I did a software update which mentioned the usb tuner and a couple of other items. This firmware improvement is definitely a step in the right direction!
ATSC USB Device checked for correct operation:
The ATSC usb was removed from the Duo2 and tested on the computer. It seems to be working correctly and has found 20 terrestrial channels that are usable on my computer. I have a high gain antenna and can get between 30-50 terrestrial channels if I make scans in all directions. The antenna is a large log periodic design up about 18 meters with around 40 meters of feed line.
The Duo2 seemed to be reluctant to accept the ATSC usb device once it had been unplugged from the receiver. I got a couple of errors when scanning, then everything seemed to work as it has in the past. I also took the time to check the ATSC device on all three usb ports and noted that the receiver either had to be Factory Defaulted or the firmware had to be reloaded in order to change usb ports. All three usb ports seem to support the ATSC usb device.
The Service Scan seems to look at the entire VHF and UHF band now, whereas before, it only looked at a few channels that were supposed to be assigned to a specific region. This new scan system is a Big Improvement and is definitely what we need!
Right now, the Service Scan needs some attention because it does not scan very well. I can expect to get a minimum of 20 channels during a scan with the computer, but managed to only get 7 channels during multiple service scans using different settings. The Service Scan that seems to work best is toggling Network scan to "yes".
The Manual scan does not seem to work at all and appears to hang indefinitely. 503 MHz (503000000) has given me channels in past scans with earlier ATSC firmware(s), so this is a frequency I test with. The receiver hangs for what appears to be an indefinite period of time when a Manual scan is started using this frequency. Perhaps adding a time-out after a set amount of minutes without finding anything would help?
Attached is a picture showing 7 scanned channels. These channels are greyed out and cannot be viewed. One thing important to note is all 7 of these channels were found during a Single Service scan. This is the most channels I have been able to get in any single scan to date and is very encouraging! However, it only represents about 35 percent of what is available when compared to a scan done on the computer using the same usb device.
The VHF band which contains channels 2-11 appears to be completely missed in a scan. I see the VHF frequencies come up in a Service scan, but no channels are logged. I should expect to get VHF channels 2, 5,and 11 in Atlanta, Ga. with ease.
A note about the firmware and receiver:
In the past, some vendors or resellers in the United States would import fta receivers from Europe, then stick an American satellite list in the firmware and claim that they had "Americanized" the receiver's firmware.
The Black Hole firmware is a true world-wide firmware in the sense that it has drivers to accommodate the needs of different countries. It also lacks the pirate features that can cause problems for vendors and others in the United States. I usually purchase or test a few fta receivers a year, and can say that the Black Hole firmware is neither European or American firmware. The Black Hole firmware is designed to be used anywhere in the world! All you need is the correct hardware for the country that you are in. I cannot remember any other firmware that I have tested as being this versatile!
The Duo2 is the most powerful and advanced fta receiver that I have ever owned. IMO,The combination of the Black Hole International firmware and the Duo2 will be hard to beat on any continent and in any market! EB
