will this work and if so what do I need extra?

[hybug]

Hi, I have just been given a Technomate TM-5500 CIP that has a Matrix Reloaded cam but no card, together with an Arcon Sweety dish, LNB and motorised wall mount.
Not having dabbled in this type of setup previously (been lazy with Sky) I would like to know 1: is the setup ok, 2: if/when set up correctly what can I receive, and 3: what are the cam/cards for? Any recommendations welcome
Plugged it into my sky dish and selected 28.2 astra as a test and it downloaded channel list so still works!
Cheers

[Mickha]

Your receiver is patchable so all you probably need is a null modem cable, and you can patch it using your PC. A patch is software designed for your receiver by third parties and not recommended by the manufacturers, but everybody uses them without a prblem, just ensure you load the correct patch.
This should currently get you D+ package on 19E, TPS on 13E, Cabo and D+ on 30W, as well as a few other channels.
If your PC/Laptop hasn't got a COM port you will also need a USB-Serial adapter.
The only thing a Cam can get you that a patch can't is Premiere, 19E, but all things change quickly in this hobby and no one knows what will be available in a couple of weeks, so it's wise to see what's available with a patch first.

[BGonaSTICK]

'Given'?

Some guys have all the luck!

You should have a lot of fun with that little lot. Read our motor install guide in the Utilities section for a head start on fitting the external bits. Most of it will apply. I assume your motor is 36V?

Welcome to the forum.

[hybug]

Given? Sorry but yes!!!

The whole kit has just been stored for the last couple of years or so, my friend who had it is not tech savvy and couldnt get his head around the updates without external help so gave up. I have time on my hands now so I can have a play.

I have a South East facing wall to mount to, just trying to calculate the best position to mount the dish. I have a SM3D12 motor on the dish and have managed to get it powered and it will rotate with the 'nudge' buttons next to the lnb feeds, so that should be okay.
Box is in good order, but if cam is in slot then it just says 'initialising', could the card be duff? Can anybody tell me what is needed to 'update' the cam to get it working? Thats the bit confusing me atm.
I have checked the software against the technomate site and it is up to date (as of 2003!) but if the box is patchable, what does this mean and how do I access the patches?

I now it sounds a lot but Im a newbie with this stuff and know that " if you dont ask - you dont get"
Thanks in advance
Hybug

[BGonaSTICK]

LOL, you ask away m8

OK, official Technomate firmware is fine, and is very stable now - which is why it's not been updated for a while. If you're going to run a CAM, then that's fine.

A patch is a version of that firmware which has been tinkered with to allow it to decrypt certain pay-TV services without any CAMs or cards. Of course, this is highly illegal, as is programming a multi-CAM to do a similar thing.

The Matrix Reloaded CAM is pretty much useless these days for such stuff - in other words, no updates are available - and that makes it about as useful as a chocolate teapot. The Diablo CAM is the modern-day equivalent.

The MR would be OK for running official subscription cards, but it sounds a bit trashed - so would probably need reprogramming with a CAS programmer.

Your motor isn't 36V, but DiSEqC, so that will simplify your life a little.

Search out a 'Darkman' patch for your receiver, and do a little reading in our Technomate section