The unofficial Comhem Sweden thread

[SweMart]

Hi,

I've just made the switch from Boxer(DVB-T) to Comhem(DVB-C). What I've found is that there is a general lack of information about this provider so I'd though that I'd compile some of the stuff that I'd found so far in a single thread. Additions are most welcome, I'll try to keep the original post up to date as often as I can.

This thread could also serve as a general place to ask questions about Comhem+MediaPortal. Documentation about MediaPortal and usage within Sweden can also be found in the Wiki.

DVB-C cards known to work:

- FloppyDTV-C
- FireDTV-C
- TechnoTrend C-1500
- Twinhan CAB-CI
- Twinhan AD-CP300 (2033)
- Terratec Cinergy 1200 DVB-C

CAM modules:

Comhem are currently using Conax, this is tunneled via Viaccess. There are reports that Viacess CAMs still work.

Most people I've run into seem to prefer the Conax 4.00e CAM, this CAM can currently(2007-07-28) be bought from:
http://www.inwarehouse.se
http://www.dbdata.se

Tuning:

Comhem uses QAM64/6875, the default Mediaportal tuning file does seem to miss some frequencies. I've created my own .dvbc file that should be placed in the folder:
TVE2 - "Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal\TuningParameters"
TVE3 - "Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal TV Server\Tuningparameters"

Please note that I live in Stockholm so this file might need modifications if you live in other parts of the country. If this file is common for all of Sweden I will try to get it into SVN.

If you're living in the Gothenburg area your can try the file supplied by vuego.

It also seems to be quite common that the signal strength is low, this can be fixed by buying an antenna amplifier.

TVE3: You can manually scan the following frequency to find all transponders:
Frequency: 786000
Symbol Rate: 6875
Modulation: 256QAM

HDTV:

Comhem are currently broadcasting several HD channels, the problem is that they're utilizing Conax card pairing for all channels except "SVT HD" so you can't view them in Mediaportal. As I understand this pairing is different from the type used by Viasat(NDS/Videoguard) which is paired to a STB serial number, the Conax pairing is in some way linked to a chip in their "official" STB.

To view "SVT HD" you need to use the TV server(TVE3) and have a supported H.264 codec( for example PowerDVD 7.3, CoreAVC) installed.

From what I understand the pairing occurs as soon as you insert the card into one of their "official" STBs, doing this you can't use the card in a CAM module.

Recently Comhem has certified the builtin DVB-C receiver in the Sony Bravia LCD TVs. To be able to use your Sony LCD to view Comhem channels using a subscription you need a CAM module named SMiT. HDTV is still not possible using the Sony TVs. Maybe this will lead to a certified CAM module!

If you would like to view the HD channels using your HTPC please sign the following petition:
http://www.namninsamling.se/index.php?sida=2&nid=1305

TV&Radio logos:

You can download them here:
http://forum.team-mediaportal.com/sw...007-t8571.html

MDAPI, SmartWI, Season etc:

Even though cardsharing is still legal for personal use within your own household using a legal subscription in Sweden it's not aIllowed to discuss such things in the MediaPortal forums. Good places to ask questions about such things are:
http://www.comhit.net
http://dvbn.happysat.org/

Please note that there is a pending bill for making any type of these activities illegal, so it may become illegal in the near future. An article regarding the legal issues in Sweden can be found here:
http://www.idg.se/2.1085/1.105106
http://www.idg.se/2.1085/1.72721?201...3&nolimit=true

More on the subject from the government:
http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/108/a/81037

Please contribute to this thread or the swedish wiki!

Cheers,
Martin

[accolon]

If you do a manual scan at 786000 6875000 256QAM you the scanner will by itself find all transponders of comhem!

[SweMart]

Originally Posted by accolon

If you do a manual scan at 786000 6875000 256QAM you the scanner will by itself find all transponders of comhem!

Is this tip for TVE2 or TVE3?

[accolon]

I have only tested it in TVE3

[dhanjel]

Another thing (probably not related to comhem): SVT HD and the other 720p channels can only be found with TVE3.

[vuego]

Good initiative SweMart. I wish there were a official Comhem thread. Would be nice it Comhem cared a little more about us HTPC users

You can add Terratec Cinergy 1200 DVB-C to the list of supported cards.

I'll attach a TuningParametes file for Göteborg and a list of frequencies/channels (for Göteborg).

[SweMart]

Originally Posted by vuego

Good initiative SweMart. I wish there were a official Comhem thread. Would be nice it Comhem cared a little more about us HTPC users

You can add Terratec Cinergy 1200 DVB-C to the list of supported cards.

I'll attach a TuningParametes file for Göteborg and a list of frequencies/channels (for Göteborg).

Thanks! Added..

[KingHippo]

Is any of the cards better then the others? Except FireDTV, they seem to cost about 900 SEK. I'm planning to go without a CI so the FireDTV seems a bit overkill.

[SweMart]

Originally Posted by KingHippo

Is any of the cards better then the others? Except FireDTV, they seem to cost about 900 SEK. I'm planning to go without a CI so the FireDTV seems a bit overkill.

My experiences with Techno-Trend C-1500 are very good, never had a problem with it so far. Bought it from dvbshop.net, something like 820SEK incl over night DHL shipping. I think it actually has the same tuner chip as the Fire/FloppyDTV, both tuners are from Philips anyways.

[peep]

Thanks SweMart for your last post. Been wondering wether to buy a FloppyDTV of two TT C-1500HD's (since that would be about the same in price, but I'd get two tunders if I go with the TT cards). If only I could figure out how I'd solve the CI issue..