Satellite TV with DVBlink TVsource

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tbergman

74 posts

Master Geek

#50103 22-Nov-2009 11:25

I’ve found an alternative to the DVBViewer / DVBLink setup for getting Foxtel / Sky feeds into W7MC.

This requires a Pheonix Card reader. I use the Jaycar with great success.

The process goes like this:-

1.       Do a clean install of Windows 7.

2.       Install latest drivers

3.       Run Windows Update and get all latest offerings. Download and install the Shark 007 codec pack.

4.       Setup DVBlink TVSource. Download it from this link

http://dvblogic.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=8448

You need to setup the server first and restart, then the TVSource app

5.       Continue the setup to just before the section to intergrate it into Media Centre

6.       Setup XMLTV Download app and have it put the XMLTV file into the XMLTV folder in the DVBlink folders. Download latest guides.

7.       Setup NewCS

8.       Place CSA.dll and Acamd files into

C:\Program Files\DVBLogic\DVBlink\Sources\tunername\Plugins

9.       Continue setup to integrate it into Media Centre as per the manual.

10.   Enjoy Satellite TV.

The TVSource app is currently in RC1 but will be on general release soon.

"I smell shenanigans"
Roger the Alien

CURRENT WORK IN PROGRESS:- Antec Fusion 430 Case with Remote receiver, GA-EG41m-S2H, E6400, 4 Gig Ram, WD 250Gig Sata, 2x Technisat Cablestar TV 2 PCI DVB-C, 1x Terratec Cinergy 2400i dual PCIe DVB-T, USB WiFi, Jaycar Phoenix Card Reader, Blu-Ray/DVD reader. Windows 7 7600 DVBlink TVsource.

argo

87 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#275244 22-Nov-2009 18:38

Nice addition TB.

So if I read this correctly this method avoids the need for DVBViewer entirely?

tbergman

74 posts

Master Geek

#275298 22-Nov-2009 21:25

argo: Nice addition TB.

So if I read this correctly this method avoids the need for DVBViewer entirely?

Thanks Argo,

Yes. Not to take anything away from DVBViewer, which is great software, but it eliminates one area of potential problems. It's a far more stable setup. It's been running for about 72 hours so far without any major issues.

It also eliminates the need for Big Screen EPG, unless tou want all the extras that comes with it. Otherwise, you just have XMLTV Download place it's file straight into the TVSource.

I'm in the process of writing the "Idiot's Guide" for this setup. There were a few things I didn't quite understand, but now have my brain around. Also, they are very reluctant to talk specifics about plugins in the DVBlink forum. I understand the reasons, but I'll put what I know in the guide to make it easier foi everyone else.

It's still RC1 but I will be buying the final version once it is released.

TrevorIvory

26 posts

Geek

#278665 2-Dec-2009 10:38

Well the end is in sight, I think, but still have some issues to iron out.

I started down the DVBViewer road, and could get all sky channels working in DVBViewer. Never got to the point of getting that linked into 7MC.

Last night set up DVBLink for TVSource and got some way down the path using the very helpful postings in the htpc forum on this site and elsewhere.

A couple of queries:

·         What transponder.ini files are people using? When I used the Optus D1 transponder file included with the installation (file is named 1600.ini) I seemed to be missing a number of channels, including SKY HD and also TV3 (and perhaps others). I could get them all in DVBViewer. I then tried to copy and paste what I thought were the relevant parts of the transponder file I was using for DVBViewer but that didn't seem to help.

·         Do I need to change any of the other defaults in Headends tab in the DVBLink Server Conguration? Eg Diseqc, LNB type LOF 1 and LOF 2 and LOF SW?

·         I have a Hauppauge 4000 HD (S2) card. For all 4 TV Source instances, in the “Sources” field of the Server Configuration I’m selecting the S/S2 tuner as active (and marking the DVT one as inactive). This is because I’m using Sky (and hopefully Sky HD in due course). I don’t have a UHF aerial so no Freeview over Digital Terrestrial.

·         Everything seems to go fine in the Media Center integration – I can get all 66 channels that the TV Source scan finds in there, run the plugin in Extras etc,....however I can’t view any of the encrypted sky channels. Just get a reference to that channel being encrypted. I’ve added the Plugins folder to each of the TVSource instances, and placed the Acamd files that I was using with DVBViewer (ACamd.dll and cardclient.conf) into those. I’m not sure where to find CSA.dll. I had a hunt and found a version online but who knows if it’s right? BTW, I’m using NewCS 1.20 as I’m constrained by my CPU and OS – but this was fine in DVBViewer.

EPG still a bit all over the place, but I had BSE working fine under the old setup so happy to put EPG issues to one side at the moment.

Grateful for any assistance, especially because I feel like I'm now getting so close – feel free to PM me if needed.

Cheers

tbergman

74 posts

Master Geek

#278679 2-Dec-2009 11:29

TrevorIvory: Well the end is in sight, I think, but still have some issues to iron out.

I started down the DVBViewer road, and could get all sky channels working in DVBViewer. Never got to the point of getting that linked into 7MC.

Last night set up DVBLink for TVSource and got some way down the path using the very helpful postings in the htpc forum on this site and elsewhere.

A couple of queries:

·         What transponder.ini files are people using? When I used the Optus D1 transponder file included with the installation (file is named 1600.ini) I seemed to be missing a number of channels, including SKY HD and also TV3 (and perhaps others). I could get them all in DVBViewer. I then tried to copy and paste what I thought were the relevant parts of the transponder file I was using for DVBViewer but that didn't seem to help.

Try this for the ini file

SATTYPE]
1=1600
2=Optus D1

[DVB]
0=2

1=12456,H,22500
2=12483,H,22500
3=12519,H,22500
4=12546,H,22500
5=12581,H,22500
6=12608,H,22500
7=12644,H,22500
8=12671,H,22500
9=12707,H,22500
10=12734,H,22500
11=12331,H,22500,8psk,23,s2
12=12358,H,22500,8psk,23,s2
13=12394,H,22500
14=12421,H,22500

·         Do I need to change any of the other defaults in Headends tab in the DVBLink Server Conguration? Eg Diseqc, LNB type LOF 1 and LOF 2 and LOF SW?

It would be a good idea to. I don't know what the settings are for D1, but I think you can get that info from Lyngsat.

·         I have a Hauppauge 4000 HD (S2) card. For all 4 TV Source instances, in the “Sources” field of the Server Configuration I’m selecting the S/S2 tuner as active (and marking the DVT one as inactive). This is because I’m using Sky (and hopefully Sky HD in due course). I don’t have a UHF aerial so no Freeview over Digital Terrestrial.

You should be activating one source for each card only. The rest need to be marked inactive.

·         Everything seems to go fine in the Media Center integration – I can get all 66 channels that the TV Source scan finds in there, run the plugin in Extras etc,....however I can’t view any of the encrypted sky channels. Just get a reference to that channel being encrypted. I’ve added the Plugins folder to each of the TVSource instances, and placed the Acamd files that I was using with DVBViewer (ACamd.dll and cardclient.conf) into those. I’m not sure where to find CSA.dll. I had a hunt and found a version online but who knows if it’s right? BTW, I’m using NewCS 1.20 as I’m constrained by my CPU and OS – but this was fine in DVBViewer.

The current version of TVSource already has CSA.dll built in. You should only need to setup NewCS (put a shortcut into your startup folder) and Acamd into the source folder for your tuner.

EPG still a bit all over the place, but I had BSE working fine under the old setup so happy to put EPG issues to one side at the moment.

I've managed to get EPG without BSE, just XMLTV Download. You have it write the XMLTV file into the XMLTV folder in TVSource and then manually associate the channels to the EPG.

Grateful for any assistance, especially because I feel like I'm now getting so close – feel free to PM me if needed.

Let us know how you go.

Cheers

Cheers,

Tony

tbergman

74 posts

Master Geek

#278680 2-Dec-2009 11:30

If anyone needs transponder files, you can find them here.

http://www.fastsatfinder.com/transponders_asia.html

tbergman

74 posts

Master Geek

#278681 2-Dec-2009 11:38

Download the current TVScource from here.

http://dvblogic.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=8595

CSA.dll already included so you don't have to go hunting for it.

New World

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RustyGonad

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#278691 2-Dec-2009 12:07

Here's the working transponder file for TVSource - this is NZ only. It includes the 2 HD transponders (which are different lines/spec to the DVBViewer ones).

Definitely get hold of the latest version of TVSource, the decoding is much much faster.

Cheers,

[SATTYPE]
1=1600
2=Optus D1 NZ
3=1
4=10750
5=10750
6=22500

[DVB]
0=14
1=12331,H,22500,23,S2
2=12358,H,22500,23,S2
3=12394,H,22500,34
4=12421,H,22500,34
5=12456,H,22500,34
6=12483,H,22500,34
7=12519,H,22500,34
8=12546,H,22500,34
9=12581,H,22500,34
10=12608,H,22500,34
11=12644,H,22500,34
12=12671,H,22500,34
13=12707,H,22500,34
14=12734,H,22500,34

TrevorIvory

26 posts

Geek

#278913 3-Dec-2009 01:32

Well, it's working. Full HD in 7MC at last!

Final question is whether I can use more than one of the tuners on my Hauppage HVR-4000 quad TV-tuner. My only source is Sky TV.

If I install all four DVBLink Tuners in 7MC (having specified 4 TV Sources in the TV Source Config Page), odd things happen in the 7MC Guide - eg it will appear to allow me to record one channel and then watch another, but once it's changed to the other channel you get a no signal error.

Am I right that there is a way to utilise more than one of the HVR4000 tuners? If so, any thoughts on what I was doing wrong? My sense is that it's related to the properties settings of the TV Sources somehow? On that first tab of the config for each TV Source i only get two options to select from in terms of marking one tuner active and the other inactive - one of these is DVT, which I don't have.

Cheers

tbergman

74 posts

Master Geek

#278964 3-Dec-2009 10:19

TrevorIvory: Well, it's working. Full HD in 7MC at last!

Final question is whether I can use more than one of the tuners on my Hauppage HVR-4000 quad TV-tuner. My only source is Sky TV.

If I install all four DVBLink Tuners in 7MC (having specified 4 TV Sources in the TV Source Config Page), odd things happen in the 7MC Guide - eg it will appear to allow me to record one channel and then watch another, but once it's changed to the other channel you get a no signal error.

Am I right that there is a way to utilise more than one of the HVR4000 tuners? If so, any thoughts on what I was doing wrong? My sense is that it's related to the properties settings of the TV Sources somehow? On that first tab of the config for each TV Source i only get two options to select from in terms of marking one tuner active and the other inactive - one of these is DVT, which I don't have.

Cheers

Trevor,

That depends on how the LNB connection is on the card. To use more than one tuner, you need to set up separate source instances. Have a look at the DVBlink forum, there'll be more detailed info on the subject.

I've just had a look at the specs on the HVR4000 (I gotta get me one of them). I would suggest you setup on DVBlink source for the DVB-S2 call it "SAT1", or whatever you like. Set up another source for DVB-S and call it "SAT2". Set the DVB-T and analog as inactive. Then, do the TV setup in MCE, one at a time for each tuner. SAT1 first, then when it asks if you want to setup more tuners, say yes, setup SAT2, and keep doing it for the DVB-T and the analog.

I'm pretty sure that should work, but if you have anymore issues, the guys in the DVBlink forum are more knowledgable than I am.

Let me know how you go.

Cheers,

Tony

RustyGonad

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#278971 3-Dec-2009 10:42

The Digital Tuners on the HVR3/4000's are combined. That is you can only use either DVB-S or DVB-T - not both at the same time.

You can however use the analog tuner/S-Video inputs along with the Digital tuner ie at the same time.

If you try and set them up using TVSource using the DVB-S and Media Center using the DVB-T it'll break.

In TVSource each source/tuner must be allocated to a dedicated "device" either physical or logical - so for example a HVR2200 has 2 separate digital tuners located on the same card. The HVR3/4000's have 1 digital tuner, and 1 analog tuner. etc etc etc.

If you want dual tuners with Sky you need to buy more cards - simple as that.

Blackgold have a dual DVBS2 tuner on the horizon, might be out early next year by the sounds of it.

Cheers,

tbergman

74 posts

Master Geek

#278972 3-Dec-2009 10:44

Hi Trevor,

Have a look at this. It should answer some more questions for you.

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/pc-components/tv-tuner-cards/hauppauge-hvr-4000-40290/review

Mainly, this paragraph -

"But there's a caveat. The HVR4000 may have all of these tuners on board, but you can only use one at any one time. So you cannot record a digital satellite channel while watching a terrestrial one. This isn't possible with two channels carried by the same multiplex, either."

So, although the info I gave you before is basically correct, your card won't do what you want it to.

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Stream your favourite shows now on Apple TV (affiliate link).

argo

87 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#284053 19-Dec-2009 17:36

I'm a bit johnny-come-lately, but a possible option for dual DVB-S2:

http://www.tbsdtv.com/english/product/6980.html

and it seems to be available in NZ:

http://www.justtech.co.nz/shop/satellite-equipment/tbs-6980-pci-e-dvb-s2-dual-tuner-card
(PS: scroll to the right to view)