Viewsat Extreme - can it be updated with new transponders?

[polgyver]

Hello, gents, I need help and advice

I got a few older receivers, which some folks would use for 97 W. One of receivers, Viewsat Ultra, was rather easy to update with transponder 12184. The other, Viewsat Extreme, seems extremely "petrified" regarding its update.
Is it possible somehow to transfer "software" from one to the other? I got the so-called "null" cable, tried to connect the two receivers, but have no experience in dealing with software and computers. Cheers, polgyver

 

[turbosat]

I had an Ultra, for awhile, but not the Extreme. Don't recall which came first. You may be able to save the channel list, or whatever it is called, to a usb stick and transfer it to the Extreme (from the ultra). Seems like most of those viewsat brand boxes used the same format for the user database and channel lists. I would just blind-scan the satellites again, after doing a factory default, that way you know you have the newest tps and channels.

 

[catamount]

I have the platinum, which is the same as the extreme except for hardware blindscan. Personally, I just manually add transponders with the remote. Most of these older boxes used channelmaster by Sharp C for editing tp's and channels.

The extreme should blindscan, although I don't know how well.

Catamount

 

[polgyver]

Thanks for suggestions. The Ultra rec has USB input hidden behind small front door, but the Extreme has none. Both receivers have 9 - pin serial ports. The Extreme rec has strictly defined transponder list for every listed satellite, and it probably scans within its "proscribed" limits.
It does have an option to add a satellite, so I did it (added Galaxy 19). But, when I clicked "tools" to add a transponder, it just displays a grey line, and would not receive any inputs from remote. Dead end street.
I did reset it to factory default, and blind scan a few times. It pulls in all older transponders, it just does not "see" the transponders added recently.
Even tried to "fool" the rec into receiving other satellites which have transponders with different frequencies - to no avail.
Probably will throw it away - pity...

 

[xtgold]

try the oldest firmware you can find,maybe it will have blindscan.
with my platinum I have to load old sept 2006 firmware to get blindscan back.

 

[catamount]

In your second picture, press okay while search/edit TP is highlighted. Then press F1 to add user TP. They should show up on the bottom of your tv screen. i.e. F1 F2 F3 F4

 

[jorgek]

From the Main Menu select Installation then select Channel Scan. Then scroll down to the Hammer/Screwdriver icon which is the search/edit TP option and hit OK. Then select F1, F2, F3, or F4 depending on what you want to do.

 

[polgyver]

From the Main Menu select Installation then select Channel Scan. Then scroll down to the Hammer/Screwdriver icon which is the search/edit TP option and hit OK. Then select F1, F2, F3, or F4 depending on what you want to do.

Tried it exactly as you proscribed, but no luck... this new transponder (12184) is not on the receiver's "list"

 

[jorgek]

I have the original factory firmware for the Ultra and Extreme. They are not interchangeable. For the Extreme you will need the null modem rs232 cable and the loader software. Also most PC today do not have the rs232 port so you may need a rs232 to USB convertor.
PM me if you need any of the software.

 

[catamount]

Your firmware may be corrupted. Post a screenshot after pressing F1 as per my post #6

 

[polgyver]

I have the original factory firmware for the Ultra and Extreme. They are not interchangeable. For the Extreme you will need the null modem rs232 cable and the loader software. Also most PC today do not have the rs232 port so you may need a rs232 to USB convertor.
PM me if you need any of the software.

Attempted to make PM to you, I put "jorgek" in the addressee line, wrote some text, clicked "post message" box, now not sure, if it was sent (in my out-going messages box, it says "zero")

 

[polgyver]

Your firmware may be corrupted. Post a screenshot after pressing F1 as per my post #6

Could be,as I bought this rec as one of four recs, from - just guess - a hacker. But only now I found on the remote the colored buttons, F1 - to F4.
The screen display did not prompt me to use them. Gonna try it soon, after fixing wet floor in the bsmt. Thanks!

 

[catamount]

After you press F1, it should bring you to this; where you enter info.

 

[polgyver]

Thank you, jorgek and catamount, for patiently guiding me to use the F key. Somehow looked for a box with this key - only on the screen, finally dawned on me to look on the remote... sorry.
Now the receiver is programmed and works as a charm.
Good to have knowledgeable and patient advisors on this great forum. Thanks again.