What is the difference between DVB-S and DVB-T ?

[kowalski]

Hi there, I apologise in advance for asking such a n00b question....

What is the difference between DVB-S and DVB-T. I read previously that DVB-S is satellite and DVB-T is terrestrial - but what does this mean?

I don't know whether to get the Hauppauge NOVA-T or NOVA-S as I do not understand the difference at the moment

I am based in the UK and I currently have a subscription to Sky Digital

I am looking for a TV card that will receive freeview or work best with my Sky box to enable me to capture shows to my PC

( I was also planning to buy a WinTV PVR 150 or 500MCE, along with one of the above NOVA cards )

[Chris.Day]

DVB-t is digital terrestrial - i.e. via an aerial. The brand-name for the digital terrestrial service in the UK is Freeview. All Freeview channels are unencrypted and so can be received with a Nova-t.

DVB-s is digital satellite - i.e. via a digital satellite dish. Sky monopolise digital satellite in the UK, and you will not be able to receive ITV1, Channel 4 or Five with a DVB-s card (unless you use a special CAM, but these break T&C with Sky and they can terminate your subscription). So if you want to capture Sky you need a Sky box and a PVR-150 card (only get PVR-500 if you have two Sky boxes). For best quality from Sky you'll need an RGB to S-Video converter box (~£30) since most boxes, except the Sky+ boxes, only have Composite and RGB whereas the PVR cards have Composite and S-Video.

[funkybro_uk]

Sky monopolise digital satellite in the UK, and you will not be able to receive ITV1

Just to correct you on this - ALL ITV1 regions are in fact free-to-air, and you WILL be able to receive them using a DVB-S card without a CAM.

funkybro

[kowalski]

Thanks for the replies.
Think I'll get a Nova-T and PVR-150.
I'll let you know how I get on