The Max M2 and Octopus CI-M2 cards can be used in mixed operation – however, the correct connection method must be observed due to the internal signal routing.
Both internal tuners support SAT as well as cable and terrestrial reception.
Which signal type reaches the internal tuners is determined by the circuitry behind the two inputs:
How the two inputs of the Max M2 and Octopus CI-M2 cards work:
Input 1 (top – see PCB label "CON1")
This input features a switch immediately after the connector (F-type connector). Depending on how one of the two tuners is to be activated – whether for cable/terrestrial or SAT – the following occurs:If a SAT request is made to internal tuner 1, the switch directs Input 1 directly to Tuner 1 and activates it as SAT (direct connection).
If a cable or terrestrial signal is requested instead, the switch selects an active splitter.
This splitter is connected to both Tuner 1 and Tuner 2, so a cable or terrestrial signal can be distributed simultaneously to both tuners.
Input 2 (bottom – see PCB label "CON2")
In contrast to Input 1, this input does not have a switch and is always directly connected to Tuner 2 for SAT.
Therefore, this input can only be used for SAT on Tuner 2 and is not suitable for cable or terrestrial signals.
The tuners can thus be used with the following combinations:
| Tuner 1 | Tuner 2 | Works? | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cable Terr. | Cable Terr. | ✅ Yes | With a cable or terrestrial request to Tuner 1 or Tuner 2, the switch on Input 1 directs to the active splitter, thereby distributing the DVB-C signal to both Tuner 1 and Tuner 2. (Only one cable required) |
| Tuner 1 | Tuner 2 | Works? | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cable Terr. | SAT Cable Terr. | ✅ Yes | The splitter directs the DVB-C signal from Input 1 to both tuners (only one cable needed). In addition, a SAT signal cable can be connected to Input 2, which is directly connected to Tuner 2 for SAT. |
| Tuner 1 | Tuner 2 | Works? | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT | SAT | ✅ Yes | Both Input 1 and Input 2 require a separate SAT signal cable each. Input 1 is directly connected to Tuner 1 for SAT via the switch. Input 2 is directly connected to Tuner 2 for SAT. |
| Tuner 1 | Tuner 2 | Works? | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT | DVB-C/T | ❌ No | When Input 1 is used with a SAT signal cable, the input is directly routed to the SAT tuner rather than to the splitter. |
⚠️ Why “Tuner 1: SAT + Tuner 2: Cable” is not possible:
Only Input 1 has a switch. As soon as a SAT signal is requested for the first tuner, the switch routes to the SAT tuner and the active splitter for DVB-C/T is no longer available.
Input 2 is permanently connected to the SAT tuner of the second tuner and cannot be switched to DVB-C/T.
As a result, the second tuner cannot receive a cable signal as long as the first tuner is using SAT.