NPVR Analog Channels not working with Set Top Cable box.

[dj.michaud]

I have NPVR loaded on my PC (Win7). I can turn on LiveTV and that works but only the main input channel, channel 3.
I am using Comcast cable services with a DTA converter (set to channel 3), Hauppauge HVR-2250 tuner card, and the supplied Hauppauge IR Blaster.

When I activate NPVR LiveTV, the cable signal passes through fine, and I can see whatever is on channel 3. In my local area channel 3 is national ABC broadcasting. I have several issues:
- I cannot get any channels to work. I program them in the Device settings, but when I request "fixed channel to be "3", it changes to whatever the assigned channel number is. I have 3 testing channels created before I do all 150 channels. see attached.
- I cannot figure out how to import the channels to avoid manually entering all 150 channels (once I get the 3 testing channels working).
- The IR Blaster is sending a signal to the Comcast cable box. I see the IR pulses. I cannot confirm if it is sending the correct channel changing data.
- When I go into the channel lineup, I cannot get any EPG data to be retained. It constantly shows up as "None" for the Source.

I plan to use KODI as the main media center tool. I have been told that I can avoid a lot of my problem by loading IPTV and watching live TV via the IPTV listings. When I tried that method, I could not get that to work unless I wanted high maintenance of monitoring worldwide channel broadcasts and editing my channel lineup. I do not care about stuff in Australia.

I just want a simple, easy to use media center to replace Windows Media Center for LiveTV and a PVR for show recording via a built-in TV Guide. Windows Media Center did a good job handling this. However when Windows 10 is released, I am going to lose this functionality. I am looking for a replacement before that happens.

Maybe you can confirm one other thing... Windows Media Center is available as a separate add-on/purchase. Will it work with Win10? However, I think I read that Microsoft will no longer support it on ANY OS platform. So eventually Windows Media Center and its TV Guide Scheduling functionality will be shut down.

djm

[HarryH3]

The easiest fix for the Windows Media Center problem is to NOT upgrade your HTPC. I plan to leave mine running Win 7 for as long as possible. WMC is not going to be supported on Win 10 but there isn't any reason that it shouldn't continue to work fine on older OS versions.

As for tuning, I too have Comcast, but I don't use any of their analog channels. The SiliconDust HD HomeRun Prime does a fine job of capturing HD channels (except the DRM'd channels like HBO, Showtime, etc. We use WMC to record those.) and integrates with NextPVR perfectly. Sub even added a few tweaks for this device in his latest release that make it even more awesome. Also, the picture quality is amazing with this tuner.

[johnsonx42]

looks like you found a bug. I can confirm that when I add or import any analog channel with the "fixed channel" setting, no matter what channel I set it to it actually gets created with the fixed channel the same as the channel number. unfortunately the programmer is away on business for a week or two I think, but a fix will surely be forthcoming.

in the meantime if you are feeling brave you can let the channels be created with the wrong fix channel setting, then dig into the SQLite database (npvr.db3) and fix them yourself. someone more enterprising in SQL than I could probably give you a single command to run that would fix it.

to import the channels you just click the "Import" button, set the channel source and EPG source, then enable whichever channels you want. they'll be imported with those settings, and your work will be done (aside from the bug).

[sub]

I'll try to take a look tonight at the hotel. I'm at the Apple developers conference...I don't dear start the Windows VM on my MacBook Pro. There could be a public lynching if I get seen

[Reddwarf]

Ptuh, I woulnd't touch an Apple product even with a pair of plyers

[dj.michaud]

Thank you for helping with this problem. I thought I was doing something wrong. Some follow-up questions...

a. So the importing of the channels is done automatically via the IR Blast feature once the "fixed channel" problem is fixed. That would make more sense why I cannot get any of the channels to work.

b. With the EPG (Programming Guide), is this also an automatic thing with refreshing of the program listings? Or do I need to pay for the annual subscription to Subscriptions Direct? I am trying to understand what I need to buy and what is available for free in a low-maintenance form.

c. This next question is to "SUB", the Administrator. Now that I have identified a programming flaw, what timeline do you think a fix will be available? I ask not to push you, but I will have to put this project on hold until the patch is loaded. I cannot evaluate the LiveTV, DVR features, or the "TV Guide"-like scheduling (EPG) functionality until I can get the channels fixed.

[johnsonx42]

a. I'm puzzled at your wording; you import the analog channels from your EPG source. (Settings->Devices, select your tuner and click Setup, then click Import)
b. Schedules Direct is recommended, and updates automatically. however you can also use a program like MC2XML to create an XMLTV file; in that case you'd need to create an "UpdateEPG.bat" file in the npvr\scripts directory that would call MC2XML (or whatever XML grabber you use) to update the XMLTV file each night.

you should probably read the "getting started"/"tech support" sticky linked in my signature.

[sub]

a. So the importing of the channels is done automatically via the IR Blast feature once the "fixed channel" problem is fixed. That would make more sense why I cannot get any of the channels to work.

Is the problem only when you try to edit the channels? i.e., if you use the 'import feature' and make sure you select the correct details, are they initially created correctly? (i.e., you'll need xmltv source (like mc2xml) or schedules direct...see comment below).

b. With the EPG (Programming Guide), is this also an automatic thing with refreshing of the program listings? Or do I need to pay for the annual subscription to Subscriptions Direct? I am trying to understand what I need to buy and what is available for free in a low-maintenance form.

NextPVR doesn't provide any listings itself. It can use over-the-air broadcast EPG in most countries - unfortunately this is substandard in the US, so you end up having to use either mc2xml or schedules direct.

c. This next question is to "SUB", the Administrator. Now that I have identified a programming flaw, what timeline do you think a fix will be available? I ask not to push you, but I will have to put this project on hold until the patch is loaded. I cannot evaluate the LiveTV, DVR features, or the "TV Guide"-like scheduling (EPG) functionality until I can get the channels fixed.

Normally I'd give you a patch pretty quickly, but I'm a work trip at the moment, so can't do it for couple of weeks.

[dj.michaud]

I have tried so many different things to make this work. I no longer can remember processes. This whole thing has been very frustrating.
I was able to finally get a list of channels added by using mc2xml tool I found on the Internet. see picture. In the screen shot, you will see channel 3 labeled "Cable 3". When I hit "Import channels" on the "Settings>Devices" section, it starts the scanning and will only return this one channel because the Comcast Box is set to channel 3.
As you can see with the channel listing, all the channels change to "Fixed Channel: <Channel #>", not Fixed to "Channel 3".

This listing I got from mc2xml tool has way too many channels that I will ever use. There are a lot of HD channels that I am not subscribing to, and therefore, will never receive via the Comcast set box. Once I edit the list of channels down to the 150 I actually pay for through Comcast, if I run mc2xml via the batch executable (which I have not yet figured out how to do it) or subscribe to Schedules Direct, will the entire 700 channel listing return every time I run the script?

I have a programming background, but this project is kicking my butt... I hope once the patch is written and the channels are programmed, the rest is self supporting with little to no maintenance. Once I have Kodi set up for me, I need to set this up again for a family member that is not computer savvy.

[sub]

In the screen shot, you will see channel 3 labeled "Cable 3". When I hit "Import channels" on the "Settings>Devices" section, it starts the scanning and will only return this one channel because the Comcast Box is set to channel 3.
As you can see with the channel listing, all the channels change to "Fixed Channel: <Channel #>", not Fixed to "Channel 3".

I think you mean when you hit 'Scan' it started scanning. It wouldn't start scanning when you hit 'import channels'. Anyway, these are the results I'd expect when you attempt to scan when connected to a set top box. i.e., the device will only see one channel with a signal. It'll has no way to know what channels your set top box is capable of delivering. Just delete that scanned channel - you don't need it.

With a set top box setup you need to tell the application what channels are available. You do this using the 'Import Channels' button, and entering your Schedules Direct or selecting your XMLTV file.

This listing I got from mc2xml tool has way too many channels that I will ever use. There are a lot of HD channels that I am not subscribing to, and therefore, will never receive via the Comcast set box. Once I edit the list of channels down to the 150 I actually pay for through Comcast, if I run mc2xml via the batch executable (which I have not yet figured out how to do it) or subscribe to Schedules Direct, will the entire 700 channel listing return every time I run the script?

When you're importing the channels from your xmltv file (generated by mc2xml in your case), you unselect the channels you're not interested in. Hitting 'update epg' will only import the listings for the channels you imported. It'll ignore the extra channels in your xmltv file.

I have a programming background, but this project is kicking my butt... I hope once the patch is written and the channels are programmed, the rest is self supporting with little to no maintenance.

It looks like you're past needing that patch, not that you've correctly imported your channels.

I'll still check if there is a bug and fix if necessary. Very very few people ever manually enter their channels, which is probably why no one noticed. Usually you'd import your channels, like you've now done.