GEOSATpro HDVR3500 - New DVBS2 STB - Photos and Initial Testing

[. Raine]

Personal Preference.... Myself, I scan All then use the channel sort (FTA/ $$$) to separate. I find that so many channels scan as a pay channel but are either false flagged or they turn off the encryption and open it with the encrytion flag still positive. I often surf through these "$$$" channels and find them open.

Some STBs recall the previous use setting and apply to the next time the function is used. More programming work, but hey... someone needs top put kids through college (or eat)!

That would be perfect, recalling the previous use setting!

Until an hour ago I didn't even now that two memory sizes were being sold.

I understand that the only difference of the two models is the size of the internal flash storage. Don't know if there is any way to know what model you have unless you check the storage menu screen. Anything on your serial number that indicate 16GB?

Doesn't seem to be. This is the serial # of the unit in the STB info screen : 0x000000041, and there's a sticker on the box that says Serial No.. GE1411A41-04251. different number on the box and the unit, odd. I assume though that the box number is hardware serial # and the other is from the developer of the firmware.

Just looked on the unit and the box # is on a sticker on the bottom of the receiver too.

 

[Titanium]

You should check with your reseller. Maybe they don't know that they are shipping units with 64GB internal flash.

I hadn't been checking, until you brought this up. I verified that my stock is 64GB. Thank you!

 

[N6BY]

...
Doesn't seem to be. This is the serial # of the unit in the STB info screen : 0x000000041, and there's a sticker on the box that says Serial No.. GE1411A41-04251. different number on the box and the unit, odd. I assume though that the box number is hardware serial # and the other is from the developer of the firmware....

So the '41' on your info screen matches the '41' in the 8th and 9th positions of your serial number.

My STB info screen serial number (shown in post #159 here) matches the 8th and 9th positions of my sticker too '01'. I am not 100% certain if the 2 digit matches are simply a coincidence or consistent among boxes. Doesn't really matter though.

As for the hardware configuration, the only connection I have found so far is that my model number 'HW_VFD_N256_DDR256_1' contains the amount of flash NAND and DDR3 RAM (both 256 MB) which is confirmed by the chip labels.

My HDVR3500 with a 64GB flash drive came from Titanium. Prospective purchasers will probably want to know who is selling units with a 16GB drive?

 

[N6BY]

I recorded some things to the internal hard drive.

One of them I want to keep, and I dont see a way to copy the file to the external USB drive.

Does anyone know a way to do this?

The manual on page 23 says says how to do this, but unfortunately the instructions do not appear to match this box.

The flash drive is not soldered in place so you could take it out and copy the files using a computer. Just 3 screws to remove the cover. I saw how easy that was when I watched Titanium do it during my visit there. You may have to unscrew and lift the main board to get enough clearance to remove the flash drive.

Here's a photo of the inside (flash drive on the right side in this photo).

 

[Gfox]

Some bugs that I encountered in testing the recording function of the newest firmware:
1) Pressed 'record' and entered a duration of 1 hour. After an hour I looked at the DVR recording list and it wasn't there.
2) Recordings over 4 GB are shown in the HDVR3500's DVR list, but not in VLC's plug-n-play directory. I verified this with my network tap runnning Wireshark. The packet capture showed that the HDVR3500 included only the smaller files in the directory list, but nothing over 4 GB. So its not VLC's fault.
3) Recordings currently in progress are not shown in VLC's directory listing like they were in the previous firmware.
4) While recording with the new firmware it lets me change channels. The previous release prompted me and said 'This operation is not allowed while recording' and gave me options to stop or cancel. This new release seems to halt recording without warning. I liked it before when it warned me that I would lose the recording.
5) I tried recording a channel on 117W which was barely above the threshold of being receivable. Within a minute it locked up the HDVR3500 and the only way out was to cycle the power.

All these recording tests were made using the built-in 64GB drive that came with the unit.

Can the firmware version be rolled back in order to regain the ability to RECORD? I upgraded to the 935 version and now cannot record manually or scheduled. I tried a Factory Default/Restore all with no luck. I tried to roll back by going to the Online Update and selected version 898 version from the drop down list but that did not roll it back either. If a newer version is not near rollout then can I roll back to the original version to allow the record to work?

 

[Martyn]

In this case where the STB is more likely to be purchased by an average user and not us super hobbyists, I disagree that custom service naming should be the default. I would suggest instead that a check option for advanced users lock the SID from updating on a per service selection.

This would be great. There are so many "No name" or "Service 01" or "Ch 1" stations and I like to have the proper names in there otherwise I can never find things.

As I mentioned before, this is my single biggest wishlist item. I'll probably buy another receiver if this feature arrives.

If not, I'll do what I did on the MicroHD and create a new transponder just slightly off frequency or SR so the blind scan never overwrites it but it's close enough to pull in the programs. I can rename those with no problem. But it's a greater hassle, especially when there are so many SCPC channels on 113 and 117.

 

[N6BY]

Can the firmware version be rolled back in order to regain the ability to RECORD? I upgraded to the 935 version and now cannot record manually or scheduled. I tried a Factory Default/Restore all with no luck. I tried to roll back by going to the Online Update and selected version 898 version from the drop down list but that did not roll it back either. If a newer version is not near rollout then can I roll back to the original version to allow the record to work?

I did exactly that yesterday so I could record again. You can't restore it online so I had to request it from Titanium. I don't think I'm authorized to post the rollback firmware file here. If I was I would do it for you.

 

[rodder]

Any idea when the update is coming to change sat positions

 

[Titanium]

I understood that manual DiSEqC 1.2 motor number assignment was to be active on this firmware, but have been told it will be active on the next release.

I see no reason not to archive previous firmware versions for download like we have on other products. Maybe an admin could advise?

 

[KE4EST]

We took out our archive of receiver firmware files as it is hard to know exactly which ones are designed for hacking, even if it says it is not.
Too many PM's and emails saying that thus and such is hackerware, etc, etc.
However....
Being that this receiver is sold and marketed as a true FTA receiver, not just another box from Europe that can be used in several ways, I will set something up here shortly.

 

[KE4EST]

I don't think I'm authorized to post the rollback firmware file here. If I was I would do it for you.

Posting firmware here is fine.

I see no reason not to archive previous firmware versions for download like we have on other products. Maybe an admin could advise?

Just post each firmware here in a new thread as it comes out. Use a good title, so users can find it with search if they need it.

 

[N6BY]

I was wondering why they would design a quad-core box with only 256MB, so I took off the heat sink. The HDVR3500 that I received has a Hi3712 which is a dual core.

 

[Titanium]

These are spec'd to be 3788m chipsets. Now it makes sense why I am only seeing two cores when looking at top via Telenet.

 

[N6BY]

It is what it is. Still receives DVB-S2 and all those music channels. Just not as powerful as I had hoped.

... Off to Fry's for some thermal adhesive. Can't plug mine back in for a while.

 

[SatelliteAV]

1) Its a quad-core linux box with 256MB of DDR3 RAM, 256MB of NAND flash, WiFi, Ethernet, HDMI, Component, a serial port (LOL), and 2 USB 2.0 ports. A 3rd USB port is inside the box with a 64GB flash memory stick plugged in (for recordings and time shifting).
2) I think it is currently the most capable STB for satellite radio since it can receive 8PSK ACM (on 125W) and scan more than 32 PIDs per transponder.
3) It has XBMC, YouTube, and some other apps.
4) Its one of the few satellite boxes that does a good job of keeping the correct time.

What I think it needs:
1) More RAM (but that would require a new circuit board since its soldered on). The Amiko A3 has 1 GB, this just 256MB. Will 256MB be enough for Kodi?
2) The ability to stream to other devices on a local network. A SAT->IP server like the Amiko Mini HD SE has would be great. I understand that they are working on that.
3) Bug fixes and some interface refinements, especially for manually entering PIDs.
4) A complete rewrite of the manual. The current one appears to be written for a different configuration (Europe?). It mentions things that the unit doesn't currently do, and doesn't fully explain some things that it can.

Brett,
I need to correct few minor misquotes, i am not sure where they originated,

This is Hisilicon 3712 V100 Chip with 256Mb of NAND and 2GB DDR3 RAM.

On your ideas what it needs:
1. We will upgrade NAND and RAM for the 4K version Q2. This version already has 256 and 2Gb which is sufficient. (lol, i am hoping that's what it has)

2. We are working on streaming SAT-IP - in testing we were able to stream, problem is the fat bandwidth hog that eats up wifi, so only Ethernet connection worked without hickups.

3. Let's continue to work on best ways to enter PID's, show stream info, etc..
4. The manual technically doesn't exist yet. The manual is written for the overseas market, we sell this unit in other countries, that's why it's certified for other countries. We should have a manual in September.

Let's keep the ideas rolling.

Thank you,
Eugene

 

[Gfox]

Posting firmware here is fine.



Just post each firmware here in a new thread as it comes out. Use a good title, so users can find it with search if they need it.

I am relatively new to SatelliteGuys. I was wondering if anyone has the GEOSATpro HDVR3500 firmware version 898 to post. According to a previous post I am assuming that posting it is allowed for now. Recording worked with the 898 version and does not work since I upgraded to the firmware version 935. I would much rather have the ability to record than to have the new GOTO Mute until a new good firmware is developed. If it is posted, will it be in this message thread or is there a different forum or library where I can find the version 898? THANKS!

 

[SatelliteAV]

Michael,
The 898 is available at hdvrbox.com/up/20140416_898.bin
To downgrade, please make sure you delete usb_update.bin from both the flash drive and from the internal drive, then do a factory default.

Please save user data to flash just incase.

Then download and save 20140416_898.bin to external flash drive and go to Menu > Manager > Version > USB update and update to 20140416_898.bin

There is some code that is written as addition to the previous versions, that will not erase unless using RS-232. There is too much opportunity to fail a receiver with RS-232, so we will not release it until more less stable version is released.

Thank you,

 

[N6BY]

...
The unit is a DVBS2 STB with IPTV and Linux Applications powered by a HiSilicon 3788M quad core ARM Cortex A7 @ 1.5GHz....

Brett,
I need to correct few minor misquotes, i am not sure where they originated,

This is Hisilicon 3712 V100 Chip with 256Mb of NAND and 2GB DDR3 RAM.

On your ideas what it needs:
1. We will upgrade NAND and RAM for the 4K version Q2. This version already has 256 and 2Gb which is sufficient. (lol, i am hoping that's what it has)...

As for quad-core, I was going by what I read in post #1 here. And if you do a Google search you will see that all the resellers think its a quad core 3788M. Titanium, HyperMegasat and GotCBand are currently listing it as Quad-Core.

I agree with you that its a Hisilicon 3712 which is not a quad core. I don't agree on the 2GB DDR3 RAM. Its 256MB (2 Megabits). This is confirmed by looking at the chip label.

 

[. Raine]

You should check with your reseller. Maybe they don't know that they are shipping units with 64GB internal flash.

I hadn't been checking, until you brought this up. I verified that my stock is 64GB. Thank you!

I will check with them. I got it off of Amazon from GotCband, the only one who had it on Amazon when I ordered it. I'll shoot him a message next time I log onto Amazon.

The receiver has been working good since the reset, near perfect, I do like it.

The only issue that I've noticed now is if I'm on say, 99W C band and then switch directly to 99W Ku, which are both are using DISEqC, the receiver pops up a message 'moving dish,etc,' [even though it doesn't have to move, and doesn't actually move] and then just displays a blank screen. I have to move to say 87w or something and then go back to get a picture. It does this on any pair of C/Ku sats. Minor annoyance, there's no more random dish moves or other undesirable operations. Other than that, it's all good.

 

[Titanium]

Kudos to Eugene for excellent customer service! He is out of town with his family, but took time to reply. I'm sure that we will now more next week...