Advice on DVB-S/S2 card and CAM support
Hi,
I'm wondering what the best solution for getting satellite working on Linux is?
Currently I have a satellite box with CAM module branded by the Satellite TV provider we are with.
As I am now migrating everything including TV through my HTPC environment I would also like to link the satellite box up to the HTPC too to take advantage of the PVR and streaming capabilities.
I run XBMC as my frontend so I was looking into TV Headend to take care of PVR side of things.
My greatest issue though is what is the best solution for getting the satellite system into the HTPC?
After some research my first idea was to use a satellite tuner card; models are available for Hauppauge and other vendors so really it was about which was going to offer best compatibility with Linux? (distro is Arch Linux with 3.15 kernel)
The model of card I was looking was from DVB-Sky:
http://www.dvbsky.net/Products_S950C.html
something like that, which has CAM module slot and is DVB-S/S2 compatible and claims to have drivers supported by the Linuxtv project.
Or alternately going for something like this:
http://www.dvbsky.net/Products_T9580.html
as it has a combined DVB-T tuner, then using a USB card reader for the CAM "smart card".
Has anyone used the cards above, what are the opinions relating to them? Also would they work with motorized dishes?
Since I'm not sure if "all" CAM's are supported as apparently our satellite tv provider wanted to lock out other receivers so they force people to use their own product;
my second idea was to perhaps use a capture card with RCA inputs.
Something like this:
http://www.c21video.com/viewcast/osprey-210.html
perhaps or a Hauppauge HD-PVR mk I edition:
which according to the wiki is supported.
Looking forward to hearing advice.
Thanks.
Kaya
Quoted 66 lines · Kaya Saman
Hi,
I'm wondering what the best solution for getting satellite working on Linux is?
Currently I have a satellite box with CAM module branded by the Satellite TV provider we are with.
As I am now migrating everything including TV through my HTPC environment I would also like to link the satellite box up to the HTPC too to take advantage of the PVR and streaming capabilities.
I run XBMC as my frontend so I was looking into TV Headend to take care of PVR side of things.
My greatest issue though is what is the best solution for getting the satellite system into the HTPC?
After some research my first idea was to use a satellite tuner card; models are available for Hauppauge and other vendors so really it was about which was going to offer best compatibility with Linux? (distro is Arch Linux with 3.15 kernel)
The model of card I was looking was from DVB-Sky:
http://www.dvbsky.net/Products_S950C.html
something like that, which has CAM module slot and is DVB-S/S2 compatible and claims to have drivers supported by the Linuxtv project.
Or alternately going for something like this:
http://www.dvbsky.net/Products_T9580.html
as it has a combined DVB-T tuner, then using a USB card reader for the CAM "smart card".
Has anyone used the cards above, what are the opinions relating to them? Also would they work with motorized dishes?
Since I'm not sure if "all" CAM's are supported as apparently our satellite tv provider wanted to lock out other receivers so they force people to use their own product;
my second idea was to perhaps use a capture card with RCA inputs.
Something like this:
http://www.c21video.com/viewcast/osprey-210.html
perhaps or a Hauppauge HD-PVR mk I edition:
which according to the wiki is supported.
Looking forward to hearing advice.
Quoted 9 lines
Thanks.
Kaya
--
To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-media" in the body of a message to [email protected]
More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html
Hi Kaya,
RCA inputs is probably the last thing you want. Less quality, more of a pain to set up.
You may or may not be able to use that CAM - but even if it's supported, a CAM has downsides. It generally only supports one channel at a time - and surely not multiple channels from different frequencies (if you have more tuners). And it's more expensive, both the tuner (that needs a CI slot) and the CAM you need. Also, I'm not sure if tvheadend nowadays supports a CAM - it used not to, but support may have been added.
The main downside of a phoenix-mode cardreader is that it's harder to set up, but if you can find a guide for your provider it's generally doable. It's cheaper, more flexible and allows for faster channel switching.
As for a tuner, I personally suggest going for a USB-tuner. You never know if you want to connect you tuner to a notebook or NAS or anything in the future, with USB you're more flexible. If you do go for PCI-e, Tevii appears to have some supported products that are also available.
If you go for USB, support is somewhat problematic (problematic because many supported tuners are no longer available in stores), you'll have to see what's locally available. (perhaps also check second-hand) Be careful, some devices have various revisions. Always check http://linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Hardware_Device_Information
Very recently, Antti reviewed a patch from nibble.max to support the DVBsky S960. (and presumably it's direct clones from Mystique) This is a pretty cheap tuner that can still be found in shops. It would appear that as soon as this patch gets merged, this device will be supported if you compile v4l-dvb yourself, and in time support will make it into the kernel.
In any case, you want something with in-kernel support - something that's only supported by s2-liplianin or vendor drivers (like many dvbsky and TBS products) will only break in the long term. Only exception to this is Sundtek, but I personally have mixed feelings about closed source userspace drivers. I wouldn't recommend them personally.
Good luck,
P. van Gaans
Quoted 70 lines · P. van Gaans
Quoted 69 lines · Kaya Saman
Hi,
I'm wondering what the best solution for getting satellite working on Linux is?
Currently I have a satellite box with CAM module branded by the Satellite TV provider we are with.
As I am now migrating everything including TV through my HTPC environment I would also like to link the satellite box up to the HTPC too to take advantage of the PVR and streaming capabilities.
I run XBMC as my frontend so I was looking into TV Headend to take care of PVR side of things.
My greatest issue though is what is the best solution for getting the satellite system into the HTPC?
After some research my first idea was to use a satellite tuner card; models are available for Hauppauge and other vendors so really it was about which was going to offer best compatibility with Linux? (distro is Arch Linux with 3.15 kernel)
The model of card I was looking was from DVB-Sky:
http://www.dvbsky.net/Products_S950C.html
something like that, which has CAM module slot and is DVB-S/S2 compatible and claims to have drivers supported by the Linuxtv project.
Or alternately going for something like this:
http://www.dvbsky.net/Products_T9580.html
as it has a combined DVB-T tuner, then using a USB card reader for the CAM "smart card".
Has anyone used the cards above, what are the opinions relating to them? Also would they work with motorized dishes?
Since I'm not sure if "all" CAM's are supported as apparently our satellite tv provider wanted to lock out other receivers so they force people to use their own product;
my second idea was to perhaps use a capture card with RCA inputs.
Something like this:
http://www.c21video.com/viewcast/osprey-210.html
perhaps or a Hauppauge HD-PVR mk I edition:
which according to the wiki is supported.
Looking forward to hearing advice.
Thanks.
Quoted 8 lines
Quoted 6 lines
Kaya
Signature · 3 lines
To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-media" in the body of a message to [email protected] More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.htmlHi Kaya,
Hi,
many thanks for the response!
Quoted 2 lines
RCA inputs is probably the last thing you want. Less quality, more of a pain to set up.
Unfortunately I need the composite inputs due to a set-top box which is used to watch (non-English) sports with; and they are paid channels. The box is non-HD so only RCA (Phono) or SCART output.
Quoted 4 lines
You may or may not be able to use that CAM - but even if it's supported, a CAM has downsides. It generally only supports one channel at a time - and surely not multiple channels from different frequencies (if you have more tuners). And it's more expensive, both the tuner (that needs a CI slot) and the CAM you need. Also, I'm not sure if tvheadend nowadays supports a CAM - it used not to, but support may have been added.
The main downside of a phoenix-mode cardreader is that it's harder to set up, but if you can find a guide for your provider it's generally doable. It's cheaper, more flexible and allows for faster channel switching.
I doubt the provider will have a guide as they "claim" to want to lock everybody into their own set-top box - the non-HD one described above.
Quoted 4 lines
As for a tuner, I personally suggest going for a USB-tuner. You never know if you want to connect you tuner to a notebook or NAS or anything in the future, with USB you're more flexible. If you do go for PCI-e, Tevii appears to have some supported products that are also available.
If you go for USB, support is somewhat problematic (problematic because many supported tuners are no longer available in stores), you'll have to see what's locally available. (perhaps also check second-hand) Be careful, some devices have various revisions. Always check http://linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Hardware_Device_Information
I did go this route eventually (since writing my initial post) :-) currently - though this was supposed to be my "last resort" route.
I grabbed a Hauppauge WinTV PVR-1900 EU version.
According to these guides:
http://www.linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Pvrusb2
http://www.linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Hauppauge_WinTV-HVR-1950
http://linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Hauppauge_WinTV-HVR-1900
It is supported.
I will need to write a separate posting for it though as I'm a little stuck with it. The BER is quite high and also I can't switch to the 'composite' input most of the time though on rare occasion it does work?
The PCI/ or PCI-E card is still an option for me as it will go into a rather large HTPC case which I can also use as a server for distributed TV around the network.
Quoted 4 lines
Very recently, Antti reviewed a patch from nibble.max to support the DVBsky S960. (and presumably it's direct clones from Mystique) This is a pretty cheap tuner that can still be found in shops. It would appear that as soon as this patch gets merged, this device will be supported if you compile v4l-dvb yourself, and in time support will make it into the kernel.
In any case, you want something with in-kernel support - something that's only supported by s2-liplianin or vendor drivers (like many dvbsky and TBS products) will only break in the long term. Only exception to this is Sundtek, but I personally have mixed feelings about closed source userspace drivers. I wouldn't recommend them personally.
In my research I got suggested the Digital Devices line of products:
They are German so hopefully the quality will be extremely good and they all seem natively supported.
Quoted 2 lines
Good luck,
Many thanks.
Quoted 2 lines
P. van Gaans
Kaya
Quoted 173 lines · Kaya Saman
Quoted 78 lines · P. van Gaans
Quoted 69 lines · Kaya Saman
Hi,
I'm wondering what the best solution for getting satellite working on Linux is?
Currently I have a satellite box with CAM module branded by the Satellite TV provider we are with.
As I am now migrating everything including TV through my HTPC environment I would also like to link the satellite box up to the HTPC too to take advantage of the PVR and streaming capabilities.
I run XBMC as my frontend so I was looking into TV Headend to take care of PVR side of things.
My greatest issue though is what is the best solution for getting the satellite system into the HTPC?
After some research my first idea was to use a satellite tuner card; models are available for Hauppauge and other vendors so really it was about which was going to offer best compatibility with Linux? (distro is Arch Linux with 3.15 kernel)
The model of card I was looking was from DVB-Sky:
http://www.dvbsky.net/Products_S950C.html
something like that, which has CAM module slot and is DVB-S/S2 compatible and claims to have drivers supported by the Linuxtv project.
Or alternately going for something like this:
http://www.dvbsky.net/Products_T9580.html
as it has a combined DVB-T tuner, then using a USB card reader for the CAM "smart card".
Has anyone used the cards above, what are the opinions relating to them? Also would they work with motorized dishes?
Since I'm not sure if "all" CAM's are supported as apparently our satellite tv provider wanted to lock out other receivers so they force people to use their own product;
my second idea was to perhaps use a capture card with RCA inputs.
Something like this:
http://www.c21video.com/viewcast/osprey-210.html
perhaps or a Hauppauge HD-PVR mk I edition:
which according to the wiki is supported.
Looking forward to hearing advice.
Thanks.
Quoted 7 lines
Kaya
--
To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-media" in
the body of a message to [email protected]
More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.htmlQuoted 1 line
Hi Kaya,
Hi,
many thanks for the response!
Quoted 3 lines
RCA inputs is probably the last thing you want. Less quality, more of a pain to set up.
Unfortunately I need the composite inputs due to a set-top box which is used to watch (non-English) sports with; and they are paid channels. The box is non-HD so only RCA (Phono) or SCART output.
Quoted 9 lines
You may or may not be able to use that CAM - but even if it's supported, a CAM has downsides. It generally only supports one channel at a time - and surely not multiple channels from different frequencies (if you have more tuners). And it's more expensive, both the tuner (that needs a CI slot) and the CAM you need. Also, I'm not sure if tvheadend nowadays supports a CAM - it used not to, but support may have been added.
Quoted 4 lines
The main downside of a phoenix-mode cardreader is that it's harder to set up, but if you can find a guide for your provider it's generally doable. It's cheaper, more flexible and allows for faster channel switching.
I doubt the provider will have a guide as they "claim" to want to lock everybody into their own set-top box - the non-HD one described above.
Quoted 11 lines
As for a tuner, I personally suggest going for a USB-tuner. You never know if you want to connect you tuner to a notebook or NAS or anything in the future, with USB you're more flexible. If you do go for PCI-e, Tevii appears to have some supported products that are also available.
If you go for USB, support is somewhat problematic (problematic because many supported tuners are no longer available in stores), you'll have to see what's locally available. (perhaps also check second-hand) Be careful, some devices have various revisions. Always check http://linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Hardware_Device_Information
I did go this route eventually (since writing my initial post) :-) currently - though this was supposed to be my "last resort" route.
I grabbed a Hauppauge WinTV PVR-1900 EU version.
According to these guides:
http://www.linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Pvrusb2
http://www.linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Hauppauge_WinTV-HVR-1950
http://linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Hauppauge_WinTV-HVR-1900
It is supported.
I will need to write a separate posting for it though as I'm a little stuck with it. The BER is quite high and also I can't switch to the 'composite' input most of the time though on rare occasion it does work?
The PCI/ or PCI-E card is still an option for me as it will go into a rather large HTPC case which I can also use as a server for distributed TV around the network.
Quoted 8 lines
Very recently, Antti reviewed a patch from nibble.max to support the DVBsky S960. (and presumably it's direct clones from Mystique) This is a pretty cheap tuner that can still be found in shops. It would appear that as soon as this patch gets merged, this device will be supported if you compile v4l-dvb yourself, and in time support will make it into the kernel.
Quoted 6 lines
In any case, you want something with in-kernel support - something that's only supported by s2-liplianin or vendor drivers (like many dvbsky and TBS products) will only break in the long term. Only exception to this is Sundtek, but I personally have mixed feelings about closed source userspace drivers. I wouldn't recommend them personally.
In my research I got suggested the Digital Devices line of products:
They are German so hopefully the quality will be extremely good and they all seem natively supported.
Quoted 2 lines
Good luck,
Many thanks.
Quoted 1 line
Quoted 8 lines
Quoted 1 line
P. van Gaans
Kaya
--
To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-media" in the body of a message to [email protected]
More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html
Hi Kaya,
"I doubt the provider will have a guide as they "claim" to want to lock everybody into their own set-top box - the non-HD one described above."
No, I mean a guide written by somebody on the internet on how to configure a cardserver (like OScam). If your provider is well known chances are somebody has already written a guide for that.
"I grabbed a Hauppauge WinTV PVR-1900 EU version."
I don't understand. That's an analog+DVB-T hybrid device. So you'll keep using the settopbox?
Well, it's your choice - there are dozens of supported analog cards for Linux. I don't think TVheadend is going to like this, because while TVheadend can probably work with that card, that's usually by using the analog tuner on an analog TV network and some internet feed to replace the EPG. You however are using a settopbox and the composite input, so I don't know how you're going to switch channels. I'm sure it's technically possible, but I couldn't tell you how. So good luck.
Best regards,
P. van Gaans
Quoted 184 lines · P. van Gaans
Quoted 168 lines · Kaya Saman
Quoted 78 lines · P. van Gaans
Quoted 63 lines · Kaya Saman
Hi,
I'm wondering what the best solution for getting satellite working on Linux is?
Currently I have a satellite box with CAM module branded by the Satellite TV provider we are with.
As I am now migrating everything including TV through my HTPC environment I would also like to link the satellite box up to the HTPC too to take advantage of the PVR and streaming capabilities.
I run XBMC as my frontend so I was looking into TV Headend to take care of PVR side of things.
My greatest issue though is what is the best solution for getting the satellite system into the HTPC?
After some research my first idea was to use a satellite tuner card; models are available for Hauppauge and other vendors so really it was about which was going to offer best compatibility with Linux? (distro is Arch Linux with 3.15 kernel)
The model of card I was looking was from DVB-Sky:
http://www.dvbsky.net/Products_S950C.html
something like that, which has CAM module slot and is DVB-S/S2 compatible and claims to have drivers supported by the Linuxtv project.
Or alternately going for something like this:
http://www.dvbsky.net/Products_T9580.html
as it has a combined DVB-T tuner, then using a USB card reader for the CAM "smart card".
Has anyone used the cards above, what are the opinions relating to them? Also would they work with motorized dishes?
Since I'm not sure if "all" CAM's are supported as apparently our satellite tv provider wanted to lock out other receivers so they force people to use their own product;
my second idea was to perhaps use a capture card with RCA inputs.
Something like this:
http://www.c21video.com/viewcast/osprey-210.html
perhaps or a Hauppauge HD-PVR mk I edition:
which according to the wiki is supported.
Quoted 13 lines
Looking forward to hearing advice.
Thanks.
Kaya
Signature · 4 lines
To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-media" in the body of a message to [email protected] More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.htmlQuoted 1 line
Hi Kaya,
Hi,
many thanks for the response!
Quoted 3 lines
RCA inputs is probably the last thing you want. Less quality, more of a pain to set up.
Unfortunately I need the composite inputs due to a set-top box which is used to watch (non-English) sports with; and they are paid channels. The box is non-HD so only RCA (Phono) or SCART output.
Quoted 9 lines
You may or may not be able to use that CAM - but even if it's supported, a CAM has downsides. It generally only supports one channel at a time - and surely not multiple channels from different frequencies (if you have more tuners). And it's more expensive, both the tuner (that needs a CI slot) and the CAM you need. Also, I'm not sure if tvheadend nowadays supports a CAM - it used not to, but support may have been added.
Quoted 4 lines
The main downside of a phoenix-mode cardreader is that it's harder to set up, but if you can find a guide for your provider it's generally doable. It's cheaper, more flexible and allows for faster channel switching.
I doubt the provider will have a guide as they "claim" to want to lock everybody into their own set-top box - the non-HD one described above.
Quoted 11 lines
As for a tuner, I personally suggest going for a USB-tuner. You never know if you want to connect you tuner to a notebook or NAS or anything in the future, with USB you're more flexible. If you do go for PCI-e, Tevii appears to have some supported products that are also available.
If you go for USB, support is somewhat problematic (problematic because many supported tuners are no longer available in stores), you'll have to see what's locally available. (perhaps also check second-hand) Be careful, some devices have various revisions. Always check http://linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Hardware_Device_Information
I did go this route eventually (since writing my initial post) :-) currently - though this was supposed to be my "last resort" route.
I grabbed a Hauppauge WinTV PVR-1900 EU version.
According to these guides:
http://www.linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Pvrusb2
http://www.linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Hauppauge_WinTV-HVR-1950
http://linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Hauppauge_WinTV-HVR-1900
It is supported.
I will need to write a separate posting for it though as I'm a little stuck with it. The BER is quite high and also I can't switch to the 'composite' input most of the time though on rare occasion it does work?
The PCI/ or PCI-E card is still an option for me as it will go into a rather large HTPC case which I can also use as a server for distributed TV around the network.
Quoted 8 lines
Very recently, Antti reviewed a patch from nibble.max to support the DVBsky S960. (and presumably it's direct clones from Mystique) This is a pretty cheap tuner that can still be found in shops. It would appear that as soon as this patch gets merged, this device will be supported if you compile v4l-dvb yourself, and in time support will make it into the kernel.
Quoted 6 lines
In any case, you want something with in-kernel support - something that's only supported by s2-liplianin or vendor drivers (like many dvbsky and TBS products) will only break in the long term. Only exception to this is Sundtek, but I personally have mixed feelings about closed source userspace drivers. I wouldn't recommend them personally.
In my research I got suggested the Digital Devices line of products:
They are German so hopefully the quality will be extremely good and they all seem natively supported.
Quoted 1 line
Quoted 13 lines
Quoted 1 line
Good luck,
Many thanks.
Quoted 2 lines
P. van Gaans
Kaya
Signature · 3 lines
To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-media" in the body of a message to [email protected] More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html
Quoted 1 line
Hi Kaya,
Hi P. van Gaans,
sorry for the confusion!
Quoted 4 lines
"I doubt the provider will have a guide as they "claim" to want to lock everybody into their own set-top box - the non-HD one described above."
No, I mean a guide written by somebody on the internet on how to configure a cardserver (like OScam). If your provider is well known chances are somebody has already written a guide for that.
Hmm... I could try that. Basically the setup is a DigiTurk box. The provider has already claimed to have disabled usage on all set-top boxes other then their own branded ones??? I think that was to stop people outside of the country to use their own "better?" boxes with their system. Hence the reason for grabbing the HVR-1900.
Quoted 4 lines
"I grabbed a Hauppauge WinTV PVR-1900 EU version."
I don't understand. That's an analog+DVB-T hybrid device. So you'll keep using the settopbox?
Sorry, no! I don't want to keep using it. However, if like I stated I can't use the smart card module with other DVB-S/S2 tuners then I will have to stick with this setup :-(
Quoted 2 lines
Well, it's your choice - there are dozens of supported analog cards for Linux. I don't think TVheadend is going to like this, because while TVheadend can probably work with that card, that's usually by using the analog tuner on an analog TV network and some internet feed to replace the EPG. You however are using a settopbox and the composite input, so I don't know how you're going to switch channels. I'm sure it's technically possible, but I couldn't tell you how. So good luck.
I have done this already in MythTV, and works well. Channel changes of course don't work however, since really the set-top box is tuned to one paid channel (don't ask! I don't get it myself - but that's soccer fans for you) which is only served by the current provider with special smart-card (something similar to this as example:
http://www.skysat-europe.com/Zencart/zencart4a/images/Orbit220300.jpg ).
((Not our provider or card but just using as example to illustrate the type of setup we have)).
So yep, really I guess if I could just get the analog input currently to behave hopefully I will be able to get it to work stably with MythTV or TVHeadend until I grab proper PCI cards and see if they work with the CI card; have already posted a query about that using another subject header.
Sorry if all this is really confusing! It's worse for me trying to get things working around a soccer fanatic :-P
Quoted 2 lines
Best regards,
Regards
Quoted 2 lines
P. van Gaans
Kaya
Quoted 4 lines
Signature · 3 lines
To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-media" in the body of a message to [email protected] More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html
Quoted 6 lines · Kaya Saman
In my research I got suggested the Digital Devices line of products:
They are German so hopefully the quality will be extremely good and they all seem natively supported.
Not natively supported. In my understanding ddbridge DVB-S/S2 is supported, but CAM/CI has some problems as it is implemented differently than kernel.
regards
Antti
Signature · 1 line
http://palosaari.fi/