NEWS UPDATE! The full story follows this update posting, so read on... "4Dtv Dude" <4dtvdude@san.rr.com> posted The plan right now is this: 1) Generate a new version of the firmware (probably 0x7C) that retains the Provider ID through a Reset to Factory Defaults along with a couple of minor bugs fixes requested by KET. This is already well under way. We started internal testing on this build today. 2) Release the new firmware to our Systems Integration and Test department for about a week of regression testing. Since the changes we're making are simple and few, one week of concentrated effort should be adequate. 3) Work with KET to initiate a new download. The details of this are still being worked out. We may do a limited, unit-addressed download first to allow KET to field test the new firmware, or they may decide to do a broadcast download. Either way, you'll need to tune to the KET feed to get the new firmware once the download commences (time frame is still TBD). If they decide to do a unit-addressed download (unlikely), you'll need to get your unit address into their database. If KET is unwilling to comply, there are other options we can pursue to get you the new firmware. Let us know. There is nothing in the new firmware to prevent your IRDs from receiving another download sometime in the future. We cannot control how our private network customers do their downloads. Those networks belong to them, and they have a right to do broadcast downloads if they wish. Unit-addressed downloads are far more difficult and time-consuming. If they fail to get the unit address of every single IRD into the download configuration files, some units won't get the new firmware and there is no way to know, short of calling every single site (thousands) to have someone personally verify that each IRD got the new code. I'm sure you understand their need to minimize their labor costs. This is the risk you take when you monitor a "private" network. We are working with KET and other private network customers to ensure that the 4200 firmware meets their requirements. Firmware downloads are a necessary step in this process. Unfortunately, the 0x76 version contained a change that impacted people who have been using the 4200 to DX. We apologize for that and have taken precautions to ensure that *this* particular problem will not happen again. But we cannot guarantee that your IRDs will not inadvertently take another firmware download sometime in the future. - The 4Dtv Dude Posted to R.V.S.T. by 4dtv@iname.com GI did not lie about this. We said that the 4200 still works as advertised, which is a true statement. We said the 4200 can receive FTA signals, which is a true statement. Even with the current version (76), it can still receive FTA signals as long as you DON'T do a factory reset. That is STILL a true statement today. However, that is not how you and others are using this receiver, and now we understand that, so we have found the problem, and have committed to fixing it. And the problem is NOT sh***y GI code. The code works fine if used as intended. We have said we are going to fix it, and we WILL, but deciding on the best approach does not happen overnight. Generating new code does not happen overnight. Testing new code does not happen overnight. If we were to make a quick fix, it could make the problem worse, introduce new problems, or cause the same problem to repeat itself. We do NOT want to do this. If we are given time to fix this right, you will not have this problem again. ------------------------------------- E-mail: 4dtv@iname.com ********************************************************************** And now, the rest of the story... *** NO HOLDING BACK ! *** The following is from several different people who have experienced problems or had items sent to them concerning the software that was created by GI. This is long but it has much of what is going on with the software GI is sending out. Read it and get angry and then DO SOMETHING to help try to stop this type of nonsence from continuing. Do nothing then suffer the consequences when it come your turn. What can you do ? 1) Post the info on your web site. 2) Talk about it in the Satellite Newsgroups alt.video.satellite.4dtv, rec.video.satellite.tvro,rec.video.satellite.misc 3) Do whatever it takes to bring this type of situation to an end now before it is too late. *********************************************************************** Message sent to KET about the software download to the DSR 4200 receivers. ********************* It looks like the version 76 software had /has a few bugs in it. If you were to take any of your systems and on GE-1 ku Verticle polarity as your signal is on manually tune in a new freq of either 1350.000 19.51 bitrate and fec of 3/4 or 1310.000 29.27 7/8 both of which are on the same polarity as KET you will find that your diagnostic screen B will say "US" at the bottom of the screen. This section should say either FP, MI, MP or ZK. I hope you will try it out on one or two of your receivers to see just what I am talking about. -------- ------------- Forwarded Message ------------- Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 12:14:04 -0400 From: Subject: software version 76 To: wsmith@ket.org Hi, I thought I would have heard something by now, but so far I have not. Here is what was found out about this version. This software version has rendered my 4200 basically useless, unless it is on an authorized service which is sending the receiver a "hit". Signals that are in "FP" (Free Play mode) or an open key signal that is normally available to anyone are ignored because of this version of software. Software version 76 does not allow you to view any signal out there that the 4200 was intended to do. It only sees the signals that give you an authorization hit on the receiver. Then it will allow you to view those channels in that VCT. Once you leave that VCT and go on to the next signal even if the next one is in FP mode you will not be able to view that signal unless you have an authorization from that programmer. This is a version 76 deficency which renders the 4200 useless from it's intended purposes. A call to GI has verified that this version has made it so you can not view any FTA (Free to air) signals out there. Were you made aware of this ? To correct this (in laymans terms) a new update to correct the FP, ZK mode on diagnostic screen B needs to be done. They (GI) need to change the code in the software to allow for viewing of signals that are in FP wherever they are. GI says that a "re-flash" is required I don't know what you found out today but would appreciate any info you may have. Thanks, ----------- End Forwarded Message ----------- **** a response from KET *** William Smith has shared with me your email regarding the rather unfortunate problems you have experienced with the GI 4200 receiver and the GI software. I notice you have asked about our assuming some responsibility for the problems with your receiver. I must say that we are in no position to do that. We do not solicit or encourage private or other non-KET partners to attempt to tune in our signals. We have more than 2000 active sites within Kentucky and the U.S. that are official Star Channels receive sites. We do of course do all we can to support and assist those sites in their use of the signals we transmit but we do not have the resources to assist private or other receiver owners who seek out our signals on their own. While we can't assume responsibility for the nature of some of their coding nor the pitfalls for those who attempt to receive those signals on their own , I do regret that you have had problems with the GI system. I hope that GI is able to help you restore your equipment to full functionality. ************************************************************* * Michael C. Clark - Director, Program Ops Division - KET * * Director, the Kentucky TeleLinking Network - KTLN * * voice 606.258.7254 /fax 606.258.7390 /email mclark@ket.org* * http://www.ket.org http://www.KTLN.org * ************************************************************* my rambling... > but they advertise the freq and everything on their web site !!! < ------------------- Another note : >An official from KET just called to inform me that they have pulled the >download off the computer and are not sending it out anymore. >This was done when they realized that it was affecting every 4200 out in the >field that happened to run across their signal. >They were not aware that the download has bugs in it which makes the receiver >virtually impossible to view any FTA DCII signal out there unless you have the >specific authorization from that programmer. >There is specific code in the software version 76 that prevents viewing of FTA >signals. GI seems to be aware of this but the people at KET are/were not. ------------- Forwarded Message ------------- Return-Path: Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 15:10:18 +0000 From: Jim Plummer Subject: Re: KET We have put your IRD UA number into our system to hopefully allow you to restore your operation to it's pre-KET visit state. Because KET broadcasts are not intended for casual reception outside of Kentucky, we will keep this number in the system until Monday, June 29, 1998 at which time the authorization will be deleted. If you have any questions, please let me know. Jim Plummer ----------- End Forwarded Message ----------- ------------- Forwarded Message ------------- Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 11:26:06 -0400 From: Subject: 4200 Version 76 To: ===================================== DSR 4200 WARNING ! How is this for starters: If you have a version 76 you will need to send it back to GI to have it "re-flashed" ! GI is NOT making many friends here I'm afraid. They have developed this software version and know that it would take in any receiver that happened to be at the freq in use and it automatically would give ANY 4200 receiver the upgrade even if it was NOT in the programmers system. They HAVE NOT informed the programmers that this would happen. !!!! The upgrade to version 76 does not allow you to see any other signal unless you have an authorization from a programmer. (humm, sounds as if they are trying to make the 4200's just like the 4DTV !) Even if a programmer has the signal up there FTA you will not see that signal with a version 76 unless you have an authorization from them ! KET is blaming GI all the way. KET people have said that they would be in contact and QUOTE, "as a courtesy, they are going to try to help me find a way out of this predicament". This is what they told me. Will they help anyone else ? As of yet I have not heard back from them so........................... I have some sour 4 letter expletive's that are on the tip of my tongue right now, but I am trying hard to refrain from getting in the gutter that they are in. Re-Cap: KET (Kentucky Educational Network is running an OPEN download of software version # 76.) Any 4200 receiver that goes to KET's signal on GE-1 will automatically be "hi-jacked" and the 4200 will go into the download process within seconds after entering and locking onto their signal. Version 76 has several different features on it and one of them is that it only allows you to see a signal that you have an authorization for. This renders the 4200 useless for dx'ing and for seeing any FTA DCII signals out there unless you have an authorization by that particular programmer. Instead of seeing an "FP" (Free Play) or a "ZK" (Zero Key) mode on diagnostic screen B, all you will get is a "US" as someone most eloquently put it, "US" means, UNAUTHORIZED ! Actually it means "UNDEFINED SERVICE " The 4200 can no longer recognize the FP of ZK service any longer !!! Does GI know about this, yep ! If your not ticked, you ought to be now. This software can be had by any programmer. What's to stop them ? By the way, even if the unit is re-flashed what is to stop it from happening again ? ----------- End Forwarded Message ----------- ======================================================================= More private messages sent between people who experienced the same problem... ------------------- This is not what they told me, why are we getting two different answers ? If this is the case then start yelling to everyone you know about it ! I think you need to ask Robert to put someting up on his web site about it. How GI is jerking people around and how the software which is just like the 4dtv software can happen to any 4dtv owner out there. I think it is time to kill the sales of 4dtv and we can do it if we do this right ! > On Wed, 1 Jul 1998, >I spoke to GI today.... > >and the answer to me was " Sorry your unit >is working fine, if you want to view >a service, get a subscription " > >I found out the info came from the Engineering, and the >Sr. Engineer is BRENT NELSON > >Fax = 619 535 2485 >Tele= 619 455 1500 >800 - 225 - 9446 >800 - 845 - 2748 > ----------- End Forwarded Message ----------- More messages sent in response to GI's lies they told in their forum: ------------- ************************************************************ At this time the 4DTV is not effected, but GI does have the Capability to change the Firmware in it too.. FYI: 4DTV can't receive KET since its a SCPC Digital Signal The Download is from KET and not GI, but GI provides the Firmware/software and writes the code for it to be downloaded into the receivers. The Latest Firmware for the 4200V is 076 and DOES EFFECT the FP/ZK Auth States. Now with Firmware 076, the 4200V takes 10-15 minutes to get Authorized, Authorization is needed for Viewing FP/ZK Services.. Before the 76 version any FP/ZK signal was watchable after the initial authorization of the receiver. Every programmer out there who was asked about authorizing the receivers would say that if their signal was FP you should be able to see it. So as a User, If I want to view KET, I will have to wait 15 mins before I can view the signal, then if I want to go to MCET, I will have to RESET the 4200 and wait 15 mins for the Authorization on MCET,... BOTH Services are FP.. And that is only if your authorized by those services. If your not authorized for a hit from that service then all you get is a black screen, even if they are in FP or ZK mode. Before the version 76 software you could see them just like the 4DTV sees GPTV & SCETV. The software update made the 4200 receiver look more like the 4DTV than ever before. Is this the omen to come to 4DTV owners ? If its not a dark, underhanded scheme by GI to stop recievers from viewing services that are FP/ZK what is it then ? This has nothing to do with resetting the receiver, services that don't want you to watch them encrypt, it is that simple. Some services refuse to authorize the receivers and yet they are in FP mode. With the version 76 software you can not see their signal. All you see are the signals that are authorizing the receiver and usually that is only one. Now every other signal is listed as "us" An undefined service on diagnostic screen B ! There is nothing to stop you from doing this to the 4DTV receivers. If it was a bad code in the software fine then GI should fix it and all this discussion ends. If it was intentional then GI should say so and we know what to expect. ******************************************************* This next message is from a GI worker who thinks he knows it all ! after you read it go back and read the one right above this notation... ------------- Forwarded Message ------------- > Forum: 4DTV Forum > Subject: 4200 Receiver Software > From: 4Dtv Dude (4DTVDUDE) > DateTime: 7/7/98 7:01:00 PM > > Actually, the 0x76 code can only be accepted by DSR4200 IRDs, not all non-4Dtv IRDs (there are several other types). That code is being downloaded by KET to their network. The download is controlled > by KET, not GI. > > The new code does not prevent you from receiving ZK or FP signals. Once >you have a Provider ID - any Provider ID - you will be able to view any and >all ZK and FP signals. We have found that many > 4200 users have gotten into the habit of doing an Authorization Reset (or >a reset to factory defaults) whenever they tune to a new network. This is >unnecessary. When you tune to someone else's > network, all you need to do is to get a hit from the uplink that tells >the IRD which virtual channel table to use. Once the IRD has this >information, you're up and running. This has always been the > case. > > We heard about these problems last week, so we set up a few 4200s in our >labs, gave them a provider ID of our own, then tuned them to the KET >network. Once we got a hit from the uplink telling the > IRD which VCT to use, we were able to view all ZK and FP services. > > This is not some dark, underhanded scheme by GI to control what people >see. And GI has no control over how our customers run their downloads. > > - The 4Dtv Dude ========================================================================== Forum: 4DTV Forum > Subject: 4200 Receiver Software > From: (Permission granted from sender to repost) > To: 4Dtv Dude (4DTVDUDE) > DateTime: 7/7/98 7:51:00 PM > Thanks for the quick reply. So, if I understand you right, all programmers have the ability to disable FP and ZK capability on the 4200, but KET is the first one to actually use it? GI furnishes the software to the programmers, right? I wonder why they would give each individual programmer the capability to kill ZK and FP on all channels? Let's say I am a religious programmer, and I want to get the word of God out to as many viewers as possible. For that reason, I send my programming out in FP or ZK mode. Then, along come the killjoys over at KET, who disable the receivers of my potential viewers. KET has effectively limited my audience. Do each of the 4DTV programmers also possess the ability to disable ZK and FP on all channels? ======================================================================= Now from alt.video.satellite.4dtv comes this. ------------------ On Tue, 07 Jul 1998 14:50:58 GMT, pipnospam@shore.net (GeorgeS) wrote: > >FWIIW, according to FNL, GI recently "upgraded" the software in the 4200 so >that they are no longer able to receive the FTA transmissions unless they are >suscribed. Like the 4DTV these "upgrades" are transmited over the air. The >gotcha is, that you do not know which broadcaster is transmitting the >"upgrade" until you discover that your 4200 can no longer receive the DC2 FTA. >One fellow had his system "upgraded" in this manner. The broadcaster did not >know this feature was in the new software release, GI did. >So... if you're thinking of getting a 4200 to surf the FTA DC2 skies, think >twice. >This is not to say this unit is not perfect for a school or business that is >interested in a subscribed DC2 channel. I'm sure it is very useful for this >purpose. **in response to the above...** I heard this has happened to many people who had a 4200 receiver. I guess they are trying out the software on the 4200's before they do it to the 4DTV receivers. ----------- End Forwarded Message -----------