Low Cost Satellite TV Combo Receiver Kit

OVERVIEW of the Satellite Combo Kit

This Kit contains everything you need to be able to receive all the Free Digital Irish Terrestrial (Saorview) and UK Satellite (Freesat) channels on a single receiver. All you need is a TV set.

The Kit consists of:

Xoro HRC 9000 Combo Receiver (Pre-programmed)
Sky Satellite Dish & Single LNB
HDMI to HDMI Cable - 1m
Satellite Installation Kit
Choice of:
- TV Aerial & Wall Mounting Kit (default)
- TV Aerial & Chimney Mounting Kit

Possible Add Ons

250GB/320GB External Hard Drive
- This will allow you to utilise the PVR functions on the Xoro 9000 Combo Receiver. You can pause and record Live TV. Storage of up to 200 hours of TV programming is possible.

USES of the Satellite Combo Kit

The Xoro HRC 9000 Recevier allows you to receive both
- Digital Terrestrial TV (Irish Saorview Channels)
- Satellite Channels (UK Channels)
Channel list includes:
- RTE 1, 2, TV3, 3e, TG4 & RTE News Channel
- BBC 1,2,3,4, BBC One HD, BBC HD
- UTV, ITV 2,3,4, ITV1 HD
- Channel 4 HD, E4, More 4, Film 4, Channel 5
- 6 News Channels, 7 Childrens Channels, 8 Movie Channels

ADVANTAGES of the Satellite Combo Kit

Is an extremely reliable model from a Germany company
Does the job of both a HD Satellite receiver and a HD Digital terrestrial receiver in a single unit
Unit is PVR ready, an external hard drive can be added on to utilise the recording functions
Supports both Standard & High Definition transmissions
It is very competitively priced - much cheaper than the main Triax, Strong, Mvision or Edision models
Unlike competitor brands it allows you to record DTT channels while looking at a satellite channel
It future proofs your investment by meeting all the latest HD standards
Unlike cheaper brands, it works well with USB powered external hard drives

DISADVANTAGES of the Satellite Combo Kit

More expensive than a Standard Definition Satellite Receiver or a Digital Terrestrial receiver
It does not have an RF out i.e. it is not possible to run the picture to an additional room unless you use either an external Modulator or a TRI-Link (allows you to operate box with a sky eye from another room)
Does not do 7 day EPG on satellite channels (No combo receiver does this)

INDEX

Overview & Install of the Xoro HRC 9000 Satellite Combo Receiver
- How to Install a Xoro HRC 9000 Combo Receiver
How to Set the Language to English
How to Find Satellite Channels with Autoscan
How to Find Terrestrial Saorview Channels with Autoscan
How to Sort & Delete the Channels on the Xoro Combo Receiver
How to Program the Xoro 9000 with a USB Memory Stick
How To Manually Tune in a Satellite Channel
How to use the EPG & Information Button
How to Change the Aspect Ratio
How to Format an External Hard Drive on the Xoro HRC 9000 Satellite Combo
How to Pause Live TV on the Xoro Satellite Combo
How to Record Programmes on the Xoro Satellite Combo Receiver
How to Play Back your TV Recordings
How to use the Media player for TV Recordings, Videos, Music & Photos
How to edit your Xoro 9000 Channel List on a PC or Laptop
How to Turn On/Off Subtitles on the Xoro 9000
How to Safely Remove your External Hard Drive

Overview & Installation

Complete users guide for the Xoro HRC 9000 Satellite Combo Receiver

PVR Ready Satellite & Digital Terrestrial TV Combo Receiver

This Receiver has 2 feeds from:

Satellite Dish
Digital Terrestrial TV (UHF Aerial)

How to Install a Xoro HRC 9000 Satellite Combo Receiver

Unpack the box
Contents
- Xoro HRC 9000 Satellite Combo Receiver
- Remote Control, 2x AAA Batteries & User Manual
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 the correct AV channel if you are connected using a scart cable. If using a HDMI cable, you will probbaly need to use the source button on your TV remote to change to the correct AV channel on the TV

How to Change the Language to English

Press the menu button
Scroll to Sprachen option
Change to 'English'

How to Find Satellite Channels with Autoscan

Press the 'Menu' button
First 'Delete All Channels' - to get rid of German preset channels
Scroll down to the 'Installation' menu
Select 'Satellite list'
- Deselect the default satellite
- Select 'Astra 28.2 E'
Select 'Single Satellite Search'
- Free to Air only: 'Yes'
- Scan: TV & Radio
- Scan type: Blind
- Press 'OK' button
The box scans for free channels on a list of transponders. It takes 4-5 minutes
COMPLETE - All the free satellite channels will now appear on your channel list

How to Find Terrestrial Channels with Autoscan

Press the 'Menu' button
Select the 'Installation' Memu
Select 'Terrestrial Automatic Scan' & 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 Xoro HRC 9000 Satellite Combo Receiver

Press the 'Menu' button
Select the 'Edit Channel' menu
Select 'TV Channel List'
- Yellow to move Channels
- Blue to Edit
- Blue again to Delete
  - A cool feature is you can delete channels in blocks
Press Exit
Do you want to save prompt: Press 'Yes'
All changes will be saved

How to Program Box with a USB Drive

Save Channel data on to USB Drive

Press the Menu Button
Select the 'Tools' menu
- Select 'Upgrade by USB' & press OK
- Select file type as 'Dump'
Default name generated for Dumpfile.abs
Takes 10-15 seconds

Load Data from USB Drive

Press the Menu Button
Select the 'Tools' menu
Select 'Upgrade 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 PROGRAMMED

How to Add New Satellite Transponder

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 if transponder already exists
Press 'Blue button' -> 'TP Scan'
Scan mode: 'Free'
Scroll to 'Ok to search
Press 'OK' when scan finished

EPG & Information Button

EPG

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

Info Button

Get information on the current programme
Press the 'INFO' Button once
Works better on UK satellite Channels than on Saorview Channels
Can also use the info button to determine signal strength by pressing twice

How to change the Aspect Ratio

Menu button
System Setup
TV System
- Change 'Aspect Mode'
  - from default '16.9'
  - to 'Auto'

How to Format an External Hard Drive on the Xoro HRC 9000 Satellite Combo Receiver

AIM: Format an external Hard drive on the Xoro HRC 9000 Satellite Combo Receiver to utilise it's PVR features

Equipment:

Xoro HRC 9000 Combo Receiver
External Hard Drive with USB cable

Steps

Unpack the external hard drive for it's packaging.
Power down the HRC 9000 receiver
Connect the USB cable to the back of the hard drive enclosure
Connect the hard drive to the back of the HRC 9000 using the available USB port
Turn on the HRC 9000 receiver.
The box will automatically detect the external hard drive
That is it, the hard drive is fully installed!
To format the external hard drive, see the video below

How to Pause Live TV

A great feature of the Xoro Satellite Combo is that it allows you to Pause Live TV even when you are not currently recording the channel

Press the 'Shift' button
Now press the 'Pause' button
you have now paused live TV
To resume play press the play button
You can forward or rewind to catch up with Live TV / Go back
To exit just hit the stop button on the remote

How to Record Programmes on the Xoro 9000 Satellite Combo Receiver

The video below shows how to do real time recording, future recordings using the timer menu and also how to record using the EPG.

How to Play Back your TV Recordings

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

The Xoro HRC 9000 has a reasonable quality media player along with its PVR playback facilities

Press menu on your remote control
Select the 'Tools' Menu
Select the 'Media Player' option (see product description for compatible file types)
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

How to Edit your channel list on a PC or Laptop

How to Turn On/Off Subtitles on the Xoro 9000

Use the yellow button marked 'txt' on the remote
It pulls up the subtitles menu
Just deselect subtitles using the arrow keys

How to Safely Plug Out Your External Hard Drive

Press menu button on remote
Arrow down to tools menu
Arrow over to remove USB device safely and press ok

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 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

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

3. How to Align a Sky / Freesat Satellite Dish

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

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.
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
Feed the end of the satellite cable through the wall leaving enough cable to reach the front of the satellite box.
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.
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)
Cut the cable leaving enough lenght to reach the LNB of the dish
Put on an F Connector on the each end of the satellite cable
Screw the F connector on the LNB
Seal the connection using Insulation tape or ideally waterproof Self Amalgamating tape
Secure the cable to the dish feed arm using either 300mm cable ties or Insulation tape
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 Combo Receiver

Unpack the box
- Combo Receiver
- Remote Control
Screw the lead from the satellite dish into the LNB IN connection
Plug in the feed from your aerial into the ANT IN connection
Connect scart or HDMI lead from TV to the combo receiver
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 may automatically switch TV to AV channel
May need to select correct AV channel on TV if not automatically switched

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

Saorview Frequencies

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.

UHF Aerial Groups

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]

A. How the Satellite Combo kit works

The Xoro HRC 9000 Combo Receiver takes in 2 separate Feeds

Feed from the Satellite dish which picks up the Free UK Satellite channels such as BBC, ITV etc
Feed from a UHF aerial which picks up the Saorview Digital Terrestrial Channels e.g. RTE1, RTE2, TV3 etc

B. But I Already have a Satellite Dish or Aerial

Often customers customers considering the this system will already have some of the equipment in place so a few guidelines would be if you already have:

A satellite dish - you can drop the
- Sky Satellilte Dish & LNB
- Satellite Installation Kit
A TV aerial - you can drop
- TV Aerial Installation Kit
- UHF Aerial and Bracket kit
A Satellite dish & TV aerial you can drop the
- Sky Satellilte Dish & LNB
- Satellite Installation Kit
- UHF Aerial and Bracket kit
- TV Aerial Installation Kit
A Satellite dish but would like to add this to another room, drop the
- Sky Satellilte Dish & LNB
  - Add in a Sky Quad LNB with a Legacy Adaptor

C. How do I add it to an extra room

There are 2 ways to approach this.

View the output of the 1st receiver in the second room
- To do this you will need to add either an RF Modulator (view only) or a Trilink (view and remotely change channel) to the receiver
Totally independent system - add the following:
- Another Xoro HRC 9000 receiver
- a Quad LNB (can drop the single LNB) to run the satellite (BBCs etc) to the 2nd receiver
- a TV Splitter to allow you to split the TV Aerial signal (Irish Channels) to the 2nd receiver

D. Why is it Free ?

Lots of TV channels broadcast their signal for free or unencrypted and this means that you don't need a subscription or a card to receive those channels. For Example both Channel 4 and ITV make their money from advertising so the more viewers who see their channels the better.

E. Which TV Transmitter should I point the TV Aerial towards

Look at the Map on the Transmitter Info tab on this page to identify the nearest Saorview Digital Transmitter to use. The colour coded aerials shown are best but as the Digital Signal is very strong, a standard Black Wide Band Aerial will be fine in almosts all locations

20/05/2012, 11:24 PM

"Got the UK/Irish combo kit for a relative whose deflector system for the UK channels was shut down. Ordered on Monday night, arrived on Wednesday morning. Good quality gear with hundreds of crystal clear channels. Have not had the opportunity to try the recording facility with an external USB drive so cannot vouch for that. This website and instruction videos are excellent in helping to choose a suitable system and to install."

– A Nonymous

05/12/2011, 04:21 PM

"Brilliant product, channels already setup so by the time i was down from the ladder the TV was already working. would definitely recommend to anyone looking to get rid of one monthly bill, all the channels you could want and alot more besides. thanks to tvtrade for a great deal."

– Kevin Quaid

31/03/2011, 05:19 PM

"Does exactly waht it says on the tin. Couldn't fault it."

– Frank Murtagh

23/09/2010, 02:43 PM

"I dropped my sky package for this system and absolutely love it. Just as good for what I watch and the picture is crystal clear."

– Liam Harvey

18/09/2010, 10:45 PM

"works great and the picture is crystal clear very easy to set it all up and i also have 4 rooms connected from the satellite for when i buy more receivers the argus mini is really easy to set up after watching the videos on it i will be buying here again"

– martin coakley

17/08/2010, 03:20 PM

"Works like a charm and is saving me 100+ quid a month having no longer to pay for my subscription package. I wouldn't be great at DIY but found bringing out the laptop and following the step by step video instructions that I was able to get the job done. Really happy with my new system and would highly recommend it to others."

– Keiran Tolan