TV Tuner NOT Detected

[mvallevand]

I don't think you are any further with the h/w issue at all. It isn't finding the bda devices or the analog afaik.

Martin

[garevalo]

Thank you Zeb for the links.

[thisheat]

Uh-oh...

The good news is that NPVR is now configured to the point where you should be able to watch tv using your tuner.

The bad news is that we can now say that you either have a driver issue or defective hardware.

These are the things you can try next:

0) Longshot miracle cure: unplug the tuner, then plug it back in. Then try live TV again. Don't expect much from this Hail Mary...

1) In Device Manager, double click the device, then click the Driver tab. Click "Update Driver".

If no new drivers are found...

2) Uninstall the driver. Download and run the driver on this page:
https://www.diamondmm.com/tvw750usb-diam...tuner.html

If that doesn't work...

3) Uninstall the driver. Download and install the driver on this page:
http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/wi..._win7.aspx

After each driver update/install, reboot, then unplug/replug the tuner from the usb port. Then try live TV.

If that doesn't work, I think we can safely say that your hardware is defective. FWIW, I wouldn't exchange it for a replacement, but would try a Hauppauge tuner instead.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you...

[mikeh49]

FWIW, for my Theater 650 Pro on Win 7 32 bit, the driver in Device Manager appears as the ATI Unified AVStream Driver, version 6.14.10.394. The driver update in device manager says I have the latest installed. I have 2 of these cards, although only one has the analog configured. Has always worked. Not sure I think the picture is that great, but it always works.

In NPVR devices, it is called ATI AVStream Analog Capture.

It looks like I have the same 10.4 driver that is referenced above from the AMD site. Same download for both 32 and 64 bit, the installer must figure it out.

[thisheat]

OP has the USB version. For whatever reason, the PCI versions are listed as supported, and the USB versions aren't. That why I suggested he try that one last. Hopefully just an oversight on AMD's part, but we'll see.

[johnsonx42]

@garevalo - if you can return this tuner, just do it and get a Hauppauge tuner. I've seen plenty of weird issues with ATI tuner devices over the years; some models just work, others inexplicably never do. The author of NPVR (sub) has access to just about every Hauppauge tuner device, and extensive contact with their technical and developer personel. Afaik he has no such contact with AMD/ATI, nor any devices to test with. For the most part, non-Hauppauge devices are supported only to the extent that they act like Hauppauge devices.

(edit: this shouldn't be interpretted as me saying only Hauppauge devices should be used with NPVR... it works great with lots of other devices. But if you're having problems with your non-hauppauge device, there may not be much that can be done)

[mikeh49]

Looks like this tuner is a complete loser. See this review from Newegg:

I don't usually rate one-star ratings, but this is an exception. After installing the software, it worked once and only once. I was able to see the video output from the camcorder in TotalMedia 3.5. The next time I ran the software, it simply didn't work anymore. It couldn't see the device at all. I was also unable to see the device in Windows Media Center. In TotalMedia I kept getting the error, "The device is not available, or is being used by another application." I've seen LOTS of posts on the internet about this problem in several forums, and no working solutions. I tried everything; Rebooting, clean installing drivers, disabling all start-up items, reinstalling the software, deleting registry keys, you name it. It simply doesn't work. A complete waste of my time and money. Spend a few extra dollars and shoot for something better if your time is important to you.

Sounds like what the OP experienced. It is half the price of a 950Q, however. So, would be tempting.

OTOH, my two 650s, one Diamond and one Dell-branded, work great on clear QAM, and OK on analog.

[garevalo]

In post #60 mikeh49 says-

"I think you are OK for the next step."

(it should be noted...)
- "Devices" is showing the analog tuner
- Added "TV" channel
- Clicking it does produce the "Watch" option
- single "TV" channel is working

Furthermore mikeh49 states -

"You will need a program guide which will contain your channels. You can get a free trial of Schedules Direct to get started, or use mc2xml which is more complicated. I'd suggest Schedules Direct first. You enter your zip code and cable provider and set up a channel lineup. NPVR then downloads the lineup and the programs scheduled and you link the guide to the channels in the Settings>Devices>Setup Device for the analog tuner, AVIstream Analog Capture."

Also johnsonx42 in post #68 states -

"go to Schedules Direct (www.schedulesdirect.org)", setup an account and configure a channel lineup with the channels you receive. then you can import the channels with epg data into NPVR in Settings->Devices->your device->Import.

We've seen a lot of posts since, but...

- shouldn't I do this?

I have more questions...

What is wrong with my driver, - does web info reveal it is outdated?

Would it still work or what link to driver should I update with?

OR (hold the presses) thisheat states -

"The good news is that NPVR is now configured to the point where you should be able to watch tv using your tuner.

"The bad news is that we can now say that you either have a driver issue or defective hardware."

What tells you there is an issue?

*Please advise*
Obviously, the product is a lemon -- but technically where are we?

- G

[thisheat]

(EDIT: TRY OPTION 3 IN MY PREVIOUS POST BEFORE GIVING UP!)

When I said that you should be able to watch TV, I literally meant exactly that. That is, that you should be able to use Live TV or the single channel in TV Listings to display the output from your your cable box on your laptop screen.

For clarity's sake, EPG=TV Listings.

The posts you mention refer to fully configuring the EPG so that you have channel listings, program names, times, descriptions, and so on. However, none of that will do you any good if your tuner doesn't work. That's why I wanted to you create a single test channel first, so we could at least make sure the tuner was installed/working correctly.

As to the driver/hardware issue:

1) Obviously, the driver on the CD that came with your tuner doesn't work.

2) The DiamondMM website only has a single driver, listed as XP/Vista compatible.

3) The AMD website is your last hope. I'm unclear on whether this driver will work.

On top of all this is the possibility that the tuner itself doesn't work. Reviews are mixed at best.

I guess I would put it this way:

If I bought a product that the manufacturer explicitly stated could be used with Win7, then found that they didn't have a Win7 driver on their website, then tried the ATI (the chipset maker) driver with no luck, then had a tech tell me to try a third-party PVR software, then spent hours of my time learning stuff I didn't necessarily want to know and setting up their software only to have them tell me the same thing that the Diamond tech wasn't diligent/competent to tell me in the first place, I would be THROUGH with that product, and that company.

You can try the steps in my previous post, and if that doesn't work, give up on that tuner.

The good news is that if you try another tuner, you've done the bulk of the work getting NPVR set up, and the install would be pretty simple. I recommend this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6815116034

Yeah, it's twice as much, but the savings in time, energy, and frustration would make up for it in my opinion. As for your current tuner, I'm sorry, but we're pretty much at the end of the line here.

[garevalo]

Thanks VERY much for your help.

On another note, what part of the process/test thus far gave us the clear determination (technically) that it is not working

???

Again thanks.

- G

PS I'll give it the final try, very soon, and post back.