DVB-S Recommendations & Guides

[kingnubian]

I own a Technisat Skystar 2 DVB-S card and am happy with it. Using it with the beautiful GBPVR front end would be a real joy but I really don't know where to start. I have a few questions.

What DVB-S hardware is recommended to get the most trouble free & staright forward GBPVR experience?

Are there any guides in setting up a DVB-S card in GBPVR and if so where are they?

GBPVR looks to be an amazing piece of software and getting it to work seamlessly with mine & others DVB-S hardware would be amazing!

[sub]

If you've installed the BDA drivers for your Skystar2, then you can probably use it with GB-PVR. (though dont try to use a diseqc switch with this device)

Are there any guides in setting up a DVB-S card in GBPVR and if so where are they?

Its not DVB-S specific, but there is lots of info about setting up GB-PVR on the wiki http://www.gbpvr.com/pmwiki.

The general idea is you create a capture source, set to use the BDA Recording Plugin plus, select your card type and satellite. Set the EPG source to whatever you want to use, then click the 'Map Digital Channels To EPG Channels' button and it'll scan for channels.

[kingnubian]

If you've installed the BDA drivers for your Skystar2, then you can probably use it with GB-PVR. (though dont try to use a diseqc switch with this device)

Its not DVB-S specific, but there is lots of info about setting up GB-PVR on the wiki http://www.gbpvr.com/pmwiki.

The general idea is you create a capture source, set to use the BDA Recording Plugin plus, select your card type and satellite. Set the EPG source to whatever you want to use, then click the 'Map Digital Channels To EPG Channels' button and it'll scan for channels.

Is there a good card out there whose drivers allow for a diseqc to be used??

[sub]

I havnt spent much time testing diseqc switches, by my Twinhan VP1030A works fine with my 4 way diseqc switch.

In theory it also works with new DVB-S Hauppauge devices, Nova-S Plus, HVR3000/4000 etc. (Not original Nova-S)

diseqc control is not covered by the BDA spec, which means it needs to be implement a different way for each manufacturer's cards, which is why there is only limited diseqc support in GB-PVR.

[kingnubian]

I havnt spent much time testing diseqc switches, by my Twinhan VP1030A works fine with my 4 way diseqc switch.

In theory it also works with new DVB-S Hauppauge devices, Nova-S Plus, HVR3000/4000 etc. (Not original Nova-S)

diseqc control is not covered by the BDA spec, which means it needs to be implement a different way for each manufacturer's cards, which is why there is only limited diseqc support in GB-PVR.

WoW!! Your quick responses are amazing!
I guess I'll be opting for a Twinhan VP1030A and see how it goes.
I do like my Skystar 2 but I need diseq control.

[sub]

I guess I'll be opting for a Twinhan VP1030A and see how it goes.

Unfortunately its not really the cheapest Twinhan model. It probably also works with other cheaper Twinhan models.

I do like my Skystar 2 but I need diseq control.

I also asked Technisat for info about their Diseqc support, but they didnt respond.

[kingnubian]

Unfortunately its not really the cheapest Twinhan model. It probably also works with other cheaper Twinhan models.

I also asked Technisat for info about their Diseqc support, but they didnt respond.

As time goes on, it would be great , possibly in a thread, to see who has got DVB-S working (Including diseqc support) and what hardware they are using. I'm looking forward to getting GBPVR going!

[soccerdad]

I have been following the thread on the Twinhan 102g and it has my interest peaked as well. Since I have no equipment now, I would love to hear peoples recommendations for what to buy for DVB-S for the US. I take it some of the cards require a lot of CPU horsepower where others may not. I don't need to see every satellite in the sky, just one or two. I can get more complex later.

What is likely to be the most cost effective, simplist to set up, supported card? (I know, I don't ask for much). I know I need to stay away from non-BDA supported cards but what else should I stay away from? What card options should I make sure I get?

--- Sorry Sub, I just noticed this is in the support directory, you may want to move it to hardware----

[sub]

I have been following the thread on the Twinhan 102g and it has my interest peaked as well. Since I have no equipment now, I would love to hear peoples recommendations for what to buy for DVB-S for the US. I take it some of the cards require a lot of CPU horsepower where others may not.

They cards are pretty much all the same from this aspect, and require very little CPU themselves, but it depends what channels you're going to be viewing. If you're going to be viewing HD content from those satellites, then obviously this will require a grunty PC.

Some multidec plugins may also require more CPU than others - I dont really have a good understanding of this aspect at this stage.

[kingnubian]

I have been following the thread on the Twinhan 102g and it has my interest peaked as well. Since I have no equipment now, I would love to hear peoples recommendations for what to buy for DVB-S for the US. I take it some of the cards require a lot of CPU horsepower where others may not. I don't need to see every satellite in the sky, just one or two. I can get more complex later.

What is likely to be the most cost effective, simplist to set up, supported card? (I know, I don't ask for much). I know I need to stay away from non-BDA supported cards but what else should I stay away from? What card options should I make sure I get?

--- Sorry Sub, I just noticed this is in the support directory, you may want to move it to hardware----

I also apoligize for starting this thread in "support".
My inrterest in this is very high. I for one, do not have cable TV but do have satellite television. While I could probably use a capture card and put my GBPVR box in between the sat receiver & the TV I would prefer a more tightly integrated & seamless solution. Having a DVB-S card working directly with GBPVR is an amazing idea, and not even hinted at in other "htpc" software.

SUB I'm new here but I very much appreciate your work.