Selected Lidl/Aldi Sat box posts

TM · 07-10-2007 12:53AM

TM wrote:

The www.comag-ag.de website does not seem to have anything in the way of updates or utility software for applying same so I guess that I will leave well enough alone unless this changes.

Actually there does seem to be some SL65 utility and firmware upgrade stuff on the Comag and Silvercrest websites:

http://www.comag-ag.de/engl/com-download/receiver/com-dwl-cmg-sl65.html

http://www.mysilvercrest.de/en/artikel.php?a=105&av=2
http://www.mysilvercrest.de/en/artikel.php?a=51&av=2
http://www.mysilvercrest.de/en/artikel.php?a=82&av=2

TM · 07-10-2007 02:44PM

What about the "software" and "software editor" ZIP files here:

http://www.comag-ag.de/engl/com-download/receiver/com-dwl-cmg-sl65.html

And the "editor tool" here:

http://www.mysilvercrest.de/en/artikel.php?a=105&av=2

and here:

http://www.mysilvercrest.de/en/artikel.php?a=82&av=2

And "software" here:

http://www.mysilvercrest.de/en/artikel.php?a=51&av=2

I haven't looked at these in detail but some of the ZIP files do contain something that looks relevant.

In relation to the earlier caveats about firmware updating this Wikipedia article might also be of interest in relation to which chipset versions of the box can be updated with which firmware:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silvercrest_SL65

Bear in mind that I only recently got my SL65 package and have not yet actually done anything with it and am just reading up on some bits and pieces so I bow to the superior knowledge of those who have actual first hand experience!

fat-tony · 15-10-2007 03:18PM

liamtech wrote:

Hi folks. Im a newbie to satellite systems. I purchased one a couple of weeks ago after doing some homework on what to expect. I have to admit i was astonished by the wealth of stations available. However im having difficulties with the signal strength and quality along with polarities H&V. My questions are in relation to drops in signal iv been having. When i do a tp scan it says my quality is between 73-80% fluctuating slightly. My signal strength never drops below 93%.
However this is only with the H polarity. When i check V its signal is way lower sometimes dropping to 15%.
I have a clear view of the sky and used a sat finder for optimal position. Most of the time all 500 stations(unencrypted ones ) are perfect. But i get a weak signal from time to time. Some stations which are supposidly in the V polarity (http://www.lyngsat.com/freetv/index.html) such as film 4 show perfect despite the poor v rating in my tp scan.
Sorry for going off on a rant guys but any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

You may need to rotate the LNB in its holder slightly to improve the signal quality on the vertically polarised transponders. Don't worry about the signal strength particularly, it's the signal quality that is important. I'm not sure whether you think your picture quality will improve if you get near 100% signal quality - it won't, unless you are getting disturbance to the picture at the moment (picture breakup, blocks of random colurs etc.). If you DO manage to get the signal quality up it will help when we have heavy rain, as it is then that the reception will drop out altogether if your setup is not "spot-on".

TM · 18-10-2007 11:58AM

Yes - clockwise for an easterly satellite, anticlockwise for a westerly one.

http://bytelive.com/wiki/tiki-index.php?page=How%20to%20align%20a%20satellite%20dish

7. Set the skew angle - As you face the dish, rotate the LNB clockwise for an easterly satellite or anticlockwise for a westerly satellite until the quality is again maximised.

Zaphod · 18-10-2007 04:11PM

xocal wrote: »

the only BBC I can get is BBC World, yet I have fantastic crystal clear reception for Al Jazeera, Sky News, Euro news and sport, France 24, cnn, etc!

Your dish is aligned to Astra1 19East - the wrong satellite. You need to lower the elevation by 3 degrees and move the dish east to Astra2 28East.
http://bytelive.com/wiki/tiki-index.php?page=How+to+align+a+satellite+dish

biologikal · 30-10-2007 12:26PM

petronius wrote: »

I was just wondering for future reference for software updates (and default settings) where I find the password - since I didn't see it in any of the documentation(maybe due to my eyesight) is there any point emailing the makers Silvercrest? or shall i ring them on a work day!

Try "0000", it's in the manual somewhere.

TM · 30-10-2007 02:07PM

petronius wrote: »

Its a PC Serial Cable rs232 - there maybe USB to rs232 conversion cables as well but I have never seen em.

These are readily available - for example (6th product down in the list):

http://www.marxcomputers.ie/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=cablesext&cart_id=

or just try eBay where they're probably even cheaper.

Ger Roe · 30-10-2007 03:59PM

I have not yet managed to find an editor proven to work with the latest version of the SL65 sold by Lidl. The 12volt system version will allow you to upload from the box and edit, but it displays error messages when you attempt to burn back to the box and I have not been brave enough to try it yet.

I have been looking at some uk based discussion boards trying to get to the bottom of what seems to be a very badly designed menu structure on this latest SL65, but so far everyone seems to be suffering from the same issues -really bad user menu design, problems with motor control, inability to add satellites from the user menu and no compatible editior :mad:

Maybe if enough complaints are made to comag, they might issue a firmware update for the box.

Puggy · 05-11-2007 04:23PM

Excellent, now I understand, does that mean the LNB with my Lidl will not do C Band?

Sorry, but as you can guess I'm almost a complete noob.

Vroomfondel · 05-11-2007 06:53PM

Puggy wrote: »

Excellent, now I understand, does that mean the LNB with my Lidl will not do C Band?

Your existing LNB is designed for Ku band and your dish is also too small.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C_band

wil · 12-04-2008 11:58PM

This question gets asked so many times, in fact on every occasion after these units are sold in Lidl/Aldi, that a long time ago I suggested the question be stickied. I now suggest it again.
Your dish is with 99% certainty pointed at the wrong satellite most probably Astra1 19E, not Astra2 28E
BBC1 from transponder on Astra 2 is transmitted at the same frequency 10773 H as channel TVP coming from a transponder on Astra1.
Their other parameters are different so you dont see a picture, but you do register a strong signal.
Other channels share common frequencies too.
But if you are not pointing at the correct satellite you will likely only see a strong signal but no picture.
This has been discussed at much length previously so take a look back for "Strong signal but no picture".

If you switch your receiver to Astra 1 you will immediately have loads of channels from that sat, thats how you know you are pointing at the wrong one. You are fairly close though so dont give up.
Patience and perseverance, eventually you will be able to do it with your eyes shut
I often think using satfinders/bleepers can be just a waste of time in a novice hands, you would be better off watching for the TV picture and use the on screen signal level and tone as you move the dish.

vkid wrote: »

Folks,
Is there a way to know what sat you are locked on to? I have just spend the day messing about with a LIDL dish and receiver and am getting channels on Astra 28.2 E but can;t get any BBC/ITV channels. I am not getting a no signal/weak signal message...just a blank screen. Everything is working ok but I just can;t get the UK channels to work? Is there a setting somewhere that could be causing this?

Lost/knackered/annoyed..

Any suggestions?

homer911 · 14-04-2008 07:54PM

Is it possible to pick up the FTV HD channels on the Lidl system? They all seem to come up blank for me!

Thanks

wil · 15-04-2008 01:22AM

Nope - it is not a HD box. Who knows this time next year they might be selling them if China starts producing them in quantity as demand increases.
I wonder is there any licence or rights issues in producing a HD box?

homer911 wrote: »

Is it possible to pick up the FTV HD channels on the Lidl system? They all seem to come up blank for me!

Thanks

MisterAnarchy · 17-04-2008 08:50PM

Tried to upgrade the firmware on the SL65 today via RS232 port.
Seemed to be going ok but its now bricked I'd say.
It powers on but only half the last Led digit is on.Black screen,nothing happening.
Fecking idiot I am ,I was initially only going to edit the channel listing but then I got a mad urge to flash it.
I used the firmware here http://www.mysilvercrest.de/en/artikel.php?a=51&av=2
This box is very fussy with flashing,I've flashed lots of other boxes in the past and never had a problem.

watty · 19-04-2008 07:54PM

Yes, there is a whole family of sat boxes Palcom & SL series that you can only add satellite slots with difficulty via PC. Some you have to add at least one transponder & service too or the added bird is ignored.

byte · 20-04-2008 04:56PM

photo_gaa wrote: »

to get 28.2 can you scan it, or do you have to move the dish on the wall?

As you're already picking up BBC1, etc. it means you're already using 28.2 so you just have to scan it. No need to reset dish.

biologikal · 27-04-2008 12:00AM

Bozacke wrote: »

Bio,

I'm after just getting the triple LNB holder you mentioned, but I don't understand how the holder with it's semi-circle fitting fits onto the round arm of the Lidl's dish? How is the LNB holder suppose to mount to the arm of the dish?

It doesn't fit onto the arm; leave your centre LNB in the Lidl holder as normal, then unscrew the hex nuts for the centre holder/circle, and attach it to the body of the LNB. You may want to loosen your LNB in the main holder, and push it forward or backward to give yourself some room; test signal quality to ensure you're not loosing some.

The photo in this auction might give you a clearer understanding:

http://www.satkiwi.com/images/ebay/mfh/mfh31.jpg

From: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Multifeed-Triple-LNB-Holder-Universal-3-Sats-on-1-Dish_W0QQitemZ130194749329QQihZ003QQcategoryZ29783QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

The centre LNB has the dish arm holder at the front, closer to the cap.

Bozacke · 05-05-2008 01:48AM

I've always thought if you wanted to watch to watch diffrent satellite channels on two TVs you needed a second receiver and a quad LNB. But I've just realised that my SL65 has an output jack and I ran a cable from it to a 2nd SL65 connected to another TV in another room and I can watch different programs on the two TVs. I don't have a 3rd box to test but I assume you could daisy chain the boxes and possibly connect to a 3rd and 4th TV??

Also I am planning on setting up 3 LNBs on my dish (28, 19, 13) will I be able to get programs from all 3 satellites on multiple TVs by daisy chaining the set top boxes?

05-05-2008 08:37AM

samih wrote: »

Does anybody happen to know a generic remote (brand, model) that works with the SL65? Our remote broke down and the Lidl universal one has not got any codes for Comag/Silvercrest. It sucks to crawl on the floor to change the channels :-)

Just an update: I have now (finally) bought a remote, OneForAll URC-7555, that supports the SL65. FYI, the correct code under SAT is "1579" (Comag).

watty · 05-05-2008 09:33AM

You do!

Bozacke wrote: »

I've always thought if you wanted to watch to watch diffrent satellite channels on two TVs you needed a second receiver and a quad LNB. But I've just realised that my SL65 has an output jack and I ran a cable from it to a 2nd SL65 connected to another TV in another room and I can watch different programs on the two TVs. I don't have a 3rd box to test but I assume you could daisy chain the boxes and possibly connect to a 3rd and 4th TV??

Also I am planning on setting up 3 LNBs on my dish (28, 19, 13) will I be able to get programs from all 3 satellites on multiple TVs by daisy chaining the set top boxes?

It only seems to work. An LNB can be on Low or High band and on Vertical or Horizontal polarisation. That is 4 possibilities. If the possibilities don't match, one receiver will have no channel or the wrong channel.

You need a multiswitch for what you want.

The Loop Through IF is for an Analogue receiver at the same place, with only one receiver active.

Tony · 07-05-2008 11:24AM

Bozacke wrote: »

"It only seems to work",

Try this then, it gives the appearance on working correctly when in fact it is only working in a limited manner. You will not have full choice of channels from both receivers.

Bozacke · 11-05-2008 11:47PM

Hi Biologikal,
I finally got around to setting up the 3 LNB holder now getting Astra 28, Astra 19 and Hotbird all on the one 80cm dish from Lidl's. You were right getting Astra 19 and Hotbird was easy enough, but getting Astra 28 was difficult. In the end I had to mount the LNB for Astra 28 to the holder using only one screw, since the bracket didn't seem long enough to get it in the right position to get a signal. I'm now getting around 93%/73% for all three satellites and I seem to be getting all the channels for Astra 28 including Zone Horror. The Astra 28 LNB seems well secured despite only one screw but I'm worried how it will hold up in high winds. All working great with the DISEQ switch too, but I'm a bit dissapointed with the quality of English programs on 19 and Hotbird, but happy to get EuroSports, CNBC, MTV German & Austria, NPR radio and a few others.

Thanks again for all the help.:):):)

biologikal · 26-05-2008 09:56PM

If you're getting BBC/ITV/C4/True Movies/etc, then you're definitely pointing at 28E.

It doesn't matter what sat label is at the top of a channel list, it could be Hotbird, Astra19E, Sirius or Sputnik, it makes no difference, it's just a label. If the dish/LNB is pointing at 28E and you do an autoscan, it will find only the channels at 28E, and dump them in whatever sat list you chose to autoscan.

But to be strictly correct/pedantic/anal, you should delete all new found channels (28E channels) from the 19E channel list (by default there were probably a few correct 19E channels already pre-programmed into the STB), and do an autoscan on Astra 28E.

Bozacke · 30-05-2008 01:37PM

I didn't think the Comag SL65 box had the ability to actually manually add channels and when new channels like CH4 and More4 became available I would do a full Autoscan or a TP Scan, but I'm just after noticing that it does have the ability to add channels manually.

So anyway here's how you can manually add Channel 4:

Press the List button or the OK button to open the Channel List
Press 5 to Edit (enter edit password if applicable)
Press 4 to Create
Now enter the necessary details to add your new channel (Channel 4)
Go to Satellite and select Astra 28
Select TP Index and press the OK button and then use +P/-P to scroll until you find the frequency of 10729 and select.
Select Name and name it CH4 or whatever you desire, but you need to enter a name.
For Video PID enter 2338
For Audio PID enter 2339
For PCR PID enter 2310
Select Save and then Exit

I don't know why I hadn't noticed this function before and I didn't notice it in the manual either, maybe I'm the only one who hadn't noticed this feature.

I was debating if I should put this in the CH4 thread, but these instructions are probably only specific to the Lidl's box or the Comag SL65, since they all seem to vary a bit.

It's probably still not a bad idea to do an Autscan every once in a while anyway for you never know what you may find.

Tony · 25-06-2008 01:59PM

No you need a quad lnb specifically made for the sky minidish

stooge_dude wrote: »

Hi There,

Is it possible to replace the sky lnb with the lidl silvercrest dual lnb so that i can feed the signal into the kitchen which has the silvercrest settop box, (the living room has an existing sky digital settop box.)

Is this at all possible???

Thanks
Eugene

Tony · 25-06-2008 03:12PM

Yep it should do and you can also add another box or two if you wish

stooge_dude wrote: »

Thanks Tony... and if I buy the quad LNB specifically for sky - the silvercrest digital settop box will receive the signal corectly?

Tony · 25-06-2008 06:06PM

The installer will bring one if needed

stooge_dude wrote: »

Does anyone know if you upgrade to Sky+ do they send the quas LBN out with the settop box?

michaelanthony · 07-07-2008 03:20PM

Bruce2008 wrote: »

okay now i am going to sound like a real dumb idiot....but is there any way that the digital tuner on a lcd tv can be used in conjunction with a satelite dish to recieve any channels???

PS i am nowhere near a footprint for ftv channels by ariel...

There are three types of digital TV broadcasts and each have a different receiver box.

Satellite, Cable and Terestrial.

You cannot use a terestrial receiver to decipher a satellite signal.

There is a terestrial receiver in your LCD.

Zaphod · 07-07-2008 07:43PM

Seamu$ wrote: »

I have a Lidl dish & receiver from one of their previous offers. Reasonably happy with it but it's only a 60cm dish so can lose signal when it rains & I don't get some Eurobird channels properly like Bubble Hits which I presumably would do with a wider dish. Perhaps someone could confirm?

I wouldn't take so much notice of channels dropping out given some of the torrential rainfall we've had, but you should have reception of all channels on a 60cm under normal conditions. I think the alignment or skew might be a little off.
http://bytelive.com/wiki/tiki-index.php?page=How+to+align+a+satellite+dish

greatgoal · 08-07-2008 03:11PM

Rigel wrote: »

I’m getting the Lidl Silvercrest system and saw a lot of posts here about how the dish is a bit on the flimsy side. I have an old 1m analogue dish that’s been on the side of the house for years but redundant since I got Sky Digital.

My question is will the Silvercrest system work with my old analogue dish, I presume it will since I saw an earlier post saying it would work with a dust bin lid.

it will work with this dish,but you`ll have to turn it to 28 east as the old sky analogue dish would have been pointed at 19 east.

Selected Lidl/Aldi Sat box posts

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