HDPVR 1.5.6.2 Driver in HD PVR support package for Windows Media Center

[jchisholm]

No go for me with Win 7 (64). Updated the drivers per directions but I suspect that this will only work with a cable setup, not satellite with an external box.
The TV signal setup dies at 0% scanning for channels indefinitely.
I don't want it to scan for channels, I manually have to tune them with the
PVR blaster controlling my Motorola (Starchoice) satellite receiver.
Oh well it was an interesting idea but sure not ready for prime time with my
setup.

[joe123]

Originally Posted by jchisholm

No go for me with Win 7 (64). Updated the drivers per directions but I suspect that this will only work with a cable setup, not satellite with an external box.
The TV signal setup dies at 0% scanning for channels indefinitely.
I don't want it to scan for channels, I manually have to tune them with the
PVR blaster controlling my Motorola (Starchoice) satellite receiver.
Oh well it was an interesting idea but sure not ready for prime time with my
setup.

Side question on the scanning. I want to do that too, but for me with Time Warner, all channels that are not paid (not subscribed to) show up with a screen saying "Call to buy bla bla bla". So when I scan, it picks up this channel as a valid channel.

How do you guys scan and not pick up channels that are showing info but not subscribed to?

[darcilicious]

I don't scan but I do (manually) delete all the channels I don't subscribe to (or need in some cases, duplicates in a different range of numbers).

[joe123]

Originally Posted by darcilicious

I don't scan but I do (manually) delete all the channels I don't subscribe to (or need in some cases, duplicates in a different range of numbers).

This bring up yet another question. I been playing with different HDPVR drivers and I noticed that I have to remove the HDPVR from SageTV or I get a blank screen when changing drivers.

Having to re-enter the channels I subscribe to is driving me nuts. So, can one preserve the channel on / off status if I remove and re-add the HDPVR in SageTV?

[gplasky]

The HD-PVR is NOT a tuner. Why would you do a channel scan? I use a USB-UIRT for tuning but I just pick the cable lineup and either enable or disable the channels I want. Anytime I update either Sage or the HD-PVR drivers the previous channels are just there like I left them. Unless I'm misunderstanding something here.

Gerry

[SHS]

Take Note that DirecTV guide listing may work but not Dish network guide listing that dosen't work I know after all I was one of beta tester with Dish network.
Take Note the Scan is for guide channel listing so take your time with each setup menu
If read page 12 in the Doc >
You may notice prolonged hard disk activity at times during the setup
process. We found that continuing the setup process during this activity may
cause setup to fail. After selecting the TV provider lineup you are asked to
confirm the configuration. We suggest you do not click on next until you see
minimal hard disk activity for 15 seconds.
TV signal setup dies at 0%/99% scanning and no next menu most likely it crash MCE or hang up.
Try wait a bit but if all else fails try start over reboot and del ever thing in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\eHome\

[toricred]

In my case I have 4 HDPVRs connected to Directv boxes. It all worked fine when upgrading the drivers other than some problems with my WHS install that I got straightened out.

@joe123 are you shutting Sage down completely while upgrading the drivers. You will definitely run into problems if you don't do that. Then you shouldn't need to remove the tuner and set it up again every time you change drivers.

[joe123]

Originally Posted by gplasky

The HD-PVR is NOT a tuner. Why would you do a channel scan? I use a USB-UIRT for tuning but I just pick the cable lineup and either enable or disable the channels I want. Anytime I update either Sage or the HD-PVR drivers the previous channels are just there like I left them. Unless I'm misunderstanding something here.

Gerry

I have been trying out different HDPVR drivers. Removing & re-installing the drivers and SageTV causes (for me) SageTV to only see a blank screen. Yes, the STB is on. When I remove and re-add HDPVR inside SageTV, the HDPVR then works.

When I remove the HDPVR tunner inside SageTV, it forgets my channel line up. I have channels starting at 1 going to 1400+ I have certain paid group of channels and there are others that I don't have. Going though 1400 channels tunning on/off is a pain. I was asking of there was a way to have SageTV remember the last channel settings if I remove the HDPVR and put it back in.

[joe123]

Originally Posted by toricred

@joe123 are you shutting Sage down completely while upgrading the drivers. You will definitely run into problems if you don't do that. Then you shouldn't need to remove the tuner and set it up again every time you change drivers.

Yes. I shutdown both SageTV.exe and SageService.exe. I check with processes viewer to make sure they are both gone. I then run HWCLEAR to remove all drivers. I then remove SageTV software. Reboot. Run WHCLEAR once last time (not needed I know). Reboot.

I then install HDPVR drivers and IR blaster, configure blaster. Reboot. Install SageTV and I get blank screen when watching through the HDPVR. Now, if I simply remove the HDPVR from SageTV and add it back again, the HDPVR now works.

Let me know if I am doing something wrong.

[toricred]

I have never had to uninstall Sage to upgrade the drivers. I've also never used the IR blaster from the HDPVR and I think the IR blaster is the cause of a lot of people's problems.

Uninstalling Sage is probably related to your losing your lineups.

[sic0048]

Originally Posted by toricred

I've also never used the IR blaster from the HDPVR and I think the IR blaster is the cause of a lot of people's problems.

False - using the IR blaster doesn't seem to have any bearing on whether or not people have problems.

Now one might argue that the IR receiver can help cause problems and that is why many people cover it up. But the blaster doesn't add any instability that isn't prevalent in non-IR blaster user's systems too.

[toricred]

I said a lot of people's problems not all of them.

[joe123]

Originally Posted by toricred

I have never had to uninstall Sage to upgrade the drivers. I've also never used the IR blaster from the HDPVR and I think the IR blaster is the cause of a lot of people's problems.

Uninstalling Sage is probably related to your losing your lineups.

I tried the new IR blaster program - same results, so it's not the IR blaster in my opinion.

You misunderstood what I said with regards to Uninstalling SageTV.

Uninstalling SageTV does not loose the channel line up. I only loose the channel lineup when I remove and add the HDPVR back into SageTV.

Why do I remove and re-add HDVR to SageTV? Becuase if I don't, I get blank screen recordings. The HDPVR will not work right after changing HDPVR drivers.

[sic0048]

Originally Posted by toricred

I said a lot of people's problems not all of them.

You admittedly don't even use the IR blaster. You have no idea what you are talking about.

[soapbox]The stability problems that people talk about who use the IR blaster are the exact same stability problems that people who do not use the IR blaster have. People that use the IR blaster are no more or less likely to see stability problems. Yet I constantly see people like youself who don't even use the IR blaster consistantly point to it as a source of instability. That idea is completely false. I'm tired of having to correct people who think they are 'in the know' because they read about it.[/soapbox]

I realize that statement is going to come off as pretty rude. I just don't know how else to write it. I'm not trying to be a jerk about it, but I AM trying to combat these incorrect pretenses.

[toricred]

No, I don't use the IR blaster now. I used to use it and eliminating the blaster eliminated my lock up issues. I do know what I'm talking about, at least in my case, in addition another thread around here had a reply from Hauppaugue that mentioned known issues with the IR blasters.

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by sic0048

You admittedly don't even use the IR blaster. You have no idea what you are talking about.

[soapbox]The stability problems that people talk about who use the IR blaster are the exact same stability problems that people who do not use the IR blaster have. People that use the IR blaster are no more or less likely to see stability problems. Yet I constantly see people like youself who don't even use the IR blaster consistantly point to it as a source of instability. That idea is completely false. I'm tired of having to correct people who think they are 'in the know' because they read about it.[/soapbox]

I realize that statement is going to come off as pretty rude. I just don't know how else to write it. I'm not trying to be a jerk about it, but I AM trying to combat these incorrect pretenses.

Wel it seems even Hauppague recognizes the IR and the chipset used as a flaw:

Hello,

We have been looking into random lock up issues with the HD-PVR and currently are working on a fix. We are looking into an issues with the IR blaster causing an issue and we are in talks with the manufacture of the chipset inside the unit to come up with a solution.

Is it possible that your unit has a hardware problem, yes possible, but if we exchange the unit and you still have the issue then it probably falls into this issue that we are already looking into.

If you want to send it in for a replacement, we would need your address and phone number.

regards,
Jerry Henriquez

jhenriquez@hauppauge.com

Technical Support
Hauppauge Computer Works
New York

It sounds like a design flaw for the chipset inside the HD-PVR used in IR blaster may be responsible. And that would be whether you use the IR blaster or not. I have lucked out with an earlier model when they first came out and probably have had less than 6 lockups in 2 years always running the latest drivers.

Gerry

[sic0048]

Alright - I'll eat crow if I need to.

BUT, if it is really the IR blaster chipset causing all our issues, then why does it effect people that do not use the IR blaster?

There are plenty of people using the IR blaster without issues and there are plenty of people using the IR blaster with issues. This matches the non-IR blaster user's experiences. Hence IMHO it is yet another "fix" that people have latched onto without really understanding what is causing the problem.

[SHS]

Originally Posted by sic0048

Alright - I'll eat crow if I need to.

BUT, if it is really the IR blaster chipset causing all our issues, then why does it effect people that do not use the IR blaster?

There are plenty of people using the IR blaster without issues and there are plenty of people using the IR blaster with issues. This matches the non-IR blaster user's experiences. Hence IMHO it is yet another "fix" that people have latched onto without really understanding what is causing the problem.

That eazy the IR blaster chip is still being power up it dosen't need drivers so now you can eat your crow hehe

[joe123]

I don't think it's the IR program. I tried the new IR program and had the same results.

[webitube]

FWIW, I've been using 1.5.6.2 beta, and it's been *very* stable for me.

Background: Win 7, 64-bit, 4Gb. With 1.5.6.1, I had constant problems and had to reboot the HD-PVR after *each* recording. Needless to say, this was quite annoying. Since I've upgraded to 1.5.6.2 beta, even ArcSoft TME has been rock solid. Sure, it has other issues, but those issues are a problem with the usability and design of that particular program and not indicative of the driver itself.

Now, I just wish I could get the brightness/contrast/etc. controls working...