Dual cards and MCE TV Signal settings.

Ishryal · **11th October 2005, 09:01 PM**

Hi,

Thought I'ld ask here since I can't seem to find the answer on the net, and everyone here seems to be a cluey lot, so here goes:

Just recently I built my own Media Center, set it up, got the EPG going (EPG Runner), and most free to air channels (can't get 10 but I'm sure it's due to my signal strength as it comes and goes depending on weather conditions and our regular signals are pretty crappy anyway). After reading this forum, I tried to use TiggerK's article on setting up Foxtel, and realised I have two problems, and one purchasing mistake.

1: In the guide where it states to setup channels, MCE is meant to ask you your region first, then ask if you want to use a setup top box and then you go onto setting up the the signal, then the remote etc. The problem I seem to have is that I don't get asked that question of the set top box. I get to choose what region, then it asks how many tuner cards I want to use (1 or 2), then it says setup complete and do I want to setup the guide. The TV Signal is set to Antenna and I can't change it!

2: Even though I have both cards in, and I can use them in the AverMedia software, MCE only allows the signal to come via one card... eg, I unplug the aerial in one card, and the signal is still there, I unplug the aerial from the second card, the signal goes away, I replug in the aerial to the first card and signal is still gone. It's not when I plug the aerial into the second card does the signal come on. MCE DOES recognise that I have two cards, since in the Signal setup it asks if I want to use two cards or one. I only get asked for one card when only one card is in.

2: The purchasing mistake is that I bought two AverMedia A16a hybrid cards. In order to get Foxtel into MCE I gather you have to have a pure analog card, yes?

Am I right in assuming that problem one is related to problem two?
Does MCE figure that both cards being the same it chooses the same setting for both cards?
Does that also explain the fact that despite having the two cards in, and both can receive signals via the AverMedia software, MCE is only receiving signals via one card?

Currently I am using a work around by using the Foxtel's A/V option to send the signal from the comp to Foxtel then from there to the tv. Until I work on a way to use the MCE remote with Foxtel, I also have to mute MCE when I switch over and I have to use the Foxtel remote to change channels on Foxtel... thinking of using Girder from Promixis for this (of course I wont need to do this if I can get MCE to ask me to setup the set top box and remote)... If I want to record Foxtel I use the S-Video in the tuner card and the AverMedia software... FTA stations I can still record via MCE...

Cheers.

simbot82 · **11th October 2005, 09:30 PM**

Sorry to let you know my friend but you cannot mix and match Analog and digital cards. And I believe with hybrid cards currently you can only use the digital portion of it. You have to decide whether you want Digital FTA and no Foxtel to MCE box or Analog Foxtel and FTA.

Sorry

Ishryal · **11th October 2005, 10:03 PM**

Ah, I thought that limitation only applied to hybrid cards. My mistake.

Still, why does my MCE not let me choose the TV Settings and only allows the signal form one card (both digital)?

simbot82 · **11th October 2005, 10:18 PM**

It should do, usually It will ask you on first channel scan whether you wish to tune one or two tuners. But this still wouldn't help you cause You can't have an analog and digital signal in one MCE machine currently hybrid or otherwise, maybe next year with MCE Vista.

Matt · **11th October 2005, 10:25 PM**

Ishryal - if you're really keen on Foxtel have a read of this great post from TiggerK, explains everything you need to know about connecting Foxtel to your MCE box.

http://www.xpmediacentre.com.au/comm...0844#post20844

Cheers

Matt.

Ishryal · **12th October 2005, 02:48 AM**

I've read the TiggerK's guide. That's when I realised I have a problem. Regardless of whether I want to do Foxtel or not (which at the moment looks like I'll have to buy two analog cards), my MCE is still not allowing me switch TV signals, nor is allowing me to setup the two cards, AND it's only receiving signal via one card, even though it recognises that both are there.

This is NOT about Foxtel, more the fact MCE is not allowing me the settings everyone seems to get. When I go to Settings, TV, Set Up TV Signal, all it does is ask what region I'm in, ask if I want to set up two tuners, then goes to the "Finish setting up TV signal or Set up Guide" page. It doesn't ask me what signal I want to receive, nor set up remotes etc.

Is this because I have two digital cards in it? But still, why would it recognise it has two cards, but accept signals out of one of them? (Both work. I have tested both cards in the AverMedia software).

Thanks for the responses tho.

Cheers.

simbot82 · **12th October 2005, 02:57 AM**

Quote:

It doesn't ask me what signal I want to receive, nor set up remotes

It won't ask you either of these questions. MCE remote is the only offically supported remote and it self installs and unless you do a registry hack you cannot designate which TV tuner is being used.

SO you do get asked if you wish to scan with two cards correct? does the scan complete and find all services?

Ishryal · **12th October 2005, 10:44 AM**

Oh yeah, as I said I get all channels. Except 10 which I' guessing is an aerial problem since it's a little erratic... sometimes it's there, sometimes it's not. Plus our normal signal for 10 is fairly shoddy. And MCE does ask me if I want to choose either 1 or 2 cards (when both tuner cards are installed). I just don't get a signal through one of them.

So I was right in guessing that because there's two digital cards, I will never get another TV Signal type other than 'Antenna'? It won't ask me if I want to choose 'Cable'?

One thing I havn't tried though is to record and watch at the same time. Maybe MCE uses the second card for recording and not for general watching...

simbot82 · **12th October 2005, 04:01 PM**

That is correct, wont ask you for cable and yes the second card is only used if the first card is already recording.

This came in handy for me during the ashes, watched AFL finals and the cricket essentially at the same time

Ishryal · **12th October 2005, 04:12 PM**

Thanks for the confirmation. I no longer have to scratch my head to see if it's a problem with my system in general or just poor purchasing choices.

Now, off to buy an analog card... or two...

simbot82 · **12th October 2005, 04:13 PM**

So your dumping the Digital Cards for analog or building a second machine?