Normal
This is probably a signal-strength issue.Tuners in HTPCs tend to have lower sensitivity than those in TVs, and as a result require a higher signal level in order to receive the lower-power MUXes. My impression is that the TBS tuners are better than average in this respect. Example: my TBS 6284 tuners can receive more MUXes than my Pinnacle 2000i tuners (both tuner cards are in the same HTPC and fed by the same aerial).The COM7 and COM8 MUXes are the most difficult to receive, as they are very low power, and they are at the top end of the UHF range, where propagation is worse. In fact I gave up trying to receive them at my location (Rowridge transmitter).If you really want to receive COM7 and COM8:(1) Install a bigger aerial outside the house.(2) Ensure that it is correctly aligned.(3) Consider receiving from alternative transmitters in your area.(3) Consider using a masthead amplifier.(4) Use satellite-grade aerial downlead.You can use an aerial amplifier next to the HTPC, but although it increases the signal level, it does not improve the signal quality (in fact it worsens the signal/noise ratio), so this may not provide any improvement.-- from CyberSimian in the UK
This is probably a signal-strength issue.
Tuners in HTPCs tend to have lower sensitivity than those in TVs, and as a result require a higher signal level in order to receive the lower-power MUXes. My impression is that the TBS tuners are better than average in this respect. Example: my TBS 6284 tuners can receive more MUXes than my Pinnacle 2000i tuners (both tuner cards are in the same HTPC and fed by the same aerial).
The COM7 and COM8 MUXes are the most difficult to receive, as they are very low power, and they are at the top end of the UHF range, where propagation is worse. In fact I gave up trying to receive them at my location (Rowridge transmitter).
If you really want to receive COM7 and COM8:
(1) Install a bigger aerial outside the house.
(2) Ensure that it is correctly aligned.
(3) Consider receiving from alternative transmitters in your area.
(3) Consider using a masthead amplifier.
(4) Use satellite-grade aerial downlead.
You can use an aerial amplifier next to the HTPC, but although it increases the signal level, it does not improve the signal quality (in fact it worsens the signal/noise ratio), so this may not provide any improvement.
-- from CyberSimian in the UK