Start up advice for Newbie.

Hi
As I mentioned I'm likely to buy a Sunray DM800 HD SE (it's a clone of course) with A8P SIM. Comes with #84 loader.
What is the most sensible sequence to adopt to get this going, initially FTA and then with CCCam please?
I already have a 1 metre dish with a single LNB driven by a 36 volt motor and a V-box, tracking from about 40deg East to 30 deg. West. This is currently connected to a FortecStar RX with a DiabloCam, so you can see why I want to move on.
Thanks for any help, and apologies if I'm covering too much old ground.

A8P uses original images so flash the one of your choice.

Id go with OpenPLI 3 after flashing it will run through setup so just match the tuner option to advanced as youll need that for the vbox to use with diseqc .

After flashing installing a channel list would be the next step to get your FTA sorted.

If you need any guides then say which and we will see what we can find for you.

I have now received my box. I decided to check it out initially by setting it up as a very simple receiver, single LNB, no rotor, just on 28.2. It has come with Enigma II installed and also a long list of satellites and transponders.
However, so far I cannot display any pictures. It does show a strong signal and zero error in the "Satfinder menu" but will not tune any stations. Using the existing list it says "No data on transponder" and no EPG info at all.
Have I missed something very obvious, or is there possibly a real fault? I've not made any attempt to install a new image yet, and have not even linked it to a PC. I've also resisted the temptation to open the box so far.

zwizz said:

I have now received my box. I decided to check it out initially by setting it up as a very simple receiver, single LNB, no rotor, just on 28.2. It has come with Enigma II installed and also a long list of satellites and transponders.
However, so far I cannot display any pictures. It does show a strong signal and zero error in the "Satfinder menu" but will not tune any stations. Using the existing list it says "No data on transponder" and no EPG info at all.
Have I missed something very obvious, or is there possibly a real fault? I've not made any attempt to install a new image yet, and have not even linked it to a PC. I've also resisted the temptation to open the box so far.

Click to expand...

Menu-setup-service searching-tuner config

Setup as

Simple
Single
28E save and exit

Menu-setup-service searching-manual scan

Select 28e full sat scan

After scan is complete press the bouquet button and then green for satellites and select a channel.

I think that I have followed this path pretty closely. What happens is that when I do either a manual scan of 1 transponder(e.g. that carrying BBC 1London) or an automatic scan of the whole satellite then it finds no channels. If however I go to "Satfinder" and enter BBC1 London frequency (10773 H 22000) then it shows 100% signal, 16db, and zero BER. I've tried both "Simple " LNB setting and advanced with just 1 LNB and both are the same. I have the LNB connected directly to the Dreambox, not even looped through my Humax Freesat box.
I'm a bit perplexed.

Have you tried a manual tp scan with a known working frequency and are you 100% sure your dish is pointed at 28e ?

Yes, it's a fixed sky dish which normally feeds both my TV and Freesat box. What is puzzling me is the indication when I select "Satfinder" from the menu. I use the BBC transponder on 28.2 as I mentioned; that shows good signal on the "Satfinder" menu with that frequency selected but when I do a manual scan it finds nothing at all.
Could this be a real fault?

Try another know frequencies or better still load a channel list if that cure the problem it may be a old satellite.xml in the image you have now.

i use vhannibal sat/epg list google it nice epg .

Vhannibal list is a chanenl list. It is not epg.

For time being as only connected to 28.2, best to use a 28.2 list only such as Rat's, Sgt Flip Flops.
Enigma 2 Channel Lists

For later, there should be a tutorial about configuring the satellite settings using a vbox positioner. Vhannibal list will be good for the the motorised setup.

I'll try it on my motorised dish on Thor or Astra, probably later today. A family member with two DM800HDs, one original, is going to have a look tomorrow if I've not made any progress by then. He is very competent in this area and also has a media center running off a motorised dish. He should be able to spot any obvious errors.

Sgtflipflop/bricktop lists. If no joy, Tuner possibly suspect. I had one that was DOA

Thaskitz, that's my fear at the moment, hope to confirm tomorrow evening. Haven't yet confirmed item delivered safe and sound and fully working.

Sounds very similar to the problems i had with my box ,tried everything that was suggested but in the end the tuner was faulty,when i fitted new tuner problem was solved,so if your family member can get a similar tuner then try it out on your box.

Are the tuners plug and play, i.e. does it need to be identical or will any one from a DM800HD be ok (not an SE)?

zwizz said:

Are the tuners plug and play, i.e. does it need to be identical or will any one from a DM800HD be ok (not an SE)?

Click to expand...

Go with a rev m tuner mate.

Update on progress so far.
I discovered today that if I attempt a scan immediately after restarting the box then it will find a number of transponders on 28.2, between 40-70. It then stops scanning and will not react to any tuning command.
If the box is then restarted again it will display pictures for 3 or 4 minutes, then locks up again unless no attempt is made to change channels is made when it keeps displaying the current channel, apparently indefinitely; however it is impossible to change channels and if an attempt is made to do this it goes dark and does not react to any channel commands.
Is this more likely to be a tuner or control system fault?
I'm about to ask for a replacement receiver as I've still not released the funds.

New Rev M tuner on its way (from UK). Will report later, hopefully soon.

Rev M tuner duly arrived and installed.
Unfortunately fault remains with no apparent change.
Box is going back to China on Monday.
Seller has made PayPal payment to cover Royal Mail charge for return carriage.

zwizz said:

Rev M tuner duly arrived and installed.
Unfortunately fault remains with no apparent change.
Box is going back to China on Monday.
Seller has made PayPal payment to cover Royal Mail charge for return carriage.

Click to expand...

Thats a result at least the seller is covering your return postage..It can be quite expensive.