Some advice please, on DVB-S2 on a PC!

[benc85]

Morning Folks,

I've just ordered through scan a complete build for my upcoming HTPC,

This includes an mITX board which has a PCI-e slot.

Since I've opted for a non IGP SB chip, I'm going to have to use the PCI-e slot for a graphics card.

After putting my order through, I gave some thought to running my freesat HD via the PC, with the added benefits of PVR and streaming Live TV to other PCs in the house via MediaPortal.

I am in an awkward spot however. I don't really know the answer to a few questions which I'd like to ask:

1) Have I made a bad choice not taking up an IGP - should I have left the PCI-E slot free in anticipation that the card solutions are dramatically better than the USB version and therefore:
2) Is there a noticeable performance difference between USB and PCI-e cards supporting DVB - S2? I am already aware I'll have to pay a fair bit more for the external solution to get the same quality.
3) Are there any known implications to streaming or PVR that would cause you to consider PCI-e over USB?
4) Can anyone recommend a good USB (or if it really is a must, PCI-e) solution?


Thanks for reading, if I get some feedback soon enough I can RMA the parts in decent time if it's truly a necessity!

[shaithis]

What exactly did you order for board and CPU?

And why do people order gear and then ask for advise?

[benc85]

What exactly did you order for board and CPU?

And why do people order gear and then ask for advise?

I know what you mean, innocent mistake tho!

I ordered a Pentium 1155 G850 on an Asrock H67 M-ITX HT with an nvidia GT 430

I am asking now as I can at least return and exchange for an i3 with integrated HD3000 graphics!

Edit:

I'll just give you the full HTPC spec:

Silverstone SG06B (with 300W PSU)
Corsair 4gb DDR3 1333
Asrock H67 M-ITX HT
Pentium SB G850 2.90Ghz
Asus Geforce GT 430
Corsair Force 3 60gb
Using another 750gb sata 2 drive for storage.

[shaithis]

AFAIK, the G850 still has HD 2000 IGP built in (@850MHz).....which should be enough for a HTPC

Just purchased a DVB-S2 card myself and after looking around I could not find any multi-tuner USB devices......PCI-E seems to be the order of the day......so you will almost certainly need to use that slot for a tuner card.

[benc85]

Ah, but another issue I foresee is the dreaded 24p problem with the SB chipset, which i bought the card to avoid.

Well I've spotted a few

Like the Elgato EyeTV Sat, TechnoTrend TT Connect 3650 and the Teevii S660

When i say I want streaming I only want the capability to through mediaportal display livetv on one computer at one time within the house; I don't need more than one sat input for streaming to multiple sources watching different channels at the same time.

[shaithis]

Well, if your happy with single tuner....you can do it that way.

Personally, I find single tuner to be way too restrictive...and AFAIK, MP will only do that "multi streaming of channels from a single tuner" with DVB-T, not DVB-S.

Maybe wrong though, not a MediaPortal user but I believe it has something to do with the way the signals are broadcast,

[benc85]

Well, if your happy with single tuner....you can do it that way.

Personally, I find single tuner to be way too restrictive...and AFAIK, MP will only do that "multi streaming of channels from a single tuner" with DVB-T, not DVB-S.

Maybe wrong though, not a MediaPortal user but I believe it has something to do with the way the signals are broadcast,

So you are saying I MUST have a two port DVB-S2 Card with both satellite ports in use to stream Satellite to another PC even if i'm not watching it on the main one?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

You could have got yourself an A6-3500 or A6-3600 and the following motherboard:

http://www.dabs.com/products/asus-f1...mitx-7QJW.html

[shaithis]

So you are saying I MUST have a two port DVB-S2 Card with both satellite ports in use to stream Satellite to another PC even if i'm not watching it on the main one?

No.

I read this:

I don't need more than one sat input for streaming to multiple sources watching different channels at the same time.

And I read that to mean you could use MediaPortal to watch multiple channels streaming from a single tuner.....which you can but only with DVB-T.

[directhex]

No.

I read this:


And I read that to mean you could use MediaPortal to watch multiple channels streaming from a single tuner.....which you can but only with DVB-T.

It works on satellite too, but the overlap per frequency is much lower, so there's not much point (e.g. 6 local flavours of Channel 4 share a transponder)

[benc85]

Shaithis, sorry about the confusion there, I'm quite new to this area.

Really I'm just after the simplest way I can get a good HD Sat output, firstly to my main HTPC downstairs, and when i'm not watching it downstairs, to my TV upstairs connected to a smaller HTPC. I only ever want to watch 1 channel at a time and 1 Tv at a time.
I actually only have with my satellite 1 cable to connect to an output, i know some come with 2, i have a second input but it doesn't seem to work (?)

Any reason for suggesting the AMD architecture at this stage in the game?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Any reason for suggesting the AMD architecture at this stage in the game?

You were suggesting returning the current CPU for another one. The IGP on the AMD CPUs is between an HD6450 and HD6570 in decoding ability.

[shaithis]

AMD has better performing IGP. Doesn't have the 24p bug. Better VFM.

[benc85]

Hmm tbh I never factored this in.

I would be willing to send the previously bought hardware back, but if that's the case I'd want to know, can i not achieve what i want to through a USB DVB S2 - that is streaming live tv from freesat to another computer on the network, not simultaneously to using it on my main pc? Also will i notice a considerable difference in performance for watching and recording SD/HD?

[shaithis]

Yes you can....your just going to have one less tuner, lower performance (should you decide you want to run the odd game or potentially if you go 3D BluRay in the future) and higher electric draw (discrete GPU).....for pretty much the same price!

But seriously, next time, when you know so little about what your doing.....ask BEFORE spending hundreds of pounds on hardware!

[benc85]

Yes you can....your just going to have one less tuner, lower performance (should you decide you want to run the odd game or potentially if you go 3D BluRay in the future) and higher electric draw (discrete GPU).....for pretty much the same price!

But seriously, next time, when you know so little about what your doing.....ask BEFORE spending hundreds of pounds on hardware!

Haha, yeah i can't really argue with that.

So in view of that, would you be able to spec me the best way to replace my mobo/cpu/gfx set up and also factor in a pci-e DVB S2 card that'll be fit for purpose (mediaportal, PVR)?

I don't mind returning the components if it alleviates all those issues you've just highlighted..