Unable to start recording service

[JavaWiz]

The tuner is supposed to pick up both analog and digital cable channels. But I don't quite know the function of the converter box which I removed in this trial, because I was getting no channels picked up at all with the converter box.

Since all QAM channels are encrypted, in order to get the channels, you are going to have to use your converter box/set top box (STB), the output of which is analog. Being Comcast, the converter box is probably Pace or Motorola, unless you have XFinity X-1, which is proprietary and does not work with tuner cards (at least I couldn't get it to work).

Although I have X-1 box for my main TV, I finally had Comcast give me a second older digital STB (Motorola I think), and that is what I use to connect to the analog input of my tuner card.

With the converter box, you will set NextPVR to fixed tuner channel (usually 3 or 4) and use a ir blaster cable from your tuner card to the cable box to switch channels (it sends the ir signals, just like your Comcast remote).


The only other option I see is potentially getting an OTA digital antenna and trying to see what you can pick up with that.

[sub]

It's pretty obvious by now that all the 31 channels that are picked up by nPVR are digital radio channels (they are even number Channels 396-422 etc.

Yeah, that must be the only unencrypted digital channels your broadcaster is transmitting.

The tuner is supposed to pick up both analog and digital cable channels.

Yes, this device should do both analog and digital. It'll only do analog in NextPVR if you've installed those SoftPVR components though. If they're installed, then you'll see another device listed on your Settings->Devices page, with the type 'Analog' (alongside your existing 'QAM' and 'ATSC' devices).

Once you've got analog enabled, and you've reconnected your converter box, then you'd use the 'Import Channels' button in your analog device settings (or 'Add Channel' button) to tell NextPVR what channels will be available from the converter box. ie, you don't end up scanning for channels in this type of setup because the converter box is only ever outputting the one channel it's currently tuned to. (You'd next look at IR blasters, so NextPVR could tell the converter box to change channels when it needs to).

But I don't quite know the function of the converter box which I removed in this trial, because I was getting no channels picked up at all with the converter box.

The converter box tunes in one of your cable company's encrypted channels, decrypts it, decodes it to analog frames, then outputs it on it's analog outputs. It's them in a form your analog device can receive it.

FYI, these types of setup with analog channels via set-top-box are the most difficult for new users to wrap their head around, so don't feel bad if you're struggling with the concept.

[Moorty]

Yeah, that must be the only unencrypted digital channels your broadcaster is transmitting.

Yes, this device should do both analog and digital. It'll only do analog in NextPVR if you've installed those SoftPVR components though. If they're installed, then you'll see another device listed on your Settings->Devices page, with the type 'Analog' (alongside your existing 'QAM' and 'ATSC' devices).

Once you've got analog enabled, and you've reconnected your converter box, then you'd use the 'Import Channels' button in your analog device settings (or 'Add Channel' button) to tell NextPVR what channels will be available from the converter box. ie, you don't end up scanning for channels in this type of setup because the converter box is only ever outputting the one channel it's currently tuned to. (You'd next look at IR blasters, so NextPVR could tell the converter box to change channels when it needs to).

The converter box tunes in one of your cable company's encrypted channels, decrypts it, decodes it to analog frames, then outputs it on it's analog outputs. It's them in a form your analog device can receive it.

FYI, these types of setup with analog channels via set-top-box are the most difficult for new users to wrap their head around, so don't feel bad if you're struggling with the concept.

What are SoftPVR components, and how do I find them and install them? If the signal output through the converter is analog then maybe that's what is needed to generate the channels.

What are IR blasters and where do I look for them? How would use them?

Remember when I had the converter box nothing was coming through. That's why I disconnected it. Of course, I can connect it back again, once I know what I am doing.

My wonder is how Windows Media Center was able to tune into the TV (via the converter box) and what else nPVR might need to fill the gap?

[Moorty]

Since all QAM channels are encrypted, in order to get the channels, you are going to have to use your converter box/set top box (STB), the output of which is analog. Being Comcast, the converter box is probably Pace or Motorola, unless you have XFinity X-1, which is proprietary and does not work with tuner cards (at least I couldn't get it to work).

Although I have X-1 box for my main TV, I finally had Comcast give me a second older digital STB (Motorola I think), and that is what I use to connect to the analog input of my tuner card.

With the converter box, you will set NextPVR to fixed tuner channel (usually 3 or 4) and use a ir blaster cable from your tuner card to the cable box to switch channels (it sends the ir signals, just like your Comcast remote).


The only other option I see is potentially getting an OTA digital antenna and trying to see what you can pick up with that.

You think I could ask Comcast for digital STB? What is it anyway? There is already a cable that connects the tuner card to the cable (converter) box. How is an ir blaster cable different from it? And how would I switch channels using it?

I live in Monterey (Seaside) California, and I have been told that not much can be picked up by a digital antenna.

[ACTCMS]

My wonder is how Windows Media Center was able to tune into the TV (via the converter box) and what else nPVR might need to fill the gap?

The SoftPVR components are the missing link.

Goto this thread and scroll down till you see the "Analog Tuners:" section and follow the instructions given there...

Alex

[sub]

What are SoftPVR components, and how do I find them and install them? If the signal output through the converter is analog then maybe that's what is needed to generate the channels.

See the "Analog Tuners" section of the thread link provided in the previous post.

What are IR blasters and where do I look for them? How would use them?

IR blasters a piece of hardware that can be used to change channels on the set top box whenever it needs to. They work by pretending to be a remote control, faking the IR signals you'd normally get from the number buttons on your remote.

Remember when I had the converter box nothing was coming through. That's why I disconnected it. Of course, I can connect it back again, once I know what I am doing.

We did say you'd need analog support when using a converter box, but you choose to overlook that.

My wonder is how Windows Media Center was able to tune into the TV (via the converter box) and what else nPVR might need to fill the gap?

It uses pretty much the same approach. For analog to work in NextPVR, you need to have those SoftPVR components installed. Microsoft has it's own equivalent built into Windows Media Center.

[Moorty]

See the "Analog Tuners" section of the thread link provided in the previous post.

IR blasters a piece of hardware that can be used to change channels on the set top box whenever it needs to. They work by pretending to be a remote control, faking the IR signals you'd normally get from the number buttons on your remote.

We did say you'd need analog support when using a converter box, but you choose to overlook that.

It uses pretty much the same approach. For analog to work in NextPVR, you need to have those SoftPVR components installed. Microsoft has it's own equivalent built into Windows Media Center.

I checked into the SoftPVR. You need to have purchased (for about $10) and installed WinTV7 before you can get it to use SoftPVR. By itself SoftPVR apparently won't work without it. I also checked a dead-ended SoftPVR download link which didn't get me anywhere. Instead of this I am thinking of buying a Diamond ATI USB tuner for about $40 which will work Windows 10. Thank you guys for all your help.

[mvallevand]

I checked into the SoftPVR. You need to have purchased (for about $10) and installed WinTV7 before you can get it to use SoftPVR. By itself SoftPVR apparently won't work without it. I also checked a dead-ended SoftPVR download link which didn't get me anywhere. Instead of this I am thinking of buying a Diamond ATI USB tuner for about $40 which will work Windows 10. Thank you guys for all your help.

You still need softpvr if you want analog. Buy a Hauppauge card and it comes with it.

Martin

[JavaWiz]

I checked into the SoftPVR. You need to have purchased (for about $10) and installed WinTV7 before you can get it to use SoftPVR. By itself SoftPVR apparently won't work without it. I also checked a dead-ended SoftPVR download link which didn't get me anywhere. Instead of this I am thinking of buying a Diamond ATI USB tuner for about $40 which will work Windows 10. Thank you guys for all your help.

You have not read thru the links and instructions below. You don't need to buy WinTV7 (you can download the package and extract the SoftPVR components). As Comcast has encrypted your feed, you need to use cable box to feed your tuner card analog signal, and you will need SoftPVR to enable analog in NextPVR regardless of what tuner card you use.

If you want digital, you most likely will need something like a SiliconDust HDHR with a cable card (different approach than using a cable box).

I am 99% sure you can get analog by following the instructions in this link. Get AC3Filter for the audio, reconnect your cable box, install SoftPVR.

[Moorty]

You have not read thru the links and instructions below. You don't need to buy WinTV7 (you can download the package and extract the SoftPVR components). As Comcast has encrypted your feed, you need to use cable box to feed your tuner card analog signal, and you will need SoftPVR to enable analog in NextPVR regardless of what tuner card you use.

If you want digital, you most likely will need something like a SiliconDust HDHR with a cable card (different approach than using a cable box).

I am 99% sure you can get analog by following the instructions in this link. Get AC3Filter for the audio, reconnect your cable box, install SoftPVR.

Thank you; I will try and let you know.