TBS6980 - DVB-S/S2 tuning issue with DiseqC (1 Viewer)

[Fabrix67]

Hi @ll,

i bought a TBS 6980 Dual DVB-S/S2 pci-e card. I've a tipical single LNB SAT configuration, with Diseqc intended in the way Universal LNB needs to use 22KHz signal to switch between low and high HV. Well, with DVBDream the cards works really well, good sensitivity as well good quality. Using TBS provided BDA.DEV driver, I was able to scan and get all channels (free and scrambled) on Hotbird.

Coming on MediaPortal TVServer, i started with first issues, since the card was only able to get channels on transponders on HV low freqs. After several tests, i understood there's something related the way MediaPortal interact with TBS driver and NLBSWitch 22KHz signal.

Infact, if I first tune DVBDream on desidered transponder, I'm able to scan also Sky channels on HV high freqs, and memorize them. when I close DVBDream, MP TVServer is not anymore able to lock any signal, neither for already scanned channels or new transponders/channels.

I believe it's strictly related to LNBSW 22KHz signal, and BDA Driver, as I already shared with TBS support:

"Well, regarding TBS6980, I can suggest it’s an issue (driver?) related to piloting of H/V. in fact, if I first use DVBDream scan (transponder or whatever) and then MP TVServer, it’s able to scan or block signal on the same freqs. Otherwise, MP TVServer it’s not able to drive the positioning, even if all the parameters for the channel are correct (I verified against DVBDream). As the card is the same, the only difference it’s in the driver: DVBD uses BDA.dev, MP TV uses Windows BDA."

I know TBS guys are getting already in contact with MP's, I guess if some one else has the same issue.

Ciao

Fabrizio

PS: My HTPC: i5, Ati 5750, Win7 64bit, 2,5" * Raid0, AverMedia Dual DVB-T, TBS 6980 dual DVB-S2

 

[jonm]

Did this issue ever get resolved? I'm thinking of getting one of these cards.

 

[Fabrix67]

Hi,

after i changed the switch one week ago - it was ten years old - all seems to work fine.

Just finished to scan hotbird and i got 1.472 channel! (just interested to SKY and SKY HD) with both tuners.

i'll wait at least one week more before to close the issue.

Also this card works really well with smartmouse.... but i don't want to go OT.

ciao

Fabrizio

 

[dynamic]

Hi Fabrix67,

I have the same card ( TBS 6980 DVB-S2 ) and everything seems to be working great - with the exception of HD-Channels, though.
I can scan for HD-Channels, the tuner locks and also detects the chanels during scanning BUT when I try to watch these HD channels the card has issues to lock on the tuner and I am not able to see anything ( for DVB-S signal everything is OK though! )

The same issue occurs, no matter whether I try to use mplayer, kaffeine, MythTV or anything else.
All come back, that they are not able to lock the signal on the given frequency ...

Would you be able to share any findings / changes you did to also get HD channels working ?

Thanks!

Regards
dynamic

 

[Fabrix67]

have you tried DVBDream with BDA driver provided by TBS?

you can download it from their site, or better if you can get latest beta release (it works really better), should be 1.57 (if i remember well).

let me know. i didn't make any particular setup on MP to get HD channels, apart use Divx codecs (also ATI 10.2 work well).

ciao

Fabrizio

 

[dynamic]

Hi Fabrix67,

thanks for your swift response. Actually I do currently only have a linux installation ( Mythbuntu ) but will now create another partition and install Windows7 64bit ( with MediaPortal ) on it to test.

I'll come back with an update, once I am done.

btw. I am using a Silverstone ML02 Case, with an ION-Mainboard with Intel Atom Dual-Core ( 4GB ) and TBS Dual DVB-S2 Card.

Regards
dynamic

 

[Fabrix67]

New drivers available, here the message from TBS:

Please update your TBS6980 driver to the latest 1.0.0.10 at http://www.buydvb.net/download2/TBS6980/tbs6980driver.rar
It fixes the LNB1 tuning problem.

ciao

Fabrizio

 

[dynamic]

Hi Fabrizio,

thanks for this information!! This is good news and I immediately downloaded them just now
How did you figure out, that they have released new drivers ? There is no mentioning about it on their web-site!

btw. using your suggestions above I have managed to get DVB Dream 1.5 Beta 7 running, which allows to properly tune and watch DVB-S2 signals ( after having installed the h.264 codes from CodecAVC ... the ffmpeg ones seem not to work ?! ).

What are you using as your frontend on your HTPC ? I have had a look at Mediaportal but that SW appears to be too complicated for a "regular" use and it definitely wouldn't pass the "woman acceptance factor" test.

Regards
dynamic

 

[Fabrix67]

I got news directly from TBS, as at the beginning of the story I informed them about my issues, so I've a direct link with their support (really responsive).

i use both coreavc and divx, both work well with ION and ATI.

As FE, i use MediaPortal, and yes, my wife like it ! (and more since i installed streamed MP as skin). give her an MCE remote, and she will navigate menu without any problem....

ciao

Fabrizio

 

[dynamic]

Hi,

to give an update on my "non-progress". Meanwhile I am on driver version 1.0.0.12, however I am not able to properly tune & scan channels using WMC or MediaPortal.
Both are not able to scan certain frequencies and as it appears, TBS 6980 also has an issue with my Disecq 2.0 Multiswitch.

With the TBS 6980 Card:
- WMC only sees one of the two LNBs, the second LNB is not even detected
- only a limited number of frequencies can be tuned & scanned ( and even this is often not repeatable )
- HD channels are not detected at all
- MeidaPortal has similar issues

When using DVBDream and their BDA Driver however, I am able to switch between both LNBs without issues and also get HD Channels tuned and scanned at good quality.
Also other HD and SD receivers work just fine with the Multiswitch, why my suspicion is, that their driver clearly has issues ...
The good thing is, that their support is very supportive and I am contact with them for over a week but so far without much progress.

Has anyone else used a Disecq Multiswitch ( in my case two Quad-LNBs -> Spaun SMS 9801 NF -> 8 Outputs ) with the TBS 6980 ?

Would appreciate any hints in getting this card working.

Regards
dynamic