First impression

Well, what we got ? A top-model by well known manufacturer. It contains almost all goodies currently available in this domain: CI, SCART, S/PDIF, DiSEqC 1.2, USALS. There is an embedded Irdeto CAM. The only thing you may want to add is embedded positioner. However these features aren"t the key. If you install an HDD into the box you turn it into a PVR (personal digital video recorder)! Now you can have a really upgradeable set-top box. Lets investigate what we"ve got in it.

Package content

The receiver is packed with exceptional accuracy. The package box is made of high-quality thick carton; stuffing is made of polyethylene, not polyurethane. The package includes the user"s manual, warranty, remote, two AAA batteries, AV (RCA-RCA) cable, and a pocket with four screws needed to install HDD. It is difficult to adequately describe our feelings but it"s a real pleasure to unpack and pack again the receiver. :)

The box of the receiver is perfectly done. Metal cover contains many vent holes. Rear panel is metal too, front panel is made of polystyrene. Cover for CI and Irdeto slots opens with no squeak and locks pleasantly. Color is neutral gray, LED display is green. The box dimensions are average: 380x68x296 mm.

Front panel

Front panel of the receiver carries minimal set of buttons - power switch, TV/Radio switch, Ok button, and volume change and channel selection buttons (the same used for menu navigation). Therefore you can use the receiver even if you have lost your remote, which is definitely good for those, who permanently loose remotes.

Display is a traditional one, which means four-digit green-colored LED. When receiver is in standby mode the display showing current time is dimmed.

Rear panel

The receiver carries a typical set of connectors: two F-type connectors for LNB IN and loop-through OUT, two SCARTS, composite and S-Video for video output and two RCA (stereo) and S/PDIF (digital, not optical) for audio output. RF-modulation output, 0/12V RCA output, and power jack are here two as well as sockets for mechanical polarizer control.

Power supply

Universal pulse-type (SMPS) power supply is used, 100-240V, 50/60Hz. Power consuming varies from 20 W in standby mode to 35 W max.

Remote control

The remote control is conveniently shaped and easy to handle. Most often used buttons are in the center area, so you do not have to change your grasp when you use the remote. All imprints on the remote box and buttons are strong. Both buttons and the box have succeeded in our "scratching" test - they successfully resist to at least teeth and claws. The remote uses two AAA size batteries. (Here and after you can click on the image to enlarge it)

Software

The receiver software follows the strict style of the receiver case. It trades third dimension in look for multiple dimensions of functionality. With only few exceptions (see below) the menu is well designed and is easy to navigate. We have to mention that convenient selection of fonts and colors renders the menu readable on every TV including small and poor ones.

Menu and installation

Menu contains four main submenus - System, Install, Edit, and CA Setup. System submenu groups OSD and RF-modulator settings, reset, software information, computer link, and recording timers.

OSD item enables selection of menu language. You have many options: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish, Arabic, Farsi, Russian, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, and Greek.

Version 2.07 of the software contains bugs in the support of national languages. For example, if you want to see EPG, which uses national alphabet, you have to select the same language for menu. The version 2.19 of the software (the last by the time of writing) is correct.

As you can see, most items of the System submenu contain settings that you usually change no more than one or two times. It is impossible to understand what recording timers do there. Timers are of everyday use. In our opinion placing recording timers in the Edit submenu is more logical. Moreover, the design of the timer functionality is a week point of this receiver. Look at the picture:

You can easily notice that you have to know the channel number (!) in addition to the beginning and ending times of the event if you want to record it. And there is no display of channel name. Therefore you have to follow this algorithm when setting timer:

• Browse to channel list (Sat, then Ok buttons on the remote)
• Select desired channel and remember its number
• Browse to TV schedule (Guide button)
• Select desired event and remember its beginning and ending times
• Browse to menu item System->VCR/HDD timers
• Enter values you have remembered for channel number and event times

And every time you do it you wonder: "Who has denied the manufacturer to add recording timer option to TV schedule window?" (By the way it is exactly how this functionality is accessed in most PC programs for DVB TV watching). We hope that the manufacturer will revamp the design of this functionality in the future versions of the software.

Install

The Install submenu contains items, which are used to tune the receiver to selected satellites:

In the Antenna Settings dialogue you specify for every antenna its LNB type and parameters, DiSEqC port, 0/12V voltage. Everything is as usual:

When you have finished setting up antennas you can start channel search. As all modern receivers FSIRCI-5800HA features an embedded transponder database for all satellites. This allows for fast channel search. You can opt for either to add transponders, which are missing in the database, manually or to download an updated database from manufacturer"s site.

Here you can also set up your DiSEqC positioner. The receiver supports USALS function - Universal Satellite Automatic Location System. You have specify only your geographic coordinates and the receiver will automatically scan for available satellites and store their positions in the positioner memory.

When all the settings are correct you can start the search. You make it by selecting START item. Next you simply wait until the receiver completes the automated search.

When the channels are found it is good time to organize them in favorite lists. Now the common practice is to offer multiple favorite lists and the FSIRCI-5800 is "a la mode". However it is not simple to realize how to select desired list. Finally we"ve found that it is made by FAV button on the remote. Unfortunately, the hints displayed in the bottom of the screen, which were very useful in other menus, do not help here.

When we have finished with the selection of favorite lists we have easily renamed them and filled them with selected channels.

The last menu item is Parental Lock, which allows for mutual protection of receiver and children. When the lock is on you have to enter the password to get into menu or to switch to locked channels.

Unfortunately there is no possibility to protect main installation parameters. Consequently the installer has no means to restrict user access to potentially dangerous menu items. While recording timers, which are useful to everyone, are in Install menu, you cannot use Parental Lock to protect installation parameters.

EDIT

The Edit submenu groups channel list and transponder database editing functions.

In the channel list you can rename, delete, sort, and lock channels. The possibility to move a group of channels instead of one when sorting is very convenient.

In the transponder database you can add and modify satellite and transponder information.

CA Setup

The last sub-menu offers the familiar interface to menus of CA-modules. FSIRCI-5800 is equipped with ordinary Irdeto CAM by SCM:

Using the receiver

Access to everyday functions is very convenient as a result of the long-term experience of the manufacturer. Information panel has a traditional look:

Pressing OK or SAT button opens the channel list opens. The FAV button opens favorite list and the GUIDE button opens TV schedule (EPG):

Please note that event titles and descriptions are missing only when using version 2.07 software, which has bug in the national language support. The latest version 2.19 corrects this issue.

The TEXT button opens the teletext window:

When you listen a radio channel your TV shows a picture, which can be changed by uploading to the receiver a new one from a PC:

If a channel has multiple audio with different languages you can use LANG button to select one. The A.MODE button switches between audio modes (mono, stereo, left only, right only). The SUB.T button control the subtitles.

But the most interesting thing is the recording option. The receiver allows you to record events on the embedded HDD using recording timers or REC button. In addition you can simultaneously record and watch (Time-Shifting function).

The core of time-shifting is the possibility to "pause" the broadcast event and to resume it later. In this mode the receiver simultaneously records current broadcasting and plays previously recorded broadcasting.

To start the recording you have to simply press the REC button on the remote. Next you can press the PAUSE button to enter Time-Shift mode or STOP to finish recording. The difference is that when you stop recording the recorded event remains on the HDD and can be recalled later using the HDD button on the remote. In the case of time-shifting the portion of recording between REC and PAUSE will be lost when you resume watching paused event:

Sometimes you want to keep a recording for a while. Alas, the only option is to use the analogue output to make a copy on a VCR or another recording device. If you think that you can connect the receiver HDD to your PC to obtain digital recordings then you are wrong. The HDD format is incompatible with existing PC formats and cannot be read by a PC.

Inside

As we have mentioned the key feature of the receiver is the possibility to install a HDD in it, turning the receiver into a PVR. Therefore we have proceeded with the installation of a HDD just after ensuring that the box is working:

Many thanks to FortecStar! In addition to many exciting features this box has only 3 (three!) screws that fastens its cover. No problem to unscrew (and to screw in) the screws and to remove (and replace) the cover.

You will perhaps ask us: why we pay so much attention to the cover ? It’s simple. We expect the user to install the HDD himself. So why make the procedure complicated? It seems evident but we have recently reviewed a PVR, which has 7 screws - all of the same diameter but different in length – to fasten the cover. We think that the only purpose was to offer another free entertainment quiz – to find good combination of screws and holes – packed with the box. Consequently we consider these 3 screws, which differs in diameter, as an evident gesture of care.

Inside the receiver we found standard blocks. There is a power supply, main board, and the HDD stand. The receiver is carefully designed. Analogue circuitry is as far from the power supply as possible. The HDD stand has a rubber damper to reduce vibrations and noise. It is evident that the designers have made their best to reduce the level of acoustic and electrical noise. Most analogue circuits have dedicated power stabilizers – we have found six (!) stabilizers. Here is the look of the main board with the HDD stand removed:

Let’s dig into the core components of the receiver.

IBM Power PC STB 02100 processor

For a long time IBM manufacture integrated solutions based on the PowerPC core. The STB 02100 chip is a member of the new 0210x family, which is based on the PowerPC 401 processor and uses 0.25 mkm technology.

The chip contains RISC CPU, MPEG-decoder with all needed components (from transport demultiplexor to CSA descrambler and OSD controller), and full set of peripherals. As all the contemporary chips of this purpose STB02100 carries IDE (ATAPI) interface, which enable the connection to HDD or CD-ROM (DVD-ROM).

The chip is build of the following main components:

• PowerPC 401 54 MHz (57 MIPS) core
• Memory controller with support for SDRAM and Flash
• MPEG-2 audio and video decoders
• MPEG transport demultiplexor
• CSA descrambler
• OSD controller supporting up to five semi-transparent layers
• PAL/NTSC modulator with six independent video outputs

The chip supports standard set of periferals:

• IDE/ATAPI bus controller
• Timers
• Smart card interface (SCI)
• I2C bus controller
• RS232 controller (16550 compatible)
• Infrared remote controller (SICC)
• Modem port
• General I/O lines (GPIO)

As usual you can easily obtain only advertising-level information for this chip. Here you can find very short description of properties and functions of this chip family.

Tuner

RF-modulator Samsung RMUP74055VA

SCART circuit STV6412A

Audio-DAC WM8725

Irdeto CAM

This is a classic Irdeto CAM by SCM. It is interesting that the Flash chip of the module is sealed with compound:

It seems that owners of Irdeto encryption uses this as protection against reprogramming of Irdeto modules in order to descramble other encryptions (such as Viaccess).

CI controller SCM CiMax 2.0

Power supply SAMWON STY-01069

The power supply of the receiver has a fuse and is accurately made. Moreover, it has a unique property. This power supply includes the LNB power supply ! All LNB control signals are connected to a special socket on the main board:

All repair specialists now that LNBP chips are burned out frequently and cost a lot. That is why we consider that the introduction of LNB power supply into the main power supply is a good thing. It is obvious that the usage of discrete components reduces the repair cost and increases the reliability of the receiver. Moreover the removal of high-current circuitry off the main board has to reduce the noise level.

HDD stand

The hard disk drive is mounted on the special stand above the main board. Actually it is in the farthest position from all the walls of the receiver case. Special rubber strips on the stand contribute to the reduction of acoustical noise too.

This receiver is sold without the HDD allowing the customer to choose the model himself. We want to suggest you to do not opt for both oldest and newest models. Both produce more heat and noise. We think that the 40-80 GB HDD with spin rate 5400 RPM is the best buy.

Many manufacturers (e.g. IBM) offer special software, which tunes HDD to produce less noise reducing its speed. We think that a drive, which supports this function, is a good option. And it is sure that you doesn’t have to spend additional money for buying 7200 or 10000 RPM HDD. These drives pretty guarantee you highest levels of noise and heat with no advantages from the PVR point of view.

Misc

The device is carefully soldered and mounted. It worth noting that the processor chip is in form of PBGA (352-pin) and it can be replaced only in the factory. In addition you will have trouble to replace Irdeto flash memory chip if it fails. It will be very difficult to remove the compound off it.

Bonuses

The contacts for the JTAG port (special port for CPU debugging and flash-memory restoring) is available but the socket is not soldered in.

There is a mention of a positioner in the User’s manual. In fact it isn’t here. However one can find a place on the main board where it had to be.

Sensitivity and Video/Audio quality

This is a review, not a test. That is why we haven’t tried to measure exact values or to compare the receiver with other boxes. Nevertheless we couldn’t leave the question of quality. All the text below is our personal impression; we hope to perform a comparative test of PVR-receivers (including this one) in the near future.

Sensitivity

The technical data says that the receiver has sensitivity above the average. This is true. It allows to receive slightly more channels, the pictures have less disturbances. We can say that this receiver has sensitivity at the level of best available models.

Video quality

It is hard to say what is the origin – careful design, independent power supplies of analogue circuits, or something else – of exceptional quality of the FSIRCI-5800HA video. The quality is uncompromised when either SCART or S-Video outputs are used. It is hard to get excellent picture using composite video output but this receiver shows the above average quality when using this socket too.

Audio

The sound circuitry is carefully made. There is no audible digital noise in the output. There is a very low level of analogue noise, which is not audible at the usual level of soundtrack volume. And you have the possibility to use S/PDIF output to get digital sound. There is one inconvenient – when turn the receiver on and off you can hear a weak clack on the analogue output.

Software and support

You can find the manufacturer’s site here. It is carefully designed and contains a catalogue with specifications for all the models. We have easily found the most interesting section with the upgraded receiver software and the channel editor software.

Uploader, the new software loader program

First we were discouraged by the quantity of the files to download – five !!! There are an upload software, a receiver software, a bootstrap loader, a satellite and transponder database, and alternate menu and radio backgrounds. In fact we had no need to download all the stuff only the needed part.

Next we were definitely killed with the size of the upload software 9.46 MB!!! This is a one-window program ! We think that this is not kind to make such a voluminous software available only through Internet. The manufacturer has to either include a CD-ROM with the software into the shipment or revamp the source code to obtain a more compact file taking into account that the average software of this kind weights no more than 100-200 kB.

The software is very easy to use, it shows what-to-do-now hints in the special window:

The Uploader and all the other files are available here (9.46 MB)

StbEditor – the channel list editing tool

This software allows for downloading from the receiver, computer-aided editing, and uploading to the receiver of channel and transponder lists. We weren’t surprised by the size of the software. After courageous download of the file we have discovered that it doesn’t install under Windows 2000.

The software is available here (6.70 MB)

Conclusion

We found the FortecStar FS-5800HA to be stylish and accurately made. It possesses almost all the needed functions and offers very efficient noise protection. The possibility to select the HDD drive to install in it makes the receiver an interesting buy. It is well known that hard drives packed into a PVR are at least 50% more expensive when compared to ones bought in the PC store. It is good idea to place in it a convenient spare HDD if you already have one.

The high quality design, refined scheme, and many measures taken to reduce both acoustic and electrical noise, are the advantages of the receiver.

The inconvenient design of some menus (especially in the case of recording timers) is disadvantage of the receiver.

Technical data

shura@satmania.com

Translated into English by assen@satmania.com

Posted by: Zuhos
27.11.2002