USB Sat Box

[sonnetpete]

Is there such a thing as a USB DVBS2 receiver for a laptop that is powered purely from the PC rather than an additional power supply?

If so, I was thinking of using it and my laptop for realignment purposes, so that I could take them both outside without the need for a trailing extension lead.

I don't think one exists unless someone knows better??

 

[hexah]

I would be inclined to get a TBS Qbox 3 with blind scan and put up with having to use an extension lead.

 

[Topper]

It would be unlikely to say the least Pete since a USB supply is only 5V and the card would require 18V and 13V for polarity switching

 

[sonnetpete]

It would be unlikely to say the least Pete since a USB supply is only 5V and the card would require 18V and 13V for polarity switching

Well yes, that would rather make it a non starter!! Oh well, perhaps one trailing mains lead isn't too bad.

 

[sonnetpete]

I would be inclined to get a TBS Qbox 3 with blind scan

Any idea if the tuner on this is particularly sensitive?

 

[Robbo]

18V and 13V can of course be generated from a 5V power supply using the appropriate DC-DC converter, however, whether there would be enough current available is a different matter.

 

[Topper]

18V and 13V can of course be generated from a 5V power supply using the appropriate DC-DC converter, however, whether there would be enough current available is a different matter.

Yes the voltages could be created but I would doubt it Robbo, but then I have been wrong before

 

[sonnetpete]

I'm assuming the whole voltage supply/current issue would also be influenced by how long the laptops battery supply would last, especially as it's powering the laptop as well. I'm guessing not that long. In any case no one has manufactured a usb powered tuner card, probably for the precise reasons you've posted.

It was just an idea I had as I'm not sure I can get my head round a spectrum analyser! I guess the cheaper alternate would be one of those budget LCD display chinese made meters. Hmmm, will have to think on this one....

 

[rolfw]

Most of them use an external 12v power supply, so you could look at a small battery pack enabling limited use.

 

[fergyc]

Most of them use an external 12v power supply, so you could look at a small battery pack enabling limited use.

Looks like a nice way around the TV license to me!

 

[sonnetpete]

Most of them use an external 12v power supply, so you could look at a small battery pack enabling limited use.

Are you referring to the USB sat boxes? If so, I have a solar panel that puts out over 12V for an electric fence. Given a nice sunny day I could 'borrow' it to power the USB box.

The reason behind all of this is that when (not if ) I upgrade to a 1.8 dish, it will be ground mounted, on a polar mount with an actuator. But it will be a little distant from the house and I just thought that a cordless alignment arrangement would be useful.

Of course it goes without saying that should a forum member happen to be driving past and had by chance packed his spectrum analyser, they would be most welcome to 'lend a hand!!

 

[davemurgtroyd]

Looks like a nice way around the TV license to me!

Rubbish - I would suggest you look at TV licensing web pages. A license is required to receive or record any live TV broadcast via any means - satellite, internet or terrestrial aerial.

 

[Llew]

Hmm - a little harsh on what we must assume was obviously a tongue in cheek comment. Although not illegal, your use of a Sky card in a box other than a Sky one contravenes the terms and conditions of your contract with Sky...

 

[pchappo]

i too am looking for a usb solution to connect to my linux pc - so any suggestions would be helpful

 

[fergyc]

i too am looking for a usb solution to connect to my linux pc - so any suggestions would be helpful

Yet to buy one for msyelf but there seems to be some cheap Chinese clones, like ebay item 220769601862. The problem is that it can be difficult to get Linux drivers, I know many big name companies have Linux drivers, mainly people who do it in their spare time, but it's unlinkely for one of these.

Rubbish - I would suggest you look at TV licensing web pages. A license is required to receive or record any live TV broadcast via any means - satellite, internet or terrestrial aerial.

Not entirely. For students:

A TV license is not needed if:
Your out-of-term address is covered by a TV Licence
AND you only use TV receiving equipment that is powered solely by its own internal batteries
AND you have not connected it to an aerial or plugged it into the mains.

I've never heard of a satellite dish being called an aerial, only an antenna. I may have found a loophole ;)