Can't find channels, Status window blank

[jrmymllr]

This is partially a NextPVR question, and a cry for help about a bigger problem that I thought someone on this board may know.

I'm using a Pinnacle PCTV 800i on Windows 10 64. This is a PCI card, and the drivers are marked as being Windows 7 64 drivers, but after pointing each of the 3 unresolved devices in device manager to this driver, they installed and looked happy. It's connected to OTA antenna in the US. 

In the NextPVR Devices section in the web GUI, I see 

-IPTV Device
-ATSC - Digital Tuner (#0)
-QAM - Digital Tuner (#0)
-QAM - QAM Digital Tuner (#0)

If I scan "ATSC / All Frequencies" on the ATSC tuner, it goes through the motions but finds nothing. I tried the QAM ones too just in case but they don't find anything. The backend status only has ".....Devices". How can it display devices in the GUI but not in the backend status? 

I tried some other tests. Virtualdub doesn't list any input sources. The included Pinnacle application gives an error when scanning. I even wiped the drive and installed Windows 7 and it still doesn't work.

Lastly, I ran a Linux live CD and bingo, Kaffeine will scan channels and display them! So the card is good, and this is all in the same computer.

I don't get it. It's clear that despite the card's devices looking good in device manager, something is missing. Are there any other things I can try? Any applications/utilities that might give me some clues? I don't understand how these can look normal in device manager yet not produce available input sources.

[sub]

Post the logs and we'll see if there are any errors etc

[jrmymllr]

Post the logs and we'll see if there are any errors etc

Here you go.

[mvallevand]

When you did the Linux test did you use the same antenna and location?

Martin

[sub]

There is no obvious errors shown in there, but it looks like maybe the device has never locked onto a signal.

Given your description of the behaviour in the Pinnacle app, and lack of any channels being found in NextPVR, but the device is working under Linux, I'm guessing there is something wrong with the Windows driver install. Maybe look for a different version of the drivers.

[jrmymllr]

When you did the Linux test did you use the same antenna and location?

Martin

Yes, same computer too. I didn't change anything with the hardware, I only booted the same computer with a Mint live CD.

[jrmymllr]

There is no obvious errors shown in there, but it looks like maybe the device has never locked onto a signal.

Given your description of the behaviour in the Pinnacle app, and lack of any channels being found in NextPVR, but the device is working under Linux, I'm guessing there is something wrong with the Windows driver install. Maybe look for a different version of the drivers.

Interesting...I discovered Windows Update has the drivers for this card. But it still doesn't work even with those. This is so weird. It's like there's some missing layer between the device driver and the application, but I have no idea how this works.

[mvallevand]

I don't think it is weird, the vendor dropped support with Vista and they mention XP. Sub's suggestion to get it working with Pinnacle software is a good one.

Alternatively if you are repurposing an old PCI system for PVR consider installing NextPVR on Linux, it works the same and you found the driver works. For Windows check used Hauppauge devices on eBay, Kjiji, FB market, you should be able to pick up something under $50.

Martin

[jrmymllr]

I don't think it is weird, the vendor dropped support with Vista and they mention XP.  Sub's suggestion to get it working with Pinnacle software is a good one.

Alternatively if you are repurposing an old PCI system for PVR consider installing NextPVR on Linux, it works the same and you found the driver works.  For Windows check used Hauppauge devices on eBay, Kjiji, FB market, you should be able to pick up something under $50.

Martin

The part I find weird is the drivers install without issue, are available from Windows Update, and yet something like Virtualdub doesn't even see it as an input. I could understand if Virtualdub sees the input but can't use it/no video. But then again I don't know how this works on a software level.

[mvallevand]

Did VirtualDub even support digital tuners? Back in the it was used analog capture so that wouldn't help with the current issue even if it worked.

Martin