Converting PCI tuner card

[sivan_and]

Is there anyway to convert a PC tv card tuner to receive PAL the card can only receive NTSC transmissions, ie by changing crystals ?
help appreciated..
TX

 

[ido8bit]

What card is it?

Every card I have seen does PAL and NTSC from the factory. The system is set by the software.

Try looking for a different version of the software, they may have disabled the PAL option in the USA version.

 

[infinia]

Hi
Just changing the Tuner Can and XTAL should do it. Most PC TV cards (80%) use a derivative of the BrookTree BT demod IC. Software flips the right bits. Lots of stuff on this subject found on the WWW. I usually use a VCR with the composite or S-Video input for best results anyway. Sound is usually the weak link on these type of cards, use any PCI sound card line in for stereo.
http://www.clavis.ne.jp/~listcam/files/l829a_a.pdf
Rockell Intl. bought BT
http://www.ituner.com/spectra/Bt878.pdf

edit May not need crystal replacement for newer generation of BT devices

 

[sivan_and]

Three cards needs to be converted.
Card (1)WinTV Chipset BT878KHF brought from USA (Internal PCI type).
Card (2)ATi Wonder USB(Philips chipset)
Card (3)Pinnacle USB (philips chipset)
Full details of (2) and (3) as soon as i get hold when iam 2 home...
anyway thanx all for the info...

 

[infinia]

Three cards needs to be converted.

Card1) OK you are in luck, with card1 no crystal change needed. (pg 84 of data sheet) just the tuner can needs change, if not using a VCR. I believe there is open source software available for this.

Card2) ATI AIW the rumor was, works great with NTSC, but PAL had bugs on older software. I'm surprised they went to Phillips.

 

[sivan_and]

just the tuner can needs change,

Therz a 4.0000mhz crstal inside the tuner.... change that ? any suggestions

 

[infinia]

No you have to change the whole tuner assembly (tin can). The 4MHz XTAL is the Tuner LO PLL reference. The IF frequency plan and IF Bandpass filter are all wrong. It's cheaper to change the whole thing if it's a seperate assembly right?
What are you doing? more info please.

 

[sivan_and]

OK i can do that... Is the tuner same for normal TV and tuner cards ?
its easy to get teleision tuner here..hope all tuning voltages will be same

 

[sivan_and]

Some pics...

 

[sivan_and]

pics..cont...d

 

[sivan_and]

..........

 

[infinia]

Card1 is the best one, MPEG2 chip takes the load off the PCI bus. Sound using cheap onboard tuners is usually mono and bad sonics. Just use a good VCR with which you now have a remote, and good stereo sound. Done

 

[sivan_and]

OK...infinia Thanks for ur valuable inputs..
IS THE TUNER CAN WHICH IS AVAILABLE FOR NORMAL tLELVISION SETS
CAN BE USED FOR pcI tv CARDS ?
PS:SORRY FOR UPPERCASE

 

[infinia]

OK...infinia Thanks for ur valuable inputs..
IS THE TUNER CAN WHICH IS AVAILABLE FOR NORMAL tLELVISION SETS
CAN BE USED FOR pcI tv CARDS ?
PS:SORRY FOR UPPERCASE

It depends, mostly unlikely though. You would have a better chance of swapping the bandpass filter and modding your tuner, but takes more work & knowledge.
<edit> no change to 4 MHz XTAL tho.

 

[sivan_and]

Tuner is philips make..What abt the tuning voltages...? Will there be any varactor ?