Which PVR Dual tuner?

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727 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 489653 5-Jul-2011 13:33

Oh - P.S.

I say as many as 5 - while some claim more are possible, I've had a couple of glitches where I've ended up with some empty recording files. I think the common factor may be trying to record 6 events, but I haven't confirmed this by experiment yet. Given the relative dearth of interesting material, it's only ever an issue at 8:30 pm on a Saturday, about once in a blue moon.

Jaxson

6952 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

# 489654 5-Jul-2011 13:34

Sweet, cheers.

Yes the multiswitch seems to be the key for many people wishing to do as you describe with dual tuner PVR's, like that new dishTV 7090 I think it's called. Without the multiswitch (edit: and without the ability to 'split' the tuners), I think it would behave as I've discussed above. ie if you connect directly, one tuner to one polarity, then you'd effectively have a single tuner unit for freeview.

tools

13 posts

Geek

# 489659 5-Jul-2011 13:47

Thanks LookingUp,

When I finally get the Duo, I wouldn't mind a copy of you cook book or a heads up what needs to be changed (is it shell, pearl or 'c' ). sounds great. Pitty there isn't a code repository on geekzone.

Oh, the Duo's appear to be on backorder with a number of suppliers (Auckland). Not sure if there are any suppliers wellington.

cheers.

xarqi

727 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 489672 5-Jul-2011 14:49

OK - I've just exchanged some emails with the importer. There's a new shipment of Duos due in 2 weeks.

tools

13 posts

Geek

# 489674 5-Jul-2011 15:01

I was holding back from saying this... Great Success, High Five...

Cheers, =;o)

xarqi

727 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 489691 5-Jul-2011 15:26

Jaxson: Sweet, cheers.

Yes the multiswitch seems to be the key for many people wishing to do as you describe with dual tuner PVR's, like that new dishTV 7090 I think it's called. Without the multiswitch (edit: and without the ability to 'split' the tuners), I think it would behave as I've discussed above. ie if you connect directly, one tuner to one polarity, then you'd effectively have a single tuner unit for freeview.

If you use a splitter to connect both tuners to the same feed, or loop internally, you can still record multiple events from two different transponders, but they must all use the same polarity. If they don't, you won't get the V-pol ones (the lower supply voltage used to select this is swamped by the higher one used to select H). In practice here in NZ, since all of the Freeview and Sky services are on H, using a multiswitch and separating the tuners is only of benefit to those who want to get SBS (and the CH9 services - I think they are V-pol too) at the same time as FV/Sky.

I have to confess to a bit of confusion over exactly how the LNB/multiswitch set up I have works, but since it does, I haven't delved very deeply. I initially thought that one of the outputs of the LNB was specifically V, and the other H, and that I'd have to attach each to a corresponding input on the multiswitch. Now either I was lucky (unlikely), or the system is xarqiproof, and works no matter how inept the installer. I looked for labels on the LNB, found nothing, and just wired it all up at random and it worked.

I now suspect that the LNB outputs are each able to deliver either H or V depending on the voltage they are fed, but the multiswitch function still seems a bit like magic to me.

RunningMan

5531 posts

Uber Geek

# 489697 5-Jul-2011 15:38

xarqi: I now suspect that the LNB outputs are each able to deliver either H or V depending on the voltage they are fed, but the multiswitch function still seems a bit like magic to me.

You are correct - the LNB will output Horozontil if fed 18v and vertical if fed 14v. Each output from the LNB can output either one.

The various inputs on the multiswitch feed those voltages out to the LNB - so the input on the switch from (say) Optus D1 horozontil is being fed 18v to ensure it gets the correct (horozontil) signal from the LNB.

On a basic 2 input (H&V) 4 output switch, it works very simply. The output to a reciever looks at the voltage it is being sent from the recevier (14 or 18) and then connects that reciever to the appropriate input(14 or 18) on the other side of the switch.

With more that 2 inputs, things get more complicated, with the receiver basically sending a coded message up the line to the switch to tell it what to connect to... (i.e. DiSEqC / toneburst etc.)

xarqi

727 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 489703 5-Jul-2011 16:03

And there I was thinking Maxwell's demon was sitting up there on the dish telling the electrons which way to go.

I'm obliged to you, Sir.

LookingUp

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 489734 5-Jul-2011 17:12

tools: Thanks LookingUp,

When I finally get the Duo, I wouldn't mind a copy of you cook book or a heads up what needs to be changed (is it shell, pearl or 'c' ). sounds great. Pitty there isn't a code repository on geekzone.

Oh, the Duo's appear to be on backorder with a number of suppliers (Auckland). Not sure if there are any suppliers wellington.

cheers.

Sure - no worries :-)

The code is in Python, and was pretty easy to read and extend.

Things are LookingUp.... A photo from my back yard :-)
http://www.astrophotogallery.org/u141-rodm.html

bfginger

1007 posts

Uber Geek

# 489746 5-Jul-2011 17:47

The Vu Duo is being replaced sometime by the Vu Ultimo which may explain supply issues.

Oh, the other item I am looking at is whether to shell out for a 1.2meter dish for the SBS channels or go with a 90cm dish. (it's like build a car from scratch again, stay with a straight worked 6 or over kill with a nasty V8)... so many options.

Don't forget about Ausralia Network on Intelsat 5 if you're interested.

tools

13 posts

Geek

# 489767 5-Jul-2011 18:44

Thanks bfg,

I noticed the (coming soon...) on the Vu site. It will be interesting to see what the specs are.

Cheers.

xarqi

727 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 489772 5-Jul-2011 19:15

tools: Thanks bfg,

I noticed the (coming soon...) on the Vu site. It will be interesting to see what the specs are.

Cheers.

Three tuners, a faster processor, and a universal remote are the known highlights. Likely much more expensive than the Duo.
In my email, I also asked the importer about whether he had any plans to bring this unit in to NZ when the time came, but he vouchsafed no reply on the subject. Commence speculation in 5...4...3...

RunningMan

5531 posts

Uber Geek

# 489906 6-Jul-2011 08:19

Here's a Vu+ Duo for sale on Trademe...

tools

13 posts

Geek

# 489926 6-Jul-2011 09:18

Thanks Rman,

I will have to keep on eye on that one. I am just waiting on a price for one at the moment.

Cheers.

tools

13 posts

Geek

# 490423 7-Jul-2011 09:25

Hi, is it possible to run up a wine session on the Duo?

Cheers.

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