Unable to locate digital channels - How do I manually add them?

[humper]

Sorry if this has been discussed before but I can't find a related thread.

I have a Windows 7 PC with a Hauppage WinTV-HVR 2250 installed. I've installed NextPVR with the latest patch.

Before I connected my Antenna to the Hauppage it was connected to my TV. I did a channel scan using the TV channel scanner and I got many channels. I moved the coax cable to my Hauppage TV tuner. I went to Settings > Device > Hauppage Tuner 1 > Device Setup, I ran the scan and only came back with 4 channels. Is there a reason why I can't pickup the same channels I receive on my TV? Is there a way to manually add the channels?

For example - I can pick up WIVB-DT (ABC) Real Channel is 39 (virt. 4.1) with my TV, but when I scan using NextPVR (ATSC Tuner 1) it doesn't find the channel.

I'd really appreciate any help you can provide, I'm trying to get rid of my cable TV bill!

[Graham]

Typically, the tuners in PC kit are not as sensitive as the tuners in TVs. You may have trouble scanning if the reception is borderline. Typically, recording and viewing Live TV are better able to cope with dodgy reception. Are you able to remove any splitters and remove any coax extension cable and then do the scan. In any event, do a scan and then post some logs. Thanks.

http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php...post438939

[mikeh49]

I agree with Graham. In my experience, TV tuners are definitely better than PC tuners. How far away is the transmitter/antenna for WiVB? Does it come in clearly (no pixelation) on the TV? You might need a bigger antenna or an amplifier in the signal lead. Years ago, Radio Shack made an amp that mounted outdoors right at the antenna. I used one with good success with an attic antenna getting signals from 40-50 miles away. This was analog, so digital may be different. You should make sure your lead-in is short, all connections are good condition, etc. If you're using an "amplified" indoor "digital" antenna, that may be the problem; they are mostly smoke and mirrors. You can build an antenna that will be much better. Take a look here:

http://www.diytvantennas.com/

[humper]

It's only 30 feet of cable and I have tried both a preamp (located at the antenna) and a distribution amplified (closest to the TV tuner) to see if I can get the channels. No luck picking them up. Again, I dont have a problem getting them on my TV.

Is there a better TV tuner card out there that can pick up the reception for me? The channels it's not picking up are at the 50% mark on the TV signal meter, so I think you're right.

I've attached a log. I hope this is the one you're looking for.

[Graham]

I've attached a log.

For each frequency in the scan, there is a line like ...

2013-02-16 11:29:57.875 [DEBUG][1] locked=1, present=1, strength=40, quality=100 (took 16ms to check)

The important bit is quality=100 which is as good as it gets. But, you only have quality=100 for about two frequencies ... all other frequencies are quality=6 meaning no signal.

Unfortunately, I am 3,000 miles too far away to be able to help with the specifics of Canadian TV and the channels used and all that. Do you have the option of specifying a greater range of channels in this ...

[ATTACH=CONFIG]35759[/ATTACH]

[johnsonx42]

You're probably just going to need a better antenna. If all your TV stations are in the same direction, a directional antenna can really help.

[humper]

This is what I got. Looks like I am going to be returning this card tomorrow. Will try another product I guess

[johnsonx42]

My experience has been that the Hauppauge internal cards have the best tuners; others have been slightly to much worse. Hopefully you'll luck into one that's better. I suppose it's also possible you just got a bad card.

[humper]

I was thinking of trying the Hauppauge 1250? Are there any differences? Besides that it doesn't do dual ATSC tuners.

I was kind of hoping that maybe the internals were different and that it might produce better results.

I appreciate the quick responses! Thanks!!!

[Graham]

maybe the internals were different and that it might produce better results.

Over the years, I have used 5 different tuners from 4 different manufacturers. There are differences in their sensitivities but the differences are quite small. I would expect that the differences between any two Hauppauge devices would be negligible. My own experience has been that Hauppauge devices are as good as any and better than most. I would be surprised if a different device gave a different result. However, there could be a fault with the device that you have ... but it seems odd that it works well for some frequencies and not at all for others. For what it's worth ... I found in another forum

... a precise reading of your signal strength. In Media Center, go to Tasks-->Settings-->TV-->TV Signal-->Digital Tuner Diagnostics ...