Trimax tm6800+

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

78 TELE-satellite International — The World‘s Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine — 04-05/2012 — www.TELE-satellite.com www.TELE-satellite.com — 04-05/2012 — TELE-satellite International — The World‘s Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine 79

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 flag-
ship it would be ‘Genie in a
Box’. It’s 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 that’s some-
thing new! Once opened we
discovered the meter itself,
packed in a protective soft-
bag made of nylon, a mains
charger, a vehicle charger,
an RCA A/V cable as well as
a neckstrap.
Let’s start with the high-
quality protective bag which
we found extremely con-
venient. 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 sin-
gle-hand operation quickly
loses much of its appeal. As
far as the Trimax6800+ is
concerned, however, we can
happily confirm that an aver-
age 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 tar-
get group in particular will
appreciate the meter’s con-
venient size.
And if that alone does not
make your heart beat high-
er, 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 sig-
nal meters in this segment.
Even many top-of-the-range

80 TELE-satellite International — The World‘s Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine — 04-05/2012 — www.TELE-satellite.com

refresh rate simply does not dible sound. Could we have
keep up with signal changes. asked for more?
If you’re done with the Of course it can always
spectrum a simple touch of happen that the same tran-
the ‘Menu’ button will bring sponder configuration is
you back to the main menu. used on two different but
We went ahead with the con- neighbouring satellite posi-
stellation diagram. tions so that it makes sense
Before the meter can dis- to call up a channel of the re-
play that diagram you have quired satellite on the display
to select either a pre-stored to do some cross-checking
channel or the current fre- and verification.
quency. In our case the set- In case none is available on
tings list was still empty, the channel list we recom-
which is why we chose the mend you do a transponder
current frequency which we search.
had selected with the marker It is here that the NIT func-
in the spectrum mode. tion of the Trimax TM6800+
The constellation diagram comes into play and shows
can display both QPSK and its full worth. As soon as a
8PSK modulations, with the signal is locked the current
8PSK modulation being di- satellite name pops up on
vided up into nine squares the display, which means
rather than eight segments installers know right away
forming a circle. The QPSK which satellite the antenna
modulation is shown cor- is pointing to, even if iden-
rectly with four squares. tical transponder data are
Constellation diagrams are used in different positions.
created rapidly and with a We should emphasise that
similar performance as in the NIT feature comes by no
our reference unit. means as standard for most
The following important meters and is a valuable
information is shown on the aid when it comes to mak-
professional meters only of- • SAT settings you can move a marker screen: indicates the transponder We wanted to find out what day installation situations. ing sure you’ve hit the right
fer ASI as an additional op- • Angle calculation along the x-axis, which dis- • Frequency performance in relation to it takes to perfectly align an As soon as a signal is locked spot.
tion. • Memory functions plays the frequency value. • Symbol rate background noise. According antenna with the help of the the bars change their colour To call up the TV picture on
The bottom side of the de- • System configuration With this user concept it is • Polarisation to Trimax, one of the upcom- meter and so we tested two from red to green and the the display you need to be in
vice sports a USB interface, • USB options possible at any time to find • Modulation ing firmware updates for the very different scenarios: AS- meter generates a sound the main menu and press
an HDMI output, the power In order to perform an ini- out the signal level of a se- • Satellite name TM6800+ will address and TRA 19.2E as an example for that changes in pitch as the the ‘Menu’ button. The me-
socket for external power tial quick test we hooked the lected frequency and to initi- • MER solve that issue. one of Europe’s most popu- reception quality increases ter then switches to playback
supply (12V) and a common LNB cable from one of our ate a scan starting from the • C/N All data gathered from the lar and powerful satellites, (or decreases). The signal mode and behaves more or
interface for CAMs with full antennas (aligned towards marked frequency position. • BER constellation function can be and HISPASAT 30.0W as an performance is always given less like any ordinary satel-
CI+ compatibility – another ASTRA 19.2E) to the meter This is a very useful fea- • FEC saved onto a connected USB example for a satellite with in dBµV as well. lite receiver.
exclusive feature in this price and selected ‘Spectrum ana- ture if you need to align your • Two bar diagrams with storage medium by pressing lots of DVB-S2 transponders If you prefer to use a dif- Using the ‘Up’ and ‘Down’
segment! The CI+ socket is lyzer’ in the main menu. antenna to a more exotic signal quality and signal level the ‘Point’ button. If you pre- and a critical reception situ- ferent transponder you can button you can zap up and
protected by a plastic flap It was only a matter of orbital position: Instead of given in percent fer the data to be stored in ation with a 60cm antenna, either select it from the down the channel list or you
on the back side, which also seconds until the spectrum having to pre-edit the tran- What did make us stop the device’s internal memo- particularly when it comes to settings list (if pre-stored) can use the numeric keypad
hides the battery pack which was created on the display, sponder list all you need to short was the fact that the ry you need to press ‘F4’ in- LNB skew. or you can manually key in to select a channel number.
can easily be changed when- showing a span of 1250 MHz. do is move the marker to a display invariably present- stead. The constellation dia- Using the ‘SAT finder’ the required parameters. If you want to access the
ever required. In order to speed up spec- peaked signal within the dis- ed identical values for MER gram can be redrawn at any function is child’s play, most- Once the signal is detected channel list all you need to
Pressing the ‘On’ button trum refresh rates the fol- played spectrum. and C/N, even though the time with a simple touch of ly thanks to the pre-installed and locked you can initiate a do is press the ‘OK’ button.
for two seconds powers up lowing frequency spans are We truly appreciated the two parameters should be the ‘Up’ button. settings list, which includes san covering that particular The currently showing chan-
the signal meter, and af- available: 1250 MHz (full fact that the Trimax TM6800+ measured independently. After that, press the ‘Menu’ at least one transponder for transponder only. nel stays on the display in a
ter approximately 15 sec- span), 200 MHz, 100 MHz, 50 locks a signal within a mere MER stands for Modulation button once to move back to virtually all relevant satellite It does not take more than small window and you can
onds it is ready to take your MHz and 32 MHz. The setting second, provided the marker Error Ratio and indicates the the frequency/channel op- positions. a few minutes with the Tri- swiftly select a channel on
commands. The main menu can be changed loop-wise is placed on a valid tran- relationship between aver- tion and a second time to call So in most cases all you max TM6800+ to find ASTRA the list and switch to that
boasts a neat design and we with the ‘F1’ function key. sponder. Pressing the ‘OK’ age signal performance and up the main menu again. have to do is select the de- 19.2E and HISPASAT 30.0W. channel.
did not even need to consult When in spectrum mode button will start a scan that average error performance The next option we tested sired satellite in the first Using the pre-defined satel- In case you’re wondering
the manual to find all the the arrow buttons of the lists all channels in a matter within a constellation. was the ‘SAT finder’ function menu item and you can lite list you only need to se- whether the ‘Left’ and ‘Right’
functions we were looking signal meter take over very of seconds – a real treat for In other words, the MER and to this end we hooked quickly go about antenna lect the corresponding sat- buttons also have a dedi-
for. A total of eight options useful functions: Using the feed hunters as well! value is a figure that corre- one of our 60cm offset an- alignment. ellite and then choose a Ku cated function in playback
are available from the main ‘Up’ and ‘Down’ buttons you Unfortunately, the spec- lates with the size of a cloud tennas to the Trimax meter. The signal strength and band transponder. mode: Use them to switch
menu: can scroll along the y-axis trum analyzer does not re- within a square of the con- That antenna is mounted signal quality bars on the Next, we started to slowly between TV and radio recep-
• Spectrum analyzer which displays the signal lev- act swiftly enough to allow stellation diagram. C/N, on onto a portable pole and was display are easy to read move the antenna until the tion. There is no option to
• Constellation diagram el. With the ‘Left’ and ‘Right’ antenna alignment using the the other hand, is short for not aligned to a specific sat- even from a distance, which meter indicated a hit with quickly jump back and for-
• SAT finder buttons, on the other hand, spectrum display only. The Carrier to Noise Ratio and ellite at the time. is an enormous aid in every- green bars and a clearly au- ward within the channel list


1

2

1. Our tests were performed with a portable
60cm offset antenna.
2. A small motorised antenna was used to
test the meter’s DiSEqC 1.2 functions.

84 TELE-satellite International — The World‘s Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine — 04-05/2012 — www.TELE-satellite.com

1 6 11
with its hundreds or poten- types for each satellite and
tially thousands of entries, start a channel search on
and there are no favourites an entire satellite or a single
lists, so be prepared to wise- transponder.
ly manage your channel list In our opinion a channel
and stick to the bare essen- search across an entire sat-
tials – unless you are of the ellite should be avoided by
severely patient kind. all means, as it is very tire-
Since it took much less some and time-consuming
time than expected to align at a later stage to switch be-
our antenna to the two sat- tween channels on a list that
ellite positions we had some boasts hundreds or thou-
2 7 12 time to spare, so why not sands of entries, but no fa-
have a closer look at the vourites options (see above).
built-in tuner and its thresh- What does make sense is
old capabilities? saving one free-to-air chan-
We pointed our 60cm an- nel per polarisation level and
tenna towards ASTRA 2D satellite, so that you can
and tried to catch BBC HD quickly and easily verify if
on transponder 49 (10847 V your antenna alignment is
23000-8/9 QPSK). According successful.
to ASTRA/SES our location While such a settings list
in Portugal would require an can of course be compiled
antenna with at least 120cm on the meter itself, it is a job
for successful reception. that takes some time and ef-
Nonetheless, we achieved fort. Luckily, there is an eas-
3 8 13 reliable and stable reception ier way: On its website www.
of BBC HD with only half that trimaxtec.net the manufac-
diameter. Quite frankly, we turer provides the ‘Satellite
had no idea how that came list edit tools for TM6xxx se-
about, but it does speak ries Meter/Finder.rar’ file via
volumes about the recep- its Download Center.
tion quality of the Trimax What you get is a settings
TM6800+ tuner. editor, which at this stage
The fourth menu item of only comes with an installa-
the meter includes a set- tion wizard in Chinese. But
tings editor, which allows to rest assured, all you need to
edit the satellite list, define do is click the right button
DiSEqC parameters and LNB during the installation pro-

4 9 14 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 doesn’t: This
is a clear indication that the antenna is aligned towards the wrong
5 10 15 satellite since the transponder data don’t 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.


16

cess, and the software itself rent firmware version of the We pressed the ‘Menu’ a default reset is required Here are some of the spe- find active transponders and
is in English. TM6800+ does not allow to button once more to call up or to display the currently cial features we particularly then hunt for transmissions
It’s interesting that the specifically enter the saved the main menu and to acti- installed software, which appreciated: The large dis- on those frequencies. For a
settings list is not trans- position in the DiSEqC mo- vate the ‘Memory functions’ in our test unit was version play is something we will job like that the refresh rate
ferred to the meter with an tor and it is not possible to from there. 1.0.3. never want to do without of the spectrum at the full
RS-232 or USB cable, but us- directly move to saved posi- Use this feature to save From the main menu we again. Even HD channels are 1250 MHz frequency span is
ing regular files which can be tions. and retrieve constellation proceeded with calling up presented crisply and with more than sufficient.
stored on any USB storage The next menu item is diagrams complete with all ‘USB options’, which consist amazing details. Just like in the constellation
medium. called ‘Angle calculation’ and corresponding measurement of a menu offering the fol- The small overall size of mode it is possible to create
DiSEqC options can be ac- can be used for convenient values such as BER, C/N, lowing options: the device makes the display a screenshot of the current
cessed through the satellite calculation of Azimuth and frequency, symbol rate, FEC • Record: Starts a record- appear even bigger. The on- spectrum by simply pressing
17 list menu item. Here you can elevation values based on and polarisation. Here again ing if the user has set chan- screen menu is designed to the ‘Point’ button. This is a
chose either DiSEqC 1.0/1.1 the entered geographic posi- it is possible to export data nel, date, start time and make full use of the display very helpful function when it
or DiSEqC 1.2, and we tested tion. directly onto a connected duration of the recording be- size as well, which means comes to professional docu-
how the meter controlled our It’s part of our job to never USB storage medium by forehand. the font size is ideal and all mentation and acceptance of
small motorised setup that take a manufacturer’s word pressing the ‘Point’ button. • Playback: Lists record- texts and information are an installation job. After all,
moves a 45cm antenna. for anything, so we double- Back in the main menu ings available from the con- easy to read at a glance. nothing beats substantiated
The available functions checked the calculations for we proceeded with having a nected USB storage medium Another feature that en- evidence in case of queries
include EAST/WEST move- a number of setups and are closer look at ‘System con- and plays back the selected hances user-friendliness is a at a later stage.
ment of the antenna, saving pleased to say that all re- figuration’, where settings recording. backlit keypad – the illumi- The undisputed highlight
of the current position in re- sults for elevation, Azimuth such as language (English, • Picture View: Displays nation can be turned on or of the TM6800+ is the BNC
lation to the active satellite, and polarisation (LNB skew) Spanish, German, Italian, JPEGs that are saved on the off and comes very handy at connection on the upper
setting of limits and going turned out to be absolutely Turkish), TV aspect ratio, storage medium. night or in dark rooms. side. It can be used to put
to zero position. The cur- correct. time zone or display bright- • Soft Upgrade: Updates In everyday use the spec- out the current transpond-
ness can be adjusted. the device’s firmware. trum analyzer did not react er as an ASI stream at any
18 21 The channel list editor can • Parameter Upgrade: Up- quickly enough to be used as time. The ASI protocol is
also be launched from here grades the settings list that a real-time spectrum. Only used for the transmission of
and CAMs inserted into the we pre-arranged on the PC if you reduce the frequency DVB transponders, irrespec-
CI slot can be configured. using the editor software. span to 50 MHz the spec- tive of the modulation type.
We tried out a range of CAMs To get a well-founded trum’s refresh rates reach Broadcasting equipment
(Seca, Viaccess and Dragon- impression of the Trimax real-time performance. such as demodulators, mod-
CAM) and the meter identi- TM6800+ we exclusively and Nonetheless, the spectrum ulators, multiplexers, head-
fied all of them correctly and intensively tried it out for mode sports a number of ends etc. generally come
offered the corresponding several days. After a short highly useful features: You with ASI inputs and outputs.
module menus. Last but not familiarisation period we might think that a marker For a signal meter like the
least, the ‘System configu- were able to quickly align that can be used to scroll TM6800+ to offer such an
ration’ section of the main antennas as well as detect to a transponder in order to output is nothing short of a
menu must be accessed if and also solve problems. then initiate a signal scan on miracle as it allows to quickly
that frequency is nothing out diagnose flaws whenever a
19 22 24 of the ordinary. signal does not arrive prop-
In actual fact, however, erly at a particular device.
only few signal meters are It is important to note at
capable of correctly han- this point that professional
dling such a feature and systems cannot be re-pro-
the Trimax TM6800+ does grammed on the fly for indi-
not only handle it, but per- vidual tests, so it does make
forms brilliantly. Feed hunt- sense to use the TM6800+
ers in particular will love that instead to provide a device
as it allows them to quickly with an ASI data steam for

16. Presentation of a saved QPSK constellation diagram
with corresponding information.
17. Presentation of a saved 8PSK constellation diagram
20 23 25 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.


Last Minute Firmware Update
evaluation purposes. Any in- finally managed to propel a little miracle box offering nal antennas as well as feed
staller who also sets up and handheld meter into the pro- a whole range of profes- hunters will find that the new
services small-scale head- fessional league. sional features, with the ASI meter can easily become
ends will find the Trimax The TM6800+ is currently output shining particularly their equipment of choice.
TM6800+ to be a perfect available in two versions, for bright. Installers of commu- Talk about ‘Genie in box’…
companion. DVB-S/S2 (our test meter)
What’s more, the demand and for DVB-C/T. Versions TECHNICAL
for head-ends in communal for DVB-T2 and with a com- DATA
distribution systems will re- bination of tuners are in the Manufacturer Trimax Technology Limited,
Room 1016-1019 Max Smart Centre,
main on the rise in the years pipeline. If you want to ex-
to come. change tuners all you need

21 Bao Xing Road, Bao‘an,
518133 Shenzhen, China
• Just before editorial deadline
The bottom line is that the
Trimax TM6800+ is just what
to do is remove a cover on
the back (which is attached
Tel +86-755-21636899 a new firmware release, 1
we were looking for. The me- with two screws) and remove
Fax +86-755-21636879
E-mail sales@trimaxtec.net
v1.0.3, found its way into our
ter definitely allows speedy the tuner component, which
satellite antenna alignment again is screwed to the de- Website www.trimaxtec.net test center. We immediately
and is a valuable aid in the vice. Model TM-6800+
upgraded the software of our
hunt for errors and flaws. With the TM6800+ Trimax Type Handheld Satellite Meter for / or

The Trimax TM6800+ has has launched a wonderful / Trimax TM-6800+ to check out
Tuner Exchangeable Tuner (Tested Device)
the new features.
/

Expert Opinion Frequency range 920-2150MHz ( / )
Input Level -80 to -20dB
ASI output for professional use
Input Impedance 75 Ώ
- Spectrum analyzer assisting in the hunt for
Power out 13/18V ( / )
+ unknown transponders
- Perfect design and size of the display for Ku/C-band Selectable
The upgrade procedure is
fairly easy, as the meter can
using the TM-6800+. Nor-
mally you will find this op-
optimum use Min. level in About 35 dBµV (noise) be flashed by just copying tion only in much more ex-
- Automatic detection of selected satellite
2
Vitor Martins Augusto Max level in About 90 dBµV the firmware file to a USB pensive meters and we were
thanks to pre-stored transponder list TELE-satellite
Display of signal level (analogue) dB on LCD/Monitor memory. Within the USB quite surprised of finding this
Test Center
- Tuner with very low threshold Portugal
Display of signal level (digital) C/N, BER, FEC, MER menu of the TM-6800+ the option. SCR/Unicable instal-
SAT-Finder Sound and light alarm when upon signal lock “Soft Upgrade” function will lations allow up to 8 users to
BER and C/N values are identical Keyboard Numeric keypad with backlight, list all found *.bin files on be connected to a SCR-LNB
– Refresh rate of spectrum analyzer with high frequency span allows use at night the root folder of the USB through the same single LNB
not high enough Display 4.3 inch TFT LCD screen (16:9), allows memory. The selection can cable. A special SCR/Unica-
reproduction of MPEG2 and MPEG4 channels be made by using the UP- ble switch will provide each
Extra functionality Constellation analyzer, Spectrum and DOWN-keys. The OK- user with a reserved band-
analyzer, Stream output by ASI
Key will initiate the upgrade width, allowing an independ-
CI+ compatible, CAM Interface
Recording and reproduction of TV channels process. We noticed that ent viewing of all 4 satellite
Capture and browsing of pictures the meter verifies the integ- bands. This is the ideal in-
Capture of OSD and signal strength rity of the firmware file prior stallation for i.e. older multi-

Supports multiple OSD languages
Supports SCR (Unicable)
to flashing it, thus avoiding family buildings where the 3
a bad flash due to a wrong installer wants to maintain
Output Audio and video input/output (S-VIDEO, HDMI)
or faulty firmware file. Very existing cables and the pass-
DiSEqC 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, USALS
good! ing of new cables is not vi-
Upgrade Functions Firmware and Settings, editable on PC After a reboot we could able.
Supplied Accessories Power-supply use the new firmware and • Using the “.”-key we
(100-240V/50/60Hz 14.5V, 1.5Amp)
we noticed a few minor, but could store the constellation
12V Car-charger
Softbag with neckstrap
important changes: diagram and measured data
A/V-Cable • The meter supports DiS- to a USB disk or the internal
Battery Fast charge LI-ION battery (1950mA), EqC-1.2 and USALS for mo- memory. With this firmware
can last around 3 hours torized dishes. USALS is far update, up to 20 datasets
Weight 0.6 Kg easier and comfortable to can be stored within the me-
use, since all the user has ters internal memory. This
to do is to specify his loca- should be enough for a day
tion and the meter (like any without the hassle of carry- 4
USALS compatible receiver) ing a USB disk. The CAPT-
will calculate the position of Key will grab screenshots of
all the satellites. No more most screens, thus allowing
searching and storing satel- an easy documentation of
lites manually! Of course you the measurements carried
will need a USALS-compati- out.
ble motor. It is good to see that the
• Well hidden in the menu Trimax is committed to re-
for the LNB configuration is lease updated firmware for
the SCR or Unicable option. the TM-6800+ this soon and
This allows the installer to our positive impression of
check unicable installations this device just got better!


Trimax tm6800+

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