DVB-S Speculation

[AtariJeff]

OK so the word is out that the next version will have some sort of DVB-S support. To me, this is the holy grail of Sage features. Who thinks it will support similar functionality as MyTheatre, etc.? I personally doubt it but what are the odds a plugin to support MD-API plugins could be made?

[Mark SS]

Funnily enough its something I've started to look into. Its more likely however that I'd try and get something working for my particular card and its CI add-on initially and then look into supporting the multidec api later.

[Motofreak75]

I think its great, and yes MDAPI support would be the "cats" ass but until Sage 5.1 comes out I wouldnt hold my breath


I spoke with tech support back in the fall and I told them what to look into for DVB-S, and they just rolled their eyes and told me that they might think about it in future versions.

I just say, fix the current features that are broke first! then add in new features.

[pschweig]

What's MD API? Sounds like 2 feeds from one card - which would indeed be the cats ass.

Also what sort of hardware would I need for dvb-s? I have USB ports and a pci-e x16 slot spare. I would prefer to keep the pci-e slot free if possible so a USB device would be ideal.

[AtariJeff]

Originally Posted by pschweig

What's MD API? Sounds like 2 feeds from one card - which would indeed be the cats ass.

Also what sort of hardware would I need for dvb-s? I have USB ports and a pci-e x16 slot spare. I would prefer to keep the pci-e slot free if possible so a USB device would be ideal.

MD-API is a standard API (Application Interface) used by many DVB apps to write plugins. To get DVB-S on your PC all you need is a PCI satellite card like the Hauppauge NEXUS-S. I believe there are also USB versions available but I've never used 'em.

[Mark SS]

Err yeh right.

Adding support for the TT3200 CI would require around 10 lines of code. From the other APIs I've looked at its probably not far off that for others. Supporting the MD-API would require a bit more work but not a great deal at all.

[peterjb]

Originally Posted by jds23

Seems like a big whoopty doo to me, and if something that would benefit so little would get so much design/development time, I would be extremely surprised. I think everyone can speculate all they want though, makes life fun... lol

Uhmm. That might be because you probably live in North America.. DVB is the international standard for digital television and is the primary delivery mechanism for digital tv pretty much everywhere else in the world. To us poor antipodeans, europeans and pretty much the rest of the world market it's availability is probably a bit more important

Cheers

Peter

[insomniac]

I have 1 usb and 2 pci dvb-s cards. All work great with peter's MTSAGE plugin...

Originally Posted by pschweig

What's MD API? Sounds like 2 feeds from one card - which would indeed be the cats ass.

Also what sort of hardware would I need for dvb-s? I have USB ports and a pci-e x16 slot spare. I would prefer to keep the pci-e slot free if possible so a USB device would be ideal.

[Motofreak75]

Originally Posted by peterjb

Uhmm. That might be because you probably live in North America.. DVB is the international standard for digital television and is the primary delivery mechanism for digital tv pretty much everywhere else in the world. To us poor antipodeans, europeans and pretty much the rest of the world market it's availability is probably a bit more important

Cheers

Peter

Cheer Pete

There is also a lot of free channels and even free movie channels I get with my DVB pci card. Hell there is Movie Central HD is a full time movie in HD or upscaled to 720P and its free @112.1 degrees and there is free PPV movies on sat 103 from time to time. all you need is a big dish and the right LNB. Let not forget all the crazy wild feeds out there ESP when there is a big event on. Do I have to even mention all the free music channels out there over 400 different channels. http://www.lyngsat.com/index.html is your friend for free channels.

I cant wait for some providers to hand out CI/cams or MD plugins so we can use our cards with our PCs. You guys in the states have Directv getting ready to do this soon. It all depends how many more lawsuits are brought on by John Q Public/ conent owners etc....

[pschweig]

To get DVB-S on your PC all you need is a PCI satellite card like the Hauppauge NEXUS-S. I believe there are also USB versions available but I've never used 'em.

Will I be able to add a CAM and plug my Sky card in and get the encrypted channels?

[pschweig]

Originally Posted by insomniac

I have 1 usb and 2 pci dvb-s cards

What is the USB model that you have insomniac? I had a quick look on the hauppauge site and google but couldn't find anything.

thanks

[Mark SS]

Originally Posted by pschweig

Will I be able to add a CAM and plug my Sky card in and get the encrypted channels?

It can be done yes. There are two different ways to get this working that I'm aware of:

1) You'll need a card with CI slot, Dragon/T.Rex CAM, Predator firmware and a programmer to load it on to the CAM and your legitimate viewing card. I've just gone this route and can now view the encrypted channels using DVBViewer. I can't get the DVBViewer working properly but can at least confirm the CAM works.

2) I'm still working out how this option works and haven't tried it yet. You can use a smart card reader, card sharing software e.g. newcamd and a card sharing client/plugin e.g. wincsc. I believe there are plugins available for ProgDVB and others to get this working.

Might be worth hanging on to see what if any support appears in Sage and then what myself or some other users put together to add support if its missing.

[insomniac]

Its a twinhan Vision Plus USB. the pci's are a twinhan 102g and a Skystar2

All low end cards, and work great.

Originally Posted by pschweig

What is the USB model that you have insomniac? I had a quick look on the hauppauge site and google but couldn't find anything.

thanks