Hi, Guys!
I am engineer, working on satellite meters. I've created some for DVB-S/S2 and DVB-T/T2, and before that, some set-top boxes / receivers that became popular in the DX communities worldwide (for good handling of low-SignalRate SCPC channels, and for spectrum analyzer function).
Now I am into satellite meters, amd I intend to create something interesting for the USA, but for America it seems that more functions are needed (DSS modulation, SWM switch, etc). So I am asking for American Satellite Guys to help me out, because there are some information gaps about satellites in US that I'd like to fill.
Looking for a right Forum - I thought that "FTA" is the place to be, because in DirectTV and Dish forums the users probably are interested only in switching on and off of their box. Probably.
By the way, in 2016 I've met with SATELLITE GUYS official team at the CES show, but in 2017 we've missed each other somehow. Anyway, I hope that Moderators and Site Admins are OK with me asking some technical questions here.
1. First question is about popular Birdog sat-meter+finder. I took a look a one today (I am in USA temoporarily, after CES show), and I couldn't find any use of the "DDSI" function, mentioned in bright yellow letters on the meter's panel. As I understand, the DDSI means "Digital DataStream Identification". Right? So, in my understanding, it must be a function when the Digital Stream from locked satellite Transponder is read, analyzed, and the Satellite-ID packets are read and identified - and then the Orbital Position and Broadcaster Name are displayed (same as good models for DVB-S2 markets do). As least that's what I would expect from satellite meters nowadays. However, I have studied ALL the menus and couldn't find any place to call that function.
What's wrong? I have the Birdog USB plus with the DDSI.
2. As I understand, the typical household is installed with SWM (swim) LNB and/or switch. So, to work with these switches, the satellite meter must be able to provide the SWM-commands for control etc. But is it really needed? As I understand, most of LNBs now have "legacy" output, with which it is similar connection as with Universal LNB. Right? So maybe the SWM control isn't at all needed?
3. The typical voltage output from sat-meter are 13 Volts and 18 Volts for Universal LNB. But for USA, do I need to add support of 21/23 (don't remember exactly) and 28 Volts for the SWM switch? Or they are coming from the Power Injector which is always there. Or worth to add? (Need to change hardware in that case.)
4. Some question which I didn't plan to ask, but it arises as I continue to write. Maybe I am spending my time for nothing and there is simply no need for such satellite-meter in USA, and everybody is happy with the Birdog/etc satellite finders? Is there any need for such devices in the open market? Or, as I was told recently, all the installations are done ONLY by the DirecTV/Dish certified installers (who are forced to buy the 'approved' meters from DirecTV and Dish, respectively).
In my understanding, all the Birdog models, compared what's going on in Europe, etc - look like they all created in 1999 and kind of overpriced with lack of functions, too. Display must be bigger, in color, must be USB-drive support, real satellite-stream identification, real-time Satellite Spectrum, possibility to open and watch at least FTA channels, meter must be much lighter and smaller, faster, etc, etc... I planned to release one model with rich functions (still smaller and cheaper than Birdogs), and another one with size of two card decks, easy-to-carry that is low-cost and displays all the info on the cell phone via Bluetooth. (Second one won't be able to show any of the FTA channels, though.) Worth it, or better spend my time for something else?
Please give me your comments, all info appreciated.
I am engineer, working on satellite meters. I've created some for DVB-S/S2 and DVB-T/T2, and before that, some set-top boxes / receivers that became popular in the DX communities worldwide (for good handling of low-SignalRate SCPC channels, and for spectrum analyzer function).
Now I am into satellite meters, amd I intend to create something interesting for the USA, but for America it seems that more functions are needed (DSS modulation, SWM switch, etc). So I am asking for American Satellite Guys to help me out, because there are some information gaps about satellites in US that I'd like to fill.
Looking for a right Forum - I thought that "FTA" is the place to be, because in DirectTV and Dish forums the users probably are interested only in switching on and off of their box. Probably.
By the way, in 2016 I've met with SATELLITE GUYS official team at the CES show, but in 2017 we've missed each other somehow. Anyway, I hope that Moderators and Site Admins are OK with me asking some technical questions here.
1. First question is about popular Birdog sat-meter+finder. I took a look a one today (I am in USA temoporarily, after CES show), and I couldn't find any use of the "DDSI" function, mentioned in bright yellow letters on the meter's panel. As I understand, the DDSI means "Digital DataStream Identification". Right? So, in my understanding, it must be a function when the Digital Stream from locked satellite Transponder is read, analyzed, and the Satellite-ID packets are read and identified - and then the Orbital Position and Broadcaster Name are displayed (same as good models for DVB-S2 markets do). As least that's what I would expect from satellite meters nowadays. However, I have studied ALL the menus and couldn't find any place to call that function.
What's wrong? I have the Birdog USB plus with the DDSI.
2. As I understand, the typical household is installed with SWM (swim) LNB and/or switch. So, to work with these switches, the satellite meter must be able to provide the SWM-commands for control etc. But is it really needed? As I understand, most of LNBs now have "legacy" output, with which it is similar connection as with Universal LNB. Right? So maybe the SWM control isn't at all needed?
3. The typical voltage output from sat-meter are 13 Volts and 18 Volts for Universal LNB. But for USA, do I need to add support of 21/23 (don't remember exactly) and 28 Volts for the SWM switch? Or they are coming from the Power Injector which is always there. Or worth to add? (Need to change hardware in that case.)
4. Some question which I didn't plan to ask, but it arises as I continue to write. Maybe I am spending my time for nothing and there is simply no need for such satellite-meter in USA, and everybody is happy with the Birdog/etc satellite finders? Is there any need for such devices in the open market? Or, as I was told recently, all the installations are done ONLY by the DirecTV/Dish certified installers (who are forced to buy the 'approved' meters from DirecTV and Dish, respectively).
In my understanding, all the Birdog models, compared what's going on in Europe, etc - look like they all created in 1999 and kind of overpriced with lack of functions, too. Display must be bigger, in color, must be USB-drive support, real satellite-stream identification, real-time Satellite Spectrum, possibility to open and watch at least FTA channels, meter must be much lighter and smaller, faster, etc, etc... I planned to release one model with rich functions (still smaller and cheaper than Birdogs), and another one with size of two card decks, easy-to-carry that is low-cost and displays all the info on the cell phone via Bluetooth. (Second one won't be able to show any of the FTA channels, though.) Worth it, or better spend my time for something else?
Please give me your comments, all info appreciated.
