FireTV User's Guide 1

FireTV User's Guide 1

Table of contents 1. Introduction... 3 Features:... 3 Input:... 3 Output:... 3 Technology Summary... 4 DVB Overview... 4 Digital Satellite Equipment Control (DiSEqC) Overview... 5 2. Requirements... 8 Requirements... 8 3. Installation... 9 Setup... 9 The first start... 15 DiSEqC settings... 15 Channel Setup... 17 4. FireTV... 20 Control Panel... 20 Main TV Screen... 21 The Options dialog... 21 LNB settings... 22 DiSEqC Settings... 23 Interface... 24 Channel Setup... 25 Edit Channel... 27 Scan Satellite... 27 Schedule... 28 Edit Schedule... 30 EPG (Electronic Program Guide)... 30 Channels... 32 Audio... 33 Signal source... 33 Description of LEDs... 34 5. FireData... 35 Using FireData... 35 Adding / Editing a connection... 36 Editing a transponder... 37 2

1. Introduction The FireTV board is a Digital Video Broadcast receiver that is connected to the host computer by IEEE 1394 bus. The FireTV accepts the digital television broadcast signals from the satellite by the DVB specification. The source signal of FireTV comes directly from the parabola aerial, by way of FireTV's advanced design and high transmission capability, the digital video is able to be processed (including still picture capture, demuliplexing, decoding and rendering of the MPEG-2 transport stream and teletext viewing) on the host computer easily. FireTV also provides a user-friendly way to select channel-, program-, satellite from the PC. FireTV and its software are capable of decoding the free-to-air channels. There is an option to record to the broadcasting programs on hard disk in MPEG-2 Program Stream format. Features: Input: o Symbol Rate: 1 Mbaud-45 Mbaud o RF input impedance: 75 Ohm o Modulation: QPSK o FEC method: Viterbi, Reed-Solomon o Puncture rate 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8 o IEEE 1394 interface to the host computer o AV/C Tuner device o 400 Mbps data transfer rate on IEEE 1394 bus o Works with 12V external power or powered by the IEEE 1394 bus o DiSeqC Compatible, DiSEqC 1.0, 1.1 o Antenna and LNB control: 22 KHz tone o LNB supply voltage: 13 or 18 V o Real-time MPEG2 software decoding o Digital broadcast recording in MPEG-2 format onto the hard disk o Still picture capture o Teletext o Electronic Program Guide (EPG) o Receiving Multiprotocol Encapsulated Data (MPE) for further process. High speed Internet access. DVB-S signal from parabola antenna Output: 3

IEEE 1394 6-pin flat connector Technology Summary DVB Overview The potential advantages of digital television broadcasting over conventional analogue broadcasting are numerous and well known. For the broadcaster, digital technology offers significantly improved operational flexibility, providing the means for new business development in the form of completely new services that go beyond the scope of conventional television programs. For example, it enables the provision of interactive services such as enhanced Internet access and home shopping. It also provides an improved means for controlling access to these services, allowing targeted programming and measurement of audience characteristics and preferences, as well as protecting revenue streams from pay TV services. Other benefits concern the broadcasting infrastructure, with better integration with the increasingly alldigital studios and playout centers and, thanks to digital compression, more efficient use of the broadcast spectrum. The benefits for the user include generally improved video and audio quality, improved program and service choice, better navigational aids to facilitate the choice between the various services on offer and greater control over content delivery. The viewer should thus evolve from being a passive recipient of pre-scheduled programming to an active participant in the broadcasting process. Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) is a term that is generally used to describe digital television and data broadcasting services that comply with the DVB standard. In fact, there is no single DVB standard, but rather a collection of standards. One of the earliest standards developed by the DVB Project and formulated by ETSI was for digital video broadcasting via satellite (usually referred to as the DVB-S standard). Specifications also exist for the transmission of DVB signals via cable networks (DVB-C) and for terrestrial broadcasting (DVB-T). These were developed by the Project on Digital Video Broadcasting, usually referred to as the DVB Project. Broadly speaking, DVB technology allows the broadcasting of data containers, in which all kinds of digital data can be transmitted. DVB simply delivers compressed image, sound or data to the receiver (a conventional television set via a set-top box or even a personal computer) within these containers. No restrictions exist as to the kind of information that can be transported in this way. The DVB approach provides a good deal of flexibility. For example, in satellite applications, the maximum data rate in a single 33MHz (mega hertz) satellite transponder for a data container is typically about 38Mbit/s (mega bit per second) and this container, could hold, for example, eight standard definition television (SDTV) programs, four enhanced definition television programs (EDTV) or one high definition television (HDTV) program, all with associated multi-channel audio and ancillary data services. Alternatively, a mix of SDTV and EDTV 4

programs could be provided, or even multimedia data containing little or no video information. The content of the container can be modified to reflect changes in the service offer over time (e.g. migration to a wide-screen presentation format). At present, the majority of DVB satellite transmissions convey multiple SDTV programs and associated audio and data, and also used for data broadcasting services (e.g. Internet access). The established MPEG-2 standard was adopted in DVB for the source coding of audio and video information and for multiplexing a number of source data streams and ancillary information into a single data stream suitable for transmission. MPEG stands for Moving Picture Experts Group, a group of experts drawn from industry who contribute to the development of common standards through an ITU-T and ISO/IEC joint committee. The DVB-S standard specifies a system for satellite digital multi-program TV services, both for primary and secondary distribution and for use in the Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) and in the Broadcast Satellite Service (BSS) frequency bands. The standard is intended for Direct-To-Home (DTH) services to consumer Integrated Receiver Decoders (IRD), as well as for reception via collective antenna systems (Satellite Master Antenna Television (SMATV)) and at cable television head-end stations. It can support the use of different satellite transponder bandwidths, although a bandwidth of 33 MHz is commonly used. Digital Satellite Equipment Control (DiSEqC) Overview TV signals from the satellite are collected on the earth s surface by dish antennas, but the signal strength differs on various parts of the surface. The satellite antenna radiates the signals in a particular pattern called a footprint, which covers a substantial area of the earth s surface. The signals are strongest at the center of a satellite footprint and weakest at its edge. Receiving dish antennas at the outside of the footprint need larger diameters than those at the center. Centimeter waves are used for satellite signals transmissions, the frequency range is about between 3 to 30 GHz. The reason for using these short radio waves is the disturbing influence of cosmic noise for frequencies 1 GHz and lower. For frequencies above 15 GHz the signals are greatly weakened by oxygen and watervapor. The most popular satellites using the following frequencies in the Ku band for downlink transmissions: 10700-11700 MHz (so-called low band) and 11700-12750 MHz (high band). Satellites transmit their signals in a pattern which positions their waves of energy in either a vertical or horizontal orientation, or polarity, this is called linear polarization. Some satellites send their signals in a spiraling pattern that rotates in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction, this is called circular polarization. A typical satellite receiving system comprises a dish antenna that collects the signals and reflects them back to a common point called the focal point, which is located to the front 5

and center of the antenna. Directly over this point is a device called LNB (Low Noise Block), where the incoming signals frequency is changed to an output frequency (socalled intermediate frequency (950 2150MHz)) given by the difference between frequency of a local oscillator of the converter and that of incoming signals. The signals of output intermediate frequency go via a coaxial cable to the satellite receiver. Local oscillator frequencies of currently produced Ku band LNBs are usually based on the universal standard: 9750MHz for low band and 10600MHz for high band reception.(10700 9750 = 950MHz) Inside of an LNB, there is either one oscillator of frequency 9750 MHz (with such LNB it is possible to receive only low band signals) or there are two oscillators, the first of frequency 9750 MHz and the second of 10600 MHz, this is a so-called universal LNB and it makes it possible to receive both high and low bands. Switching between polarization levels and frequency bands is done from receiver. The polarization levels are controlled by a 13/17 V DC or by an appropriate DiSEqC command, bands are controlled by a 22 khz tone imposed on the cable or by another DiSEqC command. For satellite reception of other than the Ku band a LNB for another band can be used, but output intermediate frequency signals must be in a frequency range of 950-2150 MHz. A receiving system according to where a single LNB is placed at the focal point can only be used for reception of TV programs on one satellite receiver, that is on one TV set. To connect two or more satellite receivers to one LNB, or use more LNBs pointing to different satellites, it is necessary to use another type of LNB and insert a device called a multi-switch or IF distribution box between the LNB and satellite receiver, which is also controlled by DiSEqC commands. DiSEqC standard has several different levels: DiSEqC Compatible (also known as Tone Burst, Mini-DiSEqC or Simple- DiSEqC) provides an additional switching function (Sat Position A/B) next to 13/17V and 22kHz. The DiSEqC Compatible signal is a burst signal that rides on the 22kHz signal. For position A, the 22kHz signal is simply passed through. But in Position B, the 22kHz signal is sampled instead. Receivers that offer DiSEqC Compatible can only control DiSEqC multiswitches (Levels 1.0 and 2.0) together with 13/17V and 22kHz control. Relays using DiSEqC Compatible technology can also be controlled by receivers with levels 1.0 and higher. DiSEqC Level 1.0 works with the complete DiSEqC command set and can send digital command to control "polarization", "frequency band", "satellite position" and "option". This is a "One-Way System" with the receiver doing the "talking" and the Satellite accessories doing the "listening". DiSEqC Level 1.1 is an expansion of level 1.0 and provides for additional control commands especially for newer-styled single cable system e g. SMATV. With level 1.1, DiSEqC commands are sent repeatedly. Guaranteeing that these commands reach their destination even in systems with several DiSEqC products cascaded together. Up to 64 satellite positions can be programmed. 6

DiSEqC Level 1.2 supercedes level 1.1 and includes commands to drive a positioner system. This permits a positioner system to be completely controlled and powered by a single coax cable. DiSEqC Level 2.0 is based on level 1.0 but now there is communication in both directions. The receiver sends DiSEqC commands to the different accessories, These accessories then confirm the receipt of these commands back to the receiver. Numerous different satellite components can now confirm with the receiver the commands that they received. DiSEqC Level 2.1 incorporates all of the functions from level 1.1 to 2.0. DiSEqC Level 2.2 as level 2.1 above plus positioner commands. Additional DiSEqC expansion can be expected in the future for switching commands that have not yet been defined. Subsequent levels, such as level 3.0 are being planned that would be based on an expanded bus system. 7

2. Requirements Requirements Operating system: Windows XP 1394 connection (built in or host card on PC, and cable) Parabola antenna which receives a satellite signal by the DVB standard Sound card with speaker A good video card (GeForce2, Matrox G550, etc or better recommended) FireTV board 8

3. Installation Setup Before you connect the FireTV board to the PC through the 1394 bus, you need to install the device driver and the application. Start the FireTVSetup.exe from the installation CD. If you want to continue the installation, click to the Yes. Click Next. 9

You can select the destination directory, than click Next. 10

You can select the Start Menu folder than click Next. 11

Select if you want to create icon on the Desktop, than click Next. Summaries about the installation. If you want to change something, you can click Back. You need to click onto the Next to continue the installation. 12

Copy all of the necessary files into the destination directory and begin to install the driver. 13

You get this message because the FireTV driver is not digitally signaled. You need to click the Continue Anyway for the driver installation. 14

The software setup is finished. Connect the parabola antenna cable to the FireTV board and plug the board to the PC through the 1394 bus. If you get the message about the Windows Logo testing again, just click to the Continue Anyway. The first start DiSEqC settings At first you need to setup the DiSeqC parameters and the LNB setting according your parabola antenna. Click on the Menu button, and select the Options menu item. 15

You will see, the following dialog box, choose the right satellite, LNB, oscillators and polarizations for the ports: Choose the DiSeqC Settings and configure it according to your parabola antenna. For example: 16

Note: You need to know your LNB data correctly. If your LNBs are not universal type (the LNB has 1 oscillator) you should set only the low oscillator frequency field to this frequency, and the other fields to 0. Also you need to know which LNB directed to which satellite in your parabola antenna. You must set only this satellite in the dialog box. Channel Setup Click on the Menu button, and select the Channel setup menu item. 17

You will get the following dialog box: Click to the Scan Satellite. If you already configured your DiSEqC and LNB setting, you will see a similar dialog box, with the satellites you have set up: Select the satellites what you want to scan for services and click to the Scan. On the bottom line you can the scanning status. Note: During the Scan process the RED led will be ON if the tuner find a channel and OFF, if the tuner make a tune for a frequency where is no any broadcast. The result is the RED led always will change it s status from ON /OFF. If you do not observe the LED s 18

status changing, please check your LNB setting and make sure the LNB and DiSeqC setting are correct. If you want to quit from the scan, click to the Close. After finishing the scanning process a new category, the Unfiled will be included into the Channels dialog, clicking to the Unfiled folder you can see the detected channels: In the unfiled category, all the detected channels can be found. For easier use, organize channels to different categories. Now FireTV is ready to use! 19

4. FireTV Control Panel The FireTV application has two windows, the main TV screen, and the control panel. The control panel is on the picture below. Pause / Play button. Record Start / Record Stop button. The record starts for the first click and stop it for the second click. In this moment the FireTV records into the MyDocuments\My Videos directory. The filename is created from the date and time. The file is MPEG-2 program stream. You can play back the file with the Windows Media Player or with any program which is able to play back MPEG-2 files. Frame capture. If you click it, one frame will be captured into the MyDocuments/My Picture directory. You can push the button more times, the frames is saved in different file name. The name is created from the date and time The time. The name of the currently watched TV channel. Volume control. Volume is set separately for every channel, so every channel can have different volume setting. Mute. Volume setting is not changed by mute. Teletext button. Switch to teletext mode and back to TV mode. Only European languages are supported. Note: there is no teletext on all of the channels. Menu button. Pops up the menu, that will be described in the following sections. 20

System buttons. They have similar meaning, as in other windows applications. Minimize, Full screen, Close. Main TV Screen Navigate the mouse to the FireTV screen, click by the right button of the mouse and move the mouse to a channel or folder. Folder will open the channel list in this folder. Select a channel by a click. FireTV application will tune this channel The Options dialog To open the options dialog, click on Menu button, and select Options 21

LNB settings The first page in the Options dialog box is LNB settings. If you don't know what LNB means go here. DiSEqC port: Select the port, for which you want to set the properties below. The number of DiSEqC ports depend on the DiSEqC version, your system use. Satellite name: Set to the name of the satellite the LNB points on this DiSEqC port 22

LNB type: Usually Universal, but can be set to Manual. High Oscillator Frequency, Low Oscillator Frequency: If your LNB is not Universal type, set the oscillator frequencies here. If your LNB has only one oscillator, set the Low Oscillator Frequency to this value, an the High Oscillator Frequency to 0, Linear Horizontal, Linear vertical, Circular Left, Circular Right: Set the polarization that your LNB supports. Note: You need to know the properties of your LNB and you also need to know which LNB directed to which satellite in your parabola antenna to set these parameters correctly. DiSEqC Settings In this dialog the DiSEqC parameters can be set. If you want to know more about these settings go here. DiSEqC Version: The version of the DiSEqC protocol, your satellite system use. If you don't know, set to DiSEqC 1.1. 23

No Repeat, 1 Repeat, 2 Repeats: In order to support cascaded DiSEqC devices it is necessary to repeat the DiSEqC commands for the distant devices which are beyond an IF switch. Otherwise, if the nearby switch is open there is no IF path connected until the first DiSEqC message causes the switch to close and connects the distant switch. The default setting is 1 Repeat. Use Voltage Signal (13V/18V): The voltage signaling can be switched on and off. Use Tone Burst: Tone Burst signaling can be switched on and off. Use 22kHz Signal: 22kHz signaling can be switched on and off. Switch Band, Switch Position: If 22kHz signaling is on, the effect of the 22kHz signal can be selected. If you have Universal LNB. Set to Switch Band. SMATV Mode Enable: It should be used only in SMATV (Satellite Master Antenna Television) environment. Interface Here you can set user interface related options. 24

Compatible mode: Some new features of Windows XP can not be used with some older video cards, but by setting compatible mode on, FireTV can work with these older cards. If you experience problems, like multiple video displays, switch it on. Skin: The look and feel of FireTV can be changed here on the fly. Channel Setup Click on the Menu button, and select the Channel setup menu item. You will get the following dialog box: 25

In channels dialog box, the channel list can be managed. Signal Quality and Signal Strength shows the actual quality an strength of the currently played channel. The status area shows the properties of the currently selected channel in the list. Show Unfiled Category in Menu: If switched on, the Unfiled category is shown in the channels menu. Load, Save: The complete channel list can be saved to file, and loaded back. New Category: Creates a new channel folder. Add channel: Channel can be added to the list manually here, with similar dialog as in Edit Channel. Edit Channel: Channel properties can be modified here, in the following dialog box. Remove Channel: Deletes channel from list. Scan Satellite: Scans the selected satellites. 26

Remove Satellite: Removes the selected satellite, and the channels came from th deleted satellite. Edit Channel If you click on the Edit Channel or Add Channel button in the Channels dialog, the following dialog box appears. Display Name: The name of the channel as can be found in channels menu. Satellite: The name of the satellite where the channel comes from. Frequency (Mhz): The transponder frequency in megahertz. Symbol rate: The symbol rate on the transponder. Polarization: The polarization of the signal. ID: Service ID of the channel. If you click on Tune button all the service IDs and service names are shown on the selected transponder. Type: The service type can be Radio or TV. Scan Satellite 27

If you click on Scan Satellite button in Channels dialog, the Scan Satellites dialog box appears. All the satellites that are set up in the LNB settings dialog are shown in the list with a check box. Select the satellites that you want to scan for channels and click on Scan button. On the bottom line you can see the scanning status. Note: During the Scan process the RED led will be ON if the tuner find a channel and OFF, if the tuner make a tune for a frequency where there is no any broadcast. The result is the RED led always will change it s status from ON /OFF. If you do not observe the LED s status changing, please check your LNB setting and make sure that the LNB settings and DiSEqC settings are correct. If you want to quit from the scan, click Close. After finishing the scanning process a new category, the Unfiled will be included into the Channels dialog, clicking to the Unfiled folder you can see the detected channels. If Update new channels only is selected, only the new channels, that are not already included in channels list, will be in Unfiled folder. Tip: If you select only one satellite, after the scan process is finished the Unfiled folder will only contain channels from the selected satellite. Than you can rename the Unfiled folder to the name of the actual satellite, than select the next one, scan, the Unfiled folder will be created again, and contain the scanned channels from the actual satellite again, then rename. If you follow this process with all the satellites you will have channel list by satellites. Schedule To open the Schedule dialog, click on Menu button, and select Schedule. 28

The following dialog appears. In the list, the scheduled recording list can be found, entries can be added manually, or from the EPG list. Add: Entries can be added here. Edit: Entries can be edited here Delete: Delete schedule entries Clear Obsolete: Deletes entries that are in the past. 29

Start schedule: Set FireTV in scheduling mode. The entries will be recorded only in schedule mode. Close: Close the dialog box without entering schedule mode. Edit Schedule This dialog appears when you click on Add or Edit in the Schedule dialog. Here you can select the start and stop time, the channel and the file to record. If you click on Select button, a channel from the channel list can be selected. EPG (Electronic Program Guide) To open the EPG dialog, click on Menu button, and select EPG. 30

The following dialog appears. 31

In this dialog the EPG information broadcasted in the current channel is listed. Note: Not all channels has EPG information. Set Schedule: Sets an EPG entry to the schedule list. Close: Close the dialog. Channels To list channels click on Menu button, and select Channels. This menu is the same as the one pops up when right clicked on the main TV screen. 32

Audio To select language, or set audio properties click on Menu button, and select Audio. Here the audio language and if the stereo channels contain different language audio, the proper stereo channel can be selected. Signal source If you have more than one FireTV board connected to your PC, you can select the one to work with, in the Signal source menu. 33

Description of LEDs Tuning LED (red): On when the tuner locked on a channel. Power on LED (green): On when the FireTV board powered and ready to use. Blinking when error occurred 34

5. FireData FireData is a complementary application to FireTV for high speed satellite internet connection. Internet access with FireTV board is download only, so you still have to have a regular internet connection (eg. through a phone line) to send requests to your satellite Internet Service Provider (ISP) (eg. Europe Online www.europeonline.net). You cannot watch TV while using FireData (with the same board), since FireData tunes to a certain transponder to receive data stream and watching TV would require to tune to another. It is though possible to use two boards plugged on the 1394 cable, and to use one for watching TV and the other to receive internet data stream at the same time. In addition to FireData and your browsing application your satellite ISP may provide additional tools you have to configure correctly in order to use the satellite connection. Using FireData FireData Application Devices group In the devices popup you can choose among the tuner devices on your system. Choose your FireTV board if necessary. If you plug in your board after starting FireData press Refresh and your device should appear in the popup. Connections popup You have to create at least one connection in order to use FireData. Note that these are not Windows network connections. To create a new connection press Add..., to edit an existing connection press Edit..., to remove a connection press Delete... button. When a connection is selected FireData automatically tunes to the appropriate transponder. 35

Multicast addresses group Multicast addresses is an informative list about your connection to the system. You don't have to care about it if you do not know the meaning of these data. Options... button Options... button is the same as in FireTV application. Here you can adjust your lnb and diseq settings. If you have already configured these settings in FireTV there is no need to modify it in FireData. Minimize to System Tray While using FireData it may be practical to minimize it to the system tray. FireData will be still running, but won't bother you on the screen. Adding / Editing a connection Add / Edit connection dialog Connection name The name of the connection can be anything you want (well, almost). IP addresses In the IP addresses list appear any IP address/subnet mask pair that comes automatically from your connection and you may add additional IP address/subnet mask pair(s) your ISP provides. In the picture above the 1 st address is an example to the former, the 2 nd address to the latter. Satellite & Transponder Pressing the Edit... button you can edit the transponder to use. Your ISP should provide you information about the transponder they use to transmit data. MPE PIDs If the transponder is set and FireTV was tuned successfully the stream PIDs found on ths transponder are listed in the left listbox. Your ISP should provide you information 36

about the PIDs to map. You can map and unmap PIDs with the '>>' and '<<' buttons. If you haven't any clue which PIDs to use you may try to map all PIDs on the left. If there are no PIDs on left probably the transponder settings are incorrect. Editing a transponder Edit transponder dialog Satellite Choose among the satellites you set in the Options... dialog. Transponder Enter the transponder data as provided by your ISP. 37