AZBOX Tuners for the Premium Pluss

[beavs2112]

Good and bad. Just received the new Premium Plus receiver. Opened the carton to make sure everything arrived intact (it did) only to find the power cord is for use with a 250V power source. I guess someone at Azboxusa.com thinks Texas actually went ahead and seceded, and then joined Western Europe.

Nope, we're still part of the good ole USA, dust storms, horses, pickup trucks and ya'all. But now the challenge is to find an 250/120 adapter in WEST Texas, where the mantra of all retailers here is "we can order it for you". I'll start with Wally World but don't hold out much hope. The 1 TB HDD arrived yesterday and I really want to get underway. I don't see this adapter listed on the Azboxusa.com site. I'm sure I can find it by searching but wanted to get started now. You'd never know I was ready to replace the Coolsat would you??? :>)

Flinthill

sorry Flinthill i forgot to mention about the cord. mine came the same way. i purchased a cord to go from the wall outlet to the separate power supply box and it fits fine. it was at a local small factory surplus discont type store. when i'm done scanning the skies tonite i'll take a quick pic and post it tommorrow. if radio shack doesn't pan out let us know.

 

[beavs2112]

here's pics of the end of my new cord and the place in the power supply it goes into along with the specs for the power supply.

 

[Flinthill]

beavs2112 & Radar

Thanks guys for your help with my cord issue. Actually, I found a simple solution. Went to the storage barn, pulled out the box containing a multitude of old wall warts, power transformers and cords. At the very bottom of the box I found a cord with the proper female connector with a male 120v AC plug on the other end, just waiting to be put back into use. It plugs into the Azbox transformer perfectly. The cord likely is left over from some early 1990's laptop...I usually don't throw away anything...and sometimes it is worth toting it around from one house to another.

Now to get busy and print out RADARS guide sheets, the Premium pdf manual and the tuner pdf.

Flinthill

 

[sony1]

Are the S2 tuners the same in all AZbox's.

Would a S2 tuner in Azbox Elite work in Azbox Premium +?

 

[Lone Gunman]

Are the S2 tuners the same in all AZbox's.

Would a S2 tuner in Azbox Elite work in Azbox Premium +?

I was wondering about something similar to that. The guy in Miami that sells on fleabay has a card listed for a Premium but doesn't say whether it will work in an Elite? I sent him a message the other day asking that question but have yet to receive an answer.

 

[beavs2112]

I'm sure I can find it by searching but wanted to get started now. You'd never know I was ready to replace the Coolsat would you??? :>)

Flinthill

Flinthill i know exactly what you mean. when i ordered mine it just couldn't get here fast enough. the 4:2:2 video capability is awesome if you like HD programs.

Are the S2 tuners the same in all AZbox's.

Would a S2 tuner in Azbox Elite work in Azbox Premium +?

I was wondering about something similar to that. The guy in Miami that sells on fleabay has a card listed for a Premium but doesn't say whether it will work in an Elite? I sent him a message the other day asking that question but have yet to receive an answer.

sony1 and lone gunman. i do not believe the Elite and Premium models tuner are able to be used in the Premium Plus model. i looked at the opensat azbox official website here Set Top Boxes, Media Center: High Definition | AZBOX under the products/accessories/tuner area they have the different model tuners available. the S2 tuners are listed as " Tuner DVB-S2 (E&P) " and " Tuner DVB-S2 (P+) ". focus on the info inside the brackets. (E&P) i believe means Elite and Premium models. (P+) i believe means the Premium Plus model. so to summarize the Elite and Premium models use the same tuner but the Premium Plus model is different. another clue that the Premium Plus model is different is the picture of the card. The Premium Plus model tuner looks longer and thinner than Elite and Premium model in the pictures. The Premium Plus model tuner has the connectors for the circuit board in a different spot also. So make absolutely sure what model receiver you have before you order a card. I think AZ used to sell an "Ultra" model also. Maybe some of the other site members that have an Ultra could tell you if their cards look like the (E&P) model or the (P+) model. Hope that info helps and doesn't confuse the issue further..

 

[beavs2112]

Beavs2112

I'm glad you have some experience with these matters because you could soon become the go-to Guru for us. :>) Hope you don't mind.

Flinthill

I humbly think there are a lot of members on this site with much more experience/knowledge of FTA than me. my being a go-to guru could be filed under the " you know you're scraping the bottom of the barrel when .... " category.

 

[stargaze]

Good and bad. Just received the new Premium Plus receiver. Opened the carton to make sure everything arrived intact (it did) only to find the power cord is for use with a 250V power source. I guess someone at Azboxusa.com thinks Texas actually went ahead and seceded, and then joined Western Europe.

Nope, we're still part of the good ole USA, dust storms, horses, pickup trucks and ya'all. But now the challenge is to find an 250/120 adapter in WEST Texas, where the mantra of all retailers here is "we can order it for you". I'll start with Wally World but don't hold out much hope. The 1 TB HDD arrived yesterday and I really want to get underway. I don't see this adapter listed on the Azboxusa.com site. I'm sure I can find it by searching but wanted to get started now. You'd never know I was ready to replace the Coolsat would you??? :>)

Flinthill

Since that section of cord is like many of the ones found even on the 4dtv receivers that may be an option for you.
I was told by my dealer though that you should only use the ones provided by the azbox company.
The end connector which is what I believe your missing you should be able to find at any radio shack as Radar suggested. I'd recommend you pick one up and replace the cord you had found just in case.

Also, you may want to print out the pdf file that was posted here:

http://www.satelliteguys.us/azbox-discussion/232104-z-users-guide-azbox.html

This has much of what Radar has been saying and we re-worked it a little to help new users who needed things in one place.
It was put together quickly, and there will be a 2nd version coming out later when certain new info is tested out and put into writing.
That one will take a bit longer to be put together, but this one should keep you well informed.

 

[stargaze]

Over the last year or so I've tried several times to buy a second S2 tuner for my AZ but NONE is available through that dealer in Miami and I wouldn't have one from rick if it was given to me.

I wanted a second one so I could split C and Ku but so far I haven't found one. They had a bunch of other tuners available on fleabay but NO S2.

If you find a source for those I'd like to know about it.

Why not just purchase a second azbox? You know that one is just never enough.
I have 3 and there will be a 4th one for another dish. Use a 4x1 switch for the cable, to reduce the number of lines and a HFS -2/2150 splitter to run the lines from both C & ku to the 4x1 switch. (this is done with the az as a slaved receiver).
I can scan on one while watching on another and have another taping a show all at the same time, you just have to make sure the remote can not get to the az's you don't want it to, else your really messed up!

 

[AcWxRadar]

Flinthill,

This might prove useful.

Refer to this file: "AZBox_dual_tuner.pdf" That I attached in post #12.

I received my new second DVB-S2 tuner for my Premium Plus AZBox and installed it. I don't have it connected to anything at the moment, so I am not fully testing it yet. However, without doing any reformatting or specialized setup procedures, when I went to the SETTINGS > TV Channel menu, it automatically brought up a new menu here, different than what we are accustomed to seeing on all the AZBoxes.

It now displays:

Tuner A. DVB-S (Separated / Twin / Loop Through)
Tuner B. DVB-S
IP Channel
Always start in TV mode [ON/OFF]

Just below these option items it displays a graphic image showing the hook up connections depending upon which mode you select on the first line (after tuner A).
The images are identical to the images shown in the pdf file. When you change the selection, it changes the image.
If you select TWIN or LOOP THROUGHT, it "grays out" tuner B above. If you read the pdf manual, it makes sense as to why it becomes grayed out.

This is just FYI so far.

RADAR

 

[Flinthill]

Since that section of cord is like many of the ones found even on the 4dtv receivers that may be an option for you.
I was told by my dealer though that you should only use the ones provided by the azbox company.
The end connector which is what I believe your missing you should be able to find at any radio shack as Radar suggested. I'd recommend you pick one up and replace the cord you had found just in case.

Stargaze, thanks for your guidance. I did a close visual on both female connectors (the original & the one I found) and both appeared the same. I then used a highly scientific instrument (a common nail) to approximate the inside dimension of the internal metal terminal in each connector. I determined that there was no more than .002 of an inch difference between them. I have since put the used cord into service and the transformer/receiver seems to be happy.

Also, you may want to print out the pdf file that was posted here:

http://www.satelliteguys.us/azbox-discussion/232104-z-users-guide-azbox.html

This has much of what Radar has been saying and we re-worked it a little to help new users who needed things in one place.
It was put together quickly, and there will be a 2nd version coming out later when certain new info is tested out and put into writing.
That one will take a bit longer to be put together, but this one should keep you well informed.

I printed out this manual a couple of days ago and have read it front to back. You and RADAR have done a top notch job in compiling all the pertinent posts. I Have tried to follow it as closely as possible as I begin my journey with the P+. I have made a few oversights so far, but in order to keep this thread on topic I'll initiate another one concerning those questions and missteps.

 

[Flinthill]

RADAR, keep us posted on the tuner developments. I've got my hands full right now getting the new receiver into operation but want to order one soon. Good Luck

Flinthill

 

[stargaze]

I am curious why the second tuner?
I was told that you could not view one program and scan a satellite at the same time with the second tuner but maybe one could record a program on one tuner and use the second to watch something else but that was sketchy at best.
If one wants it set up to split C & ku wouldn't a 4x1 switch give you the same end results? (provided you have your satellites set up properly in the receiver).

I would imaging if the benefits were really great more folks would be clamoring for them. I could see getting one to have as a back up just in case there was a problem with the original but wondering all the same if there is a real benefit to installing a second tuner and why?

 

[AcWxRadar]

I am curious why the second tuner?
I was told that you could not view one program and scan a satellite at the same time with the second tuner but maybe one could record a program on one tuner and use the second to watch something else but that was sketchy at best.
If one wants it set up to split C & ku wouldn't a 4x1 switch give you the same end results? (provided you have your satellites set up properly in the receiver).

I would imaging if the benefits were really great more folks would be clamoring for them. I could see getting one to have as a back up just in case there was a problem with the original but wondering all the same if there is a real benefit to installing a second tuner and why?

StarGaze,

If you configure the two tuners to be "absolutely" separated (not the TWIN or the LOOP THROUGH configurations), then it is supposed to respond as if you had TWO AZBoxes sitting side by side. You are supposed to be able to control TWO separate motors and have TWO individual satellite lists. Whether this works as designed and advertised is a totally different matter and no one has reported their findings - one way or another - that I have read (YET). So, someone has to be a guinnea pig for this subject. I nominate myself, but I will not have answers very soon. I have to set up an additional dish to test this fully. A timeline for that cannot be determined right now. Weather, work schedule and other matters may take precedence.

RADAR

 

[stargaze]

I thought this may be possible as you say that is why I'm asking. People who make this or sell them have no working knowledge AFAIC.
Heck we even have to make up our own user guide to figure it all out.
I hope whoever tries it first will post the experience here as it would be good to know.
I don't think I will be getting a second tuner anytime soon since I already have 3 azbox's.

 

[Apprentice]

I want an OTA tuner for it

 

[Babadem]

Last night, I took a little excursion to search for this and found that "axboxusa" has secondary DVB-S2 tuners to fit the AZBox premium plus receivers in stock!

I ordered one to test.

It was about $73 or $78, somewhere in there with all S&H fees. I will install it and see if it works and let you know what I find out.

RADAR

Looking forward to reading the review/feedback.

 

[Lone Gunman]

p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Well, over the weekend I did some checking on this S2 add in card thingie and my AZBox Elite. First I want to state the reason for wanting a second tuner that was listed for a Premium Plus. I traded some Emails with Hugo Condessa, CEO of OpenSat back about a year and a half ago now. I was questioning why blind scan wasn't incorporated into the AZ when they were designed it and I also asked if there was a chance that a new add in card could be made to add that capability to the units that were already out there. Without giving me any “specifics” but only suggestions that it could be added he finally told me in about the 3rd message that blind scan was indeed in the works so I went ahead and purchased an Elite thinking that I'd be able to upgrade it to blind scan. What he didn't tell me was that it would be an entirely new receiver???


Anyway, now that you have some background on that part, I'll explain what I was looking for with an add in Premium Plus tuner. Since I work on PCs I had this thought in the back of my mind that if I were a manufacturer and wanted to sell more units, then the best way to do that would be to just offer the blind scan capability in a new unit rather than a conversion of the existing ones out there already. That way people would have to buy a new one to get the hardware blind scan feature.



Since these boxes are suppose to have “plug in” cards, I was thinking that “maybe”, just maybe they had just added a blind scan card into the existing units and called them a Premium Plus without changing anything but the tuner card. See, they use the exact same firmware in ALL versions and that fact also gave me hope that the Premium Plus card would indeed work in my Elite and also convert it to hardware blind scan in the process.


Until recently there were no pictures available of that hardware blind scan S2 tuner so last weekend I pulled the tuner out of my Elite so I could compare it to the pictures I've see of the recent S2 Premium Plus cards and I've concluded that the Elite is a bastard child as the tuner in that receiver isn't a standard “plug in” card but instead has a ribbon cable attached to it that connects to the motherboard. There are NO connections on the card itself that connect directly to the motherboard so what it is is what it is and it can't be changed.



Back to square one I guess, which means spend more money! With all the satellite equipment I've bought in the past, I've probably spent enough money that I could have had a sub with DTV for a few years and not spent any more. It's kinda like when the Wife drives 15 miles across town to a "sale" to save a dollar not thinking about the $3 worth of gas it takes to get there and back. And that's not counting wear and tare on the vehicle. :up

 

[Flinthill]

RADAR,

Did I understand you to say the P+ second tuner costs $280 dollars? If that is correct I'd say Azbox is pretty proud of their products. Does that include shipping?

Flinthill

 

[1inabillion]

I want an OTA tuner for it

I 2nd that on the OTA tuner. :up