TM 5402 M4 - Queries on wifi/3g adapters and software patch vs update

[Brandyboy]

Hi all

We just bought a TM 5402 M4 (HD) receiver for our summer mobile home - upgrading the old system (TM 1000+ which has lasted fantastically well - brilliant little box) to a bit more newer type. The Linux versions are a bit more advanced for our liking, we tried with the Nano M3 last year and decided that it was a step too far and not for us.

I've a few queries while we are waiting for the delivery and apologies if these were asked before - couldn't find the answers for the specific box.


1) I've seen on the specs that it can be used with Wifi/3G adapters.
That would be perfect because there is no cable/fibre optic hardwired broadband so no ethernet in the location it will be placed into use and our only option is using a 3G hub or connect to our mobile phones - which is patchy at best anyway.

Would anyone be able to recommend the best type of adapter to use?

Someone else also recently posted similar question for the M4 but this wasn't answered, as I'm assuming it got lost in the software update chat, hence this specific topic and advice much appreciated.

I'm in Ireland if that helps and did a search on a well known electronic retailers (UK/Irl) website to see what's out there on the market. Not sure if I'm allowed to post up the search link I did (re rules?) or if any of these are suitable/what I should be looking for.

If someone could point me in the right direction on what I should be looking for that would be terrific.


2) Official Software updates vs patches.

Which do people recommend? I've noticed there's quite a few updates to do regarding the software regarding both types.

Do people recommend starting with the oldest and work their way through to the latest? Or just start with the latest version?

Should patches be included or just stick with the official updates?

I realise this maybe completely a newbie question to ask but for a non programming people and who want to upgrade but not turn it into a toaster, I'd appreciate some assistance.


3) I've also noticed that the last official update recommends connecting to the internet to access the 7 day EPG.

That will be awkward without the adapters. I have ethernet here in my home but no satellite dish and in the summer-home we have the dish but no ethernet.

Will it work over 3G? Can the update be done here in my home without the dish and then hooked up afterwards to complete?
Or do I need it connected to the dish?

Sorry for the maybe newbie type of questions, just trying to find out what I need to do.

We had bought the Nano M3 last year but it's so complicated without having it always connected or accessible to a pc and the internet and with lots of updates and having to rescan, and resort out channels _every-time_ an update has been flashed is just ridiculous and time consuming.
That and not getting more than 2 channels recording at the same time was frustrating. The whole box is frustrating.
We just want a box that works and no messing. We're on Astra 28.2 as well - no need for other satellites - just FTA.

Thanks in advance

[Brandyboy]

Re 1) I think I found my answer.

Bit more of googling lead me to see that I need a Chipset: Ralink RT5370 that seem to work with the TM older models and some of the Linux types as well.

Crossing fingers that it is the right chipset before I purchase.

[barney115]

Not sure what you are expecting to be getting ?

We're on Astra 28.2 as well
in the summer-home we have the dish but no ethernet.

So you do not have internet as such just trying to rely on some poor sh1tty Mobile hotspot signals then ??

it will not matter what box you have or getting or if you use Official Software update or Patch Update since you do not have internet only Freesat from a fixed $ky dish you can only expect to see BBC/ITV/CH4/CH5 and other Freesat channels there is simply nothing more to open on 28E satellite that is how it is .
You will simply have to face the facts that you are restricted and limited in every way possible therefor utterly pointless to make suggestions to you i'm afraid .

[Ferret]

Originally Posted by Brandyboy

.
We just want a box that works and no messing. We're on Astra 28.2 as well - no need for other satellites - just FTA.

Thanks in advance

You say you just want 28e and FTA channels so why the need to be connected to the internet ?

[barney115]

Originally Posted by Ferret

You say you just want 28e and FTA channels so why the need to be connected to the internet ?

Exactly to the point
if i can make a suggestion the Manhattan SX Freesat Satellite Box
would be the best possible option as it has 7 day EPG and requires zero effort to set it up with an incredible HD picture and a very cheap affordable price too

[Brandyboy]

Originally Posted by barney115

Not sure what you are expecting to be getting ?

So you do not have internet as such just trying to rely on some poor sh1tty Mobile hotspot signals then ??

it will not matter what box you have or getting or if you use Official Software update or Patch Update since you do not have internet only Freesat from a fixed $ky dish you can only expect to see BBC/ITV/CH4/CH5 and other Freesat channels there is simply nothing more to open on 28E satellite that is how it is .
You will simply have to face the facts that you are restricted and limited in every way possible therefor utterly pointless to make suggestions to you i'm afraid .

Hmm not sure what you mean by this. I maybe relatively new to this site but I'm not new to the world of satellite and internet.

Yes mobile hot spotting when away for the weekends/holidays.

Unfortunately there are places that don’t have cabled broadband. Mobile home sites dotted around the coastal countryside are such areas. There are also homes in the capital that don’t have nor want internet and rely solely on mobile broadband.

Regarding the tv stations, there are people in the world that just want regular tv stations, nothing more, nothing less and who don't have cable tv either eg yet again mobile homes in coastal areas.

So my query was not really pointless.. I just wanted to know which of the software updates to do. Plain and simple.

Put it this way, does the last two updates dated 31/12/21 & 28/01/22 fix _everything_ that was in the previous updates or does one have to start from the oldest to the newest.
Simple question really but seems simple question can’t be answered simply.

Seeing as my question regarding patches wasn't answered, I’ll avoid the patches as they aren’t official – seems like they are beta rather than an official update.

I answered my own question regarding the wifi adapters, so maybe this thread willl help someone else who asked and wasn't answered.

[Brandyboy]

Originally Posted by Ferret

You say you just want 28e and FTA channels so why the need to be connected to the internet ?

Why need the internet? Because to quote on the 2nd last official s/w update posted by Manaic 01
https://www.sat-universe.com/showpos...6&postcount=12

“Latest Offical TM SW

31/12 2021 This is a major update and we recommend to do a factory reset after updating.

Added 7 day EPG: connect to internet and the EPG guide will automatically update.
EPG features: press Menu to Search all programmes; press OK on a programme to add a Reminder/Timer; press forward/rewind button to page skip.
Fixed recording/playback and hard drive issues.
Updated satellites/transponders.
Added Automatic Standby Time (the receiver will turn off after "X" amount of time”

Can’t do that if not connected to the internet. Seems obvious to me that internet is required for this stage of the process.

Also maybe stream you tube links seeing as the app is a feature? Cast from phone?

Not everyone is a geek, or male or even looking to stream adult porn stuff or locked stations.

[Brandyboy]

Originally Posted by barney115

Exactly to the point
if i can make a suggestion the Manhattan SX Freesat Satellite Box
would be the best possible option as it has 7 day EPG and requires zero effort to set it up with an incredible HD picture and a very cheap affordable price too

The TM 5402 M4 is already bought and delivered. We aren’t interested in a cheap box. I wasn't requesting advice on purchasing a different brand or I would have put out a thread and asked for recommendations.

We got bitten with a Labgear cheap as chips some years ago and it was a nightmare – refused to save channels that were deleted off and kept reordering them in the way it wanted. Piece of crap and was not worth the 40 or 50 euro that was spent on it. Not even worth a fiver.

TM is a brand we know and like. We trust it.

We bought the Nano M3 last year but it's not for us. Too fiddly. I'm geeky but not that kind of a geek.
It was a nightmare trying to record 2 channels on the one transporter.

That's a feature we want. A sat receiver that has a PVR feature. The one you recommended above does not have this.

We're used to VM PVR boxes connected to cable in regular home (I'm on a 360 box myself) but as said before that's not an option in a mobile at the coast and having that feature now that they are on Sat boxes is a must now.

And a box that has at least some function buttons on the outside casing - to at least turn it on/off, channel up/down/vol up/down and menu.

The 5402 M4 has these unlike the Nano M3 - we discovered that for the first time damp got into the remotes over the winter - sea air and all that... even though the place was locked down tight.

New remotes required as current remotes barely functioning. At least the 1000 Super+ has function buttons that it can still be used while replacement remote is in transit.

These are little things to consider when one is purchasing a box that's not going to be based in a town/city but near the coast.

[Brandyboy]

So the included manual is crap. Right just as well the 5402 M3 manual is still available on the TM site. Print that off in work tomorrow so.

[Brandyboy]

Originally Posted by Brandyboy

The 5402 M4 has these unlike the Nano M3 - we discovered that for the first time damp got into the remotes over the winter - sea air and all that... even though the place was locked down tight.

New remotes required as current remotes barely functioning. At least the 1000 Super+ has function buttons that it can still be used while replacement remote is in transit.

These are little things to consider when one is purchasing a box that's not going to be based in a town/city but near the coast.

Before one asks, yes they have been thoroughly dried out, yes cleaned with IPA, you tube vids followed, yes all been done. One is dead as a dodo and they other barely functioning. TV remotes work fine though bizarrely.
This is another nail on the coffin for the Nano M3.