DVB-S Demod GUI: Apparently Watching Satellite TV With an SDR Is a Thing Now?

WARNING: Long video alert! If you want to skip to the part where I demonstrate how to use AMSAT DVB-S Demod GUI, the timestamp is 13:10

If you want to learn how to connect an SDR to your satellite dish and view the Ku-band spectrum, go to the timestamp of 5:24

NOTE: Please understand that this tutorial doesn't mean that you can use an SDR for Don't Look Up. If you want to capture Generic Stream data transponders, you need proper professional-grade DVB-S2 hardware!

Some time ago, a fellow satellite enthusiast bought a Windows application called 'DVB-S Demod GUI' to my attention. Developed by Marcell Kroner (a regular of the AMSAT-UK forums) and supporting nearly all of the consumer-grade/hobbyist SDRs, the application claims to be able to demodulate a DVB-S2 satellite signal in real-time on Windows! Much to my surprise, it does exactly what it says on the box. Just wow!

Join me in this video today, where I will be showing my viewers all the hardware and software needed for playing around with Ku-Band DVB-S2 with an SDR. We delve into some boring technical stuff on how a typical universal-type LNB works under the hood. I then demonstrate how we can utilize SDR Sharp to view the Ku-band RF spectrum using a HackRF software defined radio. Lastly, we actually use DVB-S Demod GUI to decode and watch a SCPC (single channel per carrier) feed transponder with VLC in real-time!

DVB-S2 tuner cards provide quite high voltages through the coaxial cables in a typical satellite receiving setup. While it might not be required, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you utilize an in-line DC blocker to protect your SDR's RF front end from accidental application of 13 or 18 volts. I've had multiple SDR's let out the magic smoke throughout my time in the radio hobby. Believe me, it is not a very enjoyable experience watching your hard earned dollars go in the trash!

Yeah, the video is long. Deal with it! If the length of your attention span has been severely reduced due to brain damage caused by short-form videos platforms, run along now and watch Mr. Beast instead. The adults are playing RF here! Thanks for watching!


LINKS:

https://www.antsig.com/products/2-way...

https://www.minicircuits.com/WebStore...

https://forum.amsat-dl.org/index.php?...


COPY & PASTE:

9.75 GHz to Hz = 9750000000

10.6 GHz to Hz = 10600000000

VLC streaming URL: tcp://127.0.0.1:8888


HARDWARE:

TBS5930 DVB-S2 tuner
HackRF One SDR
Golden Media GM202 LNB
Jonsa 1.2m dish
2 x RG-6 75 ohm F-type cable
LCU-195 SMA patch cable
F-type male to SMA female adapter
BLK-89-S+ DC blocker


SOFTWARE:

Windows 10 22H2
EBS Pro 18.0.0.4
SDR Sharp 1702
DVB-S2 Demod GUI 2.1.3
VLC Media Player 3.0.21


DISCLAIMER:

I do not condone the use of this video to facilitate satellite TV piracy. If you choose to disregard this advice, you will be putting yourself at risk of potential legal ramifications to which I can not be held responsible for. This video was made for the express purposes of education and experimentation only. I have not, and will not ever use these tools and methods for the theft of intellectual property.