Problems Getting HD Channels Over QAM

[SkurvyPirate]

I just bought a Visiontek 650 which has the ability to receive QAM signals. When I scan for channels it doesn't pick up any of the local HD channels that my tv picks up through cable. I have tried entering them manually (TV gets 76.3, so I tried 76.3, and 76-3. Not sure if I'm doing it right), but all it gets when I tune to those stations is static. There are two places to plug in the coaxial cable to my card, the Cable TV connection and the Digital TV antenna/FM Radio connection. I have only tried this with the Cable TV connection. Any help on how to set up the HD channels properly would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[malore]

No first hand knowledge, but I think you answered you own question. You most likely need to use the antenna connection for QAM. So for both analog and digital recording, you'll need to split your cable and hook it up to both connections. But, see if you can get QAM working first. There are lots of threads about getting QAM working, if that doesn't do it.

[SkurvyPirate]

Ok, I tried splitting the cable and connecting both to both the inputs on my card. I manually entered in 76-3 and 76-4 as channels (Ones that I know I receive on my other tv), and I still just get static. Does it depend what mode the tuner is set as? Also, what is the difference between mapping the physical and logical channel number?

Thanks

[gplasky]

Not being familar with that product keep in mind a product could receive QAM with it's own software but not receive QAM with SageTV.

Gerry

[mattdcknsn]

Have you tried the software that comes with the card? I am not sure about the manufacturer, if it even comes with any. Also, are you doing this scan through Sage? If you are getting static I don't think you are getting QAM, for me I only get a black screen no static.

The difference between physical and logical is that physical is the actual channel it tunes to. Logical is what you see in the EPG. It can get a bit confusing.

Originally Posted by SkurvyPirate

Ok, I tried splitting the cable and connecting both to both the inputs on my card. I manually entered in 76-3 and 76-4 as channels (Ones that I know I receive on my other tv), and I still just get static. Does it depend what mode the tuner is set as? Also, what is the difference between mapping the physical and logical channel number?

Thanks

[Djc208]

If the card works like the HVR-1600 then Sage probably sees it as two seperate tuners, one analog and one digital.
Now that you've split the cable you'll need to go into the setup and add the second digital tuner, then let it scan for the channels. Once they're found you'll probably have to re-map them from the tuner's channel number to the cable companie's channel number so the EPG will work. The QAM scan tends to be slow so give it some time.
The digital channels can be funny, different tuners will lable them differently, you may find its 76-30 or 76-300 in Sage.

[SkurvyPirate]

Ok, I will start from scratch, add the analog tuner, then add a separate digital tuner and have that scan tonight while I go to bed. Ill post back with the results. Thanks for all the help

[sunray]

According to Sage tech support, the new ATI 650 tuners arent supported in Sage yet, at least not for QAM. I've seen a posting on this forum reporting success with the new 650 based tuners with Over-the-Air (ATSC) signals with Sage.

[SkurvyPirate]

Well after an interaction with Visiontek support I find out that :

"QAM is not available in XP with our tuner devices. It is an issue with
the operating system, not the tuner. You would need to have Vista for
QAM to be picked up by your tuner".

Not only did it take them 4 days from my original email to get to this, but it doesn't say this ANYWHERE on the tuner box. All that it says is that it can receive clearQAM. I am extremely angry with them at this point.

Does anyone know of a tuner card that is capable if receiving QAM in XP? I know that HD Homerun is, but it's kind of expensive.

[mattdcknsn]

The Hauppauge 1600 and 1800 I think are QAM capable in XP. Other than that I think the only choice is HDHomerun

[Djc208]

Originally Posted by SkurvyPirate

Well after an interaction with Visiontek support I find out that :

"QAM is not available in XP with our tuner devices. It is an issue with
the operating system, not the tuner. You would need to have Vista for
QAM to be picked up by your tuner".

Do they know you're using it with Sage? I don't think XP Media Center can do QAM, but that doesn't mean XP can't, there are lots of us doing QAM in XP (like me). Do their XP drivers not support it?

The Hauppage cards (1600/1800) support it and are usually available for about $80~90, cheaper if you catch a sale. I think Avermedia also has a card that can do it as well.
If you get the Hauppage just make sure you get the retail version, some of the white box versions don't officially support it.

[gplasky]

Not all the tuner cards that support QAM support it on XP. Some require Vista. It's usually the drivers that require it. Not all cards that support QAM with their software support QAM in Sage.

Gerry