BUD Question

[falconfighter]

I have a BUD (big ugly dish) and am interested in recording the mpeg 4:2:2 streams off digital channels. I know hardware 4:2:2 decoders are expensive as hell (think $5-10k range) but I'm thinking a software solution. What are these DVB cards, how would they connect to my satellite reciever or dish (directly?), can they get 4:2:2 MPEG, and is the SkyStar 2 an all right DVB? Any other cards?

[jggimi]

Moved to DVB forum.

[MrDarcy]

Originally posted by falconfighter
I have a BUD (big ugly dish) and am interested in recording the mpeg 4:2:2 streams off digital channels. I know hardware 4:2:2 decoders are expensive as hell (think $5-10k range) but I'm thinking a software solution. What are these DVB cards, how would they connect to my satellite reciever or dish (directly?), can they get 4:2:2 MPEG, and is the SkyStar 2 an all right DVB? Any other cards?

I think a SkyStar2 card is the solution for you. You connect the cable coming from your dish directly to the F input of the card. You can use ProgDVB software with Elecard MPEG filter to watch 4:2:2 channels.
Only one doubt: I guess you mean C-band channels, and I'm not sure the SkyStar2 is able to receive them. I think it is, because the C-band LNBF tranforms the frequency to the IF range (950-2150) exactly like a Ku-band LNB does.

[A|]

IF the signals are in dvb format then you should be able to use any dvb-s card to capture them.

What you are going to want to watch out for is a card that can not tune to low symbol rate transponders. 4:2:2 video should be high enough symbol rate wise that most any card should be able to tune them.

[falconfighter]

hmm... can these cards tune in analog transponders, or digital only?

[MrDarcy]

Originally posted by falconfighter
hmm... can these cards tune in analog transponders, or digital only?

Digital only.