Amiko™ Mini Combo 3 Receiver

INDEX

• Overview & Install of the Amiko Mini Combo Receiver (No Longer Includes IR Blaster)
• How to Find UK Satellite Channels with Autoscan
• How to Tune in Saorview Channels
• How to Sort & Delete Channels
• How to Program your Amiko Mini Combo Using a USB Drive
• How to Format your Hard Drive Using the Amiko Mini Combo
• How To Manually Tune in a Satellite Channel
• How to Pause & Record Live TV
• Schedule Future Recordings
• Play Back Recorded TV Shows on the Amiko Mini Combo
• Media Player Functionality
• Information & EPG Buttons
• Using the Subtitles on the Amiko Mini Combo
• How to Perform a Factory Reset
• How to Turn Off Audio Description
• Remove USB Drive Safely
• How to Connect to WiFi

Complete Users Guide for the Amiko Mini Combo

• The Amiko Mini Combo is a PVR ready mini HD Irish & UK combo TV receiver
• This receiver takes 2 feeds
  • A single feed from a satellite dish
  • A single feed from a TV aerial

Overview & Install of the Amiko Mini Combo

• Unpack the box
  • Amiko Mini Combo
  • Remote Control & Batteries
  • Assorted Cabling
  • User Manual & IR Eye
• Screw the lead from the satellite dish into the "LNB in" connection
• Screw the cable from the aerial on the aerial in connection
• Connect the HDMI cable from the back of the box to the TV
• Plug in the power lead
• After a short time, the box will come on and should automatically switch TV to AV channel. You may have to select the correct AV input on the TV, especially if connecting using a HDMI cable

How to Find UK Satellite Channels with Autoscan

• Press the menu button on remote
• Select the installation menu
• Next is the satellite installation menu
• Select the satellite called "Astra2A 28.2 E"
• Press "Red Button" to start the "Single Scan"
  • Scan Mode: Free
  • Program Type: TV + Radio
  • Service Type: Blind
  • Net: No
  • Press OK button to continue scan
• The box checks for free channels on all transponders - takes around 10 minutes
• COMPLETE - All the free channels will appear on your channel list

How to Tune in Saorview Channels

• Press the menu button on remote
• Go to installation menu
• Arrow to terrestrial installation
• Select German as region
• Select tuner power off
• Press white button to start a blind terrestrial scan
• Takes several minutes
• Saorview channels will be tuned in at end of scan

How to Sort & Delete Channels

• Press the menu button on remote control
• Go to "Services"
• Next select "Organizing Services"
• You can individually or group move channels
• You can also individually or group delete channels
• Press exit to leave & save changes to channel list

How to Program Box with a USB Drive

The videos below show how you can porgram the box & back up channels using a memory stick. Remember, it is always best to work with a blank and freshly formatted memory stick for these type of procedures.

Load Channel List from USB Memory Stick

• Press menu button on remote
• Go to System
• Update by USB
• Update mode: Channel List
• Arrow down to start and press OK
• Very quick process, box will reboot when finished
• Box is now fully programmed

Backup Channel List to USB Memory Stick

• Press menu button on remote
• Go to system
• Go to backup to USB option
• select "Backup to USB" & press OK
• Very quick process, takes less than 10 seconds

How to Format an External Hard Drive on the Amiko Mini Combo

Equipment

• Amiko Mini Combo
• External hard drive or memory stick

Steps

• Having added the external hard drive to the receiver
  • Press the menu button
  • Arrow over to the USB menu
  • Go to storage information
  • Press yellow button to format
  • Select from FAT or NTFS
  • Wait about 20-30 seconds and it will format the USB drive

How to Manually Tune in a Satellite Channel

• This video shows how to add a new transponder and subsequently add a new channel to the Amiko Mini Combo. The procedure will be exactly the same for tuning in additional channels on this box (Frequency settings may be different)

How to Pause & Record Live TV

• The video above shows how you can easily pause & record live TV with the addition of a USB storage device

Schedule Future Recordings

• This is how to use timer settings to schedule future recordings on the Amiko Mini Combo

Play Back Recorded Shows on the Amiko Mini Combo

• The video above shows how you can play back the TV shows you have recorded on your USB storage device

How to Use the Media Player on the Amiko Mini Combo

• This is one of the best features on this already outstanding HD Satellite Receiver due to its ease of use and the sheer range of files it can handle

PHOTOS

• All the normal photo and image file types are handled

MUSIC

• Listen to MP3 files
• Allows you select song from the screen

MOVIES

• Supports both Standard & high definition films in a wide array of formats including XVID AVIs

Information & EPG Buttons

• The video above shows how to utilise the info button functions and also how to use the EPG on the Amiko Mini Combo

Using the Subtitles

• The video above shows how to turn on and off the subtitles on the Amiko Mini Combo

How to Perform a Factory Reset

• If you ever need to reset the Amiko Mini Combo, the procedure shown in the video above will demonstrate how to go about it

How to Turn Off Audio Description

• If you tune in new HD channels, by default the audio description audio track may be turned on by default, the video above shows how to turn it off and switch to the normal non-AD audio stream

Remove USB Drive Safely

• See how you can safely remove a USB drive from the Amiko Mini Combo while it is powered up

How to Connect to WiFi

Index

• How to Assemble a Zone 2 Satellite Dish
• How to Mount a Zone 2 Satellite Dish
• How to Align a Zone 2 Satellite Dish
• Running Cables & Attaching Connectors
• Installing Your Satellite Receiver

1. How to Assemble a Zone 2 Satellite Dish

List of satellite dish components

• 60cm Satellite Dish
• Wall Bracket
• Wall Tube (Arm)
• Elevation Bracket
• Dish Bracket
• Fixing Kit
• Feed Arm

Tools Needed to Assemble Satellite Dish

• 10mm, 13mm socket and ratchet
• Philips screwdriver

Steps to Assemble Satellite Dish

• Open fixing kit and select U-bolts (qty: 2), nuts (qty: 4)
• Insert the U bolts through the wall bracket
• Thread on the nuts
• Insert the arm and tighten the nuts using 10mm socket and ratchet
• The wall bracket & arm assembly is complete
• Next insert U-bolts (qty: 2) through the elevation bracket
• Loosely tighten nuts
• Attach the elevation bracket to the dish bracket
• Using bolts and washers (qty: 4), tighten with 13mm socket and ratchet
• Use the bolts and nuts (qty:4) and the Philips screwdriver to attach the dish bracket to the dish
• Use the long threaded bolt and small nut to attach the feed arm to the back base of the dish bracket so the arm protrudes in front of the dish
• Finally insert the LNB (and plastic insert) into the end of the arm and secure with a tie wrap

2. How to Mount a Satellite Dish

Equipment needed to mount a satellite dish on a wall

• Zone 2 satellite dish, complete with wall bracket and arm
• Coach bolt M8 x 50mm & 10mm plastic plugs (qty: 4)

Tools needed to mount on a wall

• Cordless drill - ideally a 24-36v SDS Drill
• 8mm, 10mm drill bits
• 10mm, 13mm socket and ratchet
• Satellite meter

Criteria on where to mount the satellite dish?

• Dish must face South East (141 degrees i.e. direction of sun 11am BST)
• Wall must be a solid surface capable of carrying weight of satellite dish
• Signal must not be blocked by houses or trees (signal is coming in at 21 degrees to the horizontal)
• Place at back or gable end of house to minimise visual intrusion
• Place as close at possible to TV room to which the satellite cables are to connected so as to minimise cable run

Steps

• Place the wall bracket and arm in the correct location
• Use the cordless drill and 8mm drill bit to drill 4 guide holes
• Use 10mm drill bit to drill holes to a depth of 60mm
• Insert the 4 plastic plugs in the holes and mount the wall bracket using the 4 coach bolts
• Tighten the coach bolts using the 13mm socket and ratchet
• Attach the satellite dish to the arm of the wall plate
• Use 10mm socket to lightly tighten the dish 'U'-bolts so they are fixed to arm but the dish can still be rotated
• Follow steps in the how to align a satellite dish guide

3. How to Align a Zone 2 Satellite Dish

• Having already mounted the satellite dish on your wall
• Attach your satellite meter to the dish LNB
• Align the dish so that it is (1) perfectly vertical, (2) pointing south east (141 degrees).
• Rotate the dish slowly over and back
• Repeat adjusting the tilt angle by 1 or 2 degrees to until a signal is found
• Tighten the U-bolts and side bolts using the 10mm & 13mm sockets
• Disconnect the satellite meter
• Connect a cable with an 'F-type' connector from the dish to the satellite box
• Check that the signal is working

4. How to Run Cables & Attach Connectors

The next step is to run satellite cable to the satellite receiver

Tools needed

• Hammer
• Snips
• Drill
• SDS Drill Bit 10X450

Equipment

• Satellite Installation Kit

Prior to beginning you must decide

• Decide how to run cable
  • Connect into existing cables in the attic
    • Normally neater but requires additional connectors
    • May need a multi-meter to be able to identify the correct cable
    • May result in longer cable runs
  • Run a cable directly from the satellite dish to the satellite receiver
    • Fastest and easiest way to run a cable
    • Cable runs are normally shorter
    • Requires the drill of a hole through a wall

STEPS

• If the satellite receiver is to be located next to the external wall of a room
  • Use a drill and an SDS Drill Bit 10x450 to drill a hole through the wall
  • Ensuring to drill from the inside out
• To conceal broken plaster use either
  • Hole tidy (insert inside and out before the cable is run)
  • Cable cover nailed onto the outside wall after the cable has been run
• Feed the end of the satellite cable through the wall leaving enough cable to reach the front of the satellite box
• Now start tacking the cable using 7mm clips and a hammer
• Ensuring that the cable runs down from the hole that been drilled in the wall
• This will stop water following the cable into the house
• Continue tacking the cable
  • Run cable vertically or horizontally but NEVER diagonally
  • If possible hide cable under the plinth or behind drain pipes (using 300mm cable ties)
• Cut the cable leaving enough length to reach the LNB of the dish
• Put on an F connector on the each end of the satellite cable
• Screw the F connector on to the LNB
• Seal the connection using Insulation tape or ideally waterproof self amalgamating tape
• Secure the cable to the dish feed arm using either 300mm cable ties or Insulation tape
• Final step is to put on an F connector on the satellite cable next to the satellite receiver

How to Put on F-Type Connectors

5. How to Install Your Satellite Receiver

• Unpack the box
  • Satellite receiver
  • Remote control
• Screw the lead from the satellite dish into the LNB in connection
• Connect a scart or HDMI cable from your TV to the box
• Plug in the power lead
• Turn on the power switch on the back on the box
• After 5-6 seconds the box will come on and should automatically switch TV to AV channel
• You may need to switch AV channel on TV if it does not automatically switch over

See map below for main Saorview transmitters in Ireland

The map shows the main Saorview transmitters, their coverage and the colour code (tip) of the best UHF aerial to use in that area

INDEX

• Overview
• Free to Air
• Freesat
• Freeview

Overview

The 3 terms widely (and often incorrectly) used to describe a receiver to get the free satellite channels are as follows

• Free to Air: Received by a Generic Satellite Receiver
• Freesat: Received by an ITV/BBC Patented Satellite Receiver
• Freeview: NOT Received by a Satellite Receiver - It"s a Digital Terrestrial TV Service

Below we give full details of the differences

Free to Air (FTA)

• This is received using a generic satellite receiver and is used with a satellite dish
• It is Free to Air meaning it is used to pick up free satellite channels
• But can come with a card slot to allow it to be used for subscription services
• It is capable of working with any satellite (so long as the dish is large enough)
• Manufactured by a range of up to about 120 different companies
• Boxes can come in the following formats
  • Standard definition
  • High definition
  • Twin feed HD to allow you to record one channel & look at another
  • HD Satellite & Terrestrial Combo receiver
• Good Points
  • It is non subscription
  • It is very versatile in terms of channel line up and satellite"s that can be accessed
  • Huge range of different boxes
  • Generally cheaper than official freesat boxes
• Drawback
  • Unlike freesat
    
    • It does not automatically update if their is a frequency change
    • or new channels becomes available
  • Getting spare remotes can sometimes be an issue
• Main channels include (on astra 2, but totally flexible):
  • BBC 1,2,3,4,
  • UTV, ITV 2,3,4,
  • Channel 4, E4, More 4, Film 4
  • 6 News Channels, 7 Childrens, 8 Movie channels etc
• We stock these in our free to air satellite receiver section

Freesat

Main points

• This is a satellite receiver
  • Works in conjunction with a satellite dish
• It meets the Freesat standards set out by ITV/BBC
• It will work anywhere in Ireland from a 60cm satellite dish
• It comes in range of types
  • Freesat SD: SD with no hard drive
  • Freesat HD: HD with no hard drive
  • Freesat+ HD: Twin feed, HD, with hard drive, series link, 7 day EPG etc
• What makes Freesat special?
  • It is non subscription
  • It has a standard channel line up (program box with a UK Post code)
  • It automatically updates if there is a frequency change
  • or new channels becomes available
  • Easy to get spare remotes
• Drawbacks
  • It is generally more expensive than free to air boxes
  • It is not as flexible - i.e. you can"t decide the order of the channels in freesat mode
  • Only works off the Astra 2 at 28 East satellite
• Main channels include
  • BBC 1,2,3,4,
  • UTV, ITV 2,3,4,
  • Channel 4, E4, More 4, Film 4
  • 6 News Channels, 7 Childrens, 8 Movie channels etc
• We stock these in our Freesat Satellite Receivers section

Freeview

Main points

• This is a terrestrial service (NOT a satellite service)
  • Works with UHF aerial rather than a satellite dish
• It meets the Freeview standards set out by ITV/BBC
• It does not generally work in Ireland (Except along NI border & East coast)
• We do not stock Freeview boxes
• What people generally mean when they say Freeview is that they are looking for either
  • A Free To Air Receiver
  • A Freesat Receiver

We aim to provide a fast, reliable & low cost delivery service

All orders we ship, leave our warehouse on time

• Standard Courier With Fastway (2-4 Working Days)
  • Cost is €3.95 on Orders Below €100
  • Free Delivery on Orders Above €100
• Express Courier (1-2 Working Days)
  • With Fastway: Cost is €6.50 (or €2.50 extra if you qualify for free standard shipping)
  • With DPD: Cost is €7 (or €3 extra if you qualify for free standard shipping)
  • This service guarantees that any order placed before 4.30pm with Fastway or 3pm With DPD (Mon - Fri) will ship from our depot that same day on the express delivery service*
  • *Orders placed after 4.30pm with Fastway or 3pm with DPD on Fridays & during weekends / bank holidays will be shipped the next working day
• An Post
  • Cost is €2.50 (P & P)
  • Available only on selected products with the An Post logo
• Small Parcels
  • Cost is €3.50
  • Available only on products with the small parcels logo**
• Great Britain
  
  • Cost is €7.50
• Western Europe
  
  • Cost is €10
  • Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal etc..
• Rest of Europe
  
  • Cost is €20
  • Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Iceland, Malta, Slovenia, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Finland etc..
• Rest of World
  
  • Cost is €30
  • Please contact us before purchasing to confirm

Terms

• All shipping fee prices listed are ex-VAT @ 23%
• Irish shipping rates apply to the whole Island (North & South)
• Shipping fee is fixed for an order, regardless of the number of items bought
• All courier orders require signed proof of delivery and the customer must be contactable by phone
• We do not offer a weekend delivery service (Mon-Fri only excluding bank holidays)
• *Our courier achieves a 98% success rate on express deliveries
• ** Applies to island of Ireland only (North & South)
• Heavy or Large Parcels (Applies only to Non Irish or UK customers): It may be necessary to charge higher shipping fees / offer option to cancel order