Sky Thomson satellite box.
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From: N54 58 34 W02 01 21
Sky Thomson satellite box.
I've recently moved into a house with a satellite dish.
I've just been gifted a Thomson DSI4214C 'box' - but no instructions.
I've never had (or used) any satellite equipment before and though I've searched I haven't found any source for a user manual for this box.
Some of the markings make me nervous about 'just connecting it all up and see what happens' - the power input is 230v 50Hz 25W and the Dish input 1 is marked 13/18V DC 350mA max, RF Out-2 9V DC 75mA max.
There is also a telephone line connector (as well as an RS-232), Aerial In, RF Out-1 and, of course TV SCART and VCR SCART (I can fathom those).
Has anybody got a digitised user manual for this DSI4214C? (or a URL where I might find basic instructions?)
(I see that the Amstrad DRX550 and Pace DS440N are supposed to be identical.)
I've just been gifted a Thomson DSI4214C 'box' - but no instructions.
I've never had (or used) any satellite equipment before and though I've searched I haven't found any source for a user manual for this box.
Some of the markings make me nervous about 'just connecting it all up and see what happens' - the power input is 230v 50Hz 25W and the Dish input 1 is marked 13/18V DC 350mA max, RF Out-2 9V DC 75mA max.
There is also a telephone line connector (as well as an RS-232), Aerial In, RF Out-1 and, of course TV SCART and VCR SCART (I can fathom those).
Has anybody got a digitised user manual for this DSI4214C? (or a URL where I might find basic instructions?)
(I see that the Amstrad DRX550 and Pace DS440N are supposed to be identical.)
Recidivist
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Essex, UK
Not a great knowledge but I would guess the 13.8v is for the lnb, so this is the coax input point if so.
The telephone connector might be exactly that for a subscriber service. The RS232 makes it sound a bit elderly to me, but what do I know - it might be a new feature.
Good luck.
The telephone connector might be exactly that for a subscriber service. The RS232 makes it sound a bit elderly to me, but what do I know - it might be a new feature.
Good luck.
More bang for your buck
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: land of the clanger
try here and you'll find tne manual for download
https://www.paceshop.com/shop/produc...ky-digibox-new
https://www.paceshop.com/shop/produc...ky-digibox-new
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From: UK
Or here for a few pence less !
Free and not free eBooks
Isn't Google a wonderful thing ? ! - You should try it sometime
Free and not free eBooks
Isn't Google a wonderful thing ? ! - You should try it sometime
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From: South
The telephone connector is for the interactive services; not really a problem if you don't subscribe.
TBH, the setup is easy. Screw the satellite cable into the box, connect SCART to TV and video; Bob's your Uncle.
If the box has an old Sky viewing card, you should be able to get all the free to view channels.
If it doesn't have a viewing card, then you'll still get most free channels, but FIVE, FIVER, FIVE USA, SKY 3 and a couple of others wont work.
TBH, the setup is easy. Screw the satellite cable into the box, connect SCART to TV and video; Bob's your Uncle.
If the box has an old Sky viewing card, you should be able to get all the free to view channels.
If it doesn't have a viewing card, then you'll still get most free channels, but FIVE, FIVER, FIVE USA, SKY 3 and a couple of others wont work.
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: LONDON
You can also get a freesat card from sky (Home - FREESAT from Sky) which will give you access to all the free to air channels should a card not be present.
Although as advertised it says £73 is a one of price which includes equipment unless you cant get yours working you may just wish to call them as you can get the card by itself for £20.
Cheers
Jof
Although as advertised it says £73 is a one of price which includes equipment unless you cant get yours working you may just wish to call them as you can get the card by itself for £20.
Cheers
Jof
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Southern UK
The phone connection for the sjy box allows them (sky) to download "upgrades" during the night - these downloads are widly believed to have caused sound drop outs/picture freezing in some boxes (for more info go to the forums on digital spy) they have a rather good template that allowed me to get a free replacement box...
Recidivist
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From: Essex, UK
Just a thought. If you need to get any F-plugs (the type that fit on the coax/lnb) be very careful where you buy them.
Last time I looked, Maplin were charging an absurd £1.99 each, whereas you can get a pack of 10 on eBay for £2.49 delivered.
Last time I looked, Maplin were charging an absurd £1.99 each, whereas you can get a pack of 10 on eBay for £2.49 delivered.
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be very careful where you buy them
SD
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From: LONDON
The phone connection for the sjy box allows them (sky) to download "upgrades" during the night - these downloads are widly believed to have caused sound drop outs/picture freezing in some boxes (for more info go to the forums on digital spy) they have a rather good template that allowed me to get a free replacement box...
The phone line is used for 2 reasons, the main reason is for premium services such as sky box office (pay per view films etc) and the other is if you have a multi-room setup. The sky box will require a phone line if it is a multi-room setup to validate that both boxes are at the same location. Sky requires this on multi-room to stop cards being used at different locations and only a single subscription being paid.
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From: N Yorkshire, UK
SAT/TV info
This site may be a source of help
Satcure satellite dish LNBs digital TV aerial information
PZU - Out of Africa (Retired)
Satcure satellite dish LNBs digital TV aerial information
PZU - Out of Africa (Retired)
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 924
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From: Manchester, England
Spanner is correct the firmware downloads are performed via satellite - it would be prohibitively costly for sky otherwise.
The phone line is used for 2 reasons, the main reason is for premium services such as sky box office (pay per view films etc) and the other is if you have a multi-room setup. The sky box will require a phone line if it is a multi-room setup to validate that both boxes are at the same location. Sky requires this on multi-room to stop cards being used at different locations and only a single subscription being paid.
The phone line is used for 2 reasons, the main reason is for premium services such as sky box office (pay per view films etc) and the other is if you have a multi-room setup. The sky box will require a phone line if it is a multi-room setup to validate that both boxes are at the same location. Sky requires this on multi-room to stop cards being used at different locations and only a single subscription being paid.
If you go for the £20 card that Jofm5 mentions then you don't need a phone line at all - we got one when in Holland and didn't want to use the phone connection as you aren't supposed to have them outside the UK, and it was never an issue. On that tariff as well as the BBC/ITV/Ch4/CH5 channels and their subsidiaries (Fiver, FiveUS, ITV2/3/4 etc) you also get loads of shopping and religious channels - enjoy!!!
Get yourself a Sky dish from eBay, along with a satellite signal tester, and using direction/angle readily obtained via Google fix it to your house. As mentioned connect a co-ax from the LNB on the dish to the box, and a Scart from box to TV, and away you go.
