Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 31 Comments on TBS5520 Multi-Standard Tuner Box and Linux Drivers

TBS5520 Multi-Standard Tuner Box and Linux Drivers

TBS Technologies is a company that specializes in digital TV tuner cards for PC, and recently they’ve also worked on ARM based boards or devices such as the Matrix 2. The company has sent me one of their TBS5520 USB tuner board and box supporting DVB-T2, DVB-S2, DVB-C and ISDB-T for evaluation, as well as some Linux drivers. Today, I’ll provide some specifications, take some pictures, and show how I compiled and installed the drivers in my Ubuntu 14.04 computer.

TBS 5520 Tuner Box specifications

TBS5520 is a multi-standard USB tuner with the following features:

  • USB – USB 2.0 device port
  • Antenna connectors – 1x LNB IN, 1x RF IN
  • Standards
    • DVB-S2/S
      • Symbol rate: 1~45Msps;
      • FEC
        •  DVB-S2: 8PSK: 3/5, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6, 8/9, 9/10;
        • DVB-S:  QPSK: 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8
    • DVB-T2/T 
      • Receiving channel: VHF band, UHF band;
      • Bandwidth: 1.7,5, 6, 7, 8 MHz;
      • FEC: QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, 256QAM
      • FFT mode: 1K, 2K, 4K, 8K, 16K, 32K
      • Code rate: 1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6, 7/8
      • RF-Input impedance: 75Ω (IEC-DIN female)
    • DVB-C & ITU J83 A/B/C
      • Frequency range: 47~862 MHz
      • Signal level: -65~-10dBm
      • Symbol rate: 0.87 to 9Mbaud
      • QAM modes: 16QAM, 32QAM, 64QAM, 128QAM, 256QAM
    • ISDB-T
      • Supported modes: 1, 2, 3
      • Bandwidth: 6 MHz, 7MHz, 8MHz
      • QAM modes: DQPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM
      • Code rate: 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8
  • Misc – IR receiver, power LED
  • Dimensions – ~ 8 x 6 cm

TBS5520 Board and Box Pictures

The first time I received the board with a cable with Y USB cable.

TBS-5520_Tuner

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Click to Enlarge
DVB-S2_DVB-T2_Connectors
TBS 5520 Tuner Antenna’s Connectors
Click to Enlarge
Click to Enlarge

The shield is soldered, so I could not check the details of the tuner from the hardware, but as we”l see below with drivers to hardware includes RafaelMicro R848 multi-standard tuner and AVL6882 demodulator.

After your truly spent many hours struggling with the Linux drivers, the company informed me there was likely an issue with the hardware, so they sent me the full kit.
TBS5520_USB_Tuner

Click to Enlarge
Click to Enlarge

The kit has the same tuner board in a case, as well as the Y USB cable, a remote control, an indoor antenna, a coaxial to F-cable adapter, and a DVD with some documentation and software.

Building TBS5520 Drivers in Linux 3.x

I’m running Ubuntu 14.04.3 with kernel 3.18.xx on my computer, and if you connect the tuner, the USB is recognized:


But you don’t get anything in /dev/dvb, so you’ll need some drivers. So TBS provided me with a patch for Linux 3.x (Linux 4.x is currently WIP), and told me to “build it the usual way”. So I decided to do so on my computer instead of an ARM board, as I thought it might be easier…

I basically followed the instructions I wrote in “How to build a single kernel driver in Ubuntu“. I had already installed Linux 3.18.0 for this, but I first upgraded to a more recent Linux 3.18.23 version:


After installation, I rebooted my machine to make use of the update kernel, and downloaded Ubuntu Linux source code in order to patch it and build the drivers.


At this stage, the source is set to the latest working version


So you’ll want to switch to the tag/branch of the kernel installed on your computer to avoid “invalid format” error when inserting the modules.


Let’s make sure we’ve indeed switched to 3.18.23.


Now I’ll download and apply Ubuntu specific patchsets:


Before applying TBS5520 patch to the source tree:


Patching failed, but it was only a small issue, so you can manually edit drivers/media/tuners/Makefile to add the line with r848:


Let start the actually build procedure with make olconfig, which should ask about Turbosight TBS5520 support.:


Build TBS5520 drivers as modules by entering “m”, and carry on with the procedure:

At this stage, I ran make menuconfig to double check support for TBS5520 was enabled.
TBS5520_Make_Menuconfig

All good. Then I tried to build the modules one by one, as with the serial drivers I used in the previous instructions, but it did not work…


Eventually, I did not find a solution, and TBS was not very helpful, except they told me the media tree drivers were a pain to build, and  eventually mentioned I’d also need a firmware file (dvb-usb-tbsqbox-id5520.fw) and copy it to /lib/firmware… .

So I decided to just build the complete kernel and install all modules and firmware:


All modules where built into /lib/modules/3.18.23+/ directory, and i first tried to load the modules manually

Hmm… wrong file name for the firmware… let’s fix that:

I had a few more issues, and I’ve told to delete the media directory in my Ubuntu kernel drivers directory, and replace that with the one I’ve just built. So instead, I backed it up, before replacing it with the new drivers:


Then I rebooted the machine, all drivers were automatically loaded successfully, and I got a dvb adapter:


InitiallyHowever the output of dmesg appears suspicious:


There are some i2c errors, the MAC address is set to 00:00:00:00:00:00, and some systemd errors are popping up too. And soon after, I noticed /dev/dvb/adapter0 would just appear and disappear in loop.

The next step will be to find a solution to this issue, and get a DVB-T2 video stream likely with TvHeadEnd.

The tuner can be purchased for $79.99 on buydvb.net, and you can to check out TBS5520 tuner page for some more details.

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31 Replies to “TBS5520 Multi-Standard Tuner Box and Linux Drivers”

  1. If the drivers will be merged to mainline kernel and also they provide drivers for windows then this will be a winner (mostly because of multi standard – great for travellers)

    Otherwise… just garbage…

    Reply

    1. Friend need your help as it can advise an external powered USB COM hub for use with CoreELEC + TBS5520SE.
      I was using an old 100% functional hub the same thing, I could not find the model for sale.
      USB 2.0 7-Port Hub (HE-702A)
      I’m asking for help because I bought two similar models and it didn’t work.

      Reply

      1. I understand you want to use a USB powered hub to connect TBS5520SE USB tuner, and you bought two, but they don’t work and are asking for recommendation of a USB powered hub. Is that correct? If so, I can’t really think of any specific model. Maybe the best is to look for USB powered hubs on Amazon, and check users’ review.

        Reply

        1. TBS has been operating for years with Libreelec + 7-Port USB 2.0 Hub (HE-702A) + KI Plus (without tuner)
          I was currently using Coreelec + TBS + KI Plus.
          The usb hub is in trouble, I searched for the same model without success.
          Thanks for answering.

          Reply

  5. I have no idea what this MAC address is for, but it was left empty, perhaps for testing purposes.
    Remove the “return 0;” from tbs5520_read_mac_address and you can see if it reads the eeprom.
    Perhaps is a kind of unique serial number?

    Reply

  6. And it seems you have a USB cable problem ? There is a connect and a following disconnect, that is why systemd-udevd complains. Does it woks on windows?

    Reply

  7. @@lex
    I’ve had problems in the past so I tried the tuner with a USB 3.0 hub, a powered USB 2.0 hub, and directly on the front panel of my computer, the latter being the most reliable, but somewhat inconvenient to access.

    Anyway, I want to do some other things, so I’ll get back to the tuner later.

    Reply

  8. The official drivers were released and it seems the tuner is performing ok with Linux & Windows with these drivers.
    Tested DVB-S2/C & T no T2 or ISBT tho here

    A plus
    i was able to compile succesfull the drivers for ARM platform and using the tuner with Opelec Amlogic boxes such as S812, s805 and Qnap NAS.

    Minus:
    unable to switch automatically between standards from windows … need a third part software.

    Other interesting stuff:
    Android drivers support via an apk in the future (again this feature will make a pretty good difference)

    Reply

  9. The very first to select a device to use with linux, we have to check a mainline kernel supports right out of the box.

    Inside kernel source tree just invoke “make menuconfig” and travel deep down to kernel drivers, there will be a tons of supported devices.

    Compiling an unsupported in mainline driver take a lot of pain and finally maybe got an unstable drivers.

    Reply

  10. This product is too much expensive and very complicated to install and make it working. They need make true Plug & Play solution for wide usage by any user and not just experts. And by the way TBS have worst support ever in dvb card market, so it is better to stick with Technicast or Hauppauge or other brand.

    Reply

  11. Ovi :
    The official drivers were released and it seems the tuner is performing ok with Linux & Windows with these drivers.
    Tested DVB-S2/C & T no T2 or ISBT tho here
    A plus
    i was able to compile succesfull the drivers for ARM platform and using the tuner with Opelec Amlogic boxes such as S812, s805 and Qnap NAS.
    Minus:
    unable to switch automatically between standards from windows … need a third part software.
    Other interesting stuff:
    Android drivers support via an apk in the future (again this feature will make a pretty good difference)

    Hummm, when you mention openelec, this tuner cost more than OpenElec box by Wetek, and they offer it for 81 usd with free shipping and no need for pc to watch tv

    Reply

  12. The box is too expensive as it is, I ll give it another chance and I ll wait for a full review or to the first opportunity to test it. But for a single chip tuner it could be much cheaper. The competitor dvbsky it doing great job with its t9580 s2 t2 c tuner, it need a pc or htpc with pcie slot but has superior technical specifications.

    Reply

  15. @All
    The tuner was rushed on the market but very soon this tuner drivers oss code will be released and enthusiast will be able to tune it and tweak it as they will wish.
    For the opensource patch seems Luis Alves will handle it and maintain it.
    @Ryan AC
    Whole sale price is way lower.
    As for support (show me one chinese brand / non brand which provide you professional support?!!)
    As for install “complication” part lets say that once merged in mainline kernel we will manage to make possible to install via an kodi addon.

    Reply

  17. @gb_master
    Still not working for me. End of the build in Ubuntu 14.04 64-bit with Linux 3.18.23 kernel.

    Reply

  22. Hello
    dear friend tbs 5530 driver bug too blue screens every time you scan with channel tsreader progdvb and smartdvb.
    It does not even work if you use dvbstreamexplore and also altronika dvsstation 4 unlike other map tv.
    It is not detect by altronika dvsstation 4 and also DVb control mosaic, dvb control and analyzer other.
    if you do not want to use dvb dvb viewer dream or not buy tbs 5530 multi standard usb tv tuner box.

    Reply

  27. Recently I’ve upgraded my Linux distro from 3.x to 4.x kernel and now DVB-T/T2 cannot be tuned with w_scan, kaffeine, or whatever utilities. Only DVB-S/S2 works. I’ve tried with open source drivers (CrazyCat) without solution. I’ve tried with TBS drivers but these only works with DVB-S/S2. Both of these don’t give any solution …

    I’ve spent too much time with this garbage tuner. It only works in Windows. My advice for all: don’t buy it if you plan to install in a Linux system (with 4.x kernel), it’s a waste of time and money.

    Reply

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