Four sat inputs, eight DVB-S/S2/S2X demodulators — with an integrated multiswitch for quad, quattro and single-cable operation.

V/L V/H H/L H/H MODE 1 + 2 Quad/Quattro LNB 1 satellite · 4 cables MODE 3 Unicable®/JESS® EN50494/50607 · 1 cable Quad/Quattro: quad or quattro LNB, or a multiswitch — 1 satellite, 8 demodulators, 4 cables Single cable: Unicable®/JESS® on port 1 — 4 satellites, 8 demodulators, 1 cable MAX SX8 V2 Digital Devices MAX SX8 V2
Datasheet Manual Order

At a glance

Eight demodulators. Four inputs. One slot.

The MAX SX8 V2 is the flagship satellite TV card with eight demodulators — thanks to the integrated multiswitch, four cables are enough, and in single-cable mode just one.

8×

Demodulators

Eight DVB-S/S2/S2X demodulators on four full-spectrum ADCs — eight transponders at once.

256APSK

All modulations

Every S2X modulation up to 256APSK — incl. VL-SNR, ACM/VCM, MIS and channel bonding.

2

Interfaces

PCIe x1 to x16
GT-Link port (>1 Gbit) to Octopus NET

~7 W

Green IT

Low power draw — built without tantalum or electrolytic capacitors.

Technical data

Modulation up to 256APSK

From plain QPSK up to 256APSK — all modulations, code rates and maximum symbol rates of the eight demodulators.

Satellite

DVB-S · DVB-S2 · DVB-S2X Reception 950–2150 MHz 3 Standards
DVB-S
Modulation
QPSK
Symbol rate
up to ~95 MSym/s (full spectrum)
Code rate
1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8
DVB-S2
Modulation
QPSK, 8PSK, 16APSK, 32APSK
Max. symbol rate
QPSK ~95 Mbd¹ · 8PSK 86 Mbd¹
16APSK 64.5 Mbd¹ · 32APSK 51.6 Mbd¹
Code rates
QPSK1/4, 1/3, 2/5, 1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6, 8/9, 9/10 8PSK3/5, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6, 8/9, 9/10 16APSK2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6, 8/9, 9/10 32APSK3/4, 4/5, 5/6, 8/9, 9/10
DVB-S2X
Modulation
+ 8APSK-L, 16APSK-L, 32APSK-L, 64APSK/-L, 128APSK, 256APSK/-L
Max. symbol rate
64APSK 43 Mbd¹ · 128APSK 36.85 Mbd¹ · 256APSK 32.25 Mbd¹
Code rates (S2X additions)
QPSK13/45, 9/20, 11/20, 11/45, 4/15, 14/45, 7/15, 8/15, 32/45 8PSK23/36, 25/36, 13/18, 7/15, 8/15, 26/45, 32/45 8APSK-L5/9, 26/45 16APSK26/45, 3/5, 28/45, 23/36, 13/18, 7/9, 77/90, 7/15, 8/15, 32/45 16APSK-L5/9, 8/15, 1/2, 3/5, 2/3 32APSK32/45, 11/15, 7/9, 2/3 32APSK-L2/3 64APSK11/15, 7/9, 4/5, 5/6 64APSK-L32/45 128APSK3/4, 7/9 256APSK32/45, 3/4 256APSK-L29/45, 2/3, 31/45, 11/15
VL-SNR
supported
S2X features
  • Short Frames & Long Frames
  • ACM / VCM (adaptive / variable coding and modulation)
  • MIS (multiple input streams)
  • Channel Bonding (S2X)
  • Annex M² — up to 500 MSym/s, up to 2 slices
  • BBFrame output
  • IQ output (SDR mode)
  • Max. LDPC bit rate of 720 Mbit/s across all 8 demodulators¹
¹ The maximum DVB-S2/S2X LDPC bit rate is limited to 720 Mbit/s. This bit rate is defined as symbol rate × bits/symbol, i.e. 8PSK 30 MSym = 90 Mbit/s. The bit rate in use is assigned dynamically by the driver; DVB-S channels do not count towards the limit.
² Annex M: not yet implemented.

Card & RF

Sensitivity · Large signal · Operation 3 categories
Sensitivity @25 MSym
QPSK 11/45
−89 dBm (20 dBµV)
QPSK 1/2
−86 dBm (23 dBµV)
8PSK 9/10
−77 dBm (32 dBµV)
256APSK 3/4
−69 dBm (40 dBµV)
RF characteristics
Frequency range
950–2150 MHz (L-Band)
Large-signal tolerance
> 106 dBµV (−6 dBm)
Isolation
65–80 dB (depending on signal level)
LNB power
via the inputs
Card & operation
Power consumption
approx. 7 W (light airflow required)
Service life
MTBF @45 °C > 1,000,000 h
Dimensions
L 104 × W 111 × D 15 mm
Components
no tantalum or electrolytic capacitors

Satellite distribution & control

Integrated multiswitch
  • Four selectable operating modes: quad, quattro, Unicable®/single-cable — plus Mode 0 (freely configurable)
MODE 1Quad LNB1 satellite8 demodulators4 cables
MAX SX8 V2 ADC 1 Full Spectrum Capture 950 – 2150 MHz 13V ADC 2 Full Spectrum Capture 950 – 2150 MHz 13V 22kHz ADC 3 Full Spectrum Capture 950 – 2150 MHz 18V ADC 4 Full Spectrum Capture 950 – 2150 MHz 18V 22kHz Demod 1 Demod 2 Demod 3 Demod 4 Demod 5 Demod 6 Demod 7 Demod 8

13/18V and 22kHz are applied independently to each of the four inputs — with a quad LNB, every input thus selects polarisation and band on its own. All eight demodulators choose freely from the four inputs.

MODE 2Quattro LNB1 satellite8 demodulators4 cables
MAX SX8 V2 ADC 1 Full Spectrum Capture 950 – 2150 MHz V/L 18V ADC 2 Full Spectrum Capture 950 – 2150 MHz V/H ADC 3 Full Spectrum Capture 950 – 2150 MHz H/L ADC 4 Full Spectrum Capture 950 – 2150 MHz H/H Demod 1 Demod 2 Demod 3 Demod 4 Demod 5 Demod 6 Demod 7 Demod 8

Only input V/L is powered with 18V — a single LNB is all it takes: the quattro LNB delivers its four trunk lines (V/L, V/H, H/L, H/H) to the four inputs. All eight demodulators choose freely from them — up to eight transponders of one satellite at the same time.

MODE 3Unicable® / JESS®4 satellites8 demodulators1 cable
MAX SX8 V2 ADC 1 Full Spectrum Capture 950 – 2150 MHz Input 1 13/18V 22kHz ADC 2 Full Spectrum Capture 950 – 2150 MHz ADC 3 Full Spectrum Capture 950 – 2150 MHz ADC 4 Full Spectrum Capture 950 – 2150 MHz Demod 1 Demod 2 Demod 3 Demod 4 Demod 5 Demod 6 Demod 7 Demod 8

A single cable on input 1 — powered with 13/18V and 22kHz — feeds all eight receive paths: via Unicable® (EN50494, up to 8 user bands — the card can occupy all 8) or JESS® (EN50607, up to 32 user bands, of which the card occupies up to 8) — depending on the installation, with multiple satellite positions. Inputs 2–4 remain free but can be used for additional Unicable®/JESS® LNBs if needed.

MODE 0Freely configurable1–4 satellites8 demodulators1–4 cables
MAX SX8 V2 ADC 1 Full Spectrum Capture 950 – 2150 MHz Input 1 13/18V 22kHz ADC 2 Full Spectrum Capture 950 – 2150 MHz Input 2 13/18V 22kHz ADC 3 Full Spectrum Capture 950 – 2150 MHz Input 3 13/18V 22kHz ADC 4 Full Spectrum Capture 950 – 2150 MHz Input 4 13/18V 22kHz Demod 1 Demod 2 Demod 3 Demod 4 Demod 5 Demod 6 Demod 7 Demod 8

A mode for users who know exactly what they are doing: power and control (13/18V, 22kHz) are set independently for each input, and each of the eight demodulators picks its input at will.

Unicable® · SCR · CENELEC EN50494
  • Up to 8 subscribers (user bands) per antenna cable
  • The MAX SX8 V2 can occupy all 8 slots — one per demodulator (port 1)
  • Up to 2 satellite positions
  • Requires:
    • an LNB compliant with Unicable®/SCR/EN50494
    • or a multiswitch compliant with Unicable®/SCR/EN50494
JESS® · CENELEC EN50607
  • Addresses up to 32 subscribers (user bands) per antenna cable
  • The MAX SX8 V2 occupies up to 8 of those slots — one per demodulator (port 1)
  • Multiple satellite positions
  • Requires:
    • an LNB compliant with JESS®/EN50607
    • or a multiswitch compliant with JESS®/EN50607
DiSEqC 2.0
  • DiSEqC 2.0 support

System & Software

TV software

Windows

  • Digital Devices TV
  • DVBViewer Pro
  • SichboPVR
  • NextPVR
  • ProgDVB / Prog TV
  • Windows® Media Center
  • Media Portal (CI Support)
  • DVB Dream
  • Video Lan Player (VLC)
  • Kodi Media Center

Linux

  • Cesbo Astra
  • VDR
  • TVHeadend
  • miniSATIP
  • DVBlast
  • MuMuDVB

Operating systems

  • Microsoft Windows® 7 / 8(.1) / 10 / 11
  • Linux (kernel 2.6.34 or newer)

System requirements

  • Dual-core Intel® or AMD® CPU
  • 512 MB RAM
  • one free PCIe slot (x1 to x16)

Connectivity

  • PCIe x1 to x16
  • GT-Link port to Octopus NET (>1 Gbit)
  • Runs on either PCIe or GT-Link
  • 4× sat input with LNB power
TV software in detail — DVB card · CI · SAT>IP Windows · Linux · Streaming

Windows

Software solutions for Windows with BDA, CI and SAT>IP support.

Software DVB Card
BDA		 CI SAT>IP Native
SAT>IP S		 Native
SAT>IP C		 Native
SAT>IP T		 M3U
SAT>IP SCT		 Native
SAT>IP CI		 M3U
SAT>IP CI		 Link
Digital Devices TV ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ❌ ✔ ❌ digital-devices.eu/tools
DVBViewer Pro ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ dvbviewer.com
SichboPVR ✔ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ sichbopvr.com
NextPVR ✔ ❌ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ❌ ❌ ❌ nextpvr.com
ProgDVB / Prog TV ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ❌ ✔ progdvb.com
Windows® Media Center ✔ ✔ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ N/A
MediaPortal ✔ ✔ ✔ ❌ ❌ ❌ ✔ ❌ ✔ team-mediaportal.de
DVB Dream ✔ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ dvbdream.org
VideoLAN Player (VLC) ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ✔ ❌ ✔ videolan.org
Kodi Media Center Via backend add-ons N/A Via SAT>IP add-ons ❌ ❌ ❌ Via SAT>IP add-ons ❌ ❌ kodi.tv

Linux

Software solutions for Linux with Linux DVB API, CI, DDCI and SAT>IP.

Software DVB Card
Linux DVB API		 CI SAT>IP Native
SAT>IP S		 Native
SAT>IP C		 Native
SAT>IP T		 M3U
SAT>IP SCT		 Native
SAT>IP CI		 M3U
SAT>IP CI		 Link
Cesbo Astra ✔ ✔ ✔
Client		 ✔ ✔ ✔ N/A N/A
CI on the Astra server, not via the SAT>IP CI extension		 N/A astra.cesbo.com
VDR ✔ ✔
HW CI incl. DD ddci2, MTD ≥ 2.3.7		 ✔
Client, vdr-plugin-satip		 ✔ ✔ ✔ N/A ✔
CI extension, e.g. DD Octopus NET, X_PMT/CI-TNR		 N/A tvdr.de
vdr-plugin-satip
TVHeadend ✔ ✔
linuxdvb CI/DDCI		 ✔
Client + Server		 ✔ ✔ ✔ N/A N/A N/A tvheadend.org
miniSATIP ✔ ✔
CA-HW/dvben50221 + DDCI		 ✔
Client + Server		 ✔ ✔ ✔ N/A ✔
server-side CI/DDCI, e.g. Octopus NET		 N/A github.com/catalinii/minisatip
DVBlast ✔ ✔
Descrambling via CAM		 ❌
no SAT>IP, UDP/RTP streamer		 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A videolan.org/projects/dvblast.html
MuMuDVB ✔ ✔
HW CAM incl. DD Octopus CI		 ❌
no SAT>IP, multicast IPTV streamer		 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A mumudvb.net

Smart TV and streaming devices

Apps and players for M3U playback, SAT>IP streams and Octopus NET DMS channel support.

Software DVB Card
BDA		 CI SAT>IP Native
SAT>IP S		 Native
SAT>IP C		 Native
SAT>IP T		 M3U
SAT>IP SCT		 Native
SAT>IP CI		 M3U
SAT>IP CI		 DMS Channel
Octopus NET
Dream Player for SAT>IP ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ✔ ❌ ✔ ✔
VideoLAN Player (VLC) ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ✔ ❌ ✔ ✔
Kodi Media Center Via backend add-ons N/A Via SAT>IP add-ons ❌ ❌ ❌ Via SAT>IP add-ons ❌ ❌ ❌
Note: N/A means the feature is not meaningfully applicable in this context or is not provided via this signal path.

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Order the MAX SX8 V2

The flagship satellite TV card for PCs and servers — directly from the official Digital Devices online shop.

Go to online shop Manual
Product
MAX SX8 V2
Part no.
821148
EAN
4260217681669