Problem Importing Channels (1 Viewer)

[LCF]

I should start by saying that I'm not especially tech savvy...and a little confused. I have been using WMC on my Windows 8.1 PC...primarily as a DVR, and hope to do the same with Media Portal. I have a USB tuner connected to the cable from the wall...which supplies about 100 analog stations from my local cable provider (Grandecom). I've read around, but I'm having trouble deciphering which method I should be using to import these stations. In TV set up, I can see Analog WinTV HVR 950 Tuner (as well as ATSC Win TV HVR 950 BDA Tuner) listed, but after trying different configurations for scanning channels, I've got nothing. I don't even think I'm getting a signal.
So my questions are: Could you point me to the directions for the settings I SHOULD be using for my setup AND what will be my best option for a guide to use in future recording? I'm assuming I won't be able to get my local guide, right?
I really appreciate your responding as simply as you can....for the simple-minded! Thanks so much![DOUBLEPOST=1434337219][/DOUBLEPOST]I should add that when I highlight the Analog WinTV HVR 950 Tuner with source as Cable, and try to scan for channels, I get this message:

Unable to Scan: Please install a supported audio/video encoder for you software analog card.

 

[mm1352000]

Hello and welcome!

Could you point me to the directions for the settings I SHOULD be using for my setup...

If you're receiving analog cable as you say then unquestionably: you should be scanning with the "Analog WinTV HVR 950" tuner.

When using an analog tuner, there's not too much that can go wrong. Really the main thing you need to sort out to get the tuner working is encoding. By encoding I mean the mechanism that converts the analog signal to digital... because software like WMC and MediaPortal can only work with digital signals.

Some tuners (eg. HVR-225*) have hardware (ie. a physical chip) to do the job. We call this "hardware encoding". Such tuners tend to be more expensive... but they should "just work" with MediaPortal.
The rest - including the HVR-950 require you to install software to do the encoding. We call this "software encoding"; and the software: "software encoders". Most tuners like this should work in MediaPortal after you've installed the software.

In your case, Hauppauge provides this software for you. They call it the "SoftMCE" package, and you can download it from their website:
http://www.hauppauge.com/site/support/support_hvr950.html
http://hauppauge.lightpath.net/software/hvr950/softmce_setup.exe

Both WMC and MP require that package to enable them to use the analog tuner. Since you have WMC working, I'd expect you have already installed it. You can verify this in TV Server configuration in the "general" section, "software encoders" tab:
http://wiki.team-mediaportal.com/1_...onfiguration/06_General#Software_Encoders_Tab

You should see a "yes" in the installed column for at least one of the Hauppauge (or Mainconcept) video and audio encoders.

If you've got the software encoders, the only other thing you have to ensure before scanning for channels in TV Server is that WMC is closed and not using the tuner.

When you scan, you should be dealing with the "Analog WinTV HVR 950" tuner as previously mentioned. The scan screen should look similar to this:
http://wiki.team-mediaportal.com/1_...ver_Configuration/02_TV_Servers/5_Scan_Analog

If scanning for TV channels, select the appropriate country and source. For you, I'd guess that is "USA" and "cable". The sensitivity setting is only relevant when scanning for FM radio channels, so don't worry about it.

After this you should be able to just click "scan for TV channels" to have TV Server find your channels. It is important to make sure you let the scan run all the way through, because your cable provider doesn't necessarily broadcast [for example] channel 6 on physical channel 6.

It is not normal for the scan to complete and not find any channels. This would indicate that either:

1. You're not actually receiving analog channels. You may instead be receiving digital unencrypted cable (clear QAM).
   
2. The scan is encountering problems controlling your tuner. In this case you should post full log files so that we can take a look at what's wrong:
   1. Open TV Server configuration.
   2. Click "open log directory" in the top left corner.
   3. Zip all the files in that folder.
   4. Attach the zip file in this thread.

AND what will be my best option for a guide to use in future recording? I'm assuming I won't be able to get my local guide, right?

I'd recommend you use mc2xml in combination with TV Server's XMLTV plugin. You may be able to get free guide data that way. mc2xml also enables you to use the almost universal SchedulesDirect guide data service.

The mc2xml home page has good instructions for setting it up.
We also have a guide in our wiki:
http://wiki.team-mediaportal.com/1_..._TV_Setup/4_TV_Guide_Setup_(EPG)/XMLTV_mc2xml

 

[LCF]

First off, I'd like to thank you for your patience and thorough reply! I've started as you suggest by checking to make sure encoders are installed, and though the MainConcept (Hauppauge) MPEG Video are listed with "Reuse" box checked, both are showing No as to whether they are installed. In fact, nothing else listed shows as installed either. Of course I find this strange since as you mention, they should also be installed for WMC..which somehow I use often. In any case, I will try to install those from the links provided and let you know. Thanks....

 

[LCF]

Well, not having much luck here...I installed the download you attached for encoders, even though it seemed to indicate it was for XP/Vista Machines and I'm on 8.1. (perhaps it doesn't matter). After installing, I rebooted, went back into the TV Configuration, still see the MainConcept (Hauppauge) encoders (as well as others) listed, but still nothing installed. In the scan screen, both Signal Level and Quality continue to appear non-existent. I opened WMC and initiated the TV SetUp to check there...and it indicates that "WMC detected the following: Digital Cable (Clear QAM)-1 tuner, and Analog Cable-1 tuner. TV on WMC seems to be working fine.
I've attached a log...please let me know if it's not done right. Maybe you can find something?

 

[mm1352000]

Thanks for reporting back.

I can confirm that TV Server doesn't think you have any software encoders installed. That is the reason why your analog scan is failing (not showing signal level etc.).

I can see you also tried to do digital scans for over the air and cable channels, but TV Server didn't find any channels.

At this point I'm at a bit of a loss. Installing the SoftMCE package that I linked should have given you access to the encoders that you need in order to do an analog scan... but it clearly hasn't.

Can you please do the following.

First, in order to prevent potential future issues when chopping and changing between digital and analog scans, please configure a hybrid card/group for your tuner:
http://wiki.team-mediaportal.com/1_...er_Configuration/02_TV_Servers/1_Hybrid_Cards

That will help TV Server use your tuner properly.

Second, please can you:

1. Open MediaPortal configuration (not TV Server configuration). If prompted, select basic or expert mode and click OK. It doesn't particularly matter.
   
2. Click OK to close MediaPortal configuration.
3. Start the MediaPortal Debug-Mode/Watchdog tool. On W7 and earlier you'd find a link to it in the Team MediaPortal -> MediaPortal folder in your start menu. I don't know where it would be on W8.
4. Select option 3 to export existing log files, then follow the steps through.
5. Attach the zip file that is generated.

The zip file will give me information about what codecs and encoders are installed on your system. I'd like to see why the Hauppauge encoders aren't showing up for you.

Thanks in advance,
mm

 

[LCF]

Okay, I have followed your instructions and again hopefully attaching what you need. Thanks for your help mm! Let me know....

 

[mm1352000]

hopefully attaching what you need.

Thanks, but did you forget the attachment?

 

[LCF]

oops, forgot something....

 

[mm1352000]

Thanks.
Those log files confirm that you definitely haven't got the encoders from the Hauppauge SoftMCE package installed.
Can you please try to download and install that package one more time.

 

[LCF]

Sure, I installed again from the link above: http://hauppauge.lightpath.net/software/hvr950/softmce_setup.exe
Still it's not showing as installed in TVConfig...though it appears to have installed under Programs in the Control Panel. I don't suppose that is matters that during the installation it says that it is for XP/Vista, yet I'm on 8.1? Maybe I should contact Hauppauge tomorrow?