Unable to start recording service

[Moorty]

I think there is some missing info if WMC is able to use this card and actually record.

Martin

I was able to record and watch TV on this card in Windows 7. Now with NPVR I can't even read the channels. Something definitely is missing.

[JavaWiz]

You may want to start a new thread and see if anyone is successfully using this card with NextPVR.

I'm guessing if you set up the tuner as fixed-channel and set to either channel 3 or 4, you will see (or at least hear) TV. What I'm confused with is how the card communicates with the tuner to change channels, typically, an IRBlaster performs this function.

Martin, do you think that WMC was able to decrypt channels directly (kind of like the DRM channels), so he didn't need STB, he simply fed coax directly to the card and the onboard tuner managed the channel changing?

[mvallevand]

No I don't think it is a DRM issues. Comcast may have dropped the analog and clear QAM functions since this worked in WMC. If not I expect they will. Perhaps is was ATSC working all along?

Martin

[Moorty]

If you use a set top box box (like a DTA or converter), then you don't scan. Instead you just use the 'import' button to import your list of tv channels, or use the 'add' button to manually add them.

Yes, there is a converter box. If I use the 'import' button, I am taken to a dialogue box where it is a looking for a file channels-analog.xml. I don't have any such file.

[Moorty]

No I don't think it is a DRM issues. Comcast may have dropped the analog and clear QAM functions since this worked in WMC. If not I expect they will. Perhaps is was ATSC working all along?

Martin

When I was previously using WMC on Windows 7, in order to use the remove I had to use 3 on the computer for the remote to access channels. That's how it is on the TV in the living room. You first had to press on channel 3 on the Samsung remote to get to use the remote of the comcast. I don't this helps. I see that the problem is how to first fix on channel 3 in order to be able to access comcast channels. I have no clue as to how to do it with NVPR.

[sub]

I see that the problem is how to first fix on channel 3 in order to be able to access comcast channels. I have no clue as to how to do it with NVPR.

When you import your channels, you make sure you set your input source to 'Fixed-Channel' as showing in the screenshot below (top left).

If you were connected to your converter box using the RCA cables, then choose Composite instead.

[mvallevand]

Still the issue with not having a blaster will mean only one channel is possible without manually using a remote control to tune the DTA. This is the missing info that is I posted about..

Martin

[JavaWiz]

Still the issue with not having a blaster will mean only one channel is possible without manually using a remote control to tune the DTA. This is the missing info that is I posted about..

Martin

Yep, changing channels is still going to be a problem without an IR Blaster, or... He could use the Comcast remote, but he wouldn't be able to use the guide or schedule recordings (kind of defeats the purpose of a PVR)....

However, Moorty, if you want to verify that you can at least tune to 1 station, do the following:

• Go to the Devices settings in configuration
  
• Select your Analog tuner
  
• Click "Add" to manually add a channel
  
• Give it some number (or leave it default as 1)
  
• Name: Test
  
• Input source: Fixed Channel
  
• Tuning: Cable (with channel as 3)
  

I think you should start receiving TV if you were to go into LiveTV. If not, delete that channel, repeat the steps and try channel 4.

Once this works, you should be able to move thru the channels with your STB (Comcast) remote.

[Moorty]

When you import your channels, you make sure you set your input source to 'Fixed-Channel' as showing in the screenshot below (top left).

If you were connected to your converter box using the RCA cables, then choose Composite instead.

I did that. (Set it Fixed Channel 5) and no channels were imported. The converter box doesn't RCA cables. It uses coaxial cables to take the cable in and send signal back to the computer.

[Moorty]

Yep, changing channels is still going to be a problem without an IR Blaster, or... He could use the Comcast remote, but he wouldn't be able to use the guide or schedule recordings (kind of defeats the purpose of a PVR)....

However, Moorty, if you want to verify that you can at least tune to 1 station, do the following:

• Go to the Devices settings in configuration
  
• Select your Analog tuner
  
• Click "Add" to manually add a channel
  
• Give it some number (or leave it default as 1)
  
• Name: Test
  
• Input source: Fixed Channel
  
• Tuning: Cable (with channel as 3)
  

I think you should start receiving TV if you were to go into LiveTV. If not, delete that channel, repeat the steps and try channel 4.

Once this works, you should be able to move thru the channels with your STB (Comcast) remote.

I tried with channels 3 and 4 and in both cases I get the error "Unable to communicate with recording service."