TEST REPORT

Digital TV Signal Meter

TRIMAX

TM-6800+
Exclusive feature: ASI output that usually only comes with professional signal meters Another treat: CAM that even accepts CI+ smartcards Perfect for feed hunters thanks to spectrum analyzer Fast and easy satellite search with the help of pre-stored transponder data for virtually all positions Automatic NIT access for satellite names

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TEST REPORT

Digital TV Signal Meter

Genie in a Box

04-05/2012
Trima x TM-6800+ All the features you need, plus profes sional extras like ASI and spectrum displa y www.TELE -satellite.com/ TELE- satell ite-1205/eng/tr imax. pdf

If we had to give a catchy name to the new Trimax flagship it would be Genie in a Box. Its small, yet can do almost anything you want it to do. The new Trimax signal meter arrived in a stylish box which is kept close with two magnets now thats something new! Once opened we discovered the meter itself, packed in a protective softbag made of nylon, a mains charger, a vehicle charger, an RCA A/V cable as well as a neckstrap. Lets start with the highquality protective bag which we found extremely convenient. Taylor-made for the TM6800+ it can be used to carry the meter on the neck using the available strap. Lateral flaps are available to keep the display readable even in direct sunlight. More often than not signal meters that appear neat and tiny on marketing material turn out to be much bulkier than expected, so that single-hand operation quickly loses much of its appeal. As far as the Trimax6800+ is concerned, however, we can happily confirm that an average sized hand is big enough to hold the meter and use it, too. We know that many installers are not too happy with neckstraps, so this target group in particular will appreciate the meters convenient size. And if that alone does not make your heart beat higher, just have a closer look at the connection options of the new Trimax meter: Apart from the obligatory HF input on the top side of the box, you will also find the A/C socket as well as an ASI connection, a feature that is absolutely unique for signal meters in this segment. Even many top-of-the-range
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professional meters only offer ASI as an additional option. The bottom side of the device sports a USB interface, an HDMI output, the power socket for external power supply (12V) and a common interface for CAMs with full CI+ compatibility another exclusive feature in this price segment! The CI+ socket is protected by a plastic flap on the back side, which also hides the battery pack which can easily be changed whenever required. Pressing the On button for two seconds powers up the signal meter, and after approximately 15 seconds it is ready to take your commands. The main menu boasts a neat design and we did not even need to consult the manual to find all the functions we were looking for. A total of eight options are available from the main menu: Spectrum analyzer Constellation diagram SAT finder
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SAT settings Angle calculation Memory functions System configuration USB options In order to perform an initial quick test we hooked the LNB cable from one of our antennas (aligned towards ASTRA 19.2E) to the meter and selected Spectrum analyzer in the main menu. It was only a matter of seconds until the spectrum was created on the display, showing a span of 1250 MHz. In order to speed up spectrum refresh rates the following frequency spans are available: 1250 MHz (full span), 200 MHz, 100 MHz, 50 MHz and 32 MHz. The setting can be changed loop-wise with the F1 function key. When in spectrum mode the arrow buttons of the signal meter take over very useful functions: Using the Up and Down buttons you can scroll along the y-axis which displays the signal level. With the Left and Right buttons, on the other hand,

you can move a marker along the x-axis, which displays the frequency value. With this user concept it is possible at any time to find out the signal level of a selected frequency and to initiate a scan starting from the marked frequency position. This is a very useful feature if you need to align your antenna to a more exotic orbital position: Instead of having to pre-edit the transponder list all you need to do is move the marker to a peaked signal within the displayed spectrum. We truly appreciated the fact that the Trimax TM6800+ locks a signal within a mere second, provided the marker is placed on a valid transponder. Pressing the OK button will start a scan that lists all channels in a matter of seconds a real treat for feed hunters as well! Unfortunately, the spectrum analyzer does not react swiftly enough to allow antenna alignment using the spectrum display only. The

refresh rate simply does not keep up with signal changes. If youre done with the spectrum a simple touch of the Menu button will bring you back to the main menu. We went ahead with the constellation diagram. Before the meter can display that diagram you have to select either a pre-stored channel or the current frequency. In our case the settings list was still empty, which is why we chose the current frequency which we had selected with the marker in the spectrum mode. The constellation diagram can display both QPSK and 8PSK modulations, with the 8PSK modulation being divided up into nine squares rather than eight segments forming a circle. The QPSK modulation is shown correctly with four squares. Constellation diagrams are created rapidly and with a similar performance as in our reference unit. The following important information is shown on the screen: Frequency Symbol rate Polarisation Modulation Satellite name MER C/N BER FEC Two bar diagrams with signal quality and signal level given in percent What did make us stop short was the fact that the display invariably presented identical values for MER and C/N, even though the two parameters should be measured independently. MER stands for Modulation Error Ratio and indicates the relationship between average signal performance and average error performance within a constellation. In other words, the MER value is a figure that correlates with the size of a cloud within a square of the constellation diagram. C/N, on the other hand, is short for Carrier to Noise Ratio and

indicates the transponder performance in relation to background noise. According to Trimax, one of the upcoming firmware updates for the TM6800+ will address and solve that issue. All data gathered from the constellation function can be saved onto a connected USB storage medium by pressing the Point button. If you prefer the data to be stored in the devices internal memory you need to press F4 instead. The constellation diagram can be redrawn at any time with a simple touch of the Up button. After that, press the Menu button once to move back to the frequency/channel option and a second time to call up the main menu again. The next option we tested was the SAT finder function and to this end we hooked one of our 60cm offset antennas to the Trimax meter. That antenna is mounted onto a portable pole and was not aligned to a specific satellite at the time.

We wanted to find out what it takes to perfectly align an antenna with the help of the meter and so we tested two very different scenarios: ASTRA 19.2E as an example for one of Europes most popular and powerful satellites, and HISPASAT 30.0W as an example for a satellite with lots of DVB-S2 transponders and a critical reception situation with a 60cm antenna, particularly when it comes to LNB skew. Using the SAT finder function is childs play, mostly thanks to the pre-installed settings list, which includes at least one transponder for virtually all relevant satellite positions. So in most cases all you have to do is select the desired satellite in the first menu item and you can quickly go about antenna alignment. The signal strength and signal quality bars on the display are easy to read even from a distance, which is an enormous aid in every-

day installation situations. As soon as a signal is locked the bars change their colour from red to green and the meter generates a sound that changes in pitch as the reception quality increases (or decreases). The signal performance is always given in dBV as well. If you prefer to use a different transponder you can either select it from the settings list (if pre-stored) or you can manually key in the required parameters. Once the signal is detected and locked you can initiate a san covering that particular transponder only. It does not take more than a few minutes with the Trimax TM6800+ to find ASTRA 19.2E and HISPASAT 30.0W. Using the pre-defined satellite list you only need to select the corresponding satellite and then choose a Ku band transponder. Next, we started to slowly move the antenna until the meter indicated a hit with green bars and a clearly au-

dible sound. Could we have asked for more? Of course it can always happen that the same transponder configuration is used on two different but neighbouring satellite positions so that it makes sense to call up a channel of the required satellite on the display to do some cross-checking and verification. In case none is available on the channel list we recommend you do a transponder search. It is here that the NIT function of the Trimax TM6800+ comes into play and shows its full worth. As soon as a signal is locked the current satellite name pops up on the display, which means installers know right away which satellite the antenna is pointing to, even if identical transponder data are used in different positions. We should emphasise that the NIT feature comes by no means as standard for most meters and is a valuable aid when it comes to making sure youve hit the right spot. To call up the TV picture on the display you need to be in the main menu and press the Menu button. The meter then switches to playback mode and behaves more or less like any ordinary satellite receiver. Using the Up and Down button you can zap up and down the channel list or you can use the numeric keypad to select a channel number. If you want to access the channel list all you need to do is press the OK button. The currently showing channel stays on the display in a small window and you can swiftly select a channel on the list and switch to that channel. In case youre wondering whether the Left and Right buttons also have a dedicated function in playback mode: Use them to switch between TV and radio reception. There is no option to quickly jump back and forward within the channel list
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1. Our tests were performed with a portable 60cm offset antenna. 2. A small motorised antenna was used to test the meters DiSEqC 1.2 functions.

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with its hundreds or potentially thousands of entries, and there are no favourites lists, so be prepared to wisely manage your channel list and stick to the bare essentials unless you are of the severely patient kind. Since it took much less time than expected to align our antenna to the two satellite positions we had some time to spare, so why not have a closer look at the built-in tuner and its threshold capabilities? We pointed our 60cm antenna towards ASTRA 2D and tried to catch BBC HD on transponder 49 (10847 V 23000-8/9 QPSK). According to ASTRA/SES our location in Portugal would require an antenna with at least 120cm for successful reception. Nonetheless, we achieved reliable and stable reception of BBC HD with only half that diameter. Quite frankly, we had no idea how that came about, but it does speak volumes about the reception quality of the Trimax TM6800+ tuner. The fourth menu item of the meter includes a settings editor, which allows to edit the satellite list, define DiSEqC parameters and LNB types for each satellite and start a channel search on an entire satellite or a single transponder. In our opinion a channel search across an entire satellite should be avoided by all means, as it is very tiresome and time-consuming at a later stage to switch between channels on a list that boasts hundreds or thousands of entries, but no favourites options (see above). What does make sense is saving one free-to-air channel per polarisation level and satellite, so that you can quickly and easily verify if your antenna alignment is successful. While such a settings list can of course be compiled on the meter itself, it is a job that takes some time and effort. Luckily, there is an easier way: On its website www. trimaxtec.net the manufacturer provides the Satellite list edit tools for TM6xxx series Meter/Finder.rar file via its Download Center. What you get is a settings editor, which at this stage only comes with an installation wizard in Chinese. But rest assured, all you need to do is click the right button during the installation pro-

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1. Main menu of the TM6800+. 2. Spectrum analyzer: The marker was moved to 11914 MHz and the signal was locked automatically after one second. An FEC of 9/0 was identified. 3. The spectrum can be moved vertically with the Up and Down buttons. 4. In the spectrum a signal scan can be initiated from the frequency selected with the marker. 5. Constellation diagram with additional signal information. An 8PSK modulation can be seen here. 6. With the SAT finder function it is possible to quickly align an antenna. Thanks to the NIT function the satellite name is extracted from the NIT stream. 7. SAT finder: Signal strength peaks, signal quality doesnt: This is a clear indication that the antenna is aligned towards the wrong satellite since the transponder data dont match. 8. Automatic search: The Trimax TM6800+ is a fast performer. 9. List of default satellites which can be edited as required. 10. Satellite configuration. DiSEqC 1.0/1.1/1.2 protocols are supported. 11. DiSEqC 1.2 menu: It is possible to rotate the antenna, set limits and save the current position. 12. Automatic scan of an entire satellite. 13. Search progress. Only pre-stored transponders are scanned and there is no blind scan function. 14. Angle calculator: Based on the current position the Trimax TM6800+ is able to determine the correct angle values. 15. Saved constellation diagrams: All measured parameters can be saved for future documentation.
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cess, and the software itself is in English. Its interesting that the settings list is not transferred to the meter with an RS-232 or USB cable, but using regular files which can be stored on any USB storage medium. DiSEqC options can be accessed through the satellite list menu item. Here you can chose either DiSEqC 1.0/1.1 or DiSEqC 1.2, and we tested how the meter controlled our small motorised setup that moves a 45cm antenna. The available functions include EAST/WEST movement of the antenna, saving of the current position in relation to the active satellite, setting of limits and going to zero position. The current firmware version of the TM6800+ does not allow to specifically enter the saved position in the DiSEqC motor and it is not possible to directly move to saved positions. The next menu item is called Angle calculation and can be used for convenient calculation of Azimuth and elevation values based on the entered geographic position. Its part of our job to never take a manufacturers word for anything, so we doublechecked the calculations for a number of setups and are pleased to say that all results for elevation, Azimuth and polarisation (LNB skew) turned out to be absolutely correct. We pressed the Menu button once more to call up the main menu and to activate the Memory functions from there. Use this feature to save and retrieve constellation diagrams complete with all corresponding measurement values such as BER, C/N, frequency, symbol rate, FEC and polarisation. Here again it is possible to export data directly onto a connected USB storage medium by pressing the Point button. Back in the main menu we proceeded with having a closer look at System configuration, where settings such as language (English, Spanish, German, Italian, Turkish), TV aspect ratio, time zone or display brightness can be adjusted. The channel list editor can also be launched from here and CAMs inserted into the CI slot can be configured. We tried out a range of CAMs (Seca, Viaccess and DragonCAM) and the meter identified all of them correctly and offered the corresponding module menus. Last but not least, the System configuration section of the main menu must be accessed if a default reset is required or to display the currently installed software, which in our test unit was version 1.0.3. From the main menu we proceeded with calling up USB options, which consist of a menu offering the following options: Record: Starts a recording if the user has set channel, date, start time and duration of the recording beforehand. Playback: Lists recordings available from the connected USB storage medium and plays back the selected recording. Picture View: Displays JPEGs that are saved on the storage medium. Soft Upgrade: Updates the devices firmware. Parameter Upgrade: Upgrades the settings list that we pre-arranged on the PC using the editor software. To get a well-founded impression of the Trimax TM6800+ we exclusively and intensively tried it out for several days. After a short familiarisation period we were able to quickly align antennas as well as detect and also solve problems. Here are some of the special features we particularly appreciated: The large display is something we will never want to do without again. Even HD channels are presented crisply and with amazing details. The small overall size of the device makes the display appear even bigger. The onscreen menu is designed to make full use of the display size as well, which means the font size is ideal and all texts and information are easy to read at a glance. Another feature that enhances user-friendliness is a backlit keypad the illumination can be turned on or off and comes very handy at night or in dark rooms. In everyday use the spectrum analyzer did not react quickly enough to be used as a real-time spectrum. Only if you reduce the frequency span to 50 MHz the spectrums refresh rates reach real-time performance. Nonetheless, the spectrum mode sports a number of highly useful features: You might think that a marker that can be used to scroll to a transponder in order to then initiate a signal scan on that frequency is nothing out of the ordinary. In actual fact, however, only few signal meters are capable of correctly handling such a feature and the Trimax TM6800+ does not only handle it, but performs brilliantly. Feed hunters in particular will love that as it allows them to quickly find active transponders and then hunt for transmissions on those frequencies. For a job like that the refresh rate of the spectrum at the full 1250 MHz frequency span is more than sufficient. Just like in the constellation mode it is possible to create a screenshot of the current spectrum by simply pressing the Point button. This is a very helpful function when it comes to professional documentation and acceptance of an installation job. After all, nothing beats substantiated evidence in case of queries at a later stage. The undisputed highlight of the TM6800+ is the BNC connection on the upper side. It can be used to put out the current transponder as an ASI stream at any time. The ASI protocol is used for the transmission of DVB transponders, irrespective of the modulation type. Broadcasting equipment such as demodulators, modulators, multiplexers, headends etc. generally come with ASI inputs and outputs. For a signal meter like the TM6800+ to offer such an output is nothing short of a miracle as it allows to quickly diagnose flaws whenever a signal does not arrive properly at a particular device. It is important to note at this point that professional systems cannot be re-programmed on the fly for individual tests, so it does make sense to use the TM6800+ instead to provide a device with an ASI data steam for

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16. Presentation of a saved QPSK constellation diagram with corresponding information. 17. Presentation of a saved 8PSK constellation diagram with corresponding information. 18. Configuration menu of the Trimax TM6800+. 19. The channel list editor can be called up from the constellation menu. 20. USB menu of the TM6800+. 21. Recordings of the currently selected channel can be programmed for future documentation. 22. An HD channel is shown on the display of the TM6800+. 23. Additional and more detailed information can be displayed if required. 24. Once the programmed period of time has elapsed the recording is finished automatically. 25. Recordings can be played back in a dedicated small window.
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evaluation purposes. Any installer who also sets up and services small-scale headends will find the Trimax TM6800+ to be a perfect companion. Whats more, the demand for head-ends in communal distribution systems will remain on the rise in the years to come. The bottom line is that the Trimax TM6800+ is just what we were looking for. The meter definitely allows speedy satellite antenna alignment and is a valuable aid in the hunt for errors and flaws. The Trimax TM6800+ has

finally managed to propel a handheld meter into the professional league. The TM6800+ is currently available in two versions, for DVB-S/S2 (our test meter) and for DVB-C/T. Versions for DVB-T2 and with a combination of tuners are in the pipeline. If you want to exchange tuners all you need to do is remove a cover on the back (which is attached with two screws) and remove the tuner component, which again is screwed to the device. With the TM6800+ Trimax has launched a wonderful

little miracle box offering a whole range of professional features, with the ASI output shining particularly bright. Installers of commu-

nal antennas as well as feed hunters will find that the new meter can easily become their equipment of choice. Talk about Genie in box

Last Minute Firmware Update

Just before editorial deadline a new firmware release, v1.0.3, found its way into our test center. We immediately upgraded the software of our Trimax TM-6800+ to check out the new features.
The upgrade procedure is fairly easy, as the meter can be flashed by just copying the firmware file to a USB memory. Within the USB menu of the TM-6800+ the Soft Upgrade function will list all found *.bin files on the root folder of the USB memory. The selection can be made by using the UPand DOWN-keys. The OKKey will initiate the upgrade process. We noticed that the meter verifies the integrity of the firmware file prior to flashing it, thus avoiding a bad flash due to a wrong or faulty firmware file. Very good! After a reboot we could use the new firmware and we noticed a few minor, but important changes: The meter supports DiSEqC-1.2 and USALS for motorized dishes. USALS is far easier and comfortable to use, since all the user has to do is to specify his location and the meter (like any USALS compatible receiver) will calculate the position of all the satellites. No more searching and storing satellites manually! Of course you will need a USALS-compatible motor. Well hidden in the menu for the LNB configuration is the SCR or Unicable option. This allows the installer to check unicable installations using the TM-6800+. Normally you will find this option only in much more expensive meters and we were quite surprised of finding this option. SCR/Unicable installations allow up to 8 users to be connected to a SCR-LNB through the same single LNB cable. A special SCR/Unicable switch will provide each user with a reserved bandwidth, allowing an independent viewing of all 4 satellite bands. This is the ideal installation for i.e. older multifamily buildings where the installer wants to maintain existing cables and the passing of new cables is not viable. Using the .-key we could store the constellation diagram and measured data to a USB disk or the internal memory. With this firmware update, up to 20 datasets can be stored within the meters internal memory. This should be enough for a day without the hassle of carrying a USB disk. The CAPTKey will grab screenshots of most screens, thus allowing an easy documentation of the measurements carried out. It is good to see that the Trimax is committed to release updated firmware for the TM-6800+ this soon and our positive impression of this device just got better!

TECHNICAL
DATA
Manufacturer Trimax Technology Limited, Room 1016-1019 Max Smart Centre, 21 Bao Xing Road, Baoan, 518133 Shenzhen, China +86-755-21636899 +86-755-21636879 sales@trimaxtec.net www.trimaxtec.net TM-6800+ Handheld Satellite Meter for / Exchangeable 920-2150MHz ( -80 to -20dB 75 13/18V ( Selectable About 35 dBV (noise) About 90 dBV dB on LCD/Monitor C/N, BER, FEC, MER Sound and light alarm when upon signal lock Numeric keypad with backlight, allows use at night 4.3 inch TFT LCD screen (16:9), allows reproduction of MPEG2 and MPEG4 channels Constellation analyzer, Spectrum analyzer, Stream output by ASI CI+ compatible, CAM Interface Recording and reproduction of TV channels Capture and browsing of pictures Capture of OSD and signal strength Supports multiple OSD languages Supports SCR (Unicable) Audio and video input/output (S-VIDEO, HDMI) 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, USALS Firmware and Settings, editable on PC Power-supply (100-240V/50/60Hz 14.5V, 1.5Amp) 12V Car-charger Softbag with neckstrap A/V-Cable Fast charge LI-ION battery (1950mA), can last around 3 hours 0.6 Kg
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Tel Fax E-mail Website Model Type Tuner Frequency range Input Level Input Impedance Power out Ku/C-band Min. level in Max level in Display of signal level (analogue) Display of signal level (digital) SAT-Finder Keyboard Display Extra functionality

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Expert Opinion

Tuner (Tested Device) )

ASI output for professional use - Spectrum analyzer assisting in the hunt for unknown transponders - Perfect design and size of the display for optimum use - Automatic detection of selected satellite thanks to pre-stored transponder list - Tuner with very low threshold

Vitor Martins Augusto

TELE-satellite Test Center Portugal

BER and C/N values are identical Refresh rate of spectrum analyzer with high frequency span not high enough

Output DiSEqC Upgrade Functions Supplied Accessories

Battery Weight

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