DVB-T on Windows 9x?

[Offler]

i have analyzed this piece of hardware lately. its analog tuner is based on Conexant's Blackbird (cx2288x, or x88 or cx88x). Digital tuner is DVB-T Demodulator chip CX2270x.

it consists of three major parts:

cx2702 chip - DVBT demodulator

CX288xx chip - chip for standard TV and FV

Tuner - covered with metal box

video capturing requires some drivers>

Video Capture

Crossbar

Tuner (FME1216MEx)

audio needs only one - Audio Capture Device

Digital needs two:

BDA Transport Stream Capture

DVB-T Demodulator

I started with standard drivers on CD. althought installers were beeping about unsupported operating system i was able to install analog part of the driver without any trouble.

Audio capture was making trouble because MMdevldr and NTkern were unable to load the driver. i tried some other drivers and i was sucessfull in correct installation with drivers from either Haupauge, Conexant and Jetview...

BDA Transport capture is very strange type of device. it seems to be virtual connected only with DirectX - some kind of interface. this interface is crucial for digital tv and for some kinds of streamings. Win98 seems to be completely ready for these devices, only device developers doesnt seem to be ready for win98...

DVB-T tuner is still the biggest problem i was unable to load any driver. INF files in each driver i tried were written for Win2k and newer (win2k ddk builds?) and later when i rewrited one inf the driver was completely unable to run - it caused BSOD, or ntkern was unable to load it (ntkern only, mmdevldr was working).

It seems that conexant has developed only one type of driver for digital receiving with Win2k DDk

what are your opinions about digital tv receiving on this operating system?

also i found some info about external TV boxes which can be connected directly to PC via Firewire, while they are connected to digital tv source which is very similar to internet connection/ or is a form of internet connection.

these provide real and full DVB because data stream is fully digital from beginning to end. In cases where is hybrid tuner used is small possibility that signal is degradated when video capture driver pick up the signal

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after few days i found a reference about Pinnacle PCTV 300i. This card has fully compatible driver with win9x and it is quite powerful when it comes to tv viewing and capturing. i try to buy one of these cards maybe, but they were produced around 2004

Edited February 28, 2008 by Offler