Which S2 tuner should I get?

**ken2400** · 11-13-2009 09:24 PM

Which S2 tuner should I get.
Want to get one that will last me a while and should I get one that does the 16 and 32 apsk?

Thanks

**pendragon** · 11-14-2009 03:11 AM

Originally Posted by ken2400

Which S2 tuner should I get.
Want to get one that will last me a while and should I get one that does the 16 and 32 apsk?

This can be a complicated question, because choosing a DVB application has some coupling to the choice of the tuner. Both are important, but one rarely can select them independently. Overall on the app side I've been partial to DVB Dream, because it is free and very flexible, and DVB Viewer, because it seems more refined. These are simply personal preferences out of all I have tried.

I've been running with the DVB World 2104 boxes for over a year. They are good performers and very reliable. A year ago their drivers were quirky, but those issues have been fixed. It appears DVB World is updating their technology and new models are in the process of being released.

I recently picked up a couple each of the new Prof 7301 and 7500 tuners. On the whole they are performing much better on weak signals than anything else I have. The drivers are pretty stable for this early in the game, but I've fussed around a bit to figure the best configurations.

DVB-S chip manufacturers all have been releasing new products over the past year or so, so a lot is changing quickly. There are a number of other tuners being released, but at the moment one has to depend on early adopters for advice. I wouldn't worry about 16PSK or higher, because providers here are still transitioning to DVB-S2 8PSK. It's unlikely they will be throwing away these investments anytime soon.

**zamar23** · 11-14-2009 06:38 AM

ken2400

I noticed a new card offered by DVBWorld with PCI-e interface:
DTV DVB-S2 PCIe 2006

.

The card is based on Montage chipset, and I've seen pretty good reviews from known specialists about these cards and the chipset used. The guy who developed Linux drivers for most sat. cards on the market including this one, said on another forum to like this particular card very much, including both workmanship and performance. The advantage of PCI-e interface is higher data rate perfect for HDTV, and its readily available on most newer PCs, while older interface cards like Prof PCI tuners need older PCI slots, which may be in short supply, if you have other older PCI devices to hook to your new Motherboard. Also from investment standpoint, would you be willing to invest money in older PCI interface product, which you might not be able to mount to your next HTPC? PCI-based cards usually employ older chipset models requiring higher power and often overheating over HD stream processing, which decreases tuner lifespan. Another drawback of the PCI interface is often insufficient stability and added noise to power supplied to the card via it, which affects locking weaker signals dramatically. But it depends on your motherboard and PC power supply unit make and model a lot, and some people may not experience this issue with their particular PC, so its a matter of upfront research or a chance draw.

Another question to ask is would you prefer an internally mounted sat. card, or external USB tuner? If you have a laptop and a mobile dish, a USB Sat. Tuner model may be your only choice, unless it shows stability and hardware compatibility issues, as was reported earlier in this forum for Prof S2 USB tuners. Hence, choose your USB Tuner model carefully, and research reviews of early testers you trust, making sure these reviews are truly independent. For your regular PC or HTPC, it may be a better idea to buy internal PCI-e sat. tuner instead of having a stock of USB devices attached to it for no objective reason, while internal PCI-e slots remain unused. If you have an old PC, your only option may be a PCI sat tuner, of course avoiding the cards "blacklisted" by users as having driver, hardware or support problems. Make sure, your older PC has sufficient processor power, a newer graphics card supporting HD decoding in hardware, and highly efficient cooling system to handle HD H.264 signal decoding, which may be a true challenge for higher voltage older slower processors. Remember, majority of sat. cards, except professional very expensive ones, do not have MPEG decoder chip soldered on them, and rely on your PC to decode the signal. From esthetics's standpoint, internal solution is preferable, as most people want their HTPC looking nice and cute, and not resemble a mount of various devices scattered around it.

You may want to contact DVBWorld about the new card to find the details or buy it. Currently Windows and Linux drivers are available for download. Would you like to "taste" it and tell us, how do you like this card so far.