David, I just wanted to thank you for your advice, I purchased a 1 to 4 bi-directional cable-tv amplifier with gain control (variable gain as you call it) from Radio Shack and my video quality went from okay to excellent! I was testing my wife between cable tv and the feed from the 350 card and she couldnt tell the difference. In fact some of the stations are crisper from the 350 card.
Happy New Year and thanks again. On 12/31/05, David Arendt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > The amplifier I am using is an Astaro HL-105. As everything mentioned on > it is in german, I suppose it is a german brand, so I think it would be > difficult for you to find one of this type. In order to obtain this > amplifier, I simply asked the guys from the cable company and they sold > me this one. So maybe someone of your cable company could also recommend > or sell you a suitable antenna amplifier. > > Jonathan Smith wrote: > > Thanks again, could you recommend an amplifier or a manufacturer that > > makes one? I did a quick search, all the different types of > > amplifiers are confusing. > > > > On 12/30/05, David Arendt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > >> No, I have cable tv and am feeding the signal from cable tv through an > >> antenna amplifier. However it is advisable to take an antenna amplifier > >> with variable gain, as to much amplification could make things worse. As > >> antenna amplifiers are generally not too expensive, I would suggest to > >> simply give it a try. The devices necessary to measure you signal are > >> surely much more expensive than an antenna amplifier. > >> > >> Jonathan Smith wrote: > >> > >>> Thank You David, does this mean that you dont have a cable TV, but are > >>> using a standard antenna (maybe I am misinterpretting what you mean by > >>> antenna amplifier)? I have cable TV, even when feeding the cable > >>> directly from the cable box to the card, the quality is the same. > >>> Does anyone know how I can measure the signal quality from the cable? > >>> What should the signal quality be for the hauppauge card? > >>> > >>> Thanks. > >>> > >>> On 12/30/05, David Arendt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >>> > >>> > >>>> I had a similar problem. I noticed that the antenna input from the > >>>> PVR-350 is not as sensitive as the one from most televisions. For me, > >>>> putting an antenna amplifier before the PVR-350 solved these problems. > >>>> > >>>> Jonathan Smith wrote: > >>>> > >>>> > >>>>> I am reposting my question about the ability to improve quality of the > >>>>> video on certain channels. As my original post indicates, there are a > >>>>> few channels where the quality of the output is grainy, a couple have > >>>>> horizontal lines on screen. I have similar results using either my > >>>>> nvidia card for output or the 350 card. I do record on some of these > >>>>> channels, it looks worse than a VCR recording. The channels look fine > >>>>> when viewing from cable TV. Most of them are lower number channels: > >>>>> 12,14,15,17. Any suggestions? > >>>>> > >>>>> Thanks. > >>>>> > >>>>> Here is my config: > >>>>> > >>>>> OS - Fedora Core 4 > >>>>> Kernel: 2.6.14-1.1653_FC4 > >>>>> ivtv version 0.4.1 > >>>>> xdriver: 0.10.6 > >>>>> video resolution: 720x480 > >>>>> windows manager: KDE > >>>>> > >>>>> CPU: AMD Athlon XP 3200+ > >>>>> Memory: 512 MB > >>>>> Motherboard: Chaintech Summit 7NJL6 > >>>>> Video Card: nVidia Corporation NV18 GeForce 4 MX > >>>>> Sound Card: SoundBlaster Audigy OEM > >>>>> Video Capture Cards: 1 Hauppauge 350 card, 1 Hauppauge 500 card > >>>>> Video Out: Hauppauge 350 > >>>>> > >>>>> US Cable TV > >>>>> > >>>>> dmesg of ivtv modules: > >>>>> > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:50 mythtv kernel: ivtv: ==================== START INIT > >>>>> IVTV ==================== > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:50 mythtv kernel: ivtv: version 0.4.1 (tagged release) > >>>>> loading > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:50 mythtv kernel: ivtv: Linux version: 2.6.14-1.1653_FC4 > >>>>> 686 REGPARM 4KSTACKS gcc-4.0 > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:50 mythtv kernel: ivtv: In case of problems please > >>>>> include the debug info between > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:50 mythtv kernel: ivtv: the START INIT IVTV and END INIT > >>>>> IVTV lines, along with > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:50 mythtv kernel: ivtv: any module options, when mailing > >>>>> the ivtv-users mailinglist. > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:50 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: Autodetected WinTV PVR 350 card > >>>>> (cx23415 based) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:50 mythtv kernel: ACPI: PCI Interrupt Link [LNK4] enabled > >>>>> at IRQ 11 > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:50 mythtv kernel: ACPI: PCI Interrupt 0000:01:07.0[A] -> > >>>>> Link [LNK4] -> GSI 11 (level, low) -> IRQ 11 > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:50 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: Unreasonably low latency timer, > >>>>> setting to 64 (was 32) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:50 mythtv kernel: tveeprom: ivtv version > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:51 mythtv kernel: tveeprom: Hauppauge: model = 48132, rev > >>>>> = J323, serial# = 2754911 > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:51 mythtv kernel: tveeprom: tuner = Philips FM1236 (idx = > >>>>> 23, type = 2) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:51 mythtv kernel: tveeprom: tuner fmt = NTSC(M) (eeprom = > >>>>> 0x08, v4l2 = 0x00001000) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:51 mythtv kernel: tveeprom: audio processor = MSP4448 > >>>>> (type = 1b) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:51 mythtv kernel: tveeprom: decoder processor = SAA7115 > >>>>> (type = 13) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:51 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: i2c attach to card #0 ok > >>>>> [client=tveeprom, addr=50] > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:51 mythtv kernel: tuner 0-0061: chip found @ 0xc2 (ivtv > >>>>> i2c driver #0) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:51 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: i2c attach to card #0 ok > >>>>> [client=(tuner unset), addr=61] > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:51 mythtv kernel: saa7115 0-0021: ivtv driver > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:51 mythtv kernel: saa7115 0-0021: saa7115 found @ 0x42 > >>>>> (ivtv i2c driver #0) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:51 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: i2c attach to card #0 ok > >>>>> [client=saa7115, addr=21] > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:51 mythtv kernel: saa7127 0-0044: ivtv driver > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:51 mythtv kernel: saa7127 0-0044: saa7127 found @ 0x88 > >>>>> (ivtv i2c driver #0) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:51 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: i2c attach to card #0 ok > >>>>> [client=saa7127, addr=44] > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:51 mythtv kernel: msp3400 0-0040: ivtv driver > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:52 mythtv kernel: msp3400 0-0040: chip=MSP4448G-A2 +nicam > >>>>> +simple +simpler +radio mode=simpler > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:52 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: i2c attach to card #0 ok > >>>>> [client=MSP4448G-A2, addr=40] > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:52 mythtv kernel: msp3400 0-0040: msp34xxg daemon started > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:52 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: loaded v4l-cx2341x-enc.fw > >>>>> firmware (262144 bytes) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:52 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: loaded v4l-cx2341x-dec.fw > >>>>> firmware (262144 bytes) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:52 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: Encoder revision: 0x02040024 > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:52 mythtv kernel: ivtv0 warning: Encoder Firmware can be > >>>>> buggy, use version 0x02040011 or 0x02050032. > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:52 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: Decoder revision: 0x02020023 > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:52 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: Allocate DMA encoder MPEG > >>>>> stream: 128 x 32768 buffers (4096KB total) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:52 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: Allocate DMA encoder YUV stream: > >>>>> 194 x 10800 buffers (2048KB total) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: Allocate DMA encoder VBI stream: > >>>>> 120 x 17472 buffers (2048KB total) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: Allocate DMA encoder PCM audio > >>>>> stream: 455 x 4608 buffers (2048KB total) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: Create encoder radio stream > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: Allocate DMA decoder MPEG > >>>>> stream: 16 x 65536 buffers (1024KB total) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: Allocate DMA decoder VBI stream: > >>>>> 512 x 2048 buffers (1024KB total) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: Create decoder VOUT stream > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: Allocate DMA decoder YUV stream: > >>>>> 24 x 43200 buffers (1024KB total) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: unable to open firmware > >>>>> v4l-cx2341x-init-mpeg.bin > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: did you put the firmware in the > >>>>> hotplug firmware directory? > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: failed to read mpeg decoder > >>>>> initialisation file v4l-cx2341x-init-mpeg.bin > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: tuner 0-0061: type set to 2 (Philips > >>>>> NTSC (FI1236,FM1236 and compatibles)) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv0: Initialized WinTV PVR 350, card #0 > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv: ====================== NEXT > >>>>> CARD ====================== > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv1: Autodetected WinTV PVR 150 card > >>>>> (cx23416 based) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ACPI: PCI Interrupt Link [LNK1] enabled > >>>>> at IRQ 9 > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: PCI: setting IRQ 9 as level-triggered > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ACPI: PCI Interrupt 0000:02:08.0[A] -> > >>>>> Link [LNK1] -> GSI 9 (level, low) -> IRQ 9 > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv1: Unreasonably low latency timer, > >>>>> setting to 64 (was 32) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: tveeprom: Second (radio) tuner idx 101 > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: tveeprom: ivtv version > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: tveeprom: Hauppauge: model = 23552, rev > >>>>> = D492, serial# = 7894323 > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: tveeprom: tuner = Philips FQ1236A MK4 > >>>>> (idx = 92, type = 57) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: tveeprom: tuner fmt = NTSC(M) (eeprom = > >>>>> 0x08, v4l2 = 0x00001000) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: tveeprom: audio processor = CX25843 > >>>>> (type = 25) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: tveeprom: decoder processor = CX25843 > >>>>> (type = 1e) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv1: i2c attach to card #1 ok > >>>>> [client=tveeprom, addr=50] > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: tuner 1-0060: chip found @ 0xc0 (ivtv > >>>>> i2c driver #1) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: tuner 1-0060: TEA5767 detected. > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv1: i2c attach to card #1 ok > >>>>> [client=(tuner unset), addr=60] > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: tuner 1-0060: type set to 62 (Philips > >>>>> TEA5767HN FM Radio) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: tuner 1-0061: chip found @ 0xc2 (ivtv > >>>>> i2c driver #1) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv1: i2c attach to card #1 ok > >>>>> [client=(tuner unset), addr=61] > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: tda9885/6/7: chip found @ 0x86 > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv1: i2c attach to card #1 ok > >>>>> [client=tda9887, addr=43] > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv1: This is the first unit of a PVR500 > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: cx25840 1-0044: ivtv driver > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: cx25840 1-0044: cx25843-23 found @ 0x88 > >>>>> (ivtv i2c driver #1) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: cx25840 1-0044: unable to open firmware > >>>>> v4l-cx25840.fw > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv1: i2c attach to card #1 ok > >>>>> [client=cx25840, addr=44] > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: wm8775 1-001b: ivtv driver > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: wm8775 1-001b: chip found @ 0x36 (ivtv > >>>>> i2c driver #1) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv1: i2c attach to card #1 ok > >>>>> [client=wm8775, addr=1b] > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv1: Detected a TEA5767 radio tuner. > >>>>> Enabling radio support. > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv1: loaded v4l-cx2341x-enc.fw > >>>>> firmware (262144 bytes) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv1: Encoder revision: 0x02040024 > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv1 warning: Encoder Firmware can be > >>>>> buggy, use version 0x02040011 or 0x02050032. > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv1: Allocate DMA encoder MPEG > >>>>> stream: 128 x 32768 buffers (4096KB total) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv1: Allocate DMA encoder YUV stream: > >>>>> 194 x 10800 buffers (2048KB total) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv1: Allocate DMA encoder VBI stream: > >>>>> 120 x 17472 buffers (2048KB total) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv1: Allocate DMA encoder PCM audio > >>>>> stream: 455 x 4608 buffers (2048KB total) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: ivtv1: Create encoder radio stream > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: tuner 1-0061: type set to 57 (Philips > >>>>> FQ1236A MK4) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: ivtv1: Initialized WinTV PVR 500 (unit > >>>>> #1), card #1 > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: ivtv: ====================== NEXT > >>>>> CARD ====================== > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: ivtv2: Autodetected WinTV PVR 150 card > >>>>> (cx23416 based) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: ACPI: PCI Interrupt Link [LNK2] enabled > >>>>> at IRQ 5 > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: ACPI: PCI Interrupt 0000:02:09.0[A] -> > >>>>> Link [LNK2] -> GSI 5 (level, low) -> IRQ 5 > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: ivtv2: Unreasonably low latency timer, > >>>>> setting to 64 (was 32) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: tveeprom: Second (radio) tuner idx 101 > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: tveeprom: ivtv version > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: tveeprom: Hauppauge: model = 23552, rev > >>>>> = D492, serial# = 7894323 > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: tveeprom: tuner = Philips FQ1236A MK4 > >>>>> (idx = 92, type = 57) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: tveeprom: tuner fmt = NTSC(M) (eeprom = > >>>>> 0x08, v4l2 = 0x00001000) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: tveeprom: audio processor = CX25843 > >>>>> (type = 25) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: tveeprom: decoder processor = CX25843 > >>>>> (type = 1e) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: ivtv2: i2c attach to card #2 ok > >>>>> [client=tveeprom, addr=50] > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: tuner 2-0061: chip found @ 0xc2 (ivtv > >>>>> i2c driver #2) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: ivtv2: i2c attach to card #2 ok > >>>>> [client=(tuner unset), addr=61] > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: tda9885/6/7: chip found @ 0x86 > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: ivtv2: i2c attach to card #2 ok > >>>>> [client=tda9887, addr=43] > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: cx25840 2-0044: ivtv driver > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: cx25840 2-0044: cx25843-23 found @ 0x88 > >>>>> (ivtv i2c driver #2) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: cx25840 2-0044: unable to open firmware > >>>>> v4l-cx25840.fw > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: ivtv2: i2c attach to card #2 ok > >>>>> [client=cx25840, addr=44] > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: wm8775 2-001b: ivtv driver > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: wm8775 2-001b: chip found @ 0x36 (ivtv > >>>>> i2c driver #2) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: ivtv2: i2c attach to card #2 ok > >>>>> [client=wm8775, addr=1b] > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: ivtv2: This is the second unit of a > >>>>> PVR500 > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: ivtv2: Correcting tveeprom data: no > >>>>> radio present on second unit > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: ivtv2: loaded v4l-cx2341x-enc.fw > >>>>> firmware (262144 bytes) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: ivtv2: Encoder revision: 0x02040024 > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: ivtv2 warning: Encoder Firmware can be > >>>>> buggy, use version 0x02040011 or 0x02050032. > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: ivtv2: Allocate DMA encoder MPEG > >>>>> stream: 128 x 32768 buffers (4096KB total) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: ivtv2: Allocate DMA encoder YUV stream: > >>>>> 194 x 10800 buffers (2048KB total) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: ivtv2: Allocate DMA encoder VBI stream: > >>>>> 120 x 17472 buffers (2048KB total) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: ivtv2: Allocate DMA encoder PCM audio > >>>>> stream: 455 x 4608 buffers (2048KB total) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: tuner 2-0061: type set to 57 (Philips > >>>>> FQ1236A MK4) > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: ivtv2: Initialized WinTV PVR 500 (unit > >>>>> #2), card #2 > >>>>> Dec 29 20:59:54 mythtv kernel: > >>>>> ivtv: ==================== END INIT IVTV ==================== > >>>>> > >>>>> lspci -v: > >>>>> > >>>>> 01:07.0 Multimedia video controller: Internext Compression Inc iTVC15 > >>>>> MPEG-2 Encoder (rev 01) > >>>>> Subsystem: Hauppauge computer works Inc. WinTV PVR-350 > >>>>> Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 11 > >>>>> Memory at e0000000 (32-bit, prefetchable) [size=64M] > >>>>> Capabilities: [44] Power Management version 2 > >>>>> > >>>>> 02:08.0 Multimedia video controller: Internext Compression Inc iTVC16 > >>>>> (CX23416) MPEG-2 Encoder (rev 01) > >>>>> Subsystem: Hauppauge computer works Inc.: Unknown device e807 > >>>>> Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 9 > >>>>> Memory at d8000000 (32-bit, prefetchable) [size=64M] > >>>>> Capabilities: [44] Power Management version 2 > >>>>> > >>>>> 02:09.0 Multimedia video controller: Internext Compression Inc iTVC16 > >>>>> (CX23416) MPEG-2 Encoder (rev 01) > >>>>> Subsystem: Hauppauge computer works Inc.: Unknown device e817 > >>>>> Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 5 > >>>>> Memory at dc000000 (32-bit, prefetchable) [size=64M] > >>>>> Capabilities: [44] Power Management version 2 > >>>>> > >>>>> _______________________________________________ > >>>>> ivtv-users mailing list > >>>>> [email protected] > >>>>> http://ivtvdriver.org/mailman/listinfo/ivtv-users > >>>>> > >>>>> > >>>>> > >>>> _______________________________________________ > >>>> ivtv-users mailing list > >>>> [email protected] > >>>> http://ivtvdriver.org/mailman/listinfo/ivtv-users > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> > >>> _______________________________________________ > >>> ivtv-users mailing list > >>> [email protected] > >>> http://ivtvdriver.org/mailman/listinfo/ivtv-users > >>> > >>> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> ivtv-users mailing list > >> [email protected] > >> http://ivtvdriver.org/mailman/listinfo/ivtv-users > >> > >> > > > > _______________________________________________ > > ivtv-users mailing list > > [email protected] > > http://ivtvdriver.org/mailman/listinfo/ivtv-users > > > > _______________________________________________ > ivtv-users mailing list > [email protected] > http://ivtvdriver.org/mailman/listinfo/ivtv-users > _______________________________________________ ivtv-users mailing list [email protected] http://ivtvdriver.org/mailman/listinfo/ivtv-users
