Laptop with DVB-S2 card

sonnetpete

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Looking to the future when my plan is to sell up and tour Europe in a camper, are there any laptops with a built in HD receiver card? I'm wanting to avoid a USB add on receiver because of it's need for an external power supply and the fact I might be in a remote place without a power hook up. (Yes, I know I could get a small generator)

An alternate would be a laptop with room to install a card (E.G. a TBS6925) but is this a feasible thing to do? I've searched for a laptop with expansion card slots but either they don't exist or I'm not wording the search correctly.

I'm not too bothered if the card (or laptop) isn't capable of powering a diseqc motor. I'm planning on having a roof mounted dish which I can either move manually or will have it's own positioner. (I suppose a 1.5M dish on the camper roof would be a little OTT?)
 

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sonnetpete said:
I'm not too bothered if the card (or laptop) isn't capable of powering a diseqc motor. I'm planning on having a roof mounted dish which I can either move manually or will have it's own positioner. (I suppose a 1.5M dish on the camper roof would be a little OTT?)

Nah, there are plenty of ways of bolting something that size on top.



As for PCMCIA modules, nothing out there that I can see

_http://www.decontis.com/tunerlist.html
 

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aceb

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The only way I've ever seen of operating a PCI(e) card from a laptop was with a docking station, we used to use Dells at work for touring shows. Problem with that of course is they require external power although even if you could find a self contained solution I'm sure it would chew through the laptop battery in no time, presume that's why the USB receivers (like the Prof 7500) need an external supply. According to their spec they only needs 7.5V so a small gel battery and suitable regulator would probably run it for quite some time, certainly as long as a laptop battery would last.
 

sonnetpete

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Seperate 80 cm dish on 28E with a Humax Freesat for SWMBO.
Free Sat V8 meter. Sony Bravia 46" LCD, Sony BluRay and Home Cinema.
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Hmm.....well it's looking like the easier option would be to buy a generator that will run a couple of sockets and maybe some sort of solar recharger for the laptop. TBH there can't be too many places where you can't find a proper place to stop and hook up the electric and water etc, though they might get thinner on the ground as you go further east in Europe.......maybe I'll end up taking the TV, DrHD and VU+ with me after all....
 

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Surely the LNB (plus the polarmount/actuator) is going to eat laptop batteries far faster than a separate tuner module.

Cambervans used to have a 24v delivery system when I was working on them, more than enough to step down for most laptops (though I know many printers require a 30v supply)
 

sonnetpete

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Laminas 1.2M fibre dish with an IBU, on a Clarke Tech USALS motor, covering 57E - 24.5W to an Octagon SX88. Displayed on a 20" Dyon LED TV.

Seperate 80 cm dish on 28E with a Humax Freesat for SWMBO.
Free Sat V8 meter. Sony Bravia 46" LCD, Sony BluRay and Home Cinema.
My Location
Normandy, France
Channel Hopper said:
Surely the LNB (plus the polarmount/actuator) is going to eat laptop batteries far faster than a separate tuner module.

Was thinking the motorisation part would be handled by separate positioning equipment but I don't have a problem with moving the dish manually from inside with a cranked handle.......think I need to do more research on motorhomes and their sat dish options....
 

aceb

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Just to run a laptop and sat setup how about a mains inverter? Cheap as chips these days and could even be integrated into the camper with a seperate trickle charged battery so you don't flatten the main one.
_http://www.maplin.co.uk/300w-12v-inverter-with-usb-charge-socket-518798
 

sonnetpete

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My Satellite Setup
Laminas 1.2M fibre dish with an IBU, on a Clarke Tech USALS motor, covering 57E - 24.5W to an Octagon SX88. Displayed on a 20" Dyon LED TV.

Seperate 80 cm dish on 28E with a Humax Freesat for SWMBO.
Free Sat V8 meter. Sony Bravia 46" LCD, Sony BluRay and Home Cinema.
My Location
Normandy, France
Thanks, I hadn't thought of that. When you say 'integrated into the camper' do you mean run cables from the alternator to charge the other battery up as you do normally with the engine battery? Or alternatively is there a solar powered charger that puts out enough power to trickle charge a car battery?
 

aceb

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1.25m Gibertini + Inverto B.Ultra/C1W, Moteck H180, 68.5E-67W Ku/C-Band /
1.8m Precision PF + ESX241/Inverto Black Pro, 66E-63W Ku/C-band /
2.4m Fortec Star+Titanium C1W/Pride plate, 49E-58W
My Location
Sussex
Rather than having the inverter plugged into a cigarette or accessory socket I'd put a second battery in via an isolator, hardwire the inverter to it and fix a 13A socket somewhere in the van. The isolator is designed to allow the second battery to charge from the alternator but prevent the main vehicle battery being flattened by the inverter. The idea of a second battery is more common in high power amateur radio or ICE installations. This page explains it a bit more _http://vandwellers.org/isolator/index.html
 

sonnetpete

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Laminas 1.2M fibre dish with an IBU, on a Clarke Tech USALS motor, covering 57E - 24.5W to an Octagon SX88. Displayed on a 20" Dyon LED TV.

Seperate 80 cm dish on 28E with a Humax Freesat for SWMBO.
Free Sat V8 meter. Sony Bravia 46" LCD, Sony BluRay and Home Cinema.
My Location
Normandy, France
Thanks for this, it's made interesting reading. The dream of my European 'Grand Tour' is a long way off yet (2015/16) but I just was curious to know what was possible. I certainly can't do anything till I sell this place, get my share and start to receive my UK state pension!!!
 
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