If your TV Translator stopped
working
It may be necessary to reset your receiver if its software has recently been updated
by DirecTV. Push the red reset button behind the front panel access card door. If
that doesn't fix the problem, use the TV Translator Configuration Utility
to update the firmware in your TV Translator. Also update settings to the
current factory parameters, as shown. Note that H20 Mode is no longer needed by any receiver.
Test the TV Translator
Install the TV Translator Configuration Utility
on your PC to verify the TV Translator can "Connect". Note that the USB connector
on the TV Translator must be plugged into the PC. If
your PC has a serial port, plug the serial connector on the USB TV Translator into
it. Then use the Run Test command on the Options menu to thoroughly test the USB
TV Translator.
If you don't have a serial port: You can test the serial end of the USB TV Translator using your DVR:
- Connect the USB cable from the USB TV Translator to your PC.
- Connect the serial connector on the USB TV Translator to the DVR. You can use
a serial extension cable if necessary.
- Start the TV Translator Configuration Utility. It should show that it is Connected.
- Use the Options menu to open the Test Window. It should report "USB connected"
and "Serial not connected".
- Use the DVR remote to change channels. The channel-change commands should appear
in Test Window. For example, "FA A6 00 C9 FF FF 0D".
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If you can't Connect to the Configuration Utility: Open the Device Manager (Start->right click My Computer->Properties->Hardware
tab->Device Manager). Expand "Ports (COM & LPT)". When you plug in the USB
connector on the TV Translator then "Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port" should appear
in this list. If this driver does not appear then it may not be installed properly.
Reinstalling the Configuration Utility should install this driver. (Or run "DownloadUsbDriver.exe"
in the Configuration Utility installation directory.)
Testing the satellite receiver
USB port
Using a PC with a serial port, you can verify
your satellite receiver responds to commands on the USB port. Follow these steps:
- Connect the USB cable from the USB TV Translator to the DirecTV receiver.
- Connect the serial connector on the USB TV Translator to the serial port on your
PC. You can use a serial extension cable if necessary.
- Start the TV Translator Configuration Utility. It will show that it is Not Connected.
- Use the Options menu to open the Test Window. It should report "USB not connected"
and "Serial connected".
-
Click the Change Channel button. Each time this button is clicked it toggles the
receiver between channel 100 and channel 201. These channels are available even
without a DirecTV subscription.
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