[mythtv-users] PVR-150 only gets 3 cable channels

[William Munson]

George Roberts wrote:
> I just got a used pvr-150 for my mythtv box but I can only get a few 
> channels through my comcast cable and only just barely.  As a coincidence 
> these are the same channels that - if I disconnect the cable, set the tv to 
> that channel, and reconnect the cable - the TV sees these but no other channels 
> work.  If I set the channel when the cable is connected the TV, it can tune it 
> no problem.  These few stations that "work" are all contiguous - something
> like 4,5,6 if I remember right.  Also if I connect the vcr cable out to the
> pvr-150 it gets channel 3 from the vcr just fine.
>
> I suspect this means comcast has the station carrier frequencies off by quite 
> a bit and the pvr-150 can't tune them in.  Or maybe cable channels are 
> normally at different frequencies than over the air?
>
> Is there a tune feature for the pvr-150 that has to be enabled?  Is there a 
> way to tell it exactly what frequency each channel is on (like the HDTV card)?
> Is there any kind of config file for pvr-150s?
>
> Does anyone else out there use a pvr-150 on mythtv with 
> comcast cable in Boston area?  Is my card just defective?
>
>   
There is an option to set the channel frequencies to the standard cable 
asignments however you should be able to tune 2-13 in either case. The 
setting only affects channel frequencies for the higher channels since a 
cable box does not need to skip bands of frequencies like an OTA signal. 
You may have purchased a board designed for the european market so check 
the model number on the manufacturer's web site.

I would suspect that you bought yourself a lemon in which case 
eBay/paypal is your best friend. Dispute the sale (Unless the old owner 
sold it as-is in which case you are out of luck.) and you should be able 
to get your money back.