PC Tuner & Motorised dish Help

[Ste997]

Hi, this is my first post and wondering if someone could help me. My friend and neighbour has a motorised dish and a receiver and I like it that much that I want one but I would like to do mine via a PCI Tuner card if possible. I have just had a new top of rang PC that’s running windows 7. I would like as much help and advise on getting a PCI Tuner Card that is compatible with a motorised dish as I do not no what I am looking for. I would like a HD card and the best that money can buy.

First thing first, could you give me links to a really good PCI Tuner card and a motorised satellite dish that will be compatible? I will worry about software and drivers at a later date once I have the hardware installed.

 

[Topper]

Hello

Welcome to the forum Ste997

I have no idea as regards your requirements I suggest you look in the PCI cards section for information
Satellite PC Card Receivers & Internet by Satellite
The first thing to bear in mind is that any motorised system will require power to run the motor which drives the dish. When attempted from a PC setup and card it can be unreliable at best. I would suggest a separate stb unless your PC power supply has a lot of spare capacity

 

[Llew]

Hi, this is my first post and wondering if someone could help me. My friend and neighbour has a motorised dish and a receiver and I like it that much that I want one but I would like to do mine via a PCI Tuner card if possible. I have just had a new top of rang PC that’s running windows 7. I would like as much help and advise on getting a PCI Tuner Card that is compatible with a motorised dish as I do not no what I am looking for. I would like a HD card and the best that money can buy.

First thing first, could you give me links to a really good PCI Tuner card and a motorised satellite dish that will be compatible? I will worry about software and drivers at a later date once I have the hardware installed.

Hi, welcome to the forum.

The problem with many satellite PCI cards is that they can't deliver the current required to operate a dish's motor, as the power supply via the PCI is limited.

One possibility is the Skystar HD2. This has a Molex connector on the card that connects to the PC's power supply -
_http://www.technisat.co.uk/indexc040.html?nav=PC_products,co,76-215

Plenty of motorised dishes to choose from, check our sponsors for dish packages.

 

[Ste997]

Hi,

Thanks for the kind greetings and quick replies. The reason I want to do it via PC is that I’m a bit of a computer geek and like spending most days next to my computer, web and graphic designing and playing computer games. I’m always watching TV replies on the internet so I thought I might as well just get a dish and start recording them. I believe my computer should have enough power as I have a 950Watt High Performance Power Supply. I have had a look at the SkyStar HD 2 and that seems to be what I’m looking for. Will any motorized dish be compatible?

Thanks

 

[Llew]

Before contemplating buying a dish, you need to do some groundwork.

Where do you propose installing your dish? On your house or in any garden space you have?

Wherever you want to install it,do you have a clear line of sight across the satellite arc for the satellites you wish to receive?

Regarding the dish itself, I wouldn't recommend anything larger than, say, 0.8 - 1 metre, as the motor on a heavier dish will require more power that the PC may not be able to provide.

 

[Ste997]

Hi
My neighbours have theirs on the gable wall with a T & K bracket and pole. They believe that there engineer put it there due to the amount of satellites it could pick up or something along them lines. I have been looking at a 95cm dish with DiSEqC 1.2/1.3 Usals Satellite 120 H-H Motor with GoTo X – 0. That also comes with a Faval 0.2dB Single Universal LNB but is it worth getting a QUAD LNB.

 

[Llew]

If your neighbours are happy with their installation, and you have a similar aspect in which to 'see' the satellites you intend to receive, then you should be OK. A quad LNB might come in handy if you might be contemplating extra receivers to connect to it, but as the Skystar only has one LNB input, it's not really worth it.

 

[Ste997]

Hi

Thanks for all the reply’s

From reading a few other post and topics I get mix reviews. Some people don’t seem to like there PC Hardware and some do. A few people have said that the PCI option is good but only if software and drivers are installed correctly which I’m sure I can handle. On the other hand a few gave up with the PC option and just bought receivers. I was thinking about a QUAD LNB just in case I do like it, I might want to add another receiver in another room.

 

[mattsnapper]

My big project for the year was to build a linux or PC and run a motorized sat off it - however after much thought, Im now contemplating just jumping in at the deep end and going for a T90 wave frontier. A computer can easily switch to different LNBs rather than powering a big motor, perhaps you should also consider this.