[skylost1984]

Originally Posted by jon_c0

Actually, there's something that's also going to "-1" me from any bulk purchase (or purchase at all, for that matter).

I had thought that I'd been a bit unlucky with Linux support (amongst other things) for my BGT3450, but now I look at their support pages Blackgold's Linux driver coverage for later cards looks pretty partial and half-hearted to me.

In contrast it looks like TBS actively support their cards on Linux - as I prefer to dual boot Windows/Ubuntu, I'd like any new card to support Linux.

im quite tempted to get a tbs T2 card now and maybe a s2 card in the future, instead of the blackgold, also for the reason of linux support

[jon_c0]

Originally Posted by skylost1984

im quite tempted to get a tbs T2 card now and maybe a s2 card in the future, instead of the blackgold, also for the reason of linux support

Opposite way round for me, but same reason . I've just plumped for the TBS6980/6981 for £75 as that does seem a good price. As DVB-T2 isn't available in my area until November, I think I'll wait and see what's cost effective and Linux supported then - although I wouldn't be surprised if that's the TBS DVB-T2 dual tuner. I'll have to do a bit of jiggery pokery in my case with a PCI-E ribbon cable riser for the later DVB-T2 card as otherwise I'll end up with an overheating DVB-S2/graphics card/DVB-T2 card sandwich due to the layout of my motherboard, but it's all do-able.

Quite impressed by TBS' support for Linux as, in general, I've found reliable driver support for DVB cards patchy at best. I feel like it's time to give MythTV (or Mythubuntu, to be precise) another go, although in a dual boot with Windows 7. Not been overly impressed in past use over the years, but I'm open to trying again.

[Trollslayer]

Originally Posted by jon_c0

Well, yes, that's very true - past experience suggests that they will probably slip further than what's currently announced too. I'm also generally sceptical about their approach of releasing things as OEM, at least initially - really this seems to be a euphemism for "we'll punt this out there and see how it flies with the drivers we have now, protecting ourselves a bit from any negative come-back" (at least, that's how it seems to me).

Having said all of the above, for those with a slimline media centre case and a limited amount of usable pci-e slots, we wait and see as there really are no single card alternatives that offer the same (either now, or on the horizon)

I had this problem with support on the 3450.

[Sandy B Ridge]

Anyone got one yet? BGT3600 that is. How does it fare?

SBR

[cem2ran]

I just got following answer from BlackGold Support regarding Linux support:

A:
Dear Sir,

Yes, we are developing Ubuntu drivers. We hope to have these towards the end of September.

Kind regards,

BlackGold Support

[johnnyhungus]

Does anybody else stock these? I have had a hunt and they dont seem to be anywhere yet.

[graham.myers]

I'm placing an order as we speak They should be in stock soon - I will offer a 15% ish discount for forum members once they hit our website (watch my sig for the link to the AVForums AA bargain section once its live which will have a discount code - which I will be validating is being used by avforum members only so no posting on hotukdeals!) - so I'm expecting an AVForums price of £150 inc VAT and delivery but I'll confirm prices once they hit us.

[graham.myers]

Originally Posted by jon_c0

I've just plumped for the TBS6980/6981. I'll have to do a bit of jiggery pokery in my case with a PCI-E ribbon cable riser

Have you got the TBS 6981 working with a riser card? I cant get it working. I can get a BG 3620 working fine but the tbs card doest appear in device manager. If I put it straight into the PCIe x16 slot its fine but not when using a ribbon pcie riser

[jon_c0]

Originally Posted by graham.myers

Have you got the TBS 6981 working with a riser card? I cant get it working. I can get a BG 3620 working fine but the tbs card doest appear in device manager. If I put it straight into the PCIe x16 slot its fine but not when using a ribbon pcie riser

Not tried this, sorry. I have a "naturally" free low-profile PCI-E slot for my current TBS6981 - the ribbon riser will only be needed for a future DVB-T2 card (probably a TBS6280) as it'll need to be fitted full-size horizontally rather than straight into the motherboard. I do have the ribbon riser already though, so if I get a chance I'll give it a go with the TBS6981 and report back. I have had mixed success doing the same thing with graphics cards in the past (some fine, some not) but I guess I'd just assumed a DVB card would be less demanding bandwidth-wise and so less troublesome.

Incidentally the TBS6981 has worked without a single hitch for me since installed and used under WMC7. There were channels that I thought were marginal with my BGT3540 due to my sloppy dish install (something I need to get round to sorting) but the TBS6981 has no such issues with these channels using the same feed.

[johnnyhungus]

Originally Posted by graham.myers

I'm placing an order as we speak They should be in stock soon - I will offer a 15% ish discount for forum members once they hit our website (watch my sig for the link to the AVForums AA bargain section once its live which will have a discount code - which I will be validating is being used by avforum members only so no posting on hotukdeals!) - so I'm expecting an AVForums price of £150 inc VAT and delivery but I'll confirm prices once they hit us.

Any time frame on this or is it "as and when"?

Cheers

[graham.myers]

I'd expect the delivery to arrive by the end of the week to be honest

[johnnyhungus]

Originally Posted by graham.myers

I'd expect the delivery to arrive by the end of the week to be honest

Better put me down for one then lol

[Sandy B Ridge]

Originally Posted by jon_c0

I have a "naturally" free low-profile PCI-E slot for my current TBS6981 - the ribbon riser will only be needed for a future DVB-T2 card (probably a TBS6280) as it'll need to be fitted full-size horizontally rather than straight into the motherboard.

Apologies for being off topic:

How do you fix the horizontal full height card in place? Is there a back panel adapter to convert several low profile vertical plates to a full height horizontal one?

I'd like to put in a full height video card in my low profile case. Which ones have you success with?

Cheers

SBR

[jon_c0]

Originally Posted by Sandy B Ridge

Apologies for being off topic:

How do you fix the horizontal full height card in place? Is there a back panel adapter to convert several low profile vertical plates to a full height horizontal one?

I'd like to put in a full height video card in my low profile case. Which ones have you success with?

Cheers

SBR

I have an Elonex Artisan case, so it's basically designed to have two horizontal full-size PCI cards in a kind of caddy (bit of metal) at the back of the case. So, the only fiddly bit is not using the actual PCI riser that the caddy is meant for but instead using PCI-E ribbon cables from the sockets on the motherboard.

[talos2010]

Originally Posted by graham.myers

I'd expect the delivery to arrive by the end of the week to be honest

No stock yet?

[MikeyGold]

Originally Posted by graham.myers

I'm placing an order as we speak They should be in stock soon - I will offer a 15% ish discount for forum members once they hit our website (watch my sig for the link to the AVForums AA bargain section once its live which will have a discount code - which I will be validating is being used by avforum members only so no posting on hotukdeals!) - so I'm expecting an AVForums price of £150 inc VAT and delivery but I'll confirm prices once they hit us.

This is great news, I was just contemplating ordering one from your website. But I will know wait so that I can hopefully get a better price from you. Any updates as to when this might be?

As a heads up to anyone that hadn't noticed, BlackGold are now using a PCI-e power connector as opposed to the floppy drive power connector on the BlackGold BGT3595 and previous models as shown on page 3 here -
BGT36xx Installation Guide That means I will need to use a molex to PCI-e adapter as my PSU does not have a PCI-e power connector. Also on the last page they state it consumes 19.5 watts on the 12 volt line and 4 watts on the 3.3 volt line. I should hopefully be okay with my current PSU - HFX EF28 - I don't think I pushing it.

[graham.myers]

I placed my order on a pro forma basis but they didnt give the correct bank details needed to pay. They have now rectified that and its progressing again. They've advised the 3600 have a four day lead time. When advised they're ready they will be next day to me using my own carrier.

Its just waiting on them now really as payment has been done. I've got 3630 and 3600 coming in. The 3600 as promised will have an AVF exclusive discount code which will knock £20 off the website price (so £155 inc delivery) for the next few weeks.

If you pm me for the discount code please, and dont pass it on to non forum members as I'll be checking

[talos2010]

Originally Posted by MikeyGold

As a heads up to anyone that hadn't noticed, BlackGold are now using a PCI-e power connector as opposed to the floppy drive power connector on the BlackGold BGT3595 and previous models as shown on page 3 here -
BGT36xx Installation Guide That means I will need to use a molex to PCI-e adapter as my PSU does not have a PCI-e power connector.

Thanks, I hadn't noticed - assumed it was still using a floppy connector.

Originally Posted by MikeyGold

Also on the last page they state it consumes 19.5 watts on the 12 volt line and 4 watts on the 3.3 volt line. I should hopefully be okay with my current PSU - HFX EF28 - I don't think I pushing it.

I've got a PicoPSU 120 fingers crossed.

[graham.myers]

Originally Posted by MikeyGold

That means I will need to use a molex to PCI-e adapter as my PSU does not have a PCI-e power connector.

Mike if you want one adding to your order let me know StarTech PCI Express Video Power Adaptor - 6 pin internal power (M) - 4 pin ATX12V (M) - 15.2 cm - LP4PCIEXADAP - CCL Computers Though I cant throw it in for free after the £20 off

[MikeyGold]

Cheers Graham, its okay though I found a way to power it by freeing up a splitter that was being used by the blu-ray drive and using a molex to PCIe adapter that came with a graphics card.

Sorry for not replying sooner I have been battling with BestBuy, how hard can it be for them to get the sub I ordered and paid for from them over two weeks ago, to be delivered from their main warehouse, so I can collect it from the store? I will not bore you with too many details, just to say so far it has taken ten staff and four orders, I kid you not. Provided the manager followed the sixteen step ordering process from his crib sheet correctly, I should hopefully get it next Monday three weeks later than promised! I've now invested so much time in the process, I feel reluctant to cancel, even though I should given their performance.

Sorry everyone for the unrelated rant, I needed to let off some steam.

[graham.myers]

not a problem, it was just to help out sorry your "best"buys purchase hasnt gone well. All retailers cock up at some point, its how they deal with the aftermath that distinguishes the good ones!

[MikeyGold]

Originally Posted by graham.myers

All retailers cock up at some point, its how they deal with the aftermath that distinguishes the good ones!

Completely agree, having watched the process for over an hour, the flaw is in their computer system, it is woefully inadequate.

Thanks for the help it is nice to see a retailer care so much.

[Sandy B Ridge]

Originally Posted by graham.myers

I'd expect the delivery to arrive by the end of the week to be honest

Hi Graham,

any update from BlackGold? It'd be nice to watch the world cup in HD!

SBR

[graham.myers]

I'm afraid due to forum rules I cant comment on stocking levels etc on the forums. AVF dont want the forums being used as a sales environment. You're very welcome to PM me or to use the details in my sig to otherwise contact us though to check.

[johnnyhungus]

Well I installed the 3600 in my rock solid W7 HTPC and the results are far from promising.

The SD picture quality compared to my existing card (NovaT) is rubbish, tried alternative drivers, etc. Not much to fiddle with here really, very poor.

Satellite setup was hit and miss, first crack it didn't even recognise the sat tuners, when I eventually got it to see the tuners (the Freeview tuners were there!) it scanned the channels fine. Some real delay in changing channels though.

So, did a bit of channel re-ordering before I crashed out last night.

Got up this morning and nothing was working

No channels at all, terrestrial or other, so I went for the complete setup again and the card was not even seen!

I am using Shark007's codec pack version 3, the latest drivers for my Nvidia 9400 and obviously the only drivers for the BG3600.

I will have another look this weekend but TBH, I would rather be without the hassle at this stage, my HTPC runs just fine and this is what I have come to expect. I know it is par for the course to tinker with these things but first impressions to me are not good. I have been building these things for years and have gone through the frustration barrier many times, I just don't have the patience for that anymore!

Any advice or pointers on the above would be great, almost ready to ship the card back!

[allanp]

SD via freeview? If that's the case then there's no way that the picture quality could be any different as it's only receiving the TS and then your software codecs will process it.

[Sandy B Ridge]

Oh dear! Not what I wanted to hear since I've recently ordered one. PQ shouldn't be card dependent though as its only function really is to pass the ts from the satellite feed to the software DirectShow splitter filter which *then* passes it on to the decoder filter. If you get a picture at all, it should be the same PQ for the same given ts filter graph.

Not tuning or not seeing the card is a different matter

Ho hum. The trials of an early adopter eh! I'll wait and see if it works when/if it arrives.

SBR

[johnnyhungus]

Originally Posted by allanp

SD via freeview? If that's the case then there's no way that the picture quality could be any different as it's only receiving the TS and then your software codecs will process it.

You would think so, unless it is SD via the sat tuner, in which case - OMG!

I will be testing it all again this weekend to see what is what (sat tuners without the terrestrial tuners, vice versa).

[johnnyhungus]

Originally Posted by Sandy B Ridge

Oh dear! Not what I wanted to hear since I've recently ordered one. PQ shouldn't be card dependent though as its only function really is to pass the ts from the satellite feed to the software DirectShow splitter filter which *then* passes it on to the decoder filter. If you get a picture at all, it should be the same PQ for the same given ts filter graph.

Not tuning or not seeing the card is a different matter

Ho hum. The trials of an early adopter eh! I'll wait and see if it works when/if it arrives.

SBR

Quite, I could do without things like that happening, this is the year 2011, I expect a bit more from my tech these days lol

[allanp]

SD only refers to the resolution of the picture though. Do you mean analogue or digital?