VBOX Tuner Not Getting Digtal Stations

[jptaz]

I went through the setup in SageTV with the USB VBOX Tuner SageTV claims to support. It let me setup the channel Guide, but it never shows me a signal meter and it also does not show up as a configured device.

Any ideas?

EDIT: It does not seem to be a signal strength or quality issue as I downloaded the signal strength utility from VBOX and it gets 100% signal quality on all my changes...which I knew since my HDTV had no issue tuning nay channels.

It Seems Like I am not telling SageTV properly that it is a digital Tuner.

Thanks,
John

[Opus4]

I don't know anything about the card, but I'm wondering what input options it lists after selecting the device during source setup.

- Andy

[jptaz]

It gives only one input option of Digital TV Tuner.

It is as if something is missing something...

I found this line in the SageTV.Properties file:
mmc/ignore_encoders=Realtek AC97 Audio|Hauppauge WinTV PVR PCI II Capture \#6|BDA MPE Filter|BDA Slip De-Framer|

Do I need to clear this line after stopping the SageTV Service and then restart the service?

Thanks,
John

[Opus4]

If it were on that ignore line, you wouldn't have it as a capture device choice at all (but it looks like you might want to clear the line anyway w/the Hauppauge card listed there). Anyway... like I said, I'm not familiar with that card, so I just wanted to make sure it was showing up as a digital tuner. Perhaps you should try out the v4.1.4 beta and then check w/tech support if no one else has any comments on it.

- Andy

[jptaz]

I think the most annoying part is trying to get the EPG data. Almost every time I click on the Local Broadcast option if spins for a long time then complains about my internet connection. I can even go and pick a Cable TV Station line most of the time wihtout issue.

I may just try installed the BTV that came in the BOX just to see if it works.

John

[jptaz]

Ok...

I love my SageTV....

But it is really pathetic that for 45 minutes I mucked with SageTV trying to get the USB Capture that is on the list of supported devices to work...

In less than 2 minutes I had BeyondTV SE working and tuning all my local HD CHannels...

2 minutes After I was playing back HD on the GUI...granted it was jumpy and I did not configure the remote...

This is why SageTV is not being bundled with OEM products...

If I was joe consumer and I had SageTV on the disk and tried to install SageTV I would have given up an hour ago and would have demmanded my money back.

John

Just Sad.

[Wheemer]

If it's listed as a supported device then you should be contacting support for help, not these forums.

Keep in mind there are many different HD tuner cards available, so in the quest to support as many as possible, some change may have mucked with the compatibility for your particular card.

[lovingHDTV]

Irregardless he has a valid point. Sage should install and work with listed HDTV cards period. If they do not validate that it works, then don't list it. BeyondTV seems to be able to get it to work without issues.

Yes tech support can help, but honestly he should not have to call them. He did his part, he bought the software and a supported card, installed them on a computer that meets SageTV specs so it should work no excuses.

[jptaz]

I did submit a request to support this morning.

I posted here because I know sometimes people find work arounds and support takes 3 days to respond.

I am loving the fact that this Tuner( When I was running it in BeyondTV ) was getting perfect signal strength. It actually does better than the built in HD Tuner on my HDTV Set. Every local channel comes in with 100% signal quality/strength.

John

[Jesse]

Hi,

I have two of these tuners and will be installing them as soon as I get my OTA antenna set up (hopefully this weekend). Now that I have seen your post I am a little concerned. The stuff I saw on AVS regarding these tuners was good, so I dove in and bought a couple (just the tuners, not the BTV bundle).

One thing I can think of: The manual does recommend installing all hardware before installing and setting up sage. I know that seems kind of bogus, but you could just backup the appropriate files, uninstall sage, install the tuners, reinstall sage, and drop your files back in. Just a thought.

Please keep us posted, as I am hoping to get these tuners up and running very soon. Anything I could learn from your experience would be much appreciated.

TIA,

Jesse

[jptaz]

I did try a complete uninstall and reinstall and I even tried configuring it before restoring my settings and it kept giving the error that it could not get any EPG Data so I just gave up and restored my settings.

I may completely uninstall Java and other stuff to just to make sure and also try the beta version. It is very frustrating.

Right now I am loving the Tuner, it is doing pretty well, but right now we have lots of rain and wind so two of my HD Channels are breaking up...not uncommon with my Attic Mounted antana.

I have been playing with it using BeyondTV...which truthfully I hate because I have gotten so used to the SageTV interface and how easy it is to customize and get to the information and functions I want.

I am hoping support contacts me with some ideas.

I will post back.

John

[jptaz]

Just a follow up. The tuner was not actually having issues with the signal. BeyondTV SE 3.8 does not support Full Screen Exclusive Mode and even using Overlay was causing ABC to hiccup. I recorded 15 minutes in BeyondTV and played it back in SageTV and it was perfectly smooth and stutter free. One of the channels was probably breaking up a bit...WB in Detroit seems more prone to problems. Oddly enough other chanels that broadcast in 1080i playback fine, but may ABC just uses a higher bit rate.

So far I have to say this tuner is great and if Frey gets back to me on the support request and can help me get SageTV using this tuner I will order a second.

John

[Jesse]

Hi John,

Thanks for the update. I'm hoping Frey comes through and we hear more good news from you soon.

Thanks,
Jesse

[Opus4]

BTW: don't forget that CES is going on, so that may delay an answer.

- Andy

[jptaz]

That is true Andy...I am hoping by early next week they will have some answers, and maybe I will try the beta this weekend.

I am using BTV 3.8 SE for now and dumping the recordings into the SageTV Impors directory that way I can watch the recordings in SageTV, which is better anyway since it has FSE.

John

[jptaz]

Just a follow up.

This morning I did the following:

Uninstalled the following:
SageTV
BeyondTV SE
All Versions of Java - clear all files and registry
Rebooted

Installed Java 4.2.10
Installed SageTV 1.4 Beta 14

Went through the configuration wizzard and still could not download the line up information. I exited SageTV and disabled the windows Firewall. I disconnected all network devices except for 2 computers. I setup the SageTV Server as a DMZ on my router. I completely turned off alll network equip and powered back on. Started SageTV up and still no EPG. SageTV must have the worst protocol for getting the EPG or I have the worst luck and they have had problem with their server for a month. I know My internet connection is good so it is clearly something on their end.

I did not give up at this point. I decided I will do it without a source. This time when I got to the preview load on the config screen I decided to wait. The preview finally did show video from the DTV ( it is the only source I have configured at this point since I have not restored any settings ). I can surf to all channels in the preview. I proceed and do not configure the line up. I then go back and edit the channel list and maunally select my 7 DTV channels...no sub channels at this time. All the base DTV channels now tune and can be recorded with no DATA.

I am pretty annoyed that SageTV EPG is suck crap, but at least I know it can tune all the channels correctly. I just hope support can figure out why I can not get EPG line ups let only data. I am sure it is not me based on alll the steps I took.

Now I just have to restore the Backups and see if I can get it to work that way...I am beginning to think the failure was due to the modifications I made to the STV...I will try switching to the default STV after I restore the settings.

I am sure support is just playing catchup because of CES this weekend...but hopefully I will hear back by mid next week.

John

[jptaz]

Ok I had to manually edit the Sage.properties file to get the DTV tuner using the one created during my clean setup as a base. I am not sure which setting made it work, but until I did that I still could not add the tuner...the preview window never showed a video.

Very curious and very frustrating. Still no go on downloading the guide data, but I am just hoping to get it to record DTV on the base channels even if it is a time based recording.

John

[jptaz]

OK...Finally got it so that at least SageTV can Tune and record on all of my DTV Stations. No guide data, but I should not have any issues recording manually or watching. I guess this is as good as I am going to get until Frey figures out why I can not connect to their EPG Servrer. Not perfect, but at least functional.

John

[jptaz]

Another followup. Yesterday I was able to setup a comcast channel line up that included 6 of 7 HD channels and then remap them...no sub channels or UPN HD. My actual provider is Wide Open West so it was a totally different lineup from the other 2 I use (Digital and Analog). I have recorded a fait amount of HD so far. only a couple of anomalies. At one point my computer Blue Screen when I was changing from overlay to VMR9 playback. I am guessing this was related to a video driver / VMR9 issue. Another was that Desperate House Wifes appeared to have recorded Audio only, file was only 1.37GB, but the recording immediately afterwards of Greys Anatomy was fine. Luckily I am a bit paranoid so I am recording SD and HD versions of shows where I can.

Also I uninstalled Java 1.4.2.10 and installed Java 1.5.6 since it seemed to behave better and use less CPU, especially with VMR9.

John

[Jesse]

Hello John,

Thanks for the continued updates. Hopefully sage support will get back to you soon with a real solution. Keep us posted.

Thanks,

Jesse