QAM Hell

[crossnet]

Hi Group,

I just built a new system so I could upgrade to HDTV. I'm using GB 1.3.11 with winXP Pro SP3 and a new HVR-2250 plus an older HVR-1600. In general, the analog side is working fine. But, I'm I have a number of issues with QAM.

I can record and play about a dozen clear QAM stations from my COX cable system. But, certain ones (CSPAN3) will not play. Strangely, I can record it and then watch the recording either during or after the show. Also, Transcode does not work for these files.

It seems like a filter is missing, but I have installed every MUX I can find and tried all 4 settings in the GB MUX config menu.

Any ideas?

thanks,

em

[whurlston]

Use "TS Mux" and then zip and post your pvrx2.exe and pvrx2.exe-native logs after reproducing the issue.

[crossnet]

Use "TS Mux" and then zip and post your pvrx2.exe and pvrx2.exe-native logs after reproducing the issue.

Hi Whurlston, Thanks for the quick reply.

I set the MUX to ts and restarted GB. I then tried to watch CSPAN3 (chan 814) but all I get is a blank screen. This was done from the TV Guide menu because the system locks up if I do it directly. I did check that I could record and play the same channel just before I did this test. Here are the logs.

thanks again,

em

[sub]

Can you also post the pvrx2.exe-native.log showing playback of a CSPAN3 recording?

[crossnet]

Can you also post the pvrx2.exe-native.log showing playback of a CSPAN3 recording?

Hi Sub,

Here is the log made while playing the recording I did about 30 min ago using the ts MUX.

thanks for your help,

em

[sub]

When did you setup your capture source? I'm guessing your broadcaster has changed the audio/video PIDs of CSPAN3 since you setup your capture source. The "TS Mux" doesnt need the audio/video PIDs when recording so will still record, but if you attempted to video live tv you'd get black video and/or no audio.

Those two sets of logs you posted show different PIDs found in the recording vs those you attempted to view with live tv.

[crossnet]

When did you setup your capture source? I'm guessing your broadcaster has changed the audio/video PIDs of CSPAN3 since you setup your capture source. The "TS Mux" doesnt need the audio/video PIDs when recording so will still record, but if you attempted to video live tv you'd get black video and/or no audio.

Those two sets of logs you posted show different PIDs found in the recording vs those you attempted to view with live tv.

The cards were set up about six weeks ago and your right about the broadcaster (COX Cable) changing the lineup. I have been remapping over and over because of the the conversion to all digital here. It seems they are continuously making changes.

What do I need to do? Do I need to reinstall my capture sources or just rescan and remap?

thanks again,

em

[sub]

To be sure you getting the mappings you expect, delete the capture source, ok out of the config app, then go back in and recreate your capture source.

[crossnet]

To be sure you getting the mappings you expect, delete the capture source, ok out of the config app, then go back in and recreate your capture source.

OK, I'll do it tomorrow and let you know what happens.

Thanks for all your help,

em

[crossnet]

To be sure you getting the mappings you expect, delete the capture source, ok out of the config app, then go back in and recreate your capture source.

Hi Sub,

That was it. But, I did it a little differently. I wanted to preserve the correct entries for the 3 tuners, so I didn't delete the entire capture sources. I only deleted the scans and remapped the erroneous channels.

I first deleted all the DBA cache files and then rescanned. I then remapped the 2 wrong channels. To be sure they really updated, I first mapped them to another channel and then changed them back to the correct one. (I don't know if this was really necessary). I did see the PID change. After this was done for all 3 tuners, I was able to watch CSPAN2 and 3 directly.

Another issue:

It seems that the cable companies are not publishing clear QAM listings and therefore Schedules Direct is unable to include them. So, unless a corresponding lineup can be added from some other area (which requires extra capture source entries) there is no way to get them.

Cables Direct did tell me that they are planning to add custom lineups in the future, but until they do, is there any other way to edit the EPG file or to merge lineups to support GB?

Thanks for all your help,

em