Capturing TV with my PC

[colt4523]

Read this: http://www.nextpvr.com/nwiki/pmwiki.php?n=Utility.HauppaugeSoftPVR

NextPVR uses SoftPVR, one of WinTV's components, for analog tuner devices and for Hauppauge's built-in IR blasters.

It is Hardware Encoder just like HVR-1600 and 1800 only in forum of USB usually_quiet it dosen't user Hauppauge SoftPVR software at all.
I would check it frist with WinTV to be sure that working

The notes at NextPVR indicate SoftPVR is a necessary component for all Hauppauge's analog tuners, even those that hardware encode. Since you never used NextPVR, and I have, maybe you should not be giving advice about it.

That wrong who think help sub with some of the PVR and HVR other some of the latest model
The analog tuner is tie to Hardware MPEG encoder chip
Only NoN Hardware MPEG encoder need that software like WinTV PCI, HVR 1150, 1250 and other even down to the ImpactVCB
Just becuases I don't used it, I know what I'm talk about when it come to Hardware Encoder and tell you rigth that soft dose not work with HVR-1950 end of story if don't believe me then go ask sub
He should be seeing it listed some thing like Hauppauge HVR USB2 that is HVR 1950/55 is showing it in the device list

So I can't use NextPVR with my tuner? Getting super confused now.

[usually_quiet]

So the virtualdubdvr doesn't work with my tuner? That sucks. I am looking at the other options.

That becuase it only works with AVI capture device

WinTV works. I am updating that to the latest version linked in usually_quiet's post.

WinTV itself works, but is not stable on every system.

Ok, currently updating to the latest wintv suggested on the link you gave me. Scanning channels again. Hopefully NextPVR will show video when I am done.

Now no video with WinTV Back to the drawing board.

Read this: http://www.nextpvr.com/nwiki/pmwiki.php?n=Walkthrough.AddingAnAnalogDevice

[SHS]

So I can't use NextPVR with my tuner? Getting super confused now.

You should see the Tuner it should show up as Hauppauge HVR USB2 Tuner in the device list.
Watch this video it should give you idea get how it work
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QogtX9fUjo4
Vist Sub channel here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCigQ3ToggfC8hYJ-HRKQvMw
I don't know of any clip that are just for reg TV Tuner setup for NTSC user

[colt4523]

Well, now I cant even get wintv to show any channels. What a mess. Didn't think it would be such a pain in the butt.

[usually_quiet]

Read this: http://www.nextpvr.com/nwiki/pmwiki.php?n=Utility.HauppaugeSoftPVR

NextPVR uses SoftPVR, one of WinTV's components, for analog tuner devices and for Hauppauge's built-in IR blasters.

It is Hardware Encoder just like HVR-1600 and 1800 only in forum of USB usually_quiet it dosen't user Hauppauge SoftPVR software at all.
I would check it frist with WinTV to be sure that working

The notes at NextPVR indicate SoftPVR is a necessary component for all Hauppauge's analog tuners, even those that hardware encode. Since you never used NextPVR, and I have, maybe you should not be giving advice about it.

That wrong who think help sub with some of the PVR and HVR other some of the latest model
The analog tuner is tie to Hardware MPEG encoder chip
Only NoN Hardware MPEG encoder need that software like WinTV PCI, HVR 1150, 1250 and other even down to the ImpactVCB
Just becuases I don't used it, I know what I'm talk about when it come to Hardware Encoder and tell you rigth that soft dose not work with HVR-1950 end of story if don't believe me then go ask sub
He should be seeing it listed some thing like Hauppauge HVR USB2 that is HVR 1950/55 is showing it in the device list
One common problem is Decoder codec make sure there set or will not get any audio/video colt4523
A good codec pack to get is LAV Filter

The sticky in the forum does not say that analog tuners which hardware encode won't work.

Analog Tuners:
For ALL analog capture devices, you will need the Hauppauge SoftPVR components from WinTV7. If your Analog capture source does not show up in Devices, then the needed components are missing. See the wiki for additional installation instructions: http://www.nextpvr.com/nwiki/pmwiki.php?n=Utility.HauppaugeSoftPVR

Some Analog devices will also need an appropriate entry added to the AnalogDevices.xml file (but most common devices are already there); if your analog device won't show up AFTER successfully installing the SoftPVR components, see the wiki article here: http://www.nextpvr.com/nwiki/pmwiki.php?n=Walkthrough.AddingAnAnalogDevice. If you need help, post a support request with your FilterCheck.log AND npvr.log.

I have posted at NextPVR's forum to find if out the HVR-1950/HVR-1955's analog tuner and other analog tuners that hardware encode are supported. We shall see what sub or other members say about this.

[SHS]

You have both of them running there serivce in backgound they conflix each other
Was WinTV showing you Video from your Comcast DTA from channel 3 ?.
If yes then uninstall WinTV software

[SHS]

I have posted at NextPVR's forum to find if out the HVR-1950/HVR-1955's analog tuner and other analog tuners that hardware encode are supported. We shall see what sub or other members say about this.

Yes thoses are support it even listed in
AnalogDevices.xml
<Device filter="Hauppauge HVR USB2 Video Capture">
<Name>Hauppauge HVR19xx</Name>
<Type>HARD_ENCODE</Type>
<FilterEncoder>Hauppauge HVR USB2 MPEG Encoder</FilterEncoder>
</Device>

DeviceRules.xml
<!-- Hauppauge HVR USB2 -->
<Filter name="Hauppauge HVR USB2 BDA Tuner/Demod" resource="Hauppauge HVR USB2" />
<Filter name="Hauppauge HVR USB2 Video Capture" resource="Hauppauge HVR USB2" />

But it should not need the Hauppaurge SoftPVR

[colt4523]

You have both of them running there serivce in backgound they conflix each other
Was WinTV showing you Video from your Comcast DTA from channel 3 ?.
If yes then uninstall WinTV software

I uninstalled both wintv and nextpvr. Then uninstalled the drivers for the 1950. Reinstalled the original drivers for the 1950 and wintv 7. Currently working now. I am afraid to try anything else right now

[usually_quiet]

Well, now I cant even get wintv to show any channels. What a mess. Didn't think it would be such a pain in the butt.

I am sorry you are having a tough time, but it isn't unusual to have these kinds of discouraging problems when you are starting out.

Unfortunately, I have family coming into town tomorrow for a visit until New Years day, and I'm probably not going to be available to any great extent until after they leave.

[Markfx]

Kudos to you, usually_quiet, for mentoring all those who try to record TV now .

[usually_quiet]

You have both of them running there serivce in backgound they conflix each other
Was WinTV showing you Video from your Comcast DTA from channel 3 ?.
If yes then uninstall WinTV software

I uninstalled both wintv and nextpvr. Then uninstalled the drivers for the 1950. Reinstalled the original drivers for the 1950 and wintv 7. Currently working now. I am afraid to try anything else right now

Sub, NextPVR's author, says SoftPVR is necessary to use analog tuners that hardware encode with NextPVR. This came straight from him.

Since I will be temporarily unavailable, and I know that you want to get something working, I think you would be better off joining the forums at http://nextpvr.com/ and receiving help from them, rather than depending on SHS, who plainly does not know enough about NextPVR to help you with set up.

[colt4523]

Well, now I cant even get wintv to show any channels. What a mess. Didn't think it would be such a pain in the butt.

I am sorry you are having a tough time, but it isn't unusual to have these kinds of discouraging problems when you are starting out.

Unfortunately, I have family coming into town tomorrow for a visit until New Years day, and I'm probably not going to be available to any great extent until after they leave.

You have been a huge help. Enjoy the holiday. I plan on doing some more research before I try another program. The wintv software is working alright now but I eventually want to find another option.

[colt4523]

Still no luck with NextPvr. I installed the softPVR and still get nothing. The only software I can get to work is wintv and that seems to record in 4:3. Are there any other good capture programs for windows 7 (soon to be 10)?

[usually_quiet]

Still no luck with NextPvr. I installed the softPVR and still get nothing. The only software I can get to work is wintv and that seems to record in 4:3. Are there any other good capture programs for windows 7 (soon to be 10)?

If you still use Windows 7, Windows Media Center is one of the easiest for beginners to use and set up. Microsoft has chosen not to support it for Windows 10.

Some people like SageTV. I have not tried it. At the time I set up NextPVR for recording Comcast cable TV, the free version was not available yet. The only way to get it was to buy an existing license for the paid version from someone selling one on ebay. I think the free version is compatible with Windows 10, but I don't know if it works well without guide service.

[Edit] If you want help with your current issues with NextPVR, I think the best way to get it join their forum. You will need to provide the log file for diagnostic purposes to get help there. They need the log file to figure out why the software is not finding the HVR-1950's analog tuner.

[colt4523]

Still no luck with NextPvr. I installed the softPVR and still get nothing. The only software I can get to work is wintv and that seems to record in 4:3. Are there any other good capture programs for windows 7 (soon to be 10)?

If you still use Windows 7, Windows Media Center is one of the easiest for beginners to use and set up. Microsoft has chosen not to support it for Windows 10.

Some people like SageTV. I have not tried it. At the time I set up NextPVR for recording Comcast cable TV, the free version was not available yet. The only way to get it was to buy an existing license for the paid version from someone selling one on ebay. I think the free version is compatible with Windows 10, but I don't know if it works well without guide service.

[Edit] If you want help with your current issues with NextPVR, I think the best way to get it join their forum. You will need to provide the log file for diagnostic purposes to get help there. They need the log file to figure out why the software is not finding the HVR-1950's analog tuner.

Already joined and got some help I have video now just starting to figure out how to record. I was told since my tuner uses an analog source that I will only record in 4:3. I was given the following link to
http://www.hauppauge.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?22463-How-to-make-Analogue-products-re...ather-than-4-3

Do you think that will work with my card? Just update the registry with the reg file for the 19XX?

Well, I tried the reg fix and now both programs don't work....great

[jagabo]

So you downloaded the 19xx patch and ran the .reg file? That only changed one registry key. All you have to do is change it back. The reg file contains:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\hcw73bda\Parameters]
"Forced_AspectRatio"=dword:00000003

Did you check the registry value before changing it? If not, you can probably guess it was 0, 1, or 2 before.

[colt4523]

So you downloaded the 19xx patch and ran the .reg file? That only changed one registry key. All you have to do is change it back. The reg file contains:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\hcw73bda\Parameters]
"Forced_AspectRatio"=dword:00000003

Did you check the registry value before changing it? If not, you can probably guess it was 0, 1, or 2 before.

I did a search for it in my registry and couldn't find it. It was named "HVR-19xx-Force16x9". I was just going to go back and delete it.

I ended up just doing a system restore from earlier today. That didn't work either What a mess. Going to uninstall everything again and start over.

[SHS]

So you downloaded the 19xx patch and ran the .reg file? That only changed one registry key. All you have to do is change it back. The reg file contains:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\hcw73bda\Parameters]
"Forced_AspectRatio"=dword:00000003

Did you check the registry value before changing it? If not, you can probably guess it was 0, 1, or 2 before.

I did a search for it in my registry and couldn't find it. It was named "HVR-19xx-Force16x9". I was just going to go back and delete it.

I ended up just doing a system restore from earlier today. That didn't work either What a mess. Going to uninstall everything again and start over.

All that dose is change the MPEG flag to be 16:9 flag aspect ratio even know it still just really just an 720x480 4:3 aspect ratio
It used full for manuel recording with the rigth old school camcorder other then that you don't need mess with it.
Look on you CD you should find some reg file for set it up.
Bear in mind that it can cuase problem with reg 4:3 video.

[theewizard]

Software pvr, does the recording, not the encoding
The hardware input device does the encoding to mpeg2

What is all the arguing about
The usual Hassles involve the dang tuner, controlling the tuner chips / hardware uses different software depending on the device/chip

[usually_quiet]

I was told since my tuner uses an analog source that I will only record in 4:3. I was given the following link to
http://www.hauppauge.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?22463-How-to-make-Analogue-products-re...ather-than-4-3

Do you think that will work with my card? Just update the registry with the reg file for the 19XX?

Don't bother trying to record SD content with forced 16:9 display aspect ratio (16:9 DAR). Your SD DTA only receives Comcast's SD channels. For you to gain any benefit from the hack, an SD channel has to be formatted as anamorphic widescreen for transmission. See http://rakaz.nl/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/20041011-original-16x9.jpg

The hack might be beneficial in the UK but won't help us in the USA. I know for certain that Comcast transmits very few SD channels formatted as anamorphic widescreen. Nearly all are either formatted as full-screen 4:3 (the picture completely fills a 4:3 frame with no distortion) or letterboxed 4:3 (black bars are hard coded at the top and bottom of the picture). You cannot get rid of the black bars by using the hack.

If you ever record any channels that really are anamorphic widescreen flagged with 4:3 DAR, it is possible to quickly patch the video headers later to use 16:9 DAR without re-encoding.

[colt4523]

Alright. My latest problem is the video for the tuner is terrible...extremely noisy. I expected the picture to be close to what my tv would look like. This is not the case. Anyway to improve this? Any setting to make on the 1950?

[usually_quiet]

Alright. My latest problem is the video for the tuner is terrible...extremely noisy. I expected the picture to be close to what my tv would look like. This is not the case. Anyway to improve this? Any setting to make on the 1950?

I assume that you are still using WinTV. If so, open WinTV and click on the gear symbol at the bottom left of the main window to open the Settings dialog window. Click on the Capture tab. Make sure that "Default Analog Recording Quality" is set to "Best". "Best" causes the hardware encoder to use a higher bitrate setting than the other quality settings.

If low bitrate isn't the problem check the RF connections from the DTA to the splitter and from the splitter to the HVR-1950 make sure they are secure, or try different coax cables. (Shorter cables are preferable to longer ones.) You could also try removing the splitter, to make sure the problem isn't caused by the reduced signal strength that results from splitting the signal.

[SHS]

I agree with usually_quiet

[colt4523]

Alright. My latest problem is the video for the tuner is terrible...extremely noisy. I expected the picture to be close to what my tv would look like. This is not the case. Anyway to improve this? Any setting to make on the 1950?

I assume that you are still using WinTV. If so, open WinTV and click on the gear symbol at the bottom left of the main window to open the Settings dialog window. Click on the Capture tab. Make sure that "Default Analog Recording Quality" is set to "Best". "Best" causes the hardware encoder to use a higher bitrate setting than the other quality settings.

If low bitrate isn't the problem check the RF connections from the DTA to the splitter and from the splitter to the HVR-1950 make sure they are secure, or try different coax cables. (Shorter cables are preferable to longer ones.) You could also try removing the splitter, to make sure the problem isn't caused by the reduced signal strength that results from splitting the signal.

Recording was set to best. My cables are new but seemed to be the problem. I had some issues at first with a "low signal strength" error. Guess I will buy another set of coaxial. My splitter is also new.

[SHS]

Look for RG6 TRI-Shield or Quad-Shield Coax Cable like
Some loacl store like walmart have GE Quad Shield RG6 Coax Cable there are like what cable used better stuff
Another option
http://www.broadbandutopia.com/belden7915a.html
http://www.broadbandutopia.com/belden7916a.html
Or build you own cable
I'm not fan of 2-Way Splitter, I perf cable distribution amplifier, how ever cheap 2-Way Splitter are just that drit cheap junk spent a more on them not thoses Monster Cable brand there a rip off but brand like Antronix

[jagabo]

Bypass the splitter and see if the signal improves.

Are you capturing digital or analog cable? If digital, and you're seeing "snow" type noise, that's what the cable company is broadcasting. Noise in a digital signal results in gross decoding errors or loss of signal, not snow.

[usually_quiet]

Are you capturing digital or analog cable? If digital, and you're seeing "snow" type noise, that's what the cable company is broadcasting. Noise in a digital signal results in gross decoding errors or loss of signal, not snow.

Comcast has been all digital for years. colt4523 is capturing the output from a SD DTA. An SD DTA is simplified cable box which can only tune SD channels. The only output it has is RF on channel 3 or 4.

colt4523 wanted the option to watch TV without using his computer, so I told him to install a splitter to feed the signal from the DTA to both the TV and the HVR-1950. I thought the RF signal from the DTA should be strong enough to split for transmission over a short distance, but perhaps not.

A distribution amp could be just as bad, unless the amplification is adjustable. A signal that is too strong for the tuner is as bad as one that is too weak. Distribution amps are normally used for long cable runs, and I expect colt4523 to be using coax cables in the 3-6 foot range.

[jagabo]

Are you capturing digital or analog cable? If digital, and you're seeing "snow" type noise, that's what the cable company is broadcasting. Noise in a digital signal results in gross decoding errors or loss of signal, not snow.

Comcast has been all digital for years. colt4523 is capturing the output from a SD DTA. An SD DTA is simplified cable box which can only tune SD channels. The only output it has is RF on channel 3 or 4.

I didn't feel like reviewing the entire thread to see what he was capturing.

colt4523 wanted the option to watch TV without using his computer, so I told him to install a splitter to feed the signal from the DTA to both the TV and the HVR-1950. I thought the RF signal from the DTA should be strong enough to split, but apparently not.

Yes, I wouldn't expect a single splitter on the RF output of a DTA to be a problem. He may have a ground loop problem.

[SHS]

A distribution amp could be just as bad, unless the amplification is adjustable. A signal that is too strong for the tuner is as bad as one that is too weak. Distribution amps are normally used for long cable runs, and I expect colt4523 to be using coax cables in the 3-6 foot range.

No unlike a single splitter which lower your dB a distribution amp bring back into standerd 7.5dB amplification per port
You most be thing of cable booster

Yes, I wouldn't expect a single splitter on the RF output of a DTA to be a problem. He may have a ground loop problem.

That good possable

Watch this Video colt4523
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS-6jBk9YPM

[usually_quiet]

A distribution amp could be just as bad, unless the amplification is adjustable. A signal that is too strong for the tuner is as bad as one that is too weak. Distribution amps are normally used for long cable runs, and I expect colt4523 to be using coax cables in the 3-6 foot range.

No unlike a single splitter which lower your dB a distribution amp bring back into standerd 7.5dB amplification per port
You most be thing of cable booster

Then post a link for the device you are recommending. No one is going to find it by typing "RF distribution amplifier" into their favorite search engine.

The least powerful RF distribution amplifiers I have found boost their output signal by significantly more than would be necessary to restore the output to 7.5dB per port. Yes of course they are for amplifying antenna, satellite and cable signals. Nobody needs a device to boost the RF signal from their VCR anymore.