Analogue TV with RTL-SDR
A user on the SDR# Google Groups forum has posted a program based on ADSB# called TVSharp, which can be used to watch analogue PAL and NTSC TV using the rtl-sdr dongle. Download TVSharp directly here (Mirror 1) (Old Version Mirror 2 (with source)).
The rtl-sdr as a software defined radio actually does not have enough bandwidth to receive a PAL or NTSC signal properly. PAL and NTSC signals require more than double the 2MHz typical bandwidth of the rtl-sdr. But, a decent black and white signal can still be obtained by using some of the luminance part of the signal. As only part of the signal is sampled, resolution will be lost. Also, as sound is broadcast on a separate frequency, a second rtl-sdr dongle will be required to receive the matching audio.
On YouTube, users Superphish and ek6rc have posted videos showing TVSharp in action.
Actually, just share the clock signal between the two SDRs–a couple wires.
I think I like the real world…sort of.
digital to analog converter
i cant install tvsharp 🙁
The entire thing’s in a folder. You don’t have to install it.
If you mean broken links, there’s a copy of the file hosted here: http://rtl-sdr.ru/uploads/download/tvsharp.zip
…at least, as of 2021.
Hi all,
I am doing an experiment for rtl-sdr analog tv receiver. But currently the system can only working and received the analog tv for black/white picture or video.
How about receiving analog color tv?
is there anyone having the same experience?
Please your sharing.
Thanks in advance
Unfortunately, receiving color TV is difficult, if not impossible, since the RTL2832U chip was optimized for FM or DAB radio. They didn’t really need that much bandwidth for FM or DAB, but analog TV on the other hand…
We can (sort of) pick up the luminescence data, but not color.
Wait, wait, wait… today’s common SDR sticks are not capable of receiving analog full bandwidth TV signal ? Pfff…
Why would they put that much bandwidth into a FM or DAB receiver?
What countries still use analogue?
Most third world countries do. Sorry to burst your bubble.
Welcome to the real world.
In Germany not more.
In Deutschland nicht mehr.
you can still use it for atv (radio-amateur) reception on the 70cm band ( Belgium 434.250Mhz) in contests Patrick,
Brazil
TVsharp-Same here error.
“unable to load DLL rtlsdr the specified module could not be found>exception from HRESULT: 0x8007007e.
Any suggestions?
Did you extract the executable (TVsharp.exe) along with the other files? They have to be in the same folder to work.
I am looking for a way to decode digital tv audio with an sdr. Any ideas? No analog TV in the USA.
Some wireless security cameras are analog.
Use a digital to analog converter
Can using two RTL dongles fix the bandwidth problem?
Possibly, but I believe it would be very difficult to synchronize them.
Found article on someone doing that. It sounds easier than it is perhaps.
I keep getting an error “no compatible devices found.”
use the Zadig program to re-install drivers an check out getting started guide