Introduction
The BATC Minitiouner is arguably the go to hardware for any DATV related experiments both for QO-100 and terrestrially. There has been loads of projects (Minitioune, Winterhill, Longmynd etc) that use the underlying tuner technology. After one of our weekly Sunday DATV nets on QO-100, I got inspired to dig a bit deeper into how the NIM module specifically works and to do some experiments I started to port various bits of the Longmynd project that was developed by Heather Lomond. It was a slightly deeper rabbit hole than I planned and I ended up port a big chunk of the code to C#. C# is my go to language for doing quick tests that involves a bit more than a regular python script and while I wasn’t planning it, it managed to evolve into a project that I call the Open Tuner.
Basically an opensource windows client that can communicate directly with the Minitiouner over USB. The look is very similar to the Longmynd Client, but its a completely new and different project, although I might integrate the Longmynd client functionality in here as well in the future.
The ultimate goal for OT was to get to a point where it can use both tuners and demodulators in the NIM module. The first proof of concept of this was released in OT 0.7 (2023/04/27).
By a few simple modifications you can turn the original BATC V2 Minitiouner into a dual output or if you already have one of the Minitiouner Pro variants with 2 usb ports then you are good to go.
From version 0.9 (2024/02/11) you now have an alternative to the FTDI module using a Raspberry Pico. Colin (G4EML) has done some amazing work to create new firmware for the Raspberry Pico to act as the FTDI module called the PicoTuner. The advantages here are obvious, the Pico’s are a lot easier to find and also cheaper than the FTDI module. Another advantage is that you can get dual tuner functionality with a single usb cable.
Its a bit of hack to solder it all together, but you can get all the details here.
All the code is open sourced and all is invited to submit pull requests and help improve the stability and functionality.
This development is only possibly due to the work done by others to lay down the foundations of DATV development. Thanks to Heather Lomond, Brian G4EWJ, Mike G0MJW, Dave G8GKQ, Noel G8GTZ, Rob M0DTS, Michael DL5OCD and many more all over the world and especially everything who has helped with testing and providing value feedback. Its much appreciated.
Development Information
Github Repository: https://github.com/tomvdb/open_tuner
The current project files are for Visual Studio 2019 2022 and is using dotnet framework 4.7.2
To open and compile this you can simple clone the repository/download it as a zip file and open the project files in Visual Studio. Open up the Nuget Package manager to download the used packages (VLC/Websocket). The ftdi driver is already included with the source.
You will need to add a ffmpeg folder in the release folder (release/debug) with these ffmpeg files.
Bug reports/Issues and Feature Requests can be posted here, but keep in mind this is a hobby project for me and I have a day time job. Negative posts will also be ignored (Yeah, I receive lots of negative emails around my projects sometimes 🙁 ).
Dual Tuner/Demodulator and Video Output
Since Version 0.7 (2023/04/27) you can now use both transport outputs on the Minitiouner variants. Most of the Pro versions already have a 2nd usb port, but if you are using a Batc V2 Minitiouner then you can add a BATC daughter board to enable both transport outputs or you can DIY your own version (Pic from Benno PA3FBX).
More information here: https://www.zr6tg.co.za/adding-2nd-transport-to-batc-minitiouner-v2/
Benno (PA3FBX) has provided some information on modifying the Minitiouner-S here: https://www.zr6tg.co.za/adding-2nd-transport-to-minitiouner-s-ref/
Since Version 0.9 (2024/02/11) there is now also PicoTuner support thanks to the great work by Colin (G4EML).
Roadmap
The below is a few of the main features that I’m working on. There is no timeline, just a random list of items I still plan to add/fix:
FFmpeg Support (as an alternative to VLC) – 2023/04/27TS Parsing – 2023/03/17Recording – 2023/03/26Dual Tuner Support – 2023/04/27Wideband Chat Integration – 2023/03/24
Documentation – In Progress (2024/02/25)Longmynd Client Support – 2024/02/25 – In Beta Testing
BATC Streamer SupportWinterhill Support – 2024/02/25 – In Beta Testing
Lower Symbol Rates
FAQ
Which hardware does this support ?
Currently I only have access to the BATC Minitiouner V2 and the DJ7TH Minitiouner Pro V2+ (Thanks to Rolf for the hardware!) so the main development will revolve around that until I get my hands on other similar hardware.
But feedback based on other versions are that it works as well, (which makes sense because they are all using the same main concept), but some led’s and LNB power control is different so your mileage may vary.
Can you implement my language?
Yes, definitely. Reach out on the Github issues page for more information.
Where to report bugs/request new features?
When will you add feature X or fix bug Y?
This is a hobby project so there are no deadlines :p
Downloads
Warning: This is very much a work in progress, and changes happen often 😉
This is an active development!
If you use and enjoy my software and would like to support future projects, then you can buy me a beer or if you prefer donate via Paypal.
Beta/Test Versions available to members 🙂
2024/07/14 – Download
- 2024/07/14 – Updates Overview (0.B)
- 2024/04/09 – Updates Overview (0.A)
- 2024/02/11 – 0.9
VLC New Window Fix
MPV integration
Quicktune UDP integration
Misc Stability Fixes - 2023/09/19 – 0.8
TS LED’s
VLC Hang Issue Fix (Test) - 2023/05/08 – Updates Overview (0.7f)
- 2023/05/03 – Updates Overview (0.7e)
- 2023/04/30 – 0.7c
High Freq Crash Fix (Again)
FFMPEG Optimizations and Player Resizing Fix
TS Buffer Optimizations
Fixed RF Input B on Tuner 1 not working
Fixed Media Stream Bug
Test for windowed Player
Blinking Record
Spectrum RX Indication
Misc Smaller Issues - 2023/04/27 – 0.7
Rewrite most of OT to support both Tuners and Demodulators in the NIM – Dual Video Output
Select between VLC or FFMPEG for decoding and display
H266 support when using FFMPEG decoder
Known Issues: Language support is a bit all over the place due to all the changes. - 2023/04/01
LO Limit Fix
High Freq Crash Fix
Aspect Ratio Force (Right Click on Video Playing)
Frequency Manager
Spectrum: Over Power
Command Line Parameters (DISABLELNA, DISABLEQO100, AUTOCONNECT)
Windows position/size save on exit
Misc smaller Fixes - 2023/03/26
Experimental UDP Outputs and TS Recording Feature
Auto Tune (Manual, Timed, Hold)
Note: UDP Output is on 127.0.0.1:9080, will be configurable in next version. Use udp://@:9080 in vlc to view output. - 2023/03/24
BATC Wideband Chat Integration
Added pl, es languages
Spectrum Callsigns
Fullscreen Toggle (F11)
Misc optimizations, fixes, error checking - 2023/03/22
Multiple languages support (it,nl, jp,de)
Default offset configurable for both A/B inputs
Error handling on frequency inputs
Simple CPU Load Optimizations - 2023/03/21b – FTDI Device updates, RF Input Selection, RF Input Level
- 2023/03/21 – Better FTDI handling, device detection, visual changes, tx Freq clipboard addition by dh3cs
- 2023/03/20 – LNB Supply Switching, Basic Settings, Misc bugs
- 2023/03/19 – Media Sound Controls/Media Snapshot
- 2023/03/17 – Adds TS Parsing, Media and TS status and bunch of other smaller fixes.
- 2023/03/16 – Initial Early Test Version