Blackgold BGT3500 Dual DVB-T

[logsvp]

I have previously successfully installed a Blackgold BGT3540 6-1 tuner in my WHS (HTPC) which has 2 x DVB-T (terrestrial UK) and 2 x DVB-S (Freesat UK) tuners. I access SageTV from a client PC and HD100/HD200 extenders.

I have been having problems with my Nova T-500 cards (BSODs occurring on an irregular basis) so decided to remove them and try a BGT3500. However, I am having problem with this card that is a bit odd. SageTV sees the card and I can install the source OK - The source is seen as a '7164 BDA Analog Capture Digital Tuner'. For reference the tuner on the BGT3540 is seen as a '7162 BDA Analog Capture Digital Tuner'. So the tuner is added OK and setup exactly as for the BGT3540 card but I get no picture. I have checked the .FRQ file and it is a direct copy of the existing BGT3540 tuner .FRQ file. When I look in the recording directory I see the file being recorded but stuck on 0 MB.

I also use DVBViewer (satellite is via LMGestion's DVBViewer network encoder). When I test the BGT3500's tuner out in DVBViewer it works fine - i.e. all digital channels are detected on the 6 muxes, OTA program info is retrieved and I can see a picture so the card seems to work OK.

What I am not sure about is whether this is a feature of SageTV i.e there is something about this card that isn't supported or I have setup something incorrectly.

I am running the latest beta version of SageTV (WHS, Client & Extenders) and also SageMC Latest pre-release build.

I would be interested to know if anyone else has this card working and/or any suggestions to get it working

The relevant encoders section of the properties file is listed below (in case it helps with resolving the problem ):

# [SNIP start of file)

mmc/always_tune_channel=true
mmc/country=United Kingdom
mmc/country_code=44
mmc/disable_qam_epg_data_scanning=true
mmc/dshow_cap_dev_categories={65E8773D-8F56-11D0-A3B9-00A0C9223196},{FD0A5AF4-B41D-11d2-9C95-00C04F7971E0},{71985F48-1CA1-11d3-9CC8-00C04F7971E0}
mmc/dvbt_region=South of England@Heathfield North
mmc/enable_mpeg4_timeshifting=true
mmc/enable_software_encoding=true

### BGT3540 Tuner (works OK)

mmc/encoders/-1951062175/1/0/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/1/0/brightness=128
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/1/0/contrast=128
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/1/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/1/0/hue=128
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/1/0/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/1/0/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/1/0/saturation=128
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/1/0/sharpness=136
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/1/0/tuning_mode=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/1/0/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/1/0/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/1/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/1/0/video_crossbar_type=1
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/100/0/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/100/0/brightness=0
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/100/0/contrast=0
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/100/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/100/0/encode_digital_tv_as_program_stream=true
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/100/0/hue=0
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/100/0/last_channel=3
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/100/0/provider_id=1
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/100/0/saturation=0
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/100/0/sharpness=0
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/100/0/tuning_mode=Air
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/100/0/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/100/0/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/100/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/100/0/video_crossbar_type=100
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/3/0/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/3/0/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/3/0/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/3/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/3/0/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/3/0/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/3/0/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/3/0/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/3/0/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/3/0/tuning_mode=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/3/0/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/3/0/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/3/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/3/0/video_crossbar_type=3
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/99/0/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/99/0/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/99/0/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/99/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/99/0/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/99/0/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/99/0/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/99/0/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/99/0/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/99/0/tuning_mode=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/99/0/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/99/0/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/99/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/99/0/video_crossbar_type=99
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/audio_capture_device_index=-1
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/audio_capture_device_name=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/audio_capture_device_num=0
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/audio_processor=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/broadcast_standard=DVB-T
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/capture_config=34816
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/default_device_quality=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/delay_to_wait_after_tuning=0
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/device_class=DirectShow
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/dshow_tv_type=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/encoder_merit=20
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/encoding_host=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/forced_video_storage_path_prefix=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/last_cross_index=0
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/last_cross_type=100
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/live_audio_input=
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/never_stop_encoding=false
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/video_capture_device_name=7162 BDA Analog Capture
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/video_capture_device_num=0
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/video_encoding_params=Great
mmc/encoders/-1951062175/video_processor=


### BGT3500 Tuner (Doesn't work)

mmc/encoders/-2106245104/1/0/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/1/0/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/1/0/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/1/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/1/0/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/1/0/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/1/0/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/1/0/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/1/0/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/1/0/tuning_mode=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/1/0/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/1/0/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/1/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/1/0/video_crossbar_type=1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/100/0/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/100/0/brightness=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/100/0/contrast=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/100/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/100/0/encode_digital_tv_as_program_stream=true
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/100/0/hue=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/100/0/last_channel=21
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/100/0/provider_id=1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/100/0/saturation=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/100/0/sharpness=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/100/0/tuning_mode=Air
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/100/0/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/100/0/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/100/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/100/0/video_crossbar_type=100
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/0/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/0/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/0/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/0/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/0/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/0/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/0/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/0/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/0/tuning_mode=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/0/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/0/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/0/video_crossbar_type=2
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/1/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/1/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/1/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/1/device_name=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/1/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/1/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/1/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/1/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/1/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/1/tuning_mode=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/1/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/1/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/1/video_crossbar_index=1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/1/video_crossbar_type=2
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/2/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/2/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/2/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/2/device_name=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/2/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/2/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/2/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/2/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/2/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/2/tuning_mode=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/2/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/2/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/2/video_crossbar_index=2
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/2/video_crossbar_type=2
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/3/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/3/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/3/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/3/device_name=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/3/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/3/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/3/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/3/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/3/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/3/tuning_mode=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/3/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/3/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/3/video_crossbar_index=3
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/2/3/video_crossbar_type=2
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/3/0/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/3/0/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/3/0/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/3/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/3/0/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/3/0/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/3/0/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/3/0/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/3/0/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/3/0/tuning_mode=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/3/0/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/3/0/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/3/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/3/0/video_crossbar_type=3
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/99/0/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/99/0/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/99/0/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/99/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/99/0/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/99/0/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/99/0/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/99/0/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/99/0/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/99/0/tuning_mode=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/99/0/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/99/0/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/99/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/99/0/video_crossbar_type=99
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/audio_capture_device_index=-1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/audio_capture_device_name=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/audio_capture_device_num=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/audio_processor=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/broadcast_standard=DVB-T
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/capture_config=102656
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/default_device_quality=Fair
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/delay_to_wait_after_tuning=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/device_class=DirectShow
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/dshow_tv_type=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/encoder_merit=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/encoding_host=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/forced_video_storage_path_prefix=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/last_cross_index=0
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/last_cross_type=100
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/live_audio_input=
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/never_stop_encoding=false
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/video_capture_device_name=7164 BDA Analog Capture
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/video_capture_device_num=1
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/video_encoding_params=Fair
mmc/encoders/-2106245104/video_processor=

# [SNIP remaining encoders]

mmc/feature_mask_disable=0
mmc/ignore_encoders=Realtek HD Digital input|NVIDIA DualTV YUV Capture|7162 BDA Audio Capture|NVIDIA DualTV YUV Capture 2|7164 BDA Audio Capture|
mmc/last_encoder_name=7164 BDA Analog Capture \#2
mmc/net_encoding_connection_timeout=2000
mmc/net_encoding_timeout=15000
mmc/pentium_4_fix=false
mmc/remove_non_numeric_characters_from_channel_change_strings=false
mmc/retain_lineups_for_lost_devices=true
mmc/set_crossbar_redundantly=false
mmc/video_format_code=8

# [SNIP]

[logsvp]

Replying to my own thread

I have now got my BGT3500 working

The problem turned out to be some sort of IRQ conflict with the on-board Realtek network adapters. My extenders started running slowly and after a bit of detective work I realised that the BGT3500 was on the same IRQ as being used by the network adapter that was servicing the extenders. I swapped the card into another spare slot (it now has its own IRQ) and it is all working OK.