Revealing Hidden Secret Service Menu in Tata Sky and Airtel Digital TV DTH Set Top Box
There are many DTH (Direct To Home) service providers in India such as Tata Sky, Dish TV, Airtel Digital TV (ADTV), Reliance Big TV, Sun Direct, Videocon D2H and DD Direct+. Among all these companies, Tata Sky is the most popular DTH service provider in India.Tata Sky provides normal SD channels along with a few HD channels to its customers.
It also provides DVR service which allows you to record and pause the live television programs.
Tata Sky uses Sky brand of British Sky Broadcasting so Sky DTH users and Tata Sky DTH users enjoy almost the same set top boxes provided by the companies.
[Do not try any of following methods if you are not familiar with set top boxes.]
The secret service menu present in Tata Sky and Airtel Digital TV DTH set top box can be used to setup the LNB, signal type, format the hard disk, master reset and much more.
And the secret service code can be used to reinstall or upgrade set top box firmware or software.
Hidden Secret Service Menu in Tata Sky and Airtel Digital TV DTH Set Top Box
All Tata Sky and Airtel Digital TV set top boxes come with this hidden menu to be used by service engineers to fix the set top box in case you face problems while accessing TV channels, etc.
To access this secret menu, you can follow these simple steps:
1. Switch on set top box and press the "Organiser" button on your Tata Sky remote. Airtel Digital TV users press "Menu > My Settings".
2. Select "System Settings" menu in Tata Sky.
Airtel Digital TV users select "System Setup" option.
3. The tricky part comes.
Press "0" and "1" buttons and then press "Select" button on your Tata Sky remote.
Airtel Digital TV users press following 5 buttons in sequence: Red, "<", Green, ">" and Yellow button.
For Tata Sky users the combination is: Organiser > System Settings > 0 +1 > Select
For Airtel Digital TV users the combination is: Menu > My Settings > System Setup > Red +<Green +> + Yellow button.
4. It'll bring the hidden service menu "Installer Setup" on your screen which shows following options:
Format Disk
LNB Setup / Satellite Settings
RF Outlets
Manual Tuning
Remote TV
Modem Setup
Master Reset
Be very careful while accessing these options. You can format the hard disk using the "Format Disk" option.
Tata Sky uses Sky brand of British Sky Broadcasting so Sky DTH users and Tata Sky DTH users enjoy almost the same set top boxes provided by the companies.
[Do not try any of following methods if you are not familiar with set top boxes.]
The secret service menu present in Tata Sky and Airtel Digital TV DTH set top box can be used to setup the LNB, signal type, format the hard disk, master reset and much more.
And the secret service code can be used to reinstall or upgrade set top box firmware or software.
Hidden Secret Service Menu in Tata Sky and Airtel Digital TV DTH Set Top Box
All Tata Sky and Airtel Digital TV set top boxes come with this hidden menu to be used by service engineers to fix the set top box in case you face problems while accessing TV channels, etc.
To access this secret menu, you can follow these simple steps:
1. Switch on set top box and press the "Organiser" button on your Tata Sky remote. Airtel Digital TV users press "Menu > My Settings".
2. Select "System Settings" menu in Tata Sky.
Airtel Digital TV users select "System Setup" option.
3. The tricky part comes.
Press "0" and "1" buttons and then press "Select" button on your Tata Sky remote.
Airtel Digital TV users press following 5 buttons in sequence: Red, "<", Green, ">" and Yellow button.
For Tata Sky users the combination is: Organiser > System Settings > 0 +1 > Select
For Airtel Digital TV users the combination is: Menu > My Settings > System Setup > Red +<Green +> + Yellow button.
4. It'll bring the hidden service menu "Installer Setup" on your screen which shows following options:
Format Disk
LNB Setup / Satellite Settings
RF Outlets
Manual Tuning
Remote TV
Modem Setup
Master Reset
Be very careful while accessing these options. You can format the hard disk using the "Format Disk" option.
You can select LNB type, frequency and other parameters using "LNB Setup" option. "RF Outlets" option can be used to customize channel number for UHF/VHF output.
"Manual Tuning" option is given to customize signal type, you can use it to access other FTA (Free To Air) channels on your Tata Sky set top box or to use your box with another DTH service provider but it'll require expertise and knowledge of dish antennas, etc.
You can restore your Tata Sky set top box to factory default settings using "Master Reset" option. Keep in mind it'll remove your favorites channels and saved preferences. But it'll not delete your recorded TV programs.
"Master Reset" option can be used if you are having problems with your set top box such as not receiving enough signals, poor picture or sound quality, etc.
[This method will work for all Tata Sky and Airtel Digital TV set top boxes whether its normal SD box, HD box or HD + box. This method should also work for Sky set top boxes]
Hidden Secret Service Code for Tata Sky and Airtel DTH Set Top Box
If you notice that your set top box is not providing picture or sound of a particular channel or you face other kind of annoying problems with your Tata Sky or Airtel DTH set top box, you can try to reinstall or upgrade your set top box firmware (or software).
Most of the times the firmware is automatically updated by Tata Sky and Airtel via its satellite but you can manually try to reinstall or update the firmware using following steps:
1. Start your set top box from mains and wait for the "Please Wait Initializing..." message on screen.
2. As soon as you see the message, quickly press "Back" button twice and then press 2 4 6 5 buttons on your remote.
If the above method doesn't work, you can try to press "Back" button 4 times and then press 2 4 8 5 buttons on your remote.
NOTE for Airtel DTH users: You might need to press Exit button instead of Back button.
3. If you press the buttons on time, you'll be greeted by the "DVB SSU+ LOADER" screen and your set top box will start downloading and installing the latest firmware.
4. Do not try to switch off the set top box during this process; as it might damage your box. The software installation might take a few minutes to complete.
NOTE 1: This method will work for all Tata Sky and Airtel Digital TV set top box whether its normal SD box, HD box or HD+ box. It should also work for Sky set top boxes.
NOTE 2: If you have the new Tata Sky HD+ Transfer set top box, above mentioned steps will not work for you. To overcome this problem, you'll need to first put the remote into "Learning Mode" by pressing Back and number 2 buttons simultaneously for a few seconds. Then restart STB and follow the above instructions. Or you can use an old remote of any previous HD STB to manually update firmware of Transfer STB.
Another Hidden Secret Service Code for Tata Sky and Airtel DTH Set Top Box
This secret code will allow you to modify advanced set top box parameters such as frequency, modulation type, etc at boot time. It might become useful if you can't access STB menu options.
1. First of all you need to follow the same Steps 1 and 2 as mentioned above in Method 2.
2. After pressing "Back" button and 2 4 6 5 buttons, if you immediately press "Info" button on your remote, it'll open a hidden secret "Advanced Setup-up" menu which allows you to edit lots of advanced options of your set top box such as modulation system, frequency, symbol rate, FEC, polarization, etc.
Revealing Hidden Secret Service Menu in Dish TV DTH Set Top Box
1. Open Dish TV settings and go to Help tab. Now open STB Info option.
2. It'll open a new page where some information is shown related to Dish TV STB. Now press Red button on your remote to enter into STB Setup screen.
3. It'll open "Installation Main Menu" screen where you'll find various menus such as Home frequency, LNB Setup, Forced software upgrade, Restore factory settings, etc.
3a. To Change Dish TV Home Transponder (TP) Frequency:
Select "Home Frequency" option and it'll show a list of all Dish TV TPs. By default Dish TV doesn't allow you to modify transponder values but there is a hidden secret code to edit TP settings. Select any TP using the up/down buttons and press 9523 buttons on your remote quickly. It'll open a secret screen which will allow you to enter new values for the transponder. You can enter any desired frequency and other TP details for example you can enter DD Direct+(aka Free Dish) TP details to watch its FTA channels. Once you enter correct parameters, you should get good signal quality and strength for that TP. Save the changes and exit from the screen. Dish TV STB will restart and now you can perform channel search. It'll add all channels available on your selected transponder. Before modifying transponder values, make sure to write down old default values so that you can restore them later.
3b. To Access Hidden Secret "Utility" Menu:
Among all options present in "Installation Main Menu" screen, you'll find Utility option present at 7th position. Try to open it and it'll ask for password. The correct password of Utility menu is 86427531. Enter the password and now you'll be able to open Utility menu.
Utility menu contains following 2 options:
Download
Format Hard disk
"Download" option might be possible that this option was put to download and install latest firmware of Dish TV set top box but; not sure.
"Format Hard disk" option will format the USB device attached to set top box which is used to record TV programs.
Both these options don't ask for confirmation. If you select any option, it'll immediately start performing its action. So think twice before selecting any option.
PIN / Password of Signal Setup in Tech Settings of DEN Set Top Box
To access this secret service menu, do as following:
1. First of all open Settings screen by pressing Menu or Settings or Setup button present on your DEN STB remote.
2. Now select System Settings option.
3. Now select Tech Settings option and it'll ask for the PIN code to enter into Signal Setup area.
4. Type 6969 and it will accept this password in all DEN STB.
Now on next screen, you'll be able to change the home transponder entry point. There are several different entry points are given to select. I didn't try other available entry points but it might be possible that those settings are used by other cable networks such as Siti cable, Hathway, In cable, etc.
If you watch carefully, there is also an option is given on the same screen to reset set top box to default settings which might become very useful if you want to remove all customized settings and favorites. You just need to press Red button on your remote to start reset operation.
When you press OK button, the next screen shows the signal strength and quality status
[The PIN code 6969 worked in many other DEN STB. So its a universal password.]
"Manual Tuning" option is given to customize signal type, you can use it to access other FTA (Free To Air) channels on your Tata Sky set top box or to use your box with another DTH service provider but it'll require expertise and knowledge of dish antennas, etc.
You can restore your Tata Sky set top box to factory default settings using "Master Reset" option. Keep in mind it'll remove your favorites channels and saved preferences. But it'll not delete your recorded TV programs.
"Master Reset" option can be used if you are having problems with your set top box such as not receiving enough signals, poor picture or sound quality, etc.
[This method will work for all Tata Sky and Airtel Digital TV set top boxes whether its normal SD box, HD box or HD + box. This method should also work for Sky set top boxes]
Hidden Secret Service Code for Tata Sky and Airtel DTH Set Top Box
If you notice that your set top box is not providing picture or sound of a particular channel or you face other kind of annoying problems with your Tata Sky or Airtel DTH set top box, you can try to reinstall or upgrade your set top box firmware (or software).
Most of the times the firmware is automatically updated by Tata Sky and Airtel via its satellite but you can manually try to reinstall or update the firmware using following steps:
1. Start your set top box from mains and wait for the "Please Wait Initializing..." message on screen.
2. As soon as you see the message, quickly press "Back" button twice and then press 2 4 6 5 buttons on your remote.
If the above method doesn't work, you can try to press "Back" button 4 times and then press 2 4 8 5 buttons on your remote.
NOTE for Airtel DTH users: You might need to press Exit button instead of Back button.
3. If you press the buttons on time, you'll be greeted by the "DVB SSU+ LOADER" screen and your set top box will start downloading and installing the latest firmware.
4. Do not try to switch off the set top box during this process; as it might damage your box. The software installation might take a few minutes to complete.
NOTE 1: This method will work for all Tata Sky and Airtel Digital TV set top box whether its normal SD box, HD box or HD+ box. It should also work for Sky set top boxes.
NOTE 2: If you have the new Tata Sky HD+ Transfer set top box, above mentioned steps will not work for you. To overcome this problem, you'll need to first put the remote into "Learning Mode" by pressing Back and number 2 buttons simultaneously for a few seconds. Then restart STB and follow the above instructions. Or you can use an old remote of any previous HD STB to manually update firmware of Transfer STB.
Another Hidden Secret Service Code for Tata Sky and Airtel DTH Set Top Box
This secret code will allow you to modify advanced set top box parameters such as frequency, modulation type, etc at boot time. It might become useful if you can't access STB menu options.
1. First of all you need to follow the same Steps 1 and 2 as mentioned above in Method 2.
2. After pressing "Back" button and 2 4 6 5 buttons, if you immediately press "Info" button on your remote, it'll open a hidden secret "Advanced Setup-up" menu which allows you to edit lots of advanced options of your set top box such as modulation system, frequency, symbol rate, FEC, polarization, etc.
Revealing Hidden Secret Service Menu in Dish TV DTH Set Top Box
1. Open Dish TV settings and go to Help tab. Now open STB Info option.
2. It'll open a new page where some information is shown related to Dish TV STB. Now press Red button on your remote to enter into STB Setup screen.
3. It'll open "Installation Main Menu" screen where you'll find various menus such as Home frequency, LNB Setup, Forced software upgrade, Restore factory settings, etc.
3a. To Change Dish TV Home Transponder (TP) Frequency:
Select "Home Frequency" option and it'll show a list of all Dish TV TPs. By default Dish TV doesn't allow you to modify transponder values but there is a hidden secret code to edit TP settings. Select any TP using the up/down buttons and press 9523 buttons on your remote quickly. It'll open a secret screen which will allow you to enter new values for the transponder. You can enter any desired frequency and other TP details for example you can enter DD Direct+(aka Free Dish) TP details to watch its FTA channels. Once you enter correct parameters, you should get good signal quality and strength for that TP. Save the changes and exit from the screen. Dish TV STB will restart and now you can perform channel search. It'll add all channels available on your selected transponder. Before modifying transponder values, make sure to write down old default values so that you can restore them later.
3b. To Access Hidden Secret "Utility" Menu:
Among all options present in "Installation Main Menu" screen, you'll find Utility option present at 7th position. Try to open it and it'll ask for password. The correct password of Utility menu is 86427531. Enter the password and now you'll be able to open Utility menu.
Utility menu contains following 2 options:
Download
Format Hard disk
"Download" option might be possible that this option was put to download and install latest firmware of Dish TV set top box but; not sure.
"Format Hard disk" option will format the USB device attached to set top box which is used to record TV programs.
Both these options don't ask for confirmation. If you select any option, it'll immediately start performing its action. So think twice before selecting any option.
PIN / Password of Signal Setup in Tech Settings of DEN Set Top Box
To access this secret service menu, do as following:
1. First of all open Settings screen by pressing Menu or Settings or Setup button present on your DEN STB remote.
2. Now select System Settings option.
3. Now select Tech Settings option and it'll ask for the PIN code to enter into Signal Setup area.
4. Type 6969 and it will accept this password in all DEN STB.
Now on next screen, you'll be able to change the home transponder entry point. There are several different entry points are given to select. I didn't try other available entry points but it might be possible that those settings are used by other cable networks such as Siti cable, Hathway, In cable, etc.
If you watch carefully, there is also an option is given on the same screen to reset set top box to default settings which might become very useful if you want to remove all customized settings and favorites. You just need to press Red button on your remote to start reset operation.
When you press OK button, the next screen shows the signal strength and quality status
[The PIN code 6969 worked in many other DEN STB. So its a universal password.]
