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TELE-satellite Archives
Amstrad SRD 6101 CI
After we tested the free-to-air version of the Amstrad 4101 in our last issue it was just a matter of time for the company to implement a Common Interface. At this moment, interface modules are available for almost any encryption system. So even real anti-pay-TV users can later switch to to a certain pay-TV package without having to buy a new receiver, if and when the need arises.
The Amstrad SRD 6101 CI is a nonetheless a fully equipped Free-to-Air receiver, not some stripped model that subscribers to certain digital pay-TV packages get. All free channels can be caught with this box without any limitation. Required parameters are entered manually or found automatically by this Amstrad box. In fact there is no big difference between this receiver and its predecessor. Behind the lid on the front, we found two slots for Common Interface modules. One can be used for Irdeto and the other for Conax, for instance. In total, the SRD 6101 can store up to 2000 channels. The display indicates the channel ID using green LEDs (Amstrad waved the red ones goodbye.) Also positioned on the front are the emergency operation buttons, enabling you to do even some programming in case space aliens abducted your remote control. At the back, nothing has really changed. The LNB output can be connected to another receiver (analogue, ADR or whatever). Unfortunately, Amstrad decided to stick to only two Scart connectors. The RS-232 serial interface is still there and can be used for a connection to a PC for uploading any channel settings or even new firmware. It can handle connections up to 19kB/ s. The usual 12V-control signal is available trough a phono jack, and so is a separate audio signal for your stereo. It would have been nice though to have a digital audio output on the box. Another phono jack supplies a composite video signal. The built-in modulator perfectly integrates the a/v into any existing terrestrial signal and is software adjustable to any channel within the UHF range. The integration of Common Interfacing technology had no effects on the layout of the remote control. The
most important buttons are all within reach of your fingertips and make it easy to operate. All buttons are clearly marked which prevents any mistakes. We tested the European version of this box that comes with Astra and Hotbird channels pre-programmed, so when your dish is equipped with a universal LNB the box is a real plug-and-play one. An update of the channels can be performed automatically and is done within some minutes. It is possible to find and store FTA channels only, leav-
ing out all encrypted stuff. When using a multi-feed installation, just perform the proper settings and the receiver will do the rest for you. Using even more LNBs will require the use of the built-in DiSEqC system and the 12V control. A separate menu is present for all settings when using this receiver in conjunction with a SMATV network. The SRD 6101 can handle up to eight satellites (or rather, orbital positions). The LOF can be entered manually and without any restrictions. To get all information on transponders etc., just refer to the Satco-DX charts on the Internet or browse this very magazine’s frequency charts. The advanced menu is for experienced users only. You can enter PID-codes here if neces-
176 TELE-satellite — Broadband & Fiber-Optic — 10-11/2009 — www.TELE-satellite.com
sary but usually it isn’t, maybe for the exception of certain SCPC signals. Normally you will use the automatic search however. The SRD6101 supports the following languages: English, German, Italian, French, Spanish and Portuguese. To enjoy the better video quality of the SRD6101 you can connect it to your television using RGB or Y/C output, both on Scart. Of course, the Amstrad also supports the wide-screen format (16:9). Entering the current time is just a
matter of telling the box what time zone you are in and what the current time is approximately. The exact time is then taken from the datastream of the currently selected channel (even though not all seem to have adjusted their clocks recently.) The order of the channels found can be easily changed and unwanted channels can be deleted. Additionally, this receiver offers you a snooze function and sleep timer. To prevent unauthorised use of some channels, you can block them by using the parental lock. Using an analogue receiver makes it easy to find any signal. With digital receivers however, this is much more difficult, since a weak signal means no picture at all instead of a distorted picture. The reliability of a built-in measuring tool is very important. Besides the signal strength the quality is of great importance. The SRC6101 shows you both on-screen. The EPG will give you all information a particular channel is supplying. Whenever a channel is encrypted this is shown in the on-screen channel bar. Teletext is built in and selecting a channel can be easily done using the up and down buttons on the remote. Sometimes however, the receiver skips one channel and in fact proceeds two channels. In our opinion, there should be a software update.