Manual channel add in Linux

[bluesight]

Is there a way to do a manual channel add under Linux/Ubuntu? I found an old post on V4 about how to do it in Windows. Didn't seem to cross over...
Tnx
b

[sub]

Unfortunately there isn't a manual scan feature in Linux, but you could make a file for the frequency your want to scan.

ie, if you're trying to scan a DVB-T frequency, create a new file in /usr/share/dvb/dvb-t, with an appropriate name, and copy a frequency definition from one of the files, modified to the frequency you want to use.

After that, it'll just show up in the drop down like all other options.

[mvallevand]

Since you are in the US, you would use the atsc folder for ATSC and clear QAM. You shouldn't need to manually add frequencies since the current lists are accurate, but you can create short lists to save scanning time.

For ATSC I have created a short list of just the frequencies I need in my region and for testing another list of the channels that scan only in the best of conditions. There is no point adding the weak channels but I do it for testing.

For clear QAM I run my own utility that creates a short list of frequencies that have un-encrypted streams that I then pass to NextPVR.

Martin

[bluesight]

I also run WMC (on win7) and was able to manually add a channel that didn't come in through the scan. It may be weak, but it kinda works. Using the user interface, I was able to enter the channel (WISC-DT - 3.1) and "frequency" (11). There are old specific data for the actual ATSC frequencies and "subs" (WISC-DT:689028615:8VSB:49:52:1), but it's from 2007, and I think they moved frequencies in 2019 maybe from 50 to 11 (hard to pin down). Is there a place that the specific ATSC channel info is kept? Or do you have an example of your list entries, file name, and where you put them? I looked at the /usr/share/dvb/atsc stuff, but those don't include what I assume is the individual channel info (SID?) that allows specific selection. 

There is also a remote possibility that the current us-ATSC-center frequencies list isn't up-to-date to include the "new" frequency that our ch 3.1 moved to (the old freq of 689028615 is in there). Though that seems unlikely...??

b

[sub]

It's not really practical to manually add a channel. It's too complicated. They're stored in the npvr.db3 (CHANNEL_MAPPING.tuning column), and a .conf file. You could always look at your existing channels, and see if you can work it out.

Your best chance is scanning at a time when the signal slightly stronger (like clear skies, in the evening), and hopefully it'll pick it up.

[mvallevand]

Channels do get repacked but the radio spectrum frequencies don't change. The frequency has to be in line with the ATSC tuning on TV's so until ATSC 3.0 you should not expect a frequency issues in the tables

Sub referred you to the table (missing the atsc folder) and the one you will have will match the reference table in use for a decade

https://git.linuxtv.org/dtv-scan-tables....VSB-062009

Martin

[bluesight]

If my vague understanding is correct, I think this channel now resides in the 198-204 mhz range and is probably covered by:

[CHANNEL]
DELIVERY_SYSTEM = ATSC
FREQUENCY = 201028615
MODULATION = VSB/8
INVERSION = AUTO

To be safe, I can also consider:

[CHANNEL] <old 3>
DELIVERY_SYSTEM = ATSC
FREQUENCY = 689028615
MODULATION = VSB/8
INVERSION = AUTO

So it is most likely a weak signal. Unfortunately, I get the best signal from a fixed antenna so it's hard to fiddle to get a better one. I suppose I can build a dinky list as recommended with just what appear to be my frequencies (of interest for me and maybe for some of you that happen to be in Madison, WI):

[CHANNEL] <3>
DELIVERY_SYSTEM = ATSC
FREQUENCY = 201028615
MODULATION = VSB/8
INVERSION = AUTO
[CHANNEL] <47>
DELIVERY_SYSTEM = ATSC
FREQUENCY = 497028615
MODULATION = VSB/8
INVERSION = AUTO
[CHANNEL] <15>
DELIVERY_SYSTEM = ATSC
FREQUENCY = 503028615
MODULATION = VSB/8
INVERSION = AUTO
[CHANNEL] <21>
DELIVERY_SYSTEM = ATSC
FREQUENCY = 509028615
MODULATION = VSB/8
INVERSION = AUTO
[CHANNEL] <57>
DELIVERY_SYSTEM = ATSC
FREQUENCY = 515028615
MODULATION = VSB/8
INVERSION = AUTO
[CHANNEL] <27>
DELIVERY_SYSTEM = ATSC
FREQUENCY = 545028615
MODULATION = VSB/8
INVERSION = AUTO
[CHANNEL] <old 3>
DELIVERY_SYSTEM = ATSC
FREQUENCY = 689028615
MODULATION = VSB/8
INVERSION = AUTO

and add it as recommended in /usr/share/dvb/atsc as something like us-WI-Madison (leaving out the channel <-->). Then I can keep checking (quickly) and hope for a good skip night or something...

b

PS...there are a few other Madison area channels that may be of interest to others (8, 20, 23, 38, 43 and 65)...someone can make a more comprehensive file as willing

[bluesight]

Something doesn't quite make sense since my WMC  (win7) installation sees my NextPVR missing channel (3.1) as having lots of signal strength. But, even in WMC, I had to add it manually. I'll eventually get to the bottom of it...but it sure seems that something is amiss...

You wouldn't happen to know where in WMC/win7 I can find the ATSC channel specifications (frequency/id...whatever...registry, file...whatever)? I'm trying to search it, but no luck so far...

B

[sub]

If you're able to capture a 60 minute full transport stream from this frequency, I'm happy to load it up in the signal generator here, to see how good the signal is, and if there is any reason the channel is not being found.

[mvallevand]

WISC did have a repack in Oct. 2019 and so it sounds like it moved from channel 50 to channel 11 then https://nocable.org/browse-stations/call...madison-wi Because it is VHF now a UHF antenna will be no good. The biggest issue is probably this https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/2-mad...056e4.html where in mid Feb they said 3 weeks, but that was pre Covid 19

You can download dvbsnoop to grab a full mux for sub on channel 11 but I doubt it is worth the effort.

Martin