Are analog tuners which use hardware encoding supported?

[usually_quiet]

I am attempting to help someone at VideoHelp set up NextPVR to use a Hauppauge HVR-1950's analog tuner. The analog tuner will be used for recording from a SD DTA (a simplified cable box for Comcast, a well-known US cable provider) which only supplies programming via NTSC channel 3 or channel 4.

SHS (who runs shspvr.com) joined in the conversation and stated that NextPVR does not support any analog tuners which use hardware encoding. I would have thought that something like that would have been mentioned in NextPVR's wiki, but there is nothing like that there. SHS told me to ask sub because I didn't beleive him, so I am.

[sub]

Yeah, sure it supports hardware encoder device. Most people here that use analog tuners are using hardware encoder devices. For *any* analog tuner to appear in the Settings->Devices screen though, you need to have the Hauppauge WinTV software installed (or at least the SoftPVR components). NextPVR reuses a MPEG2 transport stream multiplexer component from this software. (If you've got a device without a hardware encoder, it'll also use the audio/video encoder components)

[usually_quiet]

Thanks for your help. From the first I told the VideoHelp member I'm trying to help that SoftPVR was necessary for using the analog tuner, and I also posted the link regarding what to do if installing SoftPVR isn't enough. SHS keeps telling this person that SoftPVR should not be needed.

The person I'm trying to help did install WinTV 8, but he's still having problems. I don't know if he did anything else. I'm going to encourage the member I'm trying to help to come here to get the help he needs with less confusion.

[sub]

If they can post here, I'll help them through it.

[shspvr]

Hmm I don't call you reuses MPEG2 multiplexer component from Hauppauge I though you where using you own or MS ver of multiplexer, when did started doing that ? sub as last tuner I tested with NextPVR was a new ver HVR 2250 which come with Dual IR Blater with one on the A/V Bracket a very long time ago as now I mustly just the HD-PVR model.
I think he just doing something wrong on his end usually_quiet now I wish I keep that darn VCR then I could make a quick video so we could show him how it done as this is one area that NextPVR really lacking a setup wizard.

[sub]

Yep, analog cards in NextPVR have always required an MPEG2 multiplexer component from SoftPVR. The official line is that you need WinTV installed to use an analog device in NextPVR, but the reality is that you only really need that one directshow multiplexer filter for using an hardware encoder device.

Pre-NextPVR, back in the GBPVR days (ie about 7 years ago), there were other options, since it could use the .mpg program stream directly from these cards (but not very well).

If the user posts there logs over here, I'll take a look for them.

For the most common analog device, just having WinTV installed is enough, and then the rest of the setup is pretty pain free.

[moodswing]

Alright, I have found my way here. I am the member that usually_quiet was trying to to help. I am not having any luck the NextPVR. I have the Hauppauge HVR-1950's analog tuner and I can get that to work with the WinTV software that comes along with it. I installed NextPVR and cannot get that to work. At one point I was able to get just the audio to work by no picture. I am using windows 7. I installed softpvr too but that didn't help. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[sub]

Not really sure how far you got. I assume you added some channels, but are having issues watching them? If so try watching them, then zip and attach your logs.

[moodswing]

Not really sure how far you got. I assume you added some channels, but are having issues watching them? If so try watching them, then zip and attach your logs.

I wasn't able to add any channels. I will go ahead and reinstall and see if I can get a log for you.

[sub]

Could you see the device on Settings->Devices? From there you'd typically double click the device to see it's settings, then hit the 'import' button, choose the way you'll receive channels from the set top box (composite, svideo, or fixed channel 3/4), then select your EPG source (which provides NextPVR with the list of channel numbers and channel names), then hit ok and your channels are set up.