bda multiplexer with QAM?

[pointlisse]

What is the recommended multiplexer to use with QAM channels? Most of the QAM programming I have access to is not HD, the the ATI MPEG mux does not output any data (0 byte file). I tried DVR-MS but that put out continuous 6K files (name.dvr-ms, name-1.dvr-ms, etc).

Is there something I'm doing wrong, or some other setting I should use? I probably should mention that it takes approximately 5 seconds (give or take) to "tune" to the QAM channel -- it usally says signal strength 100%, the a few seconds later the quality meter jumps and then I see the station. Could this impact recording at all?

Thanks!

[sub]

If its creating a zero byte file, or 6K for the dvr-ms mux, then this usually means the device failed to lock onto a signal and no data was delivered from the card.

[pointlisse]

If its creating a zero byte file, or 6K for the dvr-ms mux, then this usually means the device failed to lock onto a signal and no data was delivered from the card.

That's what I was afraid of, as I indicated above. Is there any way to delay the recording? Or should I even have the delay on the QAM frequencies? Again, these channels come in clear and strong -- it just takes the app about 7 seconds to "register" (for lack of a better word) that they are there. Once tuned, I'm fine.

Is this delay unsual? Is there any way to compensate?

[sub]

It doesnt really work like that. If it takes 5 seconds to lock the signal, then it should begin delivering data into the file after than. Its more likely its never locking the signal for some reason.

There is a setting called something like <BDASubmitTuningRequestTwiceOnRecord> in config.xml, that you could try setting to 'true' to see if it helps.

[zaphod7501]

Just as a point of reference, I have a MyHD MDP-130 with clear QAM capability, and it normally takes 5 to 10 seconds to resolve (for lack of a better term) a QAM channel. Some take longer than others, but a delay is normal and does not indicate a failure to lock. (at least on the MyHD)

The recording software for the MyHD (which never fails) always starts the tuner one minute before recording actually starts creating a file. I have also noticed that tsreader will always display the channel on my HVR1600 (ATSC not QAM) even though WinTV2k and GB-PVR fail to find a particular channel. (but I can't justify a $100 piece of software for a $70 tuner)

[pointlisse]

Sub, you did it again.

At first it did not work, or so I thought. I had previously switched the config to use the Cyberlink mux. When I checked my Pending Recordings, I noticed that although the 2 programs should be recording, the QAM channel was still listed as Pending (despite the 0 byte file and the red recording indicator in the guide), while the analog was actively recording. I tried canceling both, but neither could be.

I switched back to the ATI MPEG Mux, restarted the recording service (after having changed the config.xml as above) and I was very surprised to see both channels recording.

I'll continue to to test, but I'm much further along now!

Zaphod, thanks for confirming that -- I'm glad that my findings are not unusual.