HVR-1600 setup for QAM?

[sub]

I was able to display some channels now about 10 channel which has name but other channel maybe 20 of those and indicate unknowns during map digital channel to EPG.

This sounds pretty normal for US digital cable. They often dont transmit the service information (CVCT) which means channel names and number are unknown. Instead they've opted to use their own non-standard proprietary mechanisms for letting their cable boxes know the channel names/numbers. Its unlikely this will ever improve in the future.

[ram4x4nut]

I must be missing something. I keep seeing people talking about using gbpvr to scan for qam channels but I don't see anywhere in the config app to do that. What do I need to do?

[whurlston]

I must be missing something. I keep seeing people talking about using gbpvr to scan for qam channels but I don't see anywhere in the config app to do that. What do I need to do?

Set the device to the QAM Version of your card, then scan as you normally would for OTA signals. That's it.

Kean, That sounds like either:
1. a decoder issue or
2. a driver issue or
3. a faulty onboard video.

I would try changing them in that order.

[sub]

I keep seeing people talking about using gbpvr to scan for qam channels but I don't see anywhere in the config app to do that. What do I need to do?

The scan happens when you click the 'map digital channels to epg channels' button.

[ram4x4nut]

Set the device to the QAM Version of your card, then scan as you normally would for OTA signals. That's it.

Well, that's what I am not understanding. I've never had to "scan" for channels in gbpvr. Just set up the EPG and go. How do I scan for channels?

[ram4x4nut]

The scan happens when you click the 'map digital channels to epg channels' button.

That seems to be the problem. I've set my capture source to the hvr-1600 (QAM) but the "map digital channels to EPG channels" button is greyed out and won't let me click on it.

UPDATE - Not sure what was going on so I wiped out gbpvr completely (this is my test machine) and reinstalled. Now I can use the button. Weird stuff LOL.

[sub]

The button is only enabled when you're using the 'BDA Recording Plugin'.

[gazoo]

Hi all. I'm getting ready to buy a 1600 on newegg tonight (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6815116007)

I currently have a 150MCE and have the whole system stable. I just wanted to know if there were any pointers on getting the 1600 running once I got it.

I will be using unencrypted QAM over the cable to get it going. I would like to know how to handle the EPG stuff on there. On the 150, I currently use yapi and xmltv to get the EPG. How does it work on the 1600? If there's already a guide or how-to for the 1600 I would really appreciate a link.

I tried to read this thread to find out more info, but I started getting a headache and getting afraid of not going through with buying (due to the issues reported).

Thanks

[PixelatedFooL]

Using QAM is always a bit of work, especially since it's all in the hands of the cable company. That said, I've been using the 1600 and QAM ever since GBPVR started to support it.

If you use QAM on a TV right now, you should be in good shape and already know where to expect the chanels, and it's as simple as scaning for channels and weeding through the mess to map the channels to your listings.

If you don't currently use QAM, it may be hit or miss, since it's all up to your cable provider and what's in the clear. I'm sure after reading this thread you know what I'm talking about.

Try: http://www.silicondust.com/wiki/hdhomerun/channels
It's not accurate but it will give you a general idea where to expect the channels.

You might also want to check out your local AVSForum reception thread for your cable company to get an idea of where the QAM channels might be, since there are quite a few there that use QAM, and sometimes you may even be lucky and get a channel list.

So here's a guide to QAM on the HVR-1600:

Make sure you have the 1600 that's capable of QAM (there are some that don't) pretty sure you're going to get a QAM enabled one.

Make sure you have the QAM enabled driver.

Make sure your mpeg 2 decoders and muxes are capable of smooth HD playback. (right now i'm using ATI Avivo and DVR-MS, though the ATI mux and Cyberlink mux found somewhere in this forum works as well.)

Make sure you dont have too many splitters on the line. The card is a bit finnicky over signal quality, so the stronger the signal the better.

You can use the same EPG data you use with the 150 right now if you expect to get the same channels. I'm using CTTV listings for both the analog and digital sides of the 1600 since the listings contain both digital and analog entries for the Local HD channels.

Finally, add the QAM version of the card to your devices (BDA Recording Plugin, not Direct Recording), choose your EPG data you'll be using, and then scan it. It'll take time, and there will be a lot of channels found, but more than half will be encrypted. So this is where having an idea of where your QAM channels are helps. You'll need to check the found channels for any video, and map them to the appropriate EPG channel.

If you don't find any channels, try using one of the alternate qam.ini files I've uploaded, also found in this thread somewhere.

If you still can't find any channels, you might want to just use an antenna for ATSC reception for crystal clear HD over the air, and if that's not possible, you may be out of luck with QAM.

[gazoo]

I've got a P4 1.8GHz computer with 1GB RAM and XP Pro SP2. The specs on the 1600 say 2.2GHz minimum...how real is that? Is that based on capture or playback? Because my 1.8Ghz can handle high def playback no problem. And by no problem I mean 720P @ about 75% CPU.

I just ordered the card anyway. I plan on building a more powerful HTPC for my high def system anyway. In case the 1600 doesn't cut it in this lower power one, I could use it on the higher up system later.