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Alternatives to DVB-T (UK) PCI Cards

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lists_mythtv_users at bigpizza

Apr 22, 2008, 12:56 AM

Post #1 of 13 (3652 views)
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Alternatives to DVB-T (UK) PCI Cards

Hello all,

I've currently got 4 PCI Hauppauge Nova-T DVB cards in my backend
(sounds painful I know) which I'd like to replace so I can upgrade my
motherboard. I've found it more and more difficult to find new
motherbaords with 4 PCI slots. A search on newegg.com showed 3 boards
with 4 PCI slots and 109 boards with 4 PCI slots.

What alternatives are available that will allow me to continue to use 4
tuners? I've heard there's been a problem with the Nova-T 500 with the
USB stack thought that has recently been fixed. I can't find any PCI-e
cards that have mature Linux drivers and I don't know of any products
like the HDHomerun, i.e. a standalone box that can be connected to the
backend via a network cable. USB tuners look like the most likely part
to use as a replacement but I've read about the devices getting
renumbered after a reboot. One of the nice things about the Nova-T PCI
cards is that after a reboot everything just works.

Thanks,

Steve.

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mail at olivermaunder

Apr 22, 2008, 2:56 AM

Post #2 of 13 (3545 views)
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Re: Alternatives to DVB-T (UK) PCI Cards [In reply to]

On Tue, Apr 22, 2008 at 8:56 AM, lists_mythtv_users <
lists_mythtv_users [at] bigpizza> wrote:

> What alternatives are available that will allow me to continue to use 4
> tuners? I've heard there's been a problem with the Nova-T 500 with the
> USB stack thought that has recently been fixed.

With multirec in 0.21 do you still need four separate tuners?

Another possibility is having a slave backend with a couple of tuners using
your current motherboard then you could get a new MB to use for the master
backend with another couople of tuners.

The Nova-T 500 would be the ideal solution, but I'm still having USB
problems with it.

Olly

lists_mythtv_users at bigpizza

Apr 22, 2008, 3:13 AM

Post #3 of 13 (3539 views)
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Re: Alternatives to DVB-T (UK) PCI Cards [In reply to]

Oliver Maunder wrote:
>
>
> On Tue, Apr 22, 2008 at 8:56 AM, lists_mythtv_users
> <lists_mythtv_users [at] bigpizza
> <mailto:lists_mythtv_users [at] bigpizza>> wrote:
>
>
> What alternatives are available that will allow me to continue to
> use 4
> tuners? I've heard there's been a problem with the Nova-T 500
> with the
> USB stack thought that has recently been fixed.
>
>
> With multirec in 0.21 do you still need four separate tuners?
I've wondered the same thing myself. I've had a maximum of 6 programmes
being recorded using multirec. However, it looks like the scheduler
uses the physical cards first before it tries to use the multirec
feature though I that's just a casual observation I've made. I've not
performed any testing to prove the theory. How would I test to see if
three physical tuners are enough? Remove DVB-3 and see if the total
number of upcoming recordings is the same?

>
> Another possibility is having a slave backend with a couple of tuners
> using your current motherboard then you could get a new MB to use for
> the master backend with another couople of tuners.
>
I'd rather not have to build another PC, my electricity bill is high
enough already. ;-)

> The Nova-T 500 would be the ideal solution, but I'm still having USB
> problems with it.
>
My thoughts too. Have you upgraded to the latest kernel which is
supposed to fix the USB problem?

> Olly
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> mythtv-users mailing list
> mythtv-users [at] mythtv
> http://mythtv.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users
>

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mythtv at macker

Apr 22, 2008, 3:27 AM

Post #4 of 13 (3535 views)
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Re: Alternatives to DVB-T (UK) PCI Cards [In reply to]

bryan.bennetts at gmail

Apr 22, 2008, 3:28 AM

Post #5 of 13 (3545 views)
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Re: Alternatives to DVB-T (UK) PCI Cards [In reply to]

On Tuesday 22 April 2008 11:13, lists_mythtv_users wrote:
> > The Nova-T 500 would be the ideal solution, but I'm still having USB
> > problems with it.
>
> My thoughts too. �Have you upgraded to the latest kernel which is
> supposed to fix the USB problem?

FYI, I was getting the USB disconnects, since upgrading to the fixed kernel
about 2 weeks ago I haven't had a single problem with my Nova-t 500.

B.
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mail at olivermaunder

Apr 22, 2008, 3:29 AM

Post #6 of 13 (3542 views)
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Re: Alternatives to DVB-T (UK) PCI Cards [In reply to]

On Tue, Apr 22, 2008 at 11:13 AM, lists_mythtv_users <
lists_mythtv_users [at] bigpizza> wrote:

> My thoughts too. Have you upgraded to the latest kernel which is
> supposed to fix the USB problem?
>

Yeah - I'm using Ubuntu Hardy so the kernel should have those fixes in. I
haven't got the latest v4l modules though, so that's probably causing
problems. I'll test those out this evening.

Olly

mailing at biased

Apr 22, 2008, 3:34 AM

Post #7 of 13 (3521 views)
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Re: Alternatives to DVB-T (UK) PCI Cards [In reply to]

Hi,

>> Another possibility is having a slave backend with a couple of tuners
>> using your current motherboard then you could get a new MB to use for
>> the master backend with another couople of tuners.
>>
> I'd rather not have to build another PC, my electricity bill is high
> enough already. ;-)

A friend of mine who uses MythTV IIRC had 2 backends, one of which is
off most of the time, and the master backend uses WoL to wake up the
slave when it needs to record something and when it finishes, it
completely powers down. Seems effective, though WoL can be hit or
miss, though hit more often than miss.

Just my 2 cents...

Cheers - Piers
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gary.dawes at gmail

Apr 22, 2008, 6:24 AM

Post #8 of 13 (3539 views)
Permalink

Re: Alternatives to DVB-T (UK) PCI Cards [In reply to]

On 22/04/2008, lists_mythtv_users <lists_mythtv_users [at] bigpizza> wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> I've currently got 4 PCI Hauppauge Nova-T DVB cards in my backend
> (sounds painful I know) which I'd like to replace so I can upgrade my
> motherboard. I've found it more and more difficult to find new
> motherbaords with 4 PCI slots. A search on newegg.com showed 3 boards
> with 4 PCI slots and 109 boards with 4 PCI slots.
>
> What alternatives are available that will allow me to continue to use 4
> tuners? I've heard there's been a problem with the Nova-T 500 with the
> USB stack thought that has recently been fixed. I can't find any PCI-e
> cards that have mature Linux drivers and I don't know of any products
> like the HDHomerun, i.e. a standalone box that can be connected to the
> backend via a network cable. USB tuners look like the most likely part
> to use as a replacement but I've read about the devices getting
> renumbered after a reboot. One of the nice things about the Nova-T PCI
> cards is that after a reboot everything just works.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Steve.
>
>
> I've got 3 freecom usb dvb-t tuners in my backend (knoppmyth), and
initially had problems once udev came on the scene. I would get it where
myth could only open 1 or 2 tuners or not get a reliable signal lock - all
sorts of wierd problems. I tried looking at udev rules. but the solution
(unbelievably after weeks struggling) was to change the card access for the
backend to always, rather then when needed.

My three cards work ace just about all the time now. occasionally 5US will
bomb out, but that's no great loss!

I reckon that as long as you open the cards on the backend startup, and that
they are all the same card type, that you will not have any problem.

Only black mark against the freecoms is the crappy antenna connectors. I
have my sticks on the end of usb leads, and taped together to minise
movement of the sticks and cables.

Gary

gordon-mccrae at bluebottle

Apr 22, 2008, 1:25 PM

Post #9 of 13 (3502 views)
Permalink

Re: Alternatives to DVB-T (UK) PCI Cards [In reply to]

lists_mythtv_users wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> I've currently got 4 PCI Hauppauge Nova-T DVB cards in my backend
> (sounds painful I know) which I'd like to replace so I can upgrade my
> motherboard. I've found it more and more difficult to find new
> motherbaords with 4 PCI slots. A search on newegg.com showed 3 boards
> with 4 PCI slots and 109 boards with 4 PCI slots.
>
> What alternatives are available that will allow me to continue to use 4
> tuners? I've heard there's been a problem with the Nova-T 500 with the
> USB stack thought that has recently been fixed. I can't find any PCI-e
> cards that have mature Linux drivers and I don't know of any products
> like the HDHomerun, i.e. a standalone box that can be connected to the
> backend via a network cable. USB tuners look like the most likely part
> to use as a replacement but I've read about the devices getting
> renumbered after a reboot. One of the nice things about the Nova-T PCI
> cards is that after a reboot everything just works.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Steve.
>
> _______________________________________________
> mythtv-users mailing list
> mythtv-users [at] mythtv
> http://mythtv.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users
>
>
I'm using 4 Nova-T USB tuners without problems, not sure about the
renumbering of devices, how would you notice this, and what would the
negative effect?

Cheers
Gordon

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally - A spam blocker that actually works.
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anothersname at googlemail

Apr 22, 2008, 5:40 PM

Post #10 of 13 (3496 views)
Permalink

Re: Alternatives to DVB-T (UK) PCI Cards [In reply to]

Asus P5WDG2, has two pci and two PCI-X (that's PCI-X not PCI-E) slots.
PCI-X slots support standard PCI cards (admittedly they turn down the
bus speed on the slot but they do work). The board will support 45nm
Quad core processors (in case you're going to do a lot of
transcoding).

Personally I'd recommend using a couple of 500's with the dual tuners
built in and then use say one more external USB-TD dual tuner if you
really think you'll need 6 tuners. However I have a setup using 4
tuners under multirec (8 virtual tuners) and very seldom need all 4
actual tuners active (maybe once every couple of weeks) where there
are lots of simultaneous live sports events on. The system feeds 4
different frontends in a large house and works very well.

Good Luck

On 22/04/2008, Gordon McCrae <gordon-mccrae [at] bluebottle> wrote:
> lists_mythtv_users wrote:
> > Hello all,
> >
> > I've currently got 4 PCI Hauppauge Nova-T DVB cards in my backend
> > (sounds painful I know) which I'd like to replace so I can upgrade my
> > motherboard. I've found it more and more difficult to find new
> > motherbaords with 4 PCI slots. A search on newegg.com showed 3 boards
> > with 4 PCI slots and 109 boards with 4 PCI slots.
> >
> > What alternatives are available that will allow me to continue to use 4
> > tuners? I've heard there's been a problem with the Nova-T 500 with the
> > USB stack thought that has recently been fixed. I can't find any PCI-e
> > cards that have mature Linux drivers and I don't know of any products
> > like the HDHomerun, i.e. a standalone box that can be connected to the
> > backend via a network cable. USB tuners look like the most likely part
> > to use as a replacement but I've read about the devices getting
> > renumbered after a reboot. One of the nice things about the Nova-T PCI
> > cards is that after a reboot everything just works.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Steve.
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > mythtv-users mailing list
> > mythtv-users [at] mythtv
> > http://mythtv.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users
> >
> >
>
> I'm using 4 Nova-T USB tuners without problems, not sure about the
> renumbering of devices, how would you notice this, and what would the
> negative effect?
>
> Cheers
> Gordon
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Finally - A spam blocker that actually works.
> http://www.bluebottle.com/tag/4
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> mythtv-users mailing list
> mythtv-users [at] mythtv
> http://mythtv.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users
>
_______________________________________________
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knowledgejunkie at gmail

Apr 23, 2008, 1:38 AM

Post #11 of 13 (3470 views)
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Re: Alternatives to DVB-T (UK) PCI Cards [In reply to]

On 22/04/2008, Gordon McCrae <gordon-mccrae [at] bluebottle> wrote:
> I'm using 4 Nova-T USB tuners without problems, not sure about the
> renumbering of devices, how would you notice this, and what would the
> negative effect?

If the 4 cards/sticks are all the same model/class and receive a good
signal, it shouldn't matter if devices move around at boot (i.e. if
/dev/dvb/adaptor0/ becomes /dev/dvb/adaptor2/).

Inconsistent device numbering causes problems is when a user has
different classes of device (i.e. DVB-T and DVB-S devices using the
/dev/dvb/* tree, or analogue and hardware encoding capture cards using
/dev/videoX devices), or when different cards receive different signal
strengths, and you want the ability to prefer particular cards over
others.

udev rules specifying PCI addresses (which should be consistent)
should be able to better differentiate between multiple identical
cards if specific card numbering is required.

--
Nick Morrott

MythTV Official wiki:
http://mythtv.org/wiki/
MythTV users list archive:
http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users

"An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest." - Benjamin Franklin
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watkinshome at gmail

Apr 23, 2008, 3:53 AM

Post #12 of 13 (3472 views)
Permalink

Re: Alternatives to DVB-T (UK) PCI Cards [In reply to]

On 23/04/2008, Nick Morrott <knowledgejunkie [at] gmail> wrote:
> On 22/04/2008, Gordon McCrae <gordon-mccrae [at] bluebottle> wrote:
> > I'm using 4 Nova-T USB tuners without problems, not sure about the
> > renumbering of devices, how would you notice this, and what would the
> > negative effect?
>
> If the 4 cards/sticks are all the same model/class and receive a good
> signal, it shouldn't matter if devices move around at boot (i.e. if
> /dev/dvb/adaptor0/ becomes /dev/dvb/adaptor2/).
>
> Inconsistent device numbering causes problems is when a user has
> different classes of device (i.e. DVB-T and DVB-S devices using the
> /dev/dvb/* tree, or analogue and hardware encoding capture cards using
> /dev/videoX devices), or when different cards receive different signal
> strengths, and you want the ability to prefer particular cards over
> others.

.. or your machine is also a frontend, and your ir reciever is
connected to one of the cards.
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knowledgejunkie at gmail

Apr 23, 2008, 5:45 AM

Post #13 of 13 (3488 views)
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Re: Alternatives to DVB-T (UK) PCI Cards [In reply to]

On 23/04/2008, David Watkins <watkinshome [at] gmail> wrote:
> On 23/04/2008, Nick Morrott <knowledgejunkie [at] gmail> wrote:
> > On 22/04/2008, Gordon McCrae <gordon-mccrae [at] bluebottle> wrote:
> > > I'm using 4 Nova-T USB tuners without problems, not sure about the
> > > renumbering of devices, how would you notice this, and what would the
> > > negative effect?
> >
> > If the 4 cards/sticks are all the same model/class and receive a good
> > signal, it shouldn't matter if devices move around at boot (i.e. if
> > /dev/dvb/adaptor0/ becomes /dev/dvb/adaptor2/).
> >
> > Inconsistent device numbering causes problems is when a user has
> > different classes of device (i.e. DVB-T and DVB-S devices using the
> > /dev/dvb/* tree, or analogue and hardware encoding capture cards using
> > /dev/videoX devices), or when different cards receive different signal
> > strengths, and you want the ability to prefer particular cards over
> > others.
>
>
> .. or your machine is also a frontend, and your ir reciever is
> connected to one of the cards.

Very true, thanks for adding that. I guess this applies whether you're
using lirc_i2c (multiple /dev/lircX devices) or dev/input (multiple
/dev/input/eventX devices) in LIRC.

--
Nick Morrott

MythTV Official wiki:
http://mythtv.org/wiki/
MythTV users list archive:
http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users

"An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest." - Benjamin Franklin
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