Pansat 9200 HD or Viewsat MAXHD?

[brentb636]

So, Iceberg, is Azbox a favorite for HD? Can you confirm that blindscan works?

The AZbox is the most complete single HD receiver available ( largely because of it's 4:2:2 video decoding) , but blindscan is it's achilles heal. Since there are NO blindscan 4:2:2 receivers ( not counting the imperfect AZBox) , I'd say the choices are pretty limited.

 

[pjcl]

I'm trying to make an informed decision on which HD FTA receiver to get next. My Sonicview does not seem to deal well with the motor I installed (althought it did just fine the first day), and I've decided to get a new one. It is important to consider that I have a 90cm (so, no C-Band) on an SG9120 motor.

Also, and even though I want to upgrade to an HD unit, I do not yet have an HDTV screen (do you hear me, Santa?) - which means I need to know if, in the meantime, I can watch those (however few) HD channels in SD or if they will appear blank, if at all.

On a different note, I understand not all STBs feature Blind scan, which I deem as essential.

So, in summary, I need a unit that blind scans well, moves from sat to sat without issue, and will let me watch HD channels as SD now, or HD when I get an HDTV.

Thanks for all your input.

 

[phlatwound]

Yes, you can watch HD channels on a non-HD television, with any of the HD receivers that I have used.

There are very few HD blindscanning receivers, and most/all that I am aware of have known issues and/or won't do 4:2:2.

 

[pjcl]

Thank you, phlatwound. And about the Pansat 9200 HD overheating issues, do you happen to know if they always occur, or only when the DVB-S2 module is installed?

 

[phlatwound]

Thank you, phlatwound. And about the Pansat 9200 HD overheating issues, do you happen to know if they always occur, or only when the DVB-S2 module is installed?

I'm not sure about that, but it seems from what I've read that the S2 module makes the heating issue worse though.

 

[pjcl]

One more thing: this 4:2:2 and 4:2:0 deal... correct me if I'm wrong, but the Pansat 9200 HD WILL show HD out of the box, right? Just not the HIGHEST definition, like 4:2:2...

 

[Mr Tony]

Pansat will show 4:2:0 SD & HD out of the box
It will not show any 4:2:2 feeds...well they'll be a green screen (no picture)

 

[eurosport]

Pansat 9200 will show HD out of the box. 4:2:0 and 4:2:2 are just 2 different video transport methods- no difference in viewable quality. HD from 9200 will be the highest quality, and the 9200 has excellent blind scanning abilities.
:up

 

[pjcl]

Pansat 9200 will show HD out of the box. 4:2:0 and 4:2:2 are just 2 different video transport methods- no difference in viewable quality. HD from 9200 will be the highest quality, and the 9200 has excellent blind scanning abilities.
:up

Does it do USALS ok?

 

[sanjap]

Viewsat MaxHD is a flashy receiver but lacking in performance and was produced for hacking dish. Not good for true FTA. Pansat 9200HD will make you happy if you can live without 4:2:2. It does USALS like magic.

 

[eurosport]

Does it do USALS ok?

I don't have a motor on it, but as far as I know, yes. Others here I'm sure could tell you more about that.

 

[beavs2112]

hi pjcl. you came to the right site.
when you asked about whether the pansat 9200hd will do HD right out of the box did you mean without any extra hardware? as others have already said you need to buy the optional s2plus tuner board for it to process the HD signal. i cannot speak for anyone else but i was surprised to learn that i had to buy and install an additional piece of hardware to process the HD signal.
my 9200 had heat problems even without the s2 board installed. i would recommend reading the following threads on modifications to get the 9200 working better. just so you know what to expect an unmodified 9200 will act like.

http://www.satelliteguys.us/free-air-fta-discussion/207171-heatsink-modification.html

http://www.satelliteguys.us/free-air-fta-discussion/207330-cooling-fan-modification.html

http://www.satelliteguys.us/free-air-fta-discussion/207330-cooling-fan-modification.html see grimnaws post # 46 for explanation on reason for heatsink mod.

now that i have modified mine i like it.

 

[WTguy]

I like my MaxHD very much, great picture and it is somewhat cheaper than the 9200 last time I looked. I have a Pansat 2500 for blindscanning and sd channels that I watch. To this point, there has been very little in s2 that I have wanted to watch (I am ku only at the moment) but when I get my cband dish setup this summer I will be looking for an s2 solution (probably the AZbox for the 4.2.2 also).
To the OP I would check The List here and lyngsat to see what specs your receiver will need to view the programming you are interested in.

 

[Elite09]

You don't need the board to view HD with the 9200. Tune to 125W and watch some PBS in HD.

To watch s2 HD you will need the s2 Plus board.

Hope that helps.

 

[pjcl]

I see... same principle applies to the Coolsat 8000 HD?

 

[sathen]

You don't need the board to view HD with the 9200. Tune to 125W and watch some PBS in HD.

To watch s2 HD you will need the s2 Plus board.

Hope that helps.

What is the part nr for this board? and where you guys geting it from?

 

[Mr Tony]

I see... same principle applies to the Coolsat 8000 HD?

Coolsat 8000 can do HD & S2 out of the box. No extra stuff needed

 

[pjcl]

Awesome, 'cause I have one arriving in the mail any day, now. Got it on fleabay for $120...

 

[Mr Tony]

The only drawback of the 8000 is no blind scan

 

[pjcl]

BTW, any firmware you would recommend for the CS8000, Iceberg?