The 4DTV Digital Satellite Receiver has made available many additional capabilities, features, and programming to the C-band consumer. Along with this new product and technology comes a variety of questions related to the installation and operation of the receiver. The following are answers to the most commonly asked questions.

Connecting your 4DTv for the first time
Adjusting the polar mouint on you C-Band Dish


Q-Why is my remote controle not controlling my 4DTV receiver ( the red LED  blinks on the remote but no response)

Q - I get some of the digital channels but not all of them, why is that?

Q - I see a lot of "digital" channels in the paper program guides that I can't get with my 4DTV receiver. How can I view these?

Q - You advertise that the 4DTV uses "Dolby Digital", but there is no output for it. Why?

Q: Can the 4DTV provide Dolby Pro-Logic surround sound to my stereo receiver?

Q - Why can't I store channels that aren't listed in the Interactive Program Guide (IPG) in the "favorite channel" lists?

Q - How and when will the 4DTV receiver get HDTV signals?

Q - How does the Interactive Program Guide work?

Q: How can I get my 4DTV IRD to update the Interactive Program Guide (IPG)?

Q: Why doesn't my dish move automatically every night to get the Interactive Program Guide (IPG) updated even though at the Dish Setting screen, "Allow Dish Movement for Updates" has been set to "YES?"

Q - Why can't I get detailed "information" for ALL the channels?

Q - How can I use the 4DTV remote control to change the volume?

Q - Why can't I manually adjust the audio and video settings on digital channels?

Q - Why can't I save audio channels if I change the settings?

Q - Is there any information available in the receiver that will tell me more what is going on in the receiver?

Q - How do I know when the receiver has finished "downloading"?

Q - Do I need a VCRS module to use the 4DTV receiver?

Q: Why does my 4DTV Integrated Receiver/Decoder (IRD) seem slow at times displaying the video picture?

Q: My 4DTV Integrated Receiver/Decoder (IRD) takes a long time to display anything on the front panel after the unit is plugged in or reset.

Q: When I installed the satellites or setting the limits for them, the IRD seemed to be jerky when performing left or right satellite positioning, but went away when performing normal satellite calls. Why?

Q: Why doesn't my 4DTV IRD's front panel display the accurate time of day?

Q: My 4DTV IRD menu screen flickers and changes colors as a new channel is being displayed. Is this normal?

Q: Is it normal for the 4DTV front panel LED to travel in a "box" or a "racetrack?"

Q - Is there a procedure available that can make installing 4DTV receivers easier?

Q - Why does S-video only work on digital signals?

Q - What are the data ports on the back used for?

Q - Would I ever need to pull the power cord from the 4DTV receiver?


4DTV Receiver Installation Summary

The 4DTV Digital Satellite Receiver has made available many additional capabilities, features, and programming to the C-band consumer. Along with this new product and technology comes a variety of questions related to the installation and operation of the receiver. The following are answers to the most commonly asked questions.

Q - Why is my remote control not controlling my 4DTV receiver ( the red LED  blinks on the remote but no response)

A - The remote control is on the wrong channel. The 4DTV receiver allows you to have multiple receivers in the same household. For that reason you can address the remote control.
To fix the problem make sure you 4DTV is powered on. Then press " Up and Down arrows" at the same time until a number display on the front panel i.e :000 or 002. Then press and hold down the 4DTV button on your remote control until the LED start flashing then press the three digit that displayed on you receiver. Then press the power button on the remote. Your remote control should now control the 4DTV.


Q - I get some of the digital channels but not all of them, why is that?

A - The ability to receive any satellite signal is dependent on signal strength. Digital transmissions have many more variables such as compression ratios and forward error correction that make using typical analog threshold calculations inadequate. Each programmer chooses its transmission parameters based on their business strategies. Different parameters relate to different requirements for dish size and LNB specifications. Based on current programming transmissions, a standard 7 _' dish and 30 degree LNB is adequate for all available digital programming and provides about 3 dB of margin. However, other factors such as terrestrial interference, being on the perimeter of a satellite footprint, heavy rain and how well your dish is "arced" can have an impact on the signal quality. These factors may cause you not get certain digital channels. To be certain you receive as many channels as your system will enable, we recommend that a qualified 4DTVAuthorized Dealer adjust consumer equipment for optimal performance.
To identify if you are likely to have problems with particular digital signals, look at the signal quality level on the "Adjust Picture" menu ("Options", 2). This number needs to be a minimum of 18 to get a digital picture, and we recommend at least 25 to guarantee a consistent picture.


Q - I see a lot of "digital" channels in the paper program guides that I can't get with my 4DTV receiver. How can I view these?

A - There are several different formats for digital signals. The 4DTV Digital Satellite Receiver receives DigiCipher II( signals that use Multiple Channels Per Carrier (MCPC) format. While this format is used by almost all programmers transmitting content to cable systems, some other users of satellite transmission may be using other formats such as NextLevel's DigiCipher II Single Channel Per Carrier or other digital formats. Other Direct Broadcast Services (DBS) such as DirecTV, Echostar, and Primestar use formats that are not compatible with 4DTV or with each other.

If a programmer is using DigiCipher II, NextLevel must create Virtual Channel tables that allow the Integrated Receiver/Decoder (IRD) to tune to these channels, the programmer (e.g., HBO, Encore, etc.) must provide NextLevel with the parameters of the digital channels (such as the MPEG service number). If the programmer doesn't wish to provide this data, then NextLevel cannot define the channel.


Q - You advertise that the 4DTV uses "Dolby Digital", but there is no output for it. Why?

A - While much of the current promotion of Dolby Digital (also referred to as "AC-3 audio") in the consumer arena has been focused on 5.1 channel output for products such as laserdiscs and DVDs, 5.1 channel output is only a single option which may or may not be included in products using Dolby Digital technology. Many products which are just becoming available in the personal computer, Internet, and digital television marketplaces will utilize the benefits of Dolby Digital without outputting 5.1 discrete channels. The following table shows a Dolby Digital 5.1 channel discrete surround input being output by the 4DTV receiver as left and right transports decodable by Dolby Surround or Dolby Pro-LogicTM processors. A major advantage of using Dolby Digital is that this is the standard chosen for transmission with High Definition Television signals. When outputting a HD signal, the 4DTV receiver will include the full 5.1 channels of audio information along with the HD digital signal.

So, while the 4DTV receiver does take advantage of Dolby Digital technology and NextLevel has full permission by Dolby Labs to use the Dolby Digital logo, it does not have the digital output that most users expect to see.

Dolby Digital Input From Satellite 4DTV Output
1 channel mono Mono on RCA left/right
2 channel stereo (left, right) Stereo on RCA left/right
2 channel matrix surround (front left, front right, center and rear are encoded in the left and right) Left/right transports for stereo or external surround or Pro-Logic decoding on RCA left/right
5.1 channel discrete surround (Front left, front right, center front, rear left, rear right, and low effects channel) Left/right transports for stereo or external surround or Pro-Logic decoding on RCA left/right

Q: Can the 4DTV provide Dolby Pro-Logic surround sound to my stereo receiver?

A: Yes. The 4DTV provides Dolby Pro-Logic surround sound output to your stereo receiver and/or your VCR. The 4DTV can, in addition to Dolby Pro-Logic Surround Sound, provide audio in mono and stereo formats using the Dolby Laboratories standards. Keep in mind that the 4DTV receiver will only output Dolby Surround or Pro-Logic if the source is transmitting in that mode.


Q - Why can't I store channels that aren't listed in the Interactive Program Guide (IPG) in the "favorite channel" lists?

A - The 4DTV system allows you to tune to any analog transponder and all accessible and defined digital DigiCipher II channels. All of these channels are available to be put in the two "Favorites Lists". When you have selected one of the favorites lists from the "Interests" screen, you will be able to channel surf to any favorite channel you have selected. However, since the Interactive Guide may not have all the channels included such as occasional video, these may not show up in the Interactive Guide. If you know of channels that need to be included in the Interactive Guide, please email us at ipg@nlvl.com and we will include it.


Q - How and when will the 4DTV receiver get HDTV signals?

A - HDTV is a high resolution signal that uses over 1000 lines of vertical resolution to create a crystal clear, movie theater quality television picture. The first HDTV standard commercial transmission over satellite is expected in 1998. The 4DTV receiver uses a digital standard that is capable of receiving the HD signal along with the associated Dolby Digital audio and delivering this signal to the Multimedia Access Port (MMAP) output of the receiver (this makes sense since NextLevel Systems Inc., when it was known as General Instrument, was a pioneer of HDTV). This signal can then be decoded by a compatible television or intermediate translation device. The 4DTV system has an advantage delivering HD signals over DBS systems because the high bandwidth requirements of the signal are typically 4-5 times greater than typical compressed NTSC video.


Q - How does the Interactive Program Guide work?

A - The Interactive Program Guide, or IPG, works as follows:

  • A programmer, such as HBO, sends seven days of IPG information to a data collection service. This service receives information for all channels that want their information in the IPG.
  • NextLevel receives this information every day and transmits all seven days of data using one of the C-band satellites. Currently, IPG data is transmitted on G9.
  • If the message "Information Not Available" displays when pressing the Guide button, the receiver is not authorized. For the 4DTV receiver to obtain IPG information, a consumer must be authorized and have provided their time zone by calling a 4DTV ready program provider. To get authorization data, the receiver must be tuned to any transponder that is carrying an authorization stream. This is very similar to getting authorized for VideoCipher programming. Currently there are digital transponders carrying authorization streams on G1 and G9.
  • The 4DTV receiver can store over 24 hours worth of data. To look out into the future, the receiver must return to the transponder delivering the full 7 days' worth of information. The receiver will do this automatically when being requested to find information it does not have stored.
  • The receive can also automatically update its memory each night at 2AM for the latest 24 hours of IPG information by selecting the "Automatic Update" feature in the installation menus. Note that the receiver must be turned off (in Stand-by mode) each night to receive these updates.
  • When using the "Interests" feature with the IPG, the 4DTV receiver searches through all available programming to find and display the interest you selected. This can often take several seconds.

Q: How can I get my 4DTV IRD to update the Interactive Program Guide (IPG)?

A: There are two ways you can update the IPG: 1) Simply turn the 4DTV off at night and the IPG will be updated automatically, as long as the "Allow Dish Movement for Updates" setting has been set to "YES," 2) Press the [GUIDE] button and the 4DTV IRD will display the IPG if the information has been retrieved. If the IPG information has not been retrieved, the 4DTV IRD will display, "Guide information is available on satellite G9 channel 7. Press ENTER to change satellites and retrieve the guide information. To cancel, press GO BACK." Confirm by pressing the [ENTER] button. The 4DTV will retrieve the Guide information. If that does not work unplug the unit and plug it back in once it finishes its warm up hit the guide button again and wait about 3 minutes. This should force your guide to download.


Q: Why doesn't my dish move automatically every night to get the Interactive Program Guide (IPG) updated even though at the Dish Setting screen, "Allow Dish Movement for Updates" has been set to "YES?"

A: The satellite dish is only capable of moving automatically, when the power is turned "Off" (Stand-by Mode). The 4DTV IRD can not automatically move the dish to update the IPG when the unit is left "On."


Q - Why can't I get detailed "information" for ALL the channels?

A - IPG information is provided by each individual programmers and not all programmers provide this information. Some channels such as occasional video channels do not have information available.


Q - How can I use the 4DTV remote control to change the volume?

A - The 4DTV remote can control a VCR and TV as well as your 4DTV receiver. Although the 4DTV receiver does not have internal volume control, you can change the volume by using your TV or VCR and selecting the mode on the remote and using the 4DTV Remote Control Unit (RCU) volume keys. You must first program the remote to know your brand and model of TV or VCR. See the installation instructions for details.


Q - Why can't I manually adjust the audio and video settings on digital channels?

A - The 4DTV receiver automatically tunes to the center of the digital signal. At this point, the digital signal has specific coding requirements which cannot be modified like analog channels. Terrestrial Interference filtering is not available because it removes important information necessary to decode the digital signal. However, skew and dish adjustment are available from the installation screens to fine-tune these settings.


Q - Why can't I save audio channels if I change the settings?

A - The first release of software did not include this capability. This function will be downloaded to the receiver this summer.


Q - Is there any information available in the receiver that will tell me more what is going on in the receiver?

A - There are several diagnostics screens available that are not described in the User Manuals. This information is not typically useful for consumers. These screens and descriptions will be placed on the 4DTV Web site at www.4dtv.com.


Q - How do I know when the receiver has finished "downloading"?

A - There are several types of information the 4DTV receiver downloads. These include:

  • Interactive Program Guide (IPG) data - (See question 6 above).
  • Virtual Channel Information - This includes satellite and channel information so the 4DTV receiver knows how to access all the latest available digital and analog channels. The receiver leaves the factory with a set of default information (tables) but the latest information must be downloaded to the IRD. This occurs automatically as soon as the IRD is tuned to any transponder transmitting DigiCipher II signals that include these tables (currently all TVN and HBO digital channels carry these tables and most digital channels will in the near future). It is important to get this information before finishing an installation to ensure all available satellites have been programmed in. To determine when the receiver has completed this download, you can check the system status by selecting "Options","6", "5" and look for the channel count at the bottom right to stop counting (currently this number stops at around 1300, but will increase as channels are added). After installation the 4DTV receiver automatically updates this information when watching a DigiCipher II program.
  • Software downloads - One of the advantages of the 4DTV receiver is the ability to add features after the receiver has been installed. The first software download will be fall 1997. Some new features you will notice are Instant Pay Per View features, the ability to store audio changes, ability to install up to 80 satellites, and increased channel change speed. This download will occur when the receiver is turned off and will be relatively transparent to the consumer. There will be several ways to know if the download was successful, including the display of "WM UP" on the front panel when turning on the receiver and the addition of the new features. The consumer will receive electronic personal messages to be notified of the download.

Q - Do I need a VCRS module to use the 4DTV receiver?

A - You don't need a VCRS module to access the digital DigiCipher II free or encrypted programming, but you do need one to descramble VideoCipher II Plus scrambled programming the same as current analog receivers.


Q: Why does my 4DTV Integrated Receiver/Decoder (IRD) seem slow at times displaying the video picture?

A - The IRD tunes to the correct transponder, determines whether the signal is analog or digital, acquires the signal at its assigned data rate, acquires the video and audio, and determines if the parental control ratings allow viewing of the signal. This can cause slower channel changes at times.


Q: My 4DTV Integrated Receiver/Decoder (IRD) takes a long time to display anything on the front panel after the unit is plugged in or reset.

A - The IRD's front panel blanks the screen for a short time to initialize its internal hardware and software, similar to a personal computer boot-up. Due to the complexities of the 4DTV, this can take approximately 30 seconds.


Q: When I installed the satellites or setting the limits for them, the IRD seemed to be jerky when performing left or right satellite positioning, but went away when performing normal satellite calls. Why?

A - In some buildings with a lot of metal structure or objects placed in the IRD area, the IRD may be receiving multiple UHF signals reflected from these objects initiating from the remote control. Removing the UHF antenna during setup and programming will reduce or eliminate these reflected signals. Re-install the antenna after setup and programming is complete.


Q: Why doesn't my 4DTV IRD's front panel display the accurate time of day?

A - The 4DTV IRD depends on you providing accurate zip code information to your programming provider. The 4DTV sets the time automatically from this information. If you are experiencing difficulties, we encourage you to contact your provider to confirm this information.


Q: My 4DTV IRD menu screen flickers and changes colors as a new channel is being displayed. Is this normal?

A - Yes, this is normal. The IRD uses the sync pulses from channels to display the video picture and to display menus. When the IRD is searching for a signal (channel), it loses this sync pulse and synchs on a pulse generated internally by the unit. This is required to continue displaying the menus or banners, etc. Once the IRD acquires an external signal from the satellite dish, it drops the internally generated signal and, once again, synchs on the external signal.


Q: Is it normal for the 4DTV front panel LED to travel in a "box" or a "racetrack?"

A - Yes. but only when the 4DTV IRD is in "Timer Mode." The IRD has been programmed to lock on a channel at a specific time by the user, e.g., if you wanted to tape a program while you were out. This alerts others that the it has been programmed. To cancel out of the Timer Mode and return to normal operation (losing the timer settings), simply press the [POWER] button.


Q - Is there a procedure available that can make installing 4DTV receivers easier?

A - The 4DTV receiver requires several steps that are not necessary for current analog only receivers. Below, at the end of this page, is a procedure developed by our Technical Assistance Center that may help the installation process.
Note: It is highly recommended that 4DTV receivers be installed by a qualified 4DTV Authorized Sales and Service dealer.


Q -Why does S-video only work on digital signals?

A - 4DTV video is one of the highest quality video pictures available in both analog and digital modes. To maintain this quality, the S-video only works on the digital video broadcasts. The video that is displayed by your TV is actually in two components, chroma and luma. Analog transmissions combine these before they arrive at your satellite receiver. It takes extra hardware to split these, which can actually reduce the quality of the video. S-video was developed to take advantage of digital signals that can be stored by separate components. Laser disc players were the first products to use S-video output to take advantage of this separation. The 4DTV receiver also takes advantage of the separate components, but only on digital signals.


Q - What are the data ports on the back used for?

A - There are several types of data that can be sent to the 4DTV receiver using the DigiCipher II system. These include asynchronous data as low as 9600 bps to the full 29.27 Mbps transport stream of the transponder. Although there are no services using this capability at the moment, this port is capable of providing Internet access, HDTV, and other data services in the future.


Q - Would I ever need to pull the power cord from the 4DTV receiver?

A - Normally, you should never need to pull the power cord from your 4DTV receiver. However, if you think the receiver is not responding to requests for IPG data or is not responding to the remote control, sometimes powering the receiver off by removing the power cord will fix it by requiring the receiver to refresh its memory. This will not affect your satellite installations.


4DTV Receiver Installation Summary

1)Before disconnecting old unit, position the dish to G9-7. Connect power and dish cables to the new unit.

2)Press <Options 6 4 2> Select actuator and LNB type. Select "standard" feedhorn.

3) Press <go back>

4) Press<3> to get to the east/west limits screen.
Press <3> to get to the Program Satellites screen. You may begin programming satellites w/o programming limits. You may then go back and put the limits in once you know where the satellites are.
WARNING: Programming satellites without setting the limits may cause damage to the dish, actuator, roof, etc. if your system does not have limit settings properly set at the dish.

6) By using the arrow keys position the yellow cursor over the G9 tile. Press <enter>.

7) This is the Satellite Adjustment screen. Channel up to "target" channel of the program you intend to find to identify the satellite you are on. (Channel 23 is a analog clear, easily identifiable channel)

8) Press <2> for dish position control.

9) Use east or west arrows to move the dish until you locate the desired signal. The dish should already be close to G9 if it was left at the position before installation. If unable to locate G9 and only finding opposite format satellites, you must switch the feedhorn setting to rotated 90' in step #2 and begin again.

10) Once you have found the correct "target" channel on the selected satellite, adjust the dish position to maximize quality.

11) Press <4> for Skew Adjust. Adjust the skew to maximize quality. You may choose to use the auto skew feature by pressing <5>.

12) Channel up/down to a channel of opposite polarity and adjust skew again to optimize quality. Do not go back to the original polarity.

13) Press <go back>and <enter> to save settings. This will put you back on the satellite chart to select the next bird to be programmed in. Do NOT continue yet. Press <view>. Change channel to 7.

14) Press <option>. At the bottom of the screen you should notice the number in the box marked "Channels" increasing. Once the unit has stopped counting (currently there are about 1300 channels) it has completed downloading the channel maps.

15) While you are on G9-7, take a moment to call a 4DTV ready Program Provider to get the IPG authorized. They will need the Digital UA# in order to authorize. This # can be found on the same system status screen on line # 1.

16) Resume programming satellites by pressing <option> and <3>. Select the next satellite until you have programmed the satellites that you desire. We recommend manually programming at least 3 satellites in the middle of the arc and the furthest East and West satellite. After you have done this you can begin using the auto dish positioner. Press<1> instead of <2> as listed in Step 8. This forces the unit to automatically calculate the location of your selection and move the dish for you to its "best guess".

17) When programming the "fringe" satellites or the farthest East/West, make a note to yourself of the dish position. This will allow you to set the limits effortlessly. After installing the satellites press <Go Back> until you come back to the East/West Limit screen. Press <1> to select E limit. Using E/W arrows change the numbers to those that you have noted for the E limit. Press <2> for W limit and do the same thing. Simply set the limits to a few counts above or below the satellite locations for C1 and G6. Press <view> to exit screen.

*Special Steps Pertaining to Acquisition of Digital Channels:*

18)Some additional skew adjustments may be necessary to receive digital signals as they are more sensitive to cross polarization. This can be achieved by going to the satellite needing adjustment. Tune to either the 'home' channel or the 'virtual' channel. Press <options 6 4 4> The highlight should be over the current satellite location. Press <enter>.

19)You will notice at the bottom of the screen a box unique to digital channels labeled "Quality".

This number must be at least 25 to receive digital video. Play with <2> dish position and <4> skew in small increments to achieve the highest quality. Channel to the opposite polarity if applicable and repeat. Press <go back> and <enter> to save.

The installation is complete.

For more help and diagram go to Connecting your 4DTV for the first time


4DTV, DigiCipher, DigiCipher II, and DigiCipher II Plus are registered trademarks of General Instruments Corporation. All other product and service names are trademarks of their respective manufacturers or providers.