need help with media centre

cathy01

hi all. My bro got a media centre and is getting real problems.
So far we cant pick up his NTL and as for all the other channels we have no picture but some sound??
Whats going on.We went into ASUSTEK LNG TIGER HYBIRD CAPTURE DEVICE.
We tried to update the driver but couldnt.
I really need to know what to do.
I feel like throwing the TV , computer and all the other stuff out.
Sohelp, please.
Thanks,
cathy

Tivoli

first thing to do is relax


anyway is that tuner usb or pci, try a different slot or port, let it re-install its drivers and see how it works

just keep re-seating connections, trying different drivers, google you card for people with similar problems,

cathy01 wrote:

I feel like throwing the TV , computer and all the other stuff out.

it will work eventually, you just have to try to enjoy trying to get it working

SouperComputer

Tell us more about your setup.....

Is the computer a self build or a particular branded machine for MCE?
Are you using NTL digital or Analog?
What connections are you using?

I feel like throwing the TV , computer and all the other stuff out.

Just be glad you arent working with MythTV. That would make you want to set fire to your house!

Anyway, give as much info as you can. Take a deep breath and we should be able to figure out a solution for you. My initial fear is that the car you have may not be suitable. Ill need to get more info though.

SouperComputer

My guess is that you card is one of these

You will only be able to pickup NTL analog with this card. To decode the digital signal (without using an NTL box) requires more expensive equipment and of course an NTL digital card.

Theres no mention of MCE compatibility or support on the website so that could be a source of pain right there.

Make sure you have fully updated MCE (including rollup 2) and start MCE setup from scratch. Specify what service you are using (analog cable, NTL).

You may also try alternative MPEG 2 codecs, get Nvidia's trial version from here.

cathy01

thanks all.WAYYYYYY to tech for my.:rolleyes: Little bro is going to log on and see if he can figure out whats going on.
cheers for all your help, cathy.:)

cathy01

Does anyone know a company who comes to yr house and sets this all up for you in the Dublin area????
Cheers,
cathy

Tivoli

i am sure a few of the lads here would jump at teh chance to help out a damesil in distress


but not me, sorry

8T8

It sounds to me at least something is up with the connection to the tuner.

How is the TV signal connected to the PC TV tuner is it through a composite video cable (yellow for video red/white for audio) ?

Do you have an NTL set top box ?

dandan

this is the infamus bro here. thanks you all for your reply. i have a pace ntl set top box connecting to my pc with a coaxil cable

8T8

The coaxial output may not work on the NTL STB it's something I'm not familiar with but I know it doesn't work with Chorus and their coaxial output.

You need to convert the scart output connection into composite or s-video and then connect that to your tuner and you will get video + audio.

Get one of these scart adapters you might find them in local electronics store, the yellow connection/cable is called composite video and the red/white are audio you may have seen these cables before they are quite common.

Set the scart adapter to output then plug in the cables and in MCE select cable/set top box as the TV type and it will show the composite video input as a selection and you will have video/audio.

SouperComputer

dandan wrote:

this is the infamus bro here. thanks you all for your reply. i have a pace ntl set top box connecting to my pc with a coaxil cable

Well, using coaxial/RF is one source of potential issues right there.

You have two options:

1) Persevere with Coaxial, try to get it working and still suffer a fair bit of quality loss.
2) Scrap your current TV Card as it does not have composite/svideo and connect it as 8T8 detailed above.

The RF (Ie coaxial) could be a real headache. If you cant get a signal, have a look on the NTL box for a channel selector. It may be a rotary dial or a sliding switch. All you can do is try different channels and hope your TV card picks one up on the UHF band. Most TV tuners aren't made to go as high in the range as DVD/VCR/8bit computers etc etc go in the UHF band.

/edit If you want instant gratification, in the meantime, you could take the cable signal going into your NTL box and just tune into the analog NTL service. That will get you started with MCE until you have the time/money/patience to get a new TV card.

The hauppage PVR150 is what you are looking for,