DVB-S versus DVB-S2

[ianb]

I am about to bite the bullet and buy one or more satellite cards to add to my existing SageTV setup with only DVB-T cards. The purpose of this is to be able to receive free to air HD stations (BBC HD etc). I am confused as to whether I need DVB-S or DVB-S2 cards.

Which cards would anyone recommend and are there any dual tuner versions? I would consider either PCI cards or external USB.

Thanks.

[MCE-Refugee]

Currently BBC HD & Lux TV HD (the other FTA HD program) are broadcast using the DVB-S protocol. The BBC have apparently said that at some unspecified time in the future they will use DVB-S2. The advantage to the broadcasters is that DVB-S2 is more efficient & they can cram more channels into the same bandwidth.

AFAIK there is no DVB-S2 dual tuner available but there are some DVB-S ones. If you just want to dip your toe in the water then s single tuner DVB-S card is dirt cheap.

[ianb]

Originally Posted by MCE-Refugee

Currently BBC HD & Lux TV HD (the other FTA HD program) are broadcast using the DVB-S protocol. The BBC have apparently said that at some unspecified time in the future they will use DVB-S2. The advantage to the broadcasters is that DVB-S2 is more efficient & they can cram more channels into the same bandwidth.

AFAIK there is no DVB-S2 dual tuner available but there are some DVB-S ones. If you just want to dip your toe in the water then s single tuner DVB-S card is dirt cheap.

Thanks for the clarification.

[motobarsteward]

I think that the HVR 4000 is listed as DVB-S2 as is the Hauppauge WinTv Nova HDS2.

If you are planning to buy straight away, I'd stay clear of the HVR4000 untill I've got the issues I'm seeing sorted.

Anyway, look at www.hauppauge.co.uk

[ianb]

Originally Posted by motobarsteward

I think that the HVR 4000 is listed as DVB-S2 as is the Hauppauge WinTv Nova HDS2.

If you are planning to buy straight away, I'd stay clear of the HVR4000 untill I've got the issues I'm seeing sorted.

Anyway, look at www.hauppauge.co.uk

Thanks. I have two Hauppauge Nove T 500's at present for Freeview and they work flawlessly, so was considering sticking with Hauppauge. It's a shame they don't do a twin tuner DVBS-2 card.

[MCE-Refugee]

I suggest that you only purchase one that is definitely supported by Sage.

Apparently the satellite tuners do not work on the otherwise excellent Pinnacle 7010ix which has dual DVB-T & dual DVB-S tuners on a PCI-e card even though the card works perfectly with all four tuners under Windows Media Center as this was the card that MS used for all their development & testing for TV Pack 2008 & Windows 7.

Here is the list of supported tuners http://www.sagetv.com/requirements.html?sageSub=tv

I know from my own experience that the FloppyDTV-S, FloppyDTV-S2, Technotrend S-1500, Technotrend S2-3200 & Hauppauge WinTV Nova-S-Plus all work OK in Sage.

[ianb]

Originally Posted by MCE-Refugee

I suggest that you only purchase one that is definitely supported by Sage.

Apparently the satellite tuners do not work on the otherwise excellent Pinnacle 7010ix which has dual DVB-T & dual DVB-S tuners on a PCI-e card even though the card works perfectly with all four tuners under Windows Media Center as this was the card that MS used for all their development & testing for TV Pack 2008 & Windows 7.

Here is the list of supported tuners http://www.sagetv.com/requirements.html?sageSub=tv

I know from my own experience that the FloppyDTV-S, FloppyDTV-S2, Technotrend S-1500, Technotrend S2-3200 & Hauppauge WinTV Nova-S-Plus all work OK in Sage.

Thanks. I will probably go for the Hauppauge WinTV Nova-HD-S2.