Problem tuning in a particular channel

[ChrisMerydith]

All,

For the last few months I haven't been able to tune in one particular OTA station using Windows Media Center. I am, however, able to tune it in just fine using Aver MediaCenter (the freebee application that came with my tuner) on the same PC. It's a local CBS station, channel 7.1. A multitude of other digital over-the-air stations (ABC, NBC, Fox, PBS, etc) come in just fine in both Windows Media Center and Aver MediaCenter. It's just that CBS station that won't play back in Windows Media Center.

I'm using an AVerMedia H826 USB Hybrid ATSC/QAM tuner that's been working fantastically over the last few years. Using the latest driver, version 2.0.64.126 for Windows 7 x64 (which is what I'm running).

Of note:

• When I scan for new channels in Windows Media Center, it finds channel 7.1 just fine.
• When I go into "Digital TV Antenna Signal Strength" in Windows Media Center, channel 7.1 gets a full 6 green bars of signal strength.
• When I tune to the channel (either directly from the Guide, or by cycling to it using Channel +/-), a message comes up saying "Service is unavailable" "There is currently no TV signal detected for this channel. The channel may be temporarily off the air. Try again later."
• Again, I'm able to tune in the station just fine in Aver MediaCenter.
• I'm just tuning in over-the-air stations - no Cable TV or anything
• It might be worth noting that this same station is also broadcast, at lower power, on Channel 6.1, which I am also not able to tune in (which in this case is not all that surprising as I only get 1 bar of signal strength in the (signal strength) test). I used to be able to tune in the CBS station on 6.1, but I'm *pretty* sure (but not certain) that I haven't been able to tune in 6.1 *or* 7.1 since 7.1 was launched.

Here's what I've tried so far in troubleshooting:

• "Set up a new TV signal" in Windows Media Center; I 'start fresh' by typing in my zip code, it downloads stuff from Microsoft, it scans for analog and digital channels, it finds everything...and I can tune in everything *but* 7.1.
• "Add a missing channel" in Windows Media Center. I add Channel 7-1, with a frequency of 7, it gets full strength on the signal test...but no picture. Just the same error message about no TV signal being detected.
• I've uninstalled and reinstalled Windows Media Center (from Add/Remove Programs, Turn Windows features on or off).

I've scoured the Internet, and I can't seem to find any reference to anyone having this particular problem other than me. I'm not sure what to try next. Any thoughts? Why can't I tune in CBS?!


Many thanks,
Chris

 

[Needs2Know]

Same exact problem

I have searched the Net for hours without finding a solution that actually works. Your description of the problem is exactly the same as mine. I live in the Seattle area and after 2 years without a problem suddenly lost 7.1. I have two WMC systems, and my other system tunes 7.1 without any trouble. I even tried switching the antennas to see if there was something about those but to no avail. I've also tried doing all of the reset suggestions made where I delete the WMC database, reset services, etc. I sure hope someone has a solution. I really don't want to miss NFL football, college bowl games, etc. that come in on that channel.

 

[sproudly]

workaround - hit record

I'm in Seattle as well and have been experiencing the same problem. I have found that if you push the record button the channel will start working. You don't actually have to record, hit record a couple times to turn the recording off and it will keep working. You have to do this every time you tune in 7.1. Shows scheduled to record seem to have no issues.

 

[tootal2]

installing a second tuner seems to have fixed that problem for me. seem like wmc will switch tuners till it gets a good picture.

 

[Kevin P]

I'm a new WMC user, and have a newly purchased Happauge HVR-850 tuner. Having the exact same problem with 7.1 in Seattle. Does this affect scheduled recordings as well? Any other solutions found?

Thanks - Kevin

 

[tdew2]

Having the same EXACT problem with 8.1 (NBC) in North Carolina. Strong signal, works perfect if I record (per "sproudly" workaround above), but if not recording, it says no TV signal.

Issue occurs on all three of my computers, two laptops and a desktop.

Hard to believe that nobody has figured out a fix yet

 

[tdew2]

Figured it out.

So for me, the "real" channel for 8.1 is 35 (go to tvfool.com and search your reception by address). For whatever reason, WMC will sometimes try to pull 8.1 in from two sources: 8.1 and 35.1. The key is to disable the 8.1 sources.

All you have to do is tune to the channel in question, go into the guide, right click on the channel, and select "edit channel". Next, click on "edit sources" and un-check the sources that are not the "real" channel. In my case, channel 8.1 should only be pulling from source 35.1, so I unchecked all of the 8.1 sources, and moved the 35.1 sources to the top. Save and Save... Go back... Flip to another channel, flip back... and poof... works!

Still can't believe no one posted the solution on here until now Hope this helps a few people.

 

[robertK]

Thanks...

Thanks, your solution worked.

 

[ntbone]

Just tried out the solution posted from tdew2 and it seems to be working. Looking up on the site, it showed that channel 7.1 should be channel 39. I noticed that for the properties in media center, it had both 39 and 26 listed. I removed 26, and put 39 at the top. I just tested it out by recording something on one station and then on 7.1 and it worked. So far so good.

 

[tsmcnet]

Worked for me!
I had to disable the 'Real' channel though...

 

[ryaninc]

Figured it out.

So for me, the "real" channel for 8.1 is 35 (go to tvfool.com and search your reception by address). For whatever reason, WMC will sometimes try to pull 8.1 in from two sources: 8.1 and 35.1. The key is to disable the 8.1 sources.

All you have to do is tune to the channel in question, go into the guide, right click on the channel, and select "edit channel". Next, click on "edit sources" and un-check the sources that are not the "real" channel. In my case, channel 8.1 should only be pulling from source 35.1, so I unchecked all of the 8.1 sources, and moved the 35.1 sources to the top. Save and Save... Go back... Flip to another channel, flip back... and poof... works!

Still can't believe no one posted the solution on here until now Hope this helps a few people.

I literally made an account with SevenForums just so I could reply to this thread. I've been having this issue for over a year and your solution totally solved it. I've googled this for hours today and finally found this thread. Thanks so much for your solution, you rock!

 

[asok1421]

I literally made an account with SevenForums just so I could reply to this thread. I've been having this issue for over a year and your solution totally solved it. I've googled this for hours today and finally found this thread. Thanks so much for your solution, you rock!

Same here! Channel 7.1 worked on one WMC and not another! W...T...F?

This thread solved the problem, and now I understand what happened. I installed my OTA antenna in a much better location and did a channel scan on my main WMC and it must have picked up the new conflict. The other WMC still had the channel settings from before when there was no conflict.

Too bad MSFT is abandoning this product...it's one of the best they've ever delivered for the consumer.

 

[NWTraveler]

I just want to reply to this thread as well, and say THANK YOU. This totally fixed my Windows Media Center problem.


I have WMCE on Windows 7, and am having trouble with MCE recording Fox (13.1) in Seattle. I was pulling my hair out because I was getting low / no signal warnings even though I could view the channel fine. I could watch the channel without problem, but as soon as I clicked record the screen would go black, and I'd then get the no signal warning. I edited sources and removed 13.1 leaving the other one (22.1 I believe).


This totally fixed the issue, and now I can record. Thanks!

 

[WBR]

My Hauppauge Dual Tuner required a slight refinement. The record button worked but for a permanent fix, I had to do something else. In my case Channel 8.1 was Channel 8. Changing it to 8.0 didn't improve the problem. However, I did get it to add a duplicate channel listing that did work and then I disabled the original. Here are the steps..
1. From the guide, right click the channel name. Select Edit Channel
2. Select Edit Sources
3. Highlight the Digital Antenna marked as Tuner #1 (the description displays at the bottom of the screen)
4. Click on Split.
5. Press Cancel (not save)
6. Press Cancel again
7. At this point I find two 8.1 channels. One of them will display the current show when I click on it.
8. Delete the one that will not tune into the show.
Now all is good again.

 

[natbr]

I created an account just to thank TDEW2 for this solution. I'm in Seattle too and have my TV using an OTA antenna with a Happauge HVR-850 tuner. For some reason I just couldn't bring in Channel 7 (7.1) the local CBS station that broadcasts ... the SEAHAWKS on Sunday for home games which I like to DVR and skip the ads.

I searched, tweaked WMC but didn't find TDEW2's post until yesterday ... THANKS ... you rock.

Nat

 

[Paulywog]

Thank You!!

tdew2, thanks so much for posting the solution to this. I have been racking my brain trying to figure this out. I've been using WMC on Win 7 Premium for a while and didn't have any problems. Then all of a sudden I wasn't getting CBS Ch2 here in Chicago but did everything everyone else here did on the forum and even figured out that I could watch the station by recording it and saw the station worked with the tuner's utility. This has definitely made my day! I can now watch my Chicago Bears without recording it. BTW, they are losing right now so no need to save this disaster of a game!

 

[martyh1]

Wow. Can't believe it has to be that complicated. My problem was solved by the 2nd solution in this thread (edit sources). I had installed the tuner several times (experimenting with usb over network), and apparently it had 3 sources for a single channel (for all channels). For some reason it only messed up 5.1 NBC here in Colorado Springs. But it shouldn't have been this complicated. And I've paid for windows media center add-on pack for 3 computers. I'm bound and determined to continue using an HD antenna and media center.