Thread: Azbox Elite USALS/DiSEqC 1.2 control

I got my box! There are so many quirks about this box that I'll refrain from expressing my opinion until I've figured a few things out.

My biggest problem right now is a USALS/DiSEqC 1.2 thing. I'm using he latest FW, 9.3686. ...and yes, I've read where others have used a different box for positioning, and I'll probably end up doing that, but for now I want to try to get this box to work on it's own.

When I use DiSEqC, and save my position (auto) then go to select a channel the motor won't move. Maybe I need to select and save a location number?

In USALS the motor moves. But USALS doesn't let me fine tune a location without changing it's name (sorting slot). Lets say I'm selecting 119ºw. My circular LNB is 10º off center from my linear LNB. So using USALS I need to set it at 109º. Now my 119º sorts at 109º. My C-band (mini bud) LNB is 10º in the other direction, so it gets messy using USALS.

Is anyone using USALS found a happy way to use a motor? I am not wanting to use a different FW version as this one lets me backup channel info etc. to a usb drive (which the channel editer won't read BTW...WTF?) Thanks to cracklincrotch for the heads up on MAZ 2.1!

(a small opinion here -->) I expected the confusion associated with this box to be that most aren't familiar with linux. I am. This is not where the confusion lies. The menu on this thing has NO logical flow. To better explain for those who don't know; comparing it to a car, using the az-menu would be like having to open the passenger door and rolling down a rear window to turn on the radio. Things are really out of place on this thing. Some are nicely placed. I won't explain further. I'll just learn to adapt and accept the fact that the wife will likely never take the time to figure this one out.

When I use DiSEqC, and save my position (auto) then go to select a channel the motor won't move. Maybe I need to select and save a location number?

I use the AZBox for both DiSEC and USALS without any issues.
Drive the Dish to peaked signal, pick a Number vs. using "Auto", select "Save" if using a GBox / VBox the numbers will flash.

In USALS the motor moves. But USALS doesn't let me fine tune a location without changing it's name (sorting slot). Lets say I'm selecting 119ºw. My circular LNB is 10º off center from my linear LNB. So using USALS I need to set it at 109º. Now my 119º sorts at 109º. My C-band (mini bud) LNB is 10º in the other direction, so it gets messy using USALS.

Correct, that is not using USALS, that is DiSEqC 1.2 in disguise.

I expected the confusion associated with this box to be that most aren't familiar with linux.

It has nothing to do with Linux, when operating only as Sat Receiver.
I Think of the Menues as "Over Simplified".

Putney,

I cannot respond right now, I am out of time.

I can run down a few things about motor control with you in the not so far off future. PM me to remind me of this discussion so that we can chat.

RADAR

Originally Posted by Lak7

Correct, that is not using USALS, that is DiSEqC 1.2 in disguise.

Yes, but that has been my work around for offset LNBs on my CNX. I was going to try saving to a number, but didn't want to overwrite other positions. I'll set it all up in Maz this morning, and when the wife wakes up and leaves my man cave I'll sort it out on the TV.

Originally Posted by Lak7

I Think of the Menues as "Over Simplified".

Really? I find that there could be more options, but I find the structure of the menus, well, foreign.

Really? I find that there could be more options, but I find the structure of the menus, well, foreign.

I have used many different receivers, they all take a bit to get used to.
I really miss the Diamond 9000 Menues.
Once I got past of how it should be laid out, and accepted what was given, things "clicked"

Yes, but that has been my work around for offset LNBs on my CNX.

But that is not USALS. Using USALS to get close, tweaking, and saving is actually DiSEqC 1.2. Just that the CNX does not tell you that.

I was going to try saving to a number, but didn't want to overwrite other positions.

If you already know the Position Numbers, use the Editor to enter them manually, and upload back to the AZbox.

Originally Posted by Lak7

If you already know the Position Numbers, use the Editor to enter them manually, and upload back to the AZbox.

Getting the hang of things this morning. In the editor I pre assigned DiSEqC positions 1-34 for my sats. That has the motor working right now.

Quick question, what is save/ auto for? will it save adjustments over my preassigned positions? I'm having to refer to Maz to find my positions for each sat.

BTW I found that when I leave the Ant. Setup to go scan, the motor was moving in 1 step increments. The fix I found was to go back into the DiSEqC settings and take it off of 'save' and put it back on 'go to position'


Thanks for your help this morning Lak7

Quick question, what is save/ auto for? will it save adjustments over my preassigned positions? I'm having to refer to Maz to find my positions for each sat.

Auto, is for position number. Some of the Sats have a pre-defined DiSEqC 1.2 Position Number, you just drive to peak signal and Save.

BTW I found that when I leave the Ant. Setup to go scan, the motor was moving in 1 step increments. The fix I found was to go back into the DiSEqC settings and take it off of 'save' and put it back on 'go to position'

There are no "quirks" with the motor control. Drive to peak signal, save position, and exit. After that, Dish should move automatically when changing Sats.

The menus arent really that bad. The only 2 I use from "home" are TV & Settings
After that it can get cumbersome in the settings menu

Originally Posted by Lak7

Auto, is for position number. Some of the Sats have a pre-defined DiSEqC 1.2 Position Number, you just drive to peak signal and Save.


There are no "quirks" with the motor control. Drive to peak signal, save position, and exit. After that, Dish should move automatically when changing Sats.

I beg to differ. I'm no genius, but I know when the motor is moving. Sometimes it moves if I'm just switching TPs in the Ant Setup. Other times it steps 1 at a time when I'm in the Scan menu. Seems quirky to me!




FYI I just found out that some channel(s) get dropped when importing into MAZ 2.1.0
Specifically PBS HD East (every time)