Silvercrest SL65

Silvercrest SL65 is the name for models of FTA DVB-S receiver.

There are two initial versions, released in 2005 and 2006, with the first being widely sold by a well known European chain of supermarkets. Most information on the internet refers to this model.

2005 model

The 2005 model uses the same hardware and firmware as the Comag SL65 and Chess SL35. The firmware is also very similar to that used in the Strong SR65xx series, and it can be ported from the Strong SRT65xx to the Silvercrest SL65 and vice-versa.

The latest firmware is version 1.75, which corrects the support of Cryptoworks channels (including MTV networks). This firmware has to be copied to the receiver by means of a JTAG cable.

Currently, anyone who has this model of SL65 with firmware version 1.75 or newer is able to watch:

* Polsat (Hotbird - Poland)
* Premiere (Astra 1 - Germany)
* Game One (Hotbird)

And unable to watch:
* SRG Swiss (Hotbird - Switzerland)
* Sky Digital (Astra 2 - UK)
* TV Cabo (Portugal) - (Hispasat)
* Digital + (Spain) - (Hispasat)
* AB Sat (Hotbird)
* TPS Canal+ (Hotbird)

"Information about channels availability updated in 12 Oct 2008"

2006 model

This model uses an ALI chip, and also has a DVB-T version.

It has the following other differences from the 2005 model:

* The 2005 model has screws at the side of the box; the 2006 model does not.
* The 2005 model is programmed through a 20 JTAG pin interface; the 2006 model is programmed through a 6-pin interface.

2007 model

Currently there are 7 models. And to avoid dead decoders to whoever decides to update it, it is best to read this info first:

1) O SL/65 (20 pins) Modifiable via Jtag

2) O SL/65 S (6 pins) Chip B1 Modifiable via port RS232

3) O SL/65 S (6 pins) Chip E1 Modifiable via port RS232

4) O SL/65 S (6 pins) Chip A1 NOT Modifiable actually

5) SL/65/12 (6 pins) Camping Chip A1 NOT Modifiable actually (1)

6) SL/65/12 (6 pins) Camping Chip B1 Modifiable via port RS232

7) SL/65/12 (6 pins) Camping Chip E1 Modifiable via port RS232

The ones mentioned as "Not modifiable" will become dead if updated with the firmware from the modifiable ones.In best-case scenario it will appear "CAS Not supported" in the menu.

To know which model we have:

:Open the decoder::If on the board there is a 20-pin male plug... go go JTAG.

::If on the board there is a 6-pin male plug: :::Then carefully remove the metallic plate that covers the chip and if::::1) Numbering ends with A1: DO NOT TOUCH:::2) Numbering ends with B1: go with RS232 update:::2) Numbering ends with E1: go with RS232 update (metallic plate soldered to board)

(1) Some Camping SL65/12 worked ok with firmware from "xeloa", except that the front panel buttons stopped responding, although they work perfectly with the remote.

The configuration of the PC port is:

*COM Port: COM1 ou COM2 (Depending where the RS232 plug was connected)
*BITS Rate: 115200
*PARITY: None
*DATA BITS: 8
*STOP BITS: 1

Which Comag or Silvercrest do I have ??

How do I find out which Comag or Silvercrest receiver I have and more important which processor it has?This is VERY important because the wrong firmware installation can give you a non-functioning receiver. The only recovery method remaining then is Jtag which a very complicated procedure for a newcomer.

There are a few ways to find the type of processor your receiver has.First unplug the receiver from the mains supply.Remove the screws from the rear and occasionally a few screws on the sides of the receiver then remove the cover.

Chip sizes

The Ali M3329 E1 chip is 13 x 13 mm, The Ali M3329 B1 chip is 27 x 27 mm.

Chip Pins

The Processor chip with 216 small pins will be either an (Ali M3329 B1 or Ali M3329 A1) look for a small thin aluminium plate about 22mm square, this is the heatsink and has to be carefully removed with your fingernail or a sharp instrument to reveal the number on the face of the processor below it. The heatsink can be replaced afterwards with some thermal paste. If your processor has its heatsink soldered through the main board (On Legs) and has 128 pins it is the Ali M3329C E1 Processor. If it has 208 pins it is the early model and has the Omega STi5518 Processor and this model although is is patchable does not have much up to date software releases that will cope with todays current encryptions. There are current patches for the Ali M3329 B1 Chip and the Ali M3329C E1 Chip, but the Ali M3329 A1 processor has had very little satisfactory success and gives overheating along with pixelation problems due to its internal structure. So basically the A1 Processor is not up to the task of carrying out the necessary algorithms to decrypt todays tighter encryptions.Only when you are confident and know which processor you have got in your STB you can then proceed To Patch or load new firmwares. Click Pictures Below To Identify Which Sl65 Receiver You Have.

Other information

Pictures of the menu of the SL65 2005 based on STi5518:

* [http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/229/imagem032wn7.jpghttp://img263.imageshack.us/img263/229/imagem032wn7.jpg]
* [http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/2719/imagem033gj3.jpghttp://img263.imageshack.us/img263/2719/imagem033gj3.jpg]
* [http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/8194/imagem034ee0.jpghttp://img61.imageshack.us/img61/8194/imagem034ee0.jpg]
* [http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/9035/imagem035sq7.jpghttp://img175.imageshack.us/img175/9035/imagem035sq7.jpg]