Caro VISION II User manual
Operating Instructions
CARO VISION II
Date: August 2006
Software Version 1.07
1
Proper use and operation
This product has been designed for use in a fixed installation on
mobile homes or trailers with a maximum speed of no more than
130 km/h. It is designed to automatically aim a parabolic antenna
mounted on a stationary vehicle at geostationary television
satellites transmitting directly to Europe. The power to the system
is supplied by a standard vehicle electric system with a rated
voltage of 12/24 Volt.
Use of the equipment for any other purpose than the one specified
is not permitted.
Please also note the following instructions from the manufacturer:
•It is not permitted to change the overall device by removing or
adding individual components.
•It is not permitted to use other parabolic antennas or LNBs than
those installed originally at the equipment.
•The installation must only be performed by a qualified technician.
•All of the relevant and approved guidelines of the automotive
industry must be observed and complied with.
•The equipment must only be installed on hard vehicle roofs which
are sufficiently strong and inherently stable.
•No regular maintenance is required for the product. All housings
and enclosures must not be opened. Always ask a qualified
professional to carry out any maintenance work.
•In the event of any problems, or if you are unsure about anything,
please contact the manufacturer directly or a specialist workshop
which is approved by the manufacturer.
2
Table of contents
Proper use and operation 1
Table of contents 2
Introduction 3
The first steps 4
Switching ON / switching OFF 6
General menu 7
Automatic satellite search 8
Manual satellite search 9
Satellite swap 10
Menu "Settings" 12
DISEqC system 18
Restarting the system 22
Troubleshooting table 23
DISEqC troubleshooting table 24
Safety instructions 26
Appendix - Search satellites 27
Reception in remote areas 29
Notes on protection of the environment 30
Contact and service 31
3
Introduction
These instructions describe the functions and operation of the CARO
VISION II automatic satellite system. Installation instructions can be
found in the supplied Installation Instructions. Correct and safe
operation of the system can only be ensured by following the two sets
of instructions, both for installation and operation.
Your CARO VISION II equipment is an intelligent satellite-TV
reception system which can align itself towards a preset satellite
automatically as long as the system is located within the footprint of this
satellite.
Please ensure that the system always has a clear view to the south.
In Europe, all satellites are in an approximate position to the
south. If the satellite's signal beam is interrupted by obstacles
such as mountains, buildings or trees, the automatic aiming will
not function and no TV signal will be received.
The first few pages of these instructions contain information about
using the general functions of your CARO, followed by an explanation
of all the adjustment options. The last pages of the instructions cover
various technical aspects of the CARO.
4
The first steps
We have produced a separate manual – the “Installation Instructions” –
which covers the installation, wiring and initial taking into operation of
your CARO. All of the steps from unpacking and installing the system to
switching it on for the first time are explained there, together with
various default settings that need to be performed. If you have worked
through all of the points in the Installation Instructions then you should
now have a fully functional CARO at your disposal.
All controls are handled via the control panel.
Vision
You may choose any location you like to install the control panel, but
please bear in mind that it is not waterproof. You may still need to
remove the protective film from the system.
The display of the control panel will show the various current operating
modes of the system. We recommend that the control panel is
positioned in an accessible location where it is easy to see this
information. The display is lit up, so it is not a problem if it is installed in
a very dark location.
5
To ensure safe and reliable operation of the system, please make sure the
CARO is in rest mode before disconnecting the control panel. Check
that no text is displayed on the panel – this is an indication that it is in
rest mode.
6
Switching ON / switching OFF
Your CARO system is very straightforward to use. Simply press the
button and your CARO will immediately start to work.
Please remember to switch on your satellite receiver and your TV set or
flat-screen display. The CARO system functions independently of your
TV set or receiver, but if these devices are switched off, no TV or radio
channel can be received.
After switching on the system, the antenna unfolds and returns to the
last position in which a satellite was received. If the vehicle position has
changed since, the system will not receive any signals and the automatic
search is started.
Please refer to section "Settings" (see page 12) for the selection (default
setting) of the desired satellite.
If no image appears after the antenna has unfolded, and if the system
does not commence the search automatically, then the system was being
operated in manual mode when it was last switched off. Please refer to
the section entitled "Automatic search" and "Manual search" on page 8
and 9.
To switch the system off, press the button again to retract the
CARO system and send it into rest mode.
If you would like to stop the movement of the antenna while it is being
searching, simply press to instantly stop the antenna.
7
General menu
Whenever your CARO system is active and not performing any special
functions such as retracting or opening or automatically searching or
changing to a different satellite, you have direct access to the general
menu from which you can start all functions or select submenus.
Use the keys andto navigate in this general menu, then use to
activate the individual functions.
Sat mode
The system is in normal operating mode. Press
or to scroll through the different menu
options.
Automat. search
Automatic satellite search (see page 8)
Manual search
Manual satellite search (see page 9)
Swap satellite
Satellite swap (see page 10)
Settings The key starts the main menu "Settings"
(see page 12).
8
Automatic satellite search
After switching on the system by pressing , the antenna opens and
moves into the position in which a satellite was last received. If not
satellite is found, the system starts the fully automated search for the
preset satellite (default setting: Astra 1). If you wish to change the preset
search satellite, please refer to section "Settings" on page 12.
When the search satellite is found, the search function stops and the TV
signal is looped through. If no TV picture appears after an extended
search (several minutes), you are most likely located in an area in which
the preset satellite cannot be received or the signal beam is obstructed. In
this case, the message "not found?" appears in the display of the control
panel. Then another search satellite should be selected or the obstacle be
removed or the vehicle position be changed, if required.
The automatic search function always assumes that your vehicle is
perfectly level. If this is not the case the search time may be extended.
If the antenna is already open, the automatic search function is started as
follows:
-Press until the message "Automat. search" appears in the display.
-Press .
If the receiver is not switched on at the end of the automatic search, a
message will appear in the display.
9
Manual satellite search
The manual search is usually used to fine-tune the antenna to a found
satellite under adverse reception conditions. If you wish to receive
signals from a new satellite that is not yet stored as a search satellite in
the control unit, the manual search function can be used to tune the
system to this satellite.
Firstly, switch your receiver to a pre-programmed station that is
transmitted by the desired satellite.
At the control panel, press until the message "Manual search" appears
in the display. After pressing , use the arrow keys to change the
position of the antenna in increments. First, the pivot angle needs to be
adjusted. To change between the pivot angle and the elevation angle,
press and hold and at the same time press one of the arrow keys.
Using the arrow keys, adjust the system around both axes to the
strongest receivable signal.
After having set the antenna to an optimal reception, you can store this
position for the current location by pressing again.
The stored position will then be resumed the next time the system is
switched back on. Even if no satellite signal is received in this position,
the automatic search will not be started if you have stored a manually set
position before. If you wish, start the automatic search via the menu (see
page 8).
If the "Manual search" is cancelled by pressing , the current position
is not stored. The system returns to the default position.
10
Satellite swap
Generally, satellites can be swapped by entering a different satellite in the
menu option "Search satellite" and selecting the automatic search. To
facilitate a quick and convenient swap to a different satellite, the so-
called "quick satellite-swap" function has been added to the DISEqC
system. This function allows the antenna to be aimed at four preset
satellites in a very short time. However, this function only works
correctly if the preset satellites are actually receivable at your current
location.
Presetting the positions:
Call up the menu item "SAT position" and assign the four positions to
the respective satellites (see page 17). If you do not assign all four
positions, the remaining positions will retain the satellites preset by the
manufacturer. The presets are now complete, you may now exit the
settings menu.
It is quite easy to change to a different satellite: Press to scroll
forward in the general menu until the message "SAT swap" appears in
the display.
Now, press to show the currently received satellite in the display.
Press or to scroll between the four preset satellites.
Note: If you decide not to assign all four positions and find that you would rather not
use one of the factory-preset satellites, you can also assign the same satellite to more
than one position. If for example you wish to swap between Astra and Hotbird only,
then set Astra to position 1, Hotbird to position 2, Astra again to position 3 and
Hotbird again to Position 4. When scrolling with the keysor , the system will
then only alternate between Astra and Hotbird.
When the desired satellite is shown in the display, press to directly
move the antenna into the corresponding position.
The display will then revert to "Sat mode".
This SAT swap procedure takes a few seconds when performed after an
automatic search. If the antenna has already been aimed at a satellite, no
11
automatic search has been started and the vehicle has not moved since,
aiming will be much quicker.
However, after retracting and re-opening the system, the antenna will be
moved into the position of the preset "search satellite" (see page 14).
12
Menu "Settings"
This menu allows the change of system settings and provides access to
the various system functions. You will always need to go through the
main menu first to reach the various adjustment options.
In the general menu, scroll to item Settings and press to activate it.
The menu cannot be accessed when the system is switched off.
Therefore you need to switch the CARO system on before you can use
the menu.
Menu controls
The arrow keys and are used to navigate through all levels of the
menu. With the aid of these keys you can select a desired submenu,
function or adjustment setting. Press to activate the displayed menu
item.
Within the adjustment settings, you can change the displayed values
within set limits by pressing the arrow keys and . Then press to
accept the adjusted value and return to the higher-level menu.
By clicking on the menu option Return and pressing you can go back
up a level in the menu layout.
13
Menu structure
Mechanical
adjustment
return
(to Settings)
Min. elevation
Service Info
Diseqc/Sat-
Pos.
Search
satellite
Language
return
(to Diseqc/Sat-Pos)
Sat position 1
Sat position 4
Sat position 2
Sat position 3
DiseqC:
On/Off
DiseqC:
monitor
Sat mode
Settings
Swap satellite
Automatic
search
Manual search
14
Language
Selection of the language for the texts displayed on the control panel.
Search satellite
Select "Astra 1", "Hotbird" or any other satellite (see Search satellite on
page 26).
Select the satellite transmitting your preferred channel which is receivable
at your current location.
To receive English-language channels in Europe, "Astra II" is
recommended in most cases.
DiseqC/Sat-Pos
In this menu item, press to open the DiseqC sub-menu, where you
can change the settings for the satellite-swap function and the DiseqC
system (for more information see page 10 and 18).
Service info
Different types of information which are of interest for servicing
purposes can be called up here.
Min. elevation
Selection range: 8 – 30.
Here you can enter the minimum elevation that the antenna may be
adjusted to during the satellite search. This function is intended to
prevent the collision of the moving antenna with vehicle parts such as
roof rails, pop-up overhead windows or exhaust stacks.
15
The lower the elevation of the satellite in the sky, the lower the receiver
head (LNB) will move over the roof during the satellite search. If any
vehicle parts are within the pivoting space, collisions may occur which
may result in a damage of your CARO or the respective vehicle part.
Often, the satellite system needs to be installed in restricted spaces. The
minimum elevation setting will then prevent the LNB from moving into
positions below the set value. The higher the number, the higher the
lower limit of the LNB will be. If you change this value, the LNB will
immediately move into the corresponding position, allowing you to
verify the setting.
Throughout the entire reception range of the CARO, the elevation angle
of Astra 1 will not drop below approx. 14°. However, this value may be
lower for other satellites.
Caution: If your set value is too high, your preferred satellite may not be
received, especially in the northern regions of Europe.
Mechanical adjustment
This item is used during servicing to make basic mechanical adjustments
to the system.
16
DISEqC sub-menu:
DISEqC: Monitor
This function can be used to monitor whether your receiver generates
any standard commands and which type of commands are output when
the channel is changed. Use this function to correctly configure your
receiver as well as your CARO system.
One line with numbers and letters is displayed. At first, only the first
number at the very left is important. The other information to the right
represents the transmitted data bytes, but this is only useful for a
qualified technician when investigating settings-related problems. As the
user you can safely ignore this information.
The number at the very left indicates the position (satellite) number last
sent by your receiver. This position number will be used to position the
antenna when the CARO system performs an automatic satellite change.
DISEqC: On/Off
Default setting: Off
The DISEqC function enables an automatic satellite swap if a different
satellite is selected as a result of a corresponding change in channel at
the DISEqC-compatible receiver. Please observe the section on
swapping satellites on page 10.
Only activate the DISEqC function if you wish to frequently change
between individual satellites and if your receiver is DISEqC-compatible.
Even when activated, the DISEqC function (DISEqC: ON) is only
operational when your CARO system is in "rest mode". This is indicated
by the messages (Main menu) or
(sat-mode) in the control panel. While navigating in the menu or while
special functions are active, DISEqC commands are ignored.
17
Please note: Your CARO system as well as your receiver must be
correctly programmed and matched to each other to ensure that
the DISEqC features work.
Please refer to the manual of your receiver for further information
on programming the receiver.
SAT position
With this function you can allocate satellites to position 1 to position 4.
You can select up to 4 positions (satellites) to be used for the normal
satellite swap or a DISEqC satellite change.
To each of the 4 positions one satellite from the search-satellite list can
be allocated.
First, select "Position 1" and press . Now use the arrow keys to select
a satellite for this position. Press to confirm your selection.
Repeat the process for positions 2 to 4.
For English-language regions, we recommend assigning Astra II to
position 1 and Hotbird to position 2. As a default setting for the
German market, Astra 1 and Hotbird are preset.
Please refer to the separate section entitled "DISEqC system" on
page 18).
18
DISEqC system1
What is DISEqC?
As the number of TV satellites increases, the desire to receive channels
from different satellites also increases. To facilitate the switching
between different satellites, the DISEqC system has been developed.
This system is incorporated in the receiver and generates a switching
signal that allows the user to view the channels of several satellites by
simply changing the TV channel. The system was initially designed for
fixed-installation home systems. With these systems, the individual
satellite antennas are connected to a so-called DISEqC multiswitch
(usually installed under the roof for practical reasons), to which the
satellite receiver is connected. When the receiver sends a DISEqC signal
to the multi-switch, the switch connects the receiver to the satellite
aimed at the respective satellite. The DISEqC signals are standardized
and are generated by almost all state-of-the-art satellite receivers (DVB-S
receivers).
The CARO system uses this DISEqC signal to automatically move the
antenna into up to four preset satellite positions. The initial
configuration of a DISEqC system is relatively complex and can be a
challenge even to the experienced user. When in doubt, have the system
configured by a qualified technician. The system will of course only
function properly if the preset satellites are actually receivable at your
current location. If this is not the case, the satellite can be aimed at via
the setting "Search satellite" (see page 14) and the automatic search (see
page 8).
1DISEqC (Digital Satellite Equipment Control) is a registered trademark of the satellite operator EUTELSAT.
Table of contents
