I really need help with a TV card

[timtim86]

Hey people,

After endless searching I've decided just to ask outright.

I have a KWorld DVB-T 300U USB tuner, bought from scan a week or so ago. I have it plugged in, and am trying to use it with MCE 2002 with all the updates.

It WILL NOT find E4, ITV, Channel 4 at all, even though I am in the middle of a city, have a good antenna, and a freeview box downstairs that gives me every channel.

Please Please Please could someone help me with this, it's driving me insane.

Thank you.

[this_is_gav]

Does it come with any software of its own to try it with? Tried Media Portal (just as a test)? Latest drivers I assume?

[timtim86]

Well, the software it comes with is pretty awful, guess that's what you get for buying something cheap. I'll try Media Portal... I do have the latest drivers yep

There is admittedly low signal for the Channel 4 group in Nottingham, but what's bugging me is that the freeview box receives ALL the channels just fine, and I get a mere 23 with Media Centre and the Kworld tuner.

[directhex]

Well, the software it comes with is pretty awful, guess that's what you get for buying something cheap. I'll try Media Portal... I do have the latest drivers yep

There is admittedly low signal for the Channel 4 group in Nottingham, but what's bugging me is that the freeview box receives ALL the channels just fine, and I get a mere 23 with Media Centre and the Kworld tuner.

it'll be failing to find one or more multiplexes

digital tv is beamed out with channels grouped together into the same multiplex (which has a specific frequency and so on)

try moving your antenna about, to see if you can get better reception for the missing multiplexes

or try a mains-powered signal booster

[timtim86]

I do have a mains booster plugged in, but it doesn't seem to make any difference to be honest, just splits the antenna cable.

Do you think that it's just the result of bad reception or do you think there's anything wrong with the card itself? It's not logical that the stand-alone freeview box can get it and kworld tuner not...is it?

[Steve B]

are the kworld and the freeview box running off the same signal?

[timtim86]

yup, same line. I've tried plugging the kworld box straight into the antenna too.

[Steve B]

could be something to do with the amplification. You're not receiving MUX2 which contains channel 4 and ITV signals. Im not sure

[timtim86]

does anyone think i should RMA it or is it just a signal problem?

[piranha]

Are you manually tuning it or running the automatic as with my pvr150/500 I always have to search for channels manually.

[timtim86]

no i was using the auto tune in MCE 2005. Do you know how to search manually in media centre?

[speardane]

I had similar problems with channels missing with my dvb usb card, Scan as ever, were fine about replacing it.

I think poor digital signals from an aerial have a much greater impact than analogue, which inherently providing something you can make out even if it's a bit grainy etc...

on the theory that this would be similar to hifi, where any weak links reduce in the chain impact the overall quality.

It is probably worth also talking to the local aerial installers. It seems that aerial design has changed recently to better support digital tv.

• I have had a new aerial installed (and of course aligned properly.
• I have kept the aerial booster.
• I ended up with a Hauppage standalone box and a Hauppage, PCI card,
• I also bought some decent quality aerial cables.

And the quality (of the signal) and number of channels is good.

Now how can I improve the quality of the content?