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

[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

[Fluter]

Can't tell if this would help or not:
Windows Media Center does not correctly configure a combo TV tuner that
supports both ATSC and NTSC signals: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929011

HP has a workaround for the Norton issue on their site. Basically, enable the ATI Digital Cable Tuners IP address behind the firewall:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/f...name=c01342980

I have this same problem: mine works until I insert the CableCard, then I lose everything. Sometimes I get a message that channels aren't available, sometimes I get a message that I'm not allowed to view the channels or my LCD isn't set up correctly. I've been able to determine that the Network isn't communicating with the tuner.

I use McAfee. Has anyone experienced the same problems with McAfee that others were experiencing with Norton? ATI on their website says if the Tuner doesn't work with the CableCard, but does without, the tuner is bad. I've been working with HP for 2 months to get it replaced. They sent the internal cable card the first time, and now I'm pulling teeth to get them to figure out what part this is. It's so frustrating!

You people are the best!

Last night I disabled my firewall and tried installing this thorn in my side again. Well, joy. This time I got the message that I wasn't HDCP compliant, so I removed my DVI cable hookup, went back to VGA and now I'm finally up and running. Unfortunately, my monitor doesn't seem to be HDCP compliant, so I had to downgrade it to VGA, but at least the ATI TV Wonder blah blah blah... is working after 6 months!!! I'm actually getting HD stations on this thing with the CableCARD! Shock!

So much for HP support! I guess I can cancel that completely frustrating and useless HP support ticket now!

[maya]

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..

[Duck Fan]

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)

[Media PC fan]

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.

[bobtamburello]

I have an HP 4995 witth an analog internal TV tuner and and external ATI
TV wonder Digital Cable Tuner. I am also a comcast customer. Spent
hours trying to get the tuner working so that I could get HD channels.
Had comcast here as well, and could not get it to work. I had comcst
give me a cable card. After some research I removed Norton, then went
throught the MCE setup of the cable tuner, but did not install the cable
card. Once I finally got it working on basic cable stations (Non-HD), i
plugged in the cable card and MCE gave me a screen with the cable card
info. I closed that screen then tuned to a HD channel and it worked.

Please note after hours on the phone with HP support who didn't even
know what a Digital cable tuner was, I wrote letters to senior
management of HP complaining and all they did was give you another
customer service number to call. Was transfered several times to India
and got even less help. Funny HP sells the OEM ATI TV wonder, but they
have nobody in support that can help walk anyone through the setup. I
am tempted to have a friend at a major network do a Buyer Beware series
on HP, and see if that gets their attention. Please note I can now
watch HD content, but another problem has surfaced where when watch for
a period of time it appears the monitor wants to go to sleep mode, but
if that occurs, the whole system shuts down and reboots. The the
Microsoft trouble shooter comes up and says get with Microsoft of ATI.
HP and ATI should publish so help on this after they have sold the
product, but seem to want to wash their hands of it. Also be ware of
the Vista service pack #1, which I installed, but when I went to view TV
it pixelated the picture on a regular cycle, so I unistalled the service
pack.

[bobtamburello]

I have comcast, and had them to my house. we went through about 6
cable cable cards before we found one that work. I was told by comcast
they have a lot ob ad cards. Also with Windows media player, I
recommend disabling Symatic and Mcafee if you have them running when you
set up the tuner. Once you have it up and running you can turn them
back on. There was a lot of hit or miss getting my HD tuner to work.
HP who sold me the computer and tuner, were of no help. People in India
do not even know what a digital cable tuner is. I still have problems
from time to time as I still do not get all the cable stations that I
have with my regular tv and Comcast tuner. HP does not back up third
party hardware and will tell you to go to ATI who will tell you to go to
the OEM.

Again test a few cable cards. If you get your tuner to work, then put
the cable card in and go to a HD station like ABC, NBC or CBS.

Sorry I cannot be of more help. I even sent emails to the president
of HP who referred me to a group that did nothing. But now I get a
bunch of HP email. I will not buy HP again. I will shop around and
see who supports what.