New Sage User - WinTV500MCE Picture Quality problem

[Salvo]

Hello, I am new to SageTV and the forums. Please help! I need some advice...

I have the following system components:

• Windows MCE 2005 SP2
• WinTVPVR-500 MCE (Dual tuner combo from Sage, Driver: 2.0.43.24103 )
• SageTV 5.0.4
• Basic, Analog Cable (from the wall, No STB)
• Cable split 4 ways in basement (the splitter label says 5-1000mhz, 7dB output)

Everything seems to have installed correctly but TV reception is terrible. It is very fuzzy and garbled. Searching these forums lead me to three possible problems:

1. Poor/low signal strength
2. "Frequency Shifting" by my cable provider
3. Bad PVR500 card

Here's what I think is going on. Please let me know if it sounds logical or if I am missing something.

RE: 1: Not a problem. Rationale: When I connect the cable to a TV, the picture is clear. No issues. The picture gets is no better when the splitter is bypassed.

RE: 2: Not a problem. Rationale: As I understand the issue, it is a bug in the SageTV software and not the HW. I tested the card in Win MCE and get the same bad picture.

Re: 3: Maybe? Though I can't believe it, this is the only thing that makes sense to me. Now that I look deeper, it seems a lot of other folks have had issues with the same card as well.

I am nuts? Is there something else I am missing or that I should try?

[clmolnar]

Try installing this driver update:

http://hauppauge.lightpath.net/softw...0_22_23257.exe

[rtengvad]

Hi salvo

What about your cable and your plug. Is it all shielded well? I had noise on some of my channels but then I turned the direction of my of my antenna t-plug, away from the FM-connector and it went away.

If no help, try, if you can, to install the pvr500 in another computer. I've seen this before that that the "environment" as well can affect the performance. Also try a different pci slot.

good luck

rtengvad

[tomfisk]

Salvo,

Take a look at this thread. It is a sad story with the PVR-500, but salvagable. http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/showthread.php?t=33675

I ended up permanently removing the covers from the RF tuners and using the 3.1a drivers. The later drivers are less than acceptable.

The only other thing I can suggest is that you check all your components that are delivering the signal. Splitters and cables do go bad so verify that you have good ones.