DVB-S PCI Cards

On this page you will find information regarding DVB-S PCI cards.

Please be aware that:

• The information contained here is likely non-exhaustive and, despite best efforts to do otherwise, may contain errors. (Please help to keep these lists up-to-date so that they are useful for everyone!)
• If your device is not listed, try:
  • searching the existing mailing list archives:
    • Linux-Media Mailing List (LMML) archives (via vger or .... )
    • or from the older mailing lists (now largely deprecated in favour of the LMML):
      • dvb mailing list archives (via spinics or MARC ... )
      • v4l mailing list archives (via .... )
  • searching for information with Google or other internet search engine
  • by posting a question about the device directly to the LMML (but please do conduct a search first, as it may already have been discussed!)
  • Note: when it comes to support, it is generally a good idea to try the current V4L-DVB sources because some device drivers can be very new and thus may have not made their way into the mainstream kernel.

In any regard, in respect to the above listed suggestions, you may find it to be the case that your device is actually already supported or that experimental support is available.

• Because the component constitution on many devices are often similar or identical, there may be devices that are unlisted but may actually work with the existing driver framework for previously supported devices. In such a case, your non-listed but working device will likely be reported in your system messages as being one of those previously supported devices. If you encounter such an occurrence, please do report your success on the LMML so that proper detection/identification of your device can be added within the drivers.
• Lastly, it bears worth repeating the request: Please help to keep these lists up-to-date so that they are useful for everyone!

Supported DVB-S PCI Cards

The following tables list the confirmed working DVB-S PCI cards and provides a brief summary of their features and components. If you need more technical information on a particular device, have a look at its specific wiki article.

DVB-S "Full-Featured" Cards

All these, so called, "full-featured" or "premium" cards have a AV711x MPEG-2 Decoder onboard. Please be sure to know their limitations before you go and spend a lot of money for these cards. You need at least one of them in your VDR System unless you install the VDR Software Decoder Plugin. All other DVB programs a free of this limitation.

The more modern approach are the decoder-less (i.e. so called, "budget") cards listed below, as every modern computer is able to decode MPEG-2 in software nowadays.

Rev. 1.3 Cards:

Vendor Model number Price	Linux-Support Peripheral connectors	Comments	Pictures
Fujitsu Siemens DVB-S Rev 1.3	supports: DVB, VDR Connectors: Sat in Sat out Composite Audio 3,5mm Jumper2	Compared to other Revisions: Sound not that brilliant (has 81dB dynamic at 16Bit) 4-5% of the Tuners need a lot of power and get really hot a design-fault in the 5V power supply of the Tuners causes unstable SNR und STR, but there's a mod for that. symbolrates > 8 MBaud can be used	Hauppauge Rev. 1.3 Card
Galaxis PCTV-SAT DVB-S Rev 1.3	supports: DVB, VDR Connectors: Sat in Sat out Composite Audio 3,5mm Common Interface Jumper2	Compared to other Revisions: 4-5% of the Tuners need a lot of power and get really hot symbolrates > 8 MBaud can be used	Galaxis Rev. 1.3 card
SATELCO Highend PCI (DVB-S) [1] DVB-S Rev 1.3	supports: DVB, VDR Connectors: Sat in Composite Audio 3,5mm Common Interface Connector	Compared to other Hardware: Tuner is much better than TwinHan VP-1030. Also see: FF Rev. 1.3 DVB-S Cards

Rev. 1.5 Cards:

Vendor Model number Price	Linux-Support Peripheral connectors	Comments	Pictures
TechniSat SkyStar 1	supports: DVB, VDR Connectors: Sat in Composite Audio 3,5mm Jumper2	Compared to other Revisions: Sounds better (has 101dB dynamic at 24bit) uses LNBP16 (not LNBP13) => 650mA (was: 500mA) for LNB symbolrates: 1-45 Mbaud Also see: FF Rev. 1.5 DVB-S Cards

Rev. 1.6 Cards:

Vendor Model number Price	Linux-Support Peripheral connectors	Comments	Pictures
Fujitsu Siemens Rev.1.6 Hauppauge Rev.1.6	supports: DVB, VDR Connections: Sat in Composite Audio 3,5mm Jumper2	Compared to other Revisions: Sounds better (has 101dB dynamic at 24bit) doesn't produce that much heat => QPSK Demodulator IC doesn't need a metal-heatpipe uses LNBP16 (not LNBP13) => 650mA (was: 500mA) for LNB 2 Watt safety - less crashes because of heat symbolrate 8-45 Mbaud	Fujitsu Siemens Rev. 1.6 card

Rev. 2.1 Cards:

Vendor Model number Price	Linux-Support Peripheral connectors	Comments	Pictures
Hauppauge WinTV-Nexus-S Rev. 2.1 (link to recent Nexus)	supports: DVB, VDR Connections: Sat in Sat out (only BSRU6-701a Tuner) Connector for Audio/Video cable Connection for IR-Receiver	Compared to other Revisions: Sound not that brilliant (has 81dB dynamic at 16Bit) IR -Remote included (Nexus) Connectorcable included (digitaler audio output, Video...) symbolrate 1-45 Mbaud	Hauppauge WinTV-Nexus-S Rev. 2.1 card

Rev. 2.2 Cards:

Vendor Model number Price	Linux-Support Peripheral connectors	Comments	Pictures
Hauppauge WinTV-Nexus-S Rev.2.2 (link to recent Nexus)	supports: DVB, VDR Connections: Sat in Sat out (only BSRU6-701a Tuner) Connector for Audio/Video cable Connection for IR-Receiver	Compared to other Revisions: like Rev. 2.1 but other Vendor-ID and other Soundchip Sounds better (has 101dB dynamic at 24bit) IR -Remote included (Nexus) Connectorcable included (digitaler audio output, Video...) symbolrate 1-45 Mbaud	Hauppauge WinTV-Nexus-S Rev. 2.2 card

Rev. 2.3 Cards:

Vendor Model number Price	Linux-Support Peripheral connectors	Comments	Pictures Links Developer Infos
Satelco Highend PCI (DVB-S) DVB-S Rev 2.3	supports: DVB, VDR Connectors: Sat in Special connector IR receiver Seems to have Jumper2 (not tested) Common Interface Connector Connectors on adapter cable for special connector Composite (FBAS, yellow cinch female) Audio left (white cinch female) Audio right (red cinch female) Audio 3,5mm male SPDIF out, supports PCM and Dolby Digital (black cinch female)	Compared to other Hardware: Includes IR receiver Includes remote control	Product link

DVB-S Budget Cards

The way to go if you own a recent computer and are not willing to spend too much money for state-of-the art technology.

Manufacturer / Model number / Price	Supports	Tuner / Chips	Connections	Others	Pictures
Acorp DS110 [2] Dvbworld DVB-S PCI2002 [3] AxessDM05 or EasyTV-DM05	DVB, VDR	SDMC DM1105 PCI Sharp BS2F7VZ0194A tuner IX2410 pll STM STV0299B demodoulator	Sat In		[4]
Compro VideoMate S350	DVB	Zarlink ZL10039 (DVB-S Tuner) Zarlink ZL10313 (DVB-S Demodulator) Philips SAA7130HL (PCI Bridge)	DVB-S input with RF pass-through capability S-Video input Composite input IR input Audio input Audio output
Digital Rise DTV PCI Sat FTA [5]	DVB		Sat in	A TwinHan VP-1020A clone (see TwinHan Card List)
Digital Rise DTV PCI Sat CI [6]	DVB		Sat in Common Interface	A TwinHan clone (see TwinHan Card List)
DViCO FusionHDTV DVB-S		LG QPSK NIM STV0299B CX2388X	Sat in x 2
Fujitsu Siemens Activy DVB-S Budget	DVB, VDR		Sat in
Geniatech DVB-S Digistar	DVB	CX23882 Broadcast Decoder CX24123 QPSK Demod CX24109 Satellite Tuner	Sat in Sat out Composite in IR connector	Live playback skipping and pixelated. Records without live playback fine.
Hauppauge WinTV-NOVA-SE2 Model 639	DVB		Sat in
Hauppauge WinTV-NOVA-S PCI Modell 541 [7]	DVB, VDR		Sat in		[8]
Hauppauge WinTV-NOVA-S-Plus Modell 794	DVB, VDR	CX24123 ISL6421	Sat in S-Video in Video-Chinch (FBAS)-In IR-Remote Audio-LineIn	Common hardware fault preventing lock when using 22khz tone signalling, kernel patch workaround
Hauppauge WinTV-NOVA-CI PCI Modell 588 [9]	DVB, VDR		Sat in Common Interface		[10]
Hercules Smart TV Satellite	DVB		Sat in Common Interface	A TwinHan VP-1030A clone (see TwinHan Card List)
KNC1 TV-Station DVB-S [11]	DVB	Tuner: Philips SU1278 (warning : SH and SHA flavours supported), or Philips 1278/SH-2 Demodulator: TUA6100 (supported since Kernel 2.6.19) PCI bridge: Philips SAA7146	Sat in Common Interface
KNC1 TV-Star DVB-S [12]	DVB, since kernel 2.6.16	Philips SD1878 (tuner) Philips SAA7146 (bridge)	Sat in Sat Out
LifeView FlyDVB-S [13]	DVB supported in v4l-dvb	Philips TDA8262 (tuner) Philips TDA10086 (demodulator) Philips SAA7134 (bridge) Intersil ISL6421ER (LNB supply)	Sat in S-Video in Composite in Remote in	Support Linux recent kernel full
Mystique SaTiX-SX	DVB			Clone of KNC1 TV-Star DVB-S
Pinnacle PCTV Sat
Pinnacle PCTV Sat CI	DVB		Sat in Common Interface	A TwinHan VP-1030A clone (see TwinHan Card List)
Pinnacle Pinnacle PCTV Sat 400i	DVB	CX25878-13 PCI Brigde CX24110 QPSK Demod CX24108 Satellite Tuner	Sat in
Satelco EasyWatch PCI DVB-S (with CI connector)	DVB	Tuner: Philips SU1278 (warning : SH and SHA flavours supported), or Philips 1278/SH-2 Demodulator: TUA6100 (supported since Kernel 2.6.19) PCI bridge: Philips SAA7146	Sat in Onboard connector to Common Interface extension kit (not included)	A KNC1 clone. vendor: 1131 "Philips Semiconductors" device: 7146 "SAA7146" subvendor: 1894 subdedvice: 001b
TechniSat SkyStar 1 CI (v3.0 only)	DVB		Sat in Common Interface	A TwinHan VP-1030A clone (see TwinHan Card List)
TechniSat SkyStar 2 TV PCI / Sky2PC PCI	DVB, VDR		Sat in	After kernel 2.6.28-git5 all revision supported.
TechnoTrend PCline budget DVB-S [14]	DVB, VDR		Sat in Common Interface
TechnoTrend TT-budget S-1500 [15]	DVB, VDR	BSBE1-502A SAA7146A LNBP21	Sat in IR connector Common Interface
TELES Strato SkyDSL PCI rev1.4	DVB	Samsung S5H1420 SAA7146	Sat in	TechnoTrend design
TwinHan VP-1020	DVB, VDR		Sat in
TwinHan VP-1020A	DVB, VDR		Sat in
TwinHan VP-1030	DVB, VDR		Sat in Common Interface
TwinHan VP-1030A	DVB, VDR		Sat in Common Interface
TwinHan VP-1022 VER 2.0 (also renamed as 102g)	DVB, VDR		Sat in Sat out
TwinHan VP-1030C	DVB, VDR		Sat in Common Interface
TwinHan VP-1025	DVB, VDR		Sat in

Experimental Support

If you own one or more devices from the following list and you want to help with support development, please contact the Linux-Media Mailing List (LMML). Note that if your device is similar to or contains components for which driver development is currently being undertaken, then it is possible that you will pique the developers' interest and can obtain some assistance that, possibly, leads to full support for your device.

However, please note that inquiries to the mailing list:

• Should NOT be treated as an order drop-off queue. You're soliciting help from volunteer developers who work on V4L-DVB matters in their spare time, and such work can be non-trivial (i.e. requiring even thousands of hours work). So being demanding is one sure route to being ignored. (Honestly, this point really shouldn't even need to be written, but you'd be surprised at the number of irrational individuals who write into the mailing list demanding this or that).
• May pass without garnering a response—a distinct byproduct of the fact that there are a limited number of developers, whom might be able to help, that are associated with the project. Often times, even if they wished to help, their energies are entirely tied up with other projects. In such cases, the best path might be to try to spearhead the driver development for your device yourself, or hire someone who can.

Vendor Model number Price	Chip Tuner	Comments	Pictures Links Developer Infos
AVerMedia AVerTV DVB-S Hybrid+FM (A700)
AVerMedia AVerTV DVB-S Pro (A700)
Twinhan 1027		Not incuded yet in v4l-dvb or kernel code Link to driver http://sadnet.ru/?Skachatmz:Drugoe%3A, patch for vanilla kernel 2.6.24.4 and 2.6.27.10 (thanks Denis Romanenko). Please test and send me result. sfstudio[at]sadnet.ru

Currently Unsupported DVB-S PCI cards:

If you own one or more devices from the following list and you want to help with support development, please contact the Linux-Media Mailing List (LMML). Note that if your device is similar to or contains components for which driver development is currently being undertaken, then it is possible that you will pique the developers' interest and can obtain some assistance that, possibly, leads to full support for your device.

However, please note that inquiries to the mailing list:

• Should NOT be treated as an order drop-off queue. You're soliciting help from volunteer developers who work on V4L-DVB matters in their spare time, and such work can be non-trivial (i.e. requiring even thousands of hours work). So being demanding is one sure route to being ignored. (Honestly, this point really shouldn't even need to be written, but you'd be surprised at the number of irrational individuals who write into the mailing list demanding this or that).
• May pass without garnering a response—a distinct byproduct of the fact that there are a limited number of developers, whom might be able to help, that are associated with the project. Often times, even if they wished to help, their energies are entirely tied up with other projects. In such cases, the best path might be to try to spearhead the driver development for your device yourself, or hire someone who can.

Vendor Model number Price	Linux-Support Peripheral connectors	Comments	Pictures Links Developer Infos
TwinHan Technology AD-SP300 (1034)		A linux driver which can be downloaded for the Mantis family from the Twinhan website (AZLinux_v1.4.2_CI_FC6). The mantis_vp1034 only has precompiled module binaries that are only suitable for the first FC6 kernel. Other drivers are available from http://jusst.de/manu/mantis-v4l-dvb.tar.bz2 v4l-dvb v5 (s2api) drivers are avaliable from the mercurial repository at http://mercurial.intuxication.org/hg/s2-liplianin
Skystar2 Rev 2.7		Currently no Linux driver available, apparently currently being developed here: http://linuxtv.org/hg/~pb/v4l-dvb.skystar2.rev27/summary, update at http://www.linuxtv.org/pipermail/linux-dvb/2008-April/025234.html	The Skystar2 Rev 2.7 is easily recognized by its missing "tin can"
Skystar2 Rev 2.8		GPL driver is out, see here: http://www.linuxtv.org/pipermail/linux-dvb/2008-December/030851.html It is already incorporated in the actual snapshot for the 2.6.28 kernel (git6) and works. Jan-04-2009 Binary driver (non-GPL) available here: http://www.bbti.us/support.htm Module: http://www.bbti.us/download/linux/TechniSat_SkyStar2-PCI_r2.8.tar.bz2	The Skystar2 Rev 2.8 is easily recognized by its punched tuner cover
Pinnacle PCTV Dual Sat Pro PCI 4000I		Currently no Linux driver available