Basic Setup for foxtel

[haris2887]

hi all..
i have a dtv 100T tv tuner with a CVBS input..

1.i want to know if it is possible to record via the CVBS input through MCE..
OR do u have to use the PVR program to to do so..

2.if possible how to i actually record via MCE, without EPG... i can already record vis the PVR program...

3. Is it possible to get EPG working with foxtel,
so my HTPC wakes up, Changes the Foxtel channel and starts recording..

[Astrotoy7]

The key to this is hardware mpeg2(h-mpeg2) encoding. The pvr app uses a software based encoder. You can get a software based encoder which will make your analogue tuner available in MCE< but as there isnt a dedicated processor handling the analogue capture, picture quality will be poor.

Thus, if you are serious about a decent working foxtel)etc) setup, you need a card that does hardware mpeg2 and is mce ready. The hauppauge PVR/MCE cards are the most frequently used. I use the PVR150MCE and am 100% satisfied with its performance.

Getting DTV + Foxtel and Guide is indeed possible, but is a bit of an ordeal. I recommend you head down to the payTV section and have a decent read of The stickied guide and THIS guide by Dizzy, who simplifies the DTV+ATV a bit...
Digital and Analog TV (Guide)

If you are not used to such advanced tinkering, dont get too stressed. Read it a few times over a few days, allow it to sink in... you are basically

>setting up digital + EPG >saving its settings
>satting up analogue >import digital settings
>reintegrate the analogue capture channel

THATS IT, but theres a bit of tinkering to actually achieve that

combined EPG is ONLY possible via using epgstreams MCE client(or its xmltv client) which gets guide data from OzTivo. You can read a bit more about that at www.epgstream.net I'd recommend you get a(free) account and apply it to your DTV for starters. The guide is great!

I am writing a newbies guide to ATV+DTV setupmyself...almost finished...! But am happy to respond to any questions in the interim.

good luck. This is easily one of the trickiest thinsg to do with an MCE rig, but with teh right components and patience, is totally possible, and a wonderful thing to have

good luck
astro

[haris2887]

You can get a software based encoder which will make your analogue tuner available in MCE< but as there isnt a dedicated processor handling the analogue capture, picture quality will be poor.

hi can you please tell me the name of this encoder or where i can obtain it..
i really don't care about picture quality...

[Astrotoy7]

when PQ looks like a pixellated phonecam vid, you probably will care! Add the fact that when you record, due to the extra burden of processing you often will get stuttering.... it is really a non-option IMO. It is really designed for the days before we had DTV You cant make this the cornerstone of your mce+foxtel setup... otherwise we'd all be using it.

If you did a survey here or anywhere of those who are pleased with their payTV setups, I think you'll find 100% will recommend a dedicated capture card. The 'soft' option is exactly that!

anyway, despite my asserting its a waste of your valuable time, by all means >>have a go
Get Most Cards To Work In Mce

astro

[haris2887]

ok.,..
i checked that thread and installed the encoder..
but VISTA mce does not pick up the analogue side of my tuner..
i am totally lost now...
does my tuner even have an analogue side ?

can you please explain the basic steps on ho to precede,,
i already DTV configured with EPG and can receive all channels..

[haris2887]

here is what i am using...

1. First set up TV Guide. I used OZtivo. using Bladerunner3

2. Download latest Guide.

3. Setup DTV and make sure all channels work.
close media center

4. Save reg settings for DTV card services\video\tuners\ {xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx}\ {xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx}

5. see what tvguide it uses \services\epg currentepg and copy the currentepg from mydocuments\all users\application data\microsoft\ehome\epg the eml and sdf that matches the reg settings for epg to a different location.

6. Now setup media center for foxtel through av with ir blaster. Do not setup Guide.

7 close media center and copy eml and sdf file back to mydocuments and settings\all users\application data\microsoft\ehome\epg and edit registry to match the file name \services\epg currentepg.

8. now add the registry for the dtv back to the registry and under settings\programguide\fepgdataavailable = 1 and under tvconfig has dvb =1 and stb =1

10. open media center and check to see if dtv is working.

11. now you will have "add missing channels" button. all added channels will go through av and change with blaster.

12. add all required channels and add listing to all the channels.

13 all finished enjoy foxtel and DTV.

If its confusing then go back to original setup or message me and please do comment if it works for you
or if there is a different config you want to try


How it works:

When you do the scan for the DTV channels or the AnalogTV channels the frequencys and details are stored inside the sdf and xml file.
by reusing the epg file the settings are keep but any further channels added will be through the latest setup your running.
IE. setup DTV then reuse the same epg on a Analog TV then DTV and Analog TV settings are store then if you change settings to Foxtel then reuse the same epg again you will get all three. You just have to make sure you associate the right signal to the right card and only one signal per card. also if you want DTV and Analog TV you will have to relocate all DTV channles above channel 53 or they will get erased by the analog card setting.

For Dual DTV channels setup as DTV and save both digital tv settings.

Hope this helps.
If anyone else can find easier way don't be shy.

I dont get Step 6...
What is an IR blaster ?
i dont think it is even possible to record foxtel via MCE for me as i only have dtv1000 thats it no other capture card... ?
but i can do it via PVR weird..

[haris2887]

looks like my luck has ran out...
i just read the stikkie by TiggerK

If you want to use Foxtel with MCE, you MUST use an analogue TV Tuner card. You CANNOT use the AV inputs of any Digital TV cards, they are all currently useless within MCE.

[Astrotoy7]

TiggerKs guide is a bit dated in some areas...which is why I wrote mine

check if you have an analogue tuner with this
mce tuner extender app

once youve installed the mainconcept software encoder, if you have an analogue tuner, that tuner extender app should show it as 'enabled for mce'

alternately, if you start a 'setup tv' from scratch, it will give you the analogue setup option when it previously wasnt there..

see my sig for all the info and relevant links.

longstory short however >>I dont know why youre bothering with a software solution, its alot of work to do for a very poor result.

astro

[haris2887]

you see i dont have an analogue tuner as such..
i only have a dtv1000, which is a digital tuner with av input..
so i dont think it is possible.