Comments on: Ubuntu HTPC with satellite TV http://blog.bokhorst.biz/2991/computers-and-internet/ubuntu-htpc-with-satellite-tv/ Bloggers zijn blijer! Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:41:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Marcel http://blog.bokhorst.biz/2991/computers-and-internet/ubuntu-htpc-with-satellite-tv/comment-page-1/#comment-4282 Marcel Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:46:01 +0000 http://blog.bokhorst.biz/?p=2991#comment-4282 The reason is mainly that I wanted a all-in-one solution. tvheadend is quite stable and the same applies to XBMC, although I have to say I am not a daily user. Both tvheadend (<a href="https://github.com/andoma/tvheadend/blob/master/debian/changelog" rel="nofollow">changelog</a>) and XBMC are actively developed. For XBMC we can expect <a href="http://xbmc.org/natethomas/2011/12/24/xbmc-11-0-eden-beta-available-now/" rel="nofollow">Eden</a> in the near future. VDR doesn't seems to be developed active anymore (<a href="http://www.tvdr.de/changelog.htm" rel="nofollow">changelog</a>). The reason is mainly that I wanted a all-in-one solution. tvheadend is quite stable and the same applies to XBMC, although I have to say I am not a daily user. Both tvheadend (changelog) and XBMC are actively developed. For XBMC we can expect Eden in the near future. VDR doesn’t seems to be developed active anymore (changelog).

]]> By: Ludo Lenière http://blog.bokhorst.biz/2991/computers-and-internet/ubuntu-htpc-with-satellite-tv/comment-page-1/#comment-4281 Ludo Lenière Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:35:44 +0000 http://blog.bokhorst.biz/?p=2991#comment-4281 Hi Marcel, At a certain moment you switched from vdr to tvheadend. Years ago I tried Mythtv and I was fond of it. When I changed from analog to digital tv however I started using vdr as at that time Mythtv was only able to decrypt streams on the first adapter (don't know if this has changed since then) Now I'm still using vdr + sxfe as I find this the most stable solution. I tried xbmc-pvr2 as a frondtend. It's beautifull but in my opinion a little unstable. Can you please tell me the reason why you switched to tvheadend and maybe why others should too? I know it's a lot easier to setup, but is it also better in terms of stability? Hi Marcel,
At a certain moment you switched from vdr to tvheadend. Years ago I tried Mythtv and I was fond of it. When I changed from analog to digital tv however I started using vdr as at that time Mythtv was only able to decrypt streams on the first adapter (don’t know if this has changed since then)
Now I’m still using vdr + sxfe as I find this the most stable solution. I tried xbmc-pvr2 as a frondtend. It’s beautifull but in my opinion a little unstable.
Can you please tell me the reason why you switched to tvheadend and maybe why others should too? I know it’s a lot easier to setup, but is it also better in terms of stability?

]]> By: Mark http://blog.bokhorst.biz/2991/computers-and-internet/ubuntu-htpc-with-satellite-tv/comment-page-1/#comment-4262 Mark Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:31:57 +0000 http://blog.bokhorst.biz/?p=2991#comment-4262 Small update: after a lot of frustration with MythTV and sasc-ng I am now back to XBMC. As you may know XMBC 11 is almost ready, and I decided to install a version 11 pre-release (see http://packages.pulse-eight.net/UbuntuInstall). To my surprise I can schedule records from within XBMC now! Also I found a very nice EPG table in this version. This version works very well for me. It occasionally crashes but I hope that will be fixed in the final release. I also compiled the latest tvheadend from source (git) and this also fixed some problems I had before. Small update: after a lot of frustration with MythTV and sasc-ng I am now back to XBMC. As you may know XMBC 11 is almost ready, and I decided to install a version 11 pre-release (see http://packages.pulse-eight.net/UbuntuInstall). To my surprise I can schedule records from within XBMC now! Also I found a very nice EPG table in this version. This version works very well for me. It occasionally crashes but I hope that will be fixed in the final release.

I also compiled the latest tvheadend from source (git) and this also fixed some problems I had before.

]]> By: Mark http://blog.bokhorst.biz/2991/computers-and-internet/ubuntu-htpc-with-satellite-tv/comment-page-1/#comment-4190 Mark Sun, 27 Nov 2011 15:54:32 +0000 http://blog.bokhorst.biz/?p=2991#comment-4190 Thanks. Now that things work I am a bit disappointed at the XBMC integration. There is no overall EPG table available like MythTV has. Also it's not possible to set recordings within XBMC. In tvheadend on the other hand I am not able to watch recordings (the 'VLC player' browser screen remains black). So that will force me (and more important, my girlfriend) to switch between XBMC and tvheadend over and over again. I really liked the MythTV interface. I used MythTV for free to air DVB-T channels and that worked great. Unfortunately MythTV needs sasc-ng to decode channels and sasc-ng fails to work on Ubuntu 11.10... So I will have to wait for a working sasc-ng version, or for a more usable XBMC plugin for tvheadend. Thanks. Now that things work I am a bit disappointed at the XBMC integration. There is no overall EPG table available like MythTV has. Also it’s not possible to set recordings within XBMC. In tvheadend on the other hand I am not able to watch recordings (the ‘VLC player’ browser screen remains black). So that will force me (and more important, my girlfriend) to switch between XBMC and tvheadend over and over again.

I really liked the MythTV interface. I used MythTV for free to air DVB-T channels and that worked great. Unfortunately MythTV needs sasc-ng to decode channels and sasc-ng fails to work on Ubuntu 11.10… So I will have to wait for a working sasc-ng version, or for a more usable XBMC plugin for tvheadend.

]]> By: Marcel http://blog.bokhorst.biz/2991/computers-and-internet/ubuntu-htpc-with-satellite-tv/comment-page-1/#comment-4188 Marcel Sat, 26 Nov 2011 13:22:01 +0000 http://blog.bokhorst.biz/?p=2991#comment-4188 You have to try if this info is not available. The only thing I know the Dutch channels are all QPSK. You have to try if this info is not available.
The only thing I know the Dutch channels are all QPSK.

]]> By: Mark http://blog.bokhorst.biz/2991/computers-and-internet/ubuntu-htpc-with-satellite-tv/comment-page-1/#comment-4187 Mark Sat, 26 Nov 2011 11:34:28 +0000 http://blog.bokhorst.biz/?p=2991#comment-4187 It works! Thank you so much! I now have Ned1 on the second LNB (port 1, Astra 23.5). I didn't know the frequencies in the Canal Digitaal are in MHz, but you are right, I had to add three zero's. How can I know if a channel uses QPSK of PSK_8? For some channels I can find it on www.lyngsat.com, but for others I can't. Is there a rule for this, or should I just try it each time if the info is not available? It works! Thank you so much! I now have Ned1 on the second LNB (port 1, Astra 23.5). I didn’t know the frequencies in the Canal Digitaal are in MHz, but you are right, I had to add three zero’s.
How can I know if a channel uses QPSK of PSK_8? For some channels I can find it on http://www.lyngsat.com, but for others I can’t. Is there a rule for this, or should I just try it each time if the info is not available?

]]> By: Marcel http://blog.bokhorst.biz/2991/computers-and-internet/ubuntu-htpc-with-satellite-tv/comment-page-1/#comment-4186 Marcel Sat, 26 Nov 2011 10:51:08 +0000 http://blog.bokhorst.biz/?p=2991#comment-4186 The frequency is in kHz, so you need to add three zero's: 11856000. The constellation for Canal Digitaal is QPSK. For your triple sat dish you need to add three LNB's in Tvheadend. Take care to select the right port and do this before you add transponders, because Tvheadend needs to know which port to use for the transponder. Most of this you already discovered :-) The port number is needed to select the right LNB. I cannot tell you which port is for which LNB / sat. Maybe you can find this in the manual of your dish, else you will have to guess. Mostly the first LNB is port zero and the next one has number one and so on. The trick is to find out if the ports are counted from the left or from the right. scan and w_scan definitely need the LNB information too, else only the first LNB will be scanned. The frequency is in kHz, so you need to add three zero’s: 11856000.
The constellation for Canal Digitaal is QPSK.

For your triple sat dish you need to add three LNB’s in Tvheadend. Take care to select the right port and do this before you add transponders, because Tvheadend needs to know which port to use for the transponder. Most of this you already discovered :-) The port number is needed to select the right LNB. I cannot tell you which port is for which LNB / sat. Maybe you can find this in the manual of your dish, else you will have to guess. Mostly the first LNB is port zero and the next one has number one and so on. The trick is to find out if the ports are counted from the left or from the right.

scan and w_scan definitely need the LNB information too, else only the first LNB will be scanned.

]]> By: Mark http://blog.bokhorst.biz/2991/computers-and-internet/ubuntu-htpc-with-satellite-tv/comment-page-1/#comment-4185 Mark Sat, 26 Nov 2011 10:29:14 +0000 http://blog.bokhorst.biz/?p=2991#comment-4185 Thanks a lot Marcel! However, I still can't get it to work. I try to add a mux for Ned1 with this info (mostly from Canal Digitaal): Freqency (kHz): 11856 Symbolrate (baud): 27500000 FEC: 5/6 Delivery System: SYS_DVDS2 Constellation: I don't know what to choose here, but I tried QPSK and PSK_8 Polarisation: Vertical Satellite Config: Port 0, Universal LNB After adding the mux I immediately get this in the log window: Nov 26 11:08:18 dvb: "/dev/dvb/adapter0" tuning to "11,856 kHz Vertical (Default (Port 0, Universal LNB))" -- Front configuration failed -- Invalid argument, frequency: 9738144 Do you see what I did wrong? One other thing that I don't quite understand is how to use my triple sat dish. In other comments I (think I) read that I have to add three LNB's in tvheadend for this dish. That surprises me as other tools (scan, w_scan) don't need this. But following the advice I added two entries to the 'satellite config' tab, one with switchport 1 and one with switchport 2 (switchport 0 already exists). When adding muxes I now can choose one of these three under (Satellite Config), but I don't know which one to choose. And again I really doubt if this is necessary? Thanks a lot Marcel! However, I still can’t get it to work. I try to add a mux for Ned1 with this info (mostly from Canal Digitaal):
Freqency (kHz): 11856
Symbolrate (baud): 27500000
FEC: 5/6
Delivery System: SYS_DVDS2
Constellation: I don’t know what to choose here, but I tried QPSK and PSK_8
Polarisation: Vertical
Satellite Config: Port 0, Universal LNB

After adding the mux I immediately get this in the log window:
Nov 26 11:08:18 dvb: “/dev/dvb/adapter0″ tuning to “11,856 kHz Vertical (Default (Port 0, Universal LNB))” — Front configuration failed — Invalid argument, frequency: 9738144

Do you see what I did wrong?

One other thing that I don’t quite understand is how to use my triple sat dish. In other comments I (think I) read that I have to add three LNB’s in tvheadend for this dish. That surprises me as other tools (scan, w_scan) don’t need this. But following the advice I added two entries to the ‘satellite config’ tab, one with switchport 1 and one with switchport 2 (switchport 0 already exists). When adding muxes I now can choose one of these three under (Satellite Config), but I don’t know which one to choose. And again I really doubt if this is necessary?

]]> By: Marcel http://blog.bokhorst.biz/2991/computers-and-internet/ubuntu-htpc-with-satellite-tv/comment-page-1/#comment-4184 Marcel Sat, 26 Nov 2011 08:25:19 +0000 http://blog.bokhorst.biz/?p=2991#comment-4184 I never had the patience to wait for the channels to be scanned. I added the transponders and channels I wanted manually with the info Canal Digitaal provides <a href="http://www.canaldigitaal.nl/klantenservice/downloads.aspx" rel="nofollow">here</a> ("zenderlijst"). I never had the patience to wait for the channels to be scanned. I added the transponders and channels I wanted manually with the info Canal Digitaal provides here (“zenderlijst”).

]]> By: Mark http://blog.bokhorst.biz/2991/computers-and-internet/ubuntu-htpc-with-satellite-tv/comment-page-1/#comment-4179 Mark Fri, 25 Nov 2011 22:58:19 +0000 http://blog.bokhorst.biz/?p=2991#comment-4179 Thanks for sharing your experiences, it really helped me. But how did you manage to get Dutch channels in tvheadend? I have configured Oscam with my Canal Digital smartcard. That works great, I can watch the available channels in xbmc, also the encoded ones. But every time I try tvheadend fails to find the Dutch channels (BVN,ned1,ned2,ned3,RTL4,etc. etc.). BVN is free to air, the rest are Canal Digital paid channels as you will know. The only 'Dutch' channels I have are Canvas and één from Belgium (which are also paid channels). I've spend quite some time on scanning channels as this is really slow, it drives me crazy it doesn't find the Dutch channels each time... So I am eager to know how you managed to get them, if you did. Thanks for sharing your experiences, it really helped me. But how did you manage to get Dutch channels in tvheadend? I have configured Oscam with my Canal Digital smartcard. That works great, I can watch the available channels in xbmc, also the encoded ones.
But every time I try tvheadend fails to find the Dutch channels (BVN,ned1,ned2,ned3,RTL4,etc. etc.). BVN is free to air, the rest are Canal Digital paid channels as you will know. The only ‘Dutch’ channels I have are Canvas and één from Belgium (which are also paid channels).
I’ve spend quite some time on scanning channels as this is really slow, it drives me crazy it doesn’t find the Dutch channels each time… So I am eager to know how you managed to get them, if you did.

]]> By: Marcel http://blog.bokhorst.biz/2991/computers-and-internet/ubuntu-htpc-with-satellite-tv/comment-page-1/#comment-4147 Marcel Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:11:39 +0000 http://blog.bokhorst.biz/?p=2991#comment-4147 I don't have experience with your LNB, but the principle stays the same, just create and configure the LNB's in Tvheadend. I don’t have experience with your LNB, but the principle stays the same, just create and configure the LNB’s in Tvheadend.

]]> By: Dave Haakenhout http://blog.bokhorst.biz/2991/computers-and-internet/ubuntu-htpc-with-satellite-tv/comment-page-1/#comment-4144 Dave Haakenhout Tue, 15 Nov 2011 07:12:21 +0000 http://blog.bokhorst.biz/?p=2991#comment-4144 Hi Marcel, Again me about Diseqc settings, any chance that you have experience with an Canal Digital Technisat tripple LNB with settings point out within tvheadend ? Thnx Hi Marcel,

Again me about Diseqc settings, any chance that you have experience with an Canal Digital Technisat tripple LNB with settings point out within tvheadend ?

Thnx

]]> By: Marcel http://blog.bokhorst.biz/2991/computers-and-internet/ubuntu-htpc-with-satellite-tv/comment-page-1/#comment-4038 Marcel Sun, 02 Oct 2011 11:19:39 +0000 http://blog.bokhorst.biz/?p=2991#comment-4038 The guide is based on a softcam. I don't know how your hardcam works, but if it is transparent for the software nothing has to be done. Else you will have to look into the TvHeadend documentation if it is supported. The guide is based on a softcam. I don’t know how your hardcam works, but if it is transparent for the software nothing has to be done. Else you will have to look into the TvHeadend documentation if it is supported.

]]> By: manni http://blog.bokhorst.biz/2991/computers-and-internet/ubuntu-htpc-with-satellite-tv/comment-page-1/#comment-4037 manni Sun, 02 Oct 2011 11:07:35 +0000 http://blog.bokhorst.biz/?p=2991#comment-4037 Hello Marcel, I run Tvheadend and xbmc on my htpc the last 6 month, but finally I wish to get the Sky channels over my htpc? For the moment I have also the Pace receiver which descramble the Sky channels without any problem. But I'd like to use only one unit for TV, so I have bought an Alphacrypt modul und I have the Sky S02 card (Nagravision). If I follow your guide will I have success or do I have to change something? Hello Marcel,

I run Tvheadend and xbmc on my htpc the last 6 month, but finally I wish to get the Sky channels over my htpc? For the moment I have also the Pace receiver which descramble the Sky channels without any problem. But I’d like to use only one unit for TV, so I have bought an Alphacrypt modul und I have the Sky S02 card (Nagravision). If I follow your guide will I have success or do I have to change something?

]]> By: Marcel http://blog.bokhorst.biz/2991/computers-and-internet/ubuntu-htpc-with-satellite-tv/comment-page-1/#comment-4013 Marcel Wed, 14 Sep 2011 10:23:45 +0000 http://blog.bokhorst.biz/?p=2991#comment-4013 Just create two LNB's with channel number 0 and 1 and it will work automatically. I have the same configuration. Just create two LNB’s with channel number 0 and 1 and it will work automatically. I have the same configuration.

]]> By: Dave Haakkenhout http://blog.bokhorst.biz/2991/computers-and-internet/ubuntu-htpc-with-satellite-tv/comment-page-1/#comment-4012 Dave Haakkenhout Wed, 14 Sep 2011 07:40:24 +0000 http://blog.bokhorst.biz/?p=2991#comment-4012 Marcel, Do you have any experencience with diseqC settings in Tv Headend with an duo lnb from Canal Digitaal ( 19.2 & 23.5 ) ? I can get 19.2 but not the 23.5. I know i have to tell the diseqC to switch to 23.5 but how ? Marcel,

Do you have any experencience with diseqC settings in Tv Headend with an duo lnb from Canal Digitaal ( 19.2 & 23.5 ) ?

I can get 19.2 but not the 23.5. I know i have to tell the diseqC to switch to 23.5 but how ?

]]> By: Marcel http://blog.bokhorst.biz/2991/computers-and-internet/ubuntu-htpc-with-satellite-tv/comment-page-1/#comment-3952 Marcel Tue, 16 Aug 2011 06:52:33 +0000 http://blog.bokhorst.biz/?p=2991#comment-3952 Updated for XBMC + Tvheadend and lastest versions of drivers and oscam. Updated for XBMC + Tvheadend and lastest versions of drivers and oscam.

]]> By: Marcel http://blog.bokhorst.biz/2991/computers-and-internet/ubuntu-htpc-with-satellite-tv/comment-page-1/#comment-3919 Marcel Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:53:04 +0000 http://blog.bokhorst.biz/?p=2991#comment-3919 I do not pay for the Dutch HD channel, so I cannot tell if this is still the case. I don't have BBC HD either, but most of the German FTA HD channels are okay. I have to warn about Tvheadend and the Dutch/Flemish paid channels: it doesn't work. See for details <a href="http://www.lonelycoder.com/redmine/issues/205" rel="nofollow">this unresolved bug</a>, which I filed a long time ago. I do not pay for the Dutch HD channel, so I cannot tell if this is still the case. I don’t have BBC HD either, but most of the German FTA HD channels are okay.

I have to warn about Tvheadend and the Dutch/Flemish paid channels: it doesn’t work. See for details this unresolved bug, which I filed a long time ago.

]]> By: Menno http://blog.bokhorst.biz/2991/computers-and-internet/ubuntu-htpc-with-satellite-tv/comment-page-1/#comment-3918 Menno Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:26:54 +0000 http://blog.bokhorst.biz/?p=2991#comment-3918 I am about to do a very similiar setup, Ill use a atom D525 as server with the same USB receiver, a Nvidia GS8400 to decode HD channels, a smargo, and use an apple tv2 with tvheadend as client. I read that Dutch HD channels are without image?? I assume this is still the case? Do you happen to use a triple sat, and how's BBC HD if so? I am about to do a very similiar setup, Ill use a atom D525 as server with the same USB receiver, a Nvidia GS8400 to decode HD channels, a smargo, and use an apple tv2 with tvheadend as client.

I read that Dutch HD channels are without image??
I assume this is still the case? Do you happen to use a triple sat, and how’s BBC HD if so?

]]> By: Marcel http://blog.bokhorst.biz/2991/computers-and-internet/ubuntu-htpc-with-satellite-tv/comment-page-1/#comment-3914 Marcel Mon, 01 Aug 2011 09:02:43 +0000 http://blog.bokhorst.biz/?p=2991#comment-3914 It works most of the time, but not perfect. It works most of the time, but not perfect.

]]>