Differences between version 17 and predecessor to the previous major change of FreeViewMythTvSetup.
Other diffs: Previous Revision, Previous Author, or view the Annotated Edit History
| Newer page: | version 17 | Last edited on Sunday, August 30, 2009 8:56:55 am | by CriggieCriggie | Revert |
| Older page: | version 16 | Last edited on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 8:59:59 pm | by CriggieCriggie | Revert |
@@ -5,25 +5,54 @@
!! Hardware and connectivity
Get a DVB card. The ~TechniSat ~SkyStar 2 satellite used to be $139 for a serial remote or $145 for a USB remote on Trade Me from [an importer|http://www.trademe.co.nz/Members/Listings.aspx?member=1094847], who lives in Te Awamutu, and is a thoroughly nice bloke. Sadly he hasn't had any for ages.
-The [Technotrend S-1401|http://nicegear.co.nz/dvb-cards/technotrend-s1401-dvbs-card] is currently $125 from nicegear along with a number of other Linux supported [DVB cards|http://nicegear.co.nz/dvb-cards] and is another thoroughly nice bloke
.
+The [Technotrend S-1401|http://nicegear.co.nz/dvb-cards/technotrend-s1401-dvbs-card] is currently $125 from nicegear (another thoroughly nice bloke)
along with a number of other Linux supported [DVB cards|http://nicegear.co.nz/dvb-cards].
I installed the card and didn't have to do anything else. Check <tt>lsmod</tt> for <tt>b2c2_flexcop_pci</tt>; if it's not there, modprobe it, and add it to <tt>/etc/modules</tt> so it will load at boot.
Now, connect it to your Sky dish, or other satellite dish pointed at Optus D1. The device at the end of the arm off the dish, that focuses the beam, is called an LNB. Since August 2007, Freeview and Sky Digital uses horizontal polarisation. You can use a splitter and connect to both the DVB-S card and Sky Digital at the same time.
At this point it is assumed you have your DVB-S card connected to the satellite. Now we can test this.
+
+!! Aligning Dish
+
+A sky dish is perfect for DVB-S and should be already aimed at the Optus D1 satellite. But if you're installing a new one then remember a rooftop can be dangerous. If you're unsure just use the services of a dish installer.
+
+Your pole mount must be vertical and stable. A 60 cm dish is considered the minimum, but should work fine. Larger dishes make rain-fade less likely, but catch more wind. Note, offset/oval dishes look like they're pointing the wrong angle - believe the scale on the mounting not your eye.
+
+While you're up there - note the LO frequency of the LNB. Should be written on a sticker. Mine's 10.75 GHz but there are other common values like 11.3GHz.
+
+Depending on where you are in the country, the angle and direction of the dish changes. Calculate the good values at [www.dishpointer.com|www.dishpointer.com] or look up a table like [Freeview Shop|http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/install-instructions-i-21.html].
+
+Hamilton is a magnetic bearing of 316 degrees and an elevation of 43.4 degrees.
+Christchurch is 318.7 and 38.2 degrees elevation.
+
+The LNB and satellite finder gauges need power to run - this is provided by the card/set top box. Should be 18V DC.
+Some cards provide power all the time, like the old SkyStar. Other cards only provide power while recording, so you need to run <tt>dvbtune</tt> while aiming the dish. Most finders light up with power and make squealy noises when they get signal.
+
+Set the elevation and direction as accurately as possible (remember compasses are affected by iron and most rooftops are steel, so use the google map at dishpointer.com or get a bearing while you're on the ground)
+
+Then from behind, swing the dish to the left. Optus D1 is the first satellite you should come to. Once the direction is at maximum signal strength, tweak up the elevation using the same method. Then rotate the LNB angle and see if it helps. Then check them all again, and repeat until there's no improvement. You want the best possible signal.
+
+Finally tighten all bolts and cable tie the signal lead down securely. Then use sealant around anything that could leak.
+
!! Testing DVB
You can skip this step if you're game, and go straight to MythTV installation.
Install some packages: <tt>apt-get install dvbsnoop dvbtune dvb-utils</tt>
-We now need to tune to a LNB frequency. Let's test connecting to the TVNZ transponder:
+The parameter for frequency is in kilohertz and needs to be calculated depending on your LNB. You did note the LO frequency of your LNB? If not go check.
+
+TVNZ transponder is 12.483 GHz which is 12,483MHz then subtract your LNB's LO in MHz (10,750MHz for me) returns 1,733Mhz.
+So I'd use <tt>dvbtune -f 1733000 -s 22500 -p h -m</tt>
+
+
We now need to tune to a LNB frequency. Let's test connecting to the TVNZ transponder at 12,483 KHz.
+<tt>dvbtune -f 1183000 -s 22500 -p h -m</tt> (for a 11.3 GHz LNB)
+<tt>dvbtune -f 1733000 -s 22500 -p h -m</tt> (for a 10.75 GHz LNB)
-<tt>dvbtune -f 1183000 -s 22500 -p h -m</tt>
Your output should resemble this:
<verbatim>
@@ -42,18 +71,29 @@
FE_STATUS: FE_HAS_SIGNAL FE_HAS_LOCK FE_HAS_CARRIER FE_HAS_VITERBI FE_HAS_SYNC
Signal=50823, Verror=0, SNR=52983dB, BlockErrors=0, (S|L|C|V|SY|)
Signal=50931, Verror=0, SNR=53001dB, BlockErrors=0, (S|L|C|V|SY|)
</verbatim>
+
If you don't get scrolling <tt>Signal=</tt> lines, you might have a newer LNB with a different offset (designed for pointing at two satellites at once). Try <tt>dvbtune -f 1733000 -s 22500 -p h -m</tt>. Follow the "New LNB" instructions paths below.
If you have a really new Sky LNB, you may need to add <tt>-tone 0</tt> to the dvbtune arguments.
+
+
+Output like this means no signal, so your dish is misaligned or you're using the wrong LNB LO Frequency, or your cable is damaged or some other physical problem.
+<verbatim>
+FE_STATUS: FE_HAS_SIGNAL FE_HAS_CARRIER
+polling....
+polling....
+^C
+</verbatim>
+
If you don't get this going, there is a lot more information at [the PVR Geek wiki|http://pvr.geek.nz/w/index.php/DVB-S_Setup].
Now, run the tuner, and background it:
-<tt>dvbtune -f 1183000 -s 22500 -p h -m 2>/dev/null &</tt> (__newer
LNB__: substitute 1733000 for 1183000)
+<tt>dvbtune -f 1183000 -s 22500 -p h -m 2>/dev/null &</tt> (__rnewer 10.75 GHz
LNB__: substitute 1733000 for 1183000)
Scan for channels:
<pre>
@@ -84,9 +124,9 @@
New Channel Test (0x0771) 01:
Done.
</pre>
-__Note__: on some distros, <tt>scan</tt> is called <tt>dvbscan</tt>. This is the case on [Gentoo], where the package containing dvbscan is <tt>media-tv/linuxtv-dvb-apps</tt>. In [Debian] they're packaged in <tt> dvb-apps dvbsnoop dvbstream dvbtune<tt>.
+__Note__: on some distros, <tt>scan</tt> is called <tt>dvbscan</tt>. This is the case on [Gentoo], where the package containing dvbscan is <tt>media-tv/linuxtv-dvb-apps</tt>. In [Debian] they're packaged in <tt> dvb-apps dvbsnoop dvbstream dvbtune</
tt>.
You have now got a list of all the channels on this transponder. Freeview has other transponders - check [Lyngsat's Optus D1 page|http://www.lyngsat.com/optusd1.html] for information.
Assuming you've got this far, there's one final test. Foreground the dvbtune task and kill it.
