Consistent Problems Tuning Secondary OTA Channels

[Savage1701]

I've posted this before, but hopefully someone may have some insights.

We like to record some of the oldies shows on Me TV and Antenna TV. These are typically shown on the -2 or -3 secondary channels of the major network's channels.

Many of the tuners I have, be they USB or PCI or PCI-Express, have difficulty tuning them on a consistent basis. And when they do, it can take them a long time to "lock on" to the channel and show it, perhaps up to 5X or longer to tune the secondary channels vs. the primary -1 channel. Frequently I get playback exception errors as well.

Anyone have this? Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[waynedunham]

What kind of signal levels are you getting on those channels? What source are you using (OTA, Cable?).

I have multiple HD HomeRuns and record a lot of the old stuff on Antenna TV (Local NBC sub-channel 2 if I recall). That channel works fine for me, but I do have one other channel which won't lock on one of my HD HomeRun Primes. The signal strength is just a tad too low so it has a ton of skips, pauses, and audio dropouts if try to record that channel on that HDHR.
I find that signal strength has to be 90%+ for really good reliable recordings.

[Savage1701]

Good questions - forgot to post that part - my signal is pegged at 98-100%. These are antenna-tuned, OTA. Not cable. Tuning to Hauppauge cards/usb sticks. I know if the levels dip that can be bad, but I can't even get the initial tune-in. Also problems with "playback exception errors" which I have posted into here before.

Thanks for any help.

[PiX64]

Originally Posted by Savage1701

Good questions - forgot to post that part - my signal is pegged at 98-100%. These are antenna-tuned, OTA. Not cable. Tuning to Hauppauge cards/usb sticks. I know if the levels dip that can be bad, but I can't even get the initial tune-in. Also problems with "playback exception errors" which I have posted into here before.

Thanks for any help.

what is your symbol quality?

[Savage1701]

"Symbol quality"?

Not sure I understand your question.

If you mean signal quality, I am pegging near 100%.

[Tiki]

Originally Posted by Savage1701

"Symbol quality"?

Not sure I understand your question.

If you mean signal quality, I am pegging near 100%.

Digital tuners (like the HD Homerun) typically report both a "signal quality" and a "symbol quality". Both numbers need to be "good" to get a good recording.