another Comcast head-end goes digital

[Tom Metro]

Bill Bogstad wrote:
> Have you run the hdhomerun_config_gui and verified that you have
> clear QAM signals which are viewable?

Hadn't recently, but yup, still getting clear QAM for extended basic 
channels.

As far as scte65scan is concerned, that shouldn't matter, right?


> I'm currently using the rev28 SVN version.  I just checked and there
> is apparently a rev29 as well.

OK, I checked out the trunk from svn.

Looks like it is still necessary to patch the makefile for the newer 
HDHR library.


>> 3. determine the right scte65scan command line options to get it to produce
>> just the right SQL (referencing the correct tuner IDs, etc.) to load into
>> MythTV's database. Sounds like there's a potential for conflicting channel
>> IDs too, if you have multiple digital tuners.
> 
> The svn version has the -f n,m option which let's you specify the
> source id.   That's your listing source id rather then tuner id.

OK. Are the sources numbered sequentially from zero? Short of digging in 
the DB, can you determine the ID of a source? (It may be obvious from 
the UI. I haven't checked.)


> I have two HDHomeRuns (4 tuners) and they all use the same set of
> entries in the channel table.

That makes sense. I don't know hat scenario the README was describing 
then. Multiple digital tuners, each with a different lineup? Not 
important, I guess.


> I THINK if the channel callsigns match up between what your listings
> source (SchedulesDirect) and Comcast sends via scte65 that no extra
> effort will be required.  I think I had to manually change the
> callsigns in order to make them match.  I believe I did this via the
> MythWeb channel editor so it wasn't so bad. 

Ah. I was wondering how the MythWeb channel editor came into play, as it 
has no mechanism to identify which channels go with which sources, but I 
guess it doesn't need to, as it reflects the aggregated collection of 
available channels.

Though wouldn't modifying the call signs mess up mappings for any 
existing sources? I suppose the channels with variances are likely not 
on the old analog lineup.


> I'm sorry about so many "I thinks".  It was all
> kind of trial and error...

No problem. Any clues towards the easiest path are helpful.


> I believe that my system is HRC as well and I have no problem using
> that file for scte65 scans. 

Really? Misleading documentation, then.


> Have you tried scanning for PSIP data as well (-p)?

I hadn't.

% ./scte65scan -H FFFFFFFF,1 -p -s 30
PID 0x1ffc timeout
PID 0x1ffb timeout

PSIP channels
    VC     NAME  FREQUENCY   MODULATION PROG
===========================================


% ./scte65scan -p -H FFFFFFFF,1 us-Cable-Standard-center-frequencies-QAM256
tuning 57000000hz.....no lock
tuning 63000000hz.....no lock
tuning 69000000hz.....no lock
tuning 79000000hz.....no lock
[...]
tuning 795000000hz.....no lock
tuning 801000000hz.....no lock

PSIP channels
    VC     NAME  FREQUENCY   MODULATION PROG
===========================================



> Even if Comcast isn't sending SCTE65 data in your area you should at
> least be able to see PSIP data.

I don't see why they wouldn't be. I'm pretty sure they are using the 
STBs here that make use of it.

I'm still leaning towards it being a frequency table problem. I don't 
get why it is so hard to find the other common tables.


>> Did I see a post from you more recently on MythTV users indicating that you
>> had received notice from Comcast that the clear QAM was going away?
> 
> Yes.

I haven't received any such letter.

So what's the idea behind this? Provide clear QAM during the analog to 
digital transition, then once people are watching via the QAM tuners 
built-in to their TVs, turn on encryption to annoy everyone?

Was it their idea of making the transition easier, so you didn't have to 
a STB by the analog cut over? But now that the transition period has 
passed, they'll encrypt everything to prevent theft of all those 
commercial filled extended basic cable channels?


> I've already reinstalled my PVR-150 into my backend and have a USB IR
> blaster on order.  My cutoff date is April 7.

What fun. So your HDHR boxes get relegated to being OTA tuners? (OTA 
channels via cable.) I guess still useful for OTA HD.

Have you looked up recommendations for which STBs are the best to get 
from Comcast for automation?

I still plan to try controlling the Motorola STB I have via serial. In 
theory that should be more reliable than IR.

Thanks Bill.

  -Tom

-- 
Tom Metro
Venture Logic, Newton, MA, USA
"Enterprise solutions through open source."
Professional Profile: http://tmetro.venturelogic.com/