Newbie with FTA

[jreyes]

I own a Viewsat platinum FTA and have wanted a media PC to go with it for some time. BTV seems to be one of the best options for this.

I've read in the forum that some other FTA owners are using BTV. I was wondering if you could help me get a few answers:

-Should I go for one of the BTV bundles or is there a better Tuner I should use
-Is the USB-UIRT is necesary because it's the only one that will work with the viewsat?
-Does BTV's EPG really work with my FTV? How exactly can it do that?

I appreciate any advice and info you can provide.

[ClamsTheCat]

As for the view stat stuff I am not sure since I use digital cable boxes. I would definitely reccomend one of the BTV bundles though. The Hauppauge cards are well suppored and they are a great price in a bunde with the software. Unless you have a good reason not, buy the software with the bundle so that you can get the free Firefly Remote too.

[bradpvr]

I dunno about the bundles, but you will need a USB-UIRT device to change the channels.

Also, depending on your source (if it's one that BTV normally works with) the EPG will work. Otherwise you will need to use XMLTV

[asxc]

Not true bradpvr. You dont need a USB-UIRT for Viewsat. Use a beta IR update and code 0146 for Viewsat. Beta came out in March or April of this year. See Hauppauge pvr150 updates.

Stick the IR blaster to the left of the Green numbers and to the right of the word "DVB".

[bradpvr]

Originally Posted by asxc

Not true bradpvr. You dont need a USB-UIRT for Viewsat. Use a beta IR update and code 0146 for Viewsat. Beta came out in March or April of this year. See Hauppauge pvr150 updates.

Stick the IR blaster to the left of the Green numbers and to the right of the word "DVB".

I basically meant an IR blaster, I just happen to recommend the USB-UIRT

[Washy]

Originally Posted by asxc

Not true bradpvr. You dont need a USB-UIRT for Viewsat. Use a beta IR update and code 0146 for Viewsat. Beta came out in March or April of this year. See Hauppauge pvr150 updates.

Stick the IR blaster to the left of the Green numbers and to the right of the word "DVB".

What do you mean by beta IR and code 0146? Im having problems with my old my.tv transmitter. It doesn't have Viewsat on the list of reveivers and I get program errors when I try and teach it new codes.

[queonda]

I've did a little research a while back but there are some tuner cards which can fit in your PC for FTA. At the time, the were troublesome to get working but now may be easier. The only problem would BTV does not support those cards.

[queonda]

I asking FTA questions. There are comments at the end talking about different scenarios. Some talk about PCI cards. I may go down this route soon. I will keep minimum cable with a BTV box to record Clear QAM and standard channels but want to build another box with PCI cards for FTA. Don't know which are the best PCI cards.

http://ask.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/04/29/220203

[mapleleaf]

Similar question has been answered some time ago…
Since PCI satellite card is DVB-S and DVB cards as such are not supported in BTV your only option remains external satellite receiver box.