Sky TV NZ using smartcard reader thingy?

[reven]

hi guys, im completely new to this concept so dont really know what i need/want.

firstly, not looking to get channels im not paying for for free. i just want to get sky nz channels inside my pvr and not have to use skys box (its big, interface is ugly, and i just want one box/server and all the other client machines around the house can change sky channels, record programs etc).

ok the machine im wanting to run this on is a mac mini running windows 7 ultimate. being a mac mini, every component im going to need must be USB. so what do i need exactly to get this to work?

- usb smart card reader? can someone point me to a place to buy these?
- usb dvb-t tuner? are there any USB ones that are twin tuners or anything (mac minis have a limited amount of usb ports, although i could use a usb hub, but rather just buy 2x a twin tuner for up to four channels)

anyone have a guide to set this up? i was looking at smartcards and found one for around NZD$120 but not sure if thats what i need or not, and dont want to waste that much money on something if it isnt.

TIA

[sub]

You can do this in NZ. The biggest problem is getting the right type of Sky smartcard. In NZ they use two types of smartcard. The older more common cards do not work in this type of setup. The newer cards, distributed with MySky boxes, and with some of the small silver Pace decoders, are usable.

You need a Phoenix style smartcard reader. It sounds like a lot of people use a Jaycar smartcard reader for this.

- usb dvb-t tuner? are there any USB ones that are twin tuners or anything (mac minis have a limited amount of usb ports, although i could use a usb hub, but rather just buy 2x a twin tuner for up to four channels)

I'm sure know this, but mistyped - you need a DVB-S tuner. I'm not sure if there are USB dual tuner DVB-S devices. I've only got a limited number of USB DVB-S tuners, but they're all single tuner models. There might be something out there though.

[reven]

yeah, for some reason i always type satellite tuners DVB-T do you know of any Phoenix style usb smcartcard reader? the one from jaycar is a com point one i believe

[sub]

I'm pretty sure there are USB phoenix smartcard readers, but I couldnt really give you any specific recommendations. They general use USB->Serial bridge chipsets, so show up as virtual serial ports. I think I remember seeing some people saying they were using an Infinity USB reader.

[reven]

would this one work?
http://www.goldwafers.com/cart/Infinity-...margo.html

[sub]

I dont know. It does specifically mention being 'Phoenix' reader, so hopefully. You might want to try a bit of a goole on the subject - I'm not Sky customer, and haven't done this myself.

[psycik]

I had one when I used to do this with TCL I bought from a site in thailand. It was also serial, but a DSE Serial to USB cable sorted that out.

[reven]

ok im going to order the smartcard reader posted above and get a Hauppauge WinTV-NOVA-S-USB2, anyone no if these devices wont do want i need? or have any other recommendations?

i wasnt sure if a serial to usb cable would work with the reader from Jaycar, also i think you have to assembly it yourself (read that a geekzone i believe)???

cheers for the help

[sub]

I think some of the Sky channels are now on DVB-S2, so you might need to look at http://www.hauppauge.co.uk/site/products...dusb2.html if you want to be able to get all of the Sky channels.

[reven]

cheers for that sub , now i have to find somewhere in NZ that sells a WinTV-NOVA-HD-USB2....