ViewSat 2000 Platinum

[PopcornNMore]

I just added yet another FTA satellite receiver to my collection. It is the ViewSat 2000 Platinum.

Iceberg's Review:
http://www.satelliteguys.us/fta-mpeg2-equipment-reviews/34301-viewsat-vs2000.html

I bought it on EBay in excellent condition (no scratches or dents) for only $3 plus $9 shipping and handling. It did not come with the universal remote, but I am hoping most of the functions are available via the front buttons.

Questions:
1) Are most of the functions available via the front buttons and can it be used without the remote control for now until I find one?

2) The front door on the receiver does not open. When I start lifting the small tab on the right hand side it starts to open, but then seems like it might break if I go any further. Perhaps it is secured from the inside and not accessable?

 

[PopcornNMore]

Update:

Just plugged in receiver and it works very well. The only problem is that without the remote control I can't setup the satellites or move to another satellite. Oh well, it is a great receiver and I am sure I will be able to find the remote control for it someday.

When turned on the receiver is tuned to an Echostar satellite with the channel being on a PPV channel. So, this makes me believe this receiver was once used to gain access to Dish Network's programming illegaly. On ViewSat's website they have the newest firmware that I will download to make this receiver new again.

For some odd reason this receiver came with three DirecTV remote controls. I will try them to see if possibly at least one of them was programmed to work with this receiver. This would enable me to use the receiver until I find the original remote.

 

[Mr Tony]

damn

viewsat for $12...helluva bargain...even without the remote

 

[Anole]

I think I've seen remotes around.
Even if you paid $30 for one, it'd still be a prize.
I'm betting once you look, you'll find 'em and have one on its way to you in no time.

You might find people who want those DirecTV remotes
May wind up being a wash!

It's surprising the owner dumped it.
I would've thought the VS's were still "working" just fine...
Aren't they the premier hacker-bait ?

 

[Cold Winter]

It's surprising the owner dumped it.
I would've thought the VS's were still "working" just fine...
Aren't they the premier hacker-bait ?

They're also a pain in the ___. Very unstable electronics. And an annoying way of handling the FTA functions ( motor, DiseQc, switches ) and blind scan.

 

[PopcornNMore]

The receiver's case has a nice look to it as well as the graphics. Once I download the newest firmware ito it and get a remote control, I am sure I am going to love this receiver. At only $3 I couldn't be happier.

 

[digiblur]

The Platinum is garbage for motor control. Works great for stationary sat usage though.

 

[turbosat]

One of the sponsors here, gosatellite has that remote for 30bucks &shipping, they're not
very hard to find.

 

[Mr Tony]

$10-$15 on Ebay

 

[PopcornNMore]

Just ordered an OEM ViewSat Platinum remote control on EBay for only $11 including shipping.

All in all not a bad purchase even if the receiver has a few faults.

Can anyone please confirm if the front door on the receiver can be opened or not? Mine seems to be stuck.

 

[Mr Tony]

I know mine didnt...some had a card slot but I dont think the platimum did

 

[PopcornNMore]

That's what I had thought. Since the platinum has a card slot built into the front of the receiver, the door is probably secured from the inside and not used in this model.

I just updated the firmware to the latest version 273 from the ViewSat website. In a few days when the remote arrives I can scan in the satellites and channels.

 

[MotleyFool]

try a JP1 remote, they're cheap, programmable and fun to play with
JP1 Remotes :: File Section

 

[Tron]

There are some pretty incredible deals on E-Bay, if you know how to search and are patient. A little off-topic--Digiblur, I LOVE your new avatar Did you find a HD feed of the game?

 

[digiblur]

There are some pretty incredible deals on E-Bay, if you know how to search and are patient. A little off-topic--Digiblur, I LOVE your new avatar Did you find a HD feed of the game?

I agree...awesome deal!

I guess you could call it an HD "feed". ESPN-HD at a friend's house with BBQ.

 

[Tron]

I guess you could call it an HD "feed". ESPN-HD at a friend's house with BBQ.

Sounds like a great way to watch the game! I caught the first half on WWL radio, but got home in time to catch the second half on ESPN

 

[ELMWOOD]

Forget about using blind scan on that model. Wont happen.

 

[PopcornNMore]

The remote control I ordered arrived yesterday and I was finally able to test out this receiver. The firmware blindscan sucks! Using my Coolsat 4000 I moved the dish to Galaxy10R and received a high signal level with 52 channels. I then disconnected the Coolsat 4000 and replaced with the ViewSat V2000 Platinum. The blindscan took forever and only locked in 4 channels out of the 52 available. I guess tonight I need to manually enter some in myself.

The picture quality was very good I must admit and I also like the graphics. However the graphics are different than what is shown in Iceberg's review of this receiver for some odd reason. All in all I am happy with this receiver, but blindscan does need improvement.