Smart Home Blog

Started thinking about DVB-S(2) card for the new LinuxMCE hybrid core. After visit to the DVBShop I found two variants which seem suit for me – Technotrend Budget S2-3200 HDTV-S2 and S-1500. The last one is 100% working solution for Linux and LinuxMCE with VDR 1.6.0. But DVB-S becomes the history and now DVB-S2 seems more perspective. Especially for the coming HDTV. So, S2-3200 in that case will be better solution then S-1500. But from other point of view it’ll need more work to bring it up under VDR 1.6.0 and Kubuntu 7.10.

Well, currently I rate both cards by 50%. But the S2-3200 is tipping the scale little by little. I think that it’s more perspective solution. And it’d be good to experiment with it a bit 🙂

LyngBox Media announced its new stylish, Linux-based satellite receiver LyngBox designed for European satellite TV enthusiasts. The IP-ready box combines an HDTV receiver/recorder with 160GB hard drive and dual DVB-S2/DVB-T tuners. Additionally LyngBox keep synchronized LyngSat Guide via web service.

The box offers 96MB of RAM and 32MB of flash. It has an Ethernet connection, as well as four USB 2.0 ports. A/V input/output includes digital HDMI, component, SCART, composite, optical S/PDIF, and analog stereo.

The LyngBox looks very impressive. It’s equiped by OLED display instead VFD (excellent solution!). The design of the LyngBox will be suitable for both live-and-breathe satellite enthusiasts and gadget and style sensitive consumers.

The LyngBox is available now in Europe for an undisclosed price.

[via LinuxDevices]

The new concept of satellite box will be presented in IBC show in Amsterdam this Friday. The LyngBox differs from the similar devices in the possibility to add new channels and update information of already added ones via Internet. The LyngBox uses the authoritative LyngSat website to retrieve channels data. It receive DVB-S2 and well as terrestrial DVB-T signals, and supports HDTV (720p and 1080i), H.264/MPEG-4 AVC and MPEG-2, 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios. Aditionally, the LyngBox has a 160GB drive to turn this unit into a PVR as well.

The aviability and price are not known yet.

[via Engadget]

If you don’t want to be bored in your car trip TracVision A7 is what do you need! It’s a satellite TV system for vehicles from KVH Industries. It allows to watch DirecTV in your car. The unit is available at price $2,995. Sure, you should pay also monthly about $45.
The TracVision A7 is a cool gadget but it seems a bit dangerous. Before drivers could talk by mobile phone only But now they start watch TV 🙂

[via Engadget]

Sirius has announced the Conductor, a home satellite-radio system consisting of a small tuner, an indoor/outdoor antenna, and a supercharged universal remote. The remote was developed by team who made Nevo remote lines. The 6-in-1 remote can be used to control other AV devices. It offers both infrared (IR) and radio frequency (RF) communication. So, the remote can communicate with the base station through walls and obstructions – up to 45 meters away.

The Conductor is set to be released in November. It’s cool gadget by modest price. You get a satellite radio streammer and 6-in-1 universal remote with a three-line LCD display just for $150!
Once I already wrote about nice looking Sonos ZonePlayer. You might be interested to see a brief comparison the Conductor and Sonos ZonePlayer.