Replacing poor MCE tv signal with external STB signal/feed

The Windows Media Center PC that i have obviously has an internal tv card
built in. Quite a few people have said it is not reknowned for it's quality.

I have a couple of digital tv set top boxes that provide superb quality
pictures and sound. In detrimental contrast to that, the digital tv receiver
in the Media Center, or pc?, i'm not sure which it's a part of, suffers from
interference and picture break up, as well as failing to find channels. It
often states that a channel can't be found because the signal is weak.
However, i can assure you that the signal at the end of the coax cable going
into the pc is not weak and i have tested it the cheapets set top box i could
find. The cheapo stb found and displayed every single channel perfectly.

In view of the above, i was wondering if i can get the media center to use
the 'out' signal on the STB in preference to it's internal tuner card. The
connection is via the coax input socket on the back of the pc.

I'm confused as to whether, when one connects and sets up the MCE to work
with a STB, it uses it's own tv card signal or the STB's signal. If it is the
latter then that is perfect as i can just reset the MCE to use the superior
STB feed.

Therefore, my question is: in such a set up which signal is being used?.

Many, many thanks in advance for anyone who knows the answer to this
question for sure, and also shares it here of course.
--
this SHAM of DEMOCRACY leaves NO CHOICE
sham.manchesterpaul.net

for Life, Love, Peace, Justice and Truth

Who_Murdered_Democracy

If you pass me by - Such a shame, shame, shame

CSM1
Sat Mar 22 09:28:38 PDT 2008

<Who_Murdered_Democracy> wrote in message
news:0DA93861-0956-47F3-99BE-875BAE9AE944@microsoft.com...
> The Windows Media Center PC that i have obviously has an internal tv card
> built in. Quite a few people have said it is not reknowned for it's
> quality.
>
> I have a couple of digital tv set top boxes that provide superb quality
> pictures and sound. In detrimental contrast to that, the digital tv
> receiver
> in the Media Center, or pc?, i'm not sure which it's a part of, suffers
> from
> interference and picture break up, as well as failing to find channels. It
> often states that a channel can't be found because the signal is weak.
> However, i can assure you that the signal at the end of the coax cable
> going
> into the pc is not weak and i have tested it the cheapets set top box i
> could
> find. The cheapo stb found and displayed every single channel perfectly.
>
> In view of the above, i was wondering if i can get the media center to use
> the 'out' signal on the STB in preference to it's internal tuner card. The
> connection is via the coax input socket on the back of the pc.
>
> I'm confused as to whether, when one connects and sets up the MCE to work
> with a STB, it uses it's own tv card signal or the STB's signal. If it is
> the
> latter then that is perfect as i can just reset the MCE to use the
> superior
> STB feed.
>
> Therefore, my question is: in such a set up which signal is being used?.
>
> Many, many thanks in advance for anyone who knows the answer to this
> question for sure, and also shares it here of course.
> --
> this SHAM of DEMOCRACY leaves NO CHOICE
> sham.manchesterpaul.net
>
> for Life, Love, Peace, Justice and Truth
>
> Who_Murdered_Democracy
>
> If you pass me by - Such a shame, shame, shame

When you setup Media Center to use a STB via the S-Video or Composite Video
input, you get the output of the STB, the tuner in MCE is used as a Video
input. The built-in tuner does not tune any channels when setup for STB use.

You must have the Media Center IR Remote and IR emitter for MCE to work with
an STB.

If you do not have the Microsoft USB IR box, MCE will not allow you to setup
a STB.
This is the Box and remote that I am referring to.
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16880100851

If you have Vista, there are other choices.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880121002

--
CSM1
http://www.carlmcmillan.com
--

JW
Sat Mar 22 10:21:08 PDT 2008

You can configure your PC tuner card to use a STB in one of two ways.
You can configure it to use the coax SD output from the STB connected to the
cards antenna/cable connector and you then set up the STB to output either
channel 3 or 4 out using its coax connector.
Or you can configure your PC tuner/video capture card to receive SD
S-video/composite video and stereo audio from the STB. (this will provide
better PQ then using Coax).
In either of the above the channel changing is all done on the STB and not
in the PC.

It certainly sounds like you are using an analog tuner in your PC since you
are subject to interference. What channels are you able to receive with it?

<Who_Murdered_Democracy> wrote in message
news:0DA93861-0956-47F3-99BE-875BAE9AE944@microsoft.com...
> The Windows Media Center PC that i have obviously has an internal tv card
> built in. Quite a few people have said it is not reknowned for it's
> quality.
>
> I have a couple of digital tv set top boxes that provide superb quality
> pictures and sound. In detrimental contrast to that, the digital tv
> receiver
> in the Media Center, or pc?, i'm not sure which it's a part of, suffers
> from
> interference and picture break up, as well as failing to find channels. It
> often states that a channel can't be found because the signal is weak.
> However, i can assure you that the signal at the end of the coax cable
> going
> into the pc is not weak and i have tested it the cheapets set top box i
> could
> find. The cheapo stb found and displayed every single channel perfectly.
>
> In view of the above, i was wondering if i can get the media center to use
> the 'out' signal on the STB in preference to it's internal tuner card. The
> connection is via the coax input socket on the back of the pc.
>
> I'm confused as to whether, when one connects and sets up the MCE to work
> with a STB, it uses it's own tv card signal or the STB's signal. If it is
> the
> latter then that is perfect as i can just reset the MCE to use the
> superior
> STB feed.
>
> Therefore, my question is: in such a set up which signal is being used?.
>
> Many, many thanks in advance for anyone who knows the answer to this
> question for sure, and also shares it here of course.
> --
> this SHAM of DEMOCRACY leaves NO CHOICE
> sham.manchesterpaul.net
>
> for Life, Love, Peace, Justice and Truth
>
> Who_Murdered_Democracy
>
> If you pass me by - Such a shame, shame, shame

Who_Murdered_Democracy>
Sat Mar 22 10:54:01 PDT 2008


--
this SHAM of DEMOCRACY leaves NO CHOICE
sham.manchesterpaul.net

for Life, Love, Peace, Justice and Truth

Who_Murdered_Democracy

If you pass me by - Such a shame, shame, shame

> When you setup Media Center to use a STB via the S-Video or Composite Video
> input, you get the output of the STB, the tuner in MCE is used as a Video
> input. The built-in tuner does not tune any channels when setup for STB use.
>
> You must have the Media Center IR Remote and IR emitter for MCE to work with
> an STB.
>
> If you do not have the Microsoft USB IR box, MCE will not allow you to setup
> a STB.
> This is the Box and remote that I am referring to.
> http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16880100851
>
> If you have Vista, there are other choices.
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880121002
>
> --
> CSM1
> http://www.carlmcmillan.com

This sounds really promising. I am new to computers and associated
hardware/software, i had gone through the various menus within the MCE
settings. I stopped when i came across references to an IR gadget. It's well
over a year since i got my pc (my first one ever) and i forgot various
terminology and what was called what within the package.

I am in the UK, therefore, the page you linked to doesn't exactly match my
bits. The RC is very similar in appearance.

Mine has the following on the back of it,
'RF MCE Remote Control OR24E'

The receiver has,
'USB RF Remote ReceiverCM20E'

Your response does give me great hope and i will let you know the outcome
once i have tried it.

Who_Murdered_Democracy>
Sat Mar 22 11:00:04 PDT 2008


--
this SHAM of DEMOCRACY leaves NO CHOICE
sham.manchesterpaul.net

for Life, Love, Peace, Justice and Truth

Who_Murdered_Democracy

If you pass me by - Such a shame, shame, shame


"JW" wrote:

> It certainly sounds like you are using an analog tuner in your PC since you
> are subject to interference. What channels are you able to receive with it?
>

I'm in the UK and the tv channels are digital terrestrial. I think they are
referred to as DVB-T.

I've found since that the few channels that have recently had glitches are
on a particular 'Mux'. Apparently, it is weak in comparison to the other
'Muxes'.

Here in the UK analog television is being totally phased out. Area by area
is being converted to digital only. Once that happens the power across all
Muxes will be greatly turned up.

Barb
Sun Mar 23 02:54:44 PDT 2008

could you please omit the political statements in this newsgroup?

On Sat, 22 Mar 2008 11:00:04 -0700, Who_Murdered_Democracy
<Who_Murdered_Democracy> wrote:

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

Who_Murdered_Democracy>
Tue Mar 25 01:18:01 PDT 2008

Hello Barb,

Sorry, at first i didn't realise your message was aimed at myself. Upon
checking back to the previous post i think i see what you are referring to.

I'm not used to the way this forums replies are constructed. During cutting
and pasting what happened is that my signature got stranded in splendid
isolation at the top of a reply i made. I can see how it could loosely be
described as a 'political statement', although with all due respect i don't
agree with your view on that.

I've posted and used the signature across the globe in countless nations and
institutions. I have never had anyone take offence at an infinitely peaceful
signature.
Even in countries that one would say are not democratic or peaceful, i have
never had anyone take exception.

Indeed, even in your own country i have made many posts on volatile topics
in, amongst others, 'Washington Post', USA Today', 'New York Times', 'ABC'
etc..
Anyway, hopefully, i have corrected the matter with this post. I'll be out
of your hair for good once i get this problem solved :)





--
this SHAM of DEMOCRACY leaves NO CHOICE
sham.manchesterpaul.net

for Life, Love, Peace, Justice and Truth

Who_Murdered_Democracy

If you pass me by - Such a shame, shame, shame


"Barb Bowman" wrote:

> could you please omit the political statements in this newsgroup?
>
> On Sat, 22 Mar 2008 11:00:04 -0700, Who_Murdered_Democracy
> <Who_Murdered_Democracy> wrote:
>
> --
>
> Barb Bowman
> MS-MVP
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
> http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/
>

Who_Murdered_Democracy>
Tue Mar 25 01:39:01 PDT 2008

Apologies to everyone if i am not formatting the reply in the correct manner.
It's a little different in it's layout to that which i'm used to. I hope it
makes sense if you are used to reading in this particular manner.

This is a question directed to the replies from CSM1 AND JW (although anyone
can answer).

My question is, as i'm not clear on this, should i have a third piece of
equipment?

Namely, an IR Emitter, which would be in addition to my
'RF MCE Remote Control OR24E' and my 'USB RF Remote ReceiverCM20E'

If so, i think i have thrown it away during a clear out of bits and pieces,
thinking it was a relic from my days of taking apart VCR etc. to see how they
worked (great fun).

If the above unfortunately transpires to be the case, can one purchase an IR
Emitter for the MCE. Is it a customised one, or are IR Emitters generally
available as a product in their own right?.

I've tried the methods mentioned, but i get an error message saying 'No IR
hardware was found'.

Sincere thanks in advance of any replies.



> When you setup Media Center to use a STB via the S-Video or Composite Video
> input, you get the output of the STB, the tuner in MCE is used as a Video
> input. The built-in tuner does not tune any channels when setup for STB use.
>
> You must have the Media Center IR Remote and IR emitter for MCE to work with
> an STB.
>
> If you do not have the Microsoft USB IR box, MCE will not allow you to setup
> a STB.
> This is the Box and remote that I am referring to.
> http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16880100851
>
> If you have Vista, there are other choices.
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880121002
>
> --
> CSM1
> http://www.carlmcmillan.com
> --
> "CSM1" wrote:

> <Who_Murdered_Democracy> wrote in message
> news:0DA93861-0956-47F3-99BE-875BAE9AE944@microsoft.com...
> > The Windows Media Center PC that i have obviously has an internal tv card
> > built in. Quite a few people have said it is not reknowned for it's
> > quality.
> >
> > I have a couple of digital tv set top boxes that provide superb quality
> > pictures and sound. In detrimental contrast to that, the digital tv
> > receiver
> > in the Media Center, or pc?, i'm not sure which it's a part of, suffers
> > from
> > interference and picture break up, as well as failing to find channels. It
> > often states that a channel can't be found because the signal is weak.
> > However, i can assure you that the signal at the end of the coax cable
> > going
> > into the pc is not weak and i have tested it the cheapets set top box i
> > could
> > find. The cheapo stb found and displayed every single channel perfectly.
> >
> > In view of the above, i was wondering if i can get the media center to use
> > the 'out' signal on the STB in preference to it's internal tuner card. The
> > connection is via the coax input socket on the back of the pc.
> >
> > I'm confused as to whether, when one connects and sets up the MCE to work
> > with a STB, it uses it's own tv card signal or the STB's signal. If it is
> > the
> > latter then that is perfect as i can just reset the MCE to use the
> > superior
> > STB feed.
> >
> > Therefore, my question is: in such a set up which signal is being used?.
> >
> > Many, many thanks in advance for anyone who knows the answer to this
> > question for sure, and also shares it here of course.
> > --
> > this SHAM of DEMOCRACY leaves NO CHOICE
> > sham.manchesterpaul.net
> >
> > for Life, Love, Peace, Justice and Truth
> >
> > Who_Murdered_Democracy
> >
> > If you pass me by - Such a shame, shame, shame
>

>
>
"JW" wrote:

> You can configure your PC tuner card to use a STB in one of two ways.
> You can configure it to use the coax SD output from the STB connected to the
> cards antenna/cable connector and you then set up the STB to output either
> channel 3 or 4 out using its coax connector.
> Or you can configure your PC tuner/video capture card to receive SD
> S-video/composite video and stereo audio from the STB. (this will provide
> better PQ then using Coax).
> In either of the above the channel changing is all done on the STB and not
> in the PC.
>
> It certainly sounds like you are using an analog tuner in your PC since you
> are subject to interference. What channels are you able to receive with it?
>
> <Who_Murdered_Democracy> wrote in message
> news:0DA93861-0956-47F3-99BE-875BAE9AE944@microsoft.com...
> > The Windows Media Center PC that i have obviously has an internal tv card
> > built in. Quite a few people have said it is not reknowned for it's
> > quality.
> >
> > I have a couple of digital tv set top boxes that provide superb quality
> > pictures and sound. In detrimental contrast to that, the digital tv
> > receiver
> > in the Media Center, or pc?, i'm not sure which it's a part of, suffers
> > from
> > interference and picture break up, as well as failing to find channels. It
> > often states that a channel can't be found because the signal is weak.
> > However, i can assure you that the signal at the end of the coax cable
> > going
> > into the pc is not weak and i have tested it the cheapets set top box i
> > could
> > find. The cheapo stb found and displayed every single channel perfectly.
> >
> > In view of the above, i was wondering if i can get the media center to use
> > the 'out' signal on the STB in preference to it's internal tuner card. The
> > connection is via the coax input socket on the back of the pc.
> >
> > I'm confused as to whether, when one connects and sets up the MCE to work
> > with a STB, it uses it's own tv card signal or the STB's signal. If it is
> > the
> > latter then that is perfect as i can just reset the MCE to use the
> > superior
> > STB feed.
> >
> > Therefore, my question is: in such a set up which signal is being used?.
> >
> > Many, many thanks in advance for anyone who knows the answer to this
> > question for sure, and also shares it here of course.
> > --
> > this SHAM of DEMOCRACY leaves NO CHOICE
> > sham.manchesterpaul.net
> >
> > for Life, Love, Peace, Justice and Truth
> >
> > Who_Murdered_Democracy
> >
> > If you pass me by - Such a shame, shame, shame
>

Who_Murdered_Democracy
Tue Apr 15 21:12:00 PDT 2008

I've just paid out a small fortune (to me) for a media centre kit. It
contains IR blasters etc. My original accessories from PC World only
contained a basic receiver with no input sockets for an IR blaster.

I am having a major problem with the 'select a working tv signal' section.

I need the pc's S-video and composite inputs to use for cctv and external
video equipment. Therefore, i am going down the perfectly acceptable path of
feeding the 'out' coax cable from my STB to the pc's antenna input.

My sticking point is that towards the final stages of the configuration it
has the option i desire 'Enter Channel'. My question is what channel number
do i enter?. Unfortunately, although gratefully received, the suggestion
above of 3 or 4 does not work.

I know if one attaches a VCR to a tv it's something like 28?. But, what is
the equivalent in this case. On one of the utilities i use with my pc for
cctv purposes there is an option for entering a tv tuner channel. It always
automatically pre-fills with the number 4. I have tried using that with the
MCE/STB menu to no avail.

Incidentally, the tv signal shows in the preview box when using the front
S-Video/Composite inputs, so there is no problem on that side of things.

The nvidia interface does not have a problem when i use it for feeding to
the tv or, as far as i am aware, any difficulties with anything else. By that
i mean, i can work away on the computer while feeding an American Football
game on to the large tv screen at the same time.

I have checked the STB manual for references to channel output (in the way
that a VCR manual would quote the channel 28?whatever it is).It does seem
that i just need to figure out what i should enter as a channel number?. Or,
is it not that simple?

"JW" wrote:

> You can configure your PC tuner card to use a STB in one of two ways.
> You can configure it to use the coax SD output from the STB connected to the
> cards antenna/cable connector and you then set up the STB to output either
> channel 3 or 4 out using its coax connector.
> Or you can configure your PC tuner/video capture card to receive SD
> S-video/composite video and stereo audio from the STB. (this will provide
> better PQ then using Coax).
> In either of the above the channel changing is all done on the STB and not
> in the PC.

JW
Wed Apr 16 09:02:00 PDT 2008

Like on some VCRs there may be a switch on the back of the STB next to the
Coax output for selecting channel 3 or 4.
Try entering channel 3 and then channel 4 in MC setup.
Are you located in the US or in Europe I believe some non north American
STBs and VCRs use a different channel number then 3 or 4 which is used in
the US.
"Who_Murdered_Democracy" <Who_Murdered_Democracy@discussions.microsoft.com>
wrote in message news:10BC9805-16E6-47C6-8595-968E03EBABC6@microsoft.com...
> I've just paid out a small fortune (to me) for a media centre kit. It
> contains IR blasters etc. My original accessories from PC World only
> contained a basic receiver with no input sockets for an IR blaster.
>
> I am having a major problem with the 'select a working tv signal' section.
>
> I need the pc's S-video and composite inputs to use for cctv and external
> video equipment. Therefore, i am going down the perfectly acceptable path
> of
> feeding the 'out' coax cable from my STB to the pc's antenna input.
>
> My sticking point is that towards the final stages of the configuration it
> has the option i desire 'Enter Channel'. My question is what channel
> number
> do i enter?. Unfortunately, although gratefully received, the suggestion
> above of 3 or 4 does not work.
>
> I know if one attaches a VCR to a tv it's something like 28?. But, what is
> the equivalent in this case. On one of the utilities i use with my pc for
> cctv purposes there is an option for entering a tv tuner channel. It
> always
> automatically pre-fills with the number 4. I have tried using that with
> the
> MCE/STB menu to no avail.
>
> Incidentally, the tv signal shows in the preview box when using the front
> S-Video/Composite inputs, so there is no problem on that side of things.
>
> The nvidia interface does not have a problem when i use it for feeding to
> the tv or, as far as i am aware, any difficulties with anything else. By
> that
> i mean, i can work away on the computer while feeding an American Football
> game on to the large tv screen at the same time.
>
> I have checked the STB manual for references to channel output (in the way
> that a VCR manual would quote the channel 28?whatever it is).It does seem
> that i just need to figure out what i should enter as a channel number?.
> Or,
> is it not that simple?
>
> "JW" wrote:
>
>> You can configure your PC tuner card to use a STB in one of two ways.
>> You can configure it to use the coax SD output from the STB connected to
>> the
>> cards antenna/cable connector and you then set up the STB to output
>> either
>> channel 3 or 4 out using its coax connector.
>> Or you can configure your PC tuner/video capture card to receive SD
>> S-video/composite video and stereo audio from the STB. (this will
>> provide
>> better PQ then using Coax).
>> In either of the above the channel changing is all done on the STB and
>> not
>> in the PC.
>
>
>

WhoMurderedDemocracy
Wed Apr 16 14:46:01 PDT 2008

JW thank you so much for replying. I thought i had no chance as, despite
adding a reply to the topic it stays pages and pages back in the listings at
it's original date. It doesn't go to the most recent front of the forum
topics.

If it is of any assistance in your deliberations i can tell you that i am in
Europe and details of the tv tuner card are as follows;

Creatix CTX948 DVB-T TV Tuner (Analogue and Digital)

CTX948 V.1 supports analog TV, DVB-T, DVB-S and S-Video/Composite
Video-In/Audio-In.
- low profile PCI card
- PCI 2.2 compliant

Main Chips: Philips SAA7131E, TDA8275A, TDA8263, TDA10046, TDA10086
Philips SAA7131E

Features:
The SAA7131E combines a digital global standard low IF demodulator
for analog TV with a PCI audio and video decoder. The IF
demodulator is an alignment-free digital multi standard vision and
sound low IF signal PLL demodulator for positive and negative video
modulation. It can be used worldwide for M/N, B/G/H, I, D/K and L/Lâ??
standards.

Analog/DVB-T section (Philips TDA8275A)
Features:
- 3 Stand-by mode functions
- 1 Sleep mode function
- Low symmetrical IF output (centered at 4MHz, 4.5MHz or 5MHz) for
a direct connection to the TDA8290 (IF demodulator) or the
SAA7131 or SAA7171 (IF demodulator and video decoder) or
channel decoder
- Fully integrated oscillators with no external components
- Fully integrated selectivity
- Crystal oscillator output buffer (16MHz) to drive the IF demodulator
and digital decoder and occasionally another tuner
- Operating range from an ambient temperature of -20°C to a max
ambient temperature compatible with Tjmax

DVB-S section (Philips TDA8262/3)
Features:
- Direct conversion demodulation for QPSK and 8PSK (Zero IF)
- 950 to 2,175 MHz frequency range
- +3.3 V DC supply voltage (no 5 V or 30 V supply required)
- Low power (<600mW)
- Low phase noise fully integrated oscillator
- Cost optimized application
- High range input level â?? -70 to 0 dBm @ 75 _ input impedance
- Low noise RF input (integrated LNA)
- High AGC range with high AGC linearity
- Optimized interface with Philipsâ?? digital satellite demodulators
TDA10086

"JW" wrote:

> Like on some VCRs there may be a switch on the back of the STB next to the
> Coax output for selecting channel 3 or 4.
> Try entering channel 3 and then channel 4 in MC setup.
> Are you located in the US or in Europe I believe some non north American
> STBs and VCRs use a different channel number then 3 or 4 which is used in
> the US.
> "Who_Murdered_Democracy" <Who_Murdered_Democracy@discussions.microsoft.com>
> wrote in message news:10BC9805-16E6-47C6-8595-968E03EBABC6@microsoft.com...
> > I've just paid out a small fortune (to me) for a media centre kit. It
> > contains IR blasters etc. My original accessories from PC World only
> > contained a basic receiver with no input sockets for an IR blaster.
> >
> > I am having a major problem with the 'select a working tv signal' section.
> >
> > I need the pc's S-video and composite inputs to use for cctv and external
> > video equipment. Therefore, i am going down the perfectly acceptable path
> > of
> > feeding the 'out' coax cable from my STB to the pc's antenna input.
> >
> > My sticking point is that towards the final stages of the configuration it
> > has the option i desire 'Enter Channel'. My question is what channel
> > number
> > do i enter?. Unfortunately, although gratefully received, the suggestion
> > above of 3 or 4 does not work.
> >
> > I know if one attaches a VCR to a tv it's something like 28?. But, what is
> > the equivalent in this case. On one of the utilities i use with my pc for
> > cctv purposes there is an option for entering a tv tuner channel. It
> > always
> > automatically pre-fills with the number 4. I have tried using that with
> > the
> > MCE/STB menu to no avail.
> >
> > Incidentally, the tv signal shows in the preview box when using the front
> > S-Video/Composite inputs, so there is no problem on that side of things.
> >
> > The nvidia interface does not have a problem when i use it for feeding to
> > the tv or, as far as i am aware, any difficulties with anything else. By
> > that
> > i mean, i can work away on the computer while feeding an American Football
> > game on to the large tv screen at the same time.
> >
> > I have checked the STB manual for references to channel output (in the way
> > that a VCR manual would quote the channel 28?whatever it is).It does seem
> > that i just need to figure out what i should enter as a channel number?.
> > Or,
> > is it not that simple?
> >
> > "JW" wrote:
> >
> >> You can configure your PC tuner card to use a STB in one of two ways.
> >> You can configure it to use the coax SD output from the STB connected to
> >> the
> >> cards antenna/cable connector and you then set up the STB to output
> >> either
> >> channel 3 or 4 out using its coax connector.
> >> Or you can configure your PC tuner/video capture card to receive SD
> >> S-video/composite video and stereo audio from the STB. (this will
> >> provide
> >> better PQ then using Coax).
> >> In either of the above the channel changing is all done on the STB and
> >> not
> >> in the PC.
> >
> >
> >
>

JW
Thu Apr 17 06:31:20 PDT 2008

I am in the US so my assistance may not be too useful.

In the US are STB/VCR coax output is on either channel 3 or 4.
I believe in Europe it is always channel 28 which is why you do have channel
choice.

Using the Coax connection
Tell MC that you have an antenna connection and see what channels respond to
a scan.
You could also try outputting the coax from your STB to a regular TV's
antenna connection and see what channel(s) you can tune to.

I only keep threads on the MS newsgroups that I am interested and never for
more then two months. In this way I only have a couple of pages of threads
in each newsgroup.

"Who_Murdered_Democracy" <WhoMurderedDemocracy@discussions.microsoft.com>
wrote in message news:62B2EF0F-9CCD-4935-9AE1-8B2D782A1EF0@microsoft.com...
> JW thank you so much for replying. I thought i had no chance as, despite
> adding a reply to the topic it stays pages and pages back in the listings
> at
> it's original date. It doesn't go to the most recent front of the forum
> topics.
>
> If it is of any assistance in your deliberations i can tell you that i am
> in
> Europe and details of the tv tuner card are as follows;
>
> Creatix CTX948 DVB-T TV Tuner (Analogue and Digital)
>
> CTX948 V.1 supports analog TV, DVB-T, DVB-S and S-Video/Composite
> Video-In/Audio-In.
> - low profile PCI card
> - PCI 2.2 compliant
>
> Main Chips: Philips SAA7131E, TDA8275A, TDA8263, TDA10046, TDA10086
> Philips SAA7131E
>
> Features:
> The SAA7131E combines a digital global standard low IF demodulator
> for analog TV with a PCI audio and video decoder. The IF
> demodulator is an alignment-free digital multi standard vision and
> sound low IF signal PLL demodulator for positive and negative video
> modulation. It can be used worldwide for M/N, B/G/H, I, D/K and L/Lâ??
> standards.
>
> Analog/DVB-T section (Philips TDA8275A)
> Features:
> - 3 Stand-by mode functions
> - 1 Sleep mode function
> - Low symmetrical IF output (centered at 4MHz, 4.5MHz or 5MHz) for
> a direct connection to the TDA8290 (IF demodulator) or the
> SAA7131 or SAA7171 (IF demodulator and video decoder) or
> channel decoder
> - Fully integrated oscillators with no external components
> - Fully integrated selectivity
> - Crystal oscillator output buffer (16MHz) to drive the IF demodulator
> and digital decoder and occasionally another tuner
> - Operating range from an ambient temperature of -20°C to a max
> ambient temperature compatible with Tjmax
>
> DVB-S section (Philips TDA8262/3)
> Features:
> - Direct conversion demodulation for QPSK and 8PSK (Zero IF)
> - 950 to 2,175 MHz frequency range
> - +3.3 V DC supply voltage (no 5 V or 30 V supply required)
> - Low power (<600mW)
> - Low phase noise fully integrated oscillator
> - Cost optimized application
> - High range input level â?? -70 to 0 dBm @ 75 _ input impedance
> - Low noise RF input (integrated LNA)
> - High AGC range with high AGC linearity
> - Optimized interface with Philipsâ?? digital satellite demodulators
> TDA10086
>
> "JW" wrote:
>
>> Like on some VCRs there may be a switch on the back of the STB next to
>> the
>> Coax output for selecting channel 3 or 4.
>> Try entering channel 3 and then channel 4 in MC setup.
>> Are you located in the US or in Europe I believe some non north American
>> STBs and VCRs use a different channel number then 3 or 4 which is used in
>> the US.
>> "Who_Murdered_Democracy"
>> <Who_Murdered_Democracy@discussions.microsoft.com>
>> wrote in message
>> news:10BC9805-16E6-47C6-8595-968E03EBABC6@microsoft.com...
>> > I've just paid out a small fortune (to me) for a media centre kit. It
>> > contains IR blasters etc. My original accessories from PC World only
>> > contained a basic receiver with no input sockets for an IR blaster.
>> >
>> > I am having a major problem with the 'select a working tv signal'
>> > section.
>> >
>> > I need the pc's S-video and composite inputs to use for cctv and
>> > external
>> > video equipment. Therefore, i am going down the perfectly acceptable
>> > path
>> > of
>> > feeding the 'out' coax cable from my STB to the pc's antenna input.
>> >
>> > My sticking point is that towards the final stages of the configuration
>> > it
>> > has the option i desire 'Enter Channel'. My question is what channel
>> > number
>> > do i enter?. Unfortunately, although gratefully received, the
>> > suggestion
>> > above of 3 or 4 does not work.
>> >
>> > I know if one attaches a VCR to a tv it's something like 28?. But, what
>> > is
>> > the equivalent in this case. On one of the utilities i use with my pc
>> > for
>> > cctv purposes there is an option for entering a tv tuner channel. It
>> > always
>> > automatically pre-fills with the number 4. I have tried using that with
>> > the
>> > MCE/STB menu to no avail.
>> >
>> > Incidentally, the tv signal shows in the preview box when using the
>> > front
>> > S-Video/Composite inputs, so there is no problem on that side of
>> > things.
>> >
>> > The nvidia interface does not have a problem when i use it for feeding
>> > to
>> > the tv or, as far as i am aware, any difficulties with anything else.
>> > By
>> > that
>> > i mean, i can work away on the computer while feeding an American
>> > Football
>> > game on to the large tv screen at the same time.
>> >
>> > I have checked the STB manual for references to channel output (in the
>> > way
>> > that a VCR manual would quote the channel 28?whatever it is).It does
>> > seem
>> > that i just need to figure out what i should enter as a channel
>> > number?.
>> > Or,
>> > is it not that simple?
>> >
>> > "JW" wrote:
>> >
>> >> You can configure your PC tuner card to use a STB in one of two ways.
>> >> You can configure it to use the coax SD output from the STB connected
>> >> to
>> >> the
>> >> cards antenna/cable connector and you then set up the STB to output
>> >> either
>> >> channel 3 or 4 out using its coax connector.
>> >> Or you can configure your PC tuner/video capture card to receive SD
>> >> S-video/composite video and stereo audio from the STB. (this will
>> >> provide
>> >> better PQ then using Coax).
>> >> In either of the above the channel changing is all done on the STB and
>> >> not
>> >> in the PC.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>