got a fortec omega - how do you update it?

[johnlogie]

Can anyone help me. 2 questions. 1) Does anyone know how to update my Fortec Omega so I can go back to watching the worth watching Hispasat channels. I do what you are meant to do - nothing. 2. I am fed up with this expensive load of **** Never been happy with it, especially as I replaced my ageing Echostar 3600IP and 1.2 36v dish with a system that doesn't pull in half the satellites I used to and there appears to be a severe lack of technical support (I'm still waiting) My second question is, can anyone recommend a replacement box that will enable me to watch the channels and pick up satellites such as Hellas and Nile. I've been looking at the Technomate models (any suggestions) and the Manhattan Plaze XT-CM. Any recommendations gratefully received. Need blind search and able to drive the disq(?) dish. Hope all this makes sense (to someone)

[Robbo]

I think the TM1xxx series and the TM5200 can do the Nilesat channels, they were reported to, last time I looked ( my dish too small to check).
They will control the Diseqc motor, no problem. Also the super models will blind scan ok. A l s at has more info on the TMs, and what channels you can get. Shame you ditched your 36V with 1.2m dish though, a V-box attached to a Diseqc enabled receiver could have handled that.

[johnlogie]

Really appreciate your reply thanks. I got rid of my original set up - which had served me well - because the local sat shop (who had supplied the original set up) said I would be able to receive a lot more channels with the Fortec but it would not drive a 36v motor to steer my dish. I took their advice and it took them 3 months and 5 visits just to get it working properly and I still can't get half the sats I used to be able to. Now it won't even lock on to any of the sats so its sat here on Hispasat and even though the receiver is p******d and I input the new c it does not open them. I am not a techie which is why I e-mailed Fortec - no reply so I am not impressed. I am going to look at TM boxes today so your prompt reply is appreciated.

[Robbo]

Unless your 36V setup/dish was broken in some way, replacement was unecessary. I can't believe a reputable satellite shop would not have advised about the V-box, shame
Make sure you do all the reading up you can before buying, as what channels you can get, comes and goes, like all similar systems.

There's no point at all contacting Fortec Star about unofficial p@tches for your receiver, loading them invalidates the warranty, and they obviously would not support you.
.

[johnlogie]

Robbo thx for your help. There was nothing wrong with my system except I was told the Echostar was outdated and not supported anymore. I had never heard of the V box until you mentioned it now so I have just been and looked it up - sounds spot on. Too late now, I sold my Echostar to a chap in Iceland. In your opinion, do you think it is wise for me to dump my Fortec and swtich to a TM? and is it just a case of taking the wires out of one and putting them in another? Thanks for taking the trouble.

[Robbo]

Originally Posted by johnlogie

In your opinion, do you think it is wise for me to dump my Fortec and swtich to a TM? and is it just a case of taking the wires out of one and putting them in another? Thanks for taking the trouble.

I would not want to give an opinion. I know what I can get on my system and I am happy with it for the moment (TM1000), but because of my motorised dish size, I am limited to what sats I can receive from.

The available unnofficial firmware for the receivers, is a bit of a minefield,as the packages come and go. All I would say is that the TMs are one of the best supported at the moment.

Also, if your motorised system is not set up right, it may not work with a new receiver either. The motorised settings for a new receiver would also need setting up, so that it knows where all the satellites are. But yes, essentially one Diseqc1.2 compatible receiver can be exchanged for another. ( I had a Fortec Beta before, and it didn't take long to get the TM going)

[johnlogie]

Thanks Robbo. Really helpful.I am going to go over to a different sat shop today who stock TM and see. I do appreciate your help - thanks.

[Analoguesat]

Unofficial support for the Omega seems to have been discontinued:

h**p://www.al7bar-soft1.com/index.php

[johnlogie]

Ok been over to sat shop this PM and he suggests the TM5400 CI+ Waiting for stock. Sounds good 10K channels and USB for PVR. My Fortec works fine now I've threatened it but I still feel the TM has got more potential and will probably be easier to use. Thx.

[Robbo]

Originally Posted by johnlogie

Ok been over to sat shop this PM and he suggests the TM5400 CI+ Waiting for stock. Sounds good 10K channels and USB for PVR. My Fortec works fine now I've threatened it but I still feel the TM has got more potential and will probably be easier to use. Thx.

I think the TM5400 is the replacement for the TM1500 but with a usb port for a PVR, and channel storage capability of 10,000 channels, instead of 5000.