DVB can be transferred in several ways. The trailing letter identifies the
method of transfer, e.g. DVB-
Besides the different methods available to receive a DVB stream, the cards are
classified by their type of produced output. There are cards with a decoder
implemented which offer direct access to the stream by the device
First, we must ensure that your kernel supports DVB and your DVB device. Since kernel version 2.6 the necessary drivers are included. Check your kernel configuration and make sure the following options are selected as a static driver or as modules.
Input Device Support ---> * Event Interface Device Drivers ---> Multimedia Devices ---> Digital Video Broadcasting Devices ---> [*] DVB For Linux * DVB Core Support M [Your driver]
Additionally we have to select the proper driver for your hardware. To find out
the right module for your card, we mark every driver as module. If you have a
PCI card, install
# emerge pciutils
After booting the new kernel, we run
# pcimodules ohci-hcd ehci-hcd sis900 snd-emu10k1 b2c2-flexcop-pci nvidia nvidiafb
In this case we have to load the module
# echo b2c2-flexcop-pci >> /etc/modules.autoload.d/kernel-2.6
It's recommended to mark every driver as module, so that you can add the
required module dynamically, especially if you don't know the module name. If
you already know the module name, select the driver as a built-in driver.
Compile the kernel, install the modules and boot it. You can check if your
kernel has successfully detected your card by using
# dmesg | grep DVB(If you own a TerraTec Cinergy T2, your output might look like this:) DVB: registering new adaptor (TerraTec/qanu USB2.0 Highspeed DVB-T Receiver). input: TerraTec/qanu USB2.0 Highspeed DVB-T Receiver remote control as /class/input/input2
To install VDR, we just emerge it.
# emerge vdr
Now continue with
There are at least two ways to control VDR via an infrared remote control. If
your TV card has an onboard IR receiver you can use
We first install the plugin via emerge:
# emerge vdr-remote # emerge --config vdr-remote
When using the remote plugin for the IR port on your DVB card everything should
be fine with the default config. It automatically uses the input device which
has "dvb" in its name. For more advanced uses take a look at
Now, continue with
If your card can be remotely controlled (but you cannot or do not want to use
# nano -w /etc/make.conf(Replace "devinput" with the proper driver) LIRC_DEVICES="devinput" USE="lirc" # emerge lirc
At first we have to define each key code with a name. Most supported remote
controls are configured already, take a look at the
# cat /proc/bus/input/devices I: Bus=0000 Vendor=0000 Product=0000 Version=0000 N: Name="TerraTec/qanu USB2.0 Highspeed DVB-T Receiver remote control" P: Phys=usb-0000:00:1d.7-1/input0 S: Sysfs=/class/input/input2 H: Handlers=kbd event1 B: EV=100003 B: KEY=108fc210 2043 0 0 0 0 8000 2080 1 9e1680 0 0 ffc
In this case we have the Terratec Cinergy T2 device plugged in, so we can
access the device over
LIRCD_OPTS="-H devinput -d /dev/input/event1"
It's time to start
# /etc/init.d/lircd start
Now it should be possible to watch
# irw 0000000000001aa2 00 Exit Technisat_TTS35AI.conf 0000000000001a8d 00 Mute Technisat_TTS35AI.conf 0000000000000a97 00 OK Technisat_TTS35AI.conf 0000000000000a97 01 OK Technisat_TTS35AI.conf 0000000000000a92 00 Menu Technisat_TTS35AI.conf
Next, add it to the default runlevel so that it starts automatically at boot.
# rc-update add lircd default
To be able to use your remote control, you must enable LIRC support in VDR. Add
the following line to
# nano -w /etc/conf.d/vdr IR_CTRL="lirc"
You now need to decide on one (and only one!) of the following video output devices which show the picture and the overlayed On Screen Display (OSD).
Users of these expensive cards need not install anything else, so you may
continue with
To use a DXR3 card for VDR output we need the
# emerge vdr-dxr3 # echo em8300 >> /etc/modules.autoload.d/kernel-2.6
The em8300 module need some configuration that depends on the exact revision of that card.
Continue with
As PVR350 cards have an onboard MPEG-Decoder chip we want to make use of that.
We need to install the
# emerge vdr-pvr350 # echo ivtv >> /etc/modules.autoload.d/kernel-2.6
Continue with
To install it, we have to emerge
# emerge vdr-softdevice # emerge --config vdr-softdevice
To select the proper video and audio output, edit
For now, we will only describe the shm ("shared memory") method. This is already
enabled in the installed config file (Setting SOFTDEVICE_VIDEO_OUT). Later you
need to start
Continue with
Some people prefer to use
# emerge vdr-xineliboutput # emerge --config vdr-xineliboutput
Adding command line options at this point is crucial for xineliboutput to work.
For more options, see
_EXTRAOPTS="--local=none --remote=37890"
The next step is to edit
(The proper syntax is: IP-Address[/Netmask]) 127.0.0.1(always accept localhost) 192.168.1.0/24(any host on the local net) #204.152.189.113(a specific host) #0.0.0.0/0(any host on any net - USE THIS WITH CARE!)
If you only want to use
Otherwise, you now simply
# emerge vdr-xineliboutput
Later (after having started VDR) you will use the command
Continue with
To make VDR really useful you need to create an appropriate channel list. There is more than one way to get a working list of channels (besides downloading one). The channel list installed by default is for DVB-S reception on Astra on 19.2°E.
# emerge linuxtv-dvb-apps
Find the correct frequency list for your region and type of reception. These
files are stored under
$ dvbscan -o vdr /usr/share/dvb/scan/dvb-t/de-Nuernberg > /etc/vdr/channels.conf
First, delete the contents of the existing channel list.
# rm /etc/vdr/channels.conf
# emerge vdr-reelchannelscan # emerge --config vdr-reelchannelscan
You'll probably want to configure your channels at this point. The VDR project
provides you with some examples which can be found at
After having all basic software parts ready on the system you need to configure VDR with its OSD.
If you use a hardware decoder for picture output you should switch on the connected TV now. If you use software output the client for this must be started after VDR.
First, you should learn your key definitions; that is, connecting keys on your remote control to VDR's internal commands.
We begin with starting VDR:
# /etc/init.d/vdr start * Preparing start of vdr: * config files ... [ ok ] * Waiting for prerequisites (devices nodes etc.) ... [ ok ] * Starting vdr ... [ ok ] * First start of vdr: No check for running vdr possible * until control device (remote/keyboard) keys are learnt!
(For users of vdr-softdevice) # ShmClient(For users of vdr-xineliboutput) # vdr-sxfe xvdr://hostname
The most useful keys for VDR are:
Now that the basic installation is over, you need to configure VDR. Switch to your output screen and follow the on-screen instructions. VDR asks you to press various keys on your remote control to learn the correct key codes. If you don't own a remote control, you can use your keyboard.
Now you can add the VDR initscript to the default runlevel to get it started every time your computer boots up.
# rc-update add vdr default