User Manual:Setting up DVB-S for satellite

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This page is up-to-date to MythTV version 0.21

Introduction to DVB-S

--> You can skip this chapter if you're not using MythTV as a satellite reveiver.

This chapter explains how to configure your DVB-S (Satellite) capture devices. First the basics are explained followed by a step-by-step example. As example we will be using a DVB-S capture card from Technotrend (the Technotrend Budget S-1500), but this guide should work for any DVB-S card supported by your operating system.


The Technotrend Budget S-1500 is a DVB-S capturecard with the possibility of adding a optional CI module. A CI-module gives you the possibility to add a Cam module so you can view encrypted channels (pay-tv). This is optional for most DVB cards and does not change any of the following configuration steps.


What about PayTV and encrypted channels?

If you are using your setup to watch encrypted channels (payTV) then you need to pay attention to your choice of hardware:

  • your DVB-S capture device needs to support the use of a CI device
  • CI devices can be 1) integrated, 2) connected to your capture device our 3) handled by your device driver so that is can be connected to your computer (e.g. a USB based CI device). And this combination is supported with drivers for your operating system.
  • Depending on your Television provider you need a CAM module to insert into your CI. In this Cam module you insert your smartcard.


In short your hardware will be connected like: Smartcard --> Cam module --> CI slot --> capture device --> computer


From this point on you can follow this guide. Your hardware should decode your television signal automaticaly, transparent for MythTV.


Setting up you capture device

--> you can skip this part if you're dvb-s device is already working properly

In most cases your capture cards should work "out-of-the-box", adjustments are not necessary. To check if your capture device is working you see the following during boot or by using the dmesg command from the terminal.

> dmesg 

the output should see:

saa7146 (0): dma buffer size 192512 
DVB: registering new adapter (TT-Budget/S-1500 PCI). 
adapter MAC has addr = 00:11:22:33:44:55 
Input: Budget-CI dvb ir receiver saa7146 (0) as / class/input/input0 
budget_ci: CI interface initialised 
registering frontend 0 (ST STV0299 DVB-S) ... 

The card is now ready for use. If your devices is not support by default then find out how to get drivers for it.


MythTV configuration

Start mythtv-setup as root, and select option 2. Capture cards. Choose "(New capture card). Fill the configuration as follows:

  • Card Type: DVB DTV capture card (v3.x)
  • DVB Card Number: 0 (if this is your first DVB card. The number corresponds with what at the end of the dmesg output is displayed: "registering frontend 0".)
  • By filling out the card, you'll see that "Frontend ID" and "Subtype" automatically filled.
  • The timeouts can remain on their default values.

Now your screen should look somewhat like the one below (this may vary depending your version and look).

Manual dvb-s capture card setup cc TTBudgetS1500.jpg


DiSEqC

If you use a DVB-S capture device, you need to setup the right settings for DiSEqC. This is the protocol which enables your system to tell your dish to which satellite it has to look.

  • Click on DiSEqC in the configuration of the capture card.
  • If nothing had yet been configured, you will see "(Unconnected)" on top of the screen. Select this to make adjustments.


Warning: In the current version of MythTV it's not yet possible to alter a DiSEqC connection once it is established. If you still want to do this, you must remove the capture card and add it back (in your configuration menu not your hardware stupid...).


If you click "(Unconnected)", you'll get a small list of choices:


Manual dvb-s capture card diseqc.jpg

Choose the device with which this capture device is linked. If in doubt choose LNB.

DiSEqC Switch

Choose Switch, if your capturecard is connected with a DiSEqC switch so you can select multiple LNB's.

Manual dvb-s capture card diseqc switch.jpg

  • Description: A recognizable description for this switch.
  • Repeat count: The number of times a command is repeated (for unreliable switches).
  • Switch Type: The type of switch, usually DiSEqC (Valid choices are: Tone, DiSEqC, Legacy SW21, SW42 Legacy and Legacy SW64).
  • Number of ports: The number of ports on the switch. Depending on the switchtype it's possible you can not change this (e.g. Tone is always 2 ports).

Once the institutions of the switch are known, you get the next screen. Here you can choose for each switchport what really is connected, this usually is an LNB.

Manual dvb-s capture card diseqc switch 2.jpg

DiSEqC Rotor

Choose Rotor, if you capturecard is connected to a rotating dish.

Manual dvb-s capture card diseqc Rotor.jpg

  • Description: Add a recognizable description of the rotor here.
  • Rotor type: Add what type of rotor you will use. Valid choices are: "DiSEqC 1.2" and "DiSEqC 1.3 (GotoX / USALS)". By the first you can configure the "Posistions".
  • Also you must enter some data specific to your rotor and location.

If you're done with the configuration of the DiSEqC rotor, then you get the next screen, where you can choose what is connected with your rotor. Again, this will usually be an LNB.

Manual dvb-s capture card diseqc Rotor2.jpg

DiSEqC 1.2 positions

If you choose for "Positions" with rotor type "DiSEqC 1.2", then you get the next screen where you can configure a positionnumber for each "Orbital Position".

<Todo: add more information here about the use of this> 

Manual dvb-s capture card diseqc Rotor3.jpg

DiSEqC LNB

Choose for LNB, if you capture device is directly connected with an LNB.

Manual dvb-s capture card diseqc lnb.jpg

  • Description: This should be a recognisable description for this LNB (e.g. "Astra 19.2")
  • LNB preset: "Universal (Europe)" is ually the right choice if you live in europ, but depends on the type of LNB. Consult the documentation of your LNB if Universal does not work.


Finding satellite info and channels

Create your settings for MythTV by opening the MythTV-setup.

setup your card, ensure you use card 0 (or any other adapter number you use), setup a storage directory, setup your Video Sources, setup your Input connections, Scan channels etc. For initial transponders, use one frequency that locks from the list:

  1. D**hnet 119 -> http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/dish119.html
  2. D**hnet 110 -> http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/dish110.html
  3. B*v 91 -> http://www.lyngsat.com/nimiq1.html
  4. B*v 82 -> http://www.lyngsat.com/nimiq2.html

Add 3 zeros to the end of each frequency (ie 12224 R should be 12224000, Right Circular, 20000000)


Channel search and import scripts

MythTV channel scanner v0.95.1 updated 08/06/08 - http://dvbn.happysat.org/viewtopic.php?t=45911

Contributors

This section is initially setup by Loki with help from MythPortal.be, an excellent resource for setting up MythTV (Dutch language).


References

Lyngsat.com

One of the best resources to retreive channel data.

MythPortal.be

Excellent tutorials for setting up MythTV as a satellite receiver (Dutch language).