Ii'll put it right next to my power supply exhaust hole for cooling and see if it improves reliability.

Exactly what I did.
I used the 6" (12"? don't remember.. let's just say 'short') USB extension that came with my 950 (old) to let the dongle hang right in the path of my exhaust fan. Worked like a charm.
Doesn't matter that it's hot air, it's still air circulation and 'wind chill'.

i've got the 950Q working on my hardest to get channels, it seems to overheat, so cooling it becomes an issue to address
What kind of issues are you running into? I have 2x950Q and 2x950 and, although they can get quite warm to the touch, I've never encountered any problems...

It's something i had seen when testing in a different PC. When the 950Q has to work really hard, it can heat up. That can become an issue if there's not enough air flow. You might not have notice if the channel was easy to get for your tuner, or if there was already enough airflow around you.

It's something i had seen when testing in a different PC. When the 950Q has to work really hard, it can heat up. That can become an issue if there's not enough air flow. You might not have notice if the channel was easy to get for your tuner, or if there was already enough airflow around you.

They lie on the flow in the corner of the room under a desk so I doubt they get much airflow but then again I dont watch/record my 2 weak channels very often (WVNY/CFJP).

Its also true that they are not my primary tuners anymore since I grabbed an AverMedia Duet A188 PCI-E whitebox on special last spring (50$ shipped). Since it matched the performance of my 950Q reception wise on the 2 weak channels despite adding the internal splitter, I opted to put it as my primary tuner because of my (probable) misconception of internal > external!

Does anyone have a Hauppauge 2250 working with a new Linux kernel? I have just put together a new Linux box for an HTPC, but so far I haven't been able to get the tuner working on Arch Linux, which is on the newer 3.0 kernel. I get the card recognized, but just get stuttering sound, no video, and then the myth front end crashes.

I don't know if is a faulty card, or a faulty setup. Is there a way to manually tune the ATSC tuner without using myth? Any help would be appreciated.

rsambuca,
I don't have a happauge 2250, and I don't use Arch linux, but there's probably several ways to skin the cat / verify proper tuning on any linux system, here's one.
install the 'dvb-apps' package.

http://linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/LinuxTV_dvb-apps

first confirm your able to tune everything ya should be able to using the scan utility.
your tuner should be able to tune using the default tuning data file named
'us-ATSC-center-frequencies-8VSB'

ls /usr/share/dvb/atsc
my-atsc us-CA-SF-Bay-Area
us-ATSC-center-frequencies-8VSB us-ID-Boise
us-Cable-EIA-542-HRC-center-frequencies-QAM256 us-MA-Boston
us-Cable-EIA-542-IRC-center_frequencies-QAM256 us-MI-Lansing
us-Cable-HRC-center-frequencies-QAM256 us-NTSC-center-frequencies-8VSB
us-Cable-IRC-center-frequencies-QAM256 us-PA-Philadelphia
us-Cable-Standard-center-frequencies-QAM256

~ $ scan -a 1 -o zap /usr/share/dvb/atsc/my-atsc > ~/mychannels.conf
Once ya have a 'channels.conf' file, use vlc to load em up as a playlist.
Once vlc opens up, you can follow the menu path, /view, /playlist to flip thru the various
channels in your channels.conf (playlist). Since all the audio/video codecs reside natively
in vlc (ffmpeg, etc.) that should avoid having to confirm other packages are installed.
They should be playing quite stable at this point. If not you might have some weak stations??
If you don't already have vlc installed, install it.
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

vlc --dvb-adapter 1 ~/channels.conf

To rule out any weak stations causing ya grief try tuning each channel individually via the vlc playlist,
then monitor the frontend stats in another terminal window like this as you change channels in vlc.
Note, my ATSC tuner is the 2nd dvb adapter in my system, my sat card being the first.
So I specify the -a1 switch. Your femon stats for signal and snr will probably be 4 digit hex numbers,
I changed it on mine here to display more humanly readable by default on my system...
higher the number, the better. The important piece though is Should always be zero ber and zero unc.
ber-> bit errors, unc -> uncorrectable errors. If not always zero errors, your having a reception issue.
If always zero errors and your still seeing some breakup, etc in the picture, so on then maybe investigate
the s/w installation side of things.

femon -a1
FE: Samsung S5H1409 QAM/8VSB Frontend (ATSC)
status SCVYL | signal -758 | snr 230 | ber 0 | unc 0 | FE_HAS_LOCK
status SCVYL | signal -758 | snr 230 | ber 0 | unc 0 | FE_HAS_LOCK
status SCVYL | signal -758 | snr 230 | ber 0 | unc 0 | FE_HAS_LOCK
status SCVYL | signal -758 | snr 230 | ber 0 | unc 0 | FE_HAS_LOCK
status SCVYL | signal -758 | snr 230 | ber 0 | unc 0 | FE_HAS_LOCK

majortom, thank you so much for taking the time to give me such explicit instructions. What I have determined regarding my Hauppauge 2250 setup so far is:

1. I know very little about what I am doing!
2. Both of my 2250 cards are in fact working. Using majortom's instructions I am able to get OTA ATSC HD channels from all four tuners. I can watch or record from all four tuners using vlc or mplayer, etc.
3. There is kernel support for these cards, but you must manually import the firmware into your /lib/firmware directory.
4. My little 'hentenna' isn't good enough for these cards. I used this antenna in the basement on my HP television and I am able to get all 4 HD channels if it is aligned the right way. On the main floor of my house, where I am building this HTPC, I am unable to get all the channels with the same antenna - perhaps due to the internal signal splitting to the two tuners?

Anyways, now I know that my problems aren't related to the hardware so I can close up the box. At least that is one concern out of the way.

My issue must be with the myth/arch versions I am using. I guess I'll have to fiddle a bit more, or switch to another distro or kernel.

Thanks again,

Rich

rsambuca,
cool...

3. There is kernel support for these cards, but you must manually import the firmware into your /lib/firmware directory.
yeah, that's pretty much the case with just about any tuner card and linux distribution.
generally ya have to go chase down the firmware file for your card, unless it happens to already be in /lib/firmware "out of the box"
I assumed you had already got past that point since you said you had Mythtv going, somewhat. Else I would have pointed that out as well.

I am unable to get all the channels with the same antenna - perhaps due to the internal signal splitting to the two tuners?
perhaps you can post a link to your tvfool report here, so we can take a look at what's around ya, so on. Depending how many tuners you plan on driving from one antenna, and how long your downlead coax cable is, you may need to add a pre-amp to your antenna system to overcome the splitter and cable losses, etc.
Can ya post a TVfool link for your location at the antenna height of your antenna?

Note: you can see my system details in my signature, basically I use a pre-amp at the antenna, and split 4 ways to 4 tuners further downstream.

in recent versions of Mythtv, unless you've changed the key sequence to something else (not likely) , Alt-F7 should bring up an on-screen Signal Monitor display, but don't count on it displaying anything meaningful with all tuners, (it's been broke).
alternatively you can still open another terminal window to run femon while changing channels in mythv. Again ya shouldn't see any errors.

If your issues are strictly with video rendering in Mythtv, play around with the Playback settings in MythTv Frontend.
Utilities/Setup, Setup, TV Settings, Playback, Playback Profiles (3/8) to find a combination that's stable with your Graphics card and display.
Mine is set to
CPU++

If rez > 0 0 -> FFMPEG & XVIDEO

I have no idea if it's optimal, but it works for me here...

Here is a link to the tvfool report for my location (http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d14f30e0847e2ae). It looks like there is a second CTV station on the report that was not there a couple of days ago. I have no idea what that is.

Anyways, with my little hentenna, I can easily get CTV (36.1), and CBC (21.1). The original mythTV scan found the others HD channels as well, but I can't seem to tune them manually. I am lucky in that I am relatively close to the transmitters, and they are almost in a direct line from me, making a directional ATSC tuner a logical choice.

Upon doing more web searching, I have a feeling that some, if not all, of the problems I am having with mythTV are due to low signals (video frame buffer errors). It seems strange that I can watch the signals with mplayer or vlc, but who knows. In any event I still need a better antenna.

My next plan of attack is to build a proper hentenna using accurate measurements, and see if my signal strength improves. If it does improve, I can then re-test myth with the stronger signal. For the antenna I am using now I just 'measured' by eye and bent the wire by hand. I guess I'll see how much difference accurate measurements will make to this tiny device.

Thanks for the tips on the myth settings. I'll try those after I make a new antenna tomorrow. Man, my 1 or 2 day project appears to have taken on a life of itself!

I'm not familiar with Calgary's pre or post transition status, but looking at ur TVFOOL,
I wouldn't think you should have any signal strength issues.

How long is the coax cable from antenna -> Splitter, and Splitter--> Tuner(s)
Where is your antenna mounted, indoors or outside? Get it outside if you can.
You are 100% correct. If they play fine in VLC, you don't have signal quality issues.
If you have a problem only in Mythtv, and not VLC, ur issue is with Mythtv (likely configuration/settings), not your antenna system itself.

The HVR-2250 is not as sensitive as many TV tuners. That could be part of the issue. A basement antenna will also pick up a lot of multipath, something else the HVR-2250 does not handle especially well. I've also noticed that some PC software does not handle poor signals well (as witnessed by the crash.) Another issue is that some Canadian stations have missing or inaccurate PMT data. That can also cause problems with some PC software. As already mentioned, putting the antenna up above the roof line will make a dramatic improvement in signal strength and quality.

Sniff.

Smell that? That is the sweet smell of victory. Thanks to everyone's help, I have now just recorded 4 HD shows at once on my new rig. In order to get the Hauppauge 2250's to work, I had to improve my antenna. I just accurately made a little hentenna as per the dimensions in this thread (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=104305). I did a quick scan and picked up all 4 HD channels and 2 other SD channels.

If I split the hentenna output to the two tuners cards, it isn't good enough, but if I split it through a distribution amplifier, it is good enough for all 4 tuners to work (this is on the main floor). I am hoping this setup will work in my basement, but worst case is I have to buy an actual antenna for better reception. I already have cable out to the roof from an old Bell Satellite setup, so if I have to I could easily put up an outdoor antenna and use the existing coax.

On another note, the reason that myth kept crashing is that it won't work with openGL output. Guess I'll use xvideo for now, until I figure it out.

Thanks guys.

Hi, I actually have a Hauppage 1600 TV tuner. The tuner sensitivity is not as good as my Sony tv. I can get channels with my tv that I cannot get with my tv tuner.
I want to change my tv tuner for another internal tv tuner (dual channel this time). What is the better choice to get best sensitivity?

So I bought a Hauppauge Aero to test alongside a 950Q.

The Aero seemed to promise a more sensitive tuner than the 950Q, being designed for mobile TV. My initial testing seems to show that this is not the case.

The unit is slightly smaller than the 950Q, and has an MCX connector for an external antenna (but comes with an adaptor for an F connector). It also has a small (about 6") telescopic antennta that is stored within the device when retracted. This antenna is very thin, with the thinnest part at the bottom (the reverse of a usual telescopic). There is a swivel joint at the bottom for positioning the antenna for optimal signal strength. It would be very easy to make the mistake of not pulling the antenna far enough out of the housing before moving it into position, thus bending the thinnest part. I imagine that it would be difficult to straighten it enough after such an accident to get it to retract back into the unit. It would also be rather easy to knock it inadverantly when extended and bend it that way.

It should also be noted that this unit cannot receive analog signals (only ATSC, Clear QAM and Mobile TV).

I tried the unit first of all just plugged straight into a laptop without the antenna extended (i.e. it was still inside the unit). A scan with WinTV7 showed my four strongest local digital stations (albeit, of course, only just above threshold at about 16.5 dB S/N) here in Ottawa. With the antenna extended at 45 deg to the horizontal, I got the same result.

A scan with the same external antenna attached as feeds my main TV (a 16-bay array on the roof), I picked up all my local stations quite nicely.

Yesterday evening, I was getting a weak signal from WNPI at South Colton on my main TV - a Sony - showing 15.9 db S/N, so I tried scanning with the Aero with the roof array connected. It couldn't detect WNPI. I then did the scan with the 950Q, and it DID detect WNPI. I repeated this a few more times, alternating the sticks, and the result was always the same: the 950Q would tune WNPI, but the Aero would not (and all the time the Sony was displaying the station with a S/N hovering around 16.0 dB).

Conclusion is, therefore, the Aero does not beat the 950Q in sensitivity.

My Aero is therefore looking for a new home. PM me if you'd like to offer it one :)

DXer, this seem to match my preliminary result on my own Aero-M. This is really preliminary... I had my 1250 against my Aero-M. With my antenna positioned between CF & HC in Ottawa, the 1250 picked up WCFE from the back of the antenna during a scan. When I scan a few minutes later with the Aero-M, it did NOT scan WCFE. I will be doing more tests, but the lack of the Hauppauge signal tuner software support makes it harder.

Does anyone know of another software which could act as a Signal meter other than TSReader ?

Does anyone know of another software which could act as a Signal meter other than TSReader ?
Have you tried SmartDVB which also works with ATSC (using 0.2.1b4 here)? Using Win7 x86, it has a signal meter built-in and can do scans allowing to easily switch channel without having to restart unlike TSReader Free. The meter seems accurate compared to Hauppauge Signal Monitor for cards that supports it but YMMV!

I previously was using VBSignalMeter.exe from vbox on WinXP but it doesn't like my current Win7 setup. Same goes for WatchHDTV.

For signal monitor, what's wrong with the official hauppauge meter? Does it not work with the Aero-M? (if you said this, sorry, I missed it :p)

When I used my hauppauge cards, it was described like an add-on for WinTV only, but it worked just fine to give me signal level when third party software (e.g.WatchHDTV) was playing or recording the stream.

http://hauppauge.lightpath.net/software/utils/hcwsigmonsetup.exe

The official Hauppauge signal meter as linked above does not work with my 1250. The newer version coming as part of WinTV works fine with the 1250. Neither the latest WinTV packaged version, or this above version, work with the Aero-M. I wish it would because that's all i'd be using then.

That's what I found: the signal monitor will not work with the Aero. When I had both the Aero and 950Q connected simultaneously, it wouldn't work for either (but I have to admit, it wasn't clear how to direct it at a single tuner). When only the 950Q was connected, it worked fine.

It seems that Hauppauge have a bit of catch-up to do with the Aero: there is no mention of it on their support pages yet.

On the subject of other signal meters, I tried SmartDVB on my W7-64bit system, but it kept crashing. Any other suggestions?

DXer, I also have trouble directing Tv tuning to a specific tuner from WinTV when i have many tuners installed. It make testing a lot harder. It seems my best luck has been to restart tv tuner setup from the Configuration menu and perform a 1 channel atsc scan to get it to switch to the one I want, but it's not always working iirc.

I also tried SmartDVB on Windows 7 32bits and it also keeps crashing for me.