HVR-1800 - Comast / Digital / QAm Issues

[mja311]

I have a HVR-1800 and am currently using Comcast (Scranton, PA). When using the WinTV application I am unable to find any digital stations. After reading through a few topics on this forum, I see that there are people out there who are currently using the WinTV application with Comcast & get digital stations successfully.


I contacted the Happauge Tech Support team and was told,

"We’re currently analyzing the Comcast stream to figure out why this problem is happening. At this point there is no really solution to getting Comcast digital QAm channels.  We have an updated channel manager. Try loading this version of the software. "

I was told to download the cd_4.2.zip drivers. I followed all the instructions to clear out the old software/drivers and reinstall and then tried both cable and cable(hrc) scans but I am still having the same issues after all of this; no digital, only analog. I want to eventually be able to get clear QAm channels in MCE but I would be happy with finding anything even in the WinTV application.

How many people out there have Comcast working for clear QAm / digital?


Any sugesstions to help me?

[steveken]

I do, but it wasn't an easy task.  WinTV is garbage when it comes to ClearQAM.  Don't use it.  Go to www.gb-pvr.com and get the latest release of that.  It will scan very well and let you assign what you want to receive.  It is a great, FREE application that you will enjoy.  You might have a tiny bit of trouble if you are not familiar with your equipment and how it works, but you should be able to figure it out with a little trial and error.  Trust me, FORGET WinTV!!!!

[mja311]

Well, I already had my card RMA'd by Happauge. I guess I will try this program out in a week or two when I get a card back. I will make sure to respond to this.

[mikevds]

I have a HVR-1800 and am currently using Comcast (Scranton, PA). When using the WinTV application I am unable to find any digital stations. After reading through a few topics on this forum, I see that there are people out there who are currently using the WinTV application with Comcast & get digital stations successfully.

How many people out there have Comcast working for clear QAm / digital?


Any sugesstions to help me?

I have Comcast in Oregon. If the screen you posted is where you are trying to aquire the QAM channels,
it won't work. You need to go to the "Sources" tab, then highlight "Clear QAM Source" and do a "Auto Scan".
If you have your OTA antenna or Cable hooked up to the ATSC/QAM plug, it will detect the channels your
carrier is sending out.

[mja311]

Thanks for the help. Unfortunately I tried that way also. No go.

I wonder why some people have success and others don't. I got my card back from Hauppauge put it back in the computer cleared off all old drivers and re-installed but I am having the same issue. I wonder if it could just be the signal in my area? I am located in Northeastern Pennsylvania.


Any other suggestion(s) would be great.

[steveken]

I don't think you have the newest version of the WinTV software.  I do not see the box that your picture has where it says "Cable (HRC)" in it.  Are you sure you clicked on the separate link to download WinTV6??  That could make all the difference in the world.  Also, your QAM channels are most likely going to be higher up in the channel range than just 19 as your picture shows.

Also, you most likely should be getting Hauppauge on the phone to get them to work with you on this.  Its most likely not something that we can just talk you through without having a better insight into your setup and what you are doing.  I mean, you don't seem to provide a great deal of information here. 

And its not likely at all that your particular flavor of Comcast won't have ClearQAM because it is law that says that cable systems with digital cable must carry the local channels in ClearQAM so people without boxes can still receive it.  The cannot require you to pay extra for a box to get local channels.  This is in protecting people so they can still get the news and what not without being charged extra.

[mja311]

Actually I think it is one of the newest versions. It was actually e-mailed to me by tech support. If I do an auto-scan, it should go all the way up to the QAm channels correct?


That is showing channel 19 because that just so happened to be when I took the screen-shot. I let auto-scan go complete on both cable and cable (HRC) mode.

I am glad to hear feedback from people who are actually having success with Comcast.



Here is an excerpt of the e-mail from tech support:

"
We’re currently analyzing the Comcast stream to figure out why this problem is happening. At this point there is no really solution to getting Comcast digital QAm channels.  We have an updated channel manager. Try loading this version of the software.

Download/extract the latest cd from this link http://hauppauge.lightpath.net/software/install_cd/cd_4.2.zip
1.   run hcwclear, check the 5th option (search all…)
a.   click ok
b.   click yes and wait for the black window to disappear, after its gone reboot your computer.
2.   Upon rebooting the found new hardware wizard will come up, cancel it.
3.   Locate/run the file called hcwdriverinstall from your download
4.   After its done if it asks you to reboot go ahead.(if you are using media center then you can proceed with going to set up the tuner from here)
5.    If you want/need to install wintv locate the PVR folder in the download and run the file called hcw_chandb.exe and proceed through the install
6.   Locate the folder called SMD and run the file called hcwsmd07 and proceed through that install.
7.   Finally run wintv6.exe from the Wintv2K folder to install the app and try your wintv again.
You should be able to scan under QAM HRC in the suite manager. Under the scan section highlight Clear QAM source and scan under both cable and cable HRC modes.
"

[steveken]

Tell ya what, quit screwing with WinTV and try a real QAM capable program.  Do a search and you should find a couple.  GB-PVR does an EXCELLENT job for me, but others don't seem to understand how to get it to work.  It is really easy to use.  Just a little figuring out how to do the setup and getting a lineup, but after that, its a dream.  If you need me to, I can offer some help getting that to work.  Maybe PM me or something to figure out stuff.  I might want something as payback in return, though.  I generally end up getting taken advantage of if I don't.  :)

[steveken]

I am half tempted to try that 4.2 stuff.  I am running the 3.4d stuff that has been up on their site forever.  I don't really know if I should though since everything works for me like it should.  I would hate to screw it up, ya know?

[mikevds]

Actually I think it is one of the newest versions. It was actually e-mailed to me by tech support. If I do an auto-scan, it should go all the way up to the QAm channels correct?

Download/extract the latest cd from this link http://hauppauge.lightpath.net/software/install_cd/cd_4.2.zip

Well, unless they number their versions backwards, the one I'm running is cd_4.6a.zip.
http://www.hauppauge.com/site/support/support_hvr1800.html

...and yes, if it's really scanning your ATSC input and not just the Analog input, it should eventually run up to the
higher QAM channels. If you do get it working, I hope it's not a let down for you. All the QAM channels I get are
great quality, but really junky channels like QVC and Public access ones.  :(

[SHS]

The latest ver will be 4.8 and I hope to start upload that in the next days so keep eye for it under WinTV Hybrid CD
Yup mikevds that is one biggest problem some poeple do not unstand that they need go to the Channel Manager under Sources tab and manual do a autoscan for ClearQAM channel

[mja311]

mikevds,

You are right. I guess 4.2 is not the newest, I just assumed it was a beta because that was what tech support was sending me. I have done the auto-scan and a separate scan under the Sources tab with Clear QAM Source selected. No difference, I can't get any QAM channels.

steveken,

Thanks for the offer. GB-PVR is a PITA for sure to setup but I was able to and I have not had any luck with that either.

I'm wondering if there are no Clear QAM signals transmitted in my area. I have tried to contact Comcast but I can never seem to get someone who is competent on the subject.

SHS,

I am downloading ver 4.8 now. If it makes any difference for me I will be sure to make a post here.


One other question for everyone out there. When I try to us Vista MCE and search for channels manually under digital, it shows me the stations but says there is no signal for any of them. Does this happen to other people also or does MCE work?

[steveken]

you should not be able to get QAM to work at all in Media Center unless you have installed the now very old beta clearQAM software that SHS put up a long time ago.  ( wish they would update it, but not holding my breath).  If you did install that, it could be part of the problem.  Anyway, you really should hop over to AVS forum for your city and ask about this stuff there to people who actually might know.

[mja311]

Well SHS,

I would like to think it is your software but it could be your uninstall instructions.

It works!

Thanks everyone for your helpful advice

[steveken]

Well SHS,

I would like to think it is your software but it could be your uninstall instructions.

It works!

Thanks everyone for your helpful advice

Notice in your picture how it has multiple qam-1's and -2's and so on?  THAT is going to cause you problems.  WinTV sucks in this respect very hard.  You need to write down each channel number that it finds these qam-'s on and then manually, one at a time go to each channel, let it find the clear stuff, then go to the Channels tab and assign a unique name to each one.  If you do not, it will assign the last frequency it found to EVERY qam- that is the same number (i.e. every qam-1 will be the last qam-1 found and etc.).  They do not have it done right and only going through one channel at a time and assigning unique names to them will fix this issue where you can actually have every channel.  I found this out the hard way.  Now I am sharing this knowledge with you.