INDEX

• Overview
• How to install a Smart CX61 Combo
• How to Find Satellite Channels with Autoscan
• How to Find Terrestrial Channels with Autoscan
• How to Sort and Delete the channels on the CX61
• How to program box with USB
• How To Manually Tune in a Satellite Channel
• EPG & Information button
• How to Install an external Hard Drive on the CX61 Satellite Combo
• How to use the Pause & Rewind Features
• How to Record Programmes on the CX61
• The Media player - for recordings, Videos, music & Photos

Overview

Complete users guide for the Smart CX61 Digital Satellite Combo Box

• PVR Ready Satellite and Digital Terrestrial TV Receiver

This Receiver has 2 feeds from:

• Satellite dish
• Digital Terrestrial TV UHF aerial

How to install a Smart CX61 Satellite Combo Box

• Unpack the box
  • Smart CX61 combo receiver
  • Remote control & batteries
• Push the lead from the Aerial into the 'Aerial in' connection
• Screw the lead from the satellite dish into the 'LNB in' connection
• Connect the scart lead from TV to 'TV out' connection on box
• Plug in the power lead
• Turn on the power switch on the back on the box
• After 5-6 seconds the box will come on and should automatically switch TV to AV channel

• On the initial language menu change to 'English'
• Press the 'Menu' button
• Scroll down to the 'Installation' menu
• Select 'Satellite list'
  • deselect on the default satellites
  • Select 'Astra 28.2 E'
• Select 'Single Satellite Search'
  • Free to Air only: 'Yes'
  • Scan: TV & Radio
  • Scan type: BlindPress 'OK' button
• The box checks for free channels on transponders - takes 4 minutes
• COMPLETE - all the free channels will appear on your channel list

How to Find Terrestrial Channels with Autoscan

• Press the 'Menu' button
• Select the 'Installation' Meun
• Select 'Terrestrial Search' & click 'OK'
  • Select Region as German
• Set search type to FTA only
• Press 'OK' to start the search
  • search takes about 30 seconds
• ALL THE CHANNELS WILL BE SAVED

How to Sort & Delete Channels on the CX61 Satellite Combo Box

• Press the 'Menu' button
• Select the 'Edit Channel' menu
• Enter the password '0000'
• Select 'TV Channel List'
  • Yellow to move Channels
  • Blue to Edit
  • Blue again to Delete
• A cool feature is you can move and delete channels in blocks
• Exit
• to the do you want to save prompt press 'Yes'
  • All changes will be saved

How to Program Box with USB

Upload Channel data on to USB stick.

• Press the Menu Button
• Select the 'Tools' menu
• Select 'Upgarde by USB' & press ok
• Select file type as 'Dump'
• Default name generated for Dumpfile.abs.
  • takes 10-15 seconds

Download Data from USB stick

• Press the Menu Button
• Select the 'Tools' menu
• Select 'Upgarde by USB' & press ok
• From new file type from menu
  • Allcode+Bootloader (everything - takes 50 seconds)
  • Userdb (channels only - takes 15 seconds)
• BOX IS FULLY REPROGRAMMED

How To Manually Tune in a Satellite Channel

• Press the 'Menu' button
• Select the 'Installation' menu
• Select 'TP List' & click 'OK'
• Press 'Green button' -> 'Add Transponder'
  • e.g.
    • Frequency: 10906 MHz
    • Symbol rate: 22000 ks/s
    • Polarity: vertical
  • This will add the Transponder / prompt transponder exists
• Press 'Blue button' -> 'TP Scan'
  • Scan mode: 'Free'
  • Scroll to 'Ok to search
  • Press 'OK'

EPG & Information button

EPG

• Press the EPG button to bring up the Electronic Programme Guide Guide
  • Works well on the Irish Digital channels with a full 7 day guide
  • But only gives a now and next channel option on satellite

INFO

• Press the 'INFO' Button once
  • get information on the current programme
• Press again to access full 7 day guide on the current channel
  • again works better on DTT than on satellite

How to Install an external Hard Drive on the Smart CX61 Combo

AIM: Add an external Hard drive on the Smart CX61 Digital TV Receiver to utilise it's PVR features

Equipment:

• Smart CX61 combo Receiver
• External Hard Drive with USB cable

Steps

• Unpack the external hard drive for it's packaging.
• Power down the CX61 receiver
• Connect the USB cable to the back of the hard drive enclosure
• Connect the hard drive to the back of the CX61 using the available USB port.
• Turn on the CX61 box.
• The box will automatically detect the external hard drive
• That is it, The Hard drive is fully set up !
• Note we have successfully tested the CX61 with 'FAT32' and 'NTFS' formatted hard drives

 

How to use the Pause & Rewind Features

A great feature of the CX61 is that it allows you to Pause and rewind Live TV even when you are not currently recording the channel

• Switch to a new channel and after about 30 seconds you can then hit <<'
• this will rewind the Live TV back until you reach the point when you changed to this channel
• You also have the option at any time to
  • Press 'Pause'
  • Press '►' to Play
  • Press '■ ' to stop
  • use the '>>'  and '<<' to forward or rewind at speeds of
    x2, x4, x8, x16 or x24

How to Record Programmes on the CX61

A great feature of CX61 is that it allows you to Look at a Satellite channel while recording an Irish Channel and vice versa. Indeed it is possible to look at a different Irish or Satellite channels while recording from the same input so long as the alternate channel is being broadcast from the same MUX or Transponder !

To Record

• Switch to the desired channel e.g. RTE1
• Press the 'Rec' button to start recording
  • Recording begins
• Switch now to say BBC 1
• Press the 'Rec' button to start recording
  • Recording begins
• You are now recording 2 channels at the 1 time !
• You can use the 'EPG' button to set future recordings

To Stop Recoring

• Press '■ ' to stop
• Will be prompted to select which channel you wish to stop recording

The Media player - for TV Recordings, Videos, Music & Photos

The CX61 has a reasonable quality media player along with its PVR playback facilities

• Press menu on your remote control
• Select the 'Record' menu
• Select the 'Media Player' option
• Use the '0' to flick between the 4 main options
  • Music
  • Images (photos)
  • Video
  • Record (Recorded TV Programmes)
• Select 'record manager'
• Arrow down to the desired recorded programme and press ok to play.

Index

• 1. How to assemble a sky/freesat satellite dish 
• 2. How to mount a sky/freesat satellite dish
• 3. How to align a sky/freesat satellite dish
• 4. Running the cables & attaching connectors
• 5. Installing the satellite receiver 

1.  How to Assemble a Sky / Freesat Satellite Dish

List of sky dish components

• Sky satellite dish
• Wall bracket
• Wall tube (arm)
• Elevation Bracket
• Dish Bracket
• Fixing Kit
• Feed arm
• LNB (plastic insert)

Tools needed to assemble sky dish

• 10mm, 13mm socket and ratchet
• Philips screwdriver

Steps to assemble the satellite dish

• Open fixing kit and select U-bolts (qty: 2), nuts (qty: 4)
• Insert the U bolts through the wall bracket
• Thread on the nuts
• Insert the arm and tighten the nuts using 10mm socket and ratchet.
• The wall bracket & arm assembly is complete
• Next insert U-bolts (qty: 2) through the elevation bracket
• Loosely tighten nuts
• Attach the Elevation bracket to the dish bracket
• using bolts and washers (qty: 4) and tighten with 13mm socket and ratchet
• Use the bolts and nuts (qty:4) and the philips screw driver to attach the dish bracket to the dish.
• Use the long threaded bolt and small nut to attach the Feed arm to the back base of the dish bracket so the arm protrudes in front of the dish
• Finally insert the LNB (and plastic insert) into the end of the arm and secure with a tie wrap.

2. How to Mount a Satellite Dish

Equipment needed to mount a satellite dish on a wall

• Sky satellite dish, complete with wall bracket and arm
• Coach bolt M8 x 50mm & 10mm plastic plugs (qty: 4)

Tools needed to mount on a wall

• Cordless drill - ideally a 24-36v SDS Drill
• 8mm, 10mm drill bits
• 10mm, 13mm socket and rachet
• Satellite meter

Criteria on where to mount the satellite dish?

• Dish must face South East (141 degrees i.e. direction of sun 11am BST).
• Wall must be a solid surface capable of carrying weight of satellite dish
• Signal must not be blocked by houses or trees (signal is coming in at 21 degrees to the horizontal)
• Place at back or gable end of house to minimise visual intrusion
• Place as close at possible to room / wire box to which the satellite cables are to connect so as to minimise cable run

Steps

1. Place the wall bracket and arm in the correct location
2. Use the cordless drill and 8mm drill bit to drill 4 guide holes
3. Use 10mm drill bit to drill holes to a depth of 60mm
4. Insert the 4 plastic plugs in the holes and mount the wall bracket using the 4 Coach bolts.
5. Tighten the coach bolts using the 13mm socket and rachet.
6. Attach the satellite dish to the arm of the wall plate
7. Use 10mm socket to lightly tighten the dish 'U'-bolts so they are fixed to arm but the dish can still rotated
8. Follow steps in the How to Align a satellite dish guide above 

3. How to Align a Sky / Freesat Satellite Dish

1. Having already mounted the satellite dish on
2. Attach your satellite meter to the dish LNB
3. Align the dish so that it is (1) perfectly vertical, (2) pointing South East (141 degrees).
4. Rotate the dish slowly over and back.
5. Repeat adjusting the tilt angle by 1 or 2 degrees to until a signal is found.
6. Tightend the U-bolts and side bolts using the 10mm & 13mm sockets.
7. Disconnect the satellite meter
8. Connect a cable with an 'F-type' connector from the Dish to the satellite box
9. Check that the signal is working.

4. How to Run the Cabling & Attach Connectors

The next step is to run satellite cable to the satellite receiver.

Tools Needed

• Hammer
• Snips
• Drill
• SDS Drill Bit 10X450

Equipment

• Satellite Installation Kit 

Prior to Begining you must decide

• Decide how to run cable
  • connect into existing cables in the attic
    • Normally neater but requires additional connectors
    • May need a multi-meter to be able to identify the correct cable
    • May result in longer cable runs
  • Run a cable directly from the satellite dish to the satellite receiver
    • Fastest and eastiest way to run a cable
    • Cable runs are normally shorter
    • Requires the drill of a hole through a wall
    

STEPS

1. If the satellite reciever is to be located next to the external wall of a room
   • use a drill and an SDS Drill Bit 10X450 to drill a hole through the wall
   • ensuring to drill from the inside out.
2. To conceal broken plaster use either:
   • Hole tidy (insert inside and out before the cable is run)
   • Cable Cover  nailed onto the outside wall after the cable has been run
3. Feed the end of the satellite cable through the wall leaving enough cable to reach the front of the satellite box.
4. Now start tacking the cable using 7mm clips and a Hammer
   1. Ensuring that the cable runs down from the hole that been drilled in the wall
   2. This will stop water following the cable into the house.
5. Continue tacking the cable
   • Run cable vertically or horizontally but NEVER diagonally
   • If possible hide cable under the plint or behind drain pipes (using 300mm cable ties)
6. Cut the cable leaving enough lenght to reach the LNB of the dish
7. Put on an F Connector on the each end of the satellite cable
8. Screw the F connector on the LNB
9. Seal the connection using Insulation tape or ideally waterproof Self Amalgamating tape 
10. Secure the cable to the dish feed arm using either 300mm cable ties or Insulation tape
11. Final Step is to put on an F Connector on the satellite cable next to the satellite receiver

How to put on an F-Connector

5. How to Install your Satellite Receiver

 

The above map shows the main Saorview Coverage & Transmitters, the colour code of the best UHF Aerial to use and their catchment area.

The table above shows the Channel Range & Polarity of each of the Transmitters in Ireland. The Final column shows the UHF group colour code for the most appropriate aerial for the transmitter. Of course it is possible to use a Wide band UHF (either the high Grid or standard 10 element contract aerial) which will  work on all transmitters.

The table above shows the range of UHF TV Aerials available, their frequency range and the colour code associated with each aerial. View Coastal Transmitter Map [Here]

OVERVIEW

The 3 terms widely (and often incorrectly) used to describe a 

receiver to get the free satellite channels are:

• Free to Air:  Generic Satellite receiver
• Freesat:  ITV/BBC patented range
• Freeview: NOT a Satellite receiver - its a Terrestrial Digital receiver

Below we give full details of the differences

Free to Air (FTA)

• This is a Satellite Digital receiver and is used with a satellite dish
• It is Free to Air meaning it is used to pick up free satellite channels
• but can come with a card slot to allow it to be used for subscription services
• It is capable of working with any satellite (so long as the dish is large enough)
• Manufactured by a range of up to about 120 different companies
• Boxes can come in the following formats
  • Standard definition receivers: No hard drive
  • High Definition Receivers: Option to add on external hard drive
  • HD+ Receiver: Twin feeds to allow you to record one channel & look at another
  • HD Satellite & Combo receiver: a satellite feed & a Digital terrestrial feed
• Good Points ?
  • It is non subscription
  • It is very versatile in terms of channel line up and satellite
  • huge range of different boxes
  • generally cheaper than freesat
• Drawback
  • Unlike freesat it does not automatically updates if their is a frequency change
  •  or a new channels becomes available
  • getting spare remotes etc can be a problem
• Main channels include (on astra 2, but totally flexible):
  • BBC 1,2,3,4,
  • UTV, ITV 2,3,4,
  • Channel 4, E4, More 4,
  • 6 News Channels, 7 Childrens, 8 Movie channels.
• TVTRADE.IE stock these in our free to air satellite receiver section

FREESAT

Main points

• This is a Satellite Digital receiver
  • Works a Satellite dish
• It meets the Freesat standards set out by ITV/BBC to work
• It will work anywhere in Ireland from a 60cm satellite dish
• It comes in range of types (and about 5 manufactures):
  • Freesat SD: SD with no hard drive
  • Freesat HD: HD with no hard drive
  • Freesat+:   twin feed, with hard drive, series link etc
• What makes Freesat special ?
  • It is non subscription
  • It has a standard channel line up (programme with a UK Post code)
  • it automatically updates if their is a frequency change
  • or a new channels becomes available
  • easy to get spare remotes etc (there is 10 million freesat boxes out there)
• Drawbacks
  • It is generally more expensive that free to air boxes
  • It is not as flexible - i.e. you can't decide the order of the channels in freesat mode
  • Only works off the Astra 2 (28 degrees E) satellite.
• Main channels include:
  • BBC 1,2,3,4,
  • UTV, ITV 2,3,4,
  • Channel 4, E4, More 4,
  • 6 News Channels, 7 Childrens, 8 Movie channels.
• TVTRADE.IE stock these in our Freesat Satellite Receivers section

Freeview

Main points

• This is a terrestrial Digital receiver (NOT a satellite receiver)
  • Works with UHF Aerial rather than a Satellite dish
• It meets the Freeview standards set out by ITV/BBC
• It does not generally work in Ireland (Except along border and East coast)
• It is not stocked by TVTrade.ie
• What people generally mean when they say Freeview is that they are looking for either:
  • Free To Air Receiver
  • Freesat Receiver