because satellite transition time was so expensive when these systems where first installed.
A [satinfo.119-110] meaning it has TP addresses for echostar 8, 10 and echostar 7, the additional numbers corresponds to each additional satellite you have added, so the sat info file stories’ this information into your file system on each unit.

Your File System, 0n your Viewsat
a) It is only one of four files each viewsat needs to operate correctly, the first of course is the main [PGM], or might be called a [BIN.FILE].
b) The second file is your [Opkey.file] which contains the Nagra 2 keys that decodes the satellite signal to view each channel with, without this your screen will be [black], or [blue] and you will be unable to view any channels. The Viewsat does not need to have this file flashed onto any of it receiver's, this is a file it can produce once you have finished scanning, and with [Autoroll] set to (0n) in 0ptions.
c) A [Channel list], again is a file your viewsat can produce for itself after you have setup your receiver with your antenna setup, and have scanned [F1]. So here again you need not to be concerned about finding these files for your setup.
d) You're [Satinfo. file], is of course as important as the main file itself. Without this your viewsat will not be able to find a satellite to scan, nor to be able to view any channels on any bird.
This file needs to be [flashed] onto your receiver, if it’s a new setup, [out of the box] unit, it should already have a factory file onto the unit itself. Use this file, unless you are sure able, the [where], and [what] is on the sat info file you are scanning. A [All-sat-file] is most commonly used for newbie's until you develop a better understanding of your system.
Any of these file's can be found in each of the Viewsat file sections of any [FTA Form].

If you only need echostar [8, 10] and echostar [7] then I suggest you only use a [sat. file] with only those satellites on it. Any sat. file can be edited to contain only those [TP] address, and when you see the file named: (All-sat-file), that’s exactly what it means, it has every satellite, or (bird) in the western sky.


Here is a list of all western birds used in the North America and Canada. Most common satellite's used today are labeled in [Red].
61.5'w echo3 = use standard circular lnb = 11250 MHz
63'w estrela = use linear lnb, either universal or standard linear=10750 MHz
71.8w nahuel1= linear lnb, either universal or standard linear= 10750 MHz
77'w echo 4= circular standard lnb= 11250 MHz
79'w amc 5= linear lnb, either universal or standard = 10750 MHz
82'w nimiq 2= circular standard lnb= 11250 MHz
87'w amc 3 = linear lnb, either universal or standard = 10750 MHz
91'w galaxy 11= linear lnb, either universal or standard=10750 MHz
91'w nimiq 1 & 3= circular lnb standard= 11250 MHz
93'w intelsat 6= linear lnb, either universal or standard=10750 MHz
95'w galaxy 3c= linear lnb, either universal or standard= 10750 MHz
97'w intelsat5= linear lnb, either universal or standard= 10750 MHz
101'w amc 4= linear lnb, either universal or standard= 10750 MHz
103'w amc 1= linear lnb, either universal or standard- 10750 MHz
105'w amc 15= linear lnb, either universal or standard=10750 MHz
107.3'w anik = linear lnb, either universal or standard= 10750 MHz
110'w echo 8 & 10, = circular lnb standard = 11250 MHz
111'w anik f2 = linear lnb, either universal or standard =10750 MHz
116.8'w satmex5 = linear lnb, either universal or standard=10750 MHz
118.7' echo [internationals]=circular, linear,or either standard= 10750 Mhz
119'w echo 7 = circular lnb standard = 11250 MHz
121'w echo 9 = linear lnb, either universal or standard = 10750 MHz
123'w galaxy 10r = linear lnb, either universal or standard =10750 MHz
127'w galaxy 13 = linear lnb, either universal or standard = 10750 MHz
129'w echo 5 = circular lnb standard = 11250 MHz
148'w echo1&2= circular lnb standard = 11250 MHz

There are 2 different of Ku band LNBFs;
1=circular lnb=lo 11250 mhz,
2=linear lnb, linear has
3 different types of frequency,
1= universal =l.0=9750mhz-10600mhz (Europe model),
2=universal= l.0=9750mhz- 10750 MHz,
( US model’s, use both also called wide band LNBFs),
3= standard =10750mhz

How to correctly load you Ultra and Setup your Dish500 Dpro, and Dishpro plus Systems.
Loader can download the firmware from PC to STB
1) Install “Loader” to your PC.
2) Plug out your STB from Outlet.
3) Connect “Null cable” between PC and STB unit.
4) Run “Loader” on PC.
5) Run “Tool Configuration” menu and select serial port that you need,
[Note] if any of them say” [In Use] select a deferent Comm port Comm (1),Or Comm (2), Or Comm (3).
6) Press “open file” button and select the file you want to download.
7) And then press “PC<>STB” button.[When zmodem window appears, plug in, or turn [on] your STB with the I/O button on the left hand corner [top] of unit.
8) The select file will download.[wait] until 100%
9) When download is completed, you will see a box appear below
[Download Done]
When you see this dialog on your [PC], STB will start to write flash memory.
Please wait until STB automatically reboots.

If you buy a [USB 2.0] to [Serial Adapter] you will need a [DYNEX DX-UBD9], I bought mine at Best Buys for $40.50, yes it sucked but also works great. Walmart has also started selling this same cable for less than $25.00 USD, I have also bought these cables and they work just as well, and are sure cheaper.
Then plug it into your null cable a ( DB9F-F Cable for all Viewsat ). USB is the only way to go when loading your Viewsat Unit.

Then Setup your Viewsat Ultra, how to change your Comm port setting's,
10) Right click on My Computer, highlight Manage left click on Device Manager left click on Ports (Comm & LPT) Click on Serial port, Port Setting, then click on (Advanced)A box will Poop-up, bottom left corner Comport Number(click) and open, Scroll open and set to (Comm 1),click OK, close

Note: if Comm 1 port say"[In Use]Select Comm 2, then close out all open boxes.

Warning:
If for any reason your turn (off) the I/O switch while the download process is downloading,[don’t turn it back on] until the loader 2 completes transfer,100% then [fail], or you will have a DEAD unit, if something happens to transfer let complete, then reload your factory bin file again [v.061220U], then load your latest PGM file. I have done this by mistake "while talking to someone", and the procedure does work, and your Viewsat unit will still work fine.

Open “Loader”, and click on this file by itself: loading it only, then click (PC to STB).Make sure you are using the NULL cable (if one came with your unit) or ratshack has them. Buy one. Have your Unit hooked up to the PC and power cable already, with I/O switch in OFF position.

Note: If you load a factory bin V0119ULTRA-VIEWSAT you will need this next step. Make sure you load your latest bin file next ultra v.061220U-Viewsat and you un-zip this PGM file before loading onto Loader. Make sure FTA unit is (Off) with your I/O switch in the (Left top corner) of the back of your STB. Now you are ready to install the New PGM file. Click on PC to STB transfer.(a small box will appear),Now its safe to turn on your flashing, ei: I/O switch in left top corner of unit.(Transfer will start).

Note: Wait until you see the front panel say:100%/Inst./0000 before turning unit OFF ei: I/O switch. Make sure to allow time to upload to your flash memory and reboot before turning the I/O switch (off).
Now go to Parental control set as follows: (off),(off),(1),un-blocked, and when whatever pin code you wish, exit and save again, Next Time Setting as follows: time adjustment is up to where ever you live -5:00 hour GMT summer time (off) for eastern standard time. Exit and save.
Note: Now your (SATINFO) file is the most important part of setup, you will need to find the best file for the type of dish, or dishes you have.

I suggest you use the factory sat. File that is installed on you ultra already, unless you have updated file you edited yourself. Remember if you use someone else’s
Sat. File you are watching what they Scanned, if you do not live close to them, you will only see whatever your Viewsat can find with limited channels. Because if your out of range of the TP signal from the satellite's it will just scan 0%Quality and 0% signal.
Basic is (110.0w or EchoStar 8,10) if you have a file on your receiver that has the older version of 6,8 you will need to change this to 8,10,or 8,X.This is because Dish net has setup the transponders to look for newer version of this file to work at its best.
Basic again is (119.0w or EchoStar 7).

For Advanced User's follow the next steps.
Next your receiver is ready to scan with latest bin file, right? (NO) Next go to Channel Scan in your Menu click on echo star 7 first, scroll down to Edit TP, click (OK) this will Highlight the TP’s, now this is very important!
(DELETE 12224 TP), yes that’s right (Why? Because this is a Spot Beam for a different Satellite). Now EXIT and Save.
Now again back to Channel Scan to EchoStar 8,X, again scroll down to Edit TP’s, click (OK) again and (highlight 12239 and DELETE it), Again this is a spot beam for EchoStar 7,and if you leave this to TP's on each other it will scan and Duplicate channels.
Now EXIT and save.

Note: This show's the setup using DishPro500 LNBFs
If you LNB doesn’t have a Black [Dp] marking labeled in front of the LNB, it is a Legacy LNB.

Antenna Setup:
Satellite.................EchoStar 8, 10, or 8, X (110.0w)
LNB Power .............ON
LNB Type...............OSC-Dp < if using a dish 500 Dp>
LNB Freq................11250 < because this is low freq for echo 8,10 uses>
22KHz....................OFF
TP Freq..................12224 < as this is a spot beam for 8, X > [ X is the same thing as 10]
Search option..........All
DiESqC 1.0..............Port 2 < just remember setting on [2] is standard practice for setup] it is easy to remember.
Motor ...................OFF
Legacy SW..............None < unless your using a DiESqC Switch 4X1,or a SW2X1,DP34 or DP44 Switch. Use correct settings > [Same as a Dish Number}
Now make sure you have both quality, and signal in GreenBars before continuing to next steps, and scanning.
Quality---------------------------------75% < normal range >
Signal------------------------------------80% < normal range >
Scan F1, and Save....... (Important) do not scan [F2], or Blindscan you will only wind-up with Duplicate channels again].


Shown in this Example using a Dishpro, and or plus lnb Dish
Satellite..................Echostar7 (119.0w)
LNB power...............ON
LNB Type................OSC-Dp <Use only when using a Dishpro and plus lnbs> if using legacy system lnbs use [standard or Legacy twin settings]
LNB Freq.................11250
22KHz.....................OFF < not using that type of switch >
TP Freq...................12239 < Spot beam for this Satellite >
Search option..........All
DiESqC 1.0..............Port 1
Legacy SW.............None < Again only use these settings if you have more than [1] dish setup, this setting can be used to separate each Dish used.
Now again be sure you have both GreenBars before continuing with the next steps, and or scanning.
Quality --------------------------------80% < normal range >
Siganl -------------------------------75% < normal range>
Scan F1and Save .....Again Do not scan F2 there is (No) reason too.
Next if you EDIT you’re Channels, go back to Menu, Options, turn (OFF) Auto TP. It will allow you to delete channels without your receiver freezing up.Edit channels and Save by clicking EXIT.

Back to Menu, Options and turn back (ON) Auto TP.
Finished.
If you’re doing a Standard Scan or (f1) you should come up with around 1200-1100 working channels depending on what you prefer.
This will take up to 30-45 minute's to complete but will be worth it.
Remember to place your channel on [150 or Speed Channel], Keys will roll in 2-3 minutes every time, and EPG will populate 100% on all Channels.