No ATSC channels detected using AverMedia H837 USB Hybrid ATSC/QAM tuner via antenna

[john_e]

I am trying to configure NPVR for the first time using a new AverMedia AVerTV Volar Hybrid Q USB tuner. I am unable to detect any channels via antenna. I don't see any errors and the tuner works fine in the included app from AverMedia.

I have installed NPVR 2.6.2 on a Windows XP Home system running SP3. I tried updating the AverMedia driver and re-registering filters with no luck.

Please let me know what to try next.

Here is the device I am trying to scan for channels.
[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]

Here is the result.
[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]

Device manager looks good to me.
[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]

The tuner seems to work find in the included app.
[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]

Log files are in the attached ZIP file.

Thanks,
John

[mvallevand]

Did you stop the AverMedia app when scanning?

Martin

[john_e]

Yes, I did run the scan without the AverMedia app running. I also uninstalled SnugTV. I have tried with the AverMedia app uninstalled.

I tried several iterations of having the AverMedia app running before, and during a scan to try to get more information.

With the AverMedia app running, starting a NextPVR scan generated an error. It says "Unable to start device: Device failed to start" This is what I would expect. The program being displayed in the AverMedia app was not interrupted during the scan attempt.

With the AverMedia app closed, starting a NextPVR scan, and then starting the AverMedia app during the scan didn't generate an error from NextPVR but no picture was displayed in AverMedia either. Still no channels detected.

I tried rebooting the computer and immediately running the NextPVR scan. No errors. No channels detected.

I tried rebooting the computer, starting AverMedia app, watching a show, closing the AverMedia app, and then running the NextPVR scan. No errors. No channels detected.

I am new to this but I hope I am not missing something simple.

Thanks,
John

[johnsonx42]

I see you are never getting a signal lock on any channel (locked=0, present=0), but some report some receiving something (strength=30, quality=30 or strength=100, quality=100). However I'm not sure those are legitimate, because all your channels report either 0/0, 30/30, or 100/100, with no other variations; that doesn't seem reasonable. It looks like the tuner is just somehow incompatible, maybe it defaults to QAM64/256 (digital cable) and has to be explicitly set to 8VSB (ATSC antenna) by the included app? That would be odd, the exact opposite of the few tuners we've encountered that work like that (i.e. default to 8VSB/ATSC, only vendor-provided app can switch it to QAM64/256).

Have you double-checked that NextPVR.exe, NDigitalHost.exe and NRecord.exe are allowed through your firewall? It uses the network stack to allow communication between different processes, even on the same machine (.NET Remoting). I don't think the firewall can get in the way of NextPVR.exe scanning with a local tuner, but it's worth checking.

You might try some other app that has no special knowledge of the tuner, like TSReader Lite (http://www.tsreader.com/tsreader/).

[john_e]

johnsonx42,

Thanks for the detailed reply. I'll check the TSReader Lite app later this evening and let you know what happens.

Ultimately, I am trying to get this setup working ahead of a move from satellite to cable. Perhaps this tuner will work better with cable?

In the mean time, can you recommend another USB tuner for me to order that is known to work well with an OTA ATSC signal? This app looks like it will be quite a bit more fun to play with than just buying a tivo.

Thanks,
John

[sub]

The Hauppauge tuners are always good recommended devices. Internal you could go with their HVR-2250, or external USB the HVR-950Q.

[john_e]

TSReader doesn't get anything from it either. I am ordering the HVR-950Q now. If there is anything else you'd like me to try with this tuner just let me know.

I'll post a follow-up in a month or so when I am switched over to cable.

[johnsonx42]

two thumbs up (and big toes too) for the HVR-2250. it does everything, never fails for me.

[Wilbour]

I gave up on my Avermedia USB and went with Haupage. Haven't looked back since