Free to Air (FTA) satellite TV is similar to receiving your local TV channels through your air antenna. In the case of satellite TV, you will receive the free TV signals from the satellites instead. Star Track is not a descrambler. You will not be able to receive premium encrypted channels. These channels are normally by subscription from the signal provider. Certain models of the Star Track have "common Interface" or CI which gives it the capability to accept encryption cards that would allow you to subscribe to premium channels.  The cards are sold separately. 

Free to air plus much more...

There are certain receivers that can accept third party "patched" software which will allow the user to descramble certain encrypted channels.  This  software is readily available on the internet and can be downloaded into your receiver through a "software loader" program.  The process is identical to upgrading your receiver with new software.  Basically, you will need to download 2 programs from the internet into your computer, the loader software and the receiver's patched software. 

Using a null modem cable 9 pin female to 9 pin female -Some receivers require straight through cable-, connect your receiver to your computer and run the "loader" program. From within the loader program, select the software that will be downloaded into your receiver then activate the software download function.   Make sure not to disturb the loading process and to wait until the software is loaded completely into the receiver, failing to wait will most likely render your  receiver inoperable. Some receiver may display GOOD or END at the front panel when the software loading is completed. Make sure to follow the loading instructions to the letter.

Once the new software is loaded into your receiver, it is advisable that you initialize it/setting it to factory default.  You  may need to activate the patch mode using a certain code or a certain key sequence from your remote control. Some software will not require you to enter a code or key sequence to activate the software.  The exact procedure for loading the software and activating it is normally found on the same website.

Needless to say that this software is illegal and in most cases it will invalidate your warranty.  Furthermore, whoever decides to take this route must understand that this type of software does not mean free TV for life, it merely means free TV until the broadcaster decides to encrypt the channel in a different way or send an ECM (Electronic Counter Measure) that will stop the software from working.  In most cased, third party software can fix any ECM a provider may send, but if the encryption method is changed, then you may end up with just free to air receiver.  If you are the adventurous type and decide to take this route, enjoy it, but keep in mind, that nothing lasts forever.  If any distributor promises you free TV for life, we strongly advice you to keep searching for a more reputable one.

AZ/EL (Azimuth Elevation Calculation)

When installing your dish, you will need to know the satellite's azimuth (lateral position) and  elevation (Vertical position), you need to calculate the azimuth and elevation angle based on your city and state, or latitude and longitude. Please note that azimuth is based on true magnetic north. You must adjust your compass to accommodate the magnetic deviation for your area. Remember to add or subtract your magnetic deviation based on the simple rule "East is least, and West is best". that is, if your deviation is east of zero subtract the magnetic deviation from your actual compass heading, and if it is west of zero, then add it to your compass heading. Certain types of compasses can be adjusted for the magnetic deviation, and will always point to the true north.

TV Connection

Connecting your digital receiver to the TV is quite simple. Just remove the cable that is going to your TV and attach it to the "TV Antenna" of the receiver. Connect the "TV Output" of the receiver to the TV.  Set your TV to channel 3 or 4 depending on the position of the RF output switch on the back of the digital receiver.

LNB Connection for slaved receivers.

If you already have an analog receiver and wish to add an MPEGII receiver that would enable you to receiver hundreds of free to air MPEGII channels, then you will need to slave the Stra Track to your current system. Slaving the Star Track depends to your current analog system depends on whether you have a C band only, or C/Ku bands on your system.  If you have C band only, then simply remove the C band cable from the 4DTV and connect it to the "digital" input of the Star Track, then connect the "Loop Through" output of the Star Track back to your 4DTV.

If you have both C and Ku, then you will need to split both C and Ku cables with one leg going back to the 4DTV and the other legs going back to an electronic A/B switch (22KHz , 2way DiSeqC or 12 Volts) , the output of the switch goes to the digital input of the Star Track.  It is recommended that you use either the 22KHz or DiSeqC switch because power is passed to those switches through the coax cable while the 12Volts switch require two power wires to be connected to the receiver's 12 volts output.

No Signal

One of the most common questions we receive is that "I made all the connections, yet I am unable to lock on any channels. What am I doing wrong?".   There can be many different reasons for this problem, please refer to trouble- shooting in product manuals section for more details. Start with the obvious, check your connections first and make sure the unit is receiving the satellite signal, the signal meter in the TP Configuration menu must register a reading.  You will be able to lock on the signal only when the quality meter  registers a signal.  If you are getting a week signal, you may be using a regular TV RG59 cable between your dish and receiver instead of the required RG6 cable.

Common Interface/Conditional Access Module (CAM)

CI (Common Interface) is slot inside the receiver where the user can insert a standard encryption card CAM such as IRDETO, Nagravision, Cryptoworks, Viaccess or Conax.  The encryption card by itself will not allow the user to receive the channels, the user must subscribe to the TV channel by contacting the broadcaster who will in turn send him/her a "smart card".  This smart card is inserted inside the encryption module.  The TV broadcaster will read the smart card and allow you to receive their signal.   You can think of the encryption module (Irdeto, Viaccess, etc) as the lock on you door and the smart card as the key to that lock.

If you wish to subscribe to an encrypted channel, you must first find out what kind of encryption method the broadcaster is using, then purchase the receiver that has this encryption card built in like our 301IR which has built in IRDETO plus 2 free slots for 2 more encryption cards (we will soon have built in Viaccess as well), or you can purchase the specific encryption card and use it one one of the 2 free slots. (we can special order any type of encryption card ).