how do I use DVB-s?

[scuzzo84]

"Al Jazeera can be freely viewed with a DVB-S receiver as it is broadcast on the Astra and Hotbird satellites."

So where do I start? Do I just google for a DVB-S receiver with satelite dish and then just set it up? I dont know anything about dishes.

I do have a HUGES SILVER EDITION DIRECTV receiver and dish outiside. We dont have the service anymore though. CAn I use this hardware?

[Fantasma]

Hi,

If the channel you plan to watch is not encrypted, that is to say FTA (Free to Air), you could just purchase a DVB-S satellite card, I would recommend the SkyStar 2, a PCI Fan would come handy to control the heat.

A second dish also will be necessary, you have to find out your position in order to point your antenna or obtain professional assistance, go to the following site:
http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Installation/Satellite-Heading-Calculator.htm

The SkyStar2 is PCI card that you can install in your computer, using the bundled application you can watch any FTA channel that reaches your area, other applications exist, such as:
1. DVBDream
2. ProgDVB
3. MyTheather (Commercial Application $$)

Once you have your antenna and correct LNB in position, you just need to plug the the coaxial cable coming from the LNB to your SkyStar2 DVB-S Card and using one of the above applications (Previously configured) scan the transponder or transponders of the satellite.

I cannot provide all of the information step by step, but there are several forums with a lot of fans of FTA who could help you.

I have to tell you that there are several DVB-S cards in addition to the SkyStar2, it all depends upon how much you wish to spend. I myself own a Hauppauge WinTV Nexus-S with hardware mpeg encoder, it costed over 175 dollars, but my computer’s CPU is not used when I watch Sat TV because it uses hardware to decode the signal.

Another option is to purchase a stand alone FTA Receiver, but they cost over 200 dollars and you won't have to nice option of recording directly to your Hard disk and create VCDs or DVDs in a breeze.

Buena suerte.