Aternative to WinDVR, plus no TV (1 Viewer)

[Dukenukemx]

I installed MediaPortal 1.1.1, as an upgrade from the previous version I had. I'm trying to setup Digital TV, through the antenna. I get no preview in TV-Server Configuration, and an error within MediaPortal TV. I did a scan, and it did find 20 channels, just as TotalMedia did, but none of my local channels, like 2/4/5/7/9/11.

In the past, my capture card would only work with WinDVR installed. I'm thinking that because I installed a 64-bit version of Media Portal, that WinDVR isn't compatible? Is there an alternative to WinDVR for capture cards without a hardware mpeg2 encoder? Just a guess.

MediaPortal Version: 1.1.1
MediaPortal Skin: default
Windows Version: Windows 7 64-bit
CPU Type: Athlon X2
HDD: 500 gig
Memory: 3 gigs
Motherboard: Gigabyte AMD 690G
Video Card: Radeon X1950
Video Card Driver: Catalyst 10.2
Sound Card: Xplosion 7.1
Sound Card AC3: ??
Sound Card Driver: lastest
1. TV Card: Mygica X8550A
1. TV Card Type: software
1. TV Card Driver: latest
MPEG2 Video Codec: no idea
MPEG2 Audio Codec: no idea
h.264 Video Codec: whatever klite installed

 

[Dukenukemx]

I think my problem is that the inter video codec isn't selected, but I checked and can't find any settings to change the video encoder for TV. How do I do this?

 

[mm1352000]

Hi there

For a start, MP is not 64 bit. There is no need to worry about compatibility issues between the encoder and MP...
If you're trying to watch analog channels with a software encoding card then you definitely need an encoder. I'd recommend either the one available from WinDVR 3, or since you're using and ATI graphics card you could also try the encoders that are available from the ATI AVIVO package. This is an optional download from AMD - same place you get the Catalyst drivers from...

To help you any further you need to post your logs like I requested on the other thread!

 

[Dukenukemx]

I attached the logs. I don't think I can use the ATI AVIVO codecs, as I think they require a 3000 series or higher. I'm not sure, I could be wrong.

 

[mm1352000]

Hi again

Thanks for posting the logs. It looks like your card is a hybrid card. One reason why things aren't working for you is because you haven't set it up properly. You need to set it up as a hybrid card so that MediaPortal doesn't try to use it for ATSC/QAM at the same time as trying to use it for analog NTSC (hybrid cards can only tune one type of channel at a time). To do this:

1. Open TV Server configuration.
2. Expand the "TV Servers" section.
3. Click on your TV Server "HTPC".
4. Right click on the digital tuner "digital tv".
5. Select "place in group"->"new group...".
6. Enter the name of the group (can be anything you like), then click save.
7. Right click on the analog tuner "conexant 23885 tuner".
8. Select "place in group"->*** where *** is the name you entered in step 6.
9. Restart TV Server.

You should be good to go after that. If you still have trouble:

1. Delete your logs (only the files, not the folder).
2. Attempt to scan for channels or start watching a channel - whatever is causing problems.
3. Post new logs here.

Hope that helps

 

[mm1352000]

By the way, regarding the software encoders:

Your logs show that the Intervideo encoder from WinDVR is working fine. Unless you have further problems there shouldn't be any need to try other encoders. For future reference though, I think you could get the AVIVO encoders by selecting any of the newer cards (theoretically the encoders don't require specific graphics cards - at least I don't think they have hardware acceleration). Make sure you still select Windows 7 of course. The only thing that would stop you using them is if the installer checks your graphics card before proceeding. It would be interesting to know if it works or not...

 

[Dukenukemx]

Thanks, everything works now, except the video cuts in and out. That happens in Total Media as well. Not sure if it's because of poor signal quality, but I don't have the best Antenna setup. The ATI Avivo codec did install, but I had to do it manually. Very good picture quality.

 

[mm1352000]

Excellent!
Thank you for reporting your results - it is always encouraging to hear that problems are solved

Regarding the ATI encoder: that is interesting, but not entirely unexpected. I certainly prefer it over the WinDVR 3 encoders as it seems to be more stable. Thanks once again for testing that...