[mythtv-users] Fwd: Mythtv - black screen when trying to watch tv on computer

[Douglas Ward]

Thank you for this information.  I followed your advice about rebuilding my
channel list without channel scan.  I did read that FAQ document and
verified that my setup looks ok.  I am still seeing about three seconds of
black screen and then back to the myth frontend.  They only place in mythtv
that I can find that is in the transcoder section.  The only option I can
choose is hardware.  I hate to sound frustrated but does anyone have any
ideas?

On 4/1/07, Michael T. Dean <mtdean at thirdcontact.com> wrote:
>
> On 04/01/2007 10:15 AM, Douglas Ward wrote:
> > I have set up a Mythtv box running Mandriva 2007 and using a Hauppage
> > PVR 350 capture card.
> ...
> > In Mythtv I can connect to the backend database, run mythfilldatabase
> > and scan channels for Tuner 1.
> Unrelated, but if you're a North American user you should /never/ scan
> for channels with analog cards.  Use "Fetch channels from listings
> source" to get your channels.  (If you're not a North American user,
> chances are there are better ways to define channels than using the
> analog scan (which leaves much to be desired).)
>
> To clean up the mess scanning has probably made for you, use
> mythtv-setup's "Delete all video sources" button in the Video Sources
> section and then recreate your video source, input connections, and then
> use the "Fetch channels from listings source" button to create your
> channels.
>
> > When I try to watch tv or record a program all I get is a black screen.
>
> You've configured your system to use the PVR-350's hardware decoder.
> This can /only/ be used with the PVR-350's TV out, so it won't work with
> your system connected to a monitor.  So, just disable, "Use the
> PVR-350's TV out / MPEG decoder" and you'll be up and running.
>
> There's no reason to worry about not being able to use the hardware
> decoder.  With today's processors (actually those from the last 4 years
> or more) an SDTV-resolution MPEG-2 recording is easy to decode in
> software, so really--due to its limitations (720x480 max resolution
> output using 50+-year old NTSC technology, no OpenGL, no 2-D
> acceleration, ...)--there is, IMHO, no good reason to use the PVR-350's
> TV out.  I used my PVR-350 as a PVR-250 (i.e. didn't use the decoder)
> for 3 years.
>
> And, since my HDTV-upgrade, my 350, 250, and 2x150's are now just
> paperweights.  In this role, however, the hardware decoder has proven
> effective--it adds a bit of heft to the 350 making it capable of
> performing as a paperweight in winds 3-5mph higher than the maximum
> windspeed a 250 can handle.  The new 150's--with their "1 chip instead
> of 2 and everything miniaturized" design--are actually the least
> effective of my 4 PVR paperweights.  So, even though you spent a bit
> more to get that hardware decoder and you'll probably decide not to use
> it, don't worry because, eventually, you can get some use out of it.  :)
>
> > When I pick something out of the channel guide it records but mythtv
> > says that it doesn't exist in the play back screens.  I can see the
> > video in the /home/recordings directory.  Very strange.
>
>
> http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php/Frequently_Asked_Questions#Q:_Why_aren.27t_my_new_recordings_showing_up_in_Watch_Recordings.3F
>
> > Has anyone seen this kind of behavior before?
>
> Only enough people that it made the FAQ list.  :)
>
> Enjoy,
> Mike
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