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10x1 DiSEqC Review

The document reviews a 10-input, 1-output DiSEqC switch. It arrives well-packaged and has a sturdy housing. The switch can be programmed for different DiSEqC modes but comes pre-programmed for an uncommon mode. Testing showed good signal and switching performance when using the correct mode. However, the default mode limits compatibility. A programmer is needed to change the mode for broader compatibility in North America.

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vewevre
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53 views4 pages

10x1 DiSEqC Review

The document reviews a 10-input, 1-output DiSEqC switch. It arrives well-packaged and has a sturdy housing. The switch can be programmed for different DiSEqC modes but comes pre-programmed for an uncommon mode. Testing showed good signal and switching performance when using the correct mode. However, the default mode limits compatibility. A programmer is needed to change the mode for broader compatibility in North America.

Uploaded by

vewevre
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Review of the 10x1 Multiprotocol Programmable DiSEqC Switch

I was asked to review a 10 input 1 output DiSEqC switch submitted by Sadoun Satellite. This switch
arrived enclosed in a very nice yellow plastic weather enclosure with foam covers visible across the 11
coax entrance holes on the bottom.
On the back it has molded fittings ready for a U bolt to clamp onto a standard 1 5/8” TV type mast pole.
The fit and finish of the case is very sleek.
Opening the cover reveals the switch along with the rubber gasket that seals the top and sides from
moisture as well as from insects seeking a new home. The switch housing is quite substantial in itself,
and is mounted in a way that allows tilting the switch connectors forward. If this tilting wasn’t possible it
would be difficult to thread an F connector to the inputs in the back as well as the receiver output.

The switch is labeled as “programmable”. Since I had no prior background on this type of DiSEqC switch I
had to do a bit of searching on the internet to discover some of the details. The switch can be
programmed by the user to conform to whatever mode is needed for the situation, and has 8 different
modes available…

1. DiSEqC 1.0 or 2.0 (DiSEqC A, B, C, D, max 4 LNB)


2. DiSEqC 1.1 or 2.1 (uncommitted or cascaded switch commands, max 10 LNB)
3. DiSEqC 1.0 or 2.0 and mini A, B (DiSEqC A, B, C, D, mini A,B, max 6 LNB)
4. User defined DiSEqC protocol (max 10 LNB)
5. DiSEqC 1.1 or 2.1 (uncommitted switch commands, max 10 LNB)
6. DiSEqC 1.2 or 2.2 (Programmable from receiver, max 10 LNB)
7. DiSEqC 1.1 or 2.1 or 1.2 or 2.2 (auto 2 & 6 mode, max 10 LNB)
8. DiSEqC 1.0 or 2.0 or 1.1 or 2.1 or 1.2 or 2.2 (Auto 1 & 5 & 6 mode, max 10 LNB)
I tested this switch using a Coolsat 5000 since I had previously used this receiver with switches that
conformed to either the 1.1 or 1.2 DiSEqC protocol. I started testing by using the uncommitted DiSEqC
1.1 mode and the switch changed to all 10 ports flawlessly. I then ran a cascade test using the switch in
combination with a regular committed DiSEqC switch and again it switched with no problems.
Observing signal and quality I compared the switch in line and out of line and observed that the signal
would drop about 3 points with insertion into the line. The specifications I could find online
showed the switch was rated at 3db insertion loss. The observed 3 point drop in signal was
comparable with other switches I have on hand that are also rated at 3db insertion loss. The good news
is that even with the IF insertion loss there was no discernable loss on the quality meter. This shows
the switch has very little added noise into the system. Even when cascaded with a good quality DiSEqC
1.0 switch there was only a 1 point drop in quality.

I tested the switch in DiSEqC 1.0 and 1.2 modes and could not get a response from the switch at all.
This tells me that most likely the switch comes programmed out of the box in mode 2 above. For most
people in North America this would limit the use of the switch to a small handful of receivers that
have DiSEqC 1.1 capability. This would necessitate the use of a programmer to change the mode to a
more useful state utilizing either the 1.0 or 1.2 DiSEqC modes which more closely matches the available
receivers in North America.

Without the programmer I cannot test the switch any further. It is a very interesting piece of equipment
which I could use in my system if it was programmed differently from the factory. I have located some
fairly inexpensive 6 mode programmers which I’m sure would work with this switch but I have yet to
locate an 8 mode programmer.

Things I like about the switch:


Weather case
Construction
Tilt mechanism
Loss characteristics
Switching function and speed in DiSEqC 1.1 mode

Things that need to be changed:


Programmer needs to be made available
Switch needs to be programmed to a more user friendly mode out of the box

I would definitely consider purchasing the switch, but the mode it comes in from the factory is a deal
breaker in North America. A simple mode change is all that would be required. My suggestion would be
that if Sadoun Satellite is considering this item for retail it would be imperative to either make the
programmer available, or better yet just purchase a programmer for company use and reprogram each
switch to mode 8 above for DiSEqC 1.0, 1.1, or 1.2 use. This would make available any DiSEqC protocol
used in North America, and takes mere seconds to accomplish.

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