Pinnacle PCTV HD tuning... (already searched)

[mookie]

I just picked this up at Best Buy (open "box," $49, couldn't pass it up). I'm getting some strange results with it so far:

1) Using the Pinnacle software, I can see 12 DTV channels in my area and tune to them without issues.

2) Sage (v6.3) see's it as a source and I'm able to add it as normal. When I go to "Scan Available Channels" it can't find any. I did notice that the channel numbers are different in Sage than in the Pinnacle software (even omitting what looks like a prefix of "10" before each station number), but even trying to re-map in Sage doesn't seem to work (Sage always shows Signal Strength = 0%, and I get the "No Signal" box regardless of what channel number I choose).

3) If I go through the setup and leave Sage on a channel I was trying to configure in the Source Setup -> Channel Setup, then go to the Pinnacle software and tune to a station in the list, the channel starts playing in Sage (and the Pinnacle software throws an unhandled exception and eventually crashes, I'm assuming because Sage is actually using the device). So, I guess it does work, it's just some issue w/Sage controlling the tuning (WHQL drivers?)

4) I tried updating the drivers and software to the latest MCE 2005 drivers from the website (which was supposed to install/update the WHQL drivers), still no dice trying to configure through Sage. I rebooted after each driver install, although that shouldn't make a difference.

Any ideas on the tuning issue? The PQ looks VERY good right now and I guess I could make do, it's just a hassle not being able to tune through Sage. I really only want to use it for FOX and CBS in HD, since Comcast seems to have encrypted those two stations and I get "No Signal" through the firewire setup (oddly enough, the two football stations, coincidence? If no one has had any luck, any other suggestions for a CHEAP OTA HD tuner? Again, I don't want to spend too much as it's really just for those two stations, the firewire setup works perfectly for the rest of my available HD stations.

Gracias

[mookie]

Scratch that, it makes sense that if Sage scanning the device crashes the Pinnacle software that the Pinnacle software would prevent Sage from being able to scan I uninstalled the Pinnacle software, rebooted, and Sage was able to find & add all of the channels, and can now tune them without issues. I still had to remap to different logical numbers to prevent conflicts, but it does indeed work. Even at full price (I think $69?) this is a good deal IMO for a cheap USB HD tuner. Note this is NOT the QAM version (PCTV HD Ultimate) but rather the non-QAM (PCTV HD Pro). Also, I'm using a powered Radio Shack UHF antenna I had in the closet instead of the small telescoping antenna that comes with the stick.

I give this thing a thumbs up so far.

[m2cupcar]

I just found the Pinnacle pci version for <$60 at circuitycity.com and it lists QAM support, as does it on the Pinnacle product page with a link to their beta software- so the hardware capability "must" be there.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/produ....do?oid=201367

[mookie]

I played around with the antenna a little more this morning, improved the signal strength on the existing channels and picked up about 5 more. Granted they're mostly PBS-type channels, but hey I'm very impressed that I'm not getting stuttering with this cheapo antenna, my analog reception was always spotty with it. This is definitely a good buy for the money, the PCI version makes for a cleaner setup, though.

I agree, the QAM version should work the same (as far as compatibility w/Sage). Lesson learned, don't install the Pinnacle software