satellite tv on pc...

[chavslav]

hi all, is this better than the 90cm motorised dish set up that i've currently got.

or is there loads more i can get, will it improve streaming capability.

will it need to be motorised, to get all the arc i guess it will.

can i connect my existing dish to pc, i have twin lnb,

will i pick up any american sats, or is it a case that they dissapear beyond the horizon and can't be reached anyway.

is there any advantage of ditching what i've got, and having skystar set up.

thanks for replies...

[Jimdefruit]

If you have a twin lnb, just connect one output to your ss2 card and one to your receiver


You can only get satellites that are above the horizon and visible to your dish.

[BGonaSTICK]

Main advantages of Skystar are:

Can do High Definition, even mpeg-4 if you have a super fast PC and graphics card
Will decode 4:2:2 feeds
Patches and keys are out a lot faster, or create your own files
Teaches you a lot about the workings of satellite, emulators etc. - bit like a Dreambox
Can be used in a cardsharing setup (client or server)
Can dynamically update keys etc via Internet
Can be used as part of a streaming media server
Only costs £45
Great community support
Can do Internet via satellite
Choice of viewer applications
Use as PVR

Disadvantages:

It's stuck in your PC
May be difficult to route both audio and video to TV screen (drivers, cables etc.)
Doesn't like some motherboards
Uses up a PCI slot
Can make your PC run hotter
Can give slight motion-blur symptoms on fast moving pictures, like football

Same as STB:

Can drive motor or a switch with the right plugin
Pretty much everything else

What do I think?

The best value for money piece of satellite hardware I will ever buy. Great beginners tool, and an excellent development experience. Regarded by some as a bit of a toy. Superb as a backup and as a testing resource. Everyone should have one. Runs under Linux too.

Dish, arc, everything external etc is exactly the same as with an STB

HTH

[chavslav]

thanks for replies, i'll definitely have a think about it,knowing i've got the twin lnb output..

[jontydog]

Well said Stick couldn't have put it better myself. Its an excellent introduction to the satellite world.

[satsid]

hi guys just to add here,if moving a dish with pc card it takes about 5 volts from coxal cabel.this means you can lose some signel.many get round this with a v box or 36 volts setup.just a small bit of pros and cons here.
sid

[BGonaSTICK]

I was always worried that the current draw from the motor would finish my motherboard, but it's still going strong after two and a bit years of heavy use.

It's a lot of power though, and if I built a new computer with an expensive new motherboard then I would seriously think about a 36V/Vbox setup as the juice for the motor would then come from the mains-powered Vbox and not my PC's PCI bus!

[satsid]

Originally Posted by BGonaSTICK

I was always worried that the current draw from the motor would finish my motherboard, but it's still going strong after two and a bit years of heavy use.

It's a lot of power though, and if I built a new computer with an expensive new motherboard then I would seriously think about a 36V/Vbox setup as the juice for the motor would then come from the mains-powered Vbox and not my PC's PCI bus!

hi stick that make a lot of sence 2 me m8.i guess im lucky as i run in the old way by 36 volts,but i have read of a few guys who have had some problems before now.as you say its a lot of juice 2 take out of a coxal cabel.
sid