The VideoLAN Forums

DVB-T + BDA + VLC

I've done some searches on Google to see if BDA is supported in Windows, so i may use a new HD Twin Tuner card with VLC in XP64.

It seems that BDA support is mentioned for VLC going back 12months, but i'm unsure of how or if any progress has happened on this being adopted by VLC.

I'm surprised it's not there yet, as it seems fairly simple and VLC seems to do everything else i ever needed it to. I've been a long time user of VLC, and i can't have a PC without it...

Am i right in assuming before i buy my DVB-T card that the current VLC 0.86a does not support these cards and it will not work at all?

Has it been looked at, and will it be included in an upcoming release?

Is there by chance a nightly build, or some other alternative way of getting BDA DVB-T into VLC 0.9?

Thanks for any help on the subject.

BDA is under work and should enter trunk (and VLC 0.9.0) in the next few days.
It will be available in the nightlies afterwards.

Thankyou j-b....

I did just find the previous thread (doh!) with KenS's work, so i congratulate you guys on getting this in this upcoming build, i'm sure it will be a popular addition to an already great program..

Keep up the good work guys....

I'm surprised it's not there yet, as it seems fairly simple

"Easy to do" is easy to say

It was not difficult compared to, say, a missile guidance algorithm but not a trivial problem

Hope we get lots of people to test it out.

BDA is under work and should enter trunk (and VLC 0.9.0) in the next few days.
It will be available in the nightlies afterwards.

Don't forget to tell us when it'll be available in the nightlies

Tonight.

I have a USB2 Dazzle PCTV Hybrid Stick (Analog+DVB-T) using BDA drivers.
The analog part works pretty fine with VLC 0.8.x and for the DVB-T part I have to use another app like ProgDVB and it's also working fine.

So I got the vlc-0.9.0-svn-20070424-0001-win32 nightly, hoping to be able use the new DVB-T support.
Unfortunately, with this nightly build, I can't select the PCTV Stick as a capture device, the options page is blank and I can't refresh the devices list like I can do with VLC 0.8.x:


The capture mode drop list is empty. No option button is available.

And here is what I got with VLC 0.8.x:


However the analog is still working fine if I use the Customize input box and also if I use a playlist file I've built with VLC 0.8.x.
I have also manually edited the settings file to add the name of the devices to dshow-vdev and dshow-adev but it doesn't help, the capture device page is still blank.

So I'm stuck.
What should I do to be able to select the capture device and then to be able to make the DVB-T part working ?

Your questions may be premature as quite often the predictions for the nightly builds is off by 2 days for one reason or another.

No. He is right.

@Lotesdelere:
As you might see, there is a whole new GUI. And capture is not implemented in it. So use command line to do so...
BUT, I would love to have ideas on how should I create the new Open Capture GUI. Ideas are welcome!

As you might see, there is a whole new GUI. And capture is not implemented in it. So use command line to do so...

So I need a serious help about how to use the DVB-T module with a command line as I have no idea at all about the syntax to use.

BUT, I would love to have ideas on how should I create the new Open Capture GUI. Ideas are welcome!

I like the way it works in VLC 0.8.x, it's user friendly and easy to use.
For each device display the available modes (example for a TV card: analog, cable, satellite, terrestrial, ATSC).

The commands for the BDA module are the same (give or take) for the linux dvb module.
Defaults can be set in the DVB access module

typical commands:

dvb-t:// :dvb-frequency=<frequency> :dvb-bandwidth=<bandwidth>

dvb-c:// :dvb-frequency=<frequency> :dvb-modulation=<qam symbols>

any live playback issues try:
:sout=#duplicate{dst=display} :sout-display-delay=512

Defaults can be set in the DVB access module

I can't see a DVB access module in the Windows nightly build

dvb-t:// :dvb-frequency=<frequency> :dvb-bandwidth=<bandwidth>

Frequency and Bandwidth are in Hz or kHz ?

And how can I select a channel on a specific frequency ?

Damn, I can't make it working
Ken can you give me an example of a full command line please ?

Frequency is in kHz, bandwidth in MHz

The command above can be entered onto the Customize line on any File Open command

No need to select a channel - you get the lot. If playing live or streaming then select channel on the Navigate menu. If saving to file, try the :programs=<channels> option and the select="program=<id>" option for sout.

The module is called bda in the nightlies but under Preferences it shows as DVB as it is just a w32 replacement for the linux dvb module

OK it works

But it works badly for me, image is far from perfect:


And the sound is stuttering all the way

The command line I've used is:
dvb-t:// :dvb-frequency=642000 :dvb-bandwidth=8 :sout=#duplicate{dst=display} :sout-display-delay=512

The same channel is working fine with other DVB apps like ProgDVB.
Signal is about 70-75% and quality about 95%.

Any ideas about how to solve that ?

This seems to be a common problem. You shoul dfind that capture to file and streaming work OK so there is something strange going on in the decoder or the display module. Try upping sout-display-delay to 1000.

This seems to be a common problem. You shoul dfind that capture to file and streaming work OK so there is something strange going on in the decoder or the display module. Try upping sout-display-delay to 1000.

using:
vlc dvb-t:// :dvb-frequency=219500 :dvb-bandwidth=7 sout=#duplicate{dst=display} :sout-display-delay=1024 --verbose=2

Seems too be working ok, in sync, EIT functionality is working (saw a callback). Not getting many errors at all. Deinterlacing must not yet be implemented or doesn't work as yet for your bda plugin.
------------------------
logs
------------------------
main debug: CPU has capabilities 486 586 MMX 3DNow! MMXEXT SSE SSE2 FPU
main debug: looking for memcpy module: 4 candidates
main debug: using memcpy module "memcpymmxext"
main error: Reloading playlist not implemented.
main debug: waiting for thread completion
main debug: thread 4028 (preparser) created at priority 0 (playlist/thread.c:81)
main debug: waiting for thread completion
main debug: thread 4044 (fetcher) created at priority 0 (playlist/thread.c:107)
main debug: waiting for thread completion
main debug: thread 4048 (playlist) created at priority 0 (playlist/thread.c:117)
main debug: rebuilding array of current - root Playlist
main debug: rebuild done - 0 items, index -1
main debug: looking for interface module: 1 candidate
main debug: using interface module "hotkeys"
main debug: thread 4072 (interface) created at priority 0 (interface/interface.c:218)
main debug: adding item `dvb-t://' ( dvb-t:// )
main debug: looking for interface module: 4 candidates
main debug: using interface module "qt4"
main debug: rebuilding array of current - root Playlist
main debug: rebuild done - 1 items, index -1
main debug: starting new item
main debug: changing item without a request (current -1/1)
main debug: using item 0
main debug: creating new input thread
main debug: waiting for thread completion
main debug: thread 4312 (input) created at priority 1 (input/input.c:330)
main debug: requesting art for dvb-t://
main debug: stream=`duplicate'
main debug: art not found for dvb-t://
main debug: looking for sout stream module: 1 candidate
stream_out_duplicate debug: creating 'duplicate'
stream_out_duplicate debug: * adding `display'
main debug: stream=`display'
main debug: looking for sout stream module: 1 candidate
main debug: using sout stream module "stream_out_display"
main debug: using sout stream module "stream_out_duplicate"
main debug: `dvb-t://' gives access `dvb-t' demux `' path `'
main debug: creating demux: access='dvb-t' demux='' path=''
main debug: looking for access_demux module: 0 candidates
main warning: no access_demux module matched "dvb-t"
main debug: creating access 'dvb-t' path=''
main debug: looking for access2 module: 1 candidate
bda debug: FindFilter: Connected DNTV Live! Pro BDA DVB-T Tuner/Demod
bda debug: FindFilter: Connected DNTV Live! Pro Transport Stream Capture
bda debug: FindFilter: Connected BDA MPEG2 Transport Information Filter
main debug: using access2 module "bda"
main debug: pre buffering
ts debug: pid[20] unknown

ts debug: EITCallBack called
ts debug: new EIT service_id=1585 version=14 current_next=1 ts_id=1539 network_id=4116 segment_last_section_number=1 last_table_id=78
ts debug: * event id=31530 start_time:1177549200 duration=3600 running=4 free_ca=0
ts debug: - short event lang=eng 'TEN Morning News' : 'Comprehensive coverage of local, national and international news with analysis of the key stories of the day and a strong focus on health, social and environmental issues.'
ts debug: - tag=0x54(84)
ts debug: - tag=0x55(85)
ts debug: * event id=31531 start_time:1177552800 duration=3600 running=1 free_ca=0
ts debug: - short event lang=eng 'Charmed' : 'Piper & Leo, with help from Coop's ring, must travel back in time to change the events that lead to the deaths of Piper's sisters. Meanwhile, Billie uses her power of Projection to do the same thing; '
ts debug: - tag=0x54(84)
ts debug: - tag=0x55(85)
ts debug: EITCallBack called
ts debug: new EIT service_id=1591 version=0 current_next=1 ts_id=1539 network_id=4116 segment_last_section_number=1 last_table_id=78
ts debug: * event id=32128 start_time:1177549200 duration=3600 running=4 free_ca=0
ts debug: - short event lang=eng 'TEN Morning News' : 'Comprehensive coverage of local, national and international news with analysis of the key stories of the day and a strong focus on health, social and environmental issues.'
ts debug: - tag=0x54(84)
ts debug: - tag=0x55(85)
ts debug: * event id=32129 start_time:1177552800 duration=3600 running=1 free_ca=0
ts debug: - short event lang=eng 'Charmed' : 'Piper & Leo, with help from Coop's ring, must travel back in time to change the events that lead to the deaths of Piper's sisters. Meanwhile, Billie uses her power of Projection to do the same thing; '
ts debug: - tag=0x54(84)
ts debug: - tag=0x55(85)
ts debug: EITCallBack called
ts debug: new EIT service_id=1593 version=0 current_next=1 ts_id=1539 network_id=4116 segment_last_section_number=1 last_table_id=78
ts debug: * event id=32128 start_time:1177549200 duration=3600 running=4 free_ca=0
ts debug: - short event lang=eng 'TEN Morning News' : 'Comprehensive coverage of local, national and international news with analysis of the key stories of the day and a strong focus on health, social and environmental issues.'
ts debug: - tag=0x54(84)
ts debug: - tag=0x55(85)
ts debug: * event id=32129 start_time:1177552800 duration=3600 running=1 free_ca=0
ts debug: - short event lang=eng 'Charmed' : 'Piper & Leo, with help from Coop's ring, must travel back in time to change the events that lead to the deaths of Piper's sisters. Meanwhile, Billie uses her power of Projection to do the same thing; '
ts debug: - tag=0x54(84)
ts debug: - tag=0x55(85)
ts debug: EITCallBack called
ts debug: new EIT service_id=1589 version=14 current_next=1 ts_id=1539 network_id=4116 segment_last_section_number=1 last_table_id=78
ts debug: * event id=31530 start_time:1177549200 duration=3600 running=4 free_ca=0
ts debug: - short event lang=eng 'TEN Morning News' : 'Comprehensive coverage of local, national and international news with analysis of the key stories of the day and a strong focus on health, social and environmental issues.'
ts debug: - tag=0x54(84)
ts debug: - tag=0x55(85)
ts debug: * event id=31531 start_time:1177552800 duration=3600 running=1 free_ca=0
ts debug: - short event lang=eng 'Charmed' : 'Piper & Leo, with help from Coop's ring, must travel back in time to change the events that lead to the deaths of Piper's sisters. Meanwhile, Billie uses her power of Projection to do the same thing; '
ts debug: - tag=0x54(84)
ts debug: - tag=0x55(85)
ts debug: EITCallBack called
ts debug: new EIT service_id=1592 version=9 current_next=1 ts_id=1539 network_id=4116 segment_last_section_number=1 last_table_id=78
ts debug: * event id=31829 start_time:1177549200 duration=3600 running=4 free_ca=0
ts debug: - short event lang=eng 'TEN Morning News' : 'Comprehensive coverage of local, national and international news with analysis of the key stories of the day and a strong focus on health, social and environmental issues.'
ts debug: - tag=0x54(84)
ts debug: - tag=0x55(85)
ts debug: * event id=31830 start_time:1177552800 duration=3600 running=1 free_ca=0
ts debug: - short event lang=eng 'Charmed' : 'Piper & Leo, with help from Coop's ring, must travel back in time to change the events that lead to the deaths of Piper's sisters. Meanwhile, Billie uses her power of Projection to do the same thing; '
ts debug: - tag=0x54(84)
ts debug: - tag=0x55(85)

---------------------------------------

Deinterlacing does work however the plugin must be activated;
:sout-display--deinterlace-mode=bob --vout-filter deinterlace

So far the testing has gone well, plugin seems pretty stable, vlc handles 1920x1080i reasonably fast using minimal cpu reasources, X mode deinterlacing (not sure how too get that going on commandline as yet, but you can enable it via the menu once its going) seems the best but fails sometimes on fast motion sequences and pans, bob is standard but bit jittery, vlc needs better deinterlacing in general.

Nice work KenS, I think you got it, one suggestion I would like too make is too have a way of changing frequency muxes (a frequency mux list perhaps - you could possibly build a scan module and then save the results or allow manual editing and save in some kind of preferences file) and activating the bdaplugin via the gui other than that, its all good.

Another thing - dvb device selection for multiple tuners/multiple tuner devices.

OK it works

But it works badly for me, image is far from perfect:


And the sound is stuttering all the way

The command line I've used is:
dvb-t:// :dvb-frequency=642000 :dvb-bandwidth=8 :sout=#duplicate{dst=display} :sout-display-delay=512

The same channel is working fine with other DVB apps like ProgDVB.
Signal is about 70-75% and quality about 95%.

Any ideas about how to solve that ?

what kind of DVB-T channels are you watching ? Is it MPEG2 or MPEG4 ?

could you copy/paste error messages that may appear in the vlc
messages console (View -> Messages)

what kind of DVB-T channels are you watching ? Is it MPEG2 or MPEG4 ?

There are both MPEG2 and H264 channels on the same frequency, most of the H264 channels are scrambled ones but I'm trying to watch at a MPEG2 channel which is working pretty fine with ProgDVB and DVB Dream.

I've tried many sout-display-delay values, anything over 1024 will result of having no sound at all. I got ONCE and only once a perfect image, although there was no sound at all, but I've never been able to do it again

Here are some of the messages:

Nice work KenS, I think you got it, one suggestion I would like too make is too have a way of changing frequency muxes (a frequency mux list perhaps - you could possibly build a scan module and then save the results or allow manual editing and save in some kind of preferences file) and activating the bdaplugin via the gui other than that, its all good.

Another thing - dvb device selection for multiple tuners/multiple tuner devices.

Good suggestions - scanning should not be too hard but may need to be windows specific. My preference is to minimise the windows footprint so I'll look through options in libdvbpsi first.
bda plugin used to work from the command line in 0.8.6 (at least as far as I recall) so hopefully a quick one to fix.
Tuner selection is not so easy. However, the way the plug-in works - if it cannot run the graph with the first tuner it tries the next and so on. I have two tuners and it reliably picks up the second one if the first is in use.

what kind of DVB-T channels are you watching ? Is it MPEG2 or MPEG4 ?

There are both MPEG2 and H264 channels on the same frequency, most of the H264 channels are scrambled ones but I'm trying to watch at a MPEG2 channel which is working pretty fine with ProgDVB and DVB Dream.

I've tried many sout-display-delay values, anything over 1024 will result of having no sound at all. I got ONCE and only once a perfect image, although there was no sound at all, but I've never been able to do it again

What are the tuning parameters on ProgDVB or DVBDream? Maybe I need to add in some of the other DVB tuning options for DVB-T. Currently its just frequency and bandwidth

What are the tuning parameters on ProgDVB or DVBDream? Maybe I need to add in some of the other DVB tuning options for DVB-T. Currently its just frequency and bandwidth

There are no tuning parameters.
I just select the device (BDA Terrestrial), then I scan the frequencies and it works. There are no device options available in both apps.

One good thing is that I'm able to receive H264 unscrambled channels
However the aspec ratio is not correctly detected, it appears to be a 2.21:1 letter box whilst it should be 16:9 or 4:3.

The image and sound are not better than with MPEG2 channels though

Fixed

I just forgot about the frequency shift which is used on some transmitters so the exact used frequency can be Frequency+(Shift*166), where Shift is -1, 0, 1, 2 or 3.

So using 642166 instead of 642000 gives me a perfect image and sound !

It seems that ProgDVB and DVB Dream must have some kind of built-in automatic correction for the frequency shift.

Grmbl

I closed VLC and now it doesn't work properly anymore whatever frequency I use.
Devil inside I tell you!