Ωmega Digitech M202 Review

Ωmega Digitech M202: HD Modulator with HDMI out

After the M201, the modulator series of Ωmega Digitech enriched with M202 model, which has HDMI out and is fully programmed, both through the front panel buttons, and through management software.

The Μ202 modulator is made in Europe and it comes with up to 1080p resolution. The size of the modulator's metal board, is just 150x130x35mm and the weight is 0.9 Kg, and it can be installed in the wall with screws and holes, through the appropriate holes it has.
This particular modulator also has HDMI out, this means that our standard TV can be connected directly and at the same time with the rest of the modulator. On the front we have 3 programming keys and LED Display, on the underside we have +5 V input for the supplied external power adapter, USB port for connection to the computer, HDMI IN port for input video signal and audio, HDMI out port in order to avoid «losing» our basic TV, while on the up side we have a RF input for antenna για κεραία in order to mix the received channel with our configured signal and clearly the RF output. In addition, Μ202 operates on 170-230 MHz and 470-862 MHz bands providing output level > 85 dBµV, while the video signal encoded in Η264 and audio signal in AAC/MPEG2-L1, with MER achieved being particularly high, as we have seen during the tests..

Programming

The Ωmega Digitech M202 modulator enables fully two-way programming via the 3 buttons on front panel and on screen menus, as well as through the excellent software TMHDIface management.
Please note that programming using the front-panel keys, it allows both quick and advanced set-up, while we can use management software by using a computer.
In 95% of cases, fust adjustment is required with the front panel keys, while in case of an antenna connection,you may need to modify the output channel (Ch), which should not coincide with an active terrestrial digital broadcast channel in your area. We have to mention that in the previous M201 model  the front panel keys only a short programming was allowed, mainly for channel selection, while in the M202 model, we have the ability to analyze programming, even with the front panel keys.

Menu Screen - Keys

The programming with the front panel keys, allows the entrance in two types of menu, main and advanced. For the entrance in the main menu you have to press twice the Enter key and twice the arrow-key οn the left. The main menu includes the options CHANNEL, ATTENUATION, COUNTRY (Greece is also included), LCN, TS  ID, LANGUAGE, DEFAULT CONFIG and EXIT. With basic programming, we can adjust the modulator particularly easily and quickly in 95% of cases, as the output channel selection is sufficient.

With all the keys, you can change options, while in order to change some of the parameters, press and hold the key to the left of the front panel (ENTER) and at the same time change it with the right-left keys. In this way, you can change output channel, adjust any desired attenuation (0-15 dB), but also to modify the TS ID in order to use more modulators in the same installation.After completing the settings, select EXIT.

Entrance to the Advanced Menu, performed by pressing twice the Enter  keyand twice the arrow-key οn the left, where we find the options DVB SETINGS, A/V SETTINGS, TS SETTINGS and EXIT. In this set of settings, we can - among other things - set more specific parameters, such as FEC, constellation (QAM 16, QAM 64, QPSK) Audio bit rate, Audio compression, but also TS parameters such as network name, service name, Program ID and others.

TMHDIface management software

From Onetrade website, you can download this software, which is a special edition, it's easy to install on your computer and with the connection of the modulator, the last one immediately recognized. Any setting you change in the software, almost immediately stored in the modulator, so you do not have to save every time.
In the TMHDIface you will find a full range of settings, which you can modify from your computer and apply directly to M202.
Also, we have to mention that all the settings are on one card, so they are instantly visible, making it easy to use.
If you are going to use more than one modulators, you should define for each one differently Program Name & ID, TS ID and LCN, in order to correctly lock the receiver or receivers that will be used.
While using the program, the menu in the front panel is not availiable, as it is logical and on the display <USB> message appears .

Our opinion

We tested M202, on a variety of output channels, achieving excellent metrics with high MER, quick responce to zapping and compatibility with subscriber decoders. The basic set-up of the modulator takes less than 2 seconds, as the output channel selection is sufficient!

Source: IPTVSAT.gr

Author: Periklis Pantoleon