What DVB-S card to go for ?

[Cov]

Hi, I stopped watching television (completely) since I was in hospital for a major operation back in July 2006.
Since then I kind of got used to without it and don't really miss it tbh.

But having to admit that watching TV can be very educational as well, I have decided now to get a DVB-S PCI card for my PC.

A few months back, I bought a Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-3000.
That was a spontaneous desicion but when I tried it out, I couldn't make it work.
The supplied software was so user unfriendly I would say.
Besides this, it scanned for channels (for about 25 minutes) and froze.

Having tried all evening to make it work with no success, I took it back the next day.
Was pretty frustrated, but feel now to give it another go.

Looked around and thought the TERRATEC Cinergy S2 PCI HD - DVB - S2 would be a good card.

You know, it's almost impossible to find any review or good comparison anywhere on the net.
That's funny because you know how well it goes with computer hardware.

Anyway, if you can give any recommendation especially those who got a TV card operational, please do let me know.
I admit that I don't have much knowledge. Only thing I figured is that Satellites offer better picture quality and have more variety.
As we have a dish on the roof (focused on the Astra 19.2 degrees footprint / Europe), this question is already clear.

And I have figured that the Softwareis a critical point as well.
The one which came with the Hauppauge for example, looked good on the Box it came in.
There was even a sticker, saying: "Made for Vista" but you know what ? Once installed, it looked like made for Windows 3.11 ... and so it felt like, I'm not even joking.

Initial search with google brought something called BlazeDTV, DVBViewer Pro, ProgDVB and SkyStar, but I really couldn't find any more description about it like recommendations or something.

I guess that watching TV on a PC is popular among PC enthusiasts ... or am I wrong ?

Thanks

 

[Mr Tony]

moved to proper forum

 

[dunnsept]

you might check out DVBSHOP - Technotrend,Mystique,TeVii,Kathrein,Shop,DVB-S,DVB-C,DVB-T,HDTV,H.264,DVB-S2 they have a good selection and from the few people I spoke with, they are helpful.
I ordered my Technotrend USB from amazon.de and had it within 3 days (per DHL)
that doesn't help much with which card specifically, but gives you some places to look and to read reviews.
Technotrend looks pretty good (just acquired by Kathrein) and Tevii looks pretty good too
hth

 

[Cov]

Thank you very much !!

Have posted before at hardforum.com, a place for computer fans.
From there I have been referred to satelliteguys.us ... a recommendation well worth it.

I will update this thread with my findings, but it may take a while though.
I have a feeling there is a lot to be discovered

Michael

 

[trinity13]

The software is critical to success using a PCI card.
There's no reason you can't get the Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-3000 working.
Have you used any DVB apps besides the one that came with it?
Most are written on your side of the pond.
See what ones support your card, and give one or two a try.
DVB Dream is free, ProgDVB has a free version, and there are several others
(just depends if they support your card or not).
Does it have BDA drivers?
Many of the DVB applications support BDA drivers now.
And you may want to take a look at one of the installation guides for one
of the apps to better understand what the different settings should be.
For instance the LOF's and DiseqC.
And if you are buying another card, I would recommend you make sure it is supported by several of the DVB software applications (unless you have just one that you want to use).
Good luck.

 

[Cov]

@ dunnsept & trinity13 & all others

I have received the Mystique SaTiX DVB-S2 HDTV/MPEG4/H.264 on Thursday, 26th March 2009.
After installation of drivers and Mystique TV player, first thing I've done was a complete scan ...


Have to say that compared to other software players, this one looks and feels very good ... if it was just working.

And here is my "Channel list" after the scan ...


1) Astra 19.2 East was part of the scan. This satellite supposed to have a lot of german channels but where are they ?

2) There are a lot of channels showing a black screen only, can I filter these channels as they're probably restricted anyway ?

3) Why are there multiple times the same channels listed ? Like Arte HD (ger) 10 times ?

4) Why isn't there a manual existing ? Some kind of guide that explains the following options ...



5) The video recording does work nicely, but half an hour recording takes about 4 GB of space (TS file) ... is that normal ?



6) Why is it not possible to resize the windows in order to avoid having to scroll ?


7) Worst thing that can happen is the error showing above. If that happens, nothing works anymore, what is the reason for that ?


I have written an eMail to DVB-Shop regarding another phenomena I noticed. After watching TV for a while, it suddenly starts to stutter.
Mr Hundt wrote back to me the following answer:

Hallo,

das Problem ist bekannt, aber nicht von der Karte bzw. PC abhängig.

Auch wenn Ihr Receiver hier einwandfreien Ton und Bild liefert, so brauchen
generell alle TV-Karten ein ausreichendes Signal, um Bild und Ton darzustellen.

Ist der MPEG-Stream grenzwertig und ggfls. noch mit Fehlern(raten) behaftet,
steigt der Softwaredecoder aus und es kommt zu besagten Dropouts. Letztlich ist
es die Justierung der Schüssel, die sich im Laufe der Zeit "verstellt" hat und
dieses Problem seitens der Receiver noch nicht entdeckt wurde.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen

Axel Hundt

8) Heißt das, das DVB-Karten grundsätzlich eine schwächere Signalempfindlichkeit haben als normale Receiver ?
Wie sonst kommt es dann, daß die anderen 7 Parteien im Haus kein Empfangsprobleme haben ?


9) The vast majority of channels are restricted, like ...


The complete folder "unknown" with 42 channels
The complete folder Digital+ with 36 channels
Another Digital+ folder with 8 channels
The complete CPC3 folder with 8 channels
The complete CPC2 folder with 8 channels
The complete CPC1 folder with 8 channels
The complete PLAYDC folder with 4 channels
The complete DCH1 folder with 4 channels
The complete FL folder with 4 channels
The complete UPC Direct folder with 80 channels ... except one travel channel.
The complete Globe Cast France folder with 96 channels
The complete Globe Cast folder with 8 channels
The complete Globe Cast France with 8 channels
The complete GLOBE CAST folder with 8 channels
The complete Premiere folder with 51 channels



In fact, I can only receive the following channels:

Beta Digital folder with 22 channels: Anixe HD / Astra HD+
ZDF Vision folder with 10 channels: Arte HD (ger) and Arte HD (fra)
IRT folder with 20 channels: Simul SD/HD (seems like a demo looping over and over)

We're talking about 3 or 4 channels only which actually do work. That wouldn't be worth the Euro 80 for the card I think.


Have posted the information above in their dedicated forum.
Will update you with their reply, if any.

 

[Cov]

Link removed on request.

But what does "add your pictures into your posts here" mean please ??

 

[Smith P.]

Please REMOVE all links what pointed to .DE host !
If you like to share them with NA members then just ADD your pictures into your posts here.

 

[Mr Tony]

Its best to use the "manage attachments" at the bottom. This puts the pics as thumbnails so folks dont have to wait for it to download (especially on dial up connection)

Just makes it cleaner

 

[Cov]

Its best to use the "manage attachments" at the bottom. This puts the pics as thumbnails ...

Wow, I didn't know that. Thanks for the tip.

Have seen the thumbnails a few times and always wondered how they did it.
Now I know

 

[Smith P.]

Wow, I didn't know that. Thanks for the tip.

Have seen the thumbnails a few times and always wondered how they did it.
Now I know

So ? Do it !

You should go back to your second post here and attach those pictures instead of pointing to .DE site(s) what create huge delay when someone try to read it here, in US.

 

[trinity13]

@ dunnsept & trinity13 & all others

I have received the Mystique SaTiX DVB-S2 HDTV/MPEG4/H.264 on Thursday, 26th March 2009.
After installation of drivers and Mystique TV player, first thing I've done was a complete scan ...


Have to say that compared to other software players, this one looks and feels very good ... if it was just working.

And here is my "Channel list" after the scan ...


1) Astra 19.2 East was part of the scan. This satellite supposed to have a lot of german channels but where are they ?
?

2) There are a lot of channels showing a black screen only, can I filter these channels as they're probably restricted anyway ?
Your DVB app should let you delete these.

3) Why are there multiple times the same channels listed ? Like Arte HD (ger) 10 times ?
Hard to say, there may be more than one.

4) Why isn't there a manual existing ? Some kind of guide that explains the following options ...
You should have one on the cd that came with your card, and usually can find one on the manufacturers website too.


5) The video recording does work nicely, but half an hour recording takes about 4 GB of space (TS file) ... is that normal ?
For HD? Yes it isl


6) Why is it not possible to resize the windows in order to avoid having to scroll ?
Not familiar with that DVB app, so can't say.

7) Worst thing that can happen is the error showing above. If that happens, nothing works anymore, what is the reason for that ?
Sorry, don't see the error you mention.

I have written an eMail to DVB-Shop regarding another phenomena I noticed. After watching TV for a while, it suddenly starts to stutter.
Mr Hundt wrote back to me the following answer:
He told you to make sure your dish is pointed for the best signal.
Have you?


8) Heißt das, das DVB-Karten grundsätzlich eine schwächere Signalempfindlichkeit haben als normale Receiver ?
Wie sonst kommt es dann, daß die anderen 7 Parteien im Haus kein Empfangsprobleme haben ?
He is asking if the pc card is showing a weaker signal # than the STB's.
And asking you why the other 7 parties in the building aren't having reception problems.

9) The vast majority of channels are restricted, like ...
These are probably scrambled channels.

Answers after your questions.

 

[Cov]

Hi Trinity Thank you very much for your kind reply !

Here are the answers to my own questions I have found:

1) Apparently there's a difference between analog and digital.
A friend of mine told me that the old receiver where we received approx 30 free to view channels was still analog.

2) In the screenshot of the SCAN picture is a box saying "free to air only".
When ticking this box before making a scan, it will show unencrypted channels only.

3) This one is still a mystery to me. Hopping from one channel to another within that folder only shows the same program.

4) Haha, a manual on the CD ? That would have been nice, but there wasn't any.
Have mentioned it in every single email to their technician.
Once I even said that I will have to write one by myself after I figured everything out, but they never replied to that question either.

5) Alright, HD just takes more space on the HDD, logical actually.

6) Have noticed that windows are just not resizeable in different kinds of applications. Meaning, you have to scroll within a "tiny" window despite having a HUGE screen. That's not very smart.

7) The error was "All capable DVD adapters are busy, No free device has been found".
That happened intermittent and since I unplugged the card, the very error message came up as well. Funny.

8) I haven't figured out yet whether DVB card for PCs are actually better, worse or even with Stand Alone Receivers, quality wise.

9) Yes, you're right. There majority of channels are scrambled.


Well, I have sent back the card to the DVB Shop now.
The dish we have on the roof doesn't seem to be 100% compatible and my landlord doesn't allow me to instal an own dish on my balcony.
He is one of the strange guys .