USB Dongle for DTT and rf2 from sky box

glineli

Hi

I am looking for a USB Dongle for DTT and something that will pick up rf2 from sky box.

I have an acermedia DTT dongle that works perfectly with DTT but i cant pick up analogue so cant get the sky box signal.

Any help on this would be great

thanks

Apogee

I have a Hauppuage HVR900 which allows you to watch/record both analogue (e.g. from the digibox) and digital from DTT.

The bundled software that originally came with it isn't great, but you may be able to substitute it with something better.

http://www.hauppauge.co.uk/site/products/prods_hvr_external.html

glineli

is it this guy Hauppauge Win TV HVR-900 USB TV Tuner?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hauppauge-WIN-TV-HVR-900TV-Analogue-Digital/dp/B000CENSCG

I was looking and it says it does mpeg2 only?

Apogee

glineli wrote: »

is it this guy Hauppauge Win TV HVR-900 USB TV Tuner?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hauppauge-WIN-TV-HVR-900TV-Analogue-Digital/dp/B000CENSCG

I was looking and it says it does mpeg2 only?

I've been using it since the original HD trials back in 2007.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055128190&page=2

All USB devices merely demodulate the signal (DVB-T).

Video decompression (MPEG2/4) is done by the software/PC. So the Amazon description implies that the bundled software only has an MPEG2 codec. But all these USB devices come with BDA drivers, so they can be used with 3rd party programmes and MPEG4 codecs. And the 3rd party application are usually far better anyway e.g. DVBViewer (pay) or AltDVB (free).

Similarly, the HVR900HD has the same hardware but comes with different software which has the MPEG4 codec.

watty

Analogue Tuners on PCs are poor compared to digital though. Better to get a PCI card Satellite tuner, or if it's a Laptop then use a Analogue to DV bridge, or if you really want PayTV channels. There is at least one expensive USB Satellite tuner (uses a separate PSU) I've never seen analogue capture or analogue PC tuner other than a DV bridge to IEEE1394/firewire/iLink work.

The problem with Analogue tuners in USB stick is they rarely have onboard encoding hardware, and putting full quality digitised pal over USB is unlikely.

To view/capture VHS on the PC I use an old Sony 8mm Digtal Camcorder to bridge to DV format, but standalone models are available.

MPEG2/MPEG4 is a function of PC codecs plus application. If a Tuner DVB-T and has BDA driver, then you can do SD & HD in MPEG2 and MPEg4 with suitable OS/Applications/Codecs installed.

http://www.techtir.ie/node/1003625
http://www.techtir.ie/reviews/mobidtv-dual-usb-dtt
http://www.techtir.ie/howto/hdmi-via-cat5-cable

Analogue on USB, unless it's a very modern €100+ stick, relies on PC for compression. The ADCs and USB inteface usually only do 1/4 VGA, or 1/4 PAL.

Most Hybrid Analogue/Digtal USB tuners are old clunky unreliable designs.

Apogee

I'm unsure as to how any of that will allow him to record the RF out from a Digibox.

user1842

The below USB tuner worked perfectly for me on Windows Media Centre:

http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/2906408/art/pctv-systems/pctv-quatro-stick-usb-ada.html

I can watch analogue and digital channels no problem.

glineli

I have the mpeg4 codecs so should be just a matter of plug and play.

thanks for all the reponses!!

I went with this guy as suggested by Apogee
http://www.peats.com/cgi-bin/catalog_v2.cgi?id=22203&type=product

Now i just have to remember where i got the codes so i can put on another laptop!!!

glineli

Apogee wrote: »

I have a Hauppuage HVR900 which allows you to watch/record both analogue (e.g. from the digibox) and digital from DTT.

The bundled software that originally came with it isn't great, but you may be able to substitute it with something better.

http://www.hauppauge.co.uk/site/products/prods_hvr_external.html

Apogee, what software do you use to run it?

thanks

watty

Apogee wrote: »

I'm unsure as to how any of that will allow him to record the RF out from a Digibox.

It doesn't.

I'm sorry, I've been less than clear. Technically you are right, the hybrid Hauppauge USB stick does what he wants.

I'm just pointing out that RF out from a cheap Modulator via cheap Analogue Tuner in USB stick isn't remotely close to quality record digital directly or via a more professional capture device from the SCART. Direct Digital is though a problem for PayTV, though technicallly possible to read a Sky card on a PC, for payTV the SCART is better. The Digibox RF out isn't great even if you do have a full quality analogue capture Analogue RF tuner.