Windows 7 Media Center in Canada (ATSC, QAM, Logos) - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

pnear · 2009-08-10, 10:12 PM

Knowing how many avid Media Center users there are here at Digital Home Canada, I wanted to let everyone know that the latest hacks for Windows 7 Media Center are now published. It's been a heck of a battle, one that has been fought on many fronts and I'm happy to announce that Canadian high definition in Media Center is working better than ever before!

The highlights:
- I've packaged and tested a new hack (easiest hack yet!) that enables ATSC and QAM in Canada with Windows 7 Media Center. This has been tested by myself and a handful of others on x86 and x64 versions of the RTM release. Thanks for your help!
- Included in the hack is a single-click batch file that add US OTA listings to your Media Center, providing subchannel support and enabling the HD preferences in Media Center recording logic.

Links below...

Enabling ATSC and QAM with MC7:
http://experts.windows.com/w/experts...ia-center.aspx

Adding Multiple Listings to MC7:
http://experts.windows.com/w/experts...ia-center.aspx

-Pete

TorontoColin · 2009-08-10, 10:20 PM

This is fantastic. When I upgrade to Win 7 I'll be all over this. Thanks so much for your time and dedication.

Wayne · 2009-08-11, 05:23 PM

I assume this works with the RC version of Win7? Do we know if it still works in the RTM version?

pnear · 2009-08-11, 05:25 PM

I have tested with RTM x86 and x64.

SatRadFan · 2009-08-19, 01:19 PM

Peter - are you still using an HD Homerun for your ATSC via QAM as you posted in the beta hacks? Or are you straight into a PC card?

I'm looking to upgrade my Vista MCE for a few things:

New analog tuner (have a Hauppauge PVR-500 that makes me limit ram to < 4GB) - I'm considering the Hauppauge 2250
Attic antenna: I live in central Toronto, but only get the local stations. I can either wire coax down to my media centre or do it via HDHomerun with a shorter coax run. This could replace my ATI HDTVWonder that is working ok
Upgraded OS of course

Can you post some specs of what you're doing now. Ideally, I'd like to keep dual analog and get dual ATSC, including the US channels OTA.

pnear · 2009-08-19, 02:14 PM

I'm using both actually, Windows 7 can use multiple tuners. I have the HDHomerun with two ATSC tuners, and a VBox Cats Eye 164e with two ATSC tuners (the VBox has a bug where only 1 tuner shows up in Windows 7 though).

Pete

jihenry · 2013-01-05, 03:43 PM

It isn't just Canadian channels that are not updating, for 13662 zip code for example CBS and PBS wnpi are not being updated, and some Canadian channels are being updated, CBC and all of the French channels are being updated.

pnear · 2013-02-06, 02:40 PM

The EPG issue has been discussed in this thread: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=158742

Long story short, I've updated the hack to help you work around it.
http://experts.windows.com/w/experts_wiki/133.aspx

-Pete

aalim2 · 2013-02-11, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnear

The EPG issue has been discussed in this thread: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=158742

Long story short, I've updated the hack to help you work around it.
http://experts.windows.com/w/experts_wiki/133.aspx

-Pete

Thanks Pete, I ran the new script and it worked beautifully.

johnnystecchino · 2013-02-15, 10:07 AM

HI,

I just need some confirmation. I just recently set up windows 8 media center for OTA in Ottawa. I used the Maseena Zip code 13662.

I'm missing information in my guide for a number of channels.

My question is, for OTA Antenna in Ottawa, do I only need to use the zip code, or do I still need to do the hack? I'm only using it for my antenna.

Thanks!

flavoie · 2013-02-15, 10:19 AM

johnnystecchino, using 13662 zip code with United States country is all you should need in Windows 8 Media Center for Ottawa. A number of us have also notice the loss of guide info for some channels, and it looks like Microsoft's fault. If you go on zap2it's site, you will find all channels populated with guide info.

What you may be seeing with some channels like CHOT and CFGS is their remapping to a .3 channel. I don't remember the exact wording of the menus, but for these, you just Edit Channel and assign new listings based on the CHOT or CFGS main channel listing already in the list. When given the option, choose "Copy listings".

johnnystecchino · 2013-02-15, 10:46 AM

Cool. Thanks. I'll try that tonight.

I'm also going to try NextPVR as my fellow Ottawan, OTAJuncqui, keeps suggesting.

lunear · 2013-02-07, 09:54 PM

Pnear, I used your method, but still get no guide for Global (41.1). I am in Toronto.

blueroomelectro · 2013-03-24, 11:47 PM

Thank you Mr Near, your patch got Global EPG working again.

Question: Does it have to be run once a day or would once a week be sufficient?

pnear · 2013-03-25, 08:05 AM

Each time you download, it will get about 2 weeks worth of listings. By doing it every day, you always have two weeks of data. If you change it to weekly it will still work, but some of your channels will show "no guide data" if you browse listings past the one-week point.

2009-08-10, 10:12 PM	#1
pnear Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Milton, ON Posts: 664	Windows 7 Media Center in Canada (ATSC, QAM, Logos) Knowing how many avid Media Center users there are here at Digital Home Canada, I wanted to let everyone know that the latest hacks for Windows 7 Media Center are now published. It's been a heck of a battle, one that has been fought on many fronts and I'm happy to announce that Canadian high definition in Media Center is working better than ever before! The highlights: - I've packaged and tested a new hack (easiest hack yet!) that enables ATSC and QAM in Canada with Windows 7 Media Center. This has been tested by myself and a handful of others on x86 and x64 versions of the RTM release. Thanks for your help! - Included in the hack is a single-click batch file that add US OTA listings to your Media Center, providing subchannel support and enabling the HD preferences in Media Center recording logic. Links below... Enabling ATSC and QAM with MC7: http://experts.windows.com/w/experts...ia-center.aspx Adding Multiple Listings to MC7: http://experts.windows.com/w/experts...ia-center.aspx -Pete Last edited by hugh; 2011-07-04 at 03:33 PM. Reason: edited July 4, 2011 to update links since since Microsoft shut down TheGreenButton.com

2009-08-19, 01:19 PM	#5
SatRadFan Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 8	Peter - are you still using an HD Homerun for your ATSC via QAM as you posted in the beta hacks? Or are you straight into a PC card? I'm looking to upgrade my Vista MCE for a few things: New analog tuner (have a Hauppauge PVR-500 that makes me limit ram to < 4GB) - I'm considering the Hauppauge 2250 Attic antenna: I live in central Toronto, but only get the local stations. I can either wire coax down to my media centre or do it via HDHomerun with a shorter coax run. This could replace my ATI HDTVWonder that is working ok Upgraded OS of course Can you post some specs of what you're doing now. Ideally, I'd like to keep dual analog and get dual ATSC, including the US channels OTA.

2013-01-05, 03:43 PM	#7
jihenry Join Date: May 2007 Location: Russell, Ontario Posts: 85	It isn't just Canadian channels that are not updating, for 13662 zip code for example CBS and PBS wnpi are not being updated, and some Canadian channels are being updated, CBC and all of the French channels are being updated. __________________ CM4221HD + Delhi VIP302SR + CM7777 Preamp

2013-02-15, 10:07 AM	#10
johnnystecchino Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 14	W8MC Ottawa OTA HI, I just need some confirmation. I just recently set up windows 8 media center for OTA in Ottawa. I used the Maseena Zip code 13662. I'm missing information in my guide for a number of channels. My question is, for OTA Antenna in Ottawa, do I only need to use the zip code, or do I still need to do the hack? I'm only using it for my antenna. Thanks!

2013-02-07, 09:54 PM	#13
lunear Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 128	Pnear, I used your method, but still get no guide for Global (41.1). I am in Toronto. __________________ Denon AVR-1911, Samsung UN46C7000 LED 3DTV,Boston Acoustics CS226, Klipsch Quintet III, Monster Cable THX subwoofer.

2009-08-10, 10:20 PM	#2
TorontoColin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Toronto, Wind Mobile, Rogers Cable, Teksavvy Extreme Cable Posts: 3,257	This is fantastic. When I upgrade to Win 7 I'll be all over this. Thanks so much for your time and dedication.

2009-08-11, 05:23 PM	#3
Wayne Veteran Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Scarboro Posts: 5,578	I assume this works with the RC version of Win7? Do we know if it still works in the RTM version?

2009-08-11, 05:25 PM	#4
pnear Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Milton, ON Posts: 664	I have tested with RTM x86 and x64.

2009-08-19, 02:14 PM	#6
pnear Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Milton, ON Posts: 664	I'm using both actually, Windows 7 can use multiple tuners. I have the HDHomerun with two ATSC tuners, and a VBox Cats Eye 164e with two ATSC tuners (the VBox has a bug where only 1 tuner shows up in Windows 7 though). Pete

2013-02-06, 02:40 PM	#8
pnear Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Milton, ON Posts: 664	The EPG issue has been discussed in this thread: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=158742 Long story short, I've updated the hack to help you work around it. http://experts.windows.com/w/experts_wiki/133.aspx -Pete

2013-02-15, 10:19 AM	#11
flavoie Join Date: May 2007 Location: Orleans, ON Posts: 1,236	johnnystecchino, using 13662 zip code with United States country is all you should need in Windows 8 Media Center for Ottawa. A number of us have also notice the loss of guide info for some channels, and it looks like Microsoft's fault. If you go on zap2it's site, you will find all channels populated with guide info. What you may be seeing with some channels like CHOT and CFGS is their remapping to a .3 channel. I don't remember the exact wording of the menus, but for these, you just Edit Channel and assign new listings based on the CHOT or CFGS main channel listing already in the list. When given the option, choose "Copy listings".

2013-02-15, 10:46 AM	#12
johnnystecchino Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 14	Cool. Thanks. I'll try that tonight. I'm also going to try NextPVR as my fellow Ottawan, OTAJuncqui, keeps suggesting.

2013-03-24, 11:47 PM	#14
blueroomelectro Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 676	Thank you Mr Near, your patch got Global EPG working again. Question: Does it have to be run once a day or would once a week be sufficient? __________________ Bill My blog

2013-03-25, 08:05 AM	#15
pnear Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Milton, ON Posts: 664	Each time you download, it will get about 2 weeks worth of listings. By doing it every day, you always have two weeks of data. If you change it to weekly it will still work, but some of your channels will show "no guide data" if you browse listings past the one-week point.

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