1. TEST REPORT DVB-S PCI Sat Card
DVB-Shop Technotrend
S1500 Budget, plus CI
DVB-S for Win MCE2005
PC-DVB-S solutions for Windows Media additional PCI plug-in card this new offering from slightly dated CA module. Please
Center Edition (Windows MCE 2005) are a rare DVB-Shop has the potential of becoming a truly note, however, that you have to
treat. The TT 1500 Budget – which is distributed happy-go-lucky solution for satellite reception perform the security rollup 2
by DVB-Shop – is one of these very few cards. using a Windows MCE 2005 PC. before the CAM functions of the
In combination with a CI slot which serves as an additional card will work under
Windows MCE 2005.
We tested the PCI card with an data application, thus allowing we wanted to receive. A complete
optional CI slot and the remote surfing the net via satellite. scan on Eurobird/Astra 2 lasted We also recommend having
control system. The whole 17 minutes. Switching between a look at the file with the name
package arrived at the test lab
complete with the latest driver Plug & DX channels within Windows MCE
2005 is surprisingly swift.
‘MultiDecode.txt’ which is located
in the sub-directory ‘MCE_Tools’
CD-Rom (version 2.19). The Configuring the card for this of the application directory of
necessary infrared eye which
is plugged into the slot sheet
default application is as easy
as expected: screw in the card, CI slot TechnoTrend. Here you can link
and/or define transport stream
of the PCI card and a flat-type install the driver, install the The CAM-specific extension of IDs and service IDs, allow-
cable for connecting the CI slot DVB TV application – and you’re the TT S1500 Budget for Win- ing you to decode up to eight
to the actual DVB-S card are all done! dows MCE 2005 consists of two data streams automatically (or
that is additionally required for
the installation. Using the TT S1500 Budget
according to the supplier’s main
The image to the right clearly sales argument requires a bit
shows that Technotrend focuses more time and patience. Or let
on owners of mini PCs in the living us put it in plain English: the
room (so-called barebones) as configuration for Windows MCE
its prime target group. On these 2005 needs some getting used
barebone PCs the number of to. DVB-Shop customers have a
card slots is usually very limited, head start here because the con-
so any alternative solution which stantly updated DVB-Shop forum
avoids using a second card (CI is a very helpful resource loaded
slot) is extremely welcome. As with numerous references to
a matter of fact this is also why drivers and documentations.
we were able to misuse the slot
which is originally intended for With this wealth of information
the AGP slot card as the actual at our fingertips we were able to
CI slot with our test system. replace the standard PCI drivers
with Microsoft-specific drivers in
The ‘Digital TV – TT Budget’ a matter of a few minutes. The
software that comes with the easy to read manual is an abso-
system was tested in its premium lute necessity and does not only
version in a previous report and explain each step of the instal-
so we will not go into any detail lation, but also shows how the
here regarding the software. DVB-S card works with Windows
We should like to mention, how- MCE 2005: by using the DVB-T
ever, that the TT S1500 Budget interface. Virtual DVB-T chan-
also comes with a nels are mapped onto sat- applications: the ‘Background rather: simultaneously). The file
ellite transponders – what Add-In’ runs in the background can be viewed in any text editor
sounds conspicuous at – as the name suggest – and ini- (e.g. Notepad) and comes with a
first turns out not to tialises the CAM when launching few examples.
matter at all in the daily Media Center. The ‘On Demand
routine with a Media
Center PC.
Add-in’ can be used to start
a dialog application revealing BDA drivers
details about the CI slot and/or The Broadcast Driver Archi-
In the end the MCE the used module or smartcard tecture (BDA) is a frame archi-
2005 scans all alleged and in particular offers decoding tecture interconnecting various
DVB-T channels with- services. components and topologies for
out a whinge and as television reception (digital and
a result detects all During our test the decoding analog). This also includes the
satellite channels device worked flawlessly with a definition of control applications
TELE-satellite International — www.TELE-satellite.com

2. which are required for network- Above (from left to right): The TT
ing, de-multiplexer and IP data S1500 scanning Astra 2; connec-
tions in the slot sheet: coax and
transfer for all current digital TV
IR socket, space-saving barebone
standards like ATSC and DVB.
installation of the CI slot through
BDA was developed because not removal of the green PCI flap (also
the mere video transmission as see picture on the right).
such could cause potential copy-
right problems, but rather the
recording of material on high- Media-Center’, which we briefly
power media (such as hard disks) tested in its version 1.0.6. It fea-
using a TV/PC platform. It would tures timeshift viewing, record-
indeed by easy to use PCs with ing, EPG, etc. – similar to the
Windows MCE 2005 as a forum features of Windows MCE 2005.
for distributing movies and TV The bottom line is that this alter- product offers features such and intended by Microsoft in the
series through peer-to-peer file native software has enough fea- as DiSEqC 1.0, a CI slot) which first place. We can look forward
sharing. tures to allow for daily use as were not to what Technotrend (resp. DVB-
a TV reception system. Testing TECHNIC planned Shop) will introduce next.
With anticipatory obedience additional media software such DATA
Microsoft intends to use Pro- as HTPC, for example, would go Distributor DVB Shop
tected BDA in order to prevent far beyond the scope of this test Internet www.dvbshop.net
such a development. In addi- report.
Model TT S1500 Budget, plus CI
tion to that, this move also holds
Function Digital satellite tuner PCI card
some advantages: BDA offers
a standardised architecture for Conclusion System Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP,
developers, which ultimately will Watching TV with the TT S1500 requirements 500 MHz PIII or above,
128 MB RAM or above,
deliver more stable applications Budget and Windows MCE 2005
VGA card with at least
for TV reception to customers. In is fun. But bear in mind: Win- 16 MB memory
actual fact, however, a PC run- dows Media Center Edition limits
IF range 950 – 2150
ning Windows MCE 2005 has to the card (and consequently the
Mhz
be fed with security updates at user) to an extent that will sat-
Symbol rates 2 – 45 Ms/s
least as frequently as any other isfy only ingenuous couch pota-
Microsoft application. In terms toes. SCPC compatible ●
of user-friendliness, on the C band compatible ●
other hand, Microsoft MCE 2005 For the DXers among us the
DiSEqC 1.0
clearly has the cutting edge at default software from DVB-
IP multicast ●
the moment. Shop (resp. Technotrend) will
be the first choice for scanning Teletext ●
Eco MCE the skies above us with the TT
S1500 Budget.
EPG
Memory
●
unlimited
Most users will be troubled
with the hardware requirements However: especially all users of
for Windows MCE 2005. After all, Windows MCE 2005 will see their
Technotrend offers its own BDA system significantly enhanced
application by the name of ‘TT by the TT S1500 Budget. This
Expert conclusion
+
For users planning to add satellite reception to
their Windows Media Center 2005 there is virtually
no way around this robust and easy to handle card
which will be a big plus also on standard PCs without
Windows MCE. Reto Jeger
TELE-satellite
- Test Center
Switzerland
The TT S1500 Budget still needs some smoothing
with regards to BDA drivers and requires research in online forums
and a thorough read of the manual.
www.TELE-satellite.com — TELE-satellite International