Satcatcher

TEST REPORT Combination Signal Analyzer for DVB-S and DVB-T
该独家报道由技术专家所作

SatCatcher
Digipro ST
Combo

• 1GB memory for up to 300,000 satellite
and transponder entries
• Compatible with DVB-S, DVB-T, analog FM
and DAB
• Precise analysis of DiSEqC commands
• An A/V jack and external monitor convert
the signal analyzer into a receiver

62 TELE-satellite — Global Digital TV Magazine — 06-07/201 — www.TELE-satellite.com
1

www.TELE-satellite.com — 06-07/201 —
1 TELE-satellite — Global Digital TV Magazine 63

TEST REPORT Combination Signal Analyzer for DVB-S and DVB-T

Analyzer
with Huge
Memory
The availability of afford-
able signal analyzers has
grown significantly over
the past few years. There’s
a feature that is especially
critical to users but up un-
til now it hasn’t really been
watched closely by manu-
facturers: and that is an
up-to-date and extensive
database of satellite and
transponder data. And sim-
ply because of the nearly
endless list of TV, radio and
Internet services available
via satellite, antenna or ca-
ble, the desire to have all
of this information is com-
pletely understandable.
Clearly it’s not enough any-
more for a European anten-
na installer to focus only on
those all too familiar ASTRA
19.2° east and HOTBIRD
13° east satellites. The
same can be said for an in-
staller in Thailand; he would
have no chance to survive
if he limits his expertise to
just the THAICOM bird at
78.5° east.
The signal analyzer that
we’re introducing here,
the SatCatcher Digipro ST
Combo, is not only aimed at
ambitious private end us-
ers, but also and especially
at professionals. And if you

06-07/201
1
SatCatcher Digipro ST Combo
Combo Signal Analyzer with Huge
Memory for Satellite and Terrestrial
Channels

1

The first signal analyzer with 1GB
of memory for up to 300,000 satel-
lite and transponder data entries!
want to have any chance tion is very easy to read and the easy-to-read 3.5-inch vious versions was perma-
of survival in today’s mar- is large enough to optimally LCD color display on the nently installed in the unit
ket, you have to be able to display all the necessary in- front panel. Four function and could not be removed
quickly and precisely react formation. buttons can be found un- by the end user, is now in-
to your customer’s wishes. The integrated 4000mAh derneath the display; the side its own battery com-
Included in this is the need rechargeable battery by labeling for these buttons is partment and can be re-
to be able to align to every VARTA provides the Digipro displayed near the bottom placed by end user. All units
possible receivable satellite ST Combo with four hours of of the screen. Just to the shipped after 1st April 2011
as efficiently as possible at energy. A complete charg- right are four more buttons include this feature.
the installation site. In or- ing cycle takes just about in the shape of a cross that SatCatcher have made
der for the installer to be as long. The manufacturer are used to work through the unit even more versa-
able to do this he needs to added an assortment of ac- the menus. tile for those busy install-
be equipped with some ba- cessories that include the Underneath that is a nu- ers, who are not only focus-
sic tools and this is the cru- 9.6V power supply as well merical keypad made up sing on tv installations, but
cial point: What use is the as a car charging station of 12 buttons as well as an also on video surveillance
best and most expensive so that the installer can re- additional five function but- aka security installations:
signal analyzer to an in- charge the analyzer while tons off to the right. All of the newest SatCatcher not
staller if a customer wants on the way to the next cus- the buttons are legibly la- only captures DVB-S and
him to add another satellite tomer. A moisture resistant beled making it very easy DVB-T but also comes with
to his reception system but jacket is also provided to to operate the Digipro ST an video input to use with
the signal analyzer doesn’t help protect the analyzer Combo. On the top of the standard cameras. Sat-
have the current transpond- from dirt and the elements. analyzer the manufacturer Catcher has even added an
er data stored in its mem- The included carrying case placed a combination tuner active 12V output from the
ory preventing the installer lets you work with two free input for satellite and ter- IF input port, so installers
from aligning the antenna? hands. restrial reception as well as can also power a camera
The British company Sat- A flip-open sun shade also an additional tuner connec- while making an install. To
Catcher has shown us more makes it easier to read the tion for testing. The input/ this end, the newest units
than once in the past that LCD display in bright sun- output jack for audio/video shipped do now also include
its products are up to date shine. To top it all off, the signals can also be found a ‘F type to power jack’ ca-
technologically and full of Digipro ST Combo comes there. The SatCatcher Di- bles (Our test sample was
innovative ideas. With the with a USB cable for con- gipro that was sent to us not yet equipped with this
Digipro ST Combo, that nection to a PC and an A/V for testing is for satellite feature).
hasn’t changed. cable for the video input/ and terrestrial signals (ST). As mentioned before, it
When compared to previ- output connection. The user There is also an SC version is absolutely essential for
ous models, not much has manual is not in printed available for satellite and the professional installer
changed on the outside. form; instead it’s in PDF for- cable signals. The USB in- to have up-to-date satel-
At 240 x 105 x 75mm and mat and can be found on the terface and the power sup- lite and transponder data
weighing just 1.4kg includ- included CD. The Digipro ST ply input can be found on always at his fingertips.
ing battery and protective Combo along with all of its the bottom of the analyzer. Even an end-user would be
cover, the Digipro ST Com- accessories can be packed This newest product from thrilled to have this data
bo sits quite comfortably in a sturdy aluminum case SatCatcher was manufac- readily available on his
in your hand. Its weight is for easy transport. It would tured with quality in mind signal analyzer. Before we
evenly distributed so that it also serve to protect the and to be honest we didn’t check out the technical sig-
doesn’t want to tip over to contents should the case be expect any less from this nal measurement details of
one side. The 3.5 inch dis- dropped. company. Even the rechar- the Digipro ST Combo, we
play with its 128x64 resolu- You can’t help but notice gable battery, which in pre- want to introduce you to


two of the most important Windows as a removable the engineers came up with work memory back to the
features of this analyzer. external storage device and an ingeniously simple solu- main memory so that they
The first would be its 1GB therefore doesn’t need any tion: The analyzer’s main can be transferred back to
of cache memory followed drivers or special software. menu comes with an entry the PC for printing or trans-
by a function to process and Naturally, the user would that allows you to transfer fer to a different SatCatcher
display NIT (network infor- need an up-to-date file in individual data (satellite, analyzer.
mation table) data. ASD format which is pro- transponder or provider) After turning the analyzer
The 1GB cache memory vided either directly from from its main memory to its on, the display on the Di-
is the direct result of Sat- the manufacturer or from work memory so that it is gipro ST Combo presents
Catcher putting their heads an authorized distributor. available for use by the sig- the main menu with four se-
together to decide the easi- To update the satellite and nal analyzer. lections. These four choic-
est way to port all of the transponder data, you sim- While the main memory es identify the four basic
worldwide available satellite ply would need to download contains all of the world- functions of this analyzer:
and transponder data to the the latest ASD file from the wide satellite and tran- a signal measurement in
signal analyzer. For this it Internet and copy it to the sponder data regardless of terrestrial mode, a sig-
was necessary to incorpo- removable external storage whether the end-user needs nal measurement in satel-
rate two different types of device. it or not, the work menu lite mode, various DiSEqC,
memory: work memory and The SatCatcher engineers contains only those entries power and cabling tests as
main memory. The main quickly recognized that it that the end-user actually well as a menu selection for
memory is 1GB in size and would be a big mistake to needs. This not only makes AV input/output. At the bot-
can be loaded with data di- simply replace the entire it easier to access the data tom of the screen can also
rectly from a PC. It has room database in the analyzer; that is needed, but it also be found a red “Menu” but-
for roughly 300,000 satellite undoubtedly there are quite allows a complete database ton that is activated using
and transponder entries. As a few end users that saved update at any time without the F3 button. Pushing this
soon as a USB connection their own data in the analyz- having to worry about over- button takes the user to the
is established between the er - this data would be lost writing any individual en- previously mentioned chan-
analyzer and a PC, the ana- if the entire database were tries. It is also possible to nel list update possibilities
lyzer is recognized by MS replaced. To prevent this, transfer the entries in the via an ASD file.
In terrestrial mode the
analyzer can process analog
and digital signals within
the frequency range 46 to
870 MHz in several differ-
ent ways: a single frequen-
cy can be selected so that
its parameters can be dis-
played. These parameters
include signal level in dBµV,
the video carrier frequency,
the audio carrier frequency
as well as the C/N in dB.
With digital signals the MER
(Modulation Error Ratio),
CBER (Channel Bit Error
Rate) and VBER (Viterbi Bit
Error Rate) would also be
shown.
In addition to all of these
numerical values the ana-
lyzer can also graphical
display the audio and video
signal levels in a separate
column. This mode can be
used to fine-tune an an-
tenna that has already been
roughly aligned to where it

1

needs to be. For this pur- the “Enter” button brings Thanks to all the differ- a preprogrammed list of all
pose there’s a spectrum an- up a detailed display of ent possible settings, the the frequencies and what
alyzer display. It can be used the frequency parameters. user can match the Digipro they are occupied with. The
to view the incoming signal With DVB-T signals you can ST Combo to his person- available channel plan can
in various widths that in- “read” the NIT and display al requirements. He can be displayed, activated and
clude full-screen, 500, 200, any of the channels that therefore, for example, edited via an entry in the
100, 50, 32, 16 and 8 MHz. are found on the analyzer’s display the measured sig- main menu. The basic setup
When we tested this with a monitor. Since the analyzer nal in dBµV, dBmV or dBm included a preconfigured list
UHF antenna, the Digipro ST doesn’t come with any built- as well as set a minimum for Great Britain as well as
Combo reacted very quickly in CI slot or card reader, level for signal processing an overall collection of fre-
to changes in the antenna this feature only works with or program the analyzer to quencies used in Europe. If
position and displayed this free-to-air (FTA) signals. shut itself off after a certain the analyzer is to be used in
graphically. With the help of The various search modes time. other parts of the world, the
the spectrum analyzer dis- are complimented by an au- We especially liked that ASD feature lets you effort-
play, it is very easy to iden- tomatic channel scan that SatCatcher took the new lessly download the current
tify a starting position for will check all the frequen- ASD feature - the preconfig- lists from the manufactur-
the antenna after which it cies for usable signals and ured database of worldwide er’s website or from a dis-
can be fine-tuned. then displays the results satellite and transponder tributor which can then be
If you want to take a clos- graphically. This is essen- entries - and also adopted transferred from a PC to the
er look at a signal peak, you tially an expansion of the it for terrestrial mode. Of analyzer.
simply need to press the spectrum analyzer mode. course, in this mode eve- The analyzer’s satellite
“Test” function button to tell The SatCatcher signal ana- rything revolves around mode is basically the same
the Digipro ST Combo to be- lyzer can not only handle frequencies in the UHF and in structure as the terres-
gin looking for a valid DVB-T TV signals, it can also work VHF band and not with sat- trial mode. This transpar-
carrier or an analog signal. with FM radio and DAB ra- ellites and its corresponding ent operation helps to make
If you enter a frequency di- dio signals; corresponding transponders. But, with- the user’s work much easier
rectly or opt to enter in a menu selections are avail- out a doubt, it can also be and for that it deserves high
channel number, a push of able for these modes. practical to have access to praise. To be able to use all
of the analyzer’s wide range
of features, it pays to have
a look at the Settings menu
and set up some of the ba-
sic parameters. Included in
that would of course be the
current geographical posi-
tion.
With that information, the
Digipro ST Combo can auto-
matically calculate azimuth
and elevation for every de-
sired satellite as well as the
polarization angle and the
satellite position for DiS-
EqC 1.3 (USALS). These re-
sults are displayed not only
in plain numbers but also
graphically. In our tests this
functioned quite well and
can be used to get a fairly
good idea of the position of
a satellite. From there you
can access the spectrum
analyzer mode for further
antenna alignment.
The spectrum analyzer
display is very quick to re-

1

1 3 5

2 4 6

7

8

9

10

1

11 17 23

12 18 24

13 19 1. In satellite mode it is possible to
measure individual transponders,
display their constellation diagrams
and calculate azimuth and elevation
values for each existing satellite
entry.
2. As soon as an active transponder
is detected the Digipro ST Combo
immediately displays all relevant
parameters.
3. NIT read-out of a transponder and
information on available channels.
4. Displaying a TV channel.
14 20 5. Editing a transponder entry.
6. Constellation diagram.
7. Main menu in satellite mode.
8. All currently stored satellite entries.
9. Various basic settings.
10. Spectrum display in satellite
mode.
11. Spectrum display with 100 MHz
increments.
12. The SatCatcher Digipro ST Combo
offers four operating modes.
13. Spectrum display in terrestrial
mode.
15 21
14. Looking for an active DVB-T
frequency.
15. As soon as a DVB-T signal is
detected the Digipro ST Combo
immediately measures all relevant
parameters.
16. NIT read-out of a DVB-T frequency.
17. Automatic channel search across
the entire terrestrial frequency range.
18. FM radio.
19. Thanks to the convenient log
feature measurements can be stored
in the Digipro ST Combo’s internal
16 22 memory.
20. Terrestrial frequency plans.
21. Adding a new satellite to the
memory using the ASD database.
22. Not only does the ASD database
include transponder entries but
corresponding provider information
as well.
23. Menu items for using ASD
features.
24. Menu items for using ASD
features.


1

act to signal changes. This cally plus you can also see
makes it very easy to ad- signal level, CBER, VBER
just the antenna and iden- and C/N numerically. At this
tify a signal peak. If you point the antenna can be
want to take a closer look optimally aligned to the de-
at a particular frequency in sired satellite thanks to the
the spectrum, it would be a precise and speedy reac-
good idea to reduce the fre- tion to signal level changes.
quency span of the display If the analyzer recognizes
for which preprogrammed a valid frequency, the NIT
values of 50, 100, 200 and of the transponder can be
500 MHz are available as “read” and the TV or radio 2
is a full frequency span. signal can be viewed on the
The cursor buttons can be screen. Of course, this is
used to select any desired only true for digital signals.
frequency in the display. A Using the NIT, the analyzer
push of the “Enter” button calculates the position of
reveals its exact signal level the current satellite; in our
and C/N (carrier-to-noise tests this feature functioned
ratio). And just like in ter- quite well and above all cor-
restrial mode, a variety of rectly. Problems only occur
settings such as spectrum when providers don’t use
analyzer frequency span or accurate NIT information
desired voltage at the tuner as was the case in our tests
connection can be handled with a feed signal at 7° west
via the numerical keypad. which resulted in incorrect
Thanks to its precise and satellite position data.
1. Calculating aztimuth and elevation
easy-to-read labeling, it All of these signal meas- 2. The ASD database on the PC: satellite and transponder data can
won’t take long before you urement capabilities are be added and changed

can no longer do without topped off by constellation
this feature. diagrams in both DVB-S and lyzer’s display. But what do lite. The analyzer will then
With professional install- DVB-T modes. If any de- you do if you want to work display the available tran-
ers it may often be neces- tails of a frequency should with ABS1 at 75° east? No sponder frequencies along
sary to provide proof of a change, you simply need to problem; this is where the with the corresponding pro-
job well done. For this pur- press the “Edit” button so ASD list once again comes viders using these frequen-
pose the Log function can that multiple parameters into play. You simply ac- cies. Now all you need to do
be used to store the meas- can quickly be edited. Aside cess the ASD manager in is to search for the desired
ured values during an an- from the classical settings the menu. The Digipro ST entry in the list and transfer
tenna alignment which can such as the LOF, polariza- Combo will then ask you it to the work memory us-
later be made available on tion voltage and the 22 kHz what satellite you want to ing the F3 button. You then
a PC. You can also take a signal, you can also custom- activate. There is no list get a detailed display of the
screenshot of the spectrum ize DiSEqC 1.0 for up to four displayed; if the entire list data and if necessary you
analyzer display and store it satellites, 1.1 for up to eight of worldwide satellites were can add DiSEqC commands
in the analyzer. satellites as well as DiSEqC displayed, it would all be or select a matching LOF for
Once an antenna has 1.3 (USALS) for motorized somewhat unorganized. In- the C-band, Ku-band, etc.,
been positioned using the systems. Even SCR Unicable stead, you simply enter in after which you’d press the
spectrum analyzer display solutions are supported and the geographical position of “Save” button to store it all
or the angle calculations can be activated directly in the satellite and select east in the analyzer’s memory so
such that a satellite is be- the Settings menu. or west by pressing the +/- that it can easily be recalled
ing received, the push of In all, the Digipro ST button. at a later time.
one button on a signal peak Combo is delivered with the When you press the OK Since we already have
is all that’s needed to place satellite and transponder button, the analyzer will the ABS1 satellite at 75°
the analyzer in transponder data for European satellites immediately recognize that east stored in the analyzer’s
mode where you can then from 42° east to 30° west. you’re interested in the memory, it seemed only
view the signal strength The user can edit them or 75° east position and that logical to turn one of our
and signal quality graphi- expand them on the ana- it involves the ABS1 satel- antennas to that satellite.

1

SatCatcher's Digipro
ST Combo sturdy
aluminum case
comes with many
useful items:
fold away sun visor,
software CD, user
guide, mains charging
unit, USB connection
cable, car charger
and A/V cable

ABS1 is typically rather diffi- Thanks to its spectrum ana- provement in the antenna Combo clearly did the job!
cult to receive here in west- lyzer mode, we were quickly alignment? No, even if And during all of these tests
ern Europe. With the help of able to identify several sig- you used a signal analyzer we were also able to de-
the azimuth and elevation nal peaks and with the help from another manufacturer termine that the analyzer’s
calculator in the Digipro ST of the transponder mode it costing several thousand built-in tuner was actually
Combo, we quickly deter- was easy to optimally align dollars, it would not have quite sensitive; it was able
mined the necessary angles the antenna. helped to increase the sig- to process signals starting
for the antenna and began And the $64,000 ques- nal level at the antenna! with a C/N of 3.5dB.
to adjust it in that direction. tion: is there room for im- The SatCatcher Digipro ST Correctly “read” tran-

1

sponders are one thing; a The Digipro ST Combo Expert Opinion
live TV picture on the moni- can be connected to a PC as
tor is another thing entirely. a removable storage device +
The Digipro ST Combo can without the need for any 1 GB Working Memory
Extremely Fast Spectrum Analyzer
not only use the NIT data specific drivers. Thanks to
Display of NIT data
of a transponder to identify the included PC software, it Built-in Azimuth and Elevation Calculator
the satellite’s position, but is possible to not only cal- Lightweight Thomas Haring
TELE-satellite
it can also use it to display culate the necessary angles Long-life Rechargeable Battery Test Center
Austria
a variety of freely receiv- for each desired satellite
-
able TV and radio channels. using an extensive table of DVB-S2 Transponders are not recognized
Even though the monitor different locations on a PC
is only 3.5 inches in diam- (of course latitude and lon-
eter, the TV picture is easy gitude coordinates can also
to see and therefore can be directly entered), but the
TECHNICAL
DATA
be used to confirm to the ASD data for terrestrial and Manufacturer SatCatcher, Unit 7 Salvesen Way, Hull,
customer that they are re- satellite mode can also be East Yorkshire, UK HU3 4UQ, United Kingdom
Tel +44 - 148 222 15 77
ceiving those channels that expanded and edited. Once
Email sales@satcatcher.com
they actually want. Thanks all of the changes have
Website www.satcatcher.com
to the A/V output on the been completed, the user
Model Digipro ST Combo
analyzer, it can easily be can save the data and then
Function Signal meter for digital signals in DVB-S, DVB-T and
connected directly to a TV transfer it to the analyzer DAB. Analogue signals in FM radio.
and be converted to a satel- by simply dragging and Frequency range satellite 950~2150 MHz

lite or DVB-T receiver itself. dropping the data to the Input Level -65 dBm to -25 dBm

This A/V jack can also be analyzer. Frequency range terrestrial 46~870 MHz

used to display an external We were very impressed Input Level 40 dBµV to 110 dBµV
Input resistance 75 Ohm
video signal on the analyz- with the SatCatcher Digipro
DiSEqC Yes (1.0, 1.1, 1.3)
er’s monitor so that, for ex- ST Combo during our tests.
SCR Unicable Yes
ample, a motorized antenna Thanks to the logical con-
Power supply Up to 4 hours without recharge
with a 36V actuator can be struction of the software,
Display 120 x 64 3.5“ LCD color display
aligned. The video signal installation was a piece of Supplied items Fold away sun visor, Software CD, User guide,
from the positioner/receiver cake. It comes with a large Mains charging Unit, A/V cable, Car charger,
USB Connection cable
can in this way be displayed variety of features and is
Dimension 240 x 105 x 75mm
on the analyzer’s monitor. all topped off with the ASD
Weight 1.4kg
Thanks to the second sig- database. Its high-quality
Charge Power 10.5V
nal input on the top of the workmanship leaves noth-
Battery Voltage 8.4V
analyzer, you can not only ing to be desired.
Working temperature 0 to 40°C
check out the signals from Storage temperature -10 to 40°C
the LNB, but also the polari-
zation control voltage from
the receiver to the LNB, the Definitions:
high/low band 22 kHz con-
MER: „Modulation Error Ratio“ is a bit error calculation
trol signal as well as any
for digital signals. The higher the value, the more error-
DiSEqC commands that are
free the received signal is. Values over 25dB are acceptable
sent. This is an especially although a good CBER, VBER and a correspondingly high
practical way to find and C/N is also important.
fix any problems that might
pop up with longer and VBER: “Viterbi Bit Error Rate” is the number of faulty
more complex cable runs. bits within a digital signal after mathematical Viterbi error
Particularly useful was the correction. The higher the number after the “E”, the better
analysis of DiSEqC com- the signal.
mands sent by the receiver;
CBER: “Channel Bit Error Rate” is the number of faulty
this made it possible to eas-
bits in a digital signal before mathematical Viterbi error
ily identify and correct a
correction. The higher the number after the “E”, the better
problem with a multiswitch
the signal. The CBER gives you an idea of how good or bad
or correct an issue with the the signal received at the LNB really is.
cabling.

1

Satcatcher

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (20)

Similar to Satcatcher

Similar to Satcatcher (20)

More from TELE-audiovision eng

More from TELE-audiovision eng (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Satcatcher