[mythtv-users] Comcast/Xfinity cable card

[Barry Martin]

Hi Dave!

>>> Thanks to all who responded.? I was considering dumping Xfinity
>>> altogether and it sounds like the best option (satisfying, if nothing
>>> else!).
>>
>> I would try moving the antenna’s location within your attic. Digital 
>> TV reception is quirky: too little signal and nothing, but also too 
>> much will give nothing (is there a signal amplifier in the feed 
>> coax?). More than likely too little signal so try moving the antenna 
>> a few feet from where it is now to see if things change. If the 
>> antenna is hard to move try a temporary one: the old circular or bow 
>> tie antennas are UHF (most digital stations broadcast on a UHF 
>> frequency).
>>
>> Another option is “something broke” while the roofers were pounding 
>> up there. Possible a connection broke at the antenna. Also possible 
>> inside the housing where not seen – here the test antenna could be 
>> worthwhile.
>>
>> If your antenna feed is amplified be sure the amplifier has power. 
>> Also be sure the correct coax is going to the input: most coax is 
>> black and so they all look the same!
>>
> Yea, been there done all that.
>
Figured you had but all-too-easy to overlook the basics (BTDT!) -- AT&T 
had a training video entitled "It Works Better If You Plug It In"!


> Back in 2020 I wrote a program to run on my laptop that measures 
> signal strength using a USB dongle tuner 
> (http://www.guiplot.com/strength/). I can tune two channels (dual 
> tuner) and watch them as I move the antennas around (I have two: UHF 
> and VHF with a combiner/preamp).  First thing I did was remove the 
> preamp and look at them separately.  They BOTH went to absolute zero 
> on all channels in the attic (not just no lock, but ZERO signal!).  So 
> I fed the same cable from the Myth box out through the eve vent and 
> put one of the antennas on a pole and voila!  Worked just like it had 
> from in the attic before the new roof.  I have no idea what's in that 
> new roofing, but it shields RF really well!
>
Yes, I use a probably similar tool called femon (dvbtools IIRC). Can't 
do much about the roof material and sound like the gables are 90° to the 
transmitters.  Thinking possibly a vent stack mount but that might not 
be located correctly either.  Just throwing out an idea.
>
> The placement of the two antennas was critical (which is why I wrote 
> the app) due to our neighbors' trees.  Trying to duplicate the setup 
> on the roof sounds like more trouble than I am willing to take, not to 
> mention bolting stuff to the new roof or freshly painted house.  I 
> think my days of antennas are done and I will be adding to Comcast's 
> $billions (unless our neighbors decide to take down some trees).  :)
>
Hang from the soffit?  ...I'm think I'm out of quirky ideas now!

Personally I find Comcast/Xfinity's method of show location  (the 'Find' 
option) underwhelming: almost have to know when the show is on to find 
it.  MythTV/ScheduleDirect is soooo much easier. 'Course one does have 
to have a signal to watch!

Good Luck!

Barry

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