[mythtv-users] Freqid and Sky Digital

[Darren Coleman]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org 
> [mailto:mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org] On Behalf Of Ant Daniel
> Sent: 08 July 2005 14:23
> To: Discussion about mythtv
> Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] Freqid and Sky Digital
> 
> On 7/8/05, Darren Coleman <daz at superficial.net> wrote:
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org
> > > [mailto:mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org] On Behalf Of Ant Daniel
> > > Sent: 08 July 2005 11:29
> > > To: Discussion about mythtv
> > > Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] Freqid and Sky Digital
> > >
> > > On 7/8/05, Darren Coleman <daz at superficial.net> wrote:
> > > > Hi,
> > > >
> > > > Hoping someone out there can help me.
> > > >
> > > > I've got MythTV receiving input from a Sky Digital STB, via
> > > a Hauppauge
> > > > PVR-350.  The signal is coming via S-video into the S-video
> > > IN on my PVR350.
> > > > Everything appears to be working correctly except for one
> > > small problem -
> > > > changing channels.
> > > >
> > > > Running tv_grab_uk_rt does not populate any freqids in the
> > > database (wait, I
> > > > know you're going to say mythfilldatabase --manual) but in
> > > actuality I don't
> > > > need Myth/ivtv or whatever to "tune" to the selected
> > > station, it simply
> > > > needs to send 3 numbers to the box and the box changes it.
> > > >
> > > > Right now when I press the arrow keys to go up or down a
> > > channel it just
> > > > pauses for a while and then comes back with the same
> > > channel information.  I
> > > > understand from the debugging output that this is because
> > > there are missing
> > > > freqids from the "europe-west" freqtable I am using (e.g.
> > > SE11, E8, etc).
> > > >
> > > > If I run "ptune.pl -f pal-europe-west --list-channels" I
> > > get a list of known
> > > > frequency IDs.  I *could* use these freqids to populate 
> the database
> > > > manually, but the problem there then is that there are only
> > > 109 known
> > > > freqids, and I have - from memory - at least 160 channels
> > > in the database.
> > > >
> > > > All I basically want Myth to do when I type in a channel
> > > number, or press
> > > > up/down on the cursor keys is to adjust the program 
> guide and OSD
> > > > accordingly.  I don't need it to try and *tune* anything,
> > > since ultimately I
> > > > will have to get it set up so it sends the necessary
> > > numbers down an IR
> > > > "Redeye" or similar bit of kit to change it.
> > > >
> > > > Any ideas?  I can't believe I'm the first person to hit
> > > this problem, and
> > > > yet I couldn't find any specific info anywhere in the archives.
> > > >
> > > > Regards,
> > > >
> > > > Darren
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > mythtv-users mailing list
> > > > mythtv-users at mythtv.org
> > > > http://mythtv.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > > You need to set the freqid to the channel number and use 
> an external
> > > channel change program, which will need an ir or rf 
> blaster, to get
> > > the sky box to change the channel. You also want the 
> chanid to be set
> > > to the same as freqid.
> > >
> > > I think I saw an sql script on the list a while back which had the
> > > channels & freqid's set up.
> > >
> > > Ant.
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > mythtv-users mailing list
> > > mythtv-users at mythtv.org
> > > http://mythtv.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users
> > 
> > Hi Ant,
> > 
> > Thanks for that info.
> > 
> > I did try doing that originally, but when I had the freqid 
> the same as the
> > channum (e.g. 106 for Sky One) whenever I tried pressing 
> up/down on the
> > cursor keys, or indeed any channel navigation I just got a load of
> > CheckChannel() error messages saying things like "No such 
> channel 'E9'",
> > etc.
> > 
> > Obviously it's looking for frequencies in the "europe-west" 
> frequency table
> > as this was how I set it up originally, but how can I get 
> it to just accept
> > the channel numbers as freqids (e.g. 101, 102, 103, 104, 
> 105, 106, 124, 127,
> > etc) without complaining about missing channels?
> > 
> > Thanks,
> > 
> > Darren
> > 
> > 
> 
> Fro what I understand of what you saying, your missing the bit about
> setting up an external channel changer.
> 
> Without the channel changer script, the tunner will attempt to change
> by returning the coax input, as you've got a s-video input, from and
> external box, you need to setup myth to call a channel change script,
> this also requires a blaster (ir/rf) to actually change the box (i.e.
> send the infrared signal for the channel)
> 
> Additionally, you will want mythfilldatabase to populate your scehdule
> from Radio Times, or you'll be missing the advantages of Myth.
> 
> Ant.

I've already got mythfilldatabase populating the schedule from RT, with the
correct channel numbers and even some icons.

I'm not too fussed about MythTV actually changing the channel at the moment
because I know this will involve scripts and an IR blaster.  I'm more
concerned by the fact that when I type in the channel number, or press up or
down on the keyboard - it just pauses and then shows me the same on-screen
information.

I don't know if I'm making much sense or not - basically since the feed from
the Sky Digital box is "just a video feed" Myth will have no way of knowing
what channel, frequency or whatever the Sky box will be running.  I do not
need Myth or my PVR card to do any tuning at all, the coax connection is not
even used - I just want the OSD and TV guide to reflect the change in
channel (in other words, if I type in 301 - I want it to switch to Sky
Sports 1 on the OSN and TV guide, irrespective of whats being shown on the
screen (as that's a separate configuration issue imo).

Hope I'm being clear - I know it's a slightly confusing scenario.  It would
probably be easier if I was using a DVB card, with the Sky signal being fed
directly into the card in the PC - but then I would only be able to view
Free-to-Air channels (all premium Sky channels are encrypted and require the
STB to decrypt).

Thanks again,

Darren