FAQ: Transmodulators
FAQ P.1
How can I distribute foreign channels in a hotel without equip each room with a decoder?
To distribute Free To Air channels (see FAQ K.13) within a hotel TV system without the obligation to equip every room with a SAT decoder, you can use QPSK-COFDM transmodulators. These devices are able to distribute a series of 7/8 SD channels or 3/4 HD channels per transponder received as DTT signals. This remodulation offers the benefit of combine them into the existing TV multiband amplifier.
OFFEL art. 16-810 S/T FLEX4, e.g., allows to receive SAT Free To Air transmissions present in 4 transponder (one for each input) and distribute them in a centralized TV antenna system in digital format (COFDM).
The services selected by each transponder can be re-modulated on any of the available output MUXs, optimizing the transmission flow of each MUX, which can contain on average 7/8 SD remodulated programs or 3/4 HD remodulated programs.
FAQ P.2
I have some problems to receive RAI and Mediaset channels: can I receive them using the satellite dish instead of an antenna?
Yes, a number of national and private DTT channels is also transmitted by the satellite platform TivùSat (13th EST satellite). In condominiums or hotels distributions, using some transmodulators equipped with Common Interface, just as many CAMs and the appropriate Hospitality Cards of Tivùsat platform, you can receive these SAT signals and distribute them as DTT channels. There are C.I. transmodulators with two or three SAT inputs. The transmodulator is able to receive a transponder for every input and distribute the programs contained into the transponder on 4 output MUXes. In the Common Interface modules it is possible to use FlexCAM (1 or 2, depending on the transmodulator model), which in the case of the TivùSat platform allows decoding up to a maximum of 10 encrypted programs each.
FAQ P.3
How do I program S/T FLEX transmodulators?
To program the S/T FLEX series transmodulators you need a computer on which to install the OFFEL MANAGER software. This software is free and is supplied with the transmodulators, along with the USB cable that connects the S/T FLEX modules to the PC (or You can download it at link https://www.offel.it/ita/Download/Software).
FAQ P.4
I have a later version of the OFFEL MANAGER software than the S/T FLEX transmodulators that I have to program: can I have problems? What happens in the opposite case?
It is always possible to program S/T FLEX series transmodulators with the latest version of the OFFEL MANAGER programming software, since compatibility is ensured even retroactively, but the opposite is not true. That is, it is not possible to program the S/T FLEX modules if the version of OFFEL MANAGER installed on the PC is earlier than that of the transmodulators themselves.
FAQ P.5
On my PC there is already installed a version of OFFEL MANAGER Software. Have I to update it with the latest version?
Yes, but only if you purchased new transmodulators that need to be programmed with a newer software version.
In case you need to reprogram transmodulators already in your possession, however, a previous software version might be fine.
Anyway, it is advisable to install the latest version available for two reasons: it includes the latest parameters for the correct reception of the transponders and because, while with the new version of software you can also reprogram the less recent transmodulators, the opposite is not true.
Download the last available version of the software here: https://www.offel.it/ita/Download/Software
Transmodulators
FAQ P.6
What kind of C.A.M. can I match to the transmodulators of S/T FLEX series?
Currently is available one types of professional SmarCAM, which integrate the Nagravision conditional access system:
cod. 16-733 S/D NAGRA CAM, matched with SAT-DTT transmodulators (e.g. cod. 16-801 S/T FLEX2-1C and cod. 16-802 S/T FLEX2-2C, with 2 inputs and cod. 16-811 S/T FLEX4-1C and cod. 16-812 S/T FLEX4-2C, with 4 inputs), is fitted for decoding encrypted satellite programs of TivùSat platform through the use of TivùSat Hospitality smart cards.
FAQ P.7
Why with transmodulators can not I use the CAM which I already use for the decoders, but it is necessary a "professional" one?
Unlike traditional CAMs, employed in domestic environment within decoders and capable of decrypting only one program at a time, a professional CAM is a CAM that, used in conjunction with professional smart cards, it is able to decode more encrypted programs (SAT or digital terrestrial, depending on the model) simultaneously. For this reason, professional CAMs are used in centralized systems, in combination with special receivers, such as S/T FLEX series transmodulators.
FAQ P.8
In a centralized TV antenna system, is it possible to enable a smart card Hospitality TivùSat without having a valid VAT number?
The enabling of TivùSat Hospitality smart cards (professional cards) for centralized TV systems (such as hotels, condominiums, etc.), to be done directly on the TivùSat site, can only be done if you are in possession of a VAT number.
In case of a condominium, where residents are not required to have a VAT, or in case of a business whose owner has no VAT number, but only the tax code, the TV technician can provide his VAT number to enable the smart card without having to pay a TV license fee for each smart card registered, since these are professional cards for multi-user contracts.
Transmodulators
FAQ P.9
When the transition to the new DVB-T2 modulation standard will take place, will I need to replace the devices (transmodulators, digital modulators, etc.) that process the signals in DVB-T?
No, it will not necessary.
From the point of view of the reception, the DTT-DTT transmodulators of S/T FLEX series are already equipped with DVB-T2 tuner;
From the point of view of the transmission, both the output signals of digital modulators and the output signals of S/T FLEX series transmodulators will continue to be received also by DVB-T2 TVs and decoders, since the receivers with DVB-T2 tuner ensure backward compatibility with the signals modulated in DVB-T standard.