USB DVB-S tuner for htpc

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niekerkj

79 posts

Master Geek
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#150562 26-Jul-2014 21:16

Hi,

I'm busy acquiring the components for a HTPC (using the ) and would like to add pvr functionality for Freeview.

Would the following device work in NZ? I have a Sky dish and mySky decoder, but would use this for Freeview channels. Would I still need a Freeview decoder?

http://www.amazon.com/TBS®5922SE-Digital-Satellite-External-Laptop/dp/B00JXDN6DS

Thanks

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152 posts

Master Geek
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#1096352 26-Jul-2014 21:52

I am in the situation in that I have built an HTPC and now want to get TV onto it.

I have found that Homerun HD looks to be a good solution and has a NZ Distributor http://nicegear.co.nz/htpc/silicondust-hdhomerun/

niekerkj

79 posts

Master Geek
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#1096367 26-Jul-2014 22:08

Thanks for this, could definitely be an option. DVB-T means that I would need a UHF antenna - is that correct?

flynkiwi

152 posts

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#1096373 26-Jul-2014 22:24

Yeap, one that gets freeview

RunningMan

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#1096429 27-Jul-2014 07:02

niekerkj: Thanks for this, could definitely be an option. DVB-T means that I would need a UHF antenna - is that correct?

And be in an area that has DVB-T coverage.

Dratsab

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#1096498 27-Jul-2014 10:19

Whether that receiver will work in NZ or not depends on the Local Oscillator Frequency (LOF) of the Low Noise Block convertor (LNB) on your particular satellite dish. Looking at the MHz range on the link you've provided, chances are it will work, but I'm no expert. This page on the Mediaportal wiki may be of some assistance to you.

Edit: frequency acronym added

niekerkj

79 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 2

#1097478 28-Jul-2014 21:06

Thanks for all the replies, I guess I'll need to decide if the additional cost of having a Freeview aerial installed is justified.

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silverlake

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#1104269 7-Aug-2014 17:31

Or you could buy this;
http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/tvs/satellite-receivers/auction-763520003.htm
I've got one of these and it's OK, and less than half the price of the Amazon box. It's only DVB-S (not DVB-S2), but all the NZ Freeview stuff is only DVB-S. There has been an Oz Channel 9 feed on the satellite (Optus D1) since late last year, and it's the only DVB-S2 channel accessible from NZ.

niekerkj

79 posts

Master Geek
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#1105991 10-Aug-2014 18:21

Definitely looks like a good option to try before splashing out on a HDHomeRun and a UHF aerial.

So this will connect directly to the co-ax cable coming from my Sky dish ( I have an extra cable coming from the dish)?
Do you know if it's compatible with Win 8.1?

silverlake

142 posts

Master Geek
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#1106032 10-Aug-2014 20:25

Yes, connects directly to co-ax cable from satellite dish, also uses external power supply. I'm using Win 7, don't know about Win 8.1.

andrewNZ

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#1106035 10-Aug-2014 20:30

If picture quality is important, Terrestrial is the only real option. Satellite picture quality is poor at best, and you'll get rain fade in bad weather.

silverlake

142 posts

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#1106158 11-Aug-2014 07:53

andrewNZ: If picture quality is important, Terrestrial is the only real option. Satellite picture quality is poor at best, and you'll get rain fade in bad weather.

Why get so precious about HD v SD when all the decent content on Freeview is unwatchable because of all the adverts!
Who wants to see Paul Henry in HD?

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Spyware

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#1106169 11-Aug-2014 08:40

Paul Henry has never been in HD. Both TVNZ and MediaWorks only play out studio content in SD.

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trig42

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#1106174 11-Aug-2014 08:55

DO the Sat thing first, the EPG is much easier to get working over a DVB-S link. You can add in a terrestrial tuner or two later for recording multiple channels later.

KiwiTim

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#1106190 11-Aug-2014 09:25

I have a TeVii S480 DVB-S2 tuner

http://www.tevii.com/Products_S480_1.asp

The first one I got only lasted a year, but I got it replaced under warranty. I did have some trouble running it under W7, but upgraded to W8/8.1 and it has been trouble free for over a year.

I use DVBViewer and DVBViewer Recording Service with it, which is quite excellent. You can record all channels that occur on the same frequency on a single tuner. Hate the remote that comes with the S480 ... too small for my fat fingers. I also have a Hauppauge HVR 4000 that has a DVB-T tuner. This has a much better remote, which I use to control DVBViewer.

I also had my Sky subscription working with it some time ago, but I've mostly forgot what I did to get that working, but it is doable via the DVBViewer Recording Service .... I could even record multiple Sky Channels ... but I have abandoned all that now and moved over to streaming these days.

Tim

niekerkj

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#1106347 11-Aug-2014 12:32

andrewNZ: If picture quality is important, Terrestrial is the only real option. Satellite picture quality is poor at best, and you'll get rain fade in bad weather.

So how bad is the picture quality of DVB-S? Will it be totally unwatchable on a 40" LED?

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