DVB-C card with CAM

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › DVB-C card with CAM

meesham

973 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 267

#62811 15-Jun-2010 11:45

Does anyone know where I can get a card in NZ that supports DVB-C, preferably with a CAM slot for a Telstra card? I was after a Fire/FloppyDTV but they don't seem to sell them anymore, and I can't find anything on Ascent, ComputerLounge or any of the other big online stores.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9996

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#341889 15-Jun-2010 12:23

Any DVB-C card will work, you can easily use an external card reader.

The only DVB-C tuner you'll probably be able to source ex NZ is a HD Homerun. There is no market for anybody to import dedicated DVB-C devices.

meesham

973 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 267

#341899 15-Jun-2010 12:43

Thanks Steve, I'd forgotten about the HD Homerun. An extra DVB-T tuner will be nice too, I currently have a PVR-2200 but there's one day each week when I try to record from the three different multiplexed channels (and it obviously fails with only 2 tuners).

BarTender

3629 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2572

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#343237 19-Jun-2010 13:33

I have a spare DM500C which I would be happy to sell. Can be used for streaming, but not extactly 100% a DVB-C card. And has a nice UI which works well for just regular TV watching. And has a SCART which will give you component out.

meesham

973 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 267

#343298 19-Jun-2010 19:10

BarTender: I have a spare DM500C which I would be happy to sell. Can be used for streaming, but not extactly 100% a DVB-C card. And has a nice UI which works well for just regular TV watching. And has a SCART which will give you component out.

Thanks, but I ended up ordering the following from Germany:
TechnoTrend Premium C with CI slot
Irdeto CAM

NZ$200 for both including shipping with DHL. Hopefully the CAM I've bought is the correct one, there wasn't much info on it but according to a post by sub a couple of years ago the purple ones work with TC cards, hopefully I'll find out soon.

BarTender

3629 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2572

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#343315 19-Jun-2010 21:16

meesham: Thanks, but I ended up ordering the following from Germany:
TechnoTrend Premium C with CI slot
Irdeto CAM

NZ$200 for both including shipping with DHL. Hopefully the CAM I've bought is the correct one, there wasn't much info on it but according to a post by sub a couple of years ago the purple ones work with TC cards, hopefully I'll find out soon.

You do know that TCL have chosen to use a different CA for all their HD content, whenever their HD PVR finally get launched. So far there doesn't look to be any CAM solutions for the CA they have chosen so you will (like me) be SOL.
Here is a thread worth reading if you're interested.
And talking about Verimatrix, which is the other CA TCL are using.
What you have ordered should work fine. However I'm unsure of the lifetime of the Irdeto on the cable once TCL finally launch their HD service and they start rolling that out, and I am sure wanting to stop offering the non-HD option.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9996

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#343316 19-Jun-2010 21:17

BarTender:
meesham: Thanks, but I ended up ordering the following from Germany:
TechnoTrend Premium C with CI slot
Irdeto CAM

NZ$200 for both including shipping with DHL. Hopefully the CAM I've bought is the correct one, there wasn't much info on it but according to a post by sub a couple of years ago the purple ones work with TC cards, hopefully I'll find out soon.

You do know that TCL have chosen to use a different CA for all their HD content, whenever their HD PVR finally get launched. So far there doesn't look to be any CAM solutions for the whacky CAM they have chosen so you will (like me) be SOL.
Here is a thread worth reading if you're interested.
What you have ordered should work fine. However I'm unsure of the lifetime of the Irdeto on the cable once TCL finally launch their HD service and they start rolling that out, and I am sure wanting to stop offering the non-HD option.

Since the new encryption system doesn't use a card there never will be a CAM. TCL's current system will still run for many years yet.

Lego

Shop now for Lego sets and other gifts (affiliate link).

ZollyMonsta

3009 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 379

ID Verified

Trusted

#343317 19-Jun-2010 21:22

sbiddle: TCL's current system will still run for many years yet.

Maybe... Maybe not.

BarTender

3629 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2572

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#343388 20-Jun-2010 09:00

ZollyMonsta:
sbiddle: TCL's current system will still run for many years yet.

Maybe... Maybe not.

That's what I would have thought... I'd go with what Grant "may" think. Running an Irdeto CA must cost a $$$$$$ or two for less than 80k subs and since most of the costs of a TCL sub goes to Sky, there is very little in it for TCL in the way of real profit for running the Cable TV offering. Whereas I am sure Verimatrix is a stackload cheaper to own and run. So long as Sky are happy with the level of security that Verimatrix offers then it would only make sense, which I am sure they must be otherwise TCL would have never gone down the Verimatrix path.
Then TCL can go out and buy new STB's as I am sure they are having issues still finding the ADB STB's.
So it really makes comcercial sense to try and replace all of their existing Irdeto subs with the new box (when it comes out.... Hows that going Grant :P)

My bet would be within 3 years TCL would be looking to have swapped out all it's subs to the new box..

But then again.. Getting Analogue sub's switched off took a while.

It'll be interesting to watch.

sub

358 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 35

#343415 20-Jun-2010 11:15

meesham:
BarTender: I have a spare DM500C which I would be happy to sell. Can be used for streaming, but not extactly 100% a DVB-C card. And has a nice UI which works well for just regular TV watching. And has a SCART which will give you component out.

Thanks, but I ended up ordering the following from Germany:
TechnoTrend Premium C with CI slot
Irdeto CAM

NZ$200 for both including shipping with DHL. Hopefully the CAM I've bought is the correct one, there wasn't much info on it but according to a post by sub a couple of years ago the purple ones work with TC cards, hopefully I'll find out soon.

I didnt think the TechnoTrend Premium cards had BDA drivers? If not, then you may have limited options in terms of software you can use it with. (ie, no mediacenter, no GB-PVR, etc). The TechnoTrend Budget range of cards do have BDA drivers, and are useable from most software.

meesham

973 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 267

#343418 20-Jun-2010 11:26

sub: I didnt think the TechnoTrend Premium cards had BDA drivers? If not, then you may have limited options in terms of software you can use it with. (ie, no mediacenter, no GB-PVR, etc). The TechnoTrend Budget range of cards do have BDA drivers, and are useable from most software.

Damn, I think you're right - I can only find the WDM drivers for the C2300. I found a thread on the MP forums about people working on a driver for it, I'll see if I can find anything otherwise I'll have to order the Budget 1501.

If this solution only lasts a couple of years I can live with it, given TC's history in rolling out new stuff I'd say we have a bit of time :)