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My old FTA receiver (Diamond 9000HD) recently died, and since I currently have a MythTV backend running on a repurposed Mac Mini (using Mythbuntu Linux as the OS, NOT OS X) and a HDHomeRun Dual that does a pretty good job of receiving and recording OTA programs, I am thinking about extending it to have FTA satellite reception capability. The problem is my satellite system is rather old (for example, the dish is an old 10' Winegard with the square pole, and the feedhorn has both C and Ku LNB's and the blue polorotor to switch polarities, etc. We're talking technology at least a decade old here, maybe more).
So my thought was to upgrade, but there are two criteria:
1. The Mac Mini doesn't have card slots, so I can't use any card based tuners.
2. I am an old fart cheapskate and damn proud of it, so I'm not going out and spending money with wild abandon on this project. In other words, NO I won't buy another computer so I can use a PCI card.
I mention #2 because when I read past threads this forum I notice that some people like to tell others how to spend their money and imply they're cheapskates if they don't use the best available. If you call me a cheapskate I'll take it as a complement and I still won't buy the most expensive part! But I might be willing to spend a few bucks extra to get significantly better quality, or to get something that won't die on me in the first year or two. Even I understand false economy.
So here is what I am thinking of doing (though probably not until the weather gets a bit warmer - mid-January is just not the time to do this sort of thing where I live):
- Using a TBS Technologies TBS5922 to get the satellite signals into my MythTV backend. The only thing that stops me is I cannot find a comprehensive review of this device anywhere. On the flip side I don't find any complaints, so I guess that counts for something, but I'd sure like to hear from someone who is actually using one of these, particularly if using it with Linux.
- Getting rid of my old analog receiver that I use to move the dish (is ANYTHING still in analog anymore?), and using a DiSEqC controlled dish mover such as the GBox V3000 Satellite Position/Controller, which has a great review on your site but Sadoun seems to be out of stock on them, or maybe a VBox 7 DiSEqC Positioner which Sadoun has in stock, but which I don't see reviewed.
- I'm also guessing it's time for a new feedhorn and would probably get a C/Ku unit like one of these for that purpose and use a 22KHz tone switch to switch between inputs. That way I don't have to deal with the polorotor anymore, plus I would imagine that LNB technology has improved quite a bit over the years.
But before I lay out that kind of money — and that is a significant amount for me — I'd like to know if there are any flaws in this plan. The biggest thing that concerns me is the TBS5922, because I have never used something like that before. They say it is compatible with MythTV so in theory it should work, but as we all know, what manufacturers claim and the reality of the situation is often somewhat different. I'm just kind of surprised that no one has reviewed it in the hardware reviews section because I would have thought there would be an interest in something like that.
For those that don't get why I'm interested in this, the beauty is that you can set up a MythTV backend system near where your signals come into a home or building, and then run the MythTV frontend software on any other computer on the local network (including a home theater PC that feeds your TV) and watch the received signals there. So as long as you have a connection to your local network, and assuming that your router (and switches, if any) are not ancient (and slow), you are not limited to watching TV only in the places where you have run coaxial cable. I've always found it's a lot easier to run networking cable than coax, and once the signal is converted to TCP/IP there is no further signal loss. It makes it possible to watch TV in places where that would have formerly have been impractical, plus MythTV has PVR capability built in. It just opens up a lot of interesting possibilities that did not exist heretofore.
So my thought was to upgrade, but there are two criteria:
1. The Mac Mini doesn't have card slots, so I can't use any card based tuners.
2. I am an old fart cheapskate and damn proud of it, so I'm not going out and spending money with wild abandon on this project. In other words, NO I won't buy another computer so I can use a PCI card.
I mention #2 because when I read past threads this forum I notice that some people like to tell others how to spend their money and imply they're cheapskates if they don't use the best available. If you call me a cheapskate I'll take it as a complement and I still won't buy the most expensive part! But I might be willing to spend a few bucks extra to get significantly better quality, or to get something that won't die on me in the first year or two. Even I understand false economy.
So here is what I am thinking of doing (though probably not until the weather gets a bit warmer - mid-January is just not the time to do this sort of thing where I live):
- Using a TBS Technologies TBS5922 to get the satellite signals into my MythTV backend. The only thing that stops me is I cannot find a comprehensive review of this device anywhere. On the flip side I don't find any complaints, so I guess that counts for something, but I'd sure like to hear from someone who is actually using one of these, particularly if using it with Linux.
- Getting rid of my old analog receiver that I use to move the dish (is ANYTHING still in analog anymore?), and using a DiSEqC controlled dish mover such as the GBox V3000 Satellite Position/Controller, which has a great review on your site but Sadoun seems to be out of stock on them, or maybe a VBox 7 DiSEqC Positioner which Sadoun has in stock, but which I don't see reviewed.
- I'm also guessing it's time for a new feedhorn and would probably get a C/Ku unit like one of these for that purpose and use a 22KHz tone switch to switch between inputs. That way I don't have to deal with the polorotor anymore, plus I would imagine that LNB technology has improved quite a bit over the years.
But before I lay out that kind of money — and that is a significant amount for me — I'd like to know if there are any flaws in this plan. The biggest thing that concerns me is the TBS5922, because I have never used something like that before. They say it is compatible with MythTV so in theory it should work, but as we all know, what manufacturers claim and the reality of the situation is often somewhat different. I'm just kind of surprised that no one has reviewed it in the hardware reviews section because I would have thought there would be an interest in something like that.
For those that don't get why I'm interested in this, the beauty is that you can set up a MythTV backend system near where your signals come into a home or building, and then run the MythTV frontend software on any other computer on the local network (including a home theater PC that feeds your TV) and watch the received signals there. So as long as you have a connection to your local network, and assuming that your router (and switches, if any) are not ancient (and slow), you are not limited to watching TV only in the places where you have run coaxial cable. I've always found it's a lot easier to run networking cable than coax, and once the signal is converted to TCP/IP there is no further signal loss. It makes it possible to watch TV in places where that would have formerly have been impractical, plus MythTV has PVR capability built in. It just opens up a lot of interesting possibilities that did not exist heretofore.
8 Replies
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3337 views
As long as your willing to post logs when you get yourself into trouble Im sure me and others here can help you out 
Remember the 7500 will work just fine out of box, just wont have blind search or spectrum scanning. If those are features you want then you can attempt the compiling of the custom kernel modules.
UDL
Remember the 7500 will work just fine out of box, just wont have blind search or spectrum scanning. If those are features you want then you can attempt the compiling of the custom kernel modules.
UDL
Anyone else watch this show? Any guesses as to what was in the box Gibbs gave to Abby that was on her desk? It look liked it was glowing.
I also heard that someone was leaving the show at the end of this season. Any guesses as to who thats going to be?
I also heard that someone was leaving the show at the end of this season. Any guesses as to who thats going to be?
2133 Replies
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214727 views
Tony as the director.
Would you rather have LaRoche ???Tony as the director.
No. Bring in someone new.
Tony is not serious enough for me. Parker is too close to the team and Tim is too young to take over IMO.
I don't think Tim and Tony are that far apart in Age ...No. Bring in someone new.
Remember what Tony said to Tim when they first got back together ...
Tony said: I am the New Tony, Tim .... (something to that effect)
Tony has changed, he's been running his Security Business ... I'm sure he has grown up.
Give it time ... your judging the New Tony from the old Tony.
It sounds like Tim won't be around the Team much longer either.
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Anyone making their own breakfast sausage? I've recently been trying different recipes, found some I like, some I've modified...
29 Replies
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3504 views
S
. get a nice chuck roast!!!
Who cares if it's cheaper than store bought. you do realize that ground beef is like hot dogs right lips and a**holes!!! you have no idea whats in it and what animal came from what carcass right
. get a nice chuck roast!!!
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n43A0sNukCg
Direct YouTube Link - SpaceX Seeks to Conduct 450 Starship Launches a Year in Texas!
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n43A0sNukCg
Direct YouTube Link - SpaceX Seeks to Conduct 450 Starship Launches a Year in Texas!
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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11 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Cutting Edge
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
68506 Replies
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2671368 views
Marques Brownlee
Time for another AWESOME video from Marques Brownlee!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scwlR0QHGOk
Direct YouTube Link - The NEW Tesla Roadster: My Honest Reaction
The official MKBHD Website!
The MKBHD Store
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scwlR0QHGOk
Direct YouTube Link - The NEW Tesla Roadster: My Honest Reaction
The official MKBHD Website!
The MKBHD Store
0 Replies
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6 views
iJustine
Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/m44iKsdN1-Q
Direct YouTube Link - NVIDIA RTX Spark launch party!!!
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/m44iKsdN1-Q
Direct YouTube Link - NVIDIA RTX Spark launch party!!!
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
0 Replies
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21 views
For quite a while now, people with a VIP211k have been losing their recordings on their activated external HDDs... even when there's nothing physically wrong with HDD. I believe this is an intentional and underhanded tactic that Dish is pulling in an attempt to force users away from the VIP211k.
They are obviously regretting that they ever let users have a "non-dvr" dvr in the first place. You would think they would be happy charging you a $40 one time fee... and then be happy letting the customer be the one responsible for HDD failures.
Dish clearly hates the 211k bitter-clingers. This recording deletion problem is intentional (IMO), and I think it is just one more tool that they are using. Hopper and a 2-year agreement... that's what they want you to have. Think about that... a 2-year agreement... with a company $30 Billion in debt (that's with a B). What happens when all that debt causes them to drop the channel that may have been your whole reason for having Dish in the first place? Guess who's stuck with a service that no longer suits their needs... for the remainder of the 2-year agreement.
On top of that, they don't want you to install it yourself. I purchased and installed all my equipment myself. That used to be common. Now, they lie to me and tell me that my dish must be updated to use a Hopper. Funny thing is... they don't even know what dish I have because they didn't install it, and I didn't tell them. If you ask what type of dish/LNBs the hopper needs... good luck getting an answer. All they know is that whatever you have needs to be upgraded by an installer.
It is quite apparent to me that they care much more about staying in their box, than they do working with the customer. That's too bad, because it hasn't always been that way. It's like they are totally unaware of the current business environment that they are trying to compete in.
I have been a customer since 2010. I will be cancelling my service before the next period. Yeah, I know, my $1,200 a year won't make a difference to them. It just seems like they have forgotten who needs who, especially when you consider the competition in today's streaming world. But hey, they will have succeed in forcing me off the 211k.
They are obviously regretting that they ever let users have a "non-dvr" dvr in the first place. You would think they would be happy charging you a $40 one time fee... and then be happy letting the customer be the one responsible for HDD failures.
Dish clearly hates the 211k bitter-clingers. This recording deletion problem is intentional (IMO), and I think it is just one more tool that they are using. Hopper and a 2-year agreement... that's what they want you to have. Think about that... a 2-year agreement... with a company $30 Billion in debt (that's with a B). What happens when all that debt causes them to drop the channel that may have been your whole reason for having Dish in the first place? Guess who's stuck with a service that no longer suits their needs... for the remainder of the 2-year agreement.
On top of that, they don't want you to install it yourself. I purchased and installed all my equipment myself. That used to be common. Now, they lie to me and tell me that my dish must be updated to use a Hopper. Funny thing is... they don't even know what dish I have because they didn't install it, and I didn't tell them. If you ask what type of dish/LNBs the hopper needs... good luck getting an answer. All they know is that whatever you have needs to be upgraded by an installer.
It is quite apparent to me that they care much more about staying in their box, than they do working with the customer. That's too bad, because it hasn't always been that way. It's like they are totally unaware of the current business environment that they are trying to compete in.
I have been a customer since 2010. I will be cancelling my service before the next period. Yeah, I know, my $1,200 a year won't make a difference to them. It just seems like they have forgotten who needs who, especially when you consider the competition in today's streaming world. But hey, they will have succeed in forcing me off the 211k.
168 Replies
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7512 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Has anyone subscribed to NBA League Pass for 2026-27 and try to link their account to NBA.com to stream League Pass? I purchased it for 2026-27, and when I linked, I got a message saying success, but then I receive an error that my linked subscription does not include the preseason games for NBA League Pass. Is that how it has always been? I know satellite doesn't have the preseason games on the NBA League Pass channels, but I thought that I was able to stream the preseason once I linked my account on NBA.com?
2 Replies
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97 views
Supporting Founder
Really excited for this season with Kentucky having a new coach and some really exciting recruits. Probably won't last long, but here's hoping this season is great.
143 Replies
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1478 views
Nah, you just don't understand how ignore works, which is why you made your own NFL thread thinking there wasn't one
For some reason, the satelliteguys.us site is loading a lot slower than usual on both Chrome on my Asus laptop and Safari on my iPhone.
I'm also seeing longer appearances of the blue bar at the top and the "3 blue bars" loading symbol.
Is anyone else also having the same problem? Thanks in advance.
I'm also seeing longer appearances of the blue bar at the top and the "3 blue bars" loading symbol.
Is anyone else also having the same problem? Thanks in advance.
530 Replies
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18140 views
Remember folks... just like DNS... its always Foxbat. 
WTF… …What the Foxbat!Remember folks... just like DNS... its always Foxbat.
S
wow what a kick in the balls!!! the wife blames you when things don't work now scott's blaming youWTF… …What the Foxbat!
I know. Here's what Scott has in store for me if I get out of line:wow what a kick in the balls!!! the wife blames you when things don't work now scott's blaming you
S
OMG to freaking funny
You're no fun.
