Linux - HardwareThis forum is for Hardware issues.
Having trouble installing a piece of hardware? Want to know if that peripheral is compatible with Linux?
Notices
Welcome to LinuxQuestions.org, a friendly and active Linux Community.
You are currently viewing LQ as a guest. By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics, receive our newsletter, use the advanced search, subscribe to threads and access many other special features. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today!
Note that registered members see fewer ads, and ContentLink is completely disabled once you log in.
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us. If you need to reset your password, click here.
Having a problem logging in? Please visit this page to clear all LQ-related cookies.
Get a virtual cloud desktop with the Linux distro that you want in less than five minutes with Shells! With over 10 pre-installed distros to choose from, the worry-free installation life is here! Whether you are a digital nomad or just looking for flexibility, Shells can put your Linux machine on the device that you want to use.
Exclusive for LQ members, get up to 45% off per month. Click here for more info.
I am looking to put some internal TV tuners into my server and would be grateful for any recommendations.
I need to two DVB-T2 tuners and four DVB-S2.
It is not crucial that they work "out of the box" with Linux, just as long as they can be made to work properly without anything hopelessly complicated.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Last edited by elsmandino; 01-17-2017 at 08:45 AM.
Reason: Updated information.
these guys : http://shop.tbsdtv.com/ have DVB-{T,S} tuners, and official linux support. OSS drivers also exist. (and some devices are supported in mainline)
I have a TBS-6981 (DVB-S2) which works very well using the OSS drivers with tvheadend. The official drivers might be a completely different story : https://tvheadend.wordpress.com/2013...-6981-debacle/ . Haven't tried them.
Distribution: Debian Sid AMD64, Raspbian Wheezy, various VMs
Posts: 7,680
Rep:
OK, so not internal but I would feel bad for not mentioning the "SDR" USB sticks do work with a proper antenna -- the antenna being "the hard part" as far as I've been able to work out using any radio device. https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...ux-4175551445/
Distribution: K/Ubuntu 18.04-14.04, Scientific Linux 6.3-6.4, Android-x86, Pretty much all distros at one point...
Posts: 1,802
Rep:
Rather than go with an internal card, I would go with an HDhomerun. All you need for one is the coax antennae lead and an ethernet port on your router or switch. Linux has support for them in most distros. They are easy to use with both the tuning app and VLC, as well as with MythTV... Unless you need analog support for some old legacy devices (VCRs, etc.), that's the way to go...
All good advice above, I've got a couple of USB devices of both types. Be warned: they typically do not work as well as a TV or sat box on the same antenna, in my experience, so if your signal is marginal, that may be an issue. You also are probably aware that the choice of device depends on where you live, i.e. Europe, Americas, etc.
Be warned: they typically do not work as well as a TV or sat box on the same antenna, in my experience, so if your signal is marginal, that may be an issue.
^^^ This. Hundred times this.
This is one of the reasons I don't want to go with usb tuners ever again. From what I've heard internal tuners are indeed better, but I haven't tried it.
Also, if it is a shared antenna, do NOT turn on signal amplification on any other connected devices. It'll fry your hardware.
Distribution: Debian Sid AMD64, Raspbian Wheezy, various VMs
Posts: 7,680
Rep:
Quote:
Originally Posted by serafean
^^^ This. Hundred times this.
This is one of the reasons I don't want to go with usb tuners ever again. From what I've heard internal tuners are indeed better, but I haven't tried it.
Also, if it is a shared antenna, do NOT turn on signal amplification on any other connected devices. It'll fry your hardware.
Oh, I completely agrree that USB tuners aren't the best -- when mine's hooked up to an amplified roof-mounted antenna it's fine but with the antenna that came with it or, I'm guessing, any indoor antenna it's going to struggle. However, at <£20 for the USB stick and an adaptor to hook it up to a normal-sized coax I thik it's worth it. Same adaptor can be used for messing with ADS-B and trying to listen to air traffic control also thoough not always easily once the TV driver is installed so if TV is a washout yoou may be able to use it foor other things.
However, I agree that an internal card's probably the way to go -- it's mainly the price of USB sticks that made me mention them.
I would have to check compatibility with TVH and MythTV before getting one though - I am still yet to decide which PVR software I am going to be using.
How well do network tuners work in practice and what are the major advantages/disadvantages over regular TV tuners?
Although I have a gigabit network, there are going to be times when I am recording four HD channels whilst perhaps streaming another 3 HD streams all at the same time. Is there a possibility that this might overwhelm the network?
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing
Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute
content, let us know.