Scrambled Channels

[pr0pel]

Long time user here but just moved to NYC and am having some problems. When I was in PA on Adelphia, I never had this problem but since moving to TW NYC, most of my channels are scrambled and the channels are all jumbled up. For example, 6 should be Nick, but it is not. That doesn't really concern me but the scrambled channels do. I searched the forum and checked the Tech FAQ but I can't find any solution. My zip is 11105 but in the setup, the only thing related to TW is Brooklyn, not Queens. Shouldn't make a difference but I tried all 3 Brooklyn options and all result with the same problem.

SageTV 2.1, Hauppauge 250, Asus PC-DL Mobo.

I even uninstalled the card and reinstalled with the latest drivers from the Hauppauge web site.

Any help would be appreciated.

[falchulk]

Do you mean the video is scrambled? Or just that the channels are out of order. It sounds like you are saying both are happening correct?

[Opus4]

Are the channels scrambled because the wrong ones are being accessed? i.e if channel 45 is actually scrambled HBO, but your EPG says it is unscrambled FAM... then accessing FAM will look like it is scrambled. It sounds like you may have the wrong provider selected, since the channels are jumbled, as you put it.

- Andy

[pr0pel]

Well, the first problem is that the channels are out of order. Channel 1 should be NY1 for example, but it is home shopping network/shopnbc, one of those.. don't remember (unscrambled). 10 should be CNN, but it is coming up with some spanish channel (unscrambled) 6 should be Nick but is coming up with a scrambled channel which I can't tell what it is. I know it is not Nick since on my set to box from TW, it is not the same voice coming out of the channel. This isn't a big deal as I can renumber them but I'm assuming it may be due to the Brooklyn listings Zap2it is giving me, instead of Queens.

Second, most of the basic cable channels are being scrambled, I can't seem to find CNN, MTV, Discover, History...... I can view the "lame" channels fine though, like the shopping channels, and I believe the public service channels. I can hear audio through the scrambled channels, just can't see the video.

[Steve525]

What happens when you plug the antenna directly into a cable ready TV?

I think I read somewhere that at least one of the cable providers in Manhattan was scrambling everything but the most basic cable stations. You may be out of luck (to put it nicely), without a cable box.

[TVWatcher]

Looks like you're going to have to do some Remapping work with the EPG channel line-up. Assuming that your using the standard menu layout (although you should be able to find this in any of the "customized" STVs) look for the Channel Setup option. Select the capture card that you're currently using, and start remapping. I had to do something similar as well, (e.g. Find Nick in the channel lineup, select the Remap button and change it to 6.) If there's a channel that is scrambled and is a part of the lineup simple click the green dot to disable it from the lineup. Once you're done, save the changes and enjoy.

[falchulk]

Yeah, you would have to use a box and a blaster.

[pr0pel]

Well, the coax is going directly to the 250, with nothing in the way. I'm guessing I'd have to get a box How would I go about getting an IR blaster? I don't remember if the 250 came with one. Guess I'll head to eBay for a cheap box. Shouldn't the 250 have the capabilities to 'unscramble' the channels since it's technically supposed to act like a cable box?

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by pr0pel

Shouldn't the 250 have the capabilities to 'unscramble' the channels since it's technically supposed to act like a cable box?

No, the 250 has a cable-ready tuner, just like a TV would have a cable-ready tuner. To descramble channels, the 250 needs an external converter box, just like your TV would. If your TV can receive the channels correctly, your 250 should be able to also. Are those channels scrambled on the TV?

- Andy

[pr0pel]

I'll double check when I get home. Assuming it does not and I would need a blaster, from reading the forums, I'd have to get the USB-UIRT. Can anyone recommend a good, cheap converter box?