1. Introduction

After a long lasting period without any tests we now have the DVB-s2 USB-box with the integrated CI-module.

Like every other already released DVB-S2 TV-card/box solutions, the 3650CI doesn't offer a MPEG-4 decoderchip. Therefore it is necessary to have high-performance PC equipment, to see HDTV without stuttering.

As there is already a TechnoTrend S2-3200 (DVB-S2 Budget TV-card) within the pc, it has been very interesting for us to check, how the system is going to react when a second TV-card is installed within the pc or whether it is necessary to uninstall the PCI-card to get the external box running.

Shipment connect S2-3650 CI
TV-Box TechnoTrend connect S2-3650 CI
Remotecontrol for S2-3650 incl. batteries AA (TypeR6)
Power suply 230VAC/50Hz to 12VDC/1.6A
USB 2.0 cable
CD with drivers
TV-software of TechnoTrend (BDA-APP) & manuals

2. Installation / Initiation

The moment you connect the USB-box with your pc Windows Vista (and Win XP) displays a window "Found new hardware".
The driver will be installed comfortable through the windows driver installation wizard.
On the shipped CD there are the drivers, as far as the newest version of the TT Mediacenter, which doesn't use for the first time of this SW version Cyberlink PowerDVD. The H.264 Codec of Cyberlink is fully-integrated into the mediacenter.
This way it is possible to use new versions of PowerDVD without challenging the functions of the TT 3650CI.

After the installation of the driver, the application software, the TT mediacenter (BDA-APP), will be installed.
It is not necessary to install the newest version of the mediacenter when theres already one version installed. (meanwhile it makes sense to install the latest one, because the new version offers better functionality & performance) Finishing the installation you will now be nearly able to watch tv.

With the first start of the BDA-APP it is necessary to customize a few settings within it.
Here we used a multifeed-antenna with four reception sources, so we had to activate under LNB "DiSEqC 1" within the options dialogue and within the transmit dialogue on "DiSEqC 1.2". Everybody using only Astra 19,2° East or Hotbird 13,0°East might set the options on "easy", or with only one satellite position on "none".

Within the LNB/satellitepositions the amount of lnbs and the positions are now set.
In our case LNB1 for Astra 19,2°East, 13,0°East Hotbird, Astra3A 23,5°East and 7°East Eutelsat W3A, whereas this position is only optional, as this circuit leads to a rotatable antenna that can be controlled by the receiver. This position changes from time to time and is used to adress programms for "normal" TV viewers that are situated on unattractive satellite positions.

Finally we did a transmitter search.
With four positions the search took a lot longer than with only one-lnb. The shipped transponderlists are all in all ok, but sometimes there are a few transponders missing. The programs can be added manually via a channel search.
A bit more challenging is it to add these transponders in the *.ini file or respectively add the missing transponders to secure that with the next channel search it is possible to find all programs. You should only do such expert work if you really know what you're doing. Making one little error results in a crash of the mediacenter.
Unfortunately there's no tool already to edit the "Transponder *.ini" by himself.

3. Handling

Device usage
The TT3650CI behaves like an internal DVB-S(2) card.
With the integrated Common Interface it is possible (CI-module and abocard assumed) to view and record encrypted channels.
A CI-Update of the AlphyCrypt modules via satellite isn't possible at this time because the submenu of the module can't be opened. However it has been possible with the AlphaCrypt module and a abo-card to decrypt the fitting channels. The integrated infrared transmitter (IR) within the box is one of the best solutions provided with the box, because the search after an adequate place for the IR-transmitter escapes.
Therefore the remote control is ready for use up to 6metres from the box.

3.1 Software

3.1.1 BDA-APP

The BDA-APP is basically identical with the version supplied with older technotrend cards, also concerning the EPG and the teletext.
The only modification that has been applicated: The user is able to choose whether he/she wants to record his channel as a MPEG or TS-stream. In contrary to other programs that offer a recording capability as TS(Transport stream), the mediacenter only records the already adjusted audiostream.

Also the BDA-DATA application is available to receive data services via satellite.

3.1.2 DVB-Viewer PRO

The program DVB-Viewer is not shipped with the box, but as many users rhapsodized about it, we took the program within this test of the 3650CI.
We only wanted to examine the support of H.264 & DVB-S2, mainly in reference on the TT3650CI.
With the newest version (3.8.0.0) there weren't any problems.
Unfamiliar and overwhelming were the large amounts of possibilities of the different option dialogues. Particularly the possibility to use the same software for different receiving modes (DVB-S(S2), DVB-T, DVB-C).
However it is not possible, likewise with the supplied TT-mediacenter, to call the application more than one time, with each a different hardware setting.
Programs transmitted in dvb-s2 standard, are recorded and playbacked as well as with the supplied mediacenter.
The most noticeable difference with the dvbviewer is that it is possible to record all audiostreams with it, when recording in *.ts mode.
Unfortunately it has been not crowned with success to persuade the DVB-Viewer (Version 3.8.0.0) to work with the integrated ci-slot. Out of this reason it has been not possible to decrypt Pay-TV with a module and an abo-card. The programmers of DVBViewer are awaiting the API of Technotrend and will introduce this functionality with one of their next version updates. (according to their postings in their board).

Intermediate-conclusion for alternative software:
A very good alternative in comparision with the originalsoftware and with 15€ surely not too expensive - you will get updates on lifetime! A further advantage of the dvb-viewer software is that it is possible to use more than one card in one pc. The program supports such an amount of cards, that it is possible to work with only one program and several different cards on one HTPC. In direct comparision with the supplied BDA-APP the difference in settings is noticeable everywhere.
It is possible to set videocodecs, the hardware, audio and other different options can be changed easily. Also the EPG-support, the timer and the channellist are much more comfortable than within the supplied BDA-APP software. liste sind wesentlich komfortabler als die mitgelieferte BDA-APP Software.

3.2 Audio

In the opposite to the diversity of the audio settings within the "old" Technotrend Software, that supplied the H.264 codec from Cyberlink, there are now much less settings changeable.
Solely the soundcard can be changed/set correctly now.
It is also possible to set the speakerconfiguration (2,4,6 or a headset).

A manual change of the audiotrack is no problem (also within the running program). With a simple righclick on the channel and a selection through a dropdown menu the change of an audiotrack is easy-going.

Offering multi-channel sound in Dolby Digital, it is possible to output it as 6-channel-sound (analogue) or as bitstream via SPDIF(optical/coaxial), when the soundcard is capable of this formats.

3.3 Video

Very extensive in contrary are the options for setting video related things. There are several hardware modes (VMR 7 / VMR 9) selectable, as far as the colour settings (density, green/red, yellow/blue, contrast, saturation). Further important settings are the hardware acceleration and the deinterlace mode. (Bob or Weave). Within our tests we had the impression that especially in videos with fast camera pans (Action movies, football, sports) a fix setting to "Bob" makes up half the battle, minimizing the upcoming of "comb-patterns" within tv-transmissions.

A special feature of the software is the seperate available settings dialogue for H.264 -channels. Here it is possible to change values that are used whenever a channel is encoded in H.264 seperately. However for the hardware acceleration is only one mode accessible - DXVA.

3.4 HDTV

Test - System 1

With H.264 the system of the test pc is stressed moderately. We used an Intel Core2DUO with 2,13 GHz, 1GB RAM and a nVidia graphics card (Geforce 7300LE) with 512 MB of RAM.

Testing both available cards within the pc (the DVB-S2 TT 3200 and the TT3650CI) and viewing on both devices HDTV simultaneously, the testsystem got stressed even more. In fact it has been nevertheless possible, to view both HDTV channels with a cpu load of 77% without any stuttering.
Recording a channel without viewing it and simultaneously viewing another channel via the second device is therefore possible with no limitations, as far as the harddisk drive(s) are fast enough, or you're using a raid array of several independent disks. However it is only possible with a second seperate tc card.
The 3650CI doesn't offer a double tuner and the shipped software isn't able to record additional channels on the same transponder with the same polarisation, unlike some receivers oder pc tv-applications are able to do so. Using Timeshift is no problem, however only in those cases if no second tc card is recording another channel no harddisk.

After a HD- endurance test (four hours HD at one time) of the TT-3650 CI the device and the CI-Module got only tepid.
Despite of an installed Elecard Video Decoder we couldn't get the TT-3650CI to receive transmissions in 4:2:2 format, what might shrink the happiness of DXer friends. "Normal" (4:2:0) SD- and HD- feeds are recorded well, with no errors occuring.


Test - System 2

Our second test system inherits an AMD Athlon 64 / 3700+ with 2,21 Ghz processor with 1GB of RAM and an ATI graphics card (Radeon X600Pro) with 256MB of RAM.
The second test system showed HDTV in H.264 even worse with dropouts. A recording of a HDTV channel was nearly impossible. Even the IFA-test channel of the ARD (german FTA channel) "Eins Festival HD", that has been transmitted in 1280x720p only, stressed our testsystem 2 too much.
Standard SD-channels were both displayed and recorded pretty well.

4. Additional Features

Everybody not only possessing a TT 3650CI, but also an internal solution (e.g. the TT S2-3200) the mediacenter offers the possibility to start itself twice. One time with the hardware selection "Technotrend BDA/DVB-S Tuner" for the internal card as well as additionally one time with the "USB 2.0 BDA DVB-S Tuner" for the TT 3650CI. This way it is possible to view and record simultaneously different channels with both devices.
Unfortunately it is not possible to confer the built in ci-module of the internal solution onto the external one and the other way round. PayTV is therefore only posibble within the mediacenter that inherits a common interface module.

Pay-TV

Decrypting encrypted channels has been no problem with the AlphaCrypt Module and a valid abocard. Sometimtes we had problems to update the ci-module with the shipped software onto the newest software version because it has been not possible to get into the right submenu of the module.
Being able to do so with the internal DVB-s2 satellite from Technotrend with the same software, we assumed a firmware bug within the box, that has been fixed by Technotrend a few days later with a small update, which is available on TechnoTrend's Homepage. After installing the updated software & drivers the problem got fixed.
With the newest Technotrend Software (1.0.7.8) also the AlphaCrypt module can be updated.

Remotecontrol

Together with the USB box there comes a remote control including batteries. The infrared receptor is situated directly in the usb box. Within the BDA-APP program it is possible to assign in the "options->Keyboard" dialogue each key seperately with the desired function.
A first test of this feature feedbacked a good implementation. It is possible to assign nearly every suggestive function with a key combination and therefore control with the remote control. Especially for MediaCenter solutions a very good choice! Somebody who doesn't want such functions, is able to even start and stop recordings or choose the channels.

Internet via Satellite

Like the internal Technotrend DVB-S2 3200 the Technotrned 3650CI offers the capability to use internet via satellite using the BDA-DATA application. Also Casablanca can be used.

LNB-controlling - Diseqc 1.2

The card supports Diseqc 1.0/1.2 and therefore is able to control several satellite positions via a multiswitch within the satellite construction. It has been possible during the test, with a SAR 411 WSG, that is controlled using DiSEqC 2.0, to address the seperate LNBs of a multifeed-construction.

Copyprotection and DRM - HDCP

HDCP as the upcoming digital copy protection for HD-material, is deployed as well on the upcoming hd-discs like blu-ray disc and hd-dvd (here additionally to AACS /BD+) as also on HDTV- transmissions via satellite, cable and terrestrical antennas. On Pro7HD and Sat.1HD currently there is no such a HDCP-flag set.
The only channels using such a hdcp - flag are currently PremiereHD and AnixeHD. Actually this should prevent an output of HDTV material on not hdcp-capable components, and furthermore a recording after the output.

During our tests with AnixeHD and Premiere HD we were able to do nevertheless a record and output on not hdcp-capable devices without any problems.

Conclusion: Everybody searching for a flexible solution to view DVB-S and DVB-S2 on a PC or notebook might consider buying a TT-3650-CI. Also for newbies or people, only wanting to receive DVB-S the Technotrend offers everything a user might want to have, preparing DVB-S/2 signals very well. Offering the capability to use a CI-module the Technotrend TT 3650 is also primed very well for future developments like a base encryption through Astra's Entavio platform. Crucial is as well that the TT 3650-CI is with about 179€ nearly the same expensive as the competitior (Pinnacle PCTV Sat HDTV Pro USB) with whom it is not possible to use a ci-module. Somebody wanting even more, e.g. receiving satellite-feeds might be a bit unhappy with the device. In contrary to the internal solution TT S2-3200 it is currently not possible to receive program in the 4:2:2 mode. Trying to catch such a feed in "blind flight" had been not crowned with success, resulting in pictures with only pixel errors. Receiving satellite feeds with the same pc without any problems (using the internal card) , that couldn't be only a codec problem. Your opinions to the TV-box and the article are desired, Discussions within the forum under TechnoTrend: connect S2-3650-CI

I want it!

Editorial short commentaries:

Manolito DXBerlin Plötz: A very good device with a lot of capabilities within a compact "sexy" design. The ideal solution for everybody who wants to view televion with his/her pc, as far in SD as in HDTV regions - including the possibility to view encrypted channels as well. (abocard & ci- module assumed).

Andreas -horn- Hornig: A small, but tough box Technotrend is currently offering to the market and furthermore gives two big reasons to buy one - DVB-S2 and CI-slot.
These two reasons are alone a good reason to check this box out. There are several different tv-boxes, but either they aren't capable of DVB-s2 or they do not offer a ci-slot. The TT-3650-CI places exactly within this gap and offers its customer a certain future-proof.
It's a pity, that it isn't possible to supply the box with power via USB and that you need a seperate power supply. But we work on a little workaround! ;)