Samsung TS-160 for OTA only

[brewtownska]

Sounds like we all turned to Ebay to start our OTA only trials today, as I saw 2 other people with posts about Hughes set-tops!

I bought a RCA DTC-100 for my projector, and it's fine (I need a better antenna, but it works).  Today I just got a used Samsung TS-160 which I plan on also using for OTA only.  Problem with this one is similar to the Hughes in the other thread, but when I got to tell the TS160 what type of satellite dish I have, it gets mad as there is no access card installed.

Can anyone confirm if the TS-160 from Samsung (or even ANY of the D* samsungs) can get OTA only WITHOUT an access card?

At this point I don't know if that specifically is my problem, or if it's one of the others in the list.  It came FedEx, but with a horrible packing job as a piece of the plastic side came off.  Also, the OK button on the front panel is stuck inside the unit (although I was able to get it back where it goes, and I *THINK* it's good where it is now).  Mine also came WITHOUT a remote, and wouldn't ya know...none of my universals are new enough to pick up on the codes (or maybe the remote sensor is bad in the Samsung).

I found I can get into the service menu by holding MENU and hitting the right arrow on the front of the unit.  In there, I tried using the REBOOT option...no help.  There's a RESET option in the service menu, but that won't do anything without a D* access card.  GRRRRR!!!!!

I guess if anyone can confirm this model, and/or other Samsungs can be used for OTA only WITHOUT an access card, I will then look to getting a remote that could help me.  If I need an access card, I wonder if I can get an old expired one just to make the machine happy something is inserted?  I'm not hooking my phone line up to it (as I have no home phone), so hopefully that has nothing to do with it.

Hopefully I can get some help between football games

Mike

[Nels Harvey]

I have an available D* access card that isn't being used right now, if you would like to try it.

Nels....

[brewtownska]

Nels, thanks for the offer, but today I was actually able to borrow an old unused card from a co-worker.  I went home on lunch, and sure enough I was able to access everything I wanted to because the card was inserted.  I told the machine I had no dish, it changed modes, now it's strictly OTA.  I took the card out to test if the receiver would still work, and it does.  My next test is to disconnect the unit from the power outlet for a few hours, then power up without the card (to see if it saves the settings).  If it does save settings, then I don't see any reason to have the card anymore.  The one thing I might want to do before giving the card back to my co-worker is to check with Samsung about the newest Firmware.  Something on their website says the TS160 and a few other models NEED the new firmware before early February 2005, else they may not tune into certain channels sending out programming protected with the broadcast flag.

Mike

[smack]

They upgrade the system through the dish.  So if you don't have a dish hooked up to it I am not sure if you will be able to get the upgrade.  

I am not sure of any other way to upgrade.  There might be, but I do not know of any.

smack

[brewtownska]

From the Samsung website, apparently the only way to get a firmware upgrade on the TS160 is to send the receiver to them.  Whether I do it depends on how much it's gonna cost me in shipping (1 way or both ways).  It sounds like for people who have the receivers with a RS232 connection, they can get a kit sent to them (or maybe it's a download).  Like you said smack, this is only for people like me without DirecTV service.

Mike

[StarvingForHDTV]

Thanks for the tip.  My upgrade kit is on the way.  I have the SIR-T151  I had no idea that my set top would become unusable without getting the kit mailed to me.  Just another reason to be thankful that this forum exists....

http://product.samsung.com/stb_upgrade/

[Nels Harvey]

Because of this thread, I sent away for a "kit" to update my Samsung TS-151.  It arrived and contained a cd, and a connector cord.  The cord consisted of a 9 pin D connector (Serial) and a small (3/16"?) stereo plug.

I had to dig out my old P-100 HP laptop because my modern Toshiba doesn't have a serial connector.  Oh well....

I followed the instructions, and apparently updated my TS-151.

After a re-scan everything seems to work as it had.  Does anyone know why I had to do all of this?

Nels....

[StarvingForHDTV]

My kit arrived and I updated my box too.  I'm glad Samsung offered the quick and free customer service.  I will consider buying their brand again in the future.

The reason for the update is explained here:

http://product.samsung.com/stb_upgrade/