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I had thought the only real change to the new version S10 was the addition of the component Y/Pb/Pr video outputs. I was wrong. Almost everything is new and the build quality inside and out is much higher than previous S10’s and I think better than any of the S9’s. This is a really solid looking and feeling unit. I am VERY impressed.

Here are pictures and my notes on the improvements and changes.

1. Component Y/Pb/Pr video outputs.
2. Different layout for HDMI, USB, Ethernet.
3. Power switch now horizontal and relocated.
4. Tuner is now on the mainboard and is secured with nuts on the connectors.
5. Casing tolerances are much more tight.

6. LCD display is offset to the left a bit more. Panel is tinted darker like original version S10 so the LCD isn’t glaring bright.
7. Standby light is much bigger/brighter and can be seen from better angles.
8. Side screws added to the cover similar to S9.

9. Cover has different vent layout and less vents, probably better for dust. Bottom casing has many more vent holes for airflow.

10. New power supply.
11. New cleaner looking mainboard
12. New card reader board
13. I didn’t pull the front panel board but I assume it is also slightly different.

More inside pics:

DMS has provided us with new operating firmware today. This firmware allows you to set the LCD brightness when you load it. See the attached PDF for instructions, it is very easy.

Tested here today works great!

Firmware is available for download on the private support page at http://www.SatHero.us for our customers only.

Some notes for our customers:

1. Since we were the first in North America to offer SatHero, all of our units including ones from DMSI have been using our custom firmware. Since we now purchase all SatHero’s from DMSI we’ll run their firmware or custom versions of it. This release is a “stock” version.

2. Boot screen is different than our previous firmwares.

3. Meter is back to reading “C/N” instead of “SNR”. For discussion/readings purposes they are the same thing.

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DMS/Satherometers.com release
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Here is some good news for those of you who ask me about adjusting the LCD. The operating software for the SH-200 has been improved and is available to registered owners for download. It now includes the ability to adjust the brightness of your LCD.

If you want to learn more about adjusting your LCD brightness you can download the instructions here. (attached to this post)

If you don’t have a Sathero SH-200 yet, contact your favorite DMS International dealer. They are in stock and on special through the holidays. Get this great meter now.

Happy metering!
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Note from T: SatHero is on the Cyber Monday specials page at a great price http://store.fridgefta.info/?page_id=1458

FridgeFTA / OpenBoxS10.info is now offering the LATEST and GREATEST in OpenBox. The latest version of S10 has 2 big changes.

1. Component video out (Y/Pb/Pr). This is the red/green/blue colored RCA’s on your TV. Component supports up to 1080iHD. If you do not have HDMI on your TV or you are short on HDMI ports, this is what you want.

HDMI and the composite (analog) are still included.

2. Tuner is now on the mainboard rather than a module. This was necessary in order to fit the component video outputs.

The latest version OpenBox will begin shipping to our customers Monday and Tuesday (Nov 28-29). First come, first served. I expect stock of the new version to sell fast.

http://store.fridgefta.info/?page_id=1102

The main reason that most of our Canadian prices are a bit higher is that shipping to Canada typically costs us more. With Priority Mail, a S10 to Canada costs us about 3x what it costs to ship the same exact thing here.

Starting Friday November 25 we will be introducing a new shipping option for OpenBox S10 and SatHero: First Class International Insured. This is a much lower cost option for shipping S10’s and SatHero. Priority Mail will still be available.

I figured that I better explain Canadian shipping options to avoid some confusion. These will be selectable from the “add to cart” dropdown when shipping options are available.

First Class International Insured
First Class International is only available on items up to 4 pounds, meaning S10 & SatHero fit in this class. First Class is inexpensive compared to Priority. It is normally slow. Typical shipping times are 6-14 business days. I’ve seen First Class to Canada get there in 3, and on rare occasion a few days longer than 14. End user tracking is typically not available with First Class. Possible delays with the Xmas season. Other than being slower this has been a very reliable service.

Priority Mail
This is how all S10’s and SatHero’s were being shipped. Everything over 4 pounds must go Priority Mail too. It is quite expensive and they advertise 6-10 days shipping time. Since the strike it seems Priority has been moving very fast in Canada, I’ve seen 2 days, with 3-5 being more typical. Shipping times are not guaranteed. Priority Mail is end user trackable.

We’ve made some changes to our Fortec 1.8m and 2.4m BUD offerings. The main change is for the 1.8m. We now have better shipping rates to most locations in the continental USA.

With the better shipping for the 1.8m we can now offer it for $230 total INCLUDING SHIPPING!

It is an excellent value on a name brand dish from an established True FTA dealer.

Check it out at http://store.fridgefta.info/?page_id=752

OpenBox just let me know our last shipment went out with v5 remotes instead of the v3. That’s a bonus for us since demand for the S10 w/v5 was so high when we had them before, and we like the v5 much better.

These will be here Thursday or Friday. You can pre-order now at special pricing. Units will ship to customers as soon as tested and programmed.

Last time we managed to get v5’s it was a limited run, so I can’t guarantee we’ll have any more v5 S10’s after this. Order now if you want one.

http://store.fridgefta.info/?page_id=1102

I was meaning to do this over the weekend but things came up and I am just getting to it now….

We have a special purchase of OpenBox S10’s here just for the Forum special.

It’s simple. When you go to “add to cart” there is a box there to enter your www.FridgeFTA.info Forum username. Enter it there and submit your order and you instantly get the discount pricing, which is our lowest pricing on the S10 ever!

As this is a special purchase just for the Forum special quantities are limited. One per person please.

If you purchased a retail S10 from us between Friday November 4 and Tuesday November 8, either open a support ticket or use the STORE contact form and you can request a price adjustment to the discount pricing.

Don’t forget to enter your Forum username, otherwise it will delay your order!

http://store.fridgefta.info/?page_id=1102

We’ve now made select OpenBox S9 & S10 parts available for purchase. These are for our S9/S10 customers only, if you did not purchase your OpenBox from us, we will NOT sell you parts!

S9 parts are intended for self-repair of out of warranty units.

Since all S10’s are currently under warranty (unless you did something to void it) the only offering is the new version front panel with the tuner lights for retrofitting old version S10?s.

Remote controls are also available on this page.

http://store.fridgefta.info/?page_id=1386