[mythtv-users] HDPVR problems: Bad device?

[Rod Smith]

On 11/03/2014 04:42 PM, Justin Alcorn wrote:
> On Mon, Nov 3, 2014 at 4:33 PM, Rod Smith <mythtv at rodsbooks.com> wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I recently acquired a new Hauppauge HD-PVR (model 1212, so it should be
>> compatible) from an eBay seller. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be
>> working, so I thought I'd ask for advice. I've followed the setup procedure
>> in the wiki (https://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Hauppauge_HD-PVR), and am using the
>> recommended hdpvr_1.7.1.30059 firmware. I've connected the component output
>> from my Motorola cable STB to the HD-PVR, and I know the Motorola STB box
>> works, since when I connect the cables directly to my TV, I get a picture.
>> When I connect a second set of cables from the HD-PVR to the TV (which
>> should produce a pass-through image, if I understand correctly), I get no
>> picture. In MythTV, I get 0-length recordings. I've also tried connecting
>> the HD-PVR to a Windows laptop. The Hauppauge Windows application works fine
>> with the laptop's built-in webcam, but it produces a blank image when told
>> to use the HD-PVR as a source. Plugging the HD-PVR in to Linux produces what
>> looks like normal dmesg output:
>>
>> [9748930.459763] usb 8-1: new high-speed USB device number 21 using xhci_hcd
>> [9748930.518351] usb 8-1: New USB device found, idVendor=2040,
>> idProduct=4903
>> [9748930.518358] usb 8-1: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2,
>> SerialNumber=3
>> [9748930.518362] usb 8-1: Product: Hauppauge HD PVR
>> [9748930.518365] usb 8-1: Manufacturer: AMBA
>> [9748930.518368] usb 8-1: SerialNumber: 00A63B83
>> [9748930.536620] hdpvr 8-1:1.0: firmware version 0x1e dated Mar  7 2012
>> 08:25:15
>> [9748930.915239] hdpvr 8-1:1.0: device now attached to video3
>>
>> When I power on the HD-PVR, the blue and amber front-panel lights come on,
>> followed by the blue light on top of the unit. The blue light on top then
>> immediately goes out, followed shortly by the amber light. (Should either of
>> those stay on permanently, or come on when a recording begins?) The blue
>> front-panel light remains on constantly.
>>
>> My suspicion is that I've got a defective unit, but I thought I'd run this
>> past the experts here before contacting the eBay seller and asking for a
>> refund or replacement. Do you have any other tips for things to try? Note
>> that I'm not a MythTV newbie; I've been using it for years with various
>> recording devices (plug-in MPEG cards, a PVR-USB2, FireWire from my STB, and
>> an HD HomeRun Prime).
>>
>> Thanks for any advice.
>
> The blue light on top should turn on during recording, the blue light
> on the power button is always on when power is on. .

Thanks for the information. On mine, the blue light on top only blinks
on for a moment when I turn the unit on, then it goes out.

> Can you get anything with
>
> cat /dev/video3 > test.ts
>
> then see if test.ts has video?

I get "cat: /dev/video3: Input/output error". I get the same thing
whether I do this as an ordinary user or as root. There's nothing in
dmesg to elaborate on the I/O error.

> Did you expect it to be video3 ?

Sort of. I've got a PVR500 that becomes /dev/video0 and /dev/video1.
Initially the HD-PVR became /dev/video2, but after I unplugged and
re-plugged it a few times, it became /dev/video3.

FWIW, I've rebooted and tried again with cat, and I get the same I/O
error. (The HD-PVR is now /dev/video1. I'm actually using udev-created
symbolic links to reference these devices in MythTV.)

-- 
Rod Smith
rodsmith at rodsbooks.com
http://www.rodsbooks.com