Review

Skybox f3 HD PVR Review

Skybox f3 HD PVR Description

Skybox f3 HD PVR has the function of recording and supporting a Wi-Fi USB adapter, agree that this is good for a state employee.

Of course, the receiver has all the capabilities of previous models in this series.

The software of the device is also identical, in the menu, there is a possibility to choose the work of the receiver via a Wi-Fi adapter or Ethernet port.

The MGCamd, CCcamd plugins are already installed, you don’t have to configure anything other than the network and server settings.

Internet sharing is easily configured using the MgCamd or NewCamd protocol as well as CCcamd.

The use of a new 400MHz multimedia processor MIPS provides a fast speed of loading the receiver, executing commands and switching channels.

The multimedia capabilities of the new processor ensure the operation of a multi-format media player that plays all major video formats, such as MKV, MP4, AVI, TS, M2TS, etc., including Blu-Ray.

Full-HD model Skybox F3 – released as much as 2012, but still relevant today. Today it is one of the budget HD receivers on the market, with wide functionality.

Skybox f3 HD PVR Opportunities:

Reception of digital satellite signals of high-resolution Full-HD and standard resolution SD;
Support DVB-S, DVB-S2, MPEG-2 & MPEG-4 formats;
Hardware blind search in DVB-S and DVB-S2 accelerated search (less than 2 minutes) and channel switching (no more than 1 second);
Linux operating system (using MIPS);
The function of digital video recording via USB to external media (USB flash drive or HDD);
Support containers and codecs MKV, AVI, MP4, TS, etc.
Digital output Full HD video via HDMI 1.3;
Digital audio output via HDMI 1.3;
Built-in plug-ins CcCamd, NewCamd, Mgcamd, AvatarCam, GSCam, XCam, and RedCam;
Support Wi-Fi USB modules for wireless connection to a LAN network;

Skybox f3 HD PVR Technical specifications:

MIPS 400MHz multimedia processor – Linux operating system
Full compatibility with MPEG-4 H.264 / AVC Main Profile Level 3 & High Profile Level 4.1, MPEG-2 MP
I & II III, Dolby Digital Audio (AC3);
Support for DiSEqC1.0 / 1.1 / unicable / 1.2 / 1.3 (USALS);
PVR recording function on external USB media;
Hardware MPEG-2 / H.264 decoding;
Playing media files via USB;
Multi-mode: 1080p / 1080i / 720p / 570p / 576i / 480p;
Analog audio output: 2RCA stereo (L + R);
Digital audio output via HDMI;
Composite video output: (RCA);
Digital video output: (HDMI 1.3);
Software update through USB2.0 and RS-232 ports;
1 integrated card reader (CA);
Ethernet interface (LAN 10 / 100Mbit);
Supports Wi-Fi LAN USB adapters;
External GPRS antenna, support for SIM mobile communications;
Package dimensions: 240x235x50mm.
Receiver dimensions: 220x160x45mm.
Shipping Weight: 1.5kg.

Update Software in Skybox f3 HD PVR

1. Download the latest version of the software on a USB flash drive and unzip it to the root directory of the flash drive. The file should appear on the flash:

( file with the extension .abs ) It is intended to update the software of receivers with ALI processors)

2. Insert the USB flash drive into the USB socket of the receiver (for a short time the message “USB disk A connected” should appear, and press the MENU button.

Select the lower item on the left “Tools”, then “Update via USB”.

In the column “Update mode” the item Image file (*. Abs) should be selected.

In the “Update File” column, select our downloaded xxxx.abs file and click the “Start” item.

Carefully read the warning sign, if we want to continue, click OK.

Attention!

Do not unplug the receiver from the network during the update process!

3. Receiver to reboot, and start with the updated software version

How to Update and edit BISS keys in Skybox f3 HD PVR

1. Update the key file constant.cw in the CCcam emulator from a flash drive.

To do this, you need to place the downloaded file constant.cw on the USB flash drive to the root directory and go to the “Tools” item in the main menu, then select

“Update via USB”. At this point, select “Upgrade Mode” – Misc Files, then Select & Upgrade.

In the list that appears, mark costant.cw with a green button, then click the yellow Upgrade button. The update will be fast, about a second, then you need to reboot the receiver (turn it off and on).

Adding BISS keys manually.

2. Add keys manually in the CCcam emulator.

To do this, go to the “Network Settings” item in the main menu, select “Camds setup”,

then go to the CCCam Installation Plug-in – Configuration Files, select constant.cw and press the green Add button.

“CAID” – 2600 (BISS coding)

“ProvID” – not filled

“SID” – provider ID of the channel

“PMT PID” – not filled

“ECM PID” – 1FFF

“EVEN CW” – directly the BISS key

“ODD CW” – directly BISS key itself

Confirm key by pressing the yellow button.

The scheme of filling BISS keys in this receiver is as follows:

Code:

2600: 000000: 0000: 0000: 1FFF :: 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88

CAID___ProvID____SID_PMT PID_ECM PID___________________EVEN CW__________________ODD CW

“CAID” – 2600 (BISS coding)

“ProvID” – does not fill in

“SID” – provider ID of the channel

“PMT PID” – does not fill in

“ECM PID” – 1FFF

“EVEN CW” – directly the BISS key

“ODD CW” – directly BISS key itself

Troubleshoot, SkyBox F3 HD PVR does not turn on

Turn off the power to the receiver.
Prepare a null modem cable (cable pinout 2-3, 3-2, 5-5).
Connect the computer to the receiver using a null modem cable.
Run the “EROM UPGRADE” program
In the window that appears, check the “Include Bootloader” box. In the “Parity” window, select “Space”. In the “Operate Mode” window, select “Upgrade”
Then click the “Browse” button and select file “.abs”.
After that, click “NEXT”
The process of preparing and copying files will begin.
After that, you will need to confirm the operation – by pressing the power button. After copying the files, the program will ask: download this file? Click “Next”. The download will begin. After downloading click “Finished”
Thus, the process of restoring the bootloader and receiver software will be implemented.
After a successful recovery, insert the USB drive with the latest software and update as usual.

If you can not restore the tuner program From Upgrade:

1. Remove the tuner cover. With the help of a magnifying glass, we carefully inspect the RAM with m-mu for overheating. If any number or letter on the card has darkened, then you can put a cross on the tuner.

2. If the RAM is not overheated, we measure the voltages on the main board. Near the m-we AAG21B there are three chokes, respectively, the voltage on them is 1.2v 1.8v 3.3v.

Usually, 1.8v disappears. We make the stabilizer on the LM317 and feed 1.8v to the throttle.