What is the benefit of a PC DVB Card

[glen4cindy]

I have 2 STB's already so I don't know if I can loop thru 2 receivers to have all three on the same coax with the same dish, but, I have to ask.

What benefit is there to have it on your PC? I know you can record shows this way so you would have a PVR, but, what other benefits are there to having one of these cards in my PC?



There are lots of them on Fleabay so, one would be easy to come by.

Do they have enough power to move a SG2100 motor? Do they support an Invacom dual L and C LNBF?

Thanks!

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[qwert1515]

The PC DVB card can move the motor, but it is better to use a STB to do that (More control and the STB has more power).

The main advantage is that a PC card allows you to use codecs on your computer to decode other video formats that are used, for example 4:2:2, HD, and H.264. (You would need a very expensive receiver to do all of those, probably a commercial one)

They will support the Invacom as long as you are using a switch (The DVB card only has one input)

You can loop from another receiver, but remember only the master receiver controls the polarity (unless the receiver is off) (I currently have a Coolsat connected to my Twinhan PC card which is connected to another PC DVB card (BLSA) (Spectrum analyzer))

(Sorry, I am in a rush but I wanted to add as many things as I could think of )

[glen4cindy]

Will a DVB card show FTA DCII feeds?

[updatelee]

the genpix skywalker-1 will tune DGII, but only zero-key stuff, much of what lyngsat lists as Free is accually encrypted. its just encrypted with a fixed key. when you subscribe they send the key down, when you desubscribe they dont remove the key, so you can still watch the channel.

4dtv wont let you subscribe a skywalker-1 so you cant watch those channels.

the skywalker has a voltage output of 850ma, so its one of the few that have more then enough power to move a motor, it gets its power from a seperate power adapter, not from the usb port.

the skywalker can also tune dss. and turbo-fec 8psk, there is occationally some truefta on DN, not allways though.

[brentb636]

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You should bear in mind that a PCI DVB solution is more expensive than a typical stb, but also much more flexible ( Updatelee has outlined the advantages ) . It is also a more rewarding learning experience. Using the skywalker-1 and Tsreader , you can learn a lot more about the satellite technology through hands on experience ( looking at the packet breakdown, etc and all the data overhead and descriptive information). There is a wealth of information on the Tsreader screen, plenty to keep you confused and enlightened at the same time. Tsreader streaming the data to VLC is possibly the most stable way to view the HD and 4:2:2 feeds available with an actual dedicated stb.

[Larry1]

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a PCI DVB solution is more expensive than a typical stb

The PCI card is less expensive than a set top box if you do not include the price of the PC. In my case, I have a PC with two DVB PCI cards and an OTA USB tuner. The PC turns on and off throughout the week when I am not home to record my programs. On the weekend, I transfer the programs over to a hard disk for storage, or to a DVD for viewing at another location. (not at the computer). The computer is not just used for DVB and OTA recording, but as my main PC at home. A set top box would also perform these functions for me, but were not that available when I started out. I also wanted to archive the shows away, so the PC is great to transfer the shows to either hard disk or DVD without any loss of quality. The same PC is used for editing the shows as well. The PC is not left running all the time, but powers on and off by itself when needed. As with others here as well, the PC, the satellite and the OTA are a hobby to me and I am always making changes and planning what changed to make. i.e. looking at making yet another OTA antenna, and need to adjust some of my LNB's once the snow goes away. First though is to fix a fan that is starting to make some noise and set up some timers for KCBU not that we have some new shows.