dhwinner

[dhwinner]

This time not only do I have an update to this nagging problem, but a real solution!!!!!!!

After my last post, not surprising that the channels when missing again.  After my whole troubleshoot experience with the Time warner tech, I noticed in the “devices” tab in the Ceton diagnostics utility that there was an error with the tunning adapter. I was getting a red indicator with the error “not enough tunning adapter attached”… After I reseated the card etc., it went to a green check. Good!

So when the channels went out again, I checked in the devices tab and the Same error existed. This time I submitted a error report to Ceton, and was rewarded with the solution….

We’re very sorry you’ve run into difficulties — and thank you for sending the diagnostic, it definitely helps.  In it, we can see that the TA is completely unresponsive.  When it’s plugged into the computer, it should be present and responding, even if the InfiniTV isn’t installed — so it’s likely either something with the TA, its connection to the computer, or the computer itself.  It’s almost certainly nothing to do with the signal.

You mention swapping out TAs; have you also swapped out the USB cable connecting the TA to the computer?  We’ve seen some cases in which the USB cable was the culprit, so if you can try a different cable that’s ideal.  We also advise swapping USB ports to see if things work on a different USB port.  Finally, let’s get you on our most up-to-date driver package, which can be found at the below link:

http://cetoncorp.com/infinitv_support/

You want the Ceton InfiniTV Installer download link.  Simply install that over the current drivers, and it will update the tuning adapter service and drivers as well.  Please let us know if any of this helps, and if not, collect and attach an updated diagnostic; our newer drivers improve the diagnostic capture as well.

Thank you,
Ceton Support

I used a new USB cable with capacitors, and moved it from the USB 3 to a USB 2 slot. Updated the driver package, And now I am in MCE bliss!!!! Fixed, once and for all!!

[dhwinner]

I have an update to this nagging problem.

Once again for the last month my channels have been missing, so I decided to call again and deal with Time Warner so I can get some service credits off of my bill.

Once again a tech came out and verified that my signal was good (Using a line amp would not help), and there isn’t much to do, because there aren’t any parts. I suggested a new TA and or a New M-Card. In the back of my mind again, I am thinking that this might be a windows problem.

Anyway to spare all of the little details, the tech was on the phone with the mother ship, and for some reason the data number (number associated with the TA for activation) had changed, so they re-registered the TA, that didn’t work, but then they had me simply re-seat the Cable card. Low and behold all the channels came back instantly.

So I guess the moral of the story is that next time this happens, along with reseting the TA, I will re seat the Cable card, and maybe thats all there is to it.

[dhwinner]

Do you know about the new version of MCE 7 Reset Tool Box…

http://www.madeformediacenter.com/m4mc/app.aspx?id=02ccfdb0-0355-470e-96d4-639594d80e7b

Might want to give that a try before doing a whole fresh install.  But if your HTPC is dedicated like mine is, its easy to do a fresh install. Dont have all of the everyday stuff to reconfigure.

However, the channel thing with TWC, is absulutley mind boggeling, and like I said, I have given up on it. It comes and goes. 

Keep me posted!

 

DAvid

[dhwinner]

Hi Randy,

I meant to follow up on this post but, so thanks for asking.

Currently my problem is fixed, however, it is not permanent. I am not an expert on the inner working of this mojo, but I am fairly convinced this problem is related to signal strength. And let me state that all of these problems started after the TA was installed. So is it windows?, or is it the TA?

I did follow the recommendation that was given to me, and I have had a Time Warner Tech come out to my place twice since, and honestly the end results have been the same. Both different techs tested my lines, both times my signal strength was well above the suggested minimum. The first tech took a splitter out of my line back from the box and a ran a more direct connection, and he even changed my TA. On the second visit, the tech discovered that the signal coming out of the TA was degraded. Apparently the first tech ran the input signal through the TA and then looped out to my HTPC, the second tech split the line right before the TA, so one line is directly in to the TA, and the other is directly in to the HT PC. Both said adding a DA will not help. 

Since the last visit, I had the channel outages briefly, but the have been all coming of late. I am convinced and resigned to the fact the the signal coming from TWC is always fluctuating, and I am completely powerless over it.  What I do now is every month I call Customer Service and complain, and get a certain number of days reduced from my bill. And honestly that is getting tiresome as well. My bill is so minimum, that its not worth my time anymore. I guess my time is more valuable, but I am a stickler on principle, so I will probably just keep calling.

If and when this happens to me again, I am planning on having a tech come out again, and insist on a DA, regardless of what they say. We all know all of their tech are just contractors and most of them have never seen a MCE HTPC setup. I always end up giving them a quick tour of the awesomeness. And they get so impressed….such tools, but in the end very helpfull.

At this point all I can share is my experience. I hope it helps you, as I have been helped by the many members of these forums who take time to help us.

David

[dhwinner]

First and foremost, thanks for taking the time to reply with such detailed information. Its really great to have people help in such a manner.

As I started to follow your instructions, I quickly realized that my Ceton drivers and firmware were out of date. So I quickly took care of that.

As for the USP power setting I that was already disabled.

Now in terms of finding the diagnostic map, in the web interface the only thing I am finding Diagnostic Menu. I have look through each item and not finding what your looking for but I am listing each menu item and each respective contents.

GENERAL STATUS

Platform ID: 0x0160
Family ID: 0x001c
Model ID: 0x02bc

UNIT ADDRESS:
000-00489-39096-211

NETWORK ADDRESS:
000-00000-00001-026

DOWNSTREAM STATUS

OOB FREQ: 75.250 MHz
CARRIER LOCK: YES
SNR 24 dB GOOD
DATA: YES
HUNT MODE: NONE

INBAND FREQ: 561.000 MHz QAM256
CARRIER LOCK: YES
SNR 36 dB GOOD

CODE MODULES

PLATFORM VERSION: 01.35
PLATFORM BUILT: Nov 12 2009 15:19:41
OBJECT VERSION STATUS ID

UPSTREAM MODEM

STATUS: ENABLED_IDLE
FREQUENCY: 14.432 MHz
REQ LEVEL: 050 dBmV
ACTUAL LEVEL: 051 dBmV

INTERACTIVE INFO

IP ADDRESS:010.168.084.040
MODEM ADDRESS:1687237
UPSTEAM ID:0x3B66
DOWNSTREAM ID:0x05E3
STATE:RUNNING
MAC ABORT CNTR:0000

SOCKET PORT STATE:
01 READY
02 UNUSED
03 UNUSED
04 UNUSED

SWITCHED DIGITAL VIDEO STATUS

STATUS: Active
PRI SVR: 172.022.128.161:8849
SEC SVR: 000.000.000.000:0
DSC SVR: 172.022.128.152:1025
MODE: TSID
MOT EXT: CACHE SIZE=0
CONFIG: VER: 241 QAMS: 2
CHANNELS: Sw-0
CAROUSEL: VER: 32 CNT: 0
LAST ERR: 00/00/00 00:00:00
LAST ERR CODE: NONE
SERVICE GROUP: 2422
OOB CONFIG MSG: 0 MIN, ACTIVE CHAN LIST MSG: 0 MIN

FAULT REPORT

nil

WARNING REPORT

09/01/11 08:34:39 HAL:
OOB Lost Lock
08/06/11 13:16:13 HAL:
OOB Lost Lock
07/31/11 03:57:45 HAL:
OOB Lost Lock
No Date/Time, SDVComm:
PSOC did not initialize!
04/30/11 20:21:47 HAL:
OOB Lost Lock
No Date/Time, SDVComm:
PSOC did not initialize!

(I think these dates may coincide when I had problems)

Not sure if this helps. I am hoping that running the updates will help sstabilizethe problem. I just recently re-configured my guide, so I will be checking channels periodically to see if the problem reoccurs.

 

[dhwinner]

Thanks for the info, but the only thing in your response that I can answer to is about my power settings. I have my HTPC set up to go to sleep after an hour of non-use, and I also have the Media Center Stand By Tool installed. However, the Tuning Adapter is always on. 

I feel that I am a pretty good windows troubleshooter, but I am not familiar with getting the channel table History, and how to check the USB connection.

Any guidance to check these items would be greatly appreciated.

and I am using a Ceton PCIe.

[dhwinner]

I didn’t realize there were different Tuner Adapters.

Mine is a Motorola MTR700.

Thanks

 

David

[dhwinner]

Time Warner Cable

East San Fernando Valley, CA

B – Local Copy Freely, Everything else Copy once

Yes – Tuning adapter

No – Self Install

(Note – Problem with tuning adapter, not sure if its WMC, every month or so I lose channels, and I need to reconfigure channel guide in WMC to get them all back. Have had tuning adapter replaced once already. But no help)

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