TBS 6205 DVB-T2 Quad tuner PCIe card, unbox, install and review

[@AmoebaMan]

Just a quick update on this, I have now updated my server to Windows 10 and I am pleased to say that the card continues to run flawlessly after the upgrade. AM

[@steverayner7605]

Very efficient and informative video. Many thanks and in particular thanks for the update re Win 10 :-)

[@AmoebaMan]

No problemo! AM

[@jvwMUSIC]

"oh its posted 8 years ago that explains why he was saying IF you are watching in HD you might see a quality difference... wait that was 2015"

[@arturobracero3450]

Good video, just what I needed to know! Glad to see you like EVE Online too :)

[@imzsoul]

Brilliant videos, i will try to get a tuner and then create a HTPC in a months time or so.

[@AmoebaMan]

Thanks, good luck with your build! AM

[@gmtoomey]

Thanks man, extremely helpful. I'm going to try to get these cards to work in Australia. (Nice quality hardware by the way).

[@AmoebaMan]

Great, hope it goes well for you. No issues at all here with the card, for me it has been excellent so far running 24/7. AM

[@steverayner7605]

Hi Greg, how did you go with the TBS6205 in Oz? I'm in Perth and thinking of ordering one. Are you using MediPortal? Cheers, Steve.

[@JJay13Productionz]

The TBS6205 i ordered from PCI Express didn't come with a mini ariel? Do you think the removed this before they sent it out to me? Thanks

[@JoeCrowman]

I used to use them back in 2008-2009 but I sold my old computer with it. Now I need a new one and cant decide on the brand or technology.

[@AmoebaMan]

Good luck with your decision, fyi if you are considering DVB-T2 then this card appears to still be on sale, mine is still running very well after 2+ years. AM

[@jordand3294]

Hi, is this card for global use ? Does it require an antenna or top-set box ? Can I watch local channels with this card ? thanks

[@AmoebaMan]

This card requires an antenna and a digital DVB-T2 broadcaster e.g. as in UK and some other European countries. It also supports DVB-C, a cable standard which I have never tried. AM

[@luisandrestoledohernandez3855]

Hola son de Colombia estoy interesado en programar una tarjeta TBS6281SE a un PC pero no se como realizar el procedimiento de programación gracias

[@hammad13579]

Can you record sports channels like BT, Sky and Premier Sports using the DVB card from my Virgin V6 box? Also, if I don't have a PC is there anything similar for a laptop?

[@AmoebaMan]

This card is a DVB-T2 card for over the air Freeview SD and HD broadcasts, USB DVB-T2 tuners are available but as far as I know they cannot be used to record content from other boxes, sorry! AM

[@GadgetyMV]

+Amoeba Man Nice video on this product. You're recording SIX simultaneous DVB-T2 HD channels on a quad tuner card. In my ignorance I thought it was one channel per tuner. So what is the maximum upper limit? Is the "more than four" due to the Media Portal software?

[@GadgetyMV]

+GadgetyMV Never mind, I got it, it depends on how many channels there are on each Multiplexer (MUX). So 1 MUX per tuner.

[@AmoebaMan]

+GadgetyMV You got it! From what I have read in theory the limiting factor is stuff like PCIe bandwidth or simultaneous stream writes to your hard disk, apparently 10+ streams shouldn't be an issue. With so many of our channels in the UK sharing the same Mux I don't think I have ever seen all four tuners in use on our server, even with the wife going crazy on the scheduling. Previously under WMC, which limits you to 1 MUX - 1 tuner, and with two tuners this was constantly a problem and I was getting loads of grief. Those days are gone, hooray! Cheers, AM

[@eddiejr5048]

How is the diference between the delay of satelite and the of this hardware? Thanks from brasil.

[@AmoebaMan]

Sorry Eddie, this card is not a satellite card, it is a DVB-T2 tuner for terrestrial digital TV broadcasts. AM

[@RichardFabricio]

this board Does it unlock satellite that devices like Duosat Azamerica Cinebox?

[@dino2509991]

I will buy one soon, do you know how to install this to watch feeds?

[@AmoebaMan]

Sorry, I don't know what feeds are. AM

[@Peyoutube156]

when recording shows, does it record adverts too ? if so does the software bundled with it have a way of editing them out ?

[@AmoebaMan]

HI Pete, I am not sure what software comes with the card, I use Mediaportal which is free / open source. I also use MCEBuddy to transcribe my recordings, this can automatically detect and remove ads from most recordings. If you wanted to edit them out manually then you can use almost any video editing package to do this as Mediaportal will save recordings in mp4 format. AM

[@Peyoutube156]

thanks for getting back to me, this info has sold me on the card :) will be looking to add it to my Kodi set up in the very near future :)

[@DeltaBugles]

So how are you getting your TV? Over-the-air or through your Cable provider? Sorry I'm in the US so I know it might be slightly different...

[@AmoebaMan]

Hi! This is over the air, digital DVB-T2, known as Freeview in the UK. AM

[@tbard]

I tried so many times with at least 3 different adapters to get EPG to work, but never ever managed to do it :( Any plans to do a tutorial/walktrough to configure a MediaPortal TV server / Kodi client?

[@AmoebaMan]

Sorry you are having trouble, to be honest it is not my area of expertise, it is so long now since I configured my server I would probably have to re-do it and learn again. I use the broadcast guide data from the DVB feed rather than any of the external reference databases like xmltv. In my experience its all about the server side, if the server is correctly configured all Kodi needs is the MP plugin enabled, IP address and password and it gets the data automatically. I guess the starting point is whether a MediaPortal remote client can get the data i.e. is the server offering up the data on the network. AM

[@JJay13Productionz]

I am having trouble scanning channels using DVB Dream and it says No Channels found, please can you help and do a tutorial?

[@AmoebaMan]

Hi JJay, I am sorry I am not familiar with DVB Dream so I can't help much - start by checking the basics e.g. drivers installed, aerial plugged into the correct port on the back. Do you have a strong signal e.g. a good quality aerial? If everything looks good then why not consider trying some alternative software? FYI I have never had any success with indoor aerials at all but I live in an area where the signal is not very strong. Trying checking your aerial with a standard TV just to make sure you have a signal perhaps? GL! AM

[@JJay13Productionz]

Amoeba Man Hi I figured it out.. its because I installed the DVB-C drivers instead of the DVBT/T2 drivers and was using cable instead of satellite in the settings of the software with my indoor ariel.. Uninstalled the DBV-C driver and works all fine now. The DVB Dream and Media Portal 2 are picking up channels! I am considering switching to external Ariel so that I can get freeviewHD channels maybe but my setup with virgin is quite complicated lol. Thanks!

[@AmoebaMan]

Great, I am glad you got it working! AM

[@DumitruRazvan-zo7ld]

Very good clip, but i want to ask you something

[@fkerrin65]

Hi Amoeba Man Thank you for this. I'm hoping you can help me with a different TBS card - it's a TBS6528 MULTI STANDARD TV TUNER COMMON INTERFACE (CI) PCI-E CARD. On paper it seems very capable, supporting DVB-S2 and EVB-T2 and with common interface. We need to be able to extract a transport stream from this card to use with our own software and are finding it difficult to get relevant information from the manufacturer on this. If Kodi and others can get TBS cards to work with their interfaces then there must be some hope that there is an SDK where we can access the card's output. It will be installed under Windows Server 2016. I hope you can point me in the right direction.

[@AmoebaMan]

I am sorry Frank, I have no idea how that could be done! AM

[@fkerrin65]

Hi I made some progress yesterday with TBS support. They use the Windows Broadcast Driver Architecture (BDA - see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadcast_Driver_Architecture) which is a standard for streaming with Windows (I didn't know this existed until yesterday). There are a lot of code examples to be found on this - Microsoft site, Github and Google). All the best.

[@mathamour]

H ello, I also want to purchase CARD of TBS. Do I need a set-top box for my computer?

[@AmoebaMan]

This card is installed internally in your PC and the TV aerial connects directly to it. It will enable you to watch TV on your computer, or with some additional software and hardware on other devices on your home network

[@mathamour]

@@AmoebaMan ☺☺oH, THANKS A LOT OF YOU

[@barrydunne78]

is the card running in win 10 . I ll be getting a satellite version tbs 6982, just wondering how did you add the card in kodi ?

[@AmoebaMan]

barry dunne My server is running on W7 and I am waiting a bit before upgrading to W10 as I want the drivers to be in good shape so I am watching the TBS forums. I have upgraded most of my other PC to W10 but not this one yet. AM

[@elizondokamacho3955]

I need to record 5 different channels,if they are on the same frequency one tuner will be enough?

[@AmoebaMan]

If they are on the same multiplex you may be able to record multiple streams with one tuner, max number depends on stream and your setup. AM

[@vinee616]

Amoeba Man hi, I have 30 channels in single line from lnb, can this card provide me all 30 channels at same time? I’m willing to take all channels from lnb and stream each channel on different ip on my local network

[@Emranrajaee]

Can I use this connected to dish-mounted-at-the-roof cable and have the channels?

[@AmoebaMan]

If you mean satellite dish, then this is not suitable for satellite broadcasts, to receive satellite you a need card which can decode satellite standards like DVB-S2, this card does not do that. AM

[@Emranrajaee]

@@AmoebaManyes, thank you. So, Do you connect cable network instead of having a satellite dish?

[@AmoebaMan]

@@Emranrajaee Hi, no I use an aerial for DVB-T2 TV free over-the-air broadcasts in the UK

[@aisaacnewton3176]

i can watch the italian tv with this turner ? mediaset channels and other italian channels, thank.

[@AmoebaMan]

+aisaac newton I don't know much about Italian tv channels but according to Wikipedia the majority of the FTA channels in Italy are DVB-T. This card can show DVB-T channels and DVB-T2. I would encourage you to check yourself though as I haven't done much research except reading Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_in_Italy#Digital_terrestrial_television

[@AnthonyBinns]

How many channels can you simultaneously watch. Like can I watch one channel a different room and another and a different one etc ?

[@AmoebaMan]

+TOM FUB Hi Tom, difficult to answer because it depends on what software you are using and how good your hardware is. With Mediaportal maximum simultaneous *live* channels depends on how your channels are multiplexed in your home country but minimum of 4, probably a lot more than that! If you are watching recorded TV pr combination of recordings and live then a lot more than that can be watched. If you you look at 5:05 in the video I demonstrate recording 6 live TV channels simultaneously and the server could certainly do more. Important note : if you are using Windows Media Center then when I last checked for some reason windows restricts you to one channel to one tuner and a maximum of 4 tuners. My server is a relatively powerful PC, with less power available you could end running into hardware limits if you try and stream many channels - something else to check on. AM

[@AnthonyBinns]

+Amoeba Man Thank you for your quick response. Hardware is not an issue with me, i am running a i7 and 32 gb of ram, so I don't see that being a problem. I'm really tempted to buy one of these cards For streaming purposes, but in your honest opinion, are they definitely worth it for the price, because they are quite expensive, especially the satellite ones.

[@AmoebaMan]

+TOM FUB You are right, you won't have an issue with PC. I don't know about the satellite ones sorry, I certainly have no regrets but I like my server to be rock-solid as it is our main media device in our house and i have had variable experiences with cheap USB tuners. You could reduce the cost by going for fewer tuners on the card. I haven't seen many cheap quad tuner PCI cards tbh. Good Luck ! AM

[@AnthonyBinns]

Hello there again, I've come back to your video wanted to ask you another question if I can, please. I finally purchased a card on eBay TBS 6981 Satellite Tuner, in your opinion what is the best software to use with these cards. for scaning for channels, I want to stream the channels over my network to other devices such as my kodi media centre/Nvidia shield. Ideally I would like them to be in m3u8 format. Thanks for any information you can provide.

[@AmoebaMan]

HI Tom, I have always used Mediaportal server under windows 10 as a backend on my network and it does an excellent job of serving live tv and recordings to frontends including Kodi (which I use on different platforms). I don;t have too much experience of other software. GL! AM

[@abdessamadmellouki3945]

Hello I install driver TBS 6205 DVB-C on linux AMD64 , and i put on each adapter frequency on TVheadend . adapter0 266000 adapter1 354000 adapter2 522000 adapter3 570000 and whene i run all stream on my server IPTV , all stream crash . if i run 4 stream all work well . so whats is problem ..

[@AmoebaMan]

Sorry Abdesamad, I use DVB-T2 (not DVB-C), have Intel hardware and don't use TVheadend so we have different setups, I also don't use IPTV and don't know much about to to be honest. One suggestion - perhaps you see whether it is software related and could try a different backend to see if you card is working correctly on that? I use Mediaportal server without issue using the 1.0.0.3 drivers for DVB-T2, latest release is 1.0.0.4 - its an easy install and free to download. You could also try the TBS forums for technical help, they are linked in the show notes above. I hope you get your issue sorted and sorry I can't be of more help, AM

[@thomascarter601]

Can you use this with Sky or Virgin Media? Watch and record over the network?

[@AmoebaMan]

To set up for encrypted satellite e.g. Sky you need a card reader for your card. I'm not an expert on this you'll need to do some research. This card does not do satellite I. E. DVB-S2 the equivalent card for satellite would be the TBS6905 but this will only get you free sat.

[@ulfiservicios5814]

que software utilizas en el servidor para cacturar y transmitir los canales

[@canalplaybox]

xtreame

[@gleipnirfenrir]

i want it but now analog tv is gone 😥

[@AmoebaMan]

Sorry to hear that, this is actually a digital card, the earliest date for the discontinuation of DVB is currently 2030 in the UK so there is still some time to go before it becomes obsolete here! AM

[@datosmark]

few channels, you can record in simultaneous?

[@AmoebaMan]

If you have the right software and hardware you can watch many different channels in many different rooms using this card, If you you look at 5:05 in the video I demonstrate recording 6 live TV channels simultaneously and the server could certainly do more. GL! AM

[@datosmark]

Amoeba Man When I look at the specifications of the hardware is not detailed how many programs can I capture at the same time, I'm looking for a having ISDB-T, but apparently the only way would be to buy multiple devices at the same time with ISDB-T with USB port and record at the same time with different cables

[@AmoebaMan]

Marko, the card in this review does not support ISDB-T, TBS appear to make one called the TBS6814, www.tbsdtv.com/products/tbs6814-isdb-t-quad-tuner-pcie-card.html, I'm sorry we do not have this standard in Europe and I don't know anything about the card so can't really offer any advice. GL! AM

[@RichardFabricio]

I would like to ask you a question about the board

[@AmoebaMan]

Great! Google translate is working well, how can I help?

[@RichardFabricio]

Espero seu contato

[@gabrielueta6908]

Hello, can this card play the channels at 60 fps???

[@AmoebaMan]

I don't know to be honest, I have read that the framerate of broadcast freeview HD TV in the UK is mostly recorded in 25 fps but broadcast fps varies from 25 to 50 fps. AS far as I know there isn't any broadcasted Freeview content at 60 fps here. AM

[@TylerDurden404]

do you need to split your original antenna cable into 2 cables then those 2 cables go into each antenna input on the card? how about when there is 4 inputs do you need to plug in 4 antenna cables? e.g. www.ebay.com.au/itm/TBS6904-DVB-S2-Quad-HD-Tuner-PCIe-Card-Satellite-TV-Receiver-For-IPTV-Streaming/232038106255?epid=2215842273&hash=item36068c848f:g:PMQAAOSwIgNXovAP would it be better to just get something like "Hauppauge WinTV-QuadHD " which only needs one antenna cable plug into the card?

[@barrydunne78]

is it on a 64 bit system, read a review that 64 bit drivers where bad

[@AmoebaMan]

barry dunne Yes, my server is 64 bit W7. AM

[@nokiestreetfighter1824]

can this card can show encrypted digital cable?

[@AmoebaMan]

+Mark Villanueva I am afraid not, the 6205 is a FTA DVB-T2 card, TBS do make satellite cards but I am not sure about cable, sorry. Here are the satellite cards - www.tbsdtv.com/products/dvb-s2-tv-tuner-pcie.html

[@raulmunoz2022]

This is por USA?

[@AmoebaMan]

Hi Raul, in the USA a different standard for digital broadcasting, ATSC, is used. I am in the UK, this card is not suitable for the USA. AM

[@RichardFabricio]

I saw several cards of this in the internet but I do not know which to use because they are all the configurations They are written in English if you can help me please send your e-mail

[@AmoebaMan]

How will you receive your TV ? The first thing you need to know is what kind of broadcast your TV service is, are you planning to receive digital TV by aerial or satellite? : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISDB-T_International It looks to me like in Brazil digital TV is broadcast using a standard called SBTVD which is based on the Japanese ISDB-T standard, we do not have this in Europe and I am not familiar with it. TBS do make an ISDB-T compatible card but you will need to check whether this is compatible : www.tbsdtv.com/products/tbs6814-isdb-t-quad-tuner-pcie-card.html This is not a satellite card, it is a TV card. For satellite here in the UK you typically need a DVB-S2 card (like the TBS6904) but this typically only allows you to watch free to air channels. You need to find out what standard is used in Brazil for satellite. I am sorry I don't know anything about unlocking satellite signals, in the UK satellite services are either free to air or require a decoder for a which a subscription is required. AM

[@Superjazz91]

Is the PSU still breathing?

[@AmoebaMan]

David Høstbo sure, it's probably a bit dusty inside but server has run 24 / 7 since I made this video ..... even in my dusty - dog hairy office! AM

[@Emranrajaee]

thanks

[@RichardFabricio]

Olá boa tarde pode me responder uma pergunta sou do Brasil

[@AmoebaMan]

Hi Richard, I am sorry I do not speak Portuguese - but I will do my best to answer if I can understand your question. AM

[@RichardFabricio]

Amoeba Man Hello, good afternoon, how are you? I'm using Google Translate.

[@veneratedmortal4369]

Tripod = 3rd hand. you can even get one for you phone.

[@AmoebaMan]

Very good point, I do use a tripod with my camera but on this video I couldn't get a good shot of the inside of the case with the camera on its mounting due to the very tight space and I wanted a close up of the motherboard and socket so hence the wobbles, ah well, pffft! AM