Quest TV problems

[dodgydart]

Okay, I scheduled a stack of test recordings last night (web client), and none of the .TS files are playable (I'd say they were about 1/10 the size they should be).  There doesn't seem to be any problems with the other channels I record, although none of them are on the same mux.  FYI Quest records OK on another program I use for the other dvb stick I have (Winfast) on the same pc.

[Graham]

Okay, I scheduled a stack of test recordings last night (web client), and none of the .TS files are playable (I'd say they were about 1/10 the size they should be).

The device-REALTEK DTV Filter-1.log has ...

2020-06-08 23:25:00.290 [DEBUG][4] StartStream(): C:\Television Recordings\NextPVR\How Do They Do It\How Do They Do It_20200608_23300000.ts
2020-06-08 23:25:00.300 [DEBUG][4] Calling LockChannel()
2020-06-08 23:25:00.390 [DEBUG][4] locked=1, present=1, strength=55, quality=10  (took 93ms to check)

The ... quality=10 ... indicates a poor signal received by the tuner.

Some muxes/frequencies are broadcast with less power than others.  It is possible that some frequencies/muxes are receiving an adequate signal (and those channels are okay) while other frquencies/muxes receive an inadequate signal (and thos channels are not okay.

Test by removing all splitters and extension cables ... if all channels record okay then you might need a aerial amplifier.

[dodgydart]

Cheers Graham. I've messed with the aerial leads as sometimes they don't plug in tight. I remember now, I have a booster on the main tele as for some reason couldn't get Quest HD (and a couple of other HD channels on it) due to signal quality issues. I'll see how it goes, but may have to buy another booster.

[Graham]

  I remember now, I have a booster on the main tele as for some reason couldn't get Quest HD (and a couple of other HD channels on it) due to signal quality issues.  I'll see how it goes, but may have to buy another booster.

Plus ... It is possible to over-boost the signal .. I recently replaced my aerial and added a mast top amp ... I had to remove my powered splitter to get good recordings.

[mvallevand]

The cheap realtek device is probably not the best choice for testing. For a better comparison how does NextPVR work with the Winfast tuner?

Martin

[dodgydart]

I've come back home to several recordings via NextPVR that have all worked fine. Looks as though fiddling with the cables has done the trick. Martin - I use the Winfast with Prog DVB that works fine..
I'll schedule a load of recordings on both devices overnight and report back....

[Lao Pan]

Also - Quest HD is on COM8 which has been moved to Channel 56 in the 700MHz clearance retune events. In some transmitter regions, this is well out of band for the original Aerial Group, which together with the low power of this Mux, will give a poor signal.
You need a Wideband Aerial - my weapon of choice is Log Periodic.

Unfortunately it may only be a couple of years before the tel co's demand CH 55 & 56 for their own use (it is in the separation zone between transmit & receive frequencies for the 700MHz band)

[dodgydart]

Well. the stack of recordings that I made overnight on both devices and various channels appear to have worked. I do notice one thing though. The data rates for all Quest SD recordings, no matter which device/program I use come out around 600kbps (even when I record on my Humax box), whereas for BBC/ITV/C4/C5 they come out at around 15000kbps. Why is that? Have Quest and the other channels that use that mux drawn the short straw?

[Graham]

Well. the stack of recordings that I made overnight on both devices and various channels appear to have worked.  I do notice one thing though.  The data rates for all Quest SD recordings, no matter which device/program I use come out around 600kbps (even when I record on my Humax box), whereas for BBC/ITV/C4/C5 they come out at around 15000kbps.  Why is that?  Have Quest and the other channels that use that mux drawn the short straw?

I don't know but I suspect that it's a money thing.   Each mux has an amount of bandwidth available and that is an amount of kbps that has to be shared between the channels on that mux.  I suspect that channels pay to use the mux based on the amount of kbps that they use.