The recently introduced WinTV DVB-s is a digital satellite reception card for the PC which allows consumers to view free to air satellite channels on their home computer. With the optional common interface board, two CAMS can also be fitted. The symbol rate is a solid 2000-45000 and because it’s SCPC compatible, there are not many digitally transmitted signals this card cannot receive. To use the WinTV DVDB-s card you will need the following: 1. PC with Pentium processor (P166 or higher) 2. Free PCI slot (2 with optional CI interface) 3. 32Mb RAM 4. PCI or AGP graphics card 800x600 pixel minimum in either 'High Colour' (16 bit) or 'True Colour' (24 or 32 bit) 5. CD-ROM drive (for software installation) 6. Microsoft Windows 95/98/2000 7. DirectX 5 or higher 8. Internet Explorer4.01 or higher 9. Digital satellite feed 10. Modem (for internet access) The card is plug & play so installation is straightforward. Just install the card in a spare PCI slot, connect it to your sound card or external speakers and start up your computer. Running the setup programs provided, installs the two main programs you need to turn your computer into a second TV and high speed internet download interface. The first program is called DVB Data Services which is used to download data from the internet at speeds of up to 2Mb/s. The second program is DVB TV & Radio which is used for digital TV/Radio reception. Although the software comes with Astra and Hotbird LNB settings already preloaded, adding other satellites is just a matter of typing in a new name. You can search by individual transponder or by whole satellites while the display gives you signal level and quality. The amount of channels you can store is virtually unlimited but does depend on the size on your hard disk. The WinTV DVB-s card will run all manner of C and Ku LNB's and even supports DiSEqC. Once you have loaded up your desired channels, you can now use the excellent user interface of the digital TV and radio receiver. The picture size is fully adjustable right the
way up to full screen, although this does depend on what resolution your computer is running. You can choose channels by simply selecting them with the mouse from the alphabetical list to the left of the picture. Above this is the name of the current channel and the audio language so, when available, you can choose what language to listen to. Above the picture is the now and next EPG along with controls you would expect from a television such as contrast, brightness & colour. In addition to this, there is a teletext reader which allows you to print, save or copy pages into other applications. There is also a video capture feature that allows you to record anything of interest whether it be in vision or in radio.
On the internet side you will have to sign on with an ISP (Internet Service Provider) that supports satellite downloads such as EuropeOnLine. This supplier allows you to receive downloads at a tremendous speed (up to 2Mb/s) when not on line, it is possible to download a whole CD-ROM in minutes. EuropeOnLine also provides a unique service called ELERT which automatically informs you when you have e-mails, again without having to connect to the internet as well as multicast-streaming services and file transfer services. The WinTV DVB-s makes a viable alternative to a digital set top box. How many set top boxes can boast of adownload speed of up to 2Mb/s as well as informing you when you've been sent an e-mail without having to go on line? For more information contact product manager Tony Ritson at Solutions Group.
Another Satellite at 28 Degrees East Eurobird is the latest satellite to join up with the Astra satellites at the 28º east slot. Owned by Eutelsat, it was successfully launched on March 8th. Eurobird has 24 transponders with operational lifetime of 12 years.
Eurobird will take over the services of the old DFS2-Kopernikus satellite and broadcast Sky Television programming as well as other European services. Although it is located at a different position t the Astra satellites, they will all appear in the same position from the earth.
Dish of the Day The new SG90 pole mount satellite dish is the latest product to be added to the SG range. The high performance, low cost SG90 has been designed to optimise reception of signals broadcasting in the 10,7 to 12,75GHz frequency range and has a gain on 38.8dBi at 11.7GHz with a beam width of 2.0°. The dish is made of aluminium and a polyester powder coat for a smooth finish. Measuring 85x95cm, the dish has a plastic LNB holder which is suitable for use with LNBs that have a 40mm or 25mm feedhorn.
SatelliteNews
Satellite card is an alternative to set-top box