[mythtv-users] digital cable channel scan incomplete

[matt lutz]

On Thu, Dec 4, 2008 at 3:44 PM, R. G. Newbury <newbury at mandamus.org> wrote:

>  matt lutz wrote:
> > All,
> >
> > I've recently switched from DirecTV/OTA to digital cable.  I have a
> > HDHomeRun that I wanted to tune the ATSC channels with.  I've
> successfully
> > set up the new listings, the HDHR, and scanned for the channels.  I get
> the
> > local networks in HD, and some other odd news channels, but I don't get a
> > decent amount of the available content.  I've been able to map all of the
> > channels it does find to the proper channel # and xmltv ID, but the big
> > problem is the missing channels.
> >
> > If I use the HDHR windows app, I get all of them.  here is my listings
> page:
> >
> >
> http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/lineupui?Cmd=LocationProgramsWeb&Country=US&Postcode=22302
> >
> > Mythtv doesn't find anything with a 'program' number of over 100 for some
> > reason.  I've searched all over the place on how to add new channels to
> the
> > database, and I've done what I think should be correct, but myth can't
> get a
> > good channel lock on the new channel I add to the db.
> >
> > Like I said, I know the HDHR can tune the channel, because I can get it
> on
> > my windows laptop using the HDHR software.  Does anyone have any ideas on
> > what could be wrong in my myth setup?
>
> It's not clear what you are actually adding to the db. What you need to
> add are: a) the frequency to dtv_multiplex and b) the channel info to
> the channel table.
> The *number* which 'everyone' uses for a channel now means basically
> nothing. And there actually are NO channel frequencies with a number
> over 100: those are just for convenience.
>
> There is page here:
>
> http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php/Adding_Digital_Cable_Channels_(For_ATSC/QAM_Tuner_Cards_--_USA/Canada)
>
> which discusses this in some detail,
>
> If your hdhr can see it, then it can produce output which you can use to
>  set up your database. You really want to install the dvb-apps package
> to  start with. It's in Fedora 'Everything' but available elsewhere of
> course. Among other things it provides files listing frequencies and
> channel numbers:
> /usr/share/dvb-apps/atsc/us-ATSC-center-frequencies-8VSB
> /usr/share/dvb-apps/atsc/us-Cable-Standard-center-frequencies-QAM256
>
> Since these are ATSC OTA channels, you would use the first page and the
> azap program to scan for channels. Or you could just create entries in
> dtv_multiplex with numbers and frequencies.
> THEN you have to find the digital streams, and set up the PID and other
> info in the channels table. The wiki page describes this, and how to
> test using azap and mplayer.
>
> I suspect that you are trying to push into the database, the number
> which you would use in casual talk to describe a station, when its
> actual channel and PID are quite different due to the digital shift. The
> 3 networks in Buffalo used to be '2,4 and 7' and they still call
> themselves that, but those are NOT the tuning frequency channels they use.
>
> Finally, if you can tune some unknown channel in mythtv, and recognize
> it by its content against the guide you can use the on-screen editor to
> set the Name (WABC-DT) and XMLTVID, to match you Schedules Direct
> lineup. (But note: the xlmtvid is the definitive identifier at the
> SchedulesDirect end, but a tv station (or cable provider) and (and they
> do) change the frequency and/or PID of the digital stream whenever they
> damn well please!
>
> Geoff
>
>
Geoff,

Thanks for the reply.  Sorry - I misspoke when I said 'ATSC', I really meant
qam256.  I do know the feqid and muliplex ID.  referenceing the hdhomerun
listings data, I'm trying to tune feqid 91, multiplex 108.  These are the
fields that I've entered into a new row in the database.  via mythtv, I
can't get a lock on it.  That goes for any channel that has a multiplex id
of over 100.  I'm not sure if that's just a coincidence or not...

I should also add that I'm running mythbuntu 8.04 w/ mythtv 0.21, and I'm
trying to tune Comcast digital cable.

thanks,
matt
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