DVBWorld/Mytheatre diseqc problem

[iammike]

Just got my DVBWorld box last night. So far I'm not overly impressed. It works fine with the software from the DVBWorld (actually worlddvb.com) web site, but in MyTheatre and TSReader it can't access any sats other than those on port 1 of my diseqc switch. It looks like there's been some TSReader updates in the last month that may help so I'll try those tonight. I haven't been able to find anything encouraging for MT though.

I've read some posts on the MT web site indicating other users are having similar issues, but they were from the first half of the year. I'm running the latest driver from the dvbworld web site. It was listed as November 06, and shows up as version 1.3 in the driver selection drop-down in device manager. It would seem like they would have surely fixed the problem by now, but I'm starting to wonder.

Has anybody had any luck running a DVBWorld box with a diseqc switch in MT or TSReader?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[digiblur]

Just got my DVBWorld box last night. So far I'm not overly impressed. It works fine with the software from the DVBWorld (actually worlddvb.com) web site, but in MyTheatre and TSReader it can't access any sats other than those on port 1 of my diseqc switch. It looks like there's been some TSReader updates in the last month that may help so I'll try those tonight. I haven't been able to find anything encouraging for MT though.

I've read some posts on the MT web site indicating other users are having similar issues, but they were from the first half of the year. I'm running the latest driver from the dvbworld web site. It was listed as November 06, and shows up as version 1.3 in the driver selection drop-down in device manager. It would seem like they would have surely fixed the problem by now, but I'm starting to wonder.

Has anybody had any luck running a DVBWorld box with a diseqc switch in MT or TSReader?

Thanks,
Mike

I know it isn't TSReader but have you tried the diseqc in DVBDream to see if the same issue is present?

 

[iammike]

I know it isn't TSReader but have you tried the diseqc in DVBDream to see if the same issue is present?

No I haven't, it's a good suggestion but I'm wanting to use this with SageTV. There's a MyTheatre plugin for Sage, but to my knowledge there isn't anything currently available for DVBDream. I feel like I may be able to solve the TSReader problem by downloading the latest version. I think there's a fix for the DVBWorld devices with the 9 volt power cord in one of the recent releases.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Anole]

Bda = Bad ?

Are you running the box with BDA drivers?
If I'm not mistaken, I've run across suggestions in my research, that BDA drivers don't have the hooks to pass diseqc commands.
...or else the hooks are different, and the receiver software hasn't caught up....

However, if the box is supported without BDA ddrivers, you should be fine.
...just another problem of buying too-new a product...

 

[iammike]

Are you running the box with BDA drivers?
If I'm not mistaken, I've run across suggestions in my research, that BDA drivers don't have the hooks to pass diseqc commands.
...or else the hooks are different, and the receiver software hasn't caught up....

I am running the latest BDA drivers. The software that comes with the box can control my diseqc switch, so it should be possible. I'm wondering if MyTheatre has that ability though. The DVBWorld site advertises support for MT so I'm hoping that they actually tested their product with MT before making that claim.

However, if the box is supported without BDA ddrivers, you should be fine.
...just another problem of buying too-new a product...

I think it's been out for over a year now. That's a pretty long time for a PC or a satellite product.

 

[Anole]

It wasn't something I found/considered this time last year when I shopped.
I believe it showed up later in the 1st quarter of 2006.
However, my Twinhan Starbox was on the market 3 to 6 months earlier, and I'm not sure it's ready for prime-time, yet.
(too new)

Good to hear it's possible to get diseqc commands throught BDA drivers.
I don't know what Saar's problem is with MT, then.
If it's possible, then that should bode well for all the other software writers, too.

 

[iammike]

Here's an update. Came home tonight and fired up the PC, and happened to notice the little blue light wasn't on on the DVBWorld box. I checked and double-checked the power cord, tried multiple outlets, and nothing. Now I'm not sure if my problem was it just doesn't work with MT or if it was already failing. Either way, I think I'm going to be returning it, it's just a matter of whether I get a replacement or ask for my money back. At this point, I'm leaning towards the money back option.

If anyone can confirm that this works with diseqc under MT I'd love to hear about it.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Anole]

I've spent the day reading a lot of material on Saar's forum about MT and talking diesqc through BDA drivers.
Would recommend you spend a few hours doing the same.
Not sure how new the info is, but do make sure you have the latest MT, correct drivers, clean install, et al.

Of course, if the power light won't come on, that's a whole 'nother matter.

 

[iammike]

Thought I'd post a follow-up on this, in case anybody has this problem in the future. I returned the DVBWorld box to PSB, and he's sending me a refund. I highly recommend Pete, as he stands by his products and his pricing is very competitive.

I also purchased a Twinhan Starbox II which works much better with MT. The diseqc commands work with MT and I found that MT actually comes with a Starbox driver. The downside is I'm pretty sure I'm SOL getting the Starbox to work with TSReader. Since I was mainly looking for a device to use with MT on a low-profile PC I can live with it. I've still got a PCI card in my other PC I can use with TSReader. There's a couple issues with the Starbox and MT. It's very slow to change between diseqc ports, in the range ot 10 to 15 seconds, but it does change ports which the DVBWorld box can't do. It also doesn't give meaningful numbers for signal and quality. They pretty much always say 99 and 93 or 0 and 0. Neither of these issues are show-stoppers though.

Incidentally, if you're looking to buy one of these things ComputerGeeks.com has a pretty good deal. Picked mine up for $59.99 less a 10% coupon plus shipping. It works out to around $62 for ground shipping.