Can't Receive Channel 9 or 7 Australia (1 Viewer)

[BigBuddha]

TV-Server Version:
MediaPortal Version: 0.2.3.0
MediaPortal Skin: Blue Two Wide
Windows Version: XP PRO SP2
CPU Type: Intel dual Core E6600
HDD: 1 x 40 GB Seagate SATA 10,000 RPM 2 X Seagate SATA 320 GB 7,200 RPM
Memory: 4GB
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-965G-DS3
Motherboard Chipset: Intel G965
Motherboard Bios:
Video Card: Nvidia GTX 8800
Video Card Driver:
Sound Card:
Sound Card AC3: no AC3
Sound Card Driver:
1. TV Card: Dvico DVB-T Lite
1. TV Card Type: DVB-T
1. TV Card Driver: 3.62
2. TV Card:
2. TV Card Type:
2. TV Card Driver:
3. TV Card:
3. TV Card Type:
3. TV Card Driver:
4. TV Card:
4. TV Card Type:
4. TV Card Driver:
MPEG2 Video Codec: Nivida Latest Version
MPEG2 Audio Codec: Nvidia Latest Version
Satelite/CableTV Provider:
HTPC Case:
Cooling:
Power Supply:
Remote: Microsoft
TV: Hitachi
TV - HTPC Connection: D-Sub

Hi All,

I have recently upgraded my HTPC Box to the new one listed above. I am using the same video card as the old one but it won't receive 9 or 7 in Perth. I reconnected the old machine and it receives them just fine. They scan in and are listed ok but simply give a black screen with the occasional stutter from the sound.

It is interesting to note that the native application for the Dvico card cannot receive them either, but again works fine in the old box. The Dvico app has a meter for signal strength and on both 9 and 7 it is showing only about 2 bars out of 10 or so whereas all the other channels have full strength. Both machines are using the exact same software. I have to turn off VMR9 in the new machine or else I just get black screen on every channel when running full screen. I really want to use this new machine so any help that can be offered would really be appreciated.

Thanks,

BigBuddha.

 

[and-81]

Could be interference inside the HTPC... Maybe your new machine is too RF noisy. I would try moving the TV card to a different slot on the motherboard, maybe even swap the power supply with the old HTPC.

Just some ideas.

Hope that helps,

 

[BigBuddha]

Could be interference inside the HTPC... Maybe your new machine is too RF noisy. I would try moving the TV card to a different slot on the motherboard, maybe even swap the power supply with the old HTPC.

Thanks and-81,

I tried moving the tv card to the furthermost slot away from all the other machinery without any success . And unfortunately I can't swap the power supplies cause the one in the new HTPC has special connectors for the NVidia GTX 8800 video card which requires additional power other than the PCIE slot. Also has different connectors for the SATA drives than normal ones.

I tried it without the GTX 8800 in the machine as well and just used the onboard VGA but no joy.

Thanks again for the suggestions!

BigBuddha

 

[Taipan]

Yes, it sounds like RF interference or poor signal level.

Do you have a wireless network active in the new box?

It may also be caused by the earthing or grounding of the new box (I am clutching at straws here ... ) - does the new box have an earth pin on the power cable, and is this connected to the case of the power supply/PC?

Are you using the same aerial cable as used with the old box?

 

[BigBuddha]

Yes, it sounds like RF interference or poor signal level.

Do you have a wireless network active in the new box?

It may also be caused by the earthing or grounding of the new box (I am clutching at straws here ... ) - does the new box have an earth pin on the power cable, and is this connected to the case of the power supply/PC?

Are you using the same aerial cable as used with the old box?

Taipan and and-81:

I am using the same cables for both aerial and power as used by the old box.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that there is no wireless network in the new box it has an onboard ethernet.

I also managed to scrounge up some power adapters that allowed me to try the power supply from the old box in the new one and I get the same problem. Perhaps the RF interference is caused by the Mobo ??

EDIT2: I was mistaken about the power supply not fixing the problem! When I tried the PS from the old box with Mediaportal it appeared to give the same problem however, this was because MP couldn't handle the onboard graphics adapter and just gave black screen on every channel. I could not use the normal graphics card due to being unable to power it from the temporary power supply. When I tried the Dvico native application it receives channel 9 7 10 2 and SBS all perfectly

So it looks as though I am off to the shop for a new PS. can I say a BIG Thank you to both and-81 and Taipan for helping with this problem!!!!!

BigBuddha.

 

[Marcusb]

I was going to suggest checking the spread spectrum controls in the BIOS.
These are required by law for RF emmission control, but usually people disable them for better performance.
I was thiking that maybe the old board had them turned on but the new one didn't?

Anyway, glad your problem is fixed

 

[BigBuddha]

The Culprit

Could be interference inside the HTPC... Maybe your new machine is too RF noisy. I would try moving the TV card to a different slot on the motherboard, maybe even swap the power supply with the old HTPC.

Just thought I would post one final message in this thread giving the models of the Power Supply Units involved just in case anybody else comes across the same problem.

The name and model of the PSU that was causing the RF interference was an Antec Neo HE500 500 WATT. The one that I changed over to was a Cooler Master RP-600-PCAR 600 WATT PSU.

Thanks again to all involved in solving this problem !!

Lachlan.