Hauppauge HVR-1800 ATSC but no QAM channels

[shawnxx]

I've used GBPVR for a few years, but my system crashed a few weeks back and started the process of getting the box up-and-running with Win 7 Pro, a new hard drive, and NPVR. So far, I like the NPVR upgrade and think it's a fine piece of work! Comcast/Netfinity made their changes to digital here in my area around November 2010. I have a TV with a QAM tuner, and I am able to get many Comcast channels on that TV, including the "music" channels. I had initial troubles scanning for channels, and then went through the process of getting some of the Hauppauge software on the computer, which seemed to make the tuner card be able to tune digital channels. In NPVR, I can scan ATSC and get ATSC channels around 15-20, but when I scan for QAM channels I don't get anything. When I scan with WINTV 6, same results, some ATSC channels, but no QAM channels. I've tried several different drivers, but have not been able to install WINTV-7 because it says my disk is not the disk it wants. Called Hauppauge support and they no longer really support WINTV-6, and are recommending due to my current situation that I purchase the WINTV-7 disk. Thought I would check here to see if anyone else has had a similar issue and if it's necessary to purchase the WINTV-7 disk. I was thinking the money might be better spent on a HDHomerun or some other card that may have better support and actually send you the software you need when you purchase the tuner... Thanks!

[johnsonx42]

You really ought to be able to install the current download version of wintv7 by providing the WinTV6 disk, however I understand that you've tried that without success and didn't get any help from Hauppuage other than an offer to sell you WinTV7 (which seems a bit unfair).

That all said, for digital channels NPVR doesn't use any part of WinTV7, so installing it will not help NPVR get your channels. The only thing it would accomplish would be to prove that WinTV7 can get your channels.

What you should do is a QAM channel scan in NPVR, then post your log. You should also try a QAM scan using the HRC option, in case your Comcast is using the HRC frequencies. Post that log too.

It might also be helpful to give us your zipcode so we can use the channel database at silicondust to see what channels you should be getting.

[mvallevand]

When you say you get clear QAM do you get it on exactly the same cable line? If you are have any splitters you might need a higher frequency or you have weakened the signal.

Martin

[shawnxx]

Thanks guys for the replies. So many variables in getting TV to work on a PC, that I'm not used to and signal strength is one of them. What may have been the worse part was that I had several splitters on the line, some of them I had no idea were there until I went back through to check... At least one was a 3.5dB splitter and then some of the cables were the thinner RG59 cables. Once I checked that my signal strength seems to have picked up. Lot of wasted time... Thanks again!