A few months ago, I wrote about these new Starview boxes that allow you to get access to all NTL digitals channels, with a basic NTL analogue connection (illegally of course). I did my own research at that stage and found that they worked a dream.
Since then, I’ve been keeping my eye on developments on this front, hoping that I am proven right that NTL will actually find a way to prevent this. So far, everything NTL do to counteract this has been simply a waste of time. The speed at which the developers of the software for these boxes can find a way around the changes is phenomenal, which causes a minimal distruption to service. I’m sure it would be a nightmare for most users of the box to find out ways to get round these changes, but for the technical savvy, it’s a simple task.
Anyway, a friend of mine purchased one of the new Starview box’s, now called TheBox or Starview 2. This guy is as technical as an apple and instead of trying to figure it out himself, took the easy option of calling on me. So, I went and had a look at TheBox for him.
Although it’s more expensive than the original Starview, it’s not much different at all. Specifications are exactly the same, even though it’s advertised as being an upgrade. Looking closely at the system, the only change really is the EPG (Electronic Programming Guide). In the past, when you scrolled thorough the channels to see what was on next, it would also change the channel. Very frustrating and quite useless! Now though, you can scroll through the channels to see what’s on, without changing channel. Another new addition is the time beside the info for each channel and it also shows what’s on next.
LEGAL NOTE:
It is illegal to receive subscription-based television airtime without paying for it. It is also illegal to connect this item to equipment that you do not own, without prior consent.
#1 by matt_leugh at November 12th, 2008
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Hi,
I was enquiring a few months back on this forum about which which box to get. I did a bit of reseach and purchased a starview box 3. I live in Tipp area have basic ch##us subscripton coming from mesh aerial which means I have ch##us mmds and the starview 3 is the most suitable box for this. I downloaded firmware, switched on emu in secret menu and still nothing. All searches are coming up failed. Im now frustrated and out of ideas, does anyone know what to do?
Pretty please..
#2 by ftm2008 at November 13th, 2008
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Matt the Starview 3 will not work on ch***s mm*s you will need a either the eurovox-Tx or digivox-t. the box-t was the starviews version for ch***s mmds but it is now out of production..
the box u have will work on NTL mm*s and cable but its no good to u im afraid
#3 by Starview Rules! at November 13th, 2008
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woops, its been said a hundred times on this very page matt
#4 by adrian at November 14th, 2008
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Joe you say that your getting some channels still with the original receiver so all you have to do is replace that one with the starview or whatever… and it should work..
#5 by JoeGalway at November 14th, 2008
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Cheers Adrian
yes, that’s what I thought. I still receive channels like the RTEs, Channel 6, Setanta Ireland and City Channel for free and still have the N*L channel browser guides for absolutely all channels but when I replaced my original receiver with the box and did both automatic and manual searches, all I get is the message ‘No new channel found’ (or something like that).
I did ask a friend and he reckons you need a paid subscription so I think I’ll have to go with that.
–Joe
#6 by Richie Kelly at November 14th, 2008
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If you hook it up to a skybox do u only need the basic package? Do you get all sport channels such as mutv? also What about big fights on pay for view? cheers for your help.
#7 by Starview Rules! at November 14th, 2008
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joe what box are you using and are you scanning with the correct symbol rate and freq as it does work without sub.could take a good bit of playing around with though.
richie they will not work with sky at all.
#8 by adrian at November 14th, 2008
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Joe you definately dont need the basic package, just remove original ntl decoder and connect up the starview 4, make sure the cable from the black power supply( the cable you took out of the original decoder) goes into the socket marked cable input on the starview. Then do a factory reset and then a manual scan in the installation menu.. in the fields on the manual scan page enter the frequency 250.000 and symbol rate 6887 and then enable network search, this will speed up and simplify the scan to only the frequencies used by ntl…
#9 by ftm at November 14th, 2008
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hi, i have the starview super and all the channels have been scrambled, so i did what i usually do and re-scanned.
however this time all channels were still scrambled and is displaying a fraud message from v*rgin media saying i am using a illegal set top box.
any1 with the same problem? or has any1 got a solution?
thanks.
#10 by Starview Rules! at November 17th, 2008
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ftm did you enable the emu? menu 1570 emu on…
dont worry about the v media channel you found, go to your channel editor and just delete it
#11 by JoeGalway at November 18th, 2008
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Hi Adrian. Did all you said, including correct cabling, factory reset, manual scan, frequency to 250.000, symbol 6887 and network Scan enabled. Result is the same – a screen which lasts for about 1 second and displays a ‘No new channel’ message with a little Info box. Of course I can’t access the Info box using any key on the remote.
I’m sure I have all of the cabling including scart, RF IN and out, and cable input correctly configured. I say this cos I get to a position where I CAN do a manual or automatic scan.
I agree that given that I have all channels – albeit most scrambled – coming through on my current connection, that I should be able to receive without having to have a basic subscription. However now I am not even sure if it will retrieve channels for me even if I do have a subscription.
Thanks for your help anyway.
#12 by Justin at November 19th, 2008
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Just wondering if starview boxes can pick up any channels outside the uk or ireland? I’m in Spain at the moment but am travellimg around Europe.
Thanks!!!
#13 by Tom Doyle at November 19th, 2008
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Hi All
Have received quite a few emails over the last few days from people who have issues with their Starview 2/The Box.
Updating is stuck on 0% at all time – reseting, factory defaults etc, doesn’t seem to make a difference.
Any thoughts?
Tom
#14 by bobbyb at November 19th, 2008
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Hi, I have u*c broadband cable tv in kk, would like to know what box would be suitable for me. I also have split analog cable in another room. Thanks.
#15 by Starview Rules! at November 20th, 2008
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joe galway are you plugging the ariel into the correct port on the back of the starview? i think you need to be using the antennae in port and not the rf one,is your down converter still set up as i said before upc sometimes disconnect this when cancelling sub.also what firmware version have you used?
justin i have no idea im afraid, tried to find out about spain myself, think i found frequencies but still need symbol rate, qam and so on so best to ask someone in spain, think their mostly satellite based though?
Tom not sure about the stuck on 0% but pressing menu 1570 and selecting the set default usually gives it a kick in the ass to get going, resetting and rescanning wouldnt normally do the job, sometimes a complete power down with switch on back of box could do the trick too.
Alot of people nowadays may have two boxes in their abodes so one can interfere with the other.hope this is of some help.
#16 by Seanioski at November 20th, 2008
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Hi lads,
Problem that seems unsolvable. With Ch*r*s digital and can’t get setanta Ireland, rte, tv3 or disney channels. Tried loads of frequencies manually. Does anyone know the proper frequency. Would be very very grateful.
#17 by Starview Rules! at November 20th, 2008
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If your in kilkenny city its hard to know if it will work as last i heard its not a digital area so unless someone else here knows speak up or else try to find out from a friend who might have one in the same area.
#18 by JoeGalway at November 20th, 2008
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Hi Starview Rules
Absolutely. The cable that brings in the service from MMDS is attached to my ‘cable input’ socket at the back of the Box. You mention the down converter – is that the little device that connects the incoming cable to the cable input socket? One of these was included in the delivery of the box and I used it.
I also disconnected the incoming cable completely and did an automatic scan for the hell of it and the message I got was exactly the same – ‘No new channel’. Kind of suggests that no signal is coming through my ‘down converter’. Might get a new one.
The firmware I use is TheboxSuperUSB_V1.02_beta. This is what the instructions advised that came with the box and the same advice is at http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/663923
If you have any other suggestions I’d appreciate it …
#19 by Starview Rules! at November 21st, 2008
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Joe sorry but i have very limited knowledge to the whole mmds setup but have a read through this and feel free to ask someone a question good luck
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/504030
#20 by ftm2008 at November 21st, 2008
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JoeGalway have you checked are you getting a good signal quality by pressing the signal button on the remote .. not familiar with box4 but assume its v sililar to previous versions with a ‘sig’ or ‘s/l’ button
if you get a signal quality strength of 70%+ then the signal is coming to the box. if it is 0% then you are getting no signal to the box. Make sure it is in the ‘ANT IN’ port as Starview mentioned.
#21 by Richie Kelly at November 21st, 2008
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Hi i was wondering if anyone could help me. My friend has ntl and he got “the box” that he hooked up to the ntl box to give him all the movies and sports. Is there a way for Sky customers to do the same thing?? Thanks for your help.
#22 by Har at November 21st, 2008
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Hi JoeGalway, I use the eurovox tx for ch…s mmds and it works fine, all available channels without subscription. When connecting to your down converter[ its not the little device you mention, its the rod at the centre of your ariel on the roof that recieves the signal] you must have a transformer connected. Make sure its plugged in and if it is tuch it to see if its warm. This will confirm if it is working. If the transformer is not connected you wont get a signal. Perhaps this might help your cause. Regards Har
#23 by truepool at November 22nd, 2008
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Looking for help for my bro who is in monasterevin what box should he get – he has ch***s mmds read he should get eurovox-Tx or digivox-t but just want to double check.
#24 by ftm at November 25th, 2008
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to tom doyle, mine was stuck on updating, i just flicked th switch on the back of the box off and back on then it started updating.
hope this helps
#25 by ann at November 26th, 2008
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hi ftm i use the eurovox max 2008.im also using the starview but at the end of the day id go for the eurovox max 08.
sky digital are trying to win back there old customers from the blanchardstown area nearly all the people out that way have a box of some sort.sky is hounding me nearly every couple of days to go back.it feels like harrasment all they keep saying is would u like to come back and id say no no no but they just keep beggin me to come back.if they figure out how to break the encryption codes then il go back .pity we cant use them with sky digi.but there unbreakable
#26 by goochy70 at November 27th, 2008
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anyone got problems with the box
#27 by Ali at November 28th, 2008
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Hi. I have Starview 2 The box from last one year. it was working fine. Yesterday it stopped working. Blank screen with message “updaing information………..[with number count] ……” and when it reaches to the 200%, it displays menu and then again black screen comes and again that updaing information message.
I did master reset, re-tune the channels, turn on the emu but no luck.
can anyone tell me what is the problem and how can i solve it?
Regards
Ali
#28 by Starview Rules! at November 28th, 2008
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A fix is being worked on for the problem with all boxes as we speak so lets just all have a little patience and give the lads a chance to work their magic!
#29 by Y20UNG at November 28th, 2008
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yeah i got the same problem too mine
stoped working 27th nov, can’t wait for the fix
#30 by Telly-Addict at November 29th, 2008
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Starview Rules.-How long will it be till the boys work their magic?
This is doing my head in.
Still keeping the faith….
#31 by Starview Rules! at November 29th, 2008
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Keep the faith alright, a fix for the kryptview was already released so hang in there it may not be far away, they wont release anything without it being fully tested first
#32 by Starview Rules! at December 1st, 2008
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latest fixes found here as they are released, not sure if they are doing fixes for clones or starview originals
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/722659
all the best…
#33 by IFuckBransonWithMyStarview at December 4th, 2008
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Starview 3 (The Box Super) has a fix out dated 30/11/08, and Starview 2 (The Box) has a fix dated 03/12/08. Eurovox, Kryptview all have their fixes….and all the top end linux boxes like itgate etc are up and running too. All people need is a serial null modem cable and a PC with net access….problem solved.
So VM got less than a week out of their latest attempt to piss on the chips of the dodgy box owners.
#34 by Barry Dublin at December 7th, 2008
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Have a look at this
An end to the dodgy box ?????
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=HOrU4HloLps
#35 by patr1ck84 at December 8th, 2008
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not sure how old this is but i suspect its fairly old considering its still ntl/chorus and not upc on this ad
#36 by barny at December 10th, 2008
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well,
how do u reinstall all the channels on starview 2 as few missing ?? forget how its done.
#37 by Starview Rules! at December 11th, 2008
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do a factory reset and then automatic scan on whatever provider you are. then once thats done press menu, 1570 and turn emu to on, then exit exit exit to screen and leave it update on a sports channel. it can take a while to update these days so you might have to switch the box on and off a few times before itll kick in.
#38 by paulinhio at December 12th, 2008
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I have a starview. No problem with it, just read some of the thread for the craic! There’s been some Gurus on here in the past – but StarviewRules, take a bow.
Fair play!
#39 by ann at December 13th, 2008
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i think chorus and ntl are near to getting something to block the boxes apparently they might have a deal with sky digi.if so thats the end of the boxes.cos itl be like trying to break into a big safe with a spoon.i was gonna buy buy a dreambox but il wait a few of months.at the end of the day sky digi is losing out big time so there gonna protect themselves.chorus wanted the code block thing of sky digi for a few yrs but they wouldent budge now they seem to be changing there minds
#40 by Starview_noob at December 13th, 2008
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I just bought a Starview and followed the instructions. The first two channels I tried were perfect. However after that the next channel was broken up and the scrambled error appeared. Now every channel is broken up like that. Help! I’m in Limerick….cheers
#41 by ftm2008 at December 15th, 2008
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SV_noob
have u flashed the box? will need to have this done to access secret menu to enable emu ..
it it is flashed press menu and then press digits 1570 to get into secret menu and check that emu is set to on. when this is enabled exit out and turn on s*y s****s and wait for it to update.. this will appear as a message across the screen. should take a couple of minutes and then all channles should be in
#42 by ann at December 15th, 2008
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i had that problem but it was due to a couple of loose wires
#43 by DigivoxTonMMDS at December 15th, 2008
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Hi,
I now know that the Digivox T will not work on N** MMDS – Is there any fix or way around this? I believe a starview 3 or 4 will do the job.
Cheers,
DigivoxTonMMDS
#44 by Starview Rules! at December 16th, 2008
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digivoxtonmmds you’d be right!
#45 by Ali at December 17th, 2008
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I have one starview which is working gr8 from last one year.
Now I want to buy one with hard disk. I would be very thankful if you will advise which one should i go for?
Eurovox EX5000 PVR or the TheBOX Super USB MK4?
#46 by Starview Rules! at December 18th, 2008
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ali as i said before both the ex5000 and super usb have one tuner in their boxes therefore if you want to record it is possible but only recording on the same tp that recording that the current channel is on, starview pvr has two tuners so multi viewing and recording is possible.up to you what you want.starview 4 is very good i personally find for recording.especially since a small memory stick can do recording for you at a cheap rate rate,again its up to you and what you want to spend your money on,have to remember also,whatever is shown is usually shown on tv 5 or 6 times during the wk anyway so is recording even that necessary??!not in my opinon anyway!!!
#47 by brian taxi at December 18th, 2008
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all boxes cable and mmds gone down today in limerick area whats the news was going to get one
#48 by donaldduck at December 18th, 2008
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I have starview 3 in Cork. Have had problems today, almost all channels are not working (apart from R*E1 AND SELOTANTA Ireland). When i go to other channels it says “data is being updated…[xx%]“. I have waited until it has reached 240%? but still nothing happening.
I have tried most of the suggestions that I found on this blog. I know a neighbour is having the same problem, so it does not appear be a problem with my box specifically. Can anyone help?
#49 by doc at December 19th, 2008
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hi,
all channels gone on starview in galway. have the codes changed?? if so anybody have them??
#50 by ftm2008 at December 19th, 2008
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yeah the codes have changed and also they encryption method from what i gather.. there are fixes for the c-tuner boxes (N*L) so doc you will be able to get a fix now if you know how to flash the box
for the lads in limerick and cork (c****s m**s) ur in the asme boat as myself .. no fix available as of yet… but im sure it will appear at some stage
u will be patient