AverHDTV A180 QAM Success

[zetronboy]

After days of trial and error I made an AverHDTV MCE A180 HDTV/QAM capture card work with SageTV. I tried over and over to get it to aquire QAM channels in a scan. Had hit/miss luck with one machine, then no luck on another. I could get all the channels with the AverMedia center app but not Sage.

I am using driver A180_x32_WHQL_Drv_V3.5.0.37 on WindowsXP (advertised as a vista driver). Got it from this link
http://www.aver.com/mpd/support/download/a180wb.html

I found that editing the sage.properties file and adding setting "dshow_tv_type=QAM" fixed it and the channel scan found the local QAM/HDTV channel lineup. I followed the procedure from this post and hand-edited my .properties file.
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27008

After the channel scan was done I remapped the channels to the corresponding lineup channel (ch5 HD=105).
I hope this helps someone else. I noted that the channel scan was occuring way too fast. I think it was doing some kind of analog scan instead of QAM.

The encoder section is below.
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/100/0/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/100/0/brightness=0
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/100/0/contrast=0
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/100/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/100/0/encode_digital_tv_as_program_stream=true
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/100/0/hue=0
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/100/0/last_channel=-1
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/100/0/provider_id=2529787422885
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/100/0/saturation=0
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/100/0/sharpness=0
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/100/0/tuning_mode=Cable
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/100/0/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/100/0/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/100/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/100/0/video_crossbar_type=100
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/2/0/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/2/0/brightness=127
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/2/0/contrast=195
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/2/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/2/0/hue=128
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/2/0/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/2/0/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/2/0/saturation=191
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/2/0/sharpness=136
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/2/0/tuning_mode=
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/2/0/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/2/0/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/2/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/2/0/video_crossbar_type=2
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/3/0/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/3/0/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/3/0/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/3/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/3/0/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/3/0/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/3/0/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/3/0/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/3/0/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/3/0/tuning_mode=
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/3/0/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/3/0/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/3/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/3/0/video_crossbar_type=3
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/audio_capture_device_index=-1
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/audio_capture_device_name=
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/audio_capture_device_num=0
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/audio_processor=
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/broadcast_standard=ATSC
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/capture_config=102656
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/default_device_quality=DVD Standard Play
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/device_class=DirectShow
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/dshow_tv_type=QAM
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/encoder_merit=0
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/encoding_host=
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/last_cross_index=0
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/last_cross_type=100
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/live_audio_input=
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/never_stop_encoding=false
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/video_capture_device_name=AVerMedia BDA Analog Capture
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/video_capture_device_num=0
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/video_encoding_params=Fair
mmc/encoders/-2122796651/video_processor=

[kricker]

So all you really did was edit your properties file and add "dshow_tv_type=QAM" and create the file “QAM_FRQ_CACHE.ENABLE”. Then you were able to scan and find channels?

From what I see at this page http://www.aver.com/mpd/support/download/a180.html the driver you are using is for XP.

[splicer]

Can some one help me get SageTV to tune the clear QAM that I have been receiving through my Avermedia 180 card, I can watch the channels with the Avermedia app but can't get Sage to tune them.

I have done the following per the post above:

! after reading the notes with the 6.2.5 Beta realease !
I open my SageTV root Directory (Default: C:ProgramFiles\SageTV\SageTV)
Go to “File—New—Text Document”, then rename the new document;
“QAM_FRQ_CACHE.ENABLE”

What is a .ENABLE file and why are there not any other files of this type in that directory?

I have added "dshow_tv_type=QAM" to Sage.properties file

However after I add the Avermedia tuner and scan for available channels I get nothing.

Any help greatly appreciated,

Phil

[carlgar]

It enables special features of Sage usually at the request of Sage support. Make sure the file type is ENABLE not txt. I encountered this of issue today with another or ENABLE file.

[splicer]

carlgar,

Thanks for the reply but I typed the file just like it looks above it is a .ENABLE file not .txt

any other ideas why I can't tune the QAM channels?

[carlgar]

If you typed the name like above it could be a txt file if you have Hide extensions for known file types enabled in the folder options. You need to have that option disable to see the real file type shown. I think the instructions assume you have that option disabled.

[splicer]

Originally Posted by carlgar

If you typed the name like above it could be a txt file if you have Hide extensions for known file types enabled in the folder options. You need to have that option disable to see the real file type shown. I think the instructions assume you have that option disabled.

I double checked this and it is not a .txt file

Thanks

[splicer]

I got it working, now to remap the channels so the EPG works!

[mwhittaker1024]

Originally Posted by splicer

I got it working, now to remap the channels so the EPG works!

What did you do to get it to work?

I can't get it to work. I followed the steps but the scan for available channels came up empty. I tried it 4 different times.

I'm running 6.3.9

Thanks

Mark

[mwhittaker1024]

FYI...I also have a HDHomerun and I get the local HD channels.

EDIT: I installed the AverTV app and it displays the QAM channels. Removed the AverTV App and it still doesn't find any QAM channels.

[splicer]

mwhittaker,

Here is what did it for me:

1. add "dshow_tv_type=QAM" to your sage.properties file

2. add “QAM_FRQ_CACHE.ENABLE” to your program files/sage/sage directory.
I wasn't making this mistake but you may wan't to make sure that you follow this sugestion:If you typed the name like above it could be a txt file if you have Hide extensions for known file types enabled in the folder options. You need to have that option disable to see the real file type shown. I think the instructions assume you have that option disabled.

3. Go to http://http://www.aver.com/mpd/suppo...load/a180.html
and download the Vista 32bit drivers. I believe the XP drivers don't support QAM and the reason you can see the QAM channels with the Avermedia App is because the App supports QAM not the drivers so you need the Vista drivers they insalled and worked fine on my XP Pro install.

4. After you have done the above look in your sage.properties file and compare the encoder section as posted in the original post by zetronboy and look at this line "mmc/encoders/-2122796651/dshow_tv_type=QAM"
I had to add "QAM" to mine as mine read only "mmc/encoders/-2122796651/dshow_tv_type="

5. If you have tried scanning a few times in your original quest, you will need to delete the contents of these files from your program files/sage/sage directory "QAMScan-AVerMedia BDA Analog Capture-0.frq" and "AVerTVHD A180 Video Capture-9-ATSC.frq"

I followed these steps and could not aquire the QAM stations with Sage until I deleted the contents of the .frq files mentioned in step 5. I believe these files get generated on the initial scan and if left won't allow sage to scan properly again. So I would delete there contents after each unsucessful scan.

Hope this helps,
Phil

[zetronboy]

I posted the incorrect driver, sorry. I am using this one
http://www.aver.com/mpd/support/download/a180wb.html

Its listed as x32 Beta Driver for Windows Vista (Version 1.2.2.23) but it shows 3.5.0.37 when installed. It worked on XP pro.

[tawd1992]

Newegg has this card for $49.99 after a $10 mail in rebate with free shipping. This might be worth a try. I've had absolutely no luck at all with the HVR-1600.

[mwhittaker1024]

I tried the Vista drivers both splicer & zetronboy mentioned but neither one worked.

Is this something I can request support for?

Thanks for your help...

[zetronboy]

Originally Posted by mwhittaker1024

I tried the Vista drivers both splicer & zetronboy mentioned but neither one worked.
Is this something I can request support for?
Thanks for your help...

Did you shut down Sage before adding the QAM setting to the Sage.properties?
Have you tried deleting the Aver*.frq files and the tuner from sage and readding the source?
Does the Aver media center find any channels?
Do you have digital cable?
Did you choose Cable as the source type?
Do you have any other tuners installed?

[mwhittaker1024]

Originally Posted by zetronboy

Did you shut down Sage before adding the QAM setting to the Sage.properties?
Have you tried deleting the Aver*.frq files and the tuner from sage and readding the source?
Does the Aver media center find any channels?
Do you have digital cable?
Did you choose Cable as the source type?
Do you have any other tuners installed?

I completely shut down Sage before modifying Sage.properties. I deleted the Aver*.freq files. Aver media center found a bunch of QAM channels. I have digital cable and I chose Cable as the source type.

I had the following tuners installed when I tried to use the A180 for QAM:
1. HDHomerun - it finds QAM channels no problem
2. WinTV II - analog tuner

I uninstalled the A180 and installed a HVR-1600 which worked fine and found the same QAM channels as the HDHomerun.

Just tried to install the A180 again and still no go.

[thymceelie]

Do you have to use Vista to get the QAM working?

[kricker]

Originally Posted by thymceelie

Do you have to use Vista to get the QAM working?

Pretty much yes. I haven't heard back from Sage or Avermedia on any progress with QAM in XP. I have just given up on it.

EDIT
I just realized this was the A180 thread, and I was referring to the m780.

[zetronboy]

You may have some luck trying one of these possible fixes.
1) Replace the DShowCapture.dll file with the one linked to in this post.
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...362#post238362

2) Delete the sage.properties file (and the backup). I believe channel info is stored in this file and you can get a fresh start. Run through the setup wizard and add your digital tuner. Then close Sage and edit the .properties file to add the dshow_tv_type=QAM setting to the tuner you created. Then go back into Sage and run the channel scan.

Best of luck.

[cncb]

Originally Posted by mwhittaker1024

Just tried to install the A180 again and still no go.

Did you ever get this to work? I just wasted several frustrating hours with no luck. I made the changes to the .properties and tried both the Beta Vista driver that others here used successfully as well as the newest Vista driver. It never finds any channels in a scan. I then installed the newest AverTV app that comes with its own version of the drivers and the AverTV app finds and tunes the QAM channels perfectly! How irritating.

I do have XP MCE and dual A180s so I don't know if one of these could be the problem.