niko123456 Posted March 25, 2007 Posted March 25, 2007 Hi all, I recently purchased a hdtv usb tuner (a twinhan) to compliment the mac mini I've got sitting in my lounge-room. I was previously having great results using an SD set-top box (a Digicrystal PVR). However with the USB tuner through my macmini, I get adequate results, but sadly enough clicking and scratching on ABC/2 to bother me. The ABC/2 channels I can receive on my set-top box are numbered above 1000 (ABC2 being 1016). I am in Wollongong, NSW. EyeTV, whilst being able to pick up ABC/2 at a sensible frequency is not able to pick up the same channel I can receive on my set-top box. As it happens, the same channels I'm having problems with on my macmini are dodgy through my set-top box. How can I find out what the frequency is for channel 1016? It is frustrating that I KNOW I can receive clear digital TV across all channels, yet for whatever reason cannot pick it up through the USB tuner. (I have chosen to "exhaustive scan" for channels) Hope the above makes sense, please ask for any clarification.
niko123456 Posted March 25, 2007 Author Posted March 25, 2007 Whoops. Posted before thinking. I managed to find the transponder responsible for the decent signal (690.5Mhz) on my set-top box and transposed this to EyeTV (expressed as 690500). The transponder it DID pick up was 697.5. Why it didn't pick up 690.5 I don't know. Why 697.5 is not adequate I don't know. I am fairly satisfied that I've solved my initial problem (you could say, over the moon and relieved!), although if someone wants to have a guess at what has gone wrong, let me know. I'll send the info along to EyeTV or Twinhan if required
mtv Posted March 25, 2007 Posted March 25, 2007 Generally speaking, USB and 'card' type receivers are less sensitive than STB's, so they usually require higher signal levels to operate reliably. If your digital TV signal levels are a little low, this could explain why your STB is ok and your USB receiver struggles.
niko123456 Posted March 25, 2007 Author Posted March 25, 2007 Generally speaking, USB and 'card' type receivers are less sensitive than STB's, so they usually require higher signal levels to operate reliably.If your digital TV signal levels are a little low, this could explain why your STB is ok and your USB receiver struggles. yes, I can understand this, but I don't get how the stronger signal with less error was ignored entirely, whilst Sydney channels (with enough error so they don't work) and the weaker local signal was picked up. just seems a little odd. I was fortunate enough to KNOW that I was capable of receiving crystal clear signal and I had access to some data. wouldn't like to have had to solve this problem from scratch.
alanh Posted March 25, 2007 Posted March 25, 2007 niko123456, There are a few issues. 1. You need to tune to the best signals. You have a few alternatives including the main Illawarra transmitters near Robertson, a Wollongong translator for the city itself etc. Read Get the Best Reception, Illawarra and read the links. 2. Your USB receiver is not configured for Australia, because these channel numbers do not exist. There are two things. When you perform installation you change the frequency from 174 MHz right upto 820 MHz looking for signals. When a digital signal is decoded, it will then display a logical channel number. In your case numbers starting with 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 So please reply in the Wollongong Viewers' Forum which is near the bottom of the main forum's home page. AlanH
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