OCTAGON SX88 H.265 HEVC HD

[Mooncamm]

No, been tried with a DD audio amp, does not work. The chipset in the current model does not support DD.

Thanks for the useful info, save me from spending more money on the Octopus.
I am using a Technomate 5403 M3 and a Humax 1000FR to work Fransat at 5 west. Together these two receivers knock spots off the Octagon sx88 having tried all three out. Multi stream is nice but without sound its not worth investing in as several clever members here have waited until the right deal comes along.

 

[Archive-8]

Thanks for the useful info, save me from spending more money on the Octopus.
I am using a Technomate 5403 M3 and a Humax 1000FR to work Fransat at 5 west. Together these two receivers knock spots off the Octagon sx88 having tried all three out. Multi stream is nice but without sound its not worth investing in as several clever members here have waited until the right deal comes along.

You could also use a multi stream compatible sat card and tvheadend, as another option.

 

[polonez]

I have an Octagon sx88 - Does anyone know if I buy a sound bar and connect it to the audio output socket on the Octagon 88 satellite receiver if it will produce live French sound on 5 west?
Thanks,
Mooncamm

My experience is , you will get no sound . But there is a workaround to this problem .Here is my solution , proven and it is working OK.
1. SX 88 is connected to wired LAN. I created a WLAN just to connect Samsung phone to my network
2. My outdated Samsung Trend 2 phone serves as a audio player running VLC to decode french DD+ audio.
3. Phone is connected to audio receiver ( stereo analog connection)
4.. How it works ? Select a french channel on SX88 ( eg FRANCE 2 ), open VLC apllication in Samsung, open local network , find SX 88 , it will appear as MS 192, 168 XX XXX ( local IP address) , then selcect Live TV , a list of all satellite channels on Eutelsat 5 will show , select the same channel ( eg FRANCE 2 ) and enjoy the sound comming from big speakers of your home audio. Adjust audio level on the phone
This set up works OK , not very convenient to use as you have manually change channels on your phone and on SX 88 ( it is not automatic )
My home network is wired , I use basic Asus router working in Access Point mode to create wireless connection with Samsung phone .Router is in the same room as the rest of my equipment .It is better fo connect SX 88 via Ethetnet cable to a network , I find WIFI to slow , signall drop outs and so on .
I would opt for MHL ( mobile high def link ) using USB - HDMI cable to connect phone and audio receiver instead of analog audio . My phone does not support MHL , too bad
Hope , You find it helpful or just wait for another SX88 with DD+ on board

 

[Mooncamm]

My experience is , you will get no sound . But there is a workaround to this problem .Here is my solution , proven and it is working OK.
1. SX 88 is connected to wired LAN. I created a WLAN just to connect Samsung phone to my network
2. My outdated Samsung Trend 2 phone serves as a audio player running VLC to decode french DD+ audio.
3. Phone is connected to audio receiver ( stereo analog connection)
4.. How it works ? Select a french channel on SX88 ( eg FRANCE 2 ), open VLC apllication in Samsung, open local network , find SX 88 , it will appear as MS 192, 168 XX XXX ( local IP address) , then selcect Live TV , a list of all satellite channels on Eutelsat 5 will show , select the same channel ( eg FRANCE 2 ) and enjoy the sound comming from big speakers of your home audio. Adjust audio level on the phone
This set up works OK , not very convenient to use as you have manually change channels on your phone and on SX 88 ( it is not automatic )
My home network is wired , I use basic Asus router working in Access Point mode to create wireless connection with Samsung phone .Router is in the same room as the rest of my equipment .It is better fo connect SX 88 via Ethetnet cable to a network , I find WIFI to slow , signall drop outs and so on .
I would opt for MHL ( mobile high def link ) using USB - HDMI cable to connect phone and audio receiver instead of analog audio . My phone does not support MHL , too bad
Hope , You find it helpful or just wait for another SX88 with DD+ on board

Thank you for taking the time to share your workaround, much appreciated. However I have never used a mobile phone and I turned 60 odd at Christmas so I doubt if I will now. I have learned that the satellite at 5 west is due to be replaced with a new satellite this year with tighter footprints which may present reception problems when the signal is reduced outside France.
As well as having my Humax 1000FR currently working on 5 west, I have a TNTsat Strong receiver for 19 east with an expired card. I think that if I buy a new card for my TNTsat it will last another 4 years and be the best option as the footprint of 19 east is not due to be tightened up as far as I can see. I have tried out the streaming options on two 4 K TV's and nothing beats HD pictures on a satellite receiver as I am not taking the broadband route until I can no longer maintain my own dish and have too. Its my belief that at some point the multi stream channels will likely scramble anyway like Fransat service, you need an access card. So I think a dedicated receiver on 19 east TNTsat is looking the safer option. I have tried 'em all out now and can see. Thanks again for sharing.
Cheers,
Mooncamm

 

[polonez]

Thank you for taking the time to share your workaround, much appreciated. However I have never used a mobile phone and I turned 60 odd at Christmas so I doubt if I will now. I have learned that the satellite at 5 west is due to be replaced with a new satellite this year with tighter footprints which may present reception problems when the signal is reduced outside France.
As well as having my Humax 1000FR currently working on 5 west, I have a TNTsat Strong receiver for 19 east with an expired card. I think that if I buy a new card for my TNTsat it will last another 4 years and be the best option as the footprint of 19 east is not due to be tightened up as far as I can see. I have tried out the streaming options on two 4 K TV's and nothing beats HD pictures on a satellite receiver as I am not taking the broadband route until I can no longer maintain my own dish and have too. Its my belief that at some point the multi stream channels will likely scramble anyway like Fransat service, you need an access card. So I think a dedicated receiver on 19 east TNTsat is looking the safer option. I have tried 'em all out now and can see. Thanks again for sharing.
Cheers,
Mooncamm

You're welcome
You should give it a try anyway, it's not that complicated as it looks on the paper ( or monitor screen should I say ) You may use an older phone or borrow one . As for the age I am just few years younger , don't speak french but those "silent channels" made me search for a solution .
I have found someone on polish satellite forum using similar setup so I followed up.
I stream audio only , this VLC application has < play as audio > option so it less demanding on WIFI transmission
Sound track makes a huge difference while watching sport live , it completes emotional experience !
Take care

 

[AndyX]

I have had no problems in getting sound on the French channels. The SX88 is connected to my Onkyo amplifier. Digital format on the SX88 is set to bitstream so that that amp does the decoding. Input on the amp is reported as Dolby Digital + surround. Output is Dolby Surround 5.1.2 .
I hope that description helps some Octagon users to get sound.

 

[scopus]

I have had no problems in getting sound on the French channels. The SX88 is connected to my Onkyo amplifier. Digital format on the SX88 is set to bitstream so that that amp does the decoding. Input on the amp is reported as Dolby Digital + surround. Output is Dolby Surround 5.1.2 .
I hope that description helps some Octagon users to get sound.

Others tried this and said it didn't work! Hey ho. My amp is is a different room so a bit stuffed..

 

[AndyX]

Others tried this and said it didn't work! Hey ho. My amp is is a different room so a bit stuffed..

I think I'd depends on the decoding capabilities of that amp. Mine is a recent one so I am fortunate.

 

[Mooncamm]

I think I'd depends on the decoding capabilities of that amp. Mine is a recent one so I am fortunate.

What is the model number / name of your amp please Andy?

 

[AndyX]

What is the model number / name of your amp please Andy?

Onkyo TX RZ 800

 

[scopus]

Sure I can rig a coax lead just to try it on my Yamaha..

 

[william-1]

hello friends the channels of abertis that are in 30w do not catch nose because there is way? Thank you

Welcome to satellites.co.uk faisal6
The answer to your question is No.

 

[stephan94]

SX88; Internet radios work perfectly

 

[noggin]

My experience is , you will get no sound . But there is a workaround to this problem .Here is my solution , proven and it is working OK.
1. SX 88 is connected to wired LAN. I created a WLAN just to connect Samsung phone to my network
2. My outdated Samsung Trend 2 phone serves as a audio player running VLC to decode french DD+ audio.
3. Phone is connected to audio receiver ( stereo analog connection)
4.. How it works ? Select a french channel on SX88 ( eg FRANCE 2 ), open VLC apllication in Samsung, open local network , find SX 88 , it will appear as MS 192, 168 XX XXX ( local IP address) , then selcect Live TV , a list of all satellite channels on Eutelsat 5 will show , select the same channel ( eg FRANCE 2 ) and enjoy the sound comming from big speakers of your home audio. Adjust audio level on the phone
This set up works OK , not very convenient to use as you have manually change channels on your phone and on SX 88 ( it is not automatic )
My home network is wired , I use basic Asus router working in Access Point mode to create wireless connection with Samsung phone .Router is in the same room as the rest of my equipment .It is better fo connect SX 88 via Ethetnet cable to a network , I find WIFI to slow , signall drop outs and so on .
I would opt for MHL ( mobile high def link ) using USB - HDMI cable to connect phone and audio receiver instead of analog audio . My phone does not support MHL , too bad
Hope , You find it helpful or just wait for another SX88 with DD+ on board

Sounds like the a Raspberry Pi Zero W might be a neat solution if you have an HDMI amp, or a Pi 3B if you want analogue audio? Both will run software that is likely to accomplish the same result (stream audio, decode DD+ - which ffmpeg handles fine and thus so does VLC and Kodi, output via digital or analogue audio)

If you were to use a Pi Zero W you'd need to connect your SX88 to an HDMI input on your TV, and switch your AVR to the Raspberry Pi HDMI output. If you use a Pi 3B then you could use the 3.5mm analogue audio output from the Pi.

 

[noggin]

I have had no problems in getting sound on the French channels. The SX88 is connected to my Onkyo amplifier. Digital format on the SX88 is set to bitstream so that that amp does the decoding. Input on the amp is reported as Dolby Digital + surround. Output is Dolby Surround 5.1.2 .
I hope that description helps some Octagon users to get sound.

Are you using HDMI or the Coax SPDIF digital audio output ?

Lots of modern AVRs support DD+ over HDMI (it dates back to the HD-DVD standard, but Blu-rays also use it), and now Netflix and Amazon are using DD+ some devices may also accept it over Toslink/Coax SPDIF connections (as well as ARC)

I've got an SX88 coming - will report back my experiences with both a 2008 Onkyo and 2016 era Denon (both support DD+ over HDMI)

Could it be Octagon haven't licensed a DD+ decoder (to output PCM stereo over HDMI) but don't block bit streaming ?

(DD patents ran out a while ago, but DD+ is still patented, and if you were to sell a receiver with unlicensed decoding you'd be on dangerous ground with Dolby's lawyers)

 

[AndyX]

Are you using HDMI or the Coax SPDIF digital audio output ?

Lots of modern AVRs support DD+ over HDMI (it dates back to the HD-DVD standard, but Blu-rays also use it), and now Netflix and Amazon are using DD+ some devices may also accept it over Toslink/Coax SPDIF connections (as well as ARC)

I've got an SX88 coming - will report back my experiences with both a 2008 Onkyo and 2016 era Denon (both support DD+ over HDMI)

Could it be Octagon haven't licensed a DD+ decoder (to output PCM stereo over HDMI) but don't block bit streaming ?

(DD patents ran out a while ago, but DD+ is still patented, and if you were to sell a receiver with unlicensed decoding you'd be on dangerous ground with Dolby's lawyers)

I am using an HDMI connection

 

[noggin]

I am using an HDMI connection

Thanks for that.

I'll try my Onkyo live, and my Denon with a recording sometime next week. Probably Monday night.

What firmware are you running ?

 

[AndyX]

Thanks for that.

I'll try my Onkyo live, and my Denon with a recording sometime next week. Probably Monday night.

What firmware are you running ?

Always the latest on both devices.

 

[polonez]

Sounds like the a Raspberry Pi Zero W might be a neat solution if you have an HDMI amp, or a Pi 3B if you want analogue audio? Both will run software that is likely to accomplish the same result (stream audio, decode DD+ - which ffmpeg handles fine and thus so does VLC and Kodi, output via digital or analogue audio)

If you were to use a Pi Zero W you'd need to connect your SX88 to an HDMI input on your TV, and switch your AVR to the Raspberry Pi HDMI output. If you use a Pi 3B then you could use the 3.5mm analogue audio output from the Pi.

I have Yamaha HTR - 6190 ( VX 1800 ) receiver . It is 2009 model with DD +, DTS, HD Ttrue sound decoders and latest firmaware . I have tried audio connection over hdmi and coax to get sound on french channles , still no go . But the set up I described above works perfectly . Selecting channels via phone is possible too , it just takes few seconds with info message from DLNA server appearing on the screen

 

[Lazarus]

Not wishing to trawl back over the Thread, but can anyone confirm the SX88 copes adequately with a big-standard H-H Motor?

I know it's specified, but these tiny boxes remind me of some PC cards in that the current sourcing available for a Motor might not exactly be generous.