TBS cards-what model are you using.

[Satspot]

Just on the look out for a new TBS PCI-e card and am trying to figure out the most popular card being used by the members here.

I’m looking at a model that provides S2X support but would be in the budget range of €230-€250. I noticed that some of the range weigh in at €350+ which would be way out of my league.

I’ve also noticed that quite a few have come on the second hand market but the majority of these will only support up to DVB S2.

Any advice/opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[deeptho]

You should also have a look at what software supports your card, and this also depends on
what operating system you use and what you want to do with the card.

Indeed expensive.

 

[Satspot]

You should also have a look at what software supports your card, and this also depends on
what operating system you use and what you want to do with the card.

Indeed expensive.

That bit is easy. Linux. There’s so many options with that. I started with Myth TV many moons ago and I’m currently using TV Headend back end and Kodi front end. I’ve been using the Hauppauge Nova S2 quite successfully over the years but I need to move on with the advent of S2X.

I’ve been following your project here so I’m trying to determine what card would be best to purchase as an all rounder based on what I’ve outlined above.

I have to say I was surprised to see the vast price differences on the TBS range.

 

[deeptho]

That bit is easy. Linux. There’s so many options with that. I started with Myth TV many moons ago and I’m currently using TV Headend back end and Kodi front end. I’ve been using the Hauppauge Nova S2 quite successfully over the years but I need to move on with the advent of S2X.

I’ve been following your project here so I’m trying to determine what card would be best to purchase as an all rounder based on what I’ve outlined above.

I have to say I was surprised to see the vast price differences on the TBS range.

Well, then pick one of the cards listed as supported. tbs6903x or tbs6909x meet your requirements, except for the price.
tbs6904se or the two-input model (forgot the name) will come close (not fully dvbs2x compliant, good spectrum) and has
the nice feature of pls scrambling code detection (but no IQ display)

tbs6504 is perhaps also a good choice (It works, but I do not use it much).

tbs5927 has poorer quality spectrum, but has some other features like working well with very low symbol rate and even going below the usual
frequency bands (can be useful with special lnbs).

There is very little broadcasting in dvbs2x and I do not know much about the differences in the cards on that point,
except that tbs6903x tbs6909x seem to have the richest support. All of the cards work with tvheadend.

 

[Satspot]

What do you think about the spec on this model. It seems to give the right trade off between price/performance

DVB-S2X/-S Quad-Tuner, PCIe Satellite-TV-Card, TBS-6904 SE, 199,00 €

The Quad-Tuner TV Card is suitable for the reception of Free to Air (FTA) satellite TV in all HD resolutions It has four DVB-S2/S2X Tuners, so the tuners en

tbs-technology.de

A number of card models are currently out of stock. Chip shortage no doubt.

 

[deeptho]

I have the tbs-6904 SE. I would say it is a good one, especially considering normal broadcasts
(including multistream and dvbs2x broadcast) You may miss out on some DVBS2X streams, specifically generalized
continuous streams but at some point you have to compromise.

 

[Satspot]

I have the tbs-6904 SE. I would say it is a good one, especially considering normal broadcasts
(including multistream and dvbs2x broadcast) You may miss out on some DVBS2X streams, specifically generalized
continuous streams but at some point you have to compromise.

I know it’s impossible to future proof any card so I think 6904 SE might be the best option at this stage. It probably ticks most of the boxes I mentioned above.

Thanks again. I’ll have a closer look at your project as soon as I get it.

 

[satesco]

If you work on Linux and are familiar with it, then I would choose the tbs6903x, now that Deeptho has given new life to this card (see neumoDVB topic).
Of course I agree with him that the tbs6904se(tbs690se) is also a good option.
If you work on Windows more, then you can choose tbs6903 from the dvb-s2 cards (no s2x extension).

 

[Satspot]

If you work on Linux and are familiar with it, then I would choose the tbs6903x, now that Deeptho has given new life to this card (see neumoDVB topic).
Of course I agree with him that the tbs6904se(tbs690se) is also a good option.
If you work on Windows more, then you can choose tbs6903 from the dvb-s2 cards (no s2x extension).

Yes it will be for use in a Linux environment. The 6903x would be outside budget (€400 delivered) so I’ve settled on the 6904se (€240 delivered) as it would be a decent compromise between price and performance.

 

[7mdish]

Which receiver could handle a symbol rate of 133000?
Never seen one, neither in the professional market. Thanks.

 

[satesco]

Which receiver could handle a symbol rate of 133000?
Never seen one, neither in the professional market. Thanks.

I used the tbs6903x card here and at 15.0W, were the other high symbol rate is-107140.

 

[7mdish]

Yes but I don't believe that any broadcaster uses such card... so I presume that some receiver could detect so high symbol rate. Any information? Thanks.

 

[satesco]

The same principle of operation applies to both the cannon and the pistol.
Who would have imagined that almost all the technology used by, say, NASA in the 1970s has been incorporated into our mobile phones?

 

[7mdish]

You did not reply to my question. Which receivers to detect this SR? I mean in the professional market.

 

[satesco]

My answer was a dodge, to avoid a long answer below.
As far as I know, there is no such commercial receiver. Such transmissions are made by companies that have such dedicated devices. But because the transmission technique/support has reached the card manufacturers, they have integrated such demodulators in their production so that they are accessible to us, enthusiasts or regular users.
But since the interest in new technology is not yet attracted to receiver manufacturers unless there is a high market demand from consumers, the most likely solution is to incorporate this new technology into DVB cards at an affordable price. And this is what TBS is doing, assimilating new technological acquisitions and offering those interested in receiving new reception parameters.
This is what happened with Multistream transmission at 5.0W many years ago with the 6925 card,in 2010/11, when only a few users could watch Italian and French TV programmes. When the receiver manufacturers realised that there was a potential market for such transmissions, they started to produce such devices, and so began the great race between manufacturers to implement the new transmission technique in their devices.
But to cut a long story short, the 6903x/6909x cards, with their high-performance stid135 chip, are considered to be able to cope with the new satellite transmission technology, which is used in some sensitive areas. That's why it is called TBS6903-X Professional DVB-S2X Dual Tuner PCIe Card. Whether it is professional all the way, that's another discussion.

 

[7mdish]

Yes I understand now, thanks. Sorry but it was not clear to me earlier.
I have a TBS5925 working very well, but I would like to buy a new one for newer technologies. Do you know any USB card with the same specs like 6903? I do not watn PCIe devices. Not so good reviews for 5927/5930 I'm afraid. What do you think? Thank you.

 

[satesco]

On the same note "not so good..." about 5927 you could read my review at #32 (download PDF). Anyway 5927 is over 5925.
Don't confuse 6903 with 6903X, although both are good DVB cards, only the former doesn't have the S2X extension.
About cards or USB tuners that I haven't tested myself I can't speak, let alone recommend for purchase.

 

[EnoSat]

The biggest problem with USB cards is the USB interface (the transfer limit for TBS is 111 Mbps)
say, Fotelka channels on 51 East (119 Mbps) not stable watch

 

[hvdh]

The biggest problem with USB cards is the USB interface (the transfer limit for TBS is 111 Mbps)
say, Fotelka channels on 51 East (119 Mbps) not stable watch

Yes indeed! I still can't believe Fotelka chose the extreme DVB-S2 8PSK 8/9 45000, and still sticks to it for years!

 

[7mdish]

I don't like to open and play with my computer, my skill is not the best, so no PCIe here.
I read sometimes that 5927/5930 had heating issues and they would be too noisy, but never tested both so any opinion is always useful.
For example, buying 5930 could I reach similar performances than 6903 forgetting very high symbol rate? Thanks.