channel not found

[corndogblu]

I'm getting only 4 out of the 5 ATSC channels in my area.
The log files looks like it see's channel 27(the one I'm missing), but that's it.
I'v applied the 2.2.6 final patch, but no success.
Attached is the log file, any help would be much appreciated.

[johnsonx42]

NPVR isn't able to read the program information on that channel correctly - probably choking on an unexpected value or data format. There's not much you can do until sub releases the next version of NPVR sometime in the next couple of weeks. There are some debug settings that will let you capture some data sub could use to fix the problem, but no fixes are possible until the next release anyway.

(the time frame is what I've inferred from sub's prior comments; it's NOT a promise since I have nothing to do with it nor any inside knowledge).

[corndogblu]

Well that's a shame.
The channel is the CBC, they just made the switch to ATSC across Canada a few months ago, and this broadcast(Winnipeg) only started a few days ago.
Is it possible that the program information is not there because they're just getting started with the broadcast?
Either way, thanks for the reply....
I can wait, it's only TV after all.....

[johnsonx42]

I suppose it's possible they're still updating settings, maybe there's a problem in their PMT or other data that is preventing NPVR from reading the channel properly that they will fix. It certainly wouldn't hurt to re-scan in a few days to see if anything has changed.

However this is not the first time, and presumably won't be the last, that NPVR has been unable to identify channels due to some new combination of data the broadcaster was sending out that sub hadn't encountered before. This is why I already know what the diagnostic steps will be; there are two methods, both of which require setting a registry value and then doing a scan. The 'easy way' produces a log file of all the PMT and similar data read during the scan, which is just a text file you can upload easily. If that isn't enough, in the case where the data itself is not being captured (vs just not being interpretted correctly), then the 'hard way' is to record a minute or so of the full transport stream being received by the tuner; the resulting file is several hundred megabytes, which you'd have to upload to some file sharing service. It used to be harder - a year or so ago, NPVR didn't have any way to record the full transport stream, so you'd have to install the old GB-PVR program, and then get it to do the Full TS recording of the problem frequency.

By the way, is it wrong that when I read your name I get hungry? [homer voice]ahhh..... pork, chicken & cheese fried goodness..... aahahahaahhaha[/homer voice]

[OTAjunkie]

The CBC has been broadcasting digital for years in some cities. It's more probable that it's your reception. Download TSReader Lite and you can examine the signal details as well as aim your antenna. TVFool is useful as well but does not give full realtime signal details.

[johnsonx42]

while it can't hurt to look at TSReader lite, his log is showing strong signal and a good lock

[jemmy]

I'm having the exact same problem with CBC Winnipeg (both French and English). I'm also running NPVR 2.26 with the final Patch. I completed a scan with the Hauppauge 1600 software WinTV 7 and both channels where found and displayed with the correct name. I assume this means that at least some kind of channel data is being broadcast and that the signal strength is adequate. I'm not at my PC right now, but I'll try to run a scan again and post the logs. From what I see they look the same as what corndogblu experienced.
If others such as OTAjunkie have been able to scan in CBC in other parts of the country, is it possible some of the patches have changed the scanning process? I've thought about reverting back to patch 1 and scanning again to see if this makes a difference.

[bgowland]

while it can't hurt to look at TSReader lite, his log is showing strong signal and a good lock

I think it would be worth a look with TSReader. The scan is definitely locking but there appears to be only partial SDT data...

Code:

<sdt>
  <tsid>16763</tsid>
  <onid>0</onid>
</sdt>

As you said earlier, it could be that there's corrupt data in the SDT causing the scan to baulk (although there's no error logged) or it could simply be that the rest of the service description isn't being broadcast.

Cheers,
Brian

[mvallevand]

It's not a general CBC problem, I get both CBC and Radio Canada (CBC french) OTA. It looks like the Winnipeg french channel (51) is missing metadata too. I did think there was a way to increase the scan duration to catch more metadata, but I couldn't find it in config.xml.

Martin

[corndogblu]

Same as Jemmy, wintv works (running very similar hardware)
I don't believe it is an antenna strength issue. I get channel 40 just fine which is broadcasting from virtually the same location. Other TV/tuners in my area that are not as high as me, get 27 and 51 just fine.
I'll give the TSreader a try this weekend and see what I get, thanks Bgowland

Johnsonx42, send me the instruction, thanks
and yes it's wrong.....

Thanks for all the idea's guys.