Review: Sonicview SV-HD8000

**avg1joe** · 09-26-2009 10:21 AM

SV site claims 1.5W STB power consumption in Standby

My local library has "kill a watt" meters which allow you to check appliances to see how much they actually draw. I tried my sonicview and found that it draws 25w when on. I was very dismayed to find that it draws 25w in standby as well.

Also the fan inside is pretty loud. I've been reading online about people who replace the fan or remove the sticker from the fan and put a drop of oil or grease in there before replacing the sticker.

Given the wattage drawn and the noise of the fan I tend to switch mine all the way off when not in use.

I got mine refurbished and it has never had a turbo board in it while I've owned it but I'd bet it has before.

**daddyzlod** · 09-27-2009 12:00 AM

zamar23
Bought unit from satmaximum.com, just gave Sonicview tech my old order number, and he gave me a rma number, and I think I gave him the serial number, of the unit also. Sent it priority mail to sunny Caifonia.
Gave the tech the symptoms, of the unit, and he said it was the power supply. You also have to send them a $25.00 money order, for the return shipping cost. The whole thing, set me back $50.00, so far. He also asked about the software version, and I told him it was 402, which I got from their site, and he said fine.
I have not received the unit back yet, but maybe in a week or so.
I also down loaded a rma pdf, and filled it out, and sent them a copy of the receipt from satmaximum.com,
which is listed on the rma form. I don't have any add on boards, as I don't want to get burned with a hacker
board, as it would do me no good. I don't know, about buying it from ebay, but the tech did ask, if I bought the unit from a authorized dealer. After some net searching, I did find out, that you can order a new PS from
Sonicview, for $30.00 or so, and that may have made it a little bit cheaper, but I figured since it is under warranty, what the hell.
Bob

**madmadworld** · 09-28-2009 08:40 AM

the factory fan died in the 18-24 month range on mine. but it always had a fan on top. and it has almost never been tuned off.

**zamar23** · 09-28-2009 09:57 AM

Thanks daddyzlod. Very informative!

madmadworld

If you replaced the rear internal fan since its died, did you notice where it was connected to power source: on the Main Board, or underneath or on top of Power Supply Board? What color is your Power Supply Board: green like Main Board or whiter?

There is a power connector on the Main Board of SV-8000 V2, I connected 6V bigger Diameter quiet fan to it, glued it in the area btw Main and Power Supply Boards inside the receiver, directed towards Main Board, and its cool and quiet out there. No need for an external fan for me so far, but I'm thinking putting a second same fan model inside, directed towards Power Supply, as there's plenty of space in the corridor btw Main and Power Boards, and there are 2 power connectors under Power Supply Board. The noisy factory fan can be switched Off in this scenario.

**madmadworld** · 09-29-2009 02:09 AM

just left it hope i unplugged it LOL
thought it was a joke anyway it ran why to hot for my liking.
as do all hd boxes i've had. the az had no fan. did put one in it.
http://www.satelliteguys.us/free-air...ml#post1948044

where i have theSV-8000 have a few fans and a plug in box to a 12v trans so i can use a few at a time off it, i made up.

sorry about the radio thing. i hope you enjoy the SV-8000 as much as i have.

**zamar23** · 10-09-2009 11:32 AM

Anyone knows, what exact type, or make and model number of 4-pin connector is used in SV8000HD power supply board and also in main board (to hook up the front panel USB board)? I can't find similar 4-pin connector or any "4-pin (Sonicview type) to 4-pin Molex" cable or pass-through (Molex) adapter cable to hook up extra 2 silent fans without splicing wires. See pic of the 4-pin connector attached.

**daddyzlod** · 10-10-2009 12:23 AM

Got the repaired SV back, the other day, and hooked it up. and it seems to be working real good.
I haven't opened it up yet, to put the bigger cooling fan back in, and nose around to see what they did(changed fan back to factory, when sent in), maybe this Sunday.
I did notice that the firmware that they put in is 2.50, and took out the 4.02, which I downloaded from the
Sonicview web site, awhile back.

**madmadworld** · 10-14-2009 02:39 PM

take it all is well with the Patient and he is back to work. lol
how is it going.
and what was the total the Doctor's got you for ?

**daddyzlod** · 10-14-2009 03:24 PM

It is working good, and the total cost was $50.00

**madmadworld** · 10-16-2009 12:24 AM

Originally Posted by daddyzlod

It is working good, and the total cost was $50.00

good to hear that.
i might have to send mine in. it worked well for years on just ku, but since i added all the c-band sats to it back about 6 months ago. it is messing up, can't remember motor settings is the worse thing.
before that 1 just had 2 c-band sats for years that was all the 5 footer would get.
might buy a new one and use it just for ku and let my old one do the c-band as a slave.
i feel bad for messing it up it has been the best box i ever had.