Vista MCE - Setting up Analogue and Digital Tuners

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › Vista MCE - Setting up Analogue and Digital Tuners

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

91 posts

Master Geek

#108510 4-Feb-2008 16:44

Biased aye, in what way. I am planning on giving a few of the main players a go. Vista MCE, mediaportal and gbpvr and see what I like.
I will see how it fears once I hit them with full time use as a media centre rather than just fiddling and playing the odd video off them. And of course the main test will be when the better half tries to use it and starts complaining cos its too complicated.

geekiegeek

2513 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 625
Inactive user

#108523 4-Feb-2008 17:28

RustyGonad:

Freeview NZ Registry file - I can post this up if anyone needs it

Thanks for the guide! Any chance of getting hold of the reg file?

RustyGonad

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#108559 4-Feb-2008 20:29

trig42: Top guide.

may be worth giving VistaMCE a go.

With Sky via S-Video and Freeview Via Sat, Can you tell it that, for example, If I am recording TV3 off Freeview, that I can watch TV2 via the Sky STB?

To do this perfectly it involves merging channels in the guide - which I haven't tried yet (It gets very messy - its still a work around remember). You can set it up easily to have two separate channels (eg channel 2's) though ie one via STB, the other via Freeview - both would have a separate channel # and Guide entry though, which isn't ideal.

I believe the next update should address some/all of this. I read somewhere that multi-tuner digital/analog support was at the top of the list.

RustyGonad

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#108560 4-Feb-2008 20:43

phatbloke: Biased aye, in what way. I am planning on giving a few of the main players a go. Vista MCE, mediaportal and gbpvr and see what I like.
I will see how it fears once I hit them with full time use as a media centre rather than just fiddling and playing the odd video off them. And of course the main test will be when the better half tries to use it and starts complaining cos its too complicated.

I've tried a few of them... I started a few years back with a program called ShowShifter, since then I've tried Beyond TV, Sage, GB PVR, Media Portal to name a few. The only two i have found so far to be "production ready" are MCE 2005, and Vista MCE. Haven't tried the Linux ones though so I can't comment on those.

In my eyes Vista MCE is still the only one (don't get me wrong - there's a huge amount of learning to get it working right) that can sit in a lounge a be driven entirely from one remote control without crashing. Its also got the best user interface by a country mile. With Freeview, it changes channels the fastest, has the best recorded TV interface, and by far and away the best looking Guide. And that before you talk about the movie library, music library, DVD's or anything else.

I spent ages with MediaPortal - I liked the idea of the OTA guide, and really wanted it to work, but it was just too unstable, and the interface just didn't cut it when compared to MCE. Let alone the fact that i killed it everytime I started flicking channels, which i was born to do...

Thats why I'm biased :)

RustyGonad

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#108563 4-Feb-2008 20:50

geekiegeek:
RustyGonad:

Freeview NZ Registry file - I can post this up if anyone needs it

Thanks for the guide! Any chance of getting hold of the reg file?

Assuming you have the right LNB (11300)

Copy and paste the following into Notepad, save it as something.reg , double click the file, say yes to the prompts and you should be away... If you got the 10750 jobby you just need to change the 1130000 lines to 1075000 (use a hex calculator).

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\HCW88bda\Parameters]
"DVBS_as_DVBT"=dword:00000001 ; Enable remapping support

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\HCW88bda\DVBS_as_DVBT]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\HCW88bda\DVBS_as_DVBT\177500] ; #5
"dvbs_freq"=dword:BE1040 ; 12456000
"dvbs_polarity"=dword:1 ; 1
"dvbs_srate"=dword:57E4 ; 22500
"nit_onid"=dword:2F ; 47
"nit_tsid"=dword:15 ; 21
"nit_nid"=dword:1 ; 1
"DiSEqC_Port"=dword:0 ; 0
"dvbs_LowOsc"=dword:AC6CA0 ; 11300000
"dvbs_HighOsc"=dword:AC6CA0 ; 11300000
"dvbs_SwitchFreq"=dword:0 ; 0

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\HCW88bda\DVBS_as_DVBT\184500] ; #6
"dvbs_freq"=dword:BE79B8 ; 12483000
"dvbs_polarity"=dword:1 ; 1
"dvbs_srate"=dword:57E4 ; 22500
"nit_onid"=dword:2F ; 47
"nit_tsid"=dword:16 ; 22
"nit_nid"=dword:1 ; 1
"DiSEqC_Port"=dword:0 ; 0
"dvbs_LowOsc"=dword:AC6CA0 ; 11300000
"dvbs_HighOsc"=dword:AC6CA0 ; 11300000
"dvbs_SwitchFreq"=dword:0 ; 0

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\HCW88bda\DVBS_as_DVBT\191500] ; #7
"dvbs_freq"=dword:C15818 ; 12636000
"dvbs_polarity"=dword:2 ; 2
"dvbs_srate"=dword:57E4 ; 5100
"nit_onid"=dword:A9 ; 169
"nit_tsid"=dword:6 ; 6
"nit_nid"=dword:1 ; 1
"DiSEqC_Port"=dword:0 ; 0
"dvbs_LowOsc"=dword:AC6CA0 ; 11300000
"dvbs_HighOsc"=dword:AC6CA0 ; 11300000
"dvbs_SwitchFreq"=dword:0 ; 0

geekiegeek

2513 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 625
Inactive user

#108652 5-Feb-2008 12:13

Thanks rusty - I got it all working last night but the channels were a bit messed up.

I'll start again tonight and leave some reserved channels where I need a gap.

HP

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

Satch

1985 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 259

#108694 5-Feb-2008 14:24

I decided to send an email to Microsoft a week and a half ago about the current Vista MCE limitations with analogue and digital tuners, to see if they would provide any answers. After chasing them up again last week, I finally received a reply. Here is the thread (I haven't had time to read any of the links yet, so the info may be useless or already well known - you can decide that for yourself):

[Moderator edit (MF): kept links to public information, removed other private content]

Mixed Tuner support (Digital and Analog)

Only available in the U.S. at this point: i.e. analog plus OTA HD (ATSC).

Blog by JessZahn (program manager in Microsoft's Media Center TV group)

http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/2/198022/ShowThread.aspx

Official Chat

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/chats/transcripts/06_0119_ez_media_center.mspx

Watch, Pause, and Record Live TV
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/mediacenter/setup/recordtv.mspx

Dual Analog Tuner cards are supported under certain *conditions. Please see:

http://www.microsoft.com/china/CTC/Newsletter/13/TVtuner.htm

*For dual tuner support, the driver must instance the tuner's mediums. See also 1.1.1.1 Analog

Windows Vista Hardware Compatibility List for TV Tuner Cards

http://winqual.microsoft.com/HCL/ProductList.aspx?m=v&cid=111&g=d

RustyGonad

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#109763 10-Feb-2008 22:30

Got three tuners going now for anyone whos interested:

2 x HVR3000 for Freeview DVB-S
1 x PVR-150 for Analog FTA.

Seems to be working well - couple of small glitches around the tuner priorities to work out, but that shouldn't take long. The guide is merged for Freeview (ie MCE automatically chooses the "free" tuner), Analog is as before ie requires a dedicated guide entry for each channel.

Can record 3 channels at once ie 2 x Freeview, 1 x Analog FTA.

Process is very similar to Dual tuner, however you setup the Dual Freeview tuners first, then add analog. Once enabled using the Tuner tool, MCE automatically detects the second HVR-3000, and allows you to use the dual tuner setup options.

In theory you could add the 2 x S-Video inputs as well, which would allow for a dual-record Sky setup assuming you had 2 Sky Decoders.

mule

209 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 5

#110599 14-Feb-2008 13:18

I have not had any luck getting the other parts of the HVR 3000 working with the currently worknig DVB-s. I downloaded the 4.1 drivers from the UK website, ran the HWclear program, restarted the computer, igonred the request for drivers, installed the 4.1 drivers, installed the DVB-T_DVB-s registry hack, got MCE2005 working with Freeview DVB's, ran MCE tuner App, enabled all other parts of HVR 3000, went back into MCE, ran tuner setup- no luck seeing analogue.......

Tried this a couple of times, but got frustrated so jsut restored to what I had with the previous drivers.

I have tried to get around this, by installing my old PVR 150 card, but due to a conflcit (see the following post) I am not having very much luck at the moment http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?ForumId=34&TopicId=19376

Is there something simple i am missing? I might have to consider changing to GBPVR, but don't really want to as MCE2005 is great and has been working flawlessly with Freeview DVB-s

DrAndrew

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#113181 26-Feb-2008 17:08

Rusty - You Rock!
Thanks, I've been scratching my head on this one - yes folks, 2 x hvr3000, vistamc 64bit Homeprem, all freeview sat with prime uhf - only setup one of the analogue inputs on the hvr3000, but I recorded tv2,tv3, and watched prime(I guess I could have recorded it too, but it was the ab machine ad...). Just remember to use aust. for the freeview setup country, and NZ for the analogue setup country part. and learn how to do watchpreferred reg mods (I think greenbutton or somewhere explains it well). And yes, all in half an hour.
Where's your paypal button?

Thanks Again

Satch

1985 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 259

#114346 3-Mar-2008 15:43

Hi Rusty,

I'm finally in a situation where I'm ready to implement an analogue and a digital (DVB-S) tuner in my Vista MC setup. I've read over your instructions, and have a few questions before I proceed.

I'm running Vista MCE, have both Hauppauge 150 and 3000 cards, and am wanting to run Sky (currently do) and Freeview Satellite.

I cannot find MCETunerAppv2.09 anywhere. Is this the same thing as MCE Tuner Extender?
Where is the Freeview NZ registry file, and what does it do?
I'm a little confused about how I can get the FTA channels such as One, Two, 3, etc in the EPG twice (from my Sky feed and Freeview feed). I currently use xmlTVNZ to build my EPG. Will I continue to use this?

Cheers,
Satch.

Dell

Shop now for Dell laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

RustyGonad

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#114351 3-Mar-2008 16:58

Satch:
Hi Rusty,

I'm finally in a situation where I'm ready to implement an analogue and a digital (DVB-S) tuner in my Vista MC setup. I've read over your instructions, and have a few questions before I proceed.

I'm running Vista MCE, have both Hauppauge 150 and 3000 cards, and am wanting to run Sky (currently do) and Freeview Satellite.
I cannot find MCETunerAppv2.09 anywhere. Is this the same thing as MCE Tuner Extender?
Where is the Freeview NZ registry file, and what does it do?
I'm a little confused about how I can get the FTA channels such as One, Two, 3, etc in the EPG twice (from my Sky feed and Freeview feed). I currently use xmlTVNZ to build my EPG. Will I continue to use this?
Cheers,
Satch.

Hi Satch,

I'll send you an email with some files in it, incl the ones you mention above. Hopefully get to this tomorrow.

At the moment you can't "merge" channels unless they use the same type of tuner card. However you can adjust your ChannelInfo.xml to include suedo "duplicate" channel entries, ie 3 Freeview along with 3 Sky for example, both of which can share common guide "data" from the listings2.xml file.

I know this is messy because you end up with duplicate channels, but at the moment I don't know any other way to do it.

IMO dump xmlTVNZ, its too messy ie keeps breaking and doesn't do all the Freeview channels. I'll send a batch file through for the source I use. Its faster and because it uses Satellite data its more reliable.

Cheers,
Russell

Satch

1985 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 259

#114355 3-Mar-2008 17:07

Thanks for your reply mate.

Unfortunately I've got a small window tonight to set this up, then not again until about Thursday. The reason being is my partner is away at the moment, but she has a bunch of programs set up to record. Nothing much tonight, but chokka block tomorrow and Wednesday.

I'll try to continue to set this up using your existing guide, and whatever files I can find. In the meantime, if you could send me the files anyway [tonight would be superb :)], and I'll clean things up when I get them.

Ahh, and I've just noticed that you've already posted the Freeview reg file. Duh!

Satch

1985 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 259

#114436 3-Mar-2008 21:09

I'm having zero luck with this guide. I'm tripping up on the seemingly simple step of "3. Set up Freeview as you normally would." Well I've never set up Freeview before so there is no normally there for me...

Where do you go to scan channels? In the TV setup, after I select NZ as my country, it gives me 3 options. Cable, Satellite, and Antenna. Selecting the obvious Satellite option only allows me to see Sky via S-Video 1.

I'm lost. When I first installed my HVR-3000 card and went into VMC, it popped up a message saying it found a new Tuner card. I clicked cancel as I did not think I needed to go through the VMC set up at that stage. Maybe that was my error? How do I now get VMC to see my HVR-3000 again?

I've got hair flying in all directions, and my girlfriends Prison Break recording starts in 20 mins. Aaaaarrgghhh!

Satch

1985 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 259

#114445 3-Mar-2008 21:31

Another question. At which point do I run the Freeview registry file? Right at the start of the set up (i.e. step 1)?

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5