DVB-S card for Linux

MichaelR

I use Linux (debian etch, but I can get the latest kernel if necessary).

I want to receive and watch satellite (Hotbird) on the Linux PC. If possible, also DVB-T, but that's optional. I see a number of DVB-S cards on the Irish market and a couple of S+T combined - but which cards (or USB dongles) have working Linux drivers?

Those I found were the following:

Hauppauge WinTV-HVR3000 (PCI, DVB-S+DVB-T)
Hauppauge WinTV-HVR4000 (PCI, DVB-S+DVB-T)
AVerMedia A700 DVB-S Pro (PCI)
Hauppauge! WinTV-NOVA-HD-S2 (PCI)
Hauppauge! WinTV-NOVA-S-USB2 (USB)
TerraTec Cinergy S DVB-S (USB)
TerraTec Cinergy S2 PCI HD, DVB-S/S2 (PCI)

I would get any one of these, or another model if it's available in Ireland. Ny main concern is support in Linux.

Any recommendations?

watty

I think he needs this one:

TT-budget S-1401 Retail

http://shop.technotrend.de/artikeldetails.asp?currblock=&suchtyp=Kat&suchbegr=&suchkatalog=0000000013&positionsart=A&artikel.nummer=015000200&artikel.hersteller=0&artikel.katalog=0000000013

Anyone (Zaphod?) a better Idea (i.e. some that is using one today on Linux)?

I'm afraid I personally gave up on getting Linux Media Centre based on PC working. He doesn't need TV out, prefering just the computer screen.

JHMEG

watty wrote: »

I'm afraid I personally gave up on getting Linux Media Centre based on PC working.

+1

Working with unofficial drivers for virtually every piece of hardware, and using a combination of which no-one else has ever actually used, is a recipe for torture.

OP, if you want to use Linux find someone who has it all working and documented and buy exactly the same hardware.

OTOH, you'll get Windows going a lot easier.

Linux is great for some things, but PVR use is not one of them.

Eurorunner

Many cards will work with linux - including my old card which i haven't used for a couple of years - the Skystar 2.

For guidance on setup and resolving issues, I'd recommend this specialist forum

watty

The Skystar2 is same as the budget Technotrend I listed, it's a rebrand OEM version. SW/Drivers the same.

Though there are 3 main revisions. That mostly affect use as a data card I think

I'd forgotten about happysat, though I never found it very useful.

MichaelR

watty wrote: »

I think he needs this one:

TT-budget S-1401 Retail

http://shop.technotrend.de/artikeldetails.asp?currblock=&suchtyp=Kat&suchbegr=&suchkatalog=0000000013&positionsart=A&artikel.nummer=015000200&artikel.hersteller=0&artikel.katalog=0000000013

Thanks, but unfotunately I have no German at all. I don't think I will be able to order this. The only English-language online shop that I could find is in the US; I would want an EU warranty.

I do understand things would be a lot easier under Windows. However I don't want the constant security issues, stability issues, DRM intrusion, and unreasonable software prices. I would use Windows for sat reception if I could afford to keep that PC off the Net, not use it for anything else, and get Windoze for free

ethernet

I agree the whole Linux MCE things looks nice on paper but just needs more refinement. MythTV is another option. It's becoming easier to install and configure (and special distos like MythBuntu make it effortless).

There's a decent collection of cards on the MythTV wiki (not just DVB-S from the looks of it). Can give a good sense of what works and how well it works.

watty

MichaelR wrote: »

Thanks, but unfotunately I have no German at all. I don't think I will be able to order this. The only English-language online shop that I could find is in the US; I would want an EU warranty.

I do understand things would be a lot easier under Windows. However I don't want the constant security issues, stability issues, DRM intrusion, and unreasonable software prices. I would use Windows for sat reception if I could afford to keep that PC off the Net, not use it for anything else, and get Windoze for free

I've no German either. But I've had 4 cards from them direct. Google for Skystar2, Technisat Basic, Technotrend Basic or Nova PCI DVB-s (all same card). Avoid the newer ones, USB, ones with a CI connector etc. Less well supported.

Check the supplier stickies in the Satellite forum. Plenty of German & UK retailers.

They speak English on the phone though.

NEVER ever buy anything video related from USA. It's likely to not work!

The only unreasonable issue is the Price of Windows XP. On a LAN behind a firewall there is no security issues or Stability issues if you avoid bad drivers/applications (and switch off themes/eyecandy and unwanted services in services.msc) and on XP no DRM issues. Vista is a load of **** though.

But if you want a nice project get the Skystar2/Technotrend-Technisat basic/Nova in plain PCI DVBs version with no CI header. It will work on Linux. ... eventually. At least as well as any other Linux DVB-s solution.

MichaelR

Price is not really the only issue with Windows. Unfortunately a firewall can't save Windows from getting malware via infected websites. Besides I just like using Linux more - configurability, etc.

I have already found a skystar2 in some English-language German shop, but need to know more about Linux sat software, notably channel browsing and soft CAMs, before shelling out for it (the alternative is to use a cheap set top through an analog input, which I already have). Will look for documentation and forums on this.

Nehaxak

Have had a SkyStar2 working on OpenSuse and Mandrake/Mandriva in the past, was a bit of a bugger to find drivers and get it working though.

Dual booting at the moment with Vista 64 and OpenSuse 11 - but I've not got the SkyBlaster around anymore to test it out now though.

pickledfish

Skystar2 on Mythbuntu 8.04. Works a charm. Fit card in PC and install mythbuntu. Simple as that. The mythtv setup is straightforward and the forums are very comprehensive. This setup doesn't require any great linux expertise. I can also vouch for knoppmyth which was just as straightforward to setup. It comes down to your preference really.

From linux point of view this card is well supported.

As already posted, you will find all the info you are looking for at happysat.

rlogue

I found mythbuntu quite nasty to work with; it would not detect my Hauppauge NOVA-S2 card and although its apparently possible to download firmware for this card I found the whole setup process a real pain.

DVBViewer works really well for BBC HD on my PC so I'm sticking with that for now.

pickledfish

DVB-S2 support doesn't work out of the box on mythbuntu or other distro I know of at present. The Skystar2 is DVB-S and doesn't suffer from the same problems.

watty

However there are 3 versions of the Skystar2 DVB-s.

It's the same licenced design as the Technisat, from the Technotrend DVB-s budget PCI card I outlined eariler.