Can I use an Avermedia Duet with Verizon FIOS to access the clear-QAM?

[Chuck584]

I purchased an Avermedia Duet dual tuner card for use with Windows Media Center in Vista 32. I installed it, Vista and Media Center recognized it, but it doesn't locate the clear QAM channels.

What am I doing wrong?

Is there software which will let me use the Avermedia card as a poor man's TiVo?

thanks,
Chuck

[usually_quiet]

I purchased an Avermedia Duet dual tuner card for use with Windows Media Center in Vista 32. I installed it, Vista and Media Center recognized it, but it doesn't locate the clear QAM channels.

What am I doing wrong?

Is there software which will let me use the Avermedia card as a poor man's TiVo?

thanks,
Chuck

I think that Vista's Media Center is unable to tune QAM channels unless you apply a patch. I found this link that may be helpful to you. http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/p/68279/330058.aspx

If that doesn't work, there are some paid and free programs that might work, but the free ones are harder to configure than Media Center, and the paid programs cost more than a few dollars.

[Edit] I forgot about the additional "TV Pack" requirement to use a QAM tuner with Vista's Media Center. That's tricky to install, and although Microsoft supposedly provided a download link for it at one time, they don't anymore. I think MS decided to make it available only to manufacturers that build certified Media Center PCs. Sorry about that.

Look at SageTV or Beyond TV to see if either those will do the job at a price you can afford, Other than that, you could check into whether an upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium is possible.

[Edit 2] The free program, GB-PVR supports QAM, and may work for your TV tuner card, but it is harder to configure. I tried it for over-the-air. My cable signal strength is marginal for use with my TV tuner card, so I didn't try GB-PBR for that. Setting it up for antenna was enough trouble.