I gave a bit of a rundown of the dual DVB-S2 options -->here<-- a couple or 6 months back. A few things have changed since then: - the Blackgold option is no longer available - replaced by the more expensive and DVB-T2 supporting BGT3600. Probably as future proof as it gets for tuners. Price is roughly $285 NZD + shipping. Out of stock just at the moment. - TBS have released a quad DVB-S2 option, the TBS6984. Not low profile, but for other people reading this it is about $330 NZD + shipping from their online shop here.
For low profile you narrow the choices to the TBS6980/1, TeVii S480 and Blackgold BGT3600. I have the TeVii and I'm pretty happy with it, but having said that I use it under Windows. TBS do provide excellent support (I've got some of their other products) - to be honest I'd be leaning their way...
I can't say I'm pleased with the Tevii S480. I've had it about 8 months and have consistantly had problems with DiSEqC 1.0 switching. I also have Hauppauge tuners on the same system and they work fine with my DiSEqC 1.0 switches.
Also one tuner on the S480 cannot access vertical pol channels and is unable to tune some HD channels. The 2nd tuner on the S480 can tune both V and H pol channels and all of my HD channels, but cannot tune any channels using DiSEqC 1.0 (other than tuning to the first option on the switch).
When I attempt dual recording of 2 HD channels, one recording will have so many tears and artifacts that it is unwatchable.
Essentially, the S480 is working as a single DVB-S2 tuner that cannot switch. I kind of feel ripped off.
Have tried new drivers and yes, I have the power cord attached to the card.
KiwiTim: I can't say I'm pleased with the Tevii S480. I've had it about 8 months and have consistantly had problems with DiSEqC 1.0 switching. I also have Hauppauge tuners on the same system and they work fine with my DiSEqC 1.0 switches.
Also one tuner on the S480 cannot access vertical pol channels and is unable to tune some HD channels. The 2nd tuner on the S480 can tune both V and H pol channels and all of my HD channels, but cannot tune any channels using DiSEqC 1.0 (other than tuning to the first option on the switch).
When I attempt dual recording of 2 HD channels, one recording will have so many tears and artifacts that it is unwatchable.
Essentially, the S480 is working as a single DVB-S2 tuner that cannot switch. I kind of feel ripped off.
Have tried new drivers and yes, I have the power cord attached to the card.
Next time round I'll be trying a TBS.
Tim
PS: I'm using W7 Ultimate 32Bit and DVBViewer 4.9
Bugger was really hoping the S480 would be good, it has a USB to PCI bridge which would allow me to pass it through to a VM using ESX without VT-d :(
I have had my TeVii S480 replaced under warranty. The new one seems to go well, with no reception or tearing problems. Can watch and record seperate HD channels at the same time. I find that I need to keep the clock of my Athlon II triple core 3.4GHz CPU above 2.6GHz, otherwise get the occassional freeze on HD channels. DiSEqC switching is slow and less reliable than the Hauppauge tuners, but at least it mostly works on this card, whereas in the previous card it was totally unreliable.
The previous card started off well but deteriorated over time. Hopefully, this replacement card will last the distance.
For the record, all of the above is for W7 32bit and DVBViewer + DVBViewer Recording Service.
I ended up buying the S480, so far it seems to be holding up well. Had it running well under both Windows and Linux which has been good.
Haven't tried to tune any of the HD/DVB-S2 channel yet so can't comment on that.
Card is installed in a server with either TVheadend or Mediaportal (depending on OS) and the server doesn't actually do any decoding. Had no dramas with my XBMC frontend either.
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