which DVB-S2 card?

[homerjay]

hi all

long time no post.

ive recently built myself a HTPC for playing HD movies and suchlike.

now i wanna stick a DVB-S2 card in it.

there seems to be far more available these days, with trusty old skystar2's playing the field, so which do i go for?

im not that bothered about twin tuners yet, providing i can put 2 seperate cards in later to make up for it.

i seem to remember the old skystar being a bit of a pain with drivers and software, hopefully things have improved.

ideally i want the card to work seamlessly in windows 7 media centre if possible, so the wife can use it.

ive seen a TBS 6920 DVB-S2 at £46, but is it any use or just cheap tat?

any suggestions most welcome.

 

[Topper]

Welcome back homerjay

Sorry I cannot help on this item as I have never had a sat PC card, looking around there do not seem to be a lot of manufacturers so I think it may be Hobson's choice, as for working seamlessly I have yet to see anything produced in the last five years work seamlessly

 

[homerjay]

hi topper

ive a few boxes over the years, the best in terms of channels being my current protek. but the interface is poor.

i want to get some HD stuff going and rather than spend a couple of hundred quid on a HD STB, i thought i would look at the PCI option.

if i could afford it (in terms of time and money) id go down the Dreambox route once more.

somebody must be able to suggest a decent card?

cheers

 

[Llew]

The WinTV Nova HD card works well with Windows 7, drivers are found automatically when you install. Don't know about HTPC, I use DVBviewer with the card for recording etc.

 

[homerjay]

the WinTV Nova HD does seem the 'safe' option. but i dont see how they are double the price of the card ive mentioned above.

is there a difference?

i recall something about BDM drivers and BT chipset issues the original nova card (unless ive just made that up)

 

[Llew]

The Nova HD uses the Conexant CX24116/8 chipset.

 

[homerjay]

thanks for that.

are there many chipsets about these days and are some better than others.


ive just noticed my sticky thread at the top of the forum for BBCHD on Skystar2. i dont recall writing that at all!

maybe i should read it, i may learn something.!

 

[philbury]

I've got the Hauppauge S2 card and it works flawlessly. At the moment you don't even need an S2 card to get HD so if money's an issue why not get a Compro VideoMate S350 DVB-S Tuner PCI Card for £25 which apparently works flawlessly and wait for prices to come down or things to change.

 

[fergycool]

I got the TBS 6980 (PCI-E and twin tuner). It took a while to come from the online store in Singapore to the UK, but now it's running briliantly with their provided drivers on a Linux Mythtv box. BBC HD is perfect.

 

[petediscrete]

The Hauppauge HVR4000 has got to be the best solution.Covers all the angles.DVB-S/S2 DVB-T Analogue and even FM Radio.Used with WIN Tv 7 software or ProgDVB you wont need anything else.With a decent processor the HD quality is excellent.A close second is the Skystar HD card and it has a seperate molex connector on board for a 5v power supply to drive a diseqc motor.

 

[mozgie]

what about SKyStar2 hd version ? I got Skystar 2 and is very good !

 

[Topper]

what about SKyStar2 hd version ? I got Skystar 2 and is very good !

So please tell us more about it then

 

[Bava]

Hi, I have Usb Q box II DvbS2 and i m very satisfied.