Echostar AD3000IP at v900 - is v1100 worth bothering with?

[femto]

Basically as the title says..

I have an Echostar AD-3000IP with software version 900. I've tried to do an Over-The-Air update but I am informed by the box that the upgrade has failed. Have Echostar stopped transmitting the updates on Hotbird? I have a good signal on all transponders (L=89% Q=94%).

If they have stopped the OTA update on hotbird for my model of receiver, is it still on another satellite?

If not, is it worth me buying a null modem cable, disconnecting the box from the living room, dragging it upstairs and downloading the v1100 software through my pc?

What difference would I notice - if anything!?

Thanks very much!

 

[Analoguesat]

OTA updates ceased 2 years ago for Echo 3000's. All other model Echostar OTA updates ceased June 1st 2006.

V1000 s/w updated the seca handling behavior and altered the tp & satellite databases
V1100 s/w only updated the satellite and tp databases,

Basically you wont see any appreciable changes if you update.

 

[femto]

Ah thanks for that. Well I suppose it'd be for convenience rather than anything else wouldn't it?! It'll take a little time to input the current TP frequencies, SRs and FECs but if I do what I'm considering and get a reciever with blind search, i.e. one of the Plaza ST models by Manhattan, I won't have to will I?

I take it that using a receiver with blind search you just set it going on a satellite, go away and cook the dinner and it'll find everything that's on the satellite I'm pointing at?

 

[Analoguesat]

I could update one of the bigger satellite eg Astra 1 in about an hour.

Im biased but I love my Echostar 3000 - its by far and away the best receiver Ive ever used. (The dreambox is too new for me to be completely hooked on it - Im still finding some things clunky about the DB which were far better done on the Echo).

Im not convinced about blind search - I own 2 or 3 modern receivers with blind search facilities and Ive found it to be so slow as to be useless. Even with them Ive ended up sorting the tp databases out myself with a printout from flysat in front of me!

 

[femto]

Thanks for that Analoguesat.

Oh well that gives me something to think about. The only reasons for me to be considering getting another receiver are:

1. If I want to use a Diseqc 1.2 or USALS motor, I can't with the Echo
and
2. I can't blind search for feeds with the Echo, which I'm quite interested in trying out.

I would probably still use the Echo for day to day viewing, i.e. for the likes of TPS, arabic channels like Sahar and CCTV International which for some reason or another, I quite enjoy watching.O-Ha

I have picked up feeds before with the Echostar but not the ones that just "pop up" on a satellite and for this, I suppose I would need a blind search facility. I could always go for the FTA Manhattan if I'm keeping the Echo in service.... Logic coming into play I suppose!

This is getting a little off topic as far as receiver software goes I imagine so I'll shut up for this post at least!!