DVB-S and pref DVB-S2 cards for fringe reception

[kitschcamp]

Hi,

I'm starting to look at retiring my second TiVo in favour of a HTPC. I already have a suitable PC spec wise, it just needs a suitable card/device and software.

What I'm struggling with is finding out any reports of how good any are in fringe reception areas. I live in southern Sweden and would like to get the BBC, ITV and C4 channels via the PC.

I've read plenty about the FireDTV and Technotrend devices, but not whether they are good for fringe reception. There is a huge difference in price between the two, and I don't mind spending the money if the FireDTV is a massively better box, but I'd be rather fed up if I spent the money and it wasn't suitable.

Can anyone recommend a good card or USB/Firewire device for fringe reception, preferably with CAM support so I can add a CAM for my Swedish TV reception also.

Thanks!

 

[kitschcamp]

No-one? Is nobody using a satellite card outside the normal footprint?

 

[HB13DISH]

Hi,

I'm starting to look at retiring my second TiVo in favour of a HTPC. I already have a suitable PC spec wise, it just needs a suitable card/device and software.

What I'm struggling with is finding out any reports of how good any are in fringe reception areas. I live in southern Sweden and would like to get the BBC, ITV and C4 channels via the PC.

I've read plenty about the FireDTV and Technotrend devices, but not whether they are good for fringe reception. There is a huge difference in price between the two, and I don't mind spending the money if the FireDTV is a massively better box, but I'd be rather fed up if I spent the money and it wasn't suitable.

Can anyone recommend a good card or USB/Firewire device for fringe reception, preferably with CAM support so I can add a CAM for my Swedish TV reception also.

Thanks!

Are you receiving these channels OK with a standard receiver?
If yes, then you can take a calculated risk and order the card that you think is most suitable for your HTPC.
I have recently looked at the FireDTV spec with another member and it looks quite impressive, with a CAM slot integrated on the board.
Which is more expensive between the two?
Please give prices as this can be important for the other member.

 

[kitschcamp]

I can receive them fine with a carefully selected Sky box, e.g. a Pace 430N or Panasonic 31. My CanalDigital box also works fine.

Budget... I'm flexible. If a cheap (sub £70) Technosat works, great. If a mid-range (£100) Technomate is better, that's fine. And if the only option is the FireDTV (about €200) I'd go for it.

I'd rather only have to buy once than buy cheap then have to buy again!

 

[HB13DISH]

I can receive them fine with a carefully selected Sky box, e.g. a Pace 430N or Panasonic 31. My CanalDigital box also works fine.

Budget... I'm flexible. If a cheap (sub £70) Technosat works, great. If a mid-range (£100) Technomate is better, that's fine. And if the only option is the FireDTV (about €200) I'd go for it.

I'd rather only have to buy once than buy cheap then have to buy again!

The other member is considering FireDTV.
If you order it, then don't forget to buy options like remote, etc. as they are not supplied as standard.

 

[kitschcamp]

So am I, but I can't get any information from them, which just makes me nervous. If they won't respond pre-sales, there is little chance after, is there?

I hadn't realised the remote etc wasn't standard. Hmm. That bumps it up a bit, doesn't it?

 

[HB13DISH]

So am I, but I can't get any information from them, which just makes me nervous. If they won't respond pre-sales, there is little chance after, is there?

I hadn't realised the remote etc wasn't standard. Hmm. That bumps it up a bit, doesn't it?

This doesn't mean anything.
I think the company is from Switzerland, so there is probably a language problem, although the website is in English also.
I bought few years ago a Hauppauge Nexus-S, and there was no way that I would get any presale info before ordering.
I ordered it and I didn't regret it eversince.

 

[Low Profile]

My Skystar pulls in signals that my sky box (Pace) won't, but my Dbox 1 pulls in signals that the Skystar won't.

 

[kitschcamp]

Ah, interesting! Ok, it may be worth a punt on the cheaper card, then.

 

[kitschcamp]

The other member is considering FireDTV.
If you order it, then don't forget to buy options like remote, etc. as they are not supplied as standard.

The remote was supplied as standard in the box I picked up from a local shop. They had the "standard definition" box on sale for a tad over 400 SEK (roughly €40) instead of the €120 mail order... Worth a punt, I decided.

The box works like a charm - Astra 2D fringe reception, through a Diseqc switch, to the box, and no problems at all. Reception better than my Sky box.

Software's a different matter. The software that comes with it works, but doesn't do scheduled recordings very well. I spent nearly 48 hours swearing and cursing at various software packages trying to get them to work properly - each seemed to fail somewhere, whether it was EPG, refusing to do FTA only on a satellite, refusing to work with a CAM, etc. I finally got MediaPortal to play nicely with my setup.

 

[HB13DISH]

Glad to see you got a system working in the end.
Can you please tell us exactly what you bought?
A picture of the package can help.

 

[kitschcamp]

The FireDTV I bought was the
_http://www.digital-everywhere.com/en/alcms/index.php?sid=1190404681 The package isn't very interesting, a plain white box with a barcode on it I can post some pics of it all later.

 

[HB13DISH]

Thanks. Looks good.

 

[pgh13]

Software's a different matter. The software that comes with it works, but doesn't do scheduled recordings very well. I spent nearly 48 hours swearing and cursing at various software packages trying to get them to work properly - each seemed to fail somewhere, whether it was EPG, refusing to do FTA only on a satellite, refusing to work with a CAM, etc. I finally got MediaPortal to play nicely with my setup.

Probably a bit late, but if you haven't already paid for MP, take a look at GBPVR; it's free, regularly updated and has good support network

 

[kitschcamp]

I haven't paid for anything yet. I'm still trying this out and working out what I like. I'll quite gladly have a look at GBPVR.