US TV Explorer (Prodig 5B)
The Promax US TV Explorer (Prodig 5B) has been designed for the installation, maintenance and surveillance of terrestrial, satellite and cable TV systems. This is perhaps the easiest to use spectrum analyzer on the market today.
Overview
The Promax US TV Explorer (Prodig 5B) offers the functions of a traditional spectrum analyzer with search, identification and analysis capability for any signal in DVB-S, QAM Annex B or ATSC format, specific to the North American market.
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The US TV Explorer's compact and rugged construction makes it ideal for field use. A 5" color LCD screen offers a detailed spectrum display, measures and the actual picture of channels identified by the instrument in analog (terrestrial) and digital format (terrestrial and satellite). You can download the US TV Explorer PDF brochure for more information. Tele-Satellite International published two articles on the TV Explorer (first and second in PDF format). You can also watch Promax videos available on Youtube! All our Promax spectrum analyzers sold in the North American market come pre-loaded with the latest North American Ku-Band transponder maps of FSS and DBS satellites from 129°W, all the way to 61.5°W.
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Built for the North American market!
The US TV Explorer was built for the North American market. This model features off-air HD digital (8VSB), cable digital (US QAM), DVB-S and DirecTV (DSS) digital measurement capability!
Easy to use
The Promax TV Explorer is easy to use. Most functions can be accessed within the touch of a single key and these functions can then be controlled via the push dial and the arrow-keys. There are no complicated sub menus to navigate to get where you want...
Example: Hit the S/T button to switch between Satellite and Terrestrial or the D/A button to switch between Digital and Analog.
First of its kind, the TV Explorer also includes an Auto-Identification and an Explore key to search for information about a particular channel/frequency or to scan all bands to search for signals.
Auto Identification
The TV Explorer is designed for use in terrestrial, satellite and cable-tv environments in both digital and analogue.
By hitting the Explore key, the instrument will search for any type of signal available and display its parameters such as Standard (Pal / Secam / NTSC), modulation type (QAM / QPSK / COFDM), transponder parameters (Symbol Rate, FEC) and channel parameters (PIDs).
Once transponders and channels are identified, the Explorer creates a registry of all the available channels for easy navigation of the entire network by the installer. Sessions can be stored and recalled at any time, to save time and organize your work.
You can also search for specific signals by manually entering the channel parameters.
Signal Measurement
All measures about a particular channel / transponder can be seen in one screen. The display adapts itself to the type of signal being measured.
Any given measure can always be displayed in BOLD with a signal bar under it, to facilitate the job of the installer peaking the antenna.
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Analogue measurement:
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ATSC measurement:
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J.83/QAM measurement:
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Spectrum Display
To give the installer absolute control over his work, the Promax TV Explorer is also a powerful spectrum analyzer. This is also what truly differenciates this instrument from "Signal Meters" available on the market (Birdog, Super Buddy, etc.). Contrary to popular belief about spectrum analyzers, this function is easy to use and allows the installer to control key parameters such as resolution, sensitivity and sweep time.
The Promax TV Explorer comes with several user-selectable color models or "skins". There are a number of possible combinations between colors and lines. Skins can help to improve the display in different light conditions and can make the user feel more comfortable with the instrument.
The 'UP-DOWN' arrows set the reference level.
Hit the 'UP' arrow and the reference level is increased by 10 dB.
Hit the "DOWN" arrow and the reference level is reduced by 10 dB.
Signal Demodulation
If you are locked on a digital satellite, cable or terrestrial signal, the Promax TV Explorer will display the channel (provided it is not scrambled) and the following information when the Demodulate key is pressed:
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Channel Information:
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Portability
The Promax TV Explorer is small and rugged. It weights less than 2Kg (5Lb) including the battery, which makes it ideal for installers that must climb ladders and carry lots of equipment on the job.
The Promax TV Explorer comes complete with a carrying bag which allows you to strap it around your waist or shoulder and protects it from shocks and the elements.
Antenna Installation
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The Promax TV Explorer allows you to control all types antennas and LNBs (13V/18V switching for polarity selection, 22Khz tone, DiSEqC control, etc.). |
The Promax TV Explorer has an "Easy antenna alignment" function which give a very fast spectrum display, ideal to locate hard to find satellite signals. Once the signal is found, you may peak your antenna using the same spectrum display or you can concentrate on the signal bar located on the right side of the screen.Battery
The Promax TV Explorer uses a high performance Lithium-ion battery. This batteries can provide a Max. operational time of over 4 hours. The battery can be charged in 2 to 3 hours and does not suffer from memory related problems common with Ni-Cad instruments.
A battery charge indicator (
) lets you know when it's time to plug the instrument in the A/C for extended use or re-charge the battery.
Light Sensor
The Promax TV Explorer would not be complete with another unique feature: a light sensor.
In addition to its extra-bright LCD display (320 candles / square cm), the Promax TV Explorer includes a light sensor that can automatically adjust the contrast and brightness of the screen.
This is not only useful to always get optimal visibility of the screen, but it also extends the battery life of your instrument.
Specifications
See below for a full set of specifications for the Promax US TV Explorer:
| Promax US TV Explorer (Prodig 5B) | ||
| Frequency Range | Terrestrial | 45-865MHz |
| Satellite | 950-2150MHz | |
| Resolution | Terrestrial | 50 kHz |
| Satellite | 200 kHz | |
| RF Input | Impedence | 75Ω |
| Connector | F, BNC, RCA | |
| Max Signal | 130 dBµV | |
| Max Voltage | 30 Vrms | |
| Power Range | ATSC, 8-VSB | 45 dBµV to 100 dBµV |
| ITU-T J.83/B, QAM Annex-B | 45 dBµV to 110 dBµV | |
| DVB-S, QPSK | 44 dBµV to 114 dBµV | |
| DSS, QPSK | 44 dBµV to 114 dBµV | |
| Level Measurement | Terrestrial | 10 dBµV to 120 dBMV (3.16 µV to 1 V) |
| Satellite | 30 dBµV to 120 dBMV (31.6 µV to 1 V) | |
| Measurement | Units | dBµV, dBmV, dBm |
| Measurement Bandwidth | Terrestrial | 230 kHZ |
| Satellite | 4 MHz | |
| Max. band ripple | 1 dB | |
| Measurement Accuracy | Terrestrial | ± 1.5dB |
| Satellite | ± 2.5dB | |
| Analog Measures | Terrestrial | Level, Video/Audio, C/N |
| Satellite | Level, C/N, Power (Digital) | |
| Resolution Bandwidth | Terrestrial | 230 kHz |
| Satellite | 4 MHz | |
| Display span | Terrestrial | Full Band, 500, 200, 100, 50, 32, 16, 8 MHz |
| Satellite | Full Band, 500, 200, 100, 50, 32, 16 MHz | |
| Display Marker | Type | Single, with Freq. and Level readout (power readout in digital) |
| Digital Measurements | ATSC, 8-VSB | Power, SER, VBER, MER, C/N, Noise Margin |
| ITU-T J.83/B, QAM Annex-B | Power, BER, MER, C/N, Noise Margin | |
| DVB-S, QPSK | Power, CBER, VBER, MER, C/N, Noise Margin | |
| DSS, QPSK | Power, CBER, VBER, MER, C/N, Noise Margin | |
| Digital Modes | ATSC, 8-VSB | 10.762Mb/s, 2/3 FEC |
| ITU-T J.83/B, QAM Annex-B | 5057-5361 kbauds, 64/256 QAM | |
| DVB-S, QPSK | 2-45Mbps, 1/2-7/8 FEC | |
| DSS, QPSK | 20Mbps, 1/2, 2/3, 6/7 FEC | |
| Video Demodulation | Image & Sound | 480i, 576i video & audio demodulation for Analog terrestrial, DVB-S, QAM Annex B & ATSC channels. |
| Video Format | MPEG-2 (MP@ML) (Main Profile @ Main Level) | |
| Information | Service List & PIDs for DVB-S, QAM Annex B & ATSC channels. | |
| Datalogger Function | Analogue | Level Video/Audio, C/N |
| Digital | Frequency Offset, Mpeg-2 Detection, power, C/N, MER, CBER, VBER, noise margin | |
| Physical | Display | 5" TFT Screen, 4:3 ratio |
| System | NTSC, PAL | |
| Video In/Out | RCA, 1Vpp (75Ω) positive Video | |
| Audio In/Out | RCA | |
| Speaker | Built in | |
| Serial Port | RS-232 Serial port for updates & calibration via Null Modem cable | |
| External Control (via RF Output) |
Voltage | 5/13/15/18/24 V |
| 22KHz | 0.6V ± 0.2V, 22 KHz ± 4 kHz | |
| Maximum Power | 5W | |
| DiSEqC | DiSEqC 1.2 Standard | |
| Power supply | Internal Battery | 7.2 V 11 Ah Li-Ion battery |
| > 3.5 hrs in continuous mode | ||
| Charging time | 3 hours for >80% charge (device Off) | |
| External requirement | 12 V | |
| Consumption | 36 W | |
| Auto power off | Set by user | |
| Environmental | Temperature | 5° to 40° with auto-off in case of excess heat |
| Humidity | Up to 80% @ 31°C, 50% @ 40°C | |
| Altitude | Up to 2000m | |
| Dimensions | 230 (w) x 161 (h) x 76 (d) | |
| Weight | 1.9 kg (without accessories) | |
| Accessories | Included | 10dB attenuator, F-BNC, F-DIN, F-F adapters, AC/DC Charger, Carrying bag (yellow), Belt (Black), Car charger. |
| Optional | Hard top transport suitcase | |
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| Hard top transport suitcase | |