[mythtv-users] Mytv Unreliable

[Steve Smith]

On 26/03/2008, Mike Perkins <mikep at randomtraveller.org.uk> wrote:
> James Cummings wrote:
>  > On Tue, Mar 25, 2008 at 11:05 PM, Tim Sawyer <mythtv at calidris.co.uk> wrote:
>  >>  I haven't done a channel scan for ages, yet this problem has been intermittent
>  >>  for ages, seemingly on only one of the two tuners.
>  >
>  > Given that your address is in the UK (where I am as well), I would
>  > strongly recommend doing a rescan of existing transports on a regular
>  > basis.  The small variations in channel line-ups and frequencies
>  > *always* cause problems on my box (with a Nova-T 500).  It will be
>  > recording fine for awhile, then suddenly not be able to find files for
>  > programs it believes it has recorded.  A rescan of existing transports
>  > always seems to solve this.  Whenever another freeview STB of mine
>  > announces that "There has been a change in channel line-up" (even if
>  > it doesn't turn out to be a visible), I always go into the lounge and
>  > rescan the mythtv box.  This seems to happen every few weeks.  This
>  > seems to solve the problem.  Perhaps it isn't the rescan of existing
>  > transports, but the stopping and restarting of the backend that one
>  > has to do to run the setup... but that is what seems to work for me.
>  >
>  > I'm going to be upgrading the box from Ubuntu feisty to gutsy soon
>  > (in preparation to eventually upgrade to Hardy in a couple months or
>  > so)... I hope that doesn't mess things up too much.
>  >
>
> You can get some indication of channel changes by checking the backend log(s) on
>  an occasional basis. I can't remember the exact message to look for, but if your
>  logs suddenly start growing rapidly (you do use logrotate, don't you?) then it's
>  worth a check, and then a rescan if necessary.
>
>  Another fun thing to watch out for is if your aerial is able to pick up from
>  more than one transmitter. As the transmitters (people) are in the process of
>  changing the transmitter (equipment) power levels you may find that channels
>  which were in one multiplex suddenly move to another one and thus disappear from
>  your lineup.
>
>  This link gives you the exact frequencies for each UK TV channel:
>  http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/terrestrial/tuning/
>  note that the DVB multiplexes use centre frequencies; the ones given above (I
>  believe) are the lowest frequency in each channel band. Then use this link:
>  http://www.dtg.org.uk/retailer/transmitters.html
>  to find out which transmitters near you use which channels to send which
>  multiplex. Use the Transport Editor screen in mythtv-setup to find out which
>  multiplexes the full scan picked up, and work out which transmitters sent which.
>  Delete ('D' key) the ones you don't want, then 'Rescan existing transports' to
>  give you a clean channel line-up. This Link:
>  http://www.dtg.org.uk/retailer/dtt_channels.html
>  will tell you what digital channels are carried by which multiplex. * This list
>  is the one which can (and does) change from month to month.
>
>  Incidentally, I use three K-World DVB-T 100 cards (£30 each from Maplin) to get
>  my digital input, and have found no difference between the cards. They do take
>  25-30 watts *each* power, so should only be used in a well-ventilated back end.
>
>  Hope this helps.
>
>
>  Mike Perkins
>
>
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>
Mike,
25-30 watts EACH !?!?!?!?!? What are they doing?
Steve