Frequency assignments for sub-channels

[mmmelaney]

Hi,

I have to manually enter my dtv channles for a Pinnacle HD pro stick.

Are the frequency assignments for sub-channles (ATSC OTA) different than the primary? If not, do I need to change something in Zap2it settings?

For example ION has four sub-channles, 29.1 29.2 29.3 and 29.4. But attenaweb.org doesn't list the subs. When I put the frequency assignments in (48,29,1-48,29,2-etc.) I only get 29.1 in Live TV on all four channles.

I have tried looking up the channel settings in my Pinnacle TV pvr but it doesn't seem to show the assignments.

[sub]

Did you use the 'map digital channels to epg channels' button to scan for your channel? If so, it should fund the sub-channels, and you can map them to whatever channel you want.

[mmmelaney]

Mapped it again for the 'nth time. This time there were pull down menus that were definitely not there before. I TYPED into these fields last time. Did I not need to enter the channles manually for HD ATSC like the instructions said? In addition, FYI, the mappings come out wrong anyway. For example, 3.1 ABC actually gives me 3.2, ABC's weather channel. 3.2 also gives me the same weather channel. Sigh! At least I can map them the right way now. AND I get the sub-channels that no other software will give me! Yay!

So my next question is what are the AC3 versions of these channels in my screen shots? If they are better quality or captions, will this produce a larger recorded file?

Thanks

[JonnyCam]

what are the AC3 versions of these channels in my screen shots?

AC3 is the codec name of Dolby Digital sound system.
I think they can be both 2 channel AC3, and 5.1 channel.

It's the format used on most retail DVDs, as has good compression for a 5 channel file, and has become defacto standard (even if DTS is technically better)

The file size will depend on what size they have encoded the AC3 at. Usually it will be 384 or 448 kbps, which is what I would expect any "normal" mpeg audio channel to use as well, so shouldn't matter too much.

[sub]

This time there were pull down menus that were definitely not there before.

They would have been there, but you might not have noticed. (or you entered them on the capture source page, not on the 'map digital channels to epg channels' page)

I TYPED into these fields last time. Did I not need to enter the channles manually for HD ATSC like the instructions said?

No dont do that. About year ago it changed, and all channels should be mapped via the drop down otherwise you're likely to get blank or failed recordings.

In addition, FYI, the mappings come out wrong anyway. For example, 3.1 ABC actually gives me 3.2, ABC's weather channel. 3.2 also gives me the same weather channel.

Because you've tried manually entering them, I'd suggest deleting your capture source and recreating it, this time only mapping using the dropdown list.

Pretty much all your channels in the US should be ATSC, but you might find some have a secondary audio channel that is MPEG1 layer 2 audio.