CaptiveWorks CW-600S Premium FTA Receiver
About
- Fully MPEG-2 & DVB Compliant
- SCPC/MCPC Receivable from C/KU band Satellite
- Supports 7 Day EPG (Electronic Program Guide)
- 6000 Channel Memoer (TV & Radio), 100 Satellites, and 5000 transponders
- Small Picture in Graphic and Zoom Function
- 8 Favorite Groups and Parent Lock Function
- Auto Satellite & DiSEqC Switch Setting
- Software Upgrade Supported by Serial Port
- S-Video Output
- 3 RCA Outputs (2 Audio L/R and 1 Video)
- Main Processor Cx24142, Speed 160 MIPS / 160 MHz Connexant Processor
- 4MB of Flash Memory
- 32MB SDRAM
* The CW-600S has a Cx24138 processor and 2MB flash memory, the CW-600S Premium has a Cx24142 processor and 4mb flash memory.
The Captive Works CW-600SP FTA receiver comes with remote control, serial cable for updating your receiver, 4x1 diseqc switch and a 1 year warranty. It comes with an outstanding set of features making it truely one of the best digital satellite receivers in the market. It is the only receiver in the market with Auto DiseqC functionality. This feature allows for auto recognition and configuration of all satellites connected to the receiver via a DiseqC switch. The Premium model adds component video output, Dolby digital optical output, universal remote, 32mb of SDRAM for a 7 day EPG (electronic program guide) and a new faster Conexant Main Processor.
Connectors: Audio Output 2xRCA (L/R), Video Output 1xRCA, S-VIDEO, 0/12V Output 1xRCA, Serial Port RS232 9-pin D-sub, Male RF connector IEC male to female
Review
For the under $100 price range you really cannot beat this FTA receiver! It has a powerful tuner capable of pulling in satellite signal even off of undersized dishes. It is also extremely easy to operate, out of the box, and doesn't include a bunch of unnecessary options in the UI that no one uses or understands anyway.
There are, however, two significant shortcomings of this receiver, one being the lack of a USB port and the second being the unit has an underpowered CPU.
Anyone that has ever flashed an FTA receiver from USB knows how fast and easy it is. Since the CaptiveWorks 600S lacks a USB port, it has to be disconnected and moved to your computer area, connected to the PC with an ancient null-modem serial cable, and flashed slowly.
The sluggish processor can be noticed when operating the unit with the remote control. Some simple tasks, such as changing the channel, can seem sluggish and the unit is sometimes unresponsive as it queues up user commands; i.e. don't try to change channels too quickly. * It should also be noted that there does not appear to be a way to automatically sort the channels by common Station ID (SID). One reader writes, "Goto the menu, system, settings, system, channel number and change to SID.
Although CaptiveWorks did upgrade the CPU in the premium model from what was in the standard CW-600S, they still need to beef it up even more. They added component video output to the Premium also, but not a USB port. With a faster process and USB port this could be a 5 star FTA receiver. Yet, even with these shortcomings, it is a receiver we recommended because when push comes to shove, it works well for pulling in satellite signals and letting you relax and watch some quality FTA television.
Flashing From Serial Null Modem Cable
- Obtain a copy of "CWUpgrade" which is the program that will be used to flash the unit
- Turn off receiver from switch in back
- Launch "Downloader" on the PC
- Under OPTIONS, click on "Download S/W"
- Under SELECT A PORT, click on "Com X" (X being the com port on the PC)
- Now click on the file folder graphic and select the correct bin from your PC file system (there may only be one)
- On the front of the CW-600SP hold down the power button, keep holding it down
- Turn on the receiver from the power switch in back while holding down the power button in front
- Wait about 15 seconds and release the power button in front. The display should read "boot"
- Click on the START button on the CWUpgrade program
- It is important that you DO NOT DISTURB the unit and wait patiently for the flash process to complete
- The receiver display will count down about 3 times during the flash process, then read "Done"
- When the display indicates done (it will take several minutes) then you may switch off the receiver
* By holding down the soft power button in front while switching the power switch on in back, you are locking the receiver in boot mode. Although this is not necessary, it does ensure a clean flash upload and is the recommended way of flashing this unit.
