Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Devices Prof (FAQ)
Question 1.
What is the process of «Virtual MPE Decoder Adapter»?Answer: «Virtual MPE Decoder Adapter» is being installed along with the utility IP DATA. In the installer there are two components: IP DATA utility and driver «Virtual MPE Decoder Adapter». If you install IP DATA for the first time you must install «MPE-adapter" (leave a tick when installing IP DATA). If you upgrade IP DATA to the latest version then «MPE-adapter" does not need to be installed as it is already in the system with your settings (you need to delete a tick when installing IP DATA).
Question 2.
In OS Windows Vista IP DATAIP DATA does not work.Answer: In Windows Vista you should disable UAC (User Account Control). UAC blocks access to the traffic flow and to the network driver.
Question 3.
Do I need to change MAC-address «Virtual MPE Decoder Adapter» settings when setting up satellite Internet?Answer: in new versions of «Virtual MPE Decoder Adapter» there is a setting of MAC-address. You should proceed to: "Properties", "Set up", "Advanced settings". For some accelerators and providers it is required to specify the MAC address (network address). And for some accelerators and providers this address is not necessary at all (for example: SlonAx, Globax). MAC-address set in the IP DATA is important to them. In any case MAC-address set in the IP DATA is always important - this is the main traffic filter of satellite internet.
Question 4.
How amplitude PF DiSEqC-premise can Be Changed in Prof-7300?Answer: For the DVB-card Prof-7300 you can change the DiSEqC-premise amplitude. You can find a value of the amplitude with which your DiSEqC-switch will work steadily. To do this it is necessary to modify in the Windows Registry the following variables:
7300_Lnb_Mode is the mode of frontend. Possible values: 0 and 1.
0 - allows use the mode of amplitude 7300_Lnb_Tone_Amplitude control.
1 - transfers the frontend to the digital mode. 7300_Lnb_Tone_Amplitude does not work in this mode.
7300_Lnb_Tone_Amplitude - 7300_Lnb_Tone_Amplitude is the amplitude of 22 kHz. It can take values from 2 to 6. The less the value the bigger the amplitude.
Possible values of 7300_Lnb_Tone_Amplitude:
4 - gives the amplitude of the order of 200-300 mV.
3 - gives the amplitude of the order of 300-400 mV.
2 - gives the amplitude of the order of 600-700 mV.
Other values have no practical meaning.
Defaults:
7300_Lnb_Mode = 0
7300_Lnb_Tone_Amplitude = 2
dwIsTSStream - is the mode of double buffering of TS stream. Possible values: 0 and 1.
1 - starts double-buffering.
0 - disables double buffering.
It can help in case of high CPU load.
Defaults:
dwIsTSStream = 1
Variables in the registry should be looked for with the help of utility regedit (search by keyword of 7300_Lnb_Tone_Amplitude). Parameters are in the branch "DriverData".
After changing values of the variables in the registry it is required to the driver or OS Windows.
Question 5.
I cannot catch DVB-S2-transponder although other DVB-S transponders can be locked from this satellite.
Answer: The format of DVB-S2 is exigent about the signal than DVB-S. Therefore, other areas of beam coverage should be used for satellite Internet or TV in the DVB-S2 format. To illustrate this thesis we will give an example.
Table of standard ETSI EN 302 307:
Pay attention to the desired ratio of Es/ No (depending on the type of modulation and FEC).
We show this by the example of transponder STV S2 (area of coverage
http://www.lyngsat-maps.com/maps/intel904_spot1.html). If you receive transponder "11595,V,29270,7/8 (DVB-S)" excellently, for example, at the level of 5.5dB (completely correct) but there is no margin on the SNR then you probably will not be able even to lock the transponder "11149,V,20000,3/4 (DVB-S2)" A signal at least on 2dB more is required, well, at least in 1.5dB (2dB is an approximate increasing in the antenna diameter in 1,7-2 times). Also requirements to phase noises and stability of LNB grow up. Not every cheap LNB (converter) will suit.
DVB-S2 requires a more serious margin of signal power and stability.
As for the lock the lock criterion lock criterion is different at different hardware.
Prof 7300 has several levels of locks:
1. The tuner managed to find a carrier wave.
2. The demodulator identified the type of carrier.
3. Possibility to determine FEC.
4. The Viterby-decoder can recover the data.
We can consider that every of these points to be a lock. But the stream, even with errors, can only be taken in the fourth case.
Prof 7300 will obtain the transponder lock only in the fourth case.
Conclusion: In your area there should be enough power and stability of the signal for reception of this DVB-S2 transponder. You must have a satellite dish of sufficient size, LNB and a cable must be qualitative.
Question 6.
When setting up to a satellite the signal of providers and TV channels in the format S2 cannot be locked. After I had turned a little bit converter head the signal be came 82/82 but after a while a disruption took place and then again everything continued working properly.Answer: According to this information from the user
it is already clear that the signal level is not sufficient and/or incorrect setting of the satellite dish/LNB takes place. Obviously
the fitting of the antenna is "azimutal" (not" polar "). The user had
turned the antenna but did not set up the converter. When the user turns
the converter, then cross-polarizationis being removed.
Prof 7300 has SNR (the ratio of signal to noise) in dB as a quality indicator. Accordingly, if the quality indicator is 82 then it is 8.2dB. If, for example, the user sets up the S2 with FEC = 3 / 4 then for the given value FEC minimum level that you want to have is 7.9dB. As you can see that there is no any reserve. And any noise or change of weather will result in that the signal will not be able to lock.
Question 7.
What is the signal level in Prof 7300 and what does determine its value?Answer: The degree of signal level change depends on many conditions, including:
1. Gain of the antenna and LNB.
2. Linearity of the LNB itself.
3. Loss and interference.
The strength Prof-7300 signal is the level of AGC (Automatic Gain Control). Let’s say like this if the level is 72% -82% it is likely that there is a certain signal caught in the bandwidth of the tuner. It in different conditions may vary within 20-90%. Prof-7300 may display the following signals at the Intelsat 904:
Frequency, Level, Quality
11042, 74%, 100%
11152, 62%, 100%
11149, 81%, 100%
11526, 64%, 100%
11595, 80%, 100%
These are signal levels at one satellite but at different transponders. That is not the fact that 60% is not enough. And that is not the fact that 80% is better than 60%. The difference may lie in the fact that there is some interference for the transponder with 60%.
Question 8.
A buffer in software Mann overflows after 14 hours of work.Answer: First use the special Streamreader.dll. Secondly use different buffer sizes for different providers. For PlanetSky and SatGate - " Module buffer=1000160". If after 14 hours of software Manna work a buffer overflow is observed then use "Module buffer=1000160x1.5".
According to our testers Streamreader.dll can work 23 days without discounts.
Question 9.
What MPEG2 and h.264/AVC codecs can you suggest?Answer: The choice of MPEG2-codec is not this crucial as MPEG2 video does not require much system resources. If you plan to watch HDTV in the format of h.264/AVC then you should read the section "Setup of hardware speed of video h.264 with the help of a video-card".
Most often MPEG2 and h.264/AVC decoders are commercial products. They should be purchased together with the basic software package. For example, the package price CyberLink PowerDVD comprises 45-50 $.
For fans of informal codec packs we can recommend HD Pack 2.2 (best h.264/AVC-decodecs) and CLVD Pack (MPEG2-decoder).
Question 10.
Which TV players do you recommend?Answer: To work with satellite TV we recommend in our view the best programs AltDVB and DVBDream. AltDVB and DVBDream are free of charge for users and also let you play video in h.264.
The player AltDVB despite its fairly simple interface is a very robust and stable program. The main difficulty of work with AltDVB for beginning users is the initial choice of codecs to work.
To test the drivers and new models of DVB-cards we use AltDVB. This is a professional program for those who value stability.
We can also recommend commercial products: DVBViewer Pro and ProgDVB Pro.
Question 11.
How to remove old drivers from the system? And why shall we do it?Answer: Before installing a new driver it is recommended to remove the old one. This can be done by removing the driver file from the directory of Windows. For example, windows/system32/drivers/Prof7300.sys or windows/system32/drivers/Prof6200.sys.
In practice of PTG technical support there were instances when a user claimed that he had the latest drivers and still something was not working. Then it turned out that Windows had not updated the driver in fact. And the old driver file remained because the user had selected " Allow OS Windows to choose an appropriate driver".
Question 12.
Which LNB/ converter do you recommend?Answer: Invacom SNH-031
Question 13.
I want to buy the professional converter PLL-LNB SMW. Is this converter much better than usual one?Answer: SMW produces very good and professional converters.
But we do not recommend them to you because of several reasons:
1.
LNB is sold with no irradiator. You will have to buy separately an irradiator for your antenna. And to do this you need to know its directional pattern.
2. PLL LNB have the same polarization. That means that a polarizer will be required.
3. PLL LNB from SMW are single-range.
It exceeds ordinary converter by all measures. But like any professional equipment it is not easy to use. It is better to buy Invacom SNH-031. It is quite enough for domestic purpose.
Question 14.
What can I do to avoid problems with the harmonization of equipment connected to the DVB-card?
Answer: it is necessary to use a good cable, good converters, and good connectors. If, say the user has the cable Cavel DG 113 ended F113-55, the converter Invacom SNH-031 then he probably will not notice the problems with the harmonization (it is impossible to achieve the ideal SWR = 1 throughout the whole frequency range). And if the cable RG6, a cheap converter then the problems with the harmonization will be of such a size that it will certainly become noticeable (it is conditioned by a lack of lock on certain frequencies).Question 15.
How to set the remote control in AltDVB for Prof 6200/7300/7301/7500/8000?Answer: In the module for AltDVB the possibility to use the remote control as hotkeys emulator was added. You can set up the remote control in the following way: " Main Menu": "Settings" -> "Input" -> "Keyboard". Then use the column "HotKey2" to determine " hot keys". Choose the necessary action and press the corresponding button on the remote.
Question 16.
Is it dangerous for DVB-card to connect antenna cable “on the go”? Answer: It is dangerous and is prohibited by the rules of DVB-device operation.
Besides in the Rules of DVB-card operation it indicated that connection/ disconnection of USB-card must be carried out by connection/ disconnection of the plug of card power supply to the socket (not by connection/ disconnection of USB-cable with the power on).
DVB-device failure that was obtained in the result of result of "Operating Rules" is not a warranty case; such a device is not subject to change and replacement.
About the reasons of DVB-card failure upon the Rules of DVB-card operation violation
The main reasons of failure of the power supply circuits LNB at DVB-card - the presence of voltage on the computer case that is connected to the network but not ground. This is the reason that led to the failure of most of the cards Prof which were sent to the laboratory of Prof Tuners Group for the failures analysis.
At the time of connecting the antenna cable to DVB-card between the cable (by the hand holding a F-connector) and the card case voltage can be sufficient for the failure of not only the DVB-card but the equipment connected to the antenna cable (converters, switches, motors, etc.).
In addition short circuits in the antenna cable should be avoided. The probability of short circuit of the central cable conductor to the connector case when connecting on the go is much higher than the probability of short circuit in the cable because mechanical damage.
Question 17.
Why cannot I lock some low-profile transponders such as transponder Raduga 10957, V, 5000 c 90.0E?Answer: There exists such an event as "frequency drift".
Let cite a response-message from Technical Maintenance specialist:
I noticed that messages about problems with locking low-speed transponders by cards Prof had started to arrive to Technical Maintenance more frequently. In particular there appeared questions regarding the transponder Raduga 10957, V,5000 from 90.0E.
I decided to check myself the locking of this transponder to Prof-7301. I turned the antenna to 90.0E, tried to lock the transponder but no result. Neither in IP DATA, nor in AltDVB 2.2.
The reason is inaccurate frequency. According to my data the lock took place when the frequency from 10958 to 10961 was entered. That is the average value is 10959.5 MHz.
As you see the difference with 10957 is significant. How did it arouse? The frequency of heterodynes in converter drifts. Although I have Invacom SNH-031 but the passport temperature frequency drift is up to ±3MHz. And when handle with cheap domestic converters you will face even bigger frequency drift. Due to the fact that it is summer now all the " as large as life". And even real carrier wave frequency from the satellite can be mentioned incorrectly (probably in this case it happened absolutely like this).
At the same time much attention was paid by the developers of drivers to the choice of frequency line when a transponder is caught during locking (it is important for the low-speed transponders because otherwise AFC can catch a wrong transponder).
In other words the lower transponder symbol rate the higher probability that for locking a client will have tochange the frequency higher/ lower by 5 and see the result. And this is NOR CONDITIONED by card Prof. There are claims to genius among the providers who uses for their transponders (even for complex ones DVB-S2 in Ku-band and C-band) low SRs.