Thread: Wanted: Programmer who wants to play with DAB+ option

Originally Posted by Chester

I have been in talks with Realtek about getting a copy of their SDK for the Realtek 2832 chipset, which is Realteks All in one DVB-T, DAB+ and FM chip.

Thanks to some very friendly people there, they have given me a copy of the SDK, which includes documentation on the module, together with a sample DAB program, and the source code for the DAB program (written in Visual C++ by the looks of things).

So, I have a request.

Currently there is one main thread for getting the Venice based chips running through a daughterboard, which is a pretty good system, however seems to have a few issues (Board creater no longer available, technical support issues). I'm not slagging it off at all, but I think that the Realtek system can be another option for people. It has one MASSIVE bonus in that there is no translation to analogue to send audio to the computer, it is done totally via the USB or PCI bus, and decoding is done by the computer itself.

I have tested the module in my car, using ArcSoft TotalMedia running, with an external DVB-T antenna, and I get DAB+ signals as clear as a bell up to a tested 130km/h. Dropouts are non-existant, and using TotalMedia, I can scan for all DAB+ stations in around 15 seconds.

You can pick up these cards for around $20 AUD for a single tuner PCI card, or around $40 AUD for the dual tuner PCI cards. USB models are around the same price.

Thanks all,

Andrew

Andrew,

Do you have a model number of the receiver you have. Maybe CdR and I can work on it together when we get time.... (who know when that will be)

meddler

I use TotalMedia 3.5 for my DAB+ card, and find that it doesnt resume from hibernate, but I think this is a program issue, as it drops back to the TotalMedia menu on resume, rather than coming up still inside the radio module.

ibf, I have just PM'ed you the link to the SDK mate, looking forward to seeing how you go

Originally Posted by meddler

Andrew,

Do you have a model number of the receiver you have. Maybe CdR and I can work on it together when we get time.... (who know when that will be)

meddler

The two units that I have are the Mygica T-188, which is a single tuner PCI based card using the 2832U chipset, and the Mygica T1800 (I think...I'll double check the model number when I get home and edit as required) which is a dual tuner PCI card using 2 of the 2832U chipsets, on a single antenna input.

Also, if you guys want to test out the version of Arcsoft TotalMedia 3.5 that Mygica bundle with their cards, the link is here:

http://www.mygica.com/download/d_dvbt.asp

Hint: for testing purposes....the product key may possibly be shown on that page inadvertently as well........

Originally Posted by Chester

I use TotalMedia 3.5 for my DAB+ card, and find that it doesnt resume from hibernate, but I think this is a program issue, as it drops back to the TotalMedia menu on resume, rather than coming up still inside the radio module.

ibf, I have just PM'ed you the link to the SDK mate, looking forward to seeing how you go

Cheers... I got it working now, with the supplied small antenna it was able to pick up about half of the available station in my area.

Its definately work looking into, its pretty good actually for its price, I see plugins for this.

I have to admit I was very suprised to get reception with the tiny included antenna, generally those included ones have been an exercise in frustration, but the fact that I could get about half of the stations from inside my computer room in the house amazed me.

With the 1.5 foot panel antenna on the roof of the car, the reception is nothing short of perfect. I may end up trialling one of the Jaycar omni type antenna's down the track, as that might help a little more with DVB-T reception, my panel antenna is essentially flat on its back, so the reception of DVB-T is reduced, although that doesn't really affect the DAB+ reception (I'm assuming lower bandwidth requirements, so it is more lenient with lower reception on the DAB+ versus the DVB-T?)

Originally Posted by Chester

I have to admit I was very suprised to get reception with the tiny included antenna, generally those included ones have been an exercise in frustration, but the fact that I could get about half of the stations from inside my computer room in the house amazed me.

With the 1.5 foot panel antenna on the roof of the car, the reception is nothing short of perfect. I may end up trialling one of the Jaycar omni type antenna's down the track, as that might help a little more with DVB-T reception, my panel antenna is essentially flat on its back, so the reception of DVB-T is reduced, although that doesn't really affect the DAB+ reception (I'm assuming lower bandwidth requirements, so it is more lenient with lower reception on the DAB+ versus the DVB-T?)

The reception is fine were Im testing it at home with the supplied antenna. Maybe not as good as the venice but its probably ok for most user. Not sure about the TV part but I do know most of them are never as sensitive.

The SDK doesnt seems to support the DAB DLS (the scrolling text) have you seen this in action using total media? Couldnt see the RDS radio text either? Im pretty sure the stick support them.

Have you got this working with the SDK yet ibf ?

Originally Posted by CdRsKuLL

Have you got this working with the SDK yet ibf ?

Yes MobiTV work with the SDK, its the only SW that I can get the DAB part to work. Total media doesnt sees it at all. Tried viva radio from dabby website that doesnt work either.

Originally Posted by ibf

The SDK doesnt seems to support the DAB DLS (the scrolling text) have you seen this in action using total media? Couldnt see the RDS radio text either? Im pretty sure the stick support them.

TotalMedia is pretty low on features in this regard, the only thing it shows is the station name, no scrolling text at all.

Do you want me to go back to the Realtek guys and ask about the DLS support?