Hauppauge Nova-TD-500 & NZ Freeview|HD

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ShaneT

62 posts

Master Geek

# 38540 31-Jul-2009 10:56

Hi Guys,

I've been building a second HTPC and have found that the Nova-TD-500 (OEM) completely sucks, campared with my older Nova-T-500.

I have tested this thing inside-out and back-to-front, in deversity mode, in dual mode, using antenna input 1, using antenna input 2, installed in my origianl WinXP HTPC machine, installed in my new Win7 RC HTPC machine, tested with Mediaportal, tested with WinTV7, latest drivers... you name it, I tried it.

Under every test It did not find all the NZ freeview|HD channels, the ones it did find were of very poor signal strength and quality. However, conducting all the same test with my older nova-T-500 was perfect.

May also pay to point out, we get very good signal from our place, can see Mt Kaukau from my driveway (although I get an even better signal using Wellington Infill frequencies, whereever the hell that is!?). So no problem there.

Anyone have similar experience with the nova-TD-500 card? ...I noted 'meesham' is using one of these with apparent success. Messham, if you read this, would you care to comment on your experience.

I have requested a credit from my supplier & may now look at an HVR-2200 instead. But would still love to hear any comments people may have.

cheers

meesham

919 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 225

Subscriber

# 240989 31-Jul-2009 14:22

I'm using the Nova TD-500 without any problems. I run MediaPortal 1.02, it scans for all the channels fine and I can record using both tuners at the same time with a clear picture (I'm in central Christchurch with line of sight to the Sugarloaf antenna).

I haven't tested it with W7 (yet), but I'm currently using Vista 64 which should use the same drivers. You might want to try the latest drivers from Hauppauge here.

Ignore the bottom antenna socket, I have no idea why it's there but it doesn't do anything. If you just plug your antenna into the top socket both internal tuners can use it.

ShaneT

62 posts

Master Geek

# 241011 31-Jul-2009 15:16

meesham: I'm using the Nova TD-500 without any problems. I run MediaPortal 1.02, it scans for all the channels fine and I can record using both tuners at the same time with a clear picture (I'm in central Christchurch with line of sight to the Sugarloaf antenna).

I haven't tested it with W7 (yet), but I'm currently using Vista 64 which should use the same drivers. You might want to try the latest drivers from Hauppauge here.

Ignore the bottom antenna socket, I have no idea why it's there but it doesn't do anything. If you just plug your antenna into the top socket both internal tuners can use it.

Thanks for the reply. I have tried the very latest driver from hauppage with no change. Apprently the bottom (2nd) antenna input is for diversity mode, which uses the power of both tuners to make one.... but even then it's rubbish. Maybe I just got a dud...

Did you get the OEM (white box) version? ....not that it probably matters, but worth knowing...

I'm also using MP 1.0.2

cheers

Disrespective

1802 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 126

# 241035 31-Jul-2009 16:32

It just be that the newer TD version doesn't have as good/any signal amplifier built-in to it? I do remember reading about one card (can't recall which i'm afraid) in which you could alter the signal amplifier strength through registry settings. Could be worth a nosey...

ShaneT

62 posts

Master Geek

# 241041 31-Jul-2009 16:53

Disrespective: It just be that the newer TD version doesn't have as good/any signal amplifier built-in to it? I do remember reading about one card (can't recall which i'm afraid) in which you could alter the signal amplifier strength through registry settings. Could be worth a nosey...

Yeah, I recall having come across something like that before when playing with Linux. Something to do with an LNA Mode in the registry ...Perhaps there is something similar in the Windows registry settings... Will check it out

meesham

919 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 225

Subscriber

# 241046 31-Jul-2009 17:24

ShaneT:

Did you get the OEM (white box) version? ....not that it probably matters, but worth knowing...

I'm also using MP 1.0.2

cheers

Yep, I got the white box version (from Ascent), I'm using the driver for the 84xxx chip.

I had no problems with it, I just plugged it in and it worked (I bought it at the same time as my new HTPC, so it was a clean install of Windows). It does sound like you received a dud.

KShips

148 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 14

# 242155 4-Aug-2009 08:51

I also brought that card a couple of weeks ago (white box from Ascent). BTW Ascent is awesome no issues with them :)

Anyway I had Win7 running Media Center as well as media portal with a HVR4000 and worked perfectly. Needed to be able to record and watch channels at same time so I purchased the Nova-TD-500. Well nothing but issues so far.

1st thing was that only 1 of the tuners in mediaportal would pickup a signal and 2nd one near perfect. I'm wondering after the above post if I'm doing something wrong trying both antenna ports so will try that.

Other than that I had mediaportal crashing or not being able to pickup channels, reloaded XP and Mediaportal 1.0.2 and similar issues.

Main problem at the moment is when changing channels I sometimes get a ghosting effect where the image is black and white but the colour image is like a ghost about half way across the screen.

I have not had a chance to pull the HVR4000 out of the system or at least disable it to see if that has any effect. This was mainly due to me thinking the Nova was faulty since I could not get a signal on the 2nd tuner.

Will do some more tests tonight and post if find anything useful. Would like to know about the registry hack if anyone has it?

ShaneT

62 posts

Master Geek

# 242534 4-Aug-2009 17:40

KShips: I Will do some more tests tonight and post if find anything useful. Would like to know about the registry hack if anyone has it?

Great, looking forward to hearing how your tests go... I still have the card as the supplier has still not come back with an RA to send it back .... it's been 2-3 weeks since I made the request ..gotta love those suppliers aye

Brunzy

826 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 102

Trusted

# 242540 4-Aug-2009 17:49

ShaneT: Hi Guys,

I've been building a second HTPC and have found that the Nova-TD-500 (OEM) completely sucks, campared with my older Nova-T-500.

I have tested this thing inside-out and back-to-front, in deversity mode, in dual mode, using antenna input 1, using antenna input 2, installed in my origianl WinXP HTPC machine, installed in my new Win7 RC HTPC machine, tested with Mediaportal, tested with WinTV7, latest drivers... you name it, I tried it.

Under every test It did not find all the NZ freeview|HD channels, the ones it did find were of very poor signal strength and quality. However, conducting all the same test with my older nova-T-500 was perfect.

May also pay to point out, we get very good signal from our place, can see Mt Kaukau from my driveway (although I get an even better signal using Wellington Infill frequencies, whereever the hell that is!?). So no problem there.

Anyone have similar experience with the nova-TD-500 card? ...I noted 'meesham' is using one of these with apparent success. Messham, if you read this, would you care to comment on your experience.

I have requested a credit from my supplier & may now look at an HVR-2200 instead. But would still love to hear any comments people may have.

cheers

It would appear you do have a problem there,if your antenna is directed at KKau, the you need to use those Ch's ie 48/50/59

ShaneT

62 posts

Master Geek

# 242601 4-Aug-2009 18:54

Brunzy:
ShaneT: Hi Guys,

May also pay to point out, we get very good signal from our place, can see Mt Kaukau from my driveway (although I get an even better signal using Wellington Infill frequencies, whereever the hell that is!?). So no problem there.

It would appear you do have a problem there,if your antenna is directed at KKau, the you need to use those Ch's ie 48/50/59

Hi, It's a pretty minor difference between to two (infill and KauKau), just seems the Infill frequencies give slightly higer strength signals, however both give 100% quality readings. I have tried the TD-500 scanned to both frequncies, with terrible results.

KShips

148 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 14

# 243276 5-Aug-2009 22:30

Things gone bad to worse here. Think aerial may have been knocked in latest winds as well. Will not be until weekend until can check aerial and get signal sorted before looking at the HTPC setup further.

ShaneT

62 posts

Master Geek

# 243287 5-Aug-2009 22:39

KShips: Things gone bad to worse here. Think aerial may have been knocked in latest winds as well. Will not be until weekend until can check aerial and get signal sorted before looking at the HTPC setup further.

Concrete roof tiles are great, my aerial is in the roof ...otherwise I'd be having to re-postition it every 2 days where I live 8)

DrSoftware

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

# 246940 15-Aug-2009 13:15

I went into PB Tech here in Hamilton a few weeks ago to get one of these, they said they were out of stock because they had all been recalled due to a faulty batch with the symptoms you are describing. Maybe you did get a dud.

KShips

148 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 14

# 247480 17-Aug-2009 09:07

After some mucking around I removed the masthead amp and realigned the aerial which has solved the majority of issues.
Still get the odd corrupt pic on freeview so will see how it goes but does sound like yours is one of the dud batch

ShaneT

62 posts

Master Geek

# 247482 17-Aug-2009 09:08

DrSoftware: I went into PB Tech here in Hamilton a few weeks ago to get one of these, they said they were out of stock because they had all been recalled due to a faulty batch with the symptoms you are describing. Maybe you did get a dud.

Cheers DrSoftware, interetsing how they can summon the courage to recall the product from their resellers, but not enough to admitt to the end customers that the product could be faulty... Anyways, I got my credit from the reseller (the supplier still hadn't budged)... so will look int an HVR2200 now - they seem to be working well.

ShaneT

62 posts

Master Geek

# 253763 7-Sep-2009 14:22

Hi All,

Thought I should enter a quick update...

Sent the Novat-TD-500 back and replaced with an HVR-2200
The HVR2200 is working great, worked straight away, excellent signal strength, no dramas... So the Nova was definitley a dud.

cheers all for you help & input