HDTV pixelation while recording two channels or watching and recording HD freeview.

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › HDTV pixelation while recording two channels or watching and recording HD freeview.

GamerOC

439 posts

Ultimate Geek

#111890 19-Nov-2012 00:23

Hi everyone and thank you for reading this post, I would like your opinion of this issue i got
Firstly I have perfect reception with my nice antenna and near transmiter. I used to have one DVB-T card and a DVB-S card so i can watch high definition and also have both recording and full guide available. But when i found EPG Collector software, then i upgraded the DVB-S to a DVB-T hauppauge and now since im experiencing pixelation while wating tv or while recording and watching tv.

Im trying to figure out if decoder software could be the issue but used to work fine before upgrade.

could some of you nice people point me in the right direction where i can find the best decoder software for HD Freeview and will be highly appretiated.

Thanks,

Lew

Mattv

242 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#719244 19-Nov-2012 01:20

Presumably you have introduced a splitter and second cable in the DVB-T aerial line in order to use both tuners. If so, I would be almost certain the problem lies there. Have a good look at all the joints and if you have wired any of it yourself with DIY connector/cables, make sure there are no free strands of cable in the wrong place. It's worth spending a little extra on good cables and F connectors. I had a similar problem with my setup with just one strand of the outer shielding connecting with the inner cable in a plug.

GamerOC

439 posts

Ultimate Geek

#719271 19-Nov-2012 08:32

Mattv, thank you as I have done exactly what you described. U will check my cables

andrewdixon1000

76 posts

Master Geek

#719564 19-Nov-2012 15:39

I used to have a similar problem, but my situation is a bit different to yours so it may be a different issue, but here's my experience anyway.

I had a splitter in my cable to feed to tuners and I got a lot of pixelation etc in my picture. It turned out that my reception was marginal and the signal reduction introducted by the splitter was enough to cause problem. Removing the splitter and feeding only one tuner resulted in perfect reception.

As I say, I'm not sure this is your problem, but it's worth thinking about.

Thanks
Andy

SumnerBoy

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#719566 19-Nov-2012 15:43

andrewdixon1000: I used to have a similar problem, but my situation is a bit different to yours so it may be a different issue, but here's my experience anyway.

I had a splitter in my cable to feed to tuners and I got a lot of pixelation etc in my picture. It turned out that my reception was marginal and the signal reduction introducted by the splitter was enough to cause problem. Removing the splitter and feeding only one tuner resulted in perfect reception.

As I say, I'm not sure this is your problem, but it's worth thinking about.

Thanks
Andy

I am seeing something very similar to this as well. As soon as I introduce a splitter and connect to a second tuner I get pixilation on my Sky feed.

I have just ordered another splitter to see if that is the issue. I have already tried two different cables but it made no difference.

Looking in the Sky settings the signal looks plenty strong enough on all 3 tuners - not full signal but 80% and in the green region.

GamerOC

439 posts

Ultimate Geek

#719664 19-Nov-2012 18:50

I checked the signal strengh and it is in the 90+ so is very good i reckon and I wanted to check cable and spliter however my partner's birthday and she wants me to leave tv alone as she is watching something so I may wait unti midnight to have a crack at it.

I also unistalled the third party codecs 'Shark007's codecs" and did not made any difference.
i dont want to reinstall the operating system.
also when i ran signal strengh test it was strange that AverMedia tuner had 100% signal strengh while the Hauppauge had only 90%? are there differences in sensitivity? im a bit confused now. or maybe signal fluctuates.

but will update you later when I check the cables,

thanks for your replies

"I am seeing something very similar to this as well. As soon as I introduce a splitter and connect to a second tuner I get pixilation on my Sky feed.

I have just ordered another splitter to see if that is the issue. I have already tried two different cables but it made no difference.

Looking in the Sky settings the signal looks plenty strong enough on all 3 tuners - not full signal but 80% and in the green region."

is your Sky broadcast running through the PC tuner or directly to tv?

andrewdixon1000

76 posts

Master Geek

#719683 19-Nov-2012 19:04

As I understand it (anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) the signal strength readings from tuner cards are pretty meaningless. Each manufacturer is different, there's no standard and no documentation of what the numbers mean.

Andy

GamerOC: I checked the signal strengh and it is in the 90+ so is very good i reckon and I wanted to check cable and spliter however my partner's birthday and she wants me to leave tv alone as she is watching something so I may wait unti midnight to have a crack at it.

I also unistalled the third party codecs 'Shark007's codecs" and did not made any difference.
i dont want to reinstall the operating system.
also when i ran signal strengh test it was strange that AverMedia tuner had 100% signal strengh while the Hauppauge had only 90%? are there differences in sensitivity? im a bit confused now. or maybe signal fluctuates.

but will update you later when I check the cables,

thanks for your replies

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SumnerBoy

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#721123 22-Nov-2012 09:14

GamerOC: is your Sky broadcast running through the PC tuner or directly to tv?

Sorry - I didn't see this question directed at me - apologies for not answering sooner!

The signal comes down from the dish (on the roof) to my server cupboard. It then goes into a 1-2 splitter and from there it is connected directly to the MySki HDi box. The second feed from the splitter goes to my HTPC.

With them both plugged in I get pixilation etc in Sky. As soon as I disconnect the HTPC the Sky feed is 100%. Note the Sky feed is still going through the splitter, I just unplug the cable from the the HTPC -> splitter.

Is this a problem with my dish not being properly aligned? It should provide enough signal for two devices shouldn't it? How can I test/realign the dish? Or is this a job for a professional?

Is there anything else I should try? I have tried two different cables for the HTPC -> splitter feed, and now two different splitters. No improvements.

SumnerBoy

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#721151 22-Nov-2012 09:44

andrewdixon1000: Just a quick sanity check question. In your first post I understood that you got rid of your DVB-S card and replaced it will a DVB-T card. In your latest post you said that you have a splitter on the cable from your Sky dish with one half going to the HTPC. You're not trying to connect your Sky dish to a DVB-T card are you?

Andy

Hey Andy - think you might have got the OP and I mixed up. I jumped on this thread as I had a similar issue and was hoping to get some advice.

The OP changed cards, but I have simply got a MySky box and a HTPC with a DVB-S tuner card. I have a single feed from my dish coming down into a splitter.

I actually have 4 cables running from my server cupboard to the dish, with only one connected. It is a new dish (12 months old) so I thinking if I can't resolve things at the server cupboard end, maybe I get up on the roof and hook up another one of the cables and therefore have two direct feeds from the dish to each device?

Or will the (possible) fact the dish isn't properly aligned mean this will have the same effect as having a splitter on a single feed?

andrewdixon1000

76 posts

Master Geek

#721163 22-Nov-2012 09:55

Hi SummerBoy,

Yeah, sorry, I realised that a couple of minutes after I posted and then deleted the post, but obviously not quick enough.

I'm sorry I can't be much help with DVB-S questions. My system is DVB-T and I don't really know anything about dishes and LNBs and that sort of thing.

Andy

Hey Andy - think you might have got the OP and I mixed up. I jumped on this thread as I had a similar issue and was hoping to get some advice.

The OP changed cards, but I have simply got a MySky box and a HTPC with a DVB-S tuner card. I have a single feed from my dish coming down into a splitter.

I actually have 4 cables running from my server cupboard to the dish, with only one connected. It is a new dish (12 months old) so I thinking if I can't resolve things at the server cupboard end, maybe I get up on the roof and hook up another one of the cables and therefore have two direct feeds from the dish to each device?

Or will the (possible) fact the dish isn't properly aligned mean this will have the same effect as having a splitter on a single feed?

SumnerBoy

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#721166 22-Nov-2012 09:57

No worries mate.

Nety

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#721189 22-Nov-2012 10:25

I found I had to put in a powered splitter/amplifier for DVB-T, I am splitting it more ie X 4 for MC and X 1 for TV (although do not use it on the TV. This was with a new good quality arial and line of sight to the transmitter.

Media centre PC - Case Silverstone LC16M with 2 X 80mm AcoustiFan DustPROOF, MOBO Gigabyte MA785GT-UD3H, CPU AMD X2 240 under volted, RAM 4 Gig DDR3 1033, HDD 120Gig System/512Gig data, Tuners 2 X Hauppauge HVR-3000, 1 X HVR-2200, Video Palit GT 220, Sound Realtek 886A HD (onboard), Optical LiteOn DH-401S Blue-ray using TotalMedia Theatre Power Corsair VX Series, 450W ATX PSU OS Windows 7 x64

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GamerOC

439 posts

Ultimate Geek

#721212 22-Nov-2012 11:03

Hi and thank you so much for you replies, this is my update on my dual DVB-T tuners pc that pixialates.

I replaced spliter----problem remained
I re make the cabling from the spliter to the two tuners-----problem reamined
I check cable from roof to pc no changes.
However I did not think having a spliter and a few adaptors male to female will do any damage, but it may be the issue. So im going to use better cables for after spliter connections today.
I did thought that if i disconnected one tuner then will be fine like it used to be, but it is not....still plixialates but I got good antenna EL-91 the large ones and before i put extra tuner i had flawless reception.
I also uninstall both tuners and GPU then pop on some new driver and problem still there.
I cant figured out so im considering going back to DVB-S average image quality.

thanks

Andy

PS and I know this is not the area to post about EPG collector, but i just want to share with you my frustration with the fack that used to work perfect and now all i get is dots instead of guide.
Im sure if i cant resolve the pixelation i will go back to DVB-S with perfect guide.

mm1352000

1149 posts

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#721875 23-Nov-2012 14:25

GamerOC: PS and I know this is not the area to post about EPG collector, but i just want to share with you my frustration with the fack that used to work perfect and now all i get is dots instead of guide.
Im sure if i cant resolve the pixelation i will go back to DVB-S with perfect guide.

You're probably getting dots because you're trying to grab EIT from the DVB-T network. Switch to MHEG 5.

GamerOC

439 posts

Ultimate Geek

#722049 23-Nov-2012 21:35

in regards the pixelation...I did a system restore and now no pixelation.. until i start to record and watch at the same time. So I assume it may be either Ram, CPU power, or GPU power deficiency.
I will try upgrading Ram and see. as currently is running windows 7 64bit with 2gb ddr2 800mhz dual channel Corsair.

Cpu is a Core 2 Duo and I hope it is enough as at the moment due to injury I cant afford upgrading the whole system.
GPU well im running 9800GTX+

so all works awesome until i start using both tuners. :(

thanks

Andy

in regards EPG collector ''You're probably getting dots because you're trying to grab EIT from the DVB-T network. Switch to MHEG 5." i checked and i do have it on MHEG5 but one of the features i click on was not for MHEG5 so i unclick that and wallah all works.

offworld

20 posts

Geek

#724760 29-Nov-2012 16:52

I had a similar problem when I added an extra dvb-t tuner to my htpc. My sff 250w psu couldn't handle 2 tuners and 2 hdd's, so I removed 1 hdd and it fixed the problem.