New
Older units which are known to work
PC based DVR's options
* IR could be used also, operating Dishnet or Metaconnect guides but may require additional equipment if PC based for IR output.
Any of the above to help you merge your favorite 4DTV channels to on-screen guide of DVR.
Changeable anytime by you to fit your needs.
Setup Instructions setup instructions of 4DTranslator.
Channel mapping updating instructions Installation of new channel mapping of 4DTranslator.
All files are in Adobe® PDF format click here if have trouble opening.
4DTranslator is installed to your 4DTV C-Band entertainment system so you can enjoy the convenience of a modern style DVR, This device connects to a DVR's serial output (Directv style) or the IR blaster output (Dishnet or Metaconnect styles) allowing you to use a DVR that was designed without C-Band in mind. Where 4DTranslator was designed to work with C-Band in mind. We are Bridging the Gap!
It allows you to use an on-screen channel guide to control, pause, record & replay live from 4DTV.
Below is a list of parts included with a 4DTranslator purchase:
1 - 6 ft. 3.5mm to 3.5mm male to male IR control cord
1 - 6 ft. 2.5mm to bare copper end activator sensor cord
1 - 9vdc power transformer pack
1 - The 4DTranslator unit
Skip if installing on a Fix C-Band setup
Install the activator sensor cable (supplied with your 4DTranslator) to the 4DTV activator wiring terminal (see illustration #1 below), this wire is added to any existing wiring connected now.
1). Connect the black wire with white strip to the "GND" terminal
2). Then connect the black wire to the PULSE terminal.
3). Take your activator sensor cord male end and plug into activator input jack of your 4DTranslator (see illustration #2)
Note: These are reversed so if the plug is removed from 4DTranslator the tip of this is not sensitive to being grounded accidentally, during a guide software update.
Illustration #1
Next you will install the DVR control cord determined by the guide you have chosen, and what your DVR is set to. *Note they should match 4DTranslator mapping to DVR channel guide.
1.) For the MetaConnect or Dishnet guides you will use the 6' 3.5mm to 3.5mm male IR control cord. (Supplied with your 4DTranslator), plugging one end to your 4DTranslator (see illustration #2 below) and one end to your DVR IR control jack.
2.) For DirecTV guide use the serial 9 pin cord. (Supplied with your DVR Recorder) You will plug your 9 pin serial cord into the 4DTranslator (see illustration #2 below) and the other end to your DVR Serial control jack.
4DTranslator uses serial control MPG only, 4DTranslator will not work with the APG setting.
Next you will place the IR blaster cord making sure the IR LED(s) are over the right side of the “Satellite number display window” on the face of your 4DTV receiver, this is the IR remote pickup area.
Then you will plug your IR blaster into the output of your 4DTranslator on the same side where your power jack and Life LED are located. (see illustration #2 below)
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Illustration #2
Lastly install the 9vdc power transformer pack into a 120vac non-switched receptacle, place the power plug to the power jack on the 4DTranslator (see illustration #2 above) As soon as the device is powered up it will start the 4DTranslator testing, changing satellites on the 4DTV, checking activator sensor wiring and IR blaster remote control. If Rapid LED blinking occurs at this time see the troubleshooting guide below.
Green Life LED blinking error codes
Rapid LED blinking errors 5 per second
Did the satellite dish moved when the 4DTranslator was first powered up? YES
If so the IR Blaster cable is installed correctly, the activator sensor wiring is not working.
a.) Recheck installation instructions, then reset 4DTranslator by removing Power plug to power jack on 4DTranslator for 10 seconds then reinstall same.
b.) Activator sensor at dish can be defective, does 4DTV work normally with 4DTranslator activator sensor plug removed, if not the 4DTV and / or activator must be repaired first.
Did the satellite dish move when the 4DTranslator was first powered up? NO
The IR blaster is not working or installed correctly.
IR Blaster can be looking at the wrong location on 4DTV, unplugged, or installed to wrong jack on 4DTranslator. Recheck installation instructions, then reset 4DTranslator by removing Power plug to power jack on 4DTranslator for 10 seconds then reinstall.
Normal Life LED flashes
A 1.5 second ON flash during first power up indicates self test OK.
The number of Green Life LED blink(s) every 4 seconds tells you which mapping is programmed into 4DTranslator.
1 blink indicates the DirecTV guide.
2 blinks indicates the MetaConnect mapping guide.
3 blinks indicated the Dishnet mapping guide.
Other LED troubleshooting errors
Slow LED blinking error 1 per second
Bad 4DTranslator download or non 4DTranslator download (use only 4DTranslator supplied guide software) just re-download guide the same as if you’re changing 4DTranslator channel guides types.
4DTranslator moved the dish but never changes channel
4DTranslator channel timing is something it needs by its activator sensor input, if something has gone wrong with activator sensing (see below) then the 4DTranslator assumes in error that the dish has stopped while in-fact that it maybe still traveling. During this time 4DTranslator changed channel but 4DTV was unable to accept it, in response 4DTranslator is acting as if it never did change channels. Recheck Green Life LED for "Blinking" errors, and or recheck wiring installation instructions.
DVR remote doesn't control my 4DTV receiver, but Life LED flashes normal?
4DTranslator guide installed must match the DVR guide in use. So for example DirecTV on 4DTranslator (Led flashes once per 4 seconds) the DVR can’t be running Dishnet or MetaConnect guides. Download the correct 4DTranslator mapping for which channel guide you wish to use with your DVR.
Also your DVR may need to be restarted / reset to do the correct control signals as 4DTranslator works one style of receiver for guide mapping in use.
Channels that are on the following satellites also need other satellites setup on 4DTV also.
This is done so both 920 and 922 4DTV receivers can be used with the same channel mapping.
As channels on these satellites they are referenced to another satellite, see the list below.
The following satellites are IR entered into 4DTV as this. Example GB satellite is enter as T4 then jump over to GB.
GB is entered as T4 - L4 - GB
W4 is entered as G4 - X4 - W4
W1 is entered as G4 - X4 - W4 - K4 - W1
X4 is entered as G4 - X4
F1 is entered as E2 - A2 - F1
W5 is entered as E2 - A2 - F1 - W5
So to recap satellites L4, K4, K1, R4, E2, A2 need to be setup in 4DTV. This is taken the fact you most likely already have T4, G4, GB, W4, W1, X4 already setup for channels that would be on them, but if not setup those satellite also.
*Note Satellites E2 or A2 these don't need to be programmed in there actual signal location, these are merely reference locations for 4DTV to be keyed over to W5.
UPDATE
4DTranslator can see channels below 100 in any guide, to help in initial setup. This a mapping channel update so download and install any guide you need dated after 071908 for July 19 2008. Using a channel under 100 will add 200 to it, so channel 1 is 201 channel 99 is 299. Also the new firmware also the power keys to work so if a DVR likes to test using this method it will work in finding the correct IR code setup.
Channel guides are in an Zip file which will expand to a HEX format, the boot-loader program is needed to talk to the 4DTranslator during programming. With the 4DTranslator powered* up connect a 9 pin standard serial computer cable to a computer (serial cable and computer which are not supplied), and to 4DTranslator serial jack. Set the downloading for 38400 bps, select the 4DTranslator channel mapping HEX file, and click the send button this should take about 30 seconds to complete. Reconnect the 4DTranslator back to your DVR and 4DTV receiver you’re now up to date. *Note: Ok if in error mode LED Rapid flashing during this time.
Supplied with your 4DTranslator purchase
1.) Power wall pack 9vdc 500ma.
2.) Activator movement detector cable.
3.) IR control patch cable.
Parts you need, which should have been supplied with your DVR.
Shown is a older Series 1 but a newer Series 2 would work also TiVo wise, Replaytv 5500 series, SageTV, or any DVR which can control DirecTV.
1.) DVR
2.) Serial cable if using Directv guide
3.) IR blaster cable
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Typical DVR setup using DirecTV guide with its Serial control would look like minus patch video cables.
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Typical DVR setup using Dishnet or MetaConnect guides with the IR control cable.
Whats needed from a recorder S-Video or Composite video // with either Serial or IR blaster STB control outputs shown is TiVo style, ReplayTV has a 9 pin serial output. A computer with DVR software like SageTV, or BeyondTV could be used, just about any DVR which was designed to control a DirecTV, Dishnet, or a Cable box would also work with 4DTranslator.