alternate .ini to reduce us atsc scanning time

[johnsonx42]

For US ATSC, channels 2-6 (VHF-LO) are rarely used, and UHF channels above 51 (the 700mhz band) have been re-allocated for other uses. Also, Channel 37 is not used (it's reserved for SETI or something like that?). So there's little point in scanning those physical channels.

The attached .ini file can be placed in the NPVR\tuning\atsc directory, and then selected from the Frequencies drop down in the channel scan dialog. This reduces the number of scanned channels from 68 to 44.

As far as I recall the same file will work with GB-PVR as well.

[johnsonx42]

Hey sub, how about including this file in the standard build of N-PVR? It's correct for virtually all US ATSC users (and I believe it will be correct for Canada as well in a year or two), and of course it leaves the All Frequencies option as the default for anyone who doesn't wish to use it. If nothing else, it will save me having to copy it back in any time I do a clean re-install of N-PVR.

Thanks.

[sub]

I thought it wasnt true for Canada?

I'll included this as an option in the next release though.

[johnsonx42]

Canada is doing the digital transition next year I think? I'm not sure, too lazy to look it up. AFAIK they're re-allocating the 700Mhz band too.

VHF-Lo (2-6) just has too many problems for digital reception (in particular, it's very susceptible to impulse noise and it also requires a larger receiving antenna), so in most areas the stations that were using it moved to UHF during the transition and didn't come back.

[mvallevand]

We have a local HD ATSC on channel 69. ATSC scanning is so fast and so stable on my HVR 1600 that a reduced ini is a non-issue.

Martin

[johnsonx42]

Yes, Canada hasn't completed the digital switchover, nor have they stopped using the 700mhz band. The .ini I created isn't for canadian use yet, but it's my understanding that ultimately canada will have more or less the same channel rules as the US does. There may also be some US stations still operating in the 700mhz band, presumably with an FCC waiver of some sort. The "All Frequencies" option remains the default so anyone who doesn't choose otherwise will still get the complete scan.

Agreed, scanning is very fast and reliable. N-PVR doesn't seem to keep a scan cache though, so if you want to make any change to the channel lineup you have to do a full scan first.

[mvallevand]

There's no cache but for QAM I brought over my custom QAM ini file and the scanning seems to follow the same rules.

Martin