DVB-S/FTA FAQ's

[arboristman]

c/p
DVB-S/FTA FAQ's
Here are a few FAQs about DVB-S (the S stands for satellite) PCI cards, FTA (free-to-air), DVB set top boxes, dishes, LNBs, and other satellite programming.

DVB-S PCI cards do work, and they work well once you get the software set up properly. The software currently available is still rather crude and in it's early developmental stages. Nothing is truly self explanatory or very user friendly at this point, but things are improving rapidly. A big plus is that most of the current programs are freeware, but as such, none are very well documented. Inexperienced computer/software users should stay away from DVB-S PCI cards, at least for now. People who don't like to read should also stay away from DVB-S cards

DVB-S satellite PCI cards fall into two categories;

SS1 type cards (SkyStar 1 & Nexus-S...currently $210 to $285US) which have on-board MPEG2 hardware decoding and a built-in high quality TV video output (so you will not need a TV output on your computer's video card).
The SS1 requires a minimum 400mhz puter, an 8mb video card with DX/DD capability, and at least 128mb of memory (but the software works best with 256mb). SS1 type cards are the easiest to set up and get working properly but they are more expensive to purchase.

and...

SS2 type cards (SkyStar 2, VP-1020, VP-1030, Nova, & others...currently $85 to $135US) which use the computer's CPU for software MPEG2 decoding and requires a 32mb or better video card with a TV video output and DX/DD capability.
The SS2 also requires a minimum 1000mhz puter (but I personally wouldn't use anything less than a 1.6ghz) because of the CPU software MPEG2 decoding. I recommend that you also have at least 256mb of memory and a 64mb video card with an on-board hardware MPEG2 decoder (reduces the CPU load) and a high quality TV video output (most video cards are not so good in this area). SS2 type cards are cheaper to purchase but a lot harder to set up and get working properly. Also keep in mind that this lower cost is offset by the higher computer requirements and associated cost.


For fixed dish setups you will need either a 2-into-1 or 4-into-1 Diseqc switch to access multiple satellites using multiple fixed dishes and LNBs. For most satellites and locations you can use any D*V, B*V, D*shNet 300, or compatible dish and circular type LNB to receive D*sh and/or B*V with a DVB-S PCI card. You can also use a D*shNet 500 dish if you use two early style legacy separate circular LNBs (the two individual LNBs that use an external switch, not the type with two LNBs built into the same housing with an internal switch). To receive FTA (free-to-air) satellites and channels, in many cases you can use these same dishes, but you will need a different type of LNB, a linear type LNB (not circular, like D*sh/B*V/D*V use). Also, depending on where you live, you may need a larger 24" (60cm) dish to get a good enough signal. You may need an even larger 36" (90cm) dish to receive some FTA satellites because some satellites are using lower power transponders.

The motorized dish systems are much more complicated to set up (hardware and software), more expensive, can freeze up in cold weather, need regular maintenance, and are more aggravating to use (slow) when switching from one satellite to another while channel surfing. The big plus is that you can pick up all of the satellites with one dish, but you will still need different type LNBs for FTA (linear) and D*sh/B*V (circular). I suspect that an inventive individual could figure out a way to mount multiple LNBs to a single feed arm on a single dish. Also, the motor system will need to be Diseq compatible (most large C-band dishes did not use this type of motor system).

Another BIG advantage to running a DVB-S/computer setup is that you can record with it and schedule recordings (like TIVO). You are only limited by the size of your hard drive as to how much time you can record, figure roughly 1gb per hour of recording time. The files recorded are the unadulterated (decrypted) MPEG2 digital data stream as it comes off of the satellite and unlike TIVO you can burn your own DVDs, SVCDs, or VCDs using these files. Since not all MPEG2 files are created equal, you will need to convert the file into either a DVD compliant form (with a program like DVD Patcher) or SVCD/VCD compliant form (with a program like TMPGEnc) before burning them to a disk.

There are many FTA channels available on the various satellites that are always free and 100% legal to view. You can find information on all of the available satellites and channels here; LyngSat - Lyngemark Satellite. At this point you can also decode D*sh and B*V with a DVB-S card without a CAM and you never have to worry about ECMs, but the fly in the ointment is that when the card swap is complete you will loose them until the new decryption scheme is hacked (Nagra2, it is being worked on already). Current DVB-S cards and set top boxes will NOT work with D*V, D*V is not DVB standard compliant.

The traditional DVB set top boxes (like you see on eBay) will only receive the FTA satellite channels (not D*sh or B*V). I don't know how the new all-in-one set top boxes (like BlackBird) will work out in the long run without the ability to easily change the decryption software as needed (a CD-ROM, floppy disk drive, etc.). If the software that it is using is burned onto a ROM chip, boxes like this will soon become a major headache (if not completely unusable). If I were you I would save my money and invest instead in a DVB-S PCI card/computer setup, you will be much better off in the long run.

I hope this helps to answer some of the questions I'm seeing. I have provided enough information here to get interested people started in the right direction.