how to setup HVR1600 for broadcast ASTC and DirecTV?

[Wakalaka]

I'm helping a friend convert a system into a GBPVR box. He purchased the HVR1600. I installed GBPVR 1.08 and am trying to get the capture sources set up, but am struggling.

He has DirecTV, so there's a tuner box that has coax coming out of it and goes to TV Connector on HVR1600. He also has an ATSC antenna that has coax and goes to ATSC Digital TV Connector on HVR1600. Computer LCD monitor is connected to analog VGA connector on video card, and an HD projector is connected via DVI to video card.

I configured a capture source for the ATSC Digital TV Connector as follows:
BDA Recording Plugin: Hauppauge HVR-1600 (ATSC); Device Number 1
EPG Source: XMLTV Plugin (pointed to yapixml.xml)
Channel Changer: No Channel Changer Required

I configured ytvapi_xml.exe with Provider of DirecTV. I then clicked Update EPG, and then Map digital channels to EPG channels, and mapped the scanned channels found to the ones in the DirecTV list.

I save changes, exit, run GBPVR UI, and click Live TV. I can switch channels, which are broadcast ATSC channels.

Problem 1: I click TV Guide, and it comes up blank.
Problem 2: Is the ATSC capture source set up correctly? What is HVR-1600 (QAM) all about? I've read through the forums but don't understand.
Problem 3: How do I setup a capture source to be the channels that are in the DirecTV lineup, which is connected to the TV Connector?

I know that the IR Transmitter needs to have a clear shot at the DirecTV box so it can change channels, so I know that means I need to select Channel Changer as .exe Changer plugin, and I set the Executable to HipSend.exe and Parameters to {channel}. "Zero pad" and "Use three digit channel" are checked off.

Can anyone offer advice?

[replaytv]

It looks good for ATSC configuration. Now you need to add the analog side of the HVR1600.

[Wakalaka]

Have any suggestions? I know what I need to do, but I need help in doing it. I've been searching the forums and trying things for hours, but have had no luck.

[sub]

Problem 1: I click TV Guide, and it comes up blank.

There is a good chance this is related to the yahoo xmltv grabber you're trying to use. When you do the 'update epg' in the config app, does it list any errors in config.exe.log?

Problem 2: Is the ATSC capture source set up correctly?

Looks about right.

What is HVR-1600 (QAM) all about? I've read through the forums but don't understand.

Use the 'HVR-1600 (QAM)' card if you're trying to tune in unencrypted digital cable channels. Use the 'HVR-1600 (ATSC)' option if you're trying to tune over-the-air (OTA) ATSC.

Problem 3: How do I setup a capture source to be the channels that are in the DirecTV lineup, which is connected to the TV Connector?

Just remember to set the capture source's input to svideo or composite, and configure the Change Changer for the blaster he'll be using.

[Wakalaka]

There is a good chance this is related to the yahoo xmltv grabber you're trying to use. When you do the 'update epg' in the config app, does it list any errors in config.exe.log?

Use the 'HVR-1600 (QAM)' card if you're trying to tune in unencrypted digital cable channels. Use the 'HVR-1600 (ATSC)' option if you're trying to tune over-the-air (OTA) ATSC.

Just remember to set the capture source's input to svideo or composite, and configure the Change Changer for the blaster he'll be using.

Didn't see any errors in config.exe.log.
If I set the capture source to svideo or composite, then how does that line up with the DirecTV tuner box having a coax cable going from its output to the TV Connector on the HVR1600 which is a coax connector?

[sub]

Zip and attach the xmltv file and I'll try to load it here.

This is on Vista by chance?

If I set the capture source to svideo or composite, then how does that line up with the DirecTV tuner box having a coax cable going from its output to the TV Connector on the HVR1600 which is a coax connector?

Sorry, I missed the coax bit in your post. Set the input to 'fixed channel, external tuner' instead, and enter the RF channel number in the constant channel setting (usually 2 or 3, but could be some other channel).

[Wakalaka]

Zip and attach the xmltv file and I'll try to load it here.

This is on Vista by chance?

Sorry, I missed the coax bit in your post. Set the input to 'fixed channel, external tuner' instead, and enter the RF channel number in the constant channel setting (usually 2 or 3, but could be some other channel).

This is Windows XP. Log attached.

The DirecTV tuner changes channel with the remote, it's never always on 2 or 3. Doesn't the transmitter of the HVR1600 send the channel change to the DirecTV tuner box, and the {channel} sends the new channel number to tune to?

For the DirecTV channels, don't I set Recording Type to Direct Recording Source? Or is it BDA (what does that stand for anyway) since the card doesn't tune the channel, and gets its data from the coax cable connected from the DirecTV tuner to the TV Connector on the HVR1600?

[sub]

Your xmltv file has a problem in it - duplicate channel number or something similiar:

2007-07-08 16:05:59.453 ERROR [3] XMLTV: error reading xml: Item has already been added. Key in dictionary: '648' Key being added: '648'

[sub]

The DirecTV tuner changes channel with the remote, it's never always on 2 or 3. Doesn't the transmitter of the HVR1600 send the channel change to the DirecTV tuner box, and the {channel} sends the new channel number to tune to?

Set top boxes connected by coax always output the current tuned channel on a fixed RF channel (usually ch2/ch3). For example, the DirecTV box might be tuned to channel 641, but that channel will be output on the coax as CH2. If the user changes the DirecTV to channel 801, it'll still be output on the coax as CH2.

For the DirecTV channels, don't I set Recording Type to Direct Recording Source?

yes, 'Direct Recording Source', card type set to 'HVR1600 (Analog)', input source set to 'fixed channel, external tuner' with the channel number set to the DirecTV box's RF output channel

[pBS]

for guide: try using the zap2it to start with if they're still letting new users on...
you'll get a good guide for sure, then when the other options are finalized, switch...still time left till it ends..
so far all the 'alternate' guides have problems..but they will get better...

for output from sat box, use svideo if you possibly can, it has a far better picture than rf coax[usualy ch 3 or 4 in US,but could be different on directtv box] [rf coax channel is same channel you tune tv to when connecting it directly to sat box]