Using Jasoroony's Technisat Skystar2 wrapper with the Avermedia A771: ==================================================================== Q: What does it do? A: The wrapper is a Windows device driver that 'fools' the computer into thinking it Q: Why would I want to use it? A: So you can run third-party commercial and freeware digital TV tuning programs on your Avermedia A771 hardware such as MediaPortal, DVBViewer and TSReader. Q: Is this the fabled 'BDA' driver for the A771? A: No, it isn't. But in my opinion it is just as good as the Technisat Skystar2 DVB-T tuner has excellent third party software support, as it has a free and widely available software development kit (SDK) for software authors to easily add support to their programs for the Skystar2 hardware. Q: How do I install it? A: First you must obtain the Technisat DirectShow filter: (for personal "research" only!) -Visit the Technisat Support and Download site and download the 1018.zip file (21.0MB) and DVBViewer (2MB) from: http://www.technisat.com/?site=service/download.php&produktID=1352&reload -Or download the Technisat 1018.zip file (21.0MB) direct from: http://www.technisat.com/en/service/download.php?getdownload=1018&pID=1352 -Extract the files. -Goto the Install directory -Run SETUP.EXE - select language... -Wait to see: "The hardware and device driver must be..." While the message is displayed: -Open Windows Explorer -Goto C:\Documents and...\meTHEuser\Local Settings\Temp -Find the directory that contains "DeviceCheck.EXE" (Mine was in {D032A7F0-8B5C-4603-8B46-235025D5F9C1} which is a subdirectory.) -HexEdit the "DeviceCheck.EXE" file using something like HexEditor from http://www.hhdsoftware.com/hexeditor.html change the two bytes at: [0x100 = 0x1D, 0x35] to [0x100 = 0x39, 0x36] -Save as DeviceCheck2.EXE & make the file READONLY Copy the file below into that same directory: ("runme.bat") --- file contents --- :loop2 if exist devicecheck2.exe goto loop1 goto loopend :loop1 if not exist devicecheck.exe goto loop2 if exist devicecheck.exe del devicecheck.exe copy devicecheck2.exe devicecheck.exe :loopend pause --- end file --- EDIT: Close the Setup.EXE program NOW! Run the RUNME.BAT batch-file! It will hog the CPU! Now : Run the SETUP.EXE from the Install directory. The DeviceCheck.EXE file will be replaced when the time is right. The hack will make it say: device is present. ps. Use as own risk - this is for information purposes only. Q: What other software can I use with the Skystar2 driver for my A771? A: Verified as working: DVBViewer - commercial - available from http://www.dvbviewer.com/ TSReader Lite 2.6.41 - commercial - http://www.coolstf.com/tsreader/ ProgDVB - freeware - http://www.progdvb.com/ Mediaportal - freeware - available from http://mediaportal.sourceforge.net Notes: My MediaPortal "Australia.tpl" Satellite scan file - only the freq. is used. It's MHz I think, so when I get to "see" the value it's got 3 extra 0's on the end - that's when I divide by 1000 to make it right again (if freq > 1000000.) --- file details --- satname=Gold Coast DVB-T Hack. 585625,H,0 634625,H,0 704625,H,0 725625,H,0 746625,H,0 767625,H,0 788625,H,0 809625,H,0 --- end file --- WinAmp TV Plugin - freeware -http://www.brics.dk/~barnie/WinampTV/ Notes: --- file details --- Name = SBS TuningMode = DVB Satellite Polarity = Vertical Frequency = 585.625000 LNBFrequency = 9.750000 SymbolRate = 27.500000 VideoID = 161 AudioID = 81 ONID = 0 TSID = 0 SID = 0 --- end file --- I had to force the filters: InterVideo A/V and default splitter. If you find other programs which work, please email me and let me know - averbeta@netspace.net.au Q: How can I change the DVB-T bandwidth for my region of the world? A: change this value in the registry using RegEdit or similar to the value for DVB-T broadcasts in your region: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\mydvbtband=7 (REG_DWORD) ('7' is the value it should be for Australian DVB-T broadcasts) General notes and comments from the author: The A771 can be used with *some* skystar2/airstar2 software. I have not implemented all the functions so other software (which hasn't been tested yet) may not work due to this. How does "the driver" work?: You obtain the Technisat DirectShow component "Sky2PCAVSrv.ax" if you don't own the card already then I can't help you here. But, register it with RegSvr32.EXE and copy my skydll.dll and AVermedia's DVBTA771.dll into either the application directory you want to test or Windows/System32 - and Bob's your uncle. (He would be if you also have the 771 drivers installed - these are still needed, and shouldn't be unloaded.) The Technisat SDK (and thus, most programs that support the AirStar2) use the DirectShow filter to request data from the skydll.dll - which normally controls the AirStar2 card. My version controls the Aver771 instead. MyTheatre, SkyView, DVBDream & DVBPortal *** DO NOT WORK *** They use an alternate interface.