hdtv pci card - hardware decoding based..

Eurorunner

I don't want to upgrade my pc right now but would still like to experiment with HDTV. Is there a hardware decoding based card out there that would work with a 1.4Ghz Athlon XP machine. If such a card exists, is it supported in terms of software/plugins in the same way as the technotrend S2 card would be?

Zaphod

None yet that I'm aware of. The current models use software decoding.

Eurorunner

Zaphod wrote:

None yet that I'm aware of. The current models use software decoding.

Oh well, probably will be one or two available in '08.

fat-tony

Zaphod wrote:

None yet that I'm aware of. The current models use software decoding.

Thanks for the info Zaphod. I was considering putting a laptop into service (1.4 GHz) for some feedhunting / 4:2:2 decoding, but it only has 1.0 USB and no firewire:( Are there any cards available in the PCMCIA form factor which I could use? I could use Linux or XP. The reason I'm using the older laptop is that it has a standard serial interface (DB9) which I can use for my null modem connection to my Manhattan Plaza receiver for firmware updates etc.

Zaphod

I've a vauge memory that either Technotrend or Technisat used to make a PCMCIA version of the Skystar card, but they were as rare as hen's teeth.

This thing looks like the business - DVB-S/T and analogue and ProgDVB lists FlyDVB as being compatible. It would pay you to do a bit of searching how it copes with 4:2:2 although on paper, at least, it should be fine.
http://www.lifeview.com.tw/html/products/external_tv/flydvb_trio_cardbus.htm

You other option is to get PCMCIA -> USB2 or PCMCIA -> Firewire card.

kaisersose77

best option atm is the skystar/technotrend HD (there the same) and an 8500gt graphics card which does h264 decoding. Might do the job for BBC HD, check sites like the dvbviewer forum and you'll probably find out if thats good enough for a pc spec like yours. (with the cards above and a 1.86ghz core2duo, BBC HD uses about 15% cpu on my pc average). Probably too expensive for them to sell hardware decoding cards atm.

fat-tony

Thanks Zaphod. I'll follow this up.

Eurorunner

Well, it looks like there is one on the market here. Not very well supported with software by all accounts. Hope this changes..

kaisersose77

@eurorunner

have you seen this card mentioned on any sat forums?


edit:

does that card have an actual tuner?

http://www.reelbox-support.co.uk/showthread.php?t=633

Eurorunner

kaisersose77 wrote: »

@eurorunner

have you seen this card mentioned on any sat forums?
edit:
does that card have an actual tuner?
http://www.reelbox-support.co.uk/showthread.php?t=633

Couldnt get much info on it - thats why i posted here in case anyone had the scoop on it. Picking over the info on the reelbox forum, Its not very clear but I think its not what we're looking for in that it doesnt include an S2 tuner. I *think* its to be used in order to upgrade one of their boxes?

watty

There are 3 Reelbox Media systems.
Yes there is a S2 tuner.

One is for Windows based PC multimedia centre. This card is probably only supported for that. The other systems won't take that card as they are "dedicated" Satellite receivers, not PCs.

There is another HDTV card that is an HDTV decoder! It is an HDMI adaptor for Reelbox Lite. An S2 tuner module is also required. The Reelbox lite will do HDTV without the module or S2 tuner for BBC HD (it is not S2) on an 1920x 1080 VGA monitor or Component input HDTV.



I have a reelbox lite. The UI is poor.

kaisersose77

Just after getting a new pc with a quad core cpu q6600. Using that and dvbviewer latest version and an 8500gt, BBC HD only uses 4/5% cpu! and the program itself is probably using half of that. Great to be able to watch any HD stream finally without any hiccup.

watty

kaisersose77 wrote: »

@eurorunner

have you seen this card mentioned on any sat forums?


edit:

does that card have an actual tuner?

http://www.reelbox-support.co.uk/showthread.php?t=633

no tuner on it


The latest reelbox tuner heads.
http://www.reel-multimedia.com/rmm-english/netceiver.html

It can connect to existing PC via ethernet cable.