"blind search" No need for patching?

[dohouch]

Just got started and boought Ebay Topfield fe 4000. What bothers me is that their last software update is aug 2005, also the funky english on their main site is not helpful.* Wondering about these receivers that offer blind search, that to me would mean that they are not dependant on an onboard reference when they search for channels on a sat.* Is that correct?* * It seems like a better way to go than being dependant on maufacturer for updates to Transponder reference table.* *I'm I understanding this right.* Normally I would go for a well supported brand.* Seems that "Technomate" has a stong European English speaking following. Maybe I should just pay a visit to heir site and check out their English. See if it is noodle English or potatoe Enlish.

[BGonaSTICK]

Yeah, blind search does pretty much what you say. It just scans and loads whatever it can find (although some receivers are more thorough than others, but then they take a lot longer too). It a brute-force approach, but it can work very well. Good for finding unpublished feeds.

Many receivers also have transponder/channel editing software for the PC so that you're not reliant on a manufacturer-released firmware updates.

The term 'patching' is normally reserved for the addition of a 'patch' to the receivers functional code to enable it to do things that it otherwise wouldn't be able to do, namely decrypt encrypted channels. I presume that what you're talking about is just applying a standard factory firmware update.

HTH

STICK

[dohouch]

Yeah I thought patching meant more than just updaing TP data. Don't think I want to connect recieiver to pc to do updates. So I'll be looking for a blind search box next time around.
thanks
doH.

[BGonaSTICK]

Yes, it can be very useful. The budget Technomates do it.

You can of course update your STB manually one transponder at a time, which is what I would suggest if you don't want to buy a new box yet.

Time consuming, but very rewarding if it's not been done for a long time. Either that, or just cherry pick the more interesting transponders (check Lyngsat).

Your Topfield should have plenty of life left in it yet.

[dohouch]

:'(

My my, or mi mi Compare the Lyngsat TP list to the On Screen list of STB and then enter the TP data that is different.
I feel a headache coming on just thinking about it.

But I appreciate your contribution to my very limited knowledge of this game.* Definitely rather a box with "blind search" than a cross-eyed dohouch with a lead filled skull.* How ever, strange things do come to pass and I won't exclude what now seems like the* minute possiblity of my comparing Lyngsat data to my TP list.
rgds
dohouch

[BGonaSTICK]

Just spin through the FTA stuff, and then only the good looking stuff. It'll only take you half an hour each for Hotbird and Astra1.