HVR-1800 - Comast / Digital / QAm Issues

[feniks]

OK, so far I have only 2 explanations and 1 concern hehe

1. Meadowlands Comcast in New Jersey is encrypting almost all digital channels (even those supposed to be free clear QAM I guess). all i can get is JewelryTV and ShopNBC... is it legal to do so? Comcast is evil.

2. There is no way to install MCE remote under XP x64, however I found driver for XP 32-bit and some people say Vista x64 recognizes device automatically. Since I have multi-boot system (all of above) I may keep it and use remote under Vista x64 probably... but that's not the point since XP x64 is my primary system. This is huge downside of this product.

3. I still want to watch analog TV until it dies, because i miss my SCI FI channel (and about 30 others), well for this purpose I have to use external splitter which is another downside.

I may really go towards HVR-2250 which has:
a) internal splitter (1 plug for both analog/digital TV) - no need to mess around with external splitting cables
b) connector for analog IR remote (could use my old one I guess)

On the end wanted to say thank you for all that tried to help me out, but this card is no real fun under XP x64.

[steveken]

1.  I sub to analog only as well.  ClearQAM content put out by Comcrap is always the local channels and sometimes a couple others that you don't want (unless you love PBS-HD like I do which my Comcrap includes in clearQAM), so you should be able to get at least those.  Sometimes they put filters on your line to block out the freq's where the clearQAM locals are, so you may have to go out and remove those. 

2.  You are more than likely not searching in the right area.  ALL of my local stuff is below 100, not at and above like you are doing.  Scan through it again with WinTV and write down any channel numbers that have content detected on it, then go back and delete it all and do only those channels ONE at a time, renaming after you find them.

3.  Analog cable is probably not going to die for a VERY long time as there are a hell of a lot of people out there who use it and don't want digital.  Don't worry about losing it.  For clearQAM to work right, you really should have a feed into the Digital side of the card that is as free of splitting as possible.  It really doesn't like to lose signal quality when doing it.

This card works wonderfully IF you have Media Center Edition of XP or a Vista version that includes MCE.

[feniks]

OK man. I decided to swallow the bullet. I am staying with this card as i am to lazy to send it back then buy new one, waste more time and so on...

I can live without remote, won't be that fun anymore, but hell this card works fine under my Xp x64 (except for a remote of course). did't have time to test it with Vista x64 (it crashed anyways haha).
Well in future I will probably have to switch to Vista x64 anyways, just waiting for vista support of a few more apps I need to use and atm  they run on 2000/XP only.

As for clear QAM it's possible that I messed up something, but I wrote down all channel numbers that were picked up (many times same channels of course)... may need to check out on some website what other people are getting via comcast in my area though...perhaps evil comcast filtered me out of some flavors... also perhaps it's wintv fault? should i try GB-PVR or sagetv?
As for me removing filter, eeer not possible I guess as I live in apartment block not a self standing house.

I hope analog stays alive after Feb '09  as it's much easier to set up than this QAM digital bull shit. besides, now I pay $13 for analog TV and get almost all I need (rarely watching TV anyways), but for same channel lineup with Digital (STB) I would have to pay $100/mo... who invented this?

[SHS]

QAM digital bull shit

The problem with cable company
How ever you should have local channel at most any where from 1 to much 10.
Analog cable need be shut off in Feb, 2012 unlike AIR way which Feb, 2009
How ever min cable company are goimg shut them off in 2009 some will not and some are all ready slowly adopting to new cable system know as SDV "Switched Digital Video" unlike traditional video delivery system, the cable company combines all channels into one data stream, even if no one is watching most of them.
There is no such thing as a digital filters and far I know analog filters shouldn't block the digital side.
Thoses call "digital descramblers/filters". They are NOTHING MORE THAN A LOW/HIGH PASS FILTER! They do not work! and Don't waste your money BS.
See any one in your apt bulding has TV that has Tuner that has QAM Support.

[feniks]

hey steve,

thanks for info! glad analog tv stays until 2011.

i'm still digging through google and other forums and found something else. this had to be shitty wintv issue.
because when i manually entered channels (not picked up by wintv) like 89,94,99 I found new channels (working).

I'm gonna try GB-PVR to see if it can help me with some normal scanning of QAM.

[steveken]

There is no such thing as a digital filters and far I know analog filters shouldn't block the digital side.

The filters I am talking about used around here are the ones used for customers that only get limited basic cable.  They block out like the ESPN's and all channels above 35 around here if you don't pay for the more expensive cable.  The frequencies associate with the above 35 channels just so happen to be in the range that they use to send out the QAM'd channels, so they get filtered out.  They are just little barrel filters that go in-line.

[steveken]

I'm gonna try GB-PVR to see if it can help me with some normal scanning of QAM.

It will help immensly because you will start seeing the list populate with a LOT of channels.  Most will be black or not do anything at all, but when you get to the clearQAM channels, you will be able to see it in the preview box.  You will have to go through a hell of a lot to find them, so go kinda slow letting it sit on each freq for a couple of seconds, but then when you do find them, its worth it. 

Around here if someone is watching a ppv, you will be able to see it as well.  I also get 4 clearQAM channels that are dedicated movie trailer channels that show the same exact old trailers all the fricken time.  Talk about a waste of bandwidth!!  Then there is Discovery Health in the clear, plus NBA sales pitch channel with no sound.

Anyway, also around here, the local channels are labeled with the right names.  For instance, for KARK it's listed as "5.1 KARK" in the list of found channels.  That makes it soooooo much easier to find the right ones.  Of course, this isn't done on ALL of the locals, but its still easy enough to find them.  I am willing to bet you will find all your locals plus PBS-HD (assuming your Comcrap carries it, check their digital offerings) which you will find absolutely stunning!

[feniks]

yup, i seen that info on filters before.

don't know if they use it on my end somewhere, but anyways it would be kept inaccessible to the tenants.
only solution would be to call them and ask if they can remove it so I can get access to all free QAM channels as they are obligated by law to provide me such access even if I use analog TV only, right?

First I need to use a better software to scan QAM again and see what happens. If I don't catch anything between 30-70 channel then it would point to a filter installed on my end. But on the other hand i got channels in that range on analog scan... not sure if it means anything...

i'm still digging through google and other forums and found something else. this had to be shitty wintv issue.
because when i manually entered channels (not picked up by wintv) like 89,94,99 I found new channels (working).

those channels were not picked up by wintv in auto-scan but can be tuned manually.

i'm so ready to use GB-PVR that I already downloaded all needed stuff for it (GB-PVR 1.2.13, vcredist x64, framework 2.0 x64), will be playing around with it after work.

thanks man for so much info! i find it very useful!

[SHS]

There is no such thing as a digital filters and far I know analog filters shouldn't block the digital side.

The filters I am talking about used around here are the ones used for customers that only get limited basic cable.  They block out like the ESPN's and all channels above 35 around here if you don't pay for the more expensive cable.  The frequencies associate with the above 35 channels just so happen to be in the range that they use to send out the QAM'd channels, so they get filtered out. They are just little barrel filters that go in-line.

Yes if only had analog basic cable it usely a 15 to 35 depend on cable company which usely install a analog filters but as I said that shouldn't block QAM thoses Digital channels are often numbered starting at 100 and up, but these are virtual channel numbers and do not correspond to used frequencies.
Why do think min cable company want to go all Digital there be no need for filters with encryption channel and one other reason why there changing there system to SDV "Switched Digital Video" becuases ClearQAM Tuner do not work with it.

[steveken]

First I need to use a better software to scan QAM again and see what happens. If I don't catch anything between 30-70 channel then it would point to a filter installed on my end. But on the other hand i got channels in that range on analog scan... not sure if it means anything...

They may be even higher than 70.  Just depends on where your version of Comcrap puts them.

SHS, I understand what you are saying.  the used frequencies will vary location to location.  They will still be within the normal frequency band of approximately 35 to 55, however.  Again, this all varies from provider to provider. 

Cable companies cannot go to something that prevents ClearQAM tuners from working with it.  As Feniks pointed out, they are required by FCC regulations to provide local channels via ClearQAM.  They cannot lawfully block something deemed to remain open by the governing bodies.

[SHS]

FCC regulations to provide local channels via ClearQAM

Yes that rigth and usely there only a few channel as in local only
You know what in the last 7 years I don't even watch my the local channel any more there is just to much carp, boring as hell trash show it an't funny heck even PBS has better show.

They may be even higher than 70

The Tuner can scan up to 135 max channel and any sub channel

[steveken]

Yes that rigth and usely there only a few channel as in local only

Thats my whole point, he can get all the local channels via clearQAM and would probably be happy.  Most people want the locals because of the network shows in HD.  Plus, there is sports in HD that you can get with clearQAM.  I don't know anyone that can get any of the other channels (well, ones they want anyway) in clearQAM.  I am happy with what I get and I am sure he will be too.

[feniks]

guys, that's incredible what GB-PVR can do. I got LOTS OF digital (unencrypted) channels, so far I did not come across HD yet, but i found to have most of what i used to have on analog (still looking for a few, might be in encrypted band though)...

So, I cannot be filtered out in any way cause I got PLENTY of channel on digital input with GB-PVR, while WinTV found only a few (2 working, non-HD anyways)...

Steve thanks for PM's, I read them thanks for suggestions.

My only concern is manual mapping of those channels... one by one
So  there is no other way but:
a) watching preview to figure out what it is
b) checking tvguide.com to match the channel name with number
c) assigning manually this digital channel to the channel number in PVR

Does zap2xml make it easier? giving names of channels perhaps (i got 99% as "unknown") or assigning them by some digital ID to channel numbers automatically? *sigh* it's gonna take me some time now.

Thanks guys.

EDIT:
signal source - Comcast of Meadowlands - Lyndhurst, NJ
Digital input (QAM tuner) on Hauppauge HVR-1800 (no analog connected, no STB)
24.1 abc
24.1 AC3 abc (spanish)
24.5 eyewitness news abc 7
24.6 universal sports - REMOVED from mapping
46.6 tbs
46.9 the weather channel
69.6 msnbc
78.2 NJN (now gone)
76.4 C-SPAN
77.3 NJN ??? (AC3) - REMOVED from mapping
80.1 c-span ac3
80.5 AC3 CNN
80.6 AC3 - CNN HN
80.9 AC3 some shopping
80.11 AC3 Discovery Health
80.2 c-span again
88.1 style? some models on a catwalk
88.3 wliw21
88.7 triangle logo (spanish language anyway)
88.8 ion
88.10 spanish
88.9 WGN
2.1 CBS HD
13.1 WNET-HD
13.2 WNET-VM (spanish)
13.3 WNET-SD (cartoons)
100.8 jewelry TV (shopping BS)
102.12 TV Guide
103.5 Top Value (shopping BS)
104.6 FOX 5
104.7 My 9 AC3
104.12 CN8
104.1 CBS again
104.2 abc again
104.3 Comedy Central? don't know yet
104.4 thirteen
104.5 CW11
104.11 espn
104.9 espn2 ?
104.10 NJN again
107.13 strange language
108.5 shopping BS
9.1 WWOR-HD
5.1 WNYW-DT / FOX 5 (re-formatted screen)
11.1 The CW11 (re-formatted screen)

i omitted a few BS channels in this listing, omitted also some foreign language channels, preview channels (split screen), etc..

some AC3 have no audio. also i would prefer AC3 because it would make use of my 5.1 speaker setup thus making surround audio effect.
some ac3 as advised by steve contain different audio (descriptive for blind viewer? or different language (e.g. spanish)
funny thing is that AC3 actually sound only on middle speaker (no satellites, no subwoofer), so perhaps I should update my AC3 codec as it is not working right (or GB-PVR fails here)...

funny that i didn't pickup PBS nor i found NYC TV (both local) and SciFi HD has to be encrypted obviously.
still, not bad hehe.

[SHS]

My only concern is manual mapping of those channels... one by one
So  there is no other way but:
a) watching preview to figure out what it is
b) checking tvguide.com to match the channel name with number
c) assigning manually this digital channel to the channel number in PVR

Yup that pettey much what you have to do even in SageTV and BeyondTV rigth now there no official OpenQAM TV guide

[feniks]

OK, at least i know that my hard work on mapping those channels wasn't a dummy task hehe.

thanks!


EDIT:
comcast users can navigate to this website:
http://tvplanner.comcast.com

to get best channel lineup (channel name, number / station name, etc.)

As for my channel listing picked up earlier, I actually have PBS, just misinterpreted is as "thirteen" and "NJN again", seems like this station is broadcasting several channels. sad i got no SCiFi HD... bastards in comcast keep in encrypted...