Welcome to Genpix Electronics Store


01/31/2010 Update:

New firmware for SkyWalker-2 (ver.2.12.6) is released - Download
This firmware supports few extra fec rates for Turbo-coded modulations.
New Interfaces (DVB Dream, SmartDVB, TSReader) are required to take advantage of new firmware. Check Software Updates section.
For compatibility reason, new interfaces do not support older firmware versions (mostly, to avoid annoying questions like " I installed new DVB Dream interface but I still can not tune to this new fec rate. Why?").
TSReader interface is coming out soon, when new version of TSReader gets released. Without this new version, new fec rates are still hidden from menu.

Firmware updates for SkyWalker-1 and 8PSK-to-USB2 are coming soon (after first wave of SkyWalker-2 users confirms that firmware update does not run into problems).


05/31/2009 Update:

Windows driver version 3.4.0.110 is released (for both Windows versions, 32- and 64-bit).
Two flavors:
for Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 - genpix_3.4.0.110_WinXP.
for Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 (works on Windows 7 as well) - genpix_3.4.0.110_Vista.
Vista driver is digitally signed (no more F8 during boot time).



03/01/2009 Update:

New product was just released - SkyWalker-2.
This is modified version of SkyWalker-1. It still uses USB 2.0 interface but in the shape of low-profile PCI card, and it takes power from computer main power supply. SkyWalker-2 neatly fits your HTPC.
If you plan to use it, make sure your motherboard has spare USB 2.0 header.
You may read SkyWalker-2 installation instructions here (CaptiveWorks CW-4000HD receiver was used as example).



01/25/2009 Update:

Because of a prank from Springfield, IL (who submitted PayPal claim that he did not authorized Credit Card payment), starting from today, all orders paid with PayPal will be shipped to PayPal confirmed address only. I can make exceptions only to those customers who did successful purchases before.


09/14/2008 Update:

I was not able to reproduce firmware lockups (which some customers experience once in a while).
Until I deliberately increased the noise on my ground line. I disconnect coax-cable’s grounding block from the ground line and connected it to non-grounded working brush electrical motor (through 50 Ohm resistor).
And finally I was able to reproduce the lock-up.
I’m releasing new firmware versions (both, for adapter Rev.2 and SkyWalker-1). They implement improved tolerance on the noise on the ground line (added CRC protection on I2C line communication protocol).
The same utility is used for firmware update – fw_update_ver.2.1.2 (firmware images are embedded into utility).
I can not prove that poor grounding is the only source of the problems some of you have, but surely it looks like the main candidate now (when I saw it with my own eyes). New firmware definitely helps.
As a preventive measure, it’s advisable to update the firmware as soon as possible (firmware update does NOT work after firmware is already “locked up”). Or simply fix your grounding (I did grounding of my Dish/switch/cables myself, and I never had firmware lockups).
You will have to use newer versions of DVB Dream and TSReader interfaces (after firmware update) – DD_genpix_unified_1.1.6 and TSReader_genpix_unified_1.6. Older interfaces don’t recognize new firmware.
Some minor bugs are fixed as well (for instance, debug trace messages incorrectly reported firmware versions).

PS: original 8PSK-to-USB2 adapter (aka, Rev.1) does not have embedded firmware. Thus, there is nothing to update :)


09/12/2008 Update:

Well, I was kinda quick on a wrong conclusion.

Yes, there is a “bug” in a couple of old interfaces.

But in contrast to my initial diagnosis, the new firmware seems to be resistant to that bug.

I currently set a test environment where I send a bunch of wrong calls to new firmware, and I still can not make it fail.

Seems like problem is not in the interface/firmware combination.

There is something else.

Unfortunately, I don’t have any statistic for that.

When I try to get detailed description of what was used just before unit failed at customer site, I usually get not very technical one (with a lot of “don’t remember”). And when I try to repeat exact sequence of customer’s steps, I can not reproduce the problem.

Thus, I have a request:

When you get some hardware error/failure, please write down what you just used/did (while you still remember it; in most details as possible, including version numbers of all software/interfaces/drivers). And only after that try to do you “usual debugging” (reinstalling drivers, software, calling your friend for a help, etc.).

09/11/2008 Update:

Recently I released a new firmware for SkyWalkers (added multi-card support in new DVB-s applications).

I though I tested it thoroughly (for possible conflict with many old drivers/interfaces).

 

Unfortunately, I was wrong.

During past month I received few SkyWalkers with damaged firmware.

Debugging the problem, I was able to find the reason: some old interfaces (floating around forums) do have a bug – call for non-existing for that time function in firmware.

While that bug did not affect old firmware, it may potentially lock up a new one (this incorrectly called function writes two bytes into code segment of the firmware, and as a result locks it up).

Linux driver does NOT have this error. Only couple of DVB Dream and TSReader interfaces (DLL files, which are more then a year old) are the “suspects.”

 

Simple solution:

Do NOT use old DVB Dream or TSReader interfaces.

If you started to use the latest one downloaded from my web-site, do NOT go back and start to use old interfaces again.

 

I’ll in the process of releasing of new firmware (it would ignore that wrong calls from old interfaces). I’ll send a separate announce about that.

After you upgrade to the new firmware you are free to use whatever interface version you want.

 

I did not catch this problem before, cause all units with “buggy” firmware were shipped with correct versions of drivers and interfaces. Only users who for some unknown reason decided to use some old interfaces (instead of the ones from CD or web-site) are affected. I repeat, I do not host these buggy versions of interfaces on my web-site for a long time. And I can not understand the reason why people try to find and use them. Nevertheless, I’ll release a firmware which is safe even with these obsolete interfaces.

 

06/11/2008 Update:
 
Genpix Unified device interface ver.1.1.4 for DVB Dream is released.
It supports multi-card configuration (you can select which card to use).
Improved support for DPP switches.
Similar update was done for TSReader Genpix Unified interface ver.1.4


01/25/2008 Update:
 
Got few 8PSK-to-USB2 Rev.2 adapters back in stock.




01/30/2006 Update:

Payment options:
1) PayPal
2) Money Order or Cashier's Check
3) Personal Check (7 days clearance for personal checks).

Make sure you use a Printable Order Form on my site if you plan to send MO or a Check (I'll reserve a board for you and decrement the Stock counter).

I'll ship via USPS Priority Mail (the next day after PayPal or MO payment).
Shipping within USA is $10.50 (you would see this amount at the end of the order process).
Insurance is NOT included (but highly recommended).

California residents pay 9.25% sales TAX.

Shipping to Canada is extra (even PayPal charges me more for cross-boarder transactions).
If you want this board to be shipped to Canada make sure that you have your phone number either entered in your profile or added in the comment to PayPal payment. Without contact phone number, Canadian Customs can hold the package for inspection longer.