satellites.xml file

[Larry-G]

i am making this thread as it seems that a lot of people are still very confused as to what the satellites.xml file is and why it is important to keep it updated etc.

what is a satellites.xml file any way ?

the satellites.xml file contains all the transponder details for every satellite you want to receive without this file your satellite would not know which transponders to scan meaning no channels on your box. all linux based satellite receivers use a satellites.xml file

where can i get a satellites.xml file ?

to generate a new upto date satellites.xml file is the easy part, simply head over to

http://www.satellites-xml.eu/

select all the satellites you want included in your file ( you can customise this to include SD or HD channels or both ), but make sure that you have the file format selected as .xml otherwise your receiver will not be able to read the file. once thats done enter the four digit security code in the bottom right of the page and press download.

now that i have a satellites.xml file what do i do with it ?

now that you have your file you must copy it over to your receiver, this is where it gets complicated as there are two differing operating systems on linux satellite receivers.
Enigma 1 aka E1
Enigms 2 aka E2.

E1 boxes as follows
TM500
TM600
DM7000
DM7020
DM600

E2 boxes as follows

TM800
DM7020
DM500 HD
DM800
DM8000
VU+DUO
VU+SOLO

and the list goes on.

if you have a E1 box the file needs to go into the following directory on your box over righting the file thats already there

/var/etc/

if you have a E2 box the file needs to go into the following directory on your box over righting the file thats already there

/etc/tuxbox/

once the file is in place do a rescan on the satellites you want to watch to make sure your receiver is now upto date.

personally i update my satellites.xml file once every week to once every fortnight, but i'm just a nerd.

also note if you are using a ready made bouquet pack by B16MCC / SILVERFOX0768 or SGTFliPFlop then you must load a new satellites.xml file to your receiver as these packs are only setup for sky uk @28.2 east.


i hope this helps