Vista Digital Cable OEM PC w/ ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner -H

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bjwerti

I have a new HP 4999t PC with factory installed ViXS PureTV-U 48B0 (NTSC/ATSC
Combo) AND an external ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner. The PC was ordered
from the OEM with Digital Cable Support enabled. My goal is to configure
three tuners within MCE: one analog tuner, one OTA digital antenna tuner,
and one Digital Cable tuner. Worst case, two digital tuners is OK.

I bought these expensive tuner options so I can watch Clear QAM HDTV using
my basic cable signal (OCUR). I have a few issues that I can't figure out:
1. TV tuners are not found during Auto Configure scan in Vista MCE.
2. How do I get Digital clear QAM over cable? Do I need a separate set-top
cable box even though I have an ATI External Digital Cable Tuner?

(All of my LCD televisions get the "free" clear QAM cable broadcasted HDTV
channels just fine like ABC, NBC, CBS, etc...that is all I'm trying to do in
MCE.)

Thanks
 
bjwerti said:
I have a new HP 4999t PC with factory installed ViXS PureTV-U 48B0 (NTSC/ATSC
Combo) AND an external ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner. The PC was ordered
from the OEM with Digital Cable Support enabled. My goal is to configure
three tuners within MCE: one analog tuner, one OTA digital antenna tuner,
and one Digital Cable tuner. Worst case, two digital tuners is OK.

I bought these expensive tuner options so I can watch Clear QAM HDTV using
my basic cable signal (OCUR). I have a few issues that I can't figure out:
1. TV tuners are not found during Auto Configure scan in Vista MCE.
2. How do I get Digital clear QAM over cable? Do I need a separate set-top
cable box even though I have an ATI External Digital Cable Tuner?

(All of my LCD televisions get the "free" clear QAM cable broadcasted HDTV
channels just fine like ABC, NBC, CBS, etc...that is all I'm trying to do in
MCE.)

Thanks
Click to expand...

in order to receive digital cable TV reception with your machine you
have to call yr cable co. and have them install a "card" in your machine
(they don't have to open the machine, it goes in a slot on the back of
the built-in tv tuner you have..) this "card" is equivalent to a digital
cable box, and cable co. will charge you accordingly for it.. ($10/mo.
or so...)

then you have to activate the digital cable tv feature in Windows Media
Center, by providing a digital cable product key that should have been
supplied when you purchased your tuner(s) or is supplied with computer
(on sticker next to Vista activation product key) if you purchased a
machine w/built-in tuner(s).. (you should have at least two tuners so
you can watch one thing and tape another simultaneously.. the tuners
should come with built-in digital recorders, like a built-in TIVO..)

however, I personally have not been able to do activate WMC for digital
cable tv, Vista problems (what a surprise...;), long story... (see my
post related to "digital cable" in vista.music_pictures_video..) I have
not yet received a response, and will most probably have to do a clean
re-install of Vista to solve the problem.. hopefully this won't happen
to you..

not sure this answers all your questions.. HTH..
 
I have the same system and the same problem. HP actually told me to send the
PC back to get it fixed. I don't think so. The PC works fine. The ATI
shows proper status lights and appears on the network. It's got to be
something else.

I tried shutting down Norton 360 and ran Windows Media Center setup again.
I got snow for pictures (which is actually farther than I've gotten before).
Since I paid for 15 months of Norton 360, I hate to uninstall it (they don't
send actual discs anymore, as you know...if I uninstall it, I'm buying a new
one).

When I went through the Norton "Add Programs" there was no .exe file that I
could enable. Added all I could find in the ATI listing to the program list.
Still not working

Anyone have any other suggestions?

Frustrated Digital Cable fan (less)
 
Duck Fan,

I had this same issue. I just bought an HP m9200t, with the two tuners in
it. MCE could not identify the CableCard. I found a forum that discussed
this very issue, and it turns out that it was Norton causing it. My computer
came with 15 months of Norton service, I never directly paid for it, so I
decided that I would prefer a fully functional computer than some virus
scanner and firewall blocking it. I could always add it later. Once I
uninstalled Norton it worked perfectly. There is probably some way to get by
it without removing it completely from your computer. If you have the
patience, you may want to check with Symantec (makers of Norton), to see if
they have a solution. It probably will be an issue you will have to take
beyond first tier Tech Support.
Note that for some MCE functionality to work you may need to temporarily
disable the Windows firewall, or at least make some exceptions in it (which
will take more time to figure out). I found this out when MCE could not get
the TV guide. I can excuse Norton for blocking traffic that actually become
detrimental to the operation of MCE, but when it is Microsoft's own operating
system one has to wonder. Seems like Microsoft still has some bugs to work
out. After you get it going, it is a great thing.

NOTE to MS: Please work these bugs out. I am a software developer, and I
know if I have trouble getting things going, the average user certainly will.
MCE is a great concept as a centerpiece for home theater, but there are
things that need to be worked out if it is going to be widely adopted as such.

Signed,
Equally frustrated but hopeful
 
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