Quali-TV 1080i

Mr Tony

SatelliteGuys Pro
Original poster
Supporting Founder
Nov 17, 2003
1,678
6,131
Mankato, MN
Recently I decided to purchase a Quali-TV 1080i. I have heard that this receiver does 4:2:0 and 4:2:2 in both SD & HD. With more feeds going 4:2:2 I knew I’d have to upgrade the existing setup. I didn’t want a PC card for a couple reasons.
-the computer is in a different room than the TV setup
-my computer is around 6 years old
-I do a lot of sports recording and wanted to use the hard drive/DVD recorder I have

So I decided to take a chance on the Quali-TV (referred to as The Q from now on) and boy am I happy I did. The Q is a receiver from the Netherlands that can run on 120 or 240v. When it arrived, it was the receiver, manual, and remote. Also included was the adapter to convert the plug from the European plug to the North American one. On the back is satellite in, loop out, a DVI output to go to a HDTV, SPDIF output, Component connectors and the normal A/V connectors. No rf cable (there are scart connectors) but with a box that you’ll be mainly using for HD & 4:2:2, why would you use a coax output??

Plugged it in and hooked up the cable that I had set up for it. This was going to give me SBS6/H2 (for feeds), G10 (for RetroJams), C-Band and a feed from the motorized. Turned the receiver on and was greeted with a simple menu. Selected Installation and away we go. There are 2 ways to set up the Q, either Diseqc 1.0 or Diseqc 1.2. Sine I am using a 4x1 switch, we’ll set up for Diseqc 1.0. From other users of the Q, you usually want to slave this to your existing setup and not set it up for Diseqc 1.2 and I’ll explain as I go along. The first thing I noticed is there is only 4 satellite spots for Diseqc 1.0...so no 8 LNB setups on this. The cool thing is everything is right there. No need to fish through the menus to find it. Since we are slaving it, I left the sats as Satellite 1,2,3,4. I probably will change 3 & 4 to SBS6 & G10 later. For fun, I did hook it up and tried it on Diseqc 1.2 and the motor did work flawlessly but you can’t have Diseqc 1.2 & a diseqc switch involved. It will work with a 22k switch so you could do KU & DBS (like the Invacom Quad) with a motorized. Also not all of the satellites we use here in the US are listed (remember, this is a European receiver so that really wouldn't work). So we’ll stick to the fixed dish system.

Everything has to be manually put into the Q. No blind scan (one reason to slave it). Entry really isn’t that bad. Set your power, LNB LO and 22k (under the LNB LO you do have an option for “Universal”). Entering transponders really isn’t that hard. You move to the transponder info and hit “OK” and it drops you to the entry box. Hit the blue button and enter the TP info. Once its entered hit OK and it will show you the signal meter and “locked” if its locked on. One thing on transponder entry is you have to be really close to the info or it won’t work. Some receivers can be 5 or 6 off on the frequency and up to 10 on the symbol rate and still log the channel. The Q you have to be close. Luckily the Coolsat 5000 is really close on blind scan. So I entered in the stuff for SBS6, G10, G16 C-Band and I set up AMC1 KU for the NBC feeds that are 4:2:2. After entering you can scan by transponder, satellite, NIT (Network scan), or all sats (which would be all 4). I did a satellite scan.

The channels scan and log in rather easily. If there is no name on the channel, it logs the channel as a blank name. One thing to note is you cannot edit satellite names or channel names. So what scans in is what you get. But since its mainly used for feeds, I didn’t care :)

Now lets see if it truly lives up to the hype. Tuned in G10 and the picture was very clean on the Equity channels. Tuned to Retro Jams and it outputs AC-3 as is through the speakers. So far so good. Changing satellites is pretty easy. Press the red button and it brings up the satellite list. Press it to go to the next satellite. Unfortunately there is no “all sat” option. Another quirk of the Q. Scanned in AMC1 to see how it plays the 4:2:2 NBC feeds. For the first time ever, I can view them. Nice and clean. I did scan in a couple feeds and it played them flawlessly. Scanned in AMC3 PBS HD and it plays that with awesome clarity. I have only run into a 4:2:2 HD feed but did scan that in. There is a green line on the bottom that is about 3/4" high. Not really a big deal as I used the “zoom” feature on my HDTV. Also since there are very few 4:2:2 HD feeds, its not a big deal but a quirk.

Channel deleting is a snap. Select Fav & Lock and enter password (1234). Select the channels with the green button to delete. Red button to make favorites and yellow to move them (I did move some of the G4/G16 stuff around).

The Q even has picture in picture which is kinda neat. But there are some limitations
-you cant swap pics
-you are limited to the same transponder. So while this works for a TP like G10 or G25, you can't have 2 feeds going at same time :(

Some of the features of the Q are
-simple menus
-easy setup
-Diseqc 1.0 or 1.2
-can decode 4:2:0 SD, 4:2:0 HD, 4:2:2 SD & 4:2:2 HD
-AC-3 automatic through the receiver
-channels stay logged in even if you delete the transponder

Some of the quirks of the Q. I’m not calling them negatives because this is an older box
-no way to edit satellites or channels
-no manual PID entry
-have to manually enter transponder info
-no way to expand beyond 4 LNB’s

If you do decide to set it up for Diseqc 1.2, not all the satellites from North America are listed. Remember this is a European receiver. This is one of the reasons why I suggest slaving the receiver. Also the reason we used Satellite 1,2,3,4 in the menu setup is my C-Band and KU Band are always being moved. So there is no reason to have a specific satellite listed. If you just use 2 satellites ( C& KU ) just use satellite 1 & 2

All and all I am very happy with the receiver despite it minor quirks. The fact that I can view 4:2:2 feeds now along with HD makes this a great box. No more will I grumble when I find a feed only to see the infamous green tearing screen on the Coolsat :)

pics below..the 10th & 16th pics are 4:2:2...10th is the WB syndication feeds and the 16th is NBC from AMC1
 

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Last edited:
Nice!
How many channels can it store, if you've learned that yet? How many transponders ?

I dont know how many channels since I only have the 4 sats set up but under the transponder menu there are 20 pages of transponders you can enter. So 140 transponders per satellite. But the cool part is if you override the transponder info, the channels stay logged in.
 
starman
The menus are really simple too. Only ones I really use are install (to load channels) and the favorites (to delete the feeds when done)
 
added that the Q also does picture in picture.

The Q even has picture in picture which is kinda neat. But there are some limitations
-you cant swap pics
-you are limited to the same transponder. So while this works for a TP like G10 or G25, you can't have 2 feeds going at same time
 
thebrit

Hi Iceberg and a big thankyou,why? well I am new to this site and I read your article I came by it because I wanted some info on MPEG 4:2:2 reception That mode has been in use by English and European Feeds for a long time now. When I first saw the Quali tv rx It was to expensive for me to buy being around £500 so I thought that maybe another rx capable of 4:2:2 would soon be available at a cheaper price unfortunately that did not happen and after 4 years the price has actually gone up to £600 even though the rx is obsolete i.e there are far better rx available here in europe at a fraction of the price. Anyway the amount of 4:2:2 Feeds is increasing all the time so it was neccesary for me to obtain something to resolve the matter.That is when I came across your Info and it made me determined to obtain a unit, A computer card was not suitable as its to messy and you can't beat a standalone unit. Ok so in a couple of days I had located a satellite shop and that was not easy, that had an ex demo model that they sold me for a fraction of the original price and was I made up, at last I could monitor all those BBC & EBU feeds that for so long now have been using 4:2:2. By the way there are still loads of MPEG 4:2:0 Feeds but things are changing.The model that I have is the Quali-tv 1080IRCI the one with the display in the middle of the front panel.The menu display looks the same as your rx. Besides the 4:2:2 capability this rx is also excellent with NTSC signals,I notice that the video output can be changed to 460i & 460p when receiving NTSC signals.Most NTSC signals are easy to rx on an ordinary sat rx but NBC have recently altered the video in such a way as it is difficult to lock the video on an ordinary rx,its as though maybe a sync signal is missing on the video and the rx keeps having to catch up with the video however the quali rx copes with it very well and produces a rock solid picture. All in all a great rx.Oh and by the way Iceberg what is the latest software that you have loaded in your rx? I have been a bit wary of changing mine in case I lose the 4:2:2 capability.I gather from your article that you are interested in feeds Iceberg so if you want any info on what we rx here in England then let me know. All the best for now and thanks for a very good article.
 
Anyway the amount of 4:2:2 Feeds is increasing all the time so it was neccesary for me to obtain something to resolve the matter.
here in the states 4:2:2 seems to start gaining speed on KU Band now...Fox Sports Net likes to use 4:2:2 alot.

That is when I came across your Info and it made me determined to obtain a unit, A computer card was not suitable as its to messy and you can't beat a standalone unit. Ok so in a couple of days I had located a satellite shop and that was not easy, that had an ex demo model that they sold me for a fraction of the original price and was I made up, at last I could monitor all those BBC & EBU feeds that for so long now have been using 4:2:2. By the way there are still loads of MPEG 4:2:0 Feeds but things are changing.
there are still alot of 4:2:0 feeds here but more are switching to 4:2:2 which I didn't like. After numerous blind scans and finding a feed I wanted only to get the dreaded "tear screen" (which my regular receiver does when it finds a 4:2:2 feed) I finally had enough and upgraded. Well worth it :)

The model that I have is the Quali-tv 1080IRCI the one with the display in the middle of the front panel.The menu display looks the same as your rx.
interesting

All in all a great rx.Oh and by the way Iceberg what is the latest software that you have loaded in your rx? I have been a bit wary of changing mine in case I lose the 4:2:2 capability.
the newest out there. When I got the receiver it had the newest (which is about a year old I think) software in it. Same as what is on the Q website

I gather from your article that you are interested in feeds Iceberg so if you want any info on what we rx here in England then let me know. All the best for now and thanks for a very good article.
Thanks :)
The main reason I like it is for the sports feeds. My Coolsat 5000 I use for normal programming but we have way fewer channels here than you do "across the pond" ;)
I always chuckle when I see reviews in Tele-Satellite and they say "5000 channels...a little low on the capacity" :D
 
Fine review, as always. - :cool: - :up

Sounds like way more transponders per bird than anyone would use.

As for PiP, your TV probably does that, so no points off for it being swapless and confined to the same transponder.
Just nice that you have it at all.

Some comment about the price would have been in order.
I've heard $700, and $350, so I don't know the current party line.

Seems a shame the receiver appears to be abandoned by the maker.
Are there that many competitors in Europe, that it's not worth dusting off and sprucing up with newer firmware?
Do they have a Mark II in the works?

Maybe they read the FUD about the Passion, and threw in the towel...? - :rolleyes:
If they'd only known that 18 months later we'd still be Passionless, perhaps the Q would have gotten more development. - :cool:
 
Q's limits

Nice review and pretty darned accurate. I've had one for a couple of years and the picture is great along with ease of operation. One thing about the number of channels stored. I can tell you that with mine, when you get about 100, it gets a bit wierd. It will scan'/lock and then show a blank screen. Sometimes when you hit the red then yellow buttons, you can scroll to the right freq/sr channel and press the enter button. The picture might show up. If not, it's time for a reset. You loose your channels, but all will be well for a while until you get "too many" channels stored. For HD and especially 4:2:2, you can't beat it.
 
that doesnt bother me as its slaved...so I really only use 2 satellites in it and delete the channels after a weekend of scanning :)
 
Did I miss something, ICE? Can you tell us where you purchased your Q? I would like to buy one, but want to buy from reputable dealer.
 
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