Satellite card / module for Laptop ?

Channel Hopper

Does anyone have knowledge of a PCMCIA module or bolt on accessory for receiving satellite signals into a fast running laptop ?

If so can you recommend a make that will work on Windows XP and maybe have a DiSEqC 1.2 function for motorising the outdoor components. If the Laptop battery is the part that causes trouble in suppling the correct voltages to the LNB, then an option of power pack/inverter can be fitted into the cable to provide 18V with a constant supply into the laptop as this is to run from a van

Any help in tracking one down would be great.

This is a project for reception of satellite signals in a remote area

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

kalamar

I believe Hauppauge makes an external unit that plugs into the USB but I havent seen anything else that woud do your job, the PCMCIA is not mechanically big enough for a satellite tuner unless it had extension wires on it but then back to the USB !

Channel Hopper

Thanks for that

I had looked at the Hauppauge range, but the Nova series is purely a FTA box even though it is an external box

http://www.hauppauge.co.uk/pages/pro..._novasusb.html

Next question would be whether the PCMCIA slot (thats now unused with the Nova) could be utilised with a CAM

This maybe more difficult

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

norm_

Why not look at a mini-itx board with PCI slot? http://www.mini-itx.com/ (loads of other vendors too).

In certain configurations probably smaller footprint than a laptop because you can do away with the screen.

Channel Hopper

Hi Norm

Thanks for the information, though this is another level away from my understanding

Is a mini-itx board a device that fits into a laptop ?

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

peter in the bus

If you are after a satellite card for a laptop, what is wrong with the USB version of the SS2?
I use one on my laptop running XP, and power it from an inverter via 12v batteries (charged by solar and wind power). ( I live in a converted coach, by the way).
Dont think it has disecq function, though. I turn my dish by and...
Peter In The Bus

BGonaSTICK

LOL, I know of one going cheap!!!!

norm_

No a mini-itx board basically tries to retain the functionality of an ordinary PC but smaller in size.

Obviously because of its reduced size (maximum mainboard size is only 170mm x 170mm) there are going to be some limitations, the device won't be as powerful as an ordinary computer, nor as flexible (processor is integrated, not as many expansion options) but then again this is what makes the mini-itx design unique and ideal for certain applications e.g. remote use (low power requirements means its less likely to over-heat and cheaper to operate).

Check out this project, clear indicator of mini-itx's potential.
- http://www.mini-itx.com/projects/windowsxpbox/

Channel Hopper

Thanks, I already have the laptop and so I have to go down the original route

Where would this cheap one be Bigonastick ?

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

BGonaSTICK

LOL,

I just bought one off Ebay after speaking to Peter in the Bus, but I didn't do my homework properly (not Peters' fault!) and didn't realise that it would not support diseqc 1.2, even though it's based on the SS2 chipset. Different driver.

I think they're about £120 new (retail). I paid £63 plus £5 for a cloverleaf mains cable.
It's in mint condition and tested working (not locked). I'd only want what it cost me plus some postage (£6.50 if I remember correctly). PM me if interested.

Channel Hopper

Is this the USB version, if so Im interested (I could also pay you by Paypal if you have this setup)

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

BGonaSTICK

It is. All cables, power supply, CD, and box included. It's unmarked.

Paypal would be fine.

Call it £75 all in.

I'm off on hols for 2 weeks on Saturday, so up to you whether you want to do it before or after. If you're quick, I could get it in the post before I go.

Let me know.

Channel Hopper

Just checking the DiSEqC 1.2 function, sites seem to confirm with Pete that it does not have this facility , which is an annoyance.

See if anyone else bites Bigonastick, I really prefer the finished article to be a single box that can be sat next to or under the laptop, without additional items to move the dish

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

BGonaSTICK

The recognised plugin for the SS2 by MiBi only supports the PCI version, as the driver .dll has to be replaced with a patched item, and the driver is different (and has a different name) for the USB version.

I've mailed him about an updated version, but no luck.

Lovely box as it is, it IS very annoying that it won't drive a diseqc motor, which is why I'm moving on after only having it for a few days.

I'm not bothered about selling it at the moment, as it's a good backup for my PCI version, until I get something else (thinking about the Nexus-S as it has TV-OUT, and I can't get live streams to flow from my SS2 to my Radeon 9600XT to my telly).

I've got two dedicated sat PC's so I'm trying to figure a way of controlling the motor position from the box with the SS2 PCI while using the SS2 USB on the other. What I need is an IP addressable diseqc motor that I can plug into my LAN!!!

Channel Hopper

That really is a specialist question

I have a SS2 in the house courtesy of Rolf (not sure if the modulator really was worth the swap ) , maybe if I take the USB box after all I can try experimenting with the protocol

[then I jump back to reality and find theres little if no time to do anything profitable (nay enjoyable )]

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

BGonaSTICK

Yeah, I don't have an excess of time either, but it would make fascinating project.

I found quite a bit of stuff on the net. A guy who had got a diseqc control system operating through the serial port for the digipower SG2100 (which is what I have) for use with the SS2, but that needed a circuit board making up which defeats the object for me. Also found quite a bit of stuff about raw diseqc commands for the SG2100 for Linux.

Now that may sound a bit daft, but in the Linux implementation, there is a seperate config file which holds the raw commands to control the goto.x functions as well as the drive east/west functions etc.

Without a hook into the skyNETU.sys driver though, it's a non-starter.

I was considering disassembling the original and patched versions of skyNET.sys and trying to apply the changes to a disassembled skyNETU.sys, but I think I would be there 'til xmas 2028. I'd certainly like to see the source tho.

I'm thinking more laterally now. As I've got the PCI version up on the other box anyway, I'm trying to work out the best way of using both receivers together to operate the SG2100. I can certainly control the motor from the box running the SS2 USB by executing the SS2 PCI plugin across the LAN, but if the coax is plugged into the PCI card, how can I simultaneously switch receivers to the SS2 USB? Maybe I can piggyback the switching of one of those intelligent 2-receiver-1-LNB diseqc switch efforts onto the back of the motor driving command?

Forget it, I'm going to bed...

I'm sure I'll see sense in the morning and buy the Nexus-S.

Has the look and feel of a £10,000 development project to me.

trc777

Hi,

I have made a similar way to hoplessness with SS2 USB and SG2100. Even if MyTheatre gives me some hope that it should work with its own "enhanced" driver, I did not succeed so far.

I would be interested in the serial port solution, before having to sell the SS2. Where did you find it?
Thanks.

deliol

Did you try this...?????:
http://scaistar.altervista.org/pafil...on=file&id=370
Patched 4.3.0 drivers from Mibi for Skystar 2 PCI/USB

and
http://scaistar.altervista.org/pafil...on=file&id=371
DiSEqC 1.2 for SkyStar2 PCI & USB v1.9 (for drivers 4.3.0)

trc777

Thank you, it works - GREAT!
I did not notice that Mibi has published a new version, which really supports SS2 USB (1.8 contained the first beta, which did not work).

aikon0029

Good afternon, just read your posting, [ noticed it was in june]was wondering if you could help me with some info on the SS2 USB as according to your posting you have one. I am thinking of buying one and wanted to know if the USB version has an antenna input on it. and although I have read quite a lot of postings on the SS2 I would also like to know if I can view it on my tv. I have a pc running Win xp media centre, but as yet have not mastered the science of being able to bring up the pc windows on the tv. Your help with the question on the SS2 USB would be very much appreciated, thank you.