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Sagem ISD 3100
Recently we received a new digital set-top box
which supports the Open-TV standard. It’s a
French receiver, called Sagem ISD 3100, and
it comes with a built-in Viaccess decoder. Perhaps
you have already seen how many channels
are using Viaccess today, not just in France.
A good example is the Russian NTV for which smartcards
are very easy to get. Although the ISD 3100 is
basically a Free to Air receiver, the Viaccess integration
is a very welcome addition. In fact, the Sagem
is a very back to the basics receiver, without any
unnecessary gadgets. Operation is very simple, but
done to keep it clear for a larger audience. The ISD
3100 is in fact designed for reception of two European
satellite systems: Astra and Hotbird, or perhaps
a Scandinavian satellite as well. On the front you
will only find the emergency buttons together with a
LED indicating the status of the receiver. Of course,
there is a smartcard slot for the Viaccess system.
At the back, two Scart (Peritel) connectors take care
of the connections to the rest of your equipment.
Together with two phono jacks for supplying your
stereo with sound. Additionally a phono connector
with composite video can be used to supply
an extra monitor with the video signal. To update
the firmware or settings, an RS-232 interface is
present. An analogue or second digital receiver
can be connected to the LNB output. There is no
RF modulator built-in. Looking at the extensive
on-screen display we believe it’s even the better.
The remote control is not just an everyday one.
The numeric keys are shaped like the numbers
itself, making it easy to find them even if it is
dark. Since Open-TV is supported, there are a
few buttons more on the remote. But grouped
together and marked with colours, they pose
no problem in everyday use where you will only
use the numeric keys and the ones beyond.
Fear of the remote control, of any, disappears
very rapidly when using it for just a short time.
Measuring analog and
digital, now and in the future
Buying a measuring device for signals is always a
serious job. Not because it is expensive, but more
so because it must be in operation for many years.
Newly bought measuring devices should, therefore,
also be able to process digital signals. The new
R.O.V.E.R. SDA-4 & 5 Digisky coming from Italy
is capable of measuring analog and digital QPSK
satellite signals. The input can handle signals from
950 up to 2150MHz. And the channel memory of
200 channels should be enough for average use.
Besides the signal strength it also shows the
frequency. It can measure the error rate of digital
signals and when channel IDs are integrated in
the data stream the names are visible on-screen.
Want More? Free Time Travel 10 Years Back:
Read Full Magazine TELE-satellite 04/1999 Here:
One of the more rare functions is the possibility to
measure the signal/noise figure for analog signals.
Other receivers can be connected to this unit
without any loss in signal strength or quality.
A Digisky is yours for only DM 1.600 (incl.
VAT). It only weighs 1.2kg and can do its job
up to 3 hours on its battery. When the battery
runs dry it warns you perfectly on time.
The other day, the new shift arrives at
work in the satellite control station
“Can’t wait for it: what did
the telly show today?”
http://magazine.TELE-satellite.com/vintage/TELE-satellite-9904-deu-eng.pdf
www.TELE-satellite.com — 04-05/2009 — TELE-satellite & Broadband 129