About GeoffD

What is the TS for the Explora 1? ... View more

Once you are sure the UHF channels are not interfering, then you must still go back and verify that the UBs and frequencies on both Explora decoders are correct, as there could still be a clash here. MC has been fiddling with the sw on these decoders, and very often when they do that the decoders return to the decoder default values, which are NOT appropriate for both decoders in an XV arrangement when connected to a 5-2 switch. To do this, switch OFF the secondary decoders completely. If possible, even remove the cable connected to the LNB input on the secondary. Now go to the Primary decoder, and access the screen where you can see what the default UBs and frequencies are for each of the three tuners. Check that this decoder is set to the default listed below. This decoder should ideally be connected to Port A on the 5-2 switch Tuner 1: UB 0 Freq 1210 Tuner 2: UB 1 Freq 1420 Tuner 3: UB 2 Freq 1680 Save these settings and then switch off the decoder and allow it reboot and confirm the above settings are correct. THEN switch this decoder OFF Now connect up the secondary decoder and reboot it Check the UBs and frequencies on this decoder. These must be set as follows: Tuner 1: UB 3 Freq 1892 Tuner 2: UB 4 Freq 2040 Tuner 3: UB 2 Freq 1680   Save these settings and reboot the decoder, and leave it on. Now switch ON the Primary decoder again. All should now be working   ... View more

Thanks Optimist, What about "original" and "native" ... View more

Even the 4 tuner decoders do this at times!  the volume on RF will return to zero after a maintenance reboot, causing all sorts of drama in the kitchen. I then go in and find the volume at "zero" when pressing the 'V' button on the remote. The "fixed" setting under volume is completely ignored as well. Will never understand the logic behind these completely inexplicable things that happen from time to time. ... View more

No, your package is in place. BUT, you will need to prove decoder stolen, police ref number etc., then MC must deactivate the SC  and remove from your account and reactivate package on new decoder. ... View more

As already stated write down the settings! And make sure the Primary decoder is connected to port A on the SLNB. Presume you have a LMX 500 SLNB? ... View more

If I remember correctly, these decoders will tend to set volume to half after a reboot. You need to check the volume levels and then manually correct. On the RF output the volume returns to zero after a reboot. ... View more

It would seem so.  But can you imagine the confusion if OP was to phone into the call centre! 4 decoders running on a single LMX500 SLNB is possible, with all using the Unicable ports BUT would require very careful setting up of the UBs on each decoder! And imagine the issues everytime MC "fiddles" with the decoder settings during their daily maintenance reboots.         ... View more

Please confirm which Explora models you have, as well as which HD decoder model. Also the model of the SLNB. If you want to run this type of setup, the decoder connected to Port A on the SLNB must never be switched off or even placed in Standby to guarantee power to the SLNB at all times. The HD decoder must be configured to use a Universal connection, and the network settings saved, otherwise these will return to defaults om a reboot or power failure.   ... View more

You should have been able to get the Explora 3A to work on a 5-2 switch, with the network the settings set at defaults, which are UBs 0,1, 2 The HD PVR 2P would then have to be connected to the Multiswitch ports on the 5-2. A Diplexer would be required behind the Explora 3A to extract/insert the HB and to connect it to the HD PVR2P. With the LMX501, You would be able to connect the HD PVR 2P to a unicable port, but would still have required a diplexer behind the HD PVR 2P or the Explora 3A. I presume this is what you did in the end? ... View more

It sounds like your satfinder might actually be faulty or requiring re-calibration.  Have you checked the manual? Also, you may have to resort to a more manual means of aligning the antenna. Have you compared the values given to you by Jan with what the antenna is currently set at? You could be well down on a side lobe which will mean very poor performance of, especially HD channels. If you wish, I can send you a recipe for a completely manual way to align the antenna independent of a satfinder. Please send me a PM with an email address if you want the manual way of doing this.   Have you tried to see what the satfinder gives when used on a neighbour's antenna with good reception? If you get the same garbled results, then you need to suspect that the satfinder is faulty.       ... View more

You are aware that you need to use a universal legacy port to connect a simple satfinder to , not one of the unicable ports? The older satfinders are single frequency receivers and cannot accurately evaluate a combined satcr signal present on a satcr/unicable port. ... View more

You do know how to see which of your posts are in the spam bin? And there are a few tricks you can use to fool the system very successfully. ... View more

Pretty sure the call centre knows nothing about the UV terminology --- it seems to be only used within the technical departments.  It is useful however because it helps in separating the HB via SLNB cases from the normal HB cabling method. ... View more

Okay appreciate the problem. Can you be more specific. Primary decoder is a PVR? Is it an Explora or an older black Pace HD PFR 2P? Look  The 3S? - An Explora 3A? made by a manufacturer with the codes S? Again have a look at the information screen under the settings option which will tell us just about everything we want to know.  Attach a screenshot picture to your message of the decoder information screens if you are able.   ... View more

Still no official response from MC re the latest sw versions for each decoder model. Apparently, MC does not want to divulge this info until they have finished with sw updates. .... That means ---- we are unlikely to ever get an updated list. What is the harm in regularly publishing the sw versions for each decoder as a reference for all of us to use?     ... View more

There only two options:   ExtraView, normally abbreviated as XV, whereby up to 3 decoders, can be combined under one subscription via a cable connected to the RF ports on the decoders, also used to distribute RF signals to multiple remote view locations, and; UniView, normally abbreviated as UV, whereby an SLNB or 24-1Z switch is used to relay the HB signal between up to 3 decoders. The choice of the method used depends on the decoder models and the types of switches and LNBs available, as well as what the RF distribution is required.   UniView (UV) is only possible IF either an SLNB or a 24-1Z switch is available.  The older LNBs (Quad, Quattro, Twin Universal) cannot relay HB signals.   The original Explora Switches (ES's) are not capable of relaying the HB signals. ES 5-1 or ES 5-2.   XV is possible with ALL decoder models capable of transmitting or receiving HB signals, but some models require the use of an external Diplexer. UV is only possible with decoders equipped with an internal Diplexer, or, with older models, an external Diplexer, IF one of the 3 SLNB models is available or a 24-1Z switch is available.   The decision whether to use XV or UV depends on the location of the decoders and whether there is a requirement for distributing RF to multiple viewing points and whether remote control of the decoders is required from those multiple viewing points via tvLINKS.   None of the older decoder models can be combined in a 3-decoder combination. The SD PVR,  the HD PVR 4P, the HD PVR 4U, the HD PVR 2P and the older 11xx decoders cannot be used in a 3-decoder combination.   The 3-decoder combination can be any of the Explora models, as well as the 4- and 5-series HD decoders.   The Explora 1 and 2A both have RF IN and RF OUT ports. The 3A does not. The 4-series HD decoders have RF IN and RF OUT ports, the 5-series does not.   The Explora 1 and 2A as well the 4-series HD decoders provide for HB transmission and reception via the RF ports. The Explora 2A has an internal diplexer which supports HB (Tx & Rx) via the Unicable port. The Explora 3A has an internal diplexer which supports HB (Tx & Rx) via the Unicable port. The 5-series HD decoders have internal diplexers which support HB (TX & Rx) via the Unicable port.   tvLINK commands are relayed/received via the RF ports on the decoders with RF ports. The Explora 3A and the 5-series decoders relay/receive tvLINK commands via the Unicable port. BUT and here is the rub, the SLNBs and the 24-1Z do not relay tvLINK commands. (as per info received from MCA-David). Therefore, IF tvLINK control is desired, then an old style XV connection has to be used for HB and RF distribution.         ... View more

 And to add some more.  16-minute error in the between program markers on ALL channels available on the Easyview package! Even a 10-minute start and end buffer is not enough to cope with this extremely poor situation. The scheduling is correct but whatever you have done to the sw is the cause as the markers are NOT being inserted where they should be. ... View more

Another night of TOTAL LOSS OF ACCESS TO LINEAR TV on TWO 4 tuner decoders! All as a result of a COMPLETELY BROKEN service authentication system! Yet recordings carry on as normal and correctly! What are you doing MC????? I can fix it BUT it requires a reboot, which will stop recordings in progress ---------   Really bad form MC. ... View more

Presume you mean a message on the TV connected to the secondary decoder? What you will need to do is first tell us the make and models of the decoders you have, primary and secondary, as well as the software levels on each and the type of LNB you have installed.   ... View more

And here we go again with the weekend woes. First the one decoder, then the other. This morning my Secondary decoder would not play back anything, live TV was dead, yet recordings were going on the background. The TV guide showed ALL channels available, both the SD version and the HD version, The recordings in progress on the HD channels were proceeding BUT so were the SD channel versions being recorded. What a mess!  Waited for the recordings to complete and now a reboot is in progress.  A similar scenario played itself out on the Primary decoder yesterday.  NO official sw update shown but for sure something was being updated, as the reboot is taking forever. Another old problem is back. Both decoders now fiddle with the ARC settings on reboot. The setting I use is ARC 1 as all TVs are HD, widescreen TVs. Yet every morning, The ARC setting now defaults to ARC 2, ... View more

I have sort of worked out a plan to sort this out. If only I can remember to do it during open time. I am pretty sure during the open time window the offending setting will be visible. Then I should be able to delete it. ... View more

If the setting is not removed and if the identifiers do not change, then this IS what should happen. What about where, settings previously set on a channel not normally available in the package you subscribe to, but that channel is open at certain times of the day? This is what is happening now on ch 101, where a program that used to be in "open time" has been moved out of open time. The setting is there lingering in the background. It is not listed in the schedule but triggers whenever that program comes on, and, because I am not subscribed to 101, the recording fails, and on and on it goes. I can't remove it because I can't see the setting, A reboot does not fix it, nor does a reset to factory defaults.       ... View more