Sell an SS1 to buy technotrend 3200? for HD recording

[yeahman]

I want a card that'll get all the HD channels esp Premiere HD (as I get with my humax hdci 2000 and T-rex combo) - but need the ability to record these.

I currently have an SS1 (Sky Star 1) with cam slot (it's the software encoding SS1 version). I'm haven't tried using it on my new computer (core 2 duo ect setup), and I'm thinking of replacing it with a Technotrend 3200 with CI. Am I waisting my time and energy doing this. Could I get my SS1 to do this without having to replace it. Could I use a softcam of SS1 instead of my T-rex?

And is my new computer fast enough to capture/recored HD channels without the frame loss that users talk about. Specs of computer are:
- Core 2 duo e6300 (1.8mhz) - with ability to overclock as I have huge fans and heat sink.
- 2 gb ram, Radeon x600 128mb.

Will I need to buy a better graphics card - or should I wait for mpeg4 hardware encoding satellite cards?

[BGonaSTICK]

Welcome m8.

It's a very young and immature market still, but one thing is for sure - your SS1 is only mpeg2, and so will not decode the Premiere HD channels, which are mpeg4.

As you say, the Technotrend 3200 is a reasonable HD card, and there is also the Skystar HD, but there isn't any software I'm aware of that will work with either of these cards to decrypt Premiere etc.

Of course in theory, the CI slot on the Technotrend should take your existing T-Rex and do exactly what you want, but I've not heard of it being done. I'd love to know if it works.

I've been waiting for the software to catch up, and buy a Skystar HD personally.

You basic computer spec. sounds fine, but yes, it does sound like your graphics card will need upgrading.

There really aren't enough yardsticks out there to be able to confidently give you any predictions. Everyone is still testing the waters as far as I can tell.

STICK

[yeahman]

Brilliant - just the answers I needed. Thanks for letting me know about the mpeg2 issue on SS1 - I'm guessing this is a limitation on ss2 too, but bb Hd is still in mpeg2 for now...... so it gets that channel.

Do you know when itv will be broadcasting Hdef and will it be dvb s2 mpeg4?

Thanks for the advise on the graphics i'll upgrade that, and I think I'll wait a while for the skystar HD or shouldn't i just wait for the dreambox 8000 - that should do all that I need ..... not so?

I'll envestigate premiere working with technotrend 3200 cam slot filled with T-rex....... I'm sure someones tried this and knows the answer.

thanks again for your help

[BGonaSTICK]

Yes, the Skystar 2 is mpeg-2 only as well, and is therefore in the same boat.

Don't know about ITV and HD. AFAIK there are no firm plans or dates, but they (along with channel 4) did take part in the recent terrestrial HD trials with the Beeb.

I expect all new HD channel launches to be in mpeg-4 and DVB-S2 now, though there might be the odd one that isn't. Those that don't go this way will surely change up before too long anyway. The mpeg-2/DVB-S providers are presumably just waiting for better market penetration of mpeg-4/DVB-S2 receivers.

Originally Posted by yeahman

or shouldn't i just wait for the dreambox 8000 - that should do all that I need ..... not so?

The Dreambox 8000 should indeed do everything you ever 'dream'ed of (ouch, sorry) but it will take a while for the images and emu's to be forthcoming. That could be as frustrating a period as waiting for the bl00dy launch!

HTH

STICK

[Jimdefruit]

Its not really true that a SS2 is MPEG2 only, because MPEG4 can also be decoded by software.

The SS2 is dvb-s only and can't receive dvb-s2 transmissions.

At present, BBC HD is transmitted in dvb-s but they have kept their options open and stated that they may change to dvb-s2 at the end of their experimental period. If they change then the SS2 will no longer receive the BBC HD channel.

There are only a very few HD transmissions in dvb-s format and they are all experimental. The main HD transmissions are in dvb-s2 format and will only be received HD tuners.

[BGonaSTICK]

Yes, sorry - Jim is completely right. I got my mpegs and my DVB-S's the wrong way round.

The SS1's and SS2's are limited to DVB-S, and not mpeg-2 ops:

I knew what I meant anyway! :roflmao: