PCI card for DVB-S2 - which one?

[imported_Frosty]

Sorry guys, last question ops:

If I can't get hold of an S2-capable STB to watch the HD footy this summer, would it be worth investing in a PCI card instead?

Does anyone have any experience of Hi Def telly on a PCI card? I'm confused over what hardware to buy, and I don't think that a Skystar can do S2. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm not asking to futureproof for the forseeable future, just the next three months!

Any advice greatfully received.

Kev

[BGonaSTICK]

I don't have any experience of DVB-S2 PCI cards, although I know there are now several on the market. You are certainly not the only confused person out there!

I don't think that any clear leader has emerged yet.

You're right in that the Skystar 1 and 2 are DVB-S cards, and cannot therefore support DVB-S2.

That's not to say that they can't do MPEG4.

MPEG4 is a complicated beast. It's not just one standard. It's a multi-layered and evolving standard :

The only thing you need to both view and record perfect quality DVB-S HD TV on the Skystar cards is a fast PC, some decent/recent filters and codecs and half an hour's manual optimisation.

I've used both MyTheatre and ProgDVB to achieve this. It may take some fine tuning to obtain a stable picture when watching live but recording to disk with the real-time video decoding turned off can be performed on quite a lowly PC and a Skystar 2 using software decoding.

You'll need a bl00dy big disk though! HD will gobble up your free disk space

Regarding the football, the BBC have said that they will be using MPEG4, but that they'll start their tests on DVB-S before moving to DVB-S2 at a later time. No clue as to when that may be though.

Here is a letter received from the BBC when questioned on this by one of our satellite-viewing colleagues (rober48):

Dear Mr Robertson

Thank you for contacting the BBC with your enquiry.
Just like our other satellite broadcasts, the BBC HD trial stream will not be encrypted, so open standard HD satellite receivers may be able to pick it up. You need to understand that the BBC's HD trial is due to end after 12 months and such boxes may not receive the full range of on-screen programme information and interactivity.

Here are the specifications you have asked for:

Unencrypted
MPEG-4
DVB-S moving to DVB-S2

I hope you find the information helpful.

Kind Regards
Steven Derrick
BBC Reception Advice

To reply to this email you will need to complete the online form. Please quote Reference number . . . within your reply. Alternatively you can telephone by contacting our call centre, quoting the reference number. BBC Reception Advice: 08700100123

http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/feedback.shtml

The initial period may even be up before the WC begins but it's surely logical to start on DVB-S, as there is so much more capable hardware out there currently. Especially with the announcement that Sky is now quoting May install dates for Sky HD boxes.

There will be many many thousands of PCI card owners hanging on this decision. Let's hope they get it right.

STICK

[imported_Frosty]

What a great reply!

Man, I'm just not sure which way to jump. I've got to get something sorted

Liked your blog article too, but you've got to be more positive m8! You're not allowed to get depressed about things that haven't happend yet :roflmao:

Cheers for advice. I'll let you know what I end up doing

[BGonaSTICK]

LOL, not depressed, just disappointed.

Still, a long-lost auntie might die and leave me tickets to all the games, you never know

Regards,

STICK

[imported_Frosty]

Unlikely 8)

Maybe I'll just try a S/H Skystar 2 off eBay.

... or not!

I've got this year's bonus from work burning a hole in my pocket! :spite:

Kev