Thread: USING A PC IN PLACE OF A TUNER BOX...

Hi all... new here and to the satellite community... I am looking to buy a FDL4 90cm ku band FTA dish. I want to run it off off of my Ubuntu Media Server... I was planning on using a TENON TBS 6981 1850 dual tune PCI card... Any thoughts??? like, "DON'T DO IT", or "IT WILL WORK"? I am tired of cable and plan on streaming through this box, bringing in local air channels, and satellite channels... any feedback would be appreciated!

Hey, welcome to the forum!
Going by many comments I've read on this, and other, forums, I'd think setting up the dish and motor with a stand alone STB first is a good idea. Then you're not trying to get two things to operate correctly simultaneously. Also, especially when first getting it going, having the receiver at the dish, with a TV, is the best/easiest for aligning the dish.
So, in a nutshell, I recommend a STB first. when that's working, connect to a PC.

I agree, and you can get a used receiver for relatively little money. You'll find it useful when troubleshooting your system.

Thanks for your thoughts and quick response does dish sound okay, reading all the threads on here now i am concerned a 36" dish may not be enough... and the whole toss up between c and ku any way i guess i need to start somewhere LOL

A 36 inch should do well for all but the weakest, or "out of footprint" Ku. It really depends on where in the satellites "footprint" you are. I run a 30 inch and get most of the Ku.(and am considering moving up to a 36 later) But I do have two 1.2m Ku dishes also. Fixed, and move them to the the weaker stuff I want to get. If there's homeowner or local restrictions, 39 inch (1meter) and less are protected by
OTARD

. and by far the 36 and 39 are the "norm". The saying is "bigger is better" and can come in to play during weather(clouds/rain fade) or weak signals(edge of footprint)
For C band, where most of the HD stuff is, a prime focus dish with a MINIMUM of 6 foot is recommended. And if you are looking at getting the S2 signals, even in the footprint, Bigger is better with 10 ft being the "standard". (not saying S2 is impossible with a 6 ft dish, just very difficult) Take a look at TheList! (top of page) to see what's available on C and Ku. May help in the decision making.(Not saying that's all that's there)
--Does the <FLD4> dish sound alright? -- If it's the WS9036 dish, yeah, it's a good one. Many members use them. Review here: WS9036 dish & DMX-521 LNBF

Welcome dotteman111,
Looks like you are off to a good start with good info. Hope you enjoy your new(addiction)hobby!
If you can, pump us to heat up this way. Last time I was in Mesa it was NICE.