I should have bought the reveiver with the SD disk. I think it was a Pansat - not sure.
I have a CW600 Premium and guess what - I am down (can't download the damn bin file) because I have a computer with no serial port. The USB adaptor I bought which I connected to the null modem cable and into the back of the receiver - does nothing. I am not communicating and now am forced to figure out what the hell to do.
As far as updating - if I had a computer that was old I would be in business - but I don't. Anyway - my opinion only - but I regret buying this piece of crap!
History of serial port: In the old days of computing, the industry established a standard of protocol for serial transmision and this became the normal in the mainframe and mini-computer world. The 25 pin port and cable is part of this industry agreed specification, and was there in the early microcomputers. At some point IBM decided and others followed, to use a 9 pin port, because most of the pins of the 25 pin standard were not needed for local serial connections. Later still, due to speed restrictions and limited number of connections on the serial bus and which were incompatible with the local needs of the microcomputer, the Universal Serial Bus (USB) 1.0 standard was adopted and later this was improved upon to the current 2.0 standard, AND THE OLD 25 PIN OR 9 PIN SERIAL BUS BECAME REDUNDANT. Hence it does not exist in newer computers. The FTA receivers, stuck to the 9 pin serial standard for maintaining compatibility with the older computers. It is the FTA industry's fault that they have not migrated to the USB standard, which is as easy to implement as the old serial bus..
I really miss my 600 Premium (Gifted away).. I just sold my CS 5000 (sh1tty, DONT BUY!) and will be looking at a CW to join my VS and PS REAL SOON! CW are probbly best bang for buck. excellent support :-)
Now see, I like the Coo*lsat 5000 much better than the CW (price is NOT much different), especially for a newbie and ease of use along with pic quality....
just shows we're all different and have different opinions...some like Chevy's , others like Fords..
I'm a simple guy who likes things that way...so I would get either a Sonicview 4000 or a Viewsat Ultra..I like the USB capabilities and ease of use of both...and quick software support...
The CS 5000 glitches (goes black alot, everyday...unacceptable for recording) CW doesnt. CW support is usually faster. Better box IMO, I wont ever get a CS again unless they are the ONLY box up :-)
