What all does "Check Switch" do?

[sjvirchow]

I'm a curious person, and so I'm wondering, what all technically does "Check Switch" do? Seem's like a strange name for such a mysterious function.

 

[MattG@DISH]

A Check Switch Test is a diagnostic tool used to identify the satellite
orbital slots the dish is pointed to and verify which devices are used in the install. First, the test will
identify the devices installed by sending a command from the receiver, a 22kHz “ping”, to other DiSEqC
devices in the installation. Any DiSEqC devices connected will identify themselves so that the receiver
knows what equipment is installed. After the “ping”, a series of checks are run to determine both polarity
and orbital locations. The receiver will check 4 transponders from each orbital slot. The transponders
checked will vary depending on which slots the receiver is connected to. This information is used to build
a matrix, which the receiver uses to determine what information will be loaded in to the EPG.
If the matrix is not built properly, there will be issues when switching from channel to channel,
or will have missing channels.

DiSEqC 2.0 allows for two way communication between receivers, switches and LNBF's for better diagnostics.
​

 

[Mr Tony]

in lehmans terms it verifies which satellites you are aimed at

If you're not aimed at any when you do a check switch it will come back with nothing (no satellites)

 

[jdmart]

A Check Switch Test is a diagnostic tool used to identify the satellite
orbital slots the dish is pointed to and verify which devices are used in the install. First, the test will
identify the devices installed by sending a command from the receiver, a 22kHz “ping”, to other DiSEqC
devices in the installation. Any DiSEqC devices connected will identify themselves so that the receiver
knows what equipment is installed. After the “ping”, a series of checks are run to determine both polarity
and orbital locations. The receiver will check 4 transponders from each orbital slot. The transponders
checked will vary depending on which slots the receiver is connected to. This information is used to build
a matrix, which the receiver uses to determine what information will be loaded in to the EPG.
If the matrix is not built properly, there will be issues when switching from channel to channel,
or will have missing channels.

DiSEqC 2.0 allows for two way communication between receivers, switches and LNBF's for better diagnostics.
​

Thanks for the detailed answer; learned something. Before just knew that it checked if your satellites were aimed properly as Iceberg said.

 

[MattG@DISH]

Thanks for the detailed answer; learned something. Before just knew that it checked if your satellites were aimed properly as Iceberg said.

The short version is it reads your equipment, and what satellites you're receiving. I decided to post the lengthy answer because I know that some of you want the more detailed tech answer. Enjoy!

 

[JerseyBoy]

Usually after a Power Failure... I need to run Check Switch to re-identify system matrix on some receivers.

 

[Tony S]

No one mentioned it...but doing a check switch also loads a new program guide to the receiver. I have done a check switch many times just to update the program guide.

 

[sjvirchow]

Wow! I always think it's pretty cool that my TV shows are getting beamed from a satellite thousands and thousands of miles above me...