DVB-T signal weaker via HTPC than TV built-in Freeview

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frederik

23 posts

Geek

#130941 3-Oct-2013 11:52

Hi all,

I have a Sony TV with built-in Freeview receiver and the signal on the TV is perfect. I can watch all Freeview (DVB-T) channels without issues or interruptions. I also have a HTPC with a Hauppauge HVR 4000, but using the HTPC the signal is pretty unstable. I get a few hours a day with perfect reception but then there are lots of times where I can't watch at all (signal drops below 75%). I use the same connection/cable for both - TV and HTPC. When the signal cuts out on the HTPC I can simply change the cable and everything is perfect on the TV, but really I would like to use the HTPC only.
Can anybody think of a reason why there would be such a difference between the quality?
Would a different receiver make a difference? I am thinking about getting a SiliconDust HDHomerun but wanted to check whether anybody had other experiences with quality of reception between different receiver types?!

Thanks a lot,

Frederik

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487 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#906998 3-Oct-2013 12:09

The only thing I could say is that the DVB-T tuner card is probably more fussy about the input signal it requires, this really depends on the type of tuner (chips used) and you can't really alter that.

Your options are:
- replace the DVB-T tuner card with a different one that isn't as fussy (although most PC DVB-T cards are fussier than a TV)
- amplify your signal

Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e wha.

frederik

23 posts

Geek

#907012 3-Oct-2013 12:30

Thanks for the quick reply.
Do you have any recommendation which tuner cards are a bit more forgiving? Also, do you have any experience with the HD Homerun?
And when you say amplify the signal, I assume that would have to be done at the antenna itself? Or does it also make any sense to have an amplifier at the wall socket rather than directly at the antenna?

ScuL

487 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#907019 3-Oct-2013 12:41

frederik: Thanks for the quick reply.
Do you have any recommendation which tuner cards are a bit more forgiving? Also, do you have any experience with the HD Homerun?
And when you say amplify the signal, I assume that would have to be done at the antenna itself? Or does it also make any sense to have an amplifier at the wall socket rather than directly at the antenna?

Perhaps somebody else is better to comment on the 1st question, I haven't touched PC-tuner cards since the analogue era, although I know they are fussy. Whether the signal is digital or analogue wouldn't necessarily make a difference!

As for amplification, it's always better to amplify as close to the source (in this case antenna) as possible. However you don't want to expose any power leads near an antenna that could act as lightning rod but keep them as close as practically feasible.
Makes sense in a way as well, the longer the cable is before you reach the amplifier the more "distracting noise" it will pick up, and the amplifier will then amplify noise in its turn worsening the signal..

Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e wha.

stevenz

2802 posts

Uber Geek

#907158 3-Oct-2013 14:37

My system reports 100% signal strength and usually >80% signal quality, but I still get the odd dropouts on the PC which is split off the same box as the TV which never drops out (except in extremely bad weather when it can lose audio for a couple of seconds).

I've got the HVR-2200, suspect it's just a limitation of the size of the receiver unit on the boards as is it a LOT fussier than any of the TVs I've used.

@KnightNZ

frederik

23 posts

Geek

#907163 3-Oct-2013 14:40

Okay, thanks guys. Appreciate your feedback. Will give the amplification a go and will try some other receivers.

turb

881 posts

Ultimate Geek

#907186 3-Oct-2013 14:54

I too have a Sony tv that gets perfect reception, but was a bit spotty on htpc (hvr-2210).

I agree with everything that others say about htpc's being more cranky.

I too have just gone over to an hd homerun.

The first thing I'd say is to make sure your antenna setup is as good as humanly possible:

Proper UHF antenna

Antenna as high as possible

Antenna pointing in exactly the right direction

Antenna in the correct polarity

An uninterrupted run of proper rg6 cable from antenna to htpc, no joins, no splitters.

Properly crimped connectors at both ends.

All this probably means getting a bloke in. Otherwise every time the picture pixellates you'll be wondering if it's because you bodged the job when you did it yourself.

I think when you have more than one tuner, you are splitting the signal, so it'll always be weaker than the tv, and more prone to dropping out.

I've been very pleased with the homerun. Very easy to set up, and the picture reliability on tv3 on a wet and windy night is probably now 99% versus 95% on the internal tuner card.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

frederik

23 posts

Geek

#907189 3-Oct-2013 15:00

We had someone come in to install the antenna a couple of months ago, so I hope it is properly done. The cabling was already there though, so didn't change anything on that part. The problem was that we tested it with the TV when it was installed and there obviously everything was fine. Was only later that we discovered the issues with the HTPC.

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NZWizzkid

14 posts

Geek

#907205 3-Oct-2013 15:33

On the Hauppauge card, ensure the centre connector (Two half semi-circles) are not spread to far apart.
As the card / room temperature rises they could be expanding enough to start to loose good contact.
They may also need a bit of a clean.

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#907210 3-Oct-2013 15:39

frederik: We had someone come in to install the antenna a couple of months ago, so I hope it is properly done. The cabling was already there though, so didn't change anything on that part. The problem was that we tested it with the TV when it was installed and there obviously everything was fine. Was only later that we discovered the issues with the HTPC.

Have you checked the signal strength and quality on your Sony for comparison? Sonys will operate at much lower signal levels than any STB or PC tuner I've used. I have a HVR2200 and heaps of signal as I'm about 10km LOS from Waiatarua and still get occasional glitches on the HVR2200. Rarely get any on the Sony though. When I first set up digital back in 2008 with a Zinwell STB reception was terrible in the early evenings. Still using same antenna and co-ax so it was obviously poor quality equipment. It died after 18 months.

frederik

23 posts

Geek

#907231 3-Oct-2013 15:48

NZWizzkid: On the Hauppauge card, ensure the centre connector (Two half semi-circles) are not spread to far apart.
As the card / room temperature rises they could be expanding enough to start to loose good contact.
They may also need a bit of a clean.

What's the best way to clean them and fix 'em up? Can I just use pliers and some paper towels, or do I need some more sophisticated tools? ;)

B1GGLZ: Have you checked the signal strength and quality on your Sony for comparison? Sonys will operate at much lower signal levels than any STB or PC tuner I've used. I have a HVR2200 and heaps of signal as I'm about 10km LOS from Waiatarua and still get occasional glitches on the HVR2200. Rarely get any on the Sony though. When I first set up digital back in 2008 with a Zinwell STB reception was terrible in the early evenings. Still using same antenna and co-ax so it was obviously poor quality equipment. It died after 18 months.

Nah, haven't checked the singal strength/quality on the Sony yet, but will do tonight. We have another cheapo receiver box for our bedroom TV and reception on that one also craps out - even worse than the Hauppauge. Sometimes it is all good, but more often than not it is unwatchable, especially TV 1 and 2.

What always was strange to me is the fact that the guy installed the antenna under the roof, so it is not actually physicially outside, but he said it would be okay cause we are in an area with a high signal strength (Three Kings with line of sight). Maybe I should just get someone else to come and re-install the antenna outside.

turb

881 posts

Ultimate Geek

#907240 3-Oct-2013 15:56

NZWizzkid: On the Hauppauge card, ensure the centre connector (Two half semi-circles) are not spread to far apart.
As the card / room temperature rises they could be expanding enough to start to loose good contact.
They may also need a bit of a clean.

That connector, and whatever it's connected to really isn't very robust. It doesn't help that antenna cable is quite inflexible so any movement puts a lot of stain on the connector, which then gets loose.

That was another reason for going over to the hd homerun. And it's one less cable between the wall and the TV trolley.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

frederik

23 posts

Geek

#907252 3-Oct-2013 16:07

@turb: Where did you buy your HDHomeRun? I made the stupid mistake and ordered one from Amazon (US) because it was so much cheaper there (less than $100 NZD incl. delivery), only to find out that there is a different version in the US that doesn't work with DVB-T. So I have an HD HomeRun sitting around that I can't use for anything here in NZ. Don't want to make the same mistake again. ;)

NZWizzkid

14 posts

Geek

#907279 3-Oct-2013 16:25

As Turb pointed out that type of connector is not very robust. A pair of fine nosed pliers should be enough to squeeze them together slightly. Do not over do it.
If they are close enough together then when you push the connector in it should wipe the surfaces so you may not need to clean any further.

If you feel that the connector is too loose and you are unable to close the gap sufficiently I have in the past used a small piece of tin foil to help fill the gap.

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#907321 3-Oct-2013 17:38

frederik:
What always was strange to me is the fact that the guy installed the antenna under the roof, so it is not actually physicially outside, but he said it would be okay cause we are in an area with a high signal strength (Three Kings with line of sight). Maybe I should just get someone else to come and re-install the antenna outside.

That's probably OK if you have a tiled roof but not going to work very well if you have a metal roof.
External is always best.

turb

881 posts

Ultimate Geek

#907563 4-Oct-2013 00:09

frederik: @turb: Where did you buy your HDHomeRun? I made the stupid mistake and ordered one from Amazon (US) because it was so much cheaper there (less than $100 NZD incl. delivery), only to find out that there is a different version in the US that doesn't work with DVB-T. So I have an HD HomeRun sitting around that I can't use for anything here in NZ. Don't want to make the same mistake again. ;)

Awww that sucks...

I got mine from Kaiser Baas in Australia (although it is sent from Hong Kong).

There is a thread here that overlaps with this one: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=84&topicid=129114

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

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