I purchased a Sony Vaio PCV-RS710GX, which includes the following
hardware (Pentium 4 3.00GHz CPU, 512MB RAM, AGP 8x video output
interface, 128MB Video RAM, WDC WD2000BB-98GUA0 200GB 7200RPM Disk
Drive, and NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200). (The system came with an
internal TV tuner card, which I have removed).

I purchased and installed a pcHDTV HD-3000 card.

I then installed KnoppMyth R5A16 (based on debian 3.1 and a
2.6.11.9-chw-2 kernel).

During the installation of KnoppMyth, it asks for you to verify
HDTV signal reception.

PROBLEM #1:
===========
When I try to use dtvsignal to test reception on /dev/dtv0,
dtvsignal reports a "No such device - couldnt open file
/dev/dtv0" error. The same error occurs no matter which
/dev/dtv* device I try (/dev/dtv0, /dev/dtv1, /dev/dtv2, or
/dev/dtv3).

The only device that results in something other than an error
is /dev/video0. But no matter what channel I specify, dtvsignal
never reports anything other than 0%.

"dtvscan /dev/video0" does return a list of channels from 2
through 69, but there is no additional frequency information -
Only the channel numbers are printed.

As requested by Jack Kelliher of pcHDTV, I tried downloading
and building the latest dtvsignal utility from pcHDTV's
dvb-atsc-tools-0 download file, but there was no change.

I am using Radio Shack's HDTV amplified antenna. As far as I
can determine, I am getting very good reception for all HDTV
signals (especially that most of the towers are about 5 miles
from my house, with very little "stuff" between the two antennas).

After completing the remainder of the KnoppMyth installation and
configuration, I was *not* able to watch live tv.

I was finally able to get the card recognized and "working"
by following one of the threads which suggested to remove the
cx88-atsc module, configuring the card as a DVB device, and
running DVB_fixer.sh to fix all of the wrong channel numbers,
however...

PROBLEM #2:
===========
The displayed video and audio is quite "jerky". It frequently
pauses for long periods of time and/or large amounts of "snow"
appear on the screen, making tv viewing almost unbearable.

Sometimes, the video output is completely garbled, with various
color splotches all over the screen (similar to what you
might see by a mis-tuned channel on a regular TV). When I get
the garbled output, the stdout from mythfrontend includes lines
such as:
ac-tex damaged
invalid cbp
invalid mb type in B Frame
invalid mb type in P Frame
slice mismatch

As installed, KnoppMyth R5A16 did not use the nVidia driver. I
installed the nVidia driver with the supplied
/usr/local/bin/install-nvidia-7174-debian.sh script, modified
/etc/X11/XF86Config to use the correct driver, and restarted
X. In any event, this had no effect on the "jerkiness" problem.

The output of the lspci -v command is as follows:

0000:00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corp. 82865G/PE/P DRAM Controller/Host-Hub Interface (rev 02)
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Memory at f8000000 (32-bit, prefetchable) [size=64M]
Capabilities: <available only to root>

0000:00:01.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corp. 82865G/PE/P PCI to AGP Controller (rev 02) (prog-if 00 [Normal decode])
Flags: bus master, 66MHz, fast devsel, latency 64
Bus: primary=00, secondary=01, subordinate=01, sec-latency=64
Memory behind bridge: f1d00000-f3dfffff
Prefetchable memory behind bridge: e1c00000-f1bfffff

0000:00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corp. 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) USB UHCI #1 (rev 02) (prog-if 00 [UHCI])
Subsystem: Sony Corporation: Unknown device 8159
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 16
I/O ports at e000 [size=32]

0000:00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corp. 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) USB UHCI #2 (rev 02) (prog-if 00 [UHCI])
Subsystem: Sony Corporation: Unknown device 8159
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 19
I/O ports at e400 [size=32]

0000:00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corp. 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) USB UHCI #3 (rev 02) (prog-if 00 [UHCI])
Subsystem: Sony Corporation: Unknown device 8159
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 18
I/O ports at e800 [size=32]

0000:00:1d.3 USB Controller: Intel Corp. 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) USB UHCI #4 (rev 02) (prog-if 00 [UHCI])
Subsystem: Sony Corporation: Unknown device 8159
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 16
I/O ports at ec00 [size=32]

0000:00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corp. 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) USB2 EHCI Controller (rev 02) (prog-if 20 [EHCI])
Subsystem: Sony Corporation: Unknown device 8159
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 23
Memory at f7fffc00 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=1K]
Capabilities: <available only to root>

0000:00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corp. 82801 PCI Bridge (rev c2) (prog-if 00 [Normal decode])
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Bus: primary=00, secondary=02, subordinate=02, sec-latency=64
I/O behind bridge: 0000a000-0000afff
Memory behind bridge: f3e00000-f7efffff

0000:00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corp. 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) LPC Bridge (rev 02)
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0

0000:00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corp. 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) Ultra ATA 100 Storage Controller (rev 02) (prog-if 8a [Master SecP PriP])
Subsystem: Sony Corporation: Unknown device 8159
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 18
I/O ports at <unassigned>
I/O ports at <unassigned>
I/O ports at <unassigned>
I/O ports at <unassigned>
I/O ports at fc00 [size=16]
Memory at 20000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=1K]

0000:00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corp. 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) SMBus Controller (rev 02)
Subsystem: Sony Corporation: Unknown device 8159
Flags: medium devsel, IRQ 4
I/O ports at 0400 [size=32]

0000:00:1f.5 Multimedia audio controller: Intel Corp. 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) AC'97 Audio Controller (rev 02)
Subsystem: Sony Corporation: Unknown device 815b
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 17
I/O ports at d400 [size=256]
I/O ports at d000 [size=64]
Memory at f7fff800 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=512]
Memory at f7fff400 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=256]
Capabilities: <available only to root>

0000:00:1f.6 Modem: Intel Corp. 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) AC'97 Modem Controller (rev 02) (prog-if 00 [Generic])
Subsystem: Sony Corporation: Unknown device 8129
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 17
I/O ports at d800 [size=256]
I/O ports at dc00 [size=128]
Capabilities: <available only to root>

0000:01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation NV34 [GeForce FX 5200] (rev a1) (prog-if 00 [VGA])
Subsystem: Asustek Computer, Inc.: Unknown device a019
Flags: bus master, 66MHz, medium devsel, latency 248, IRQ 16
Memory at f2000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16M]
Memory at e8000000 (32-bit, prefetchable) [size=128M]
Expansion ROM at f3de0000 [disabled] [size=128K]
Capabilities: <available only to root>

0000:02:08.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corp. 82562EZ 10/100 Ethernet Controller (rev 02)
Subsystem: Sony Corporation: Unknown device 815c
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 20
Memory at f7eff000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
I/O ports at ac00 [size=64]
Capabilities: <available only to root>

0000:02:0a.0 Multimedia video controller: Conexant Winfast TV2000 XP (rev 05)
Subsystem: Unknown device 7063:3000
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 22
Memory at f5000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16M]
Capabilities: <available only to root>

0000:02:0a.2 Multimedia controller: Conexant: Unknown device 8802 (rev 05)
Subsystem: Unknown device 7063:3000
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 22
Memory at f6000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16M]
Capabilities: <available only to root>

0000:02:0e.0 FireWire (IEEE 1394): NEC Corporation uPD72874 IEEE1394 OHCI 1.1 3-port PHY-Link Ctrlr (rev 01) (prog-if 10 [OHCI])
Subsystem: Sony Corporation: Unknown device 811e
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 18
Memory at f7efe000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
Capabilities: <available only to root>

The output of the lsmod command (before configuring the nVidia driver)
is as follows:

Module Size Used by
nls_iso8859_1 5888 0
nls_cp437 7552 0
snd_pcm_oss 48032 0
sg 30880 0
snd_mixer_oss 18048 1 snd_pcm_oss
snd_intel8x0 29248 0
snd_intel8x0m 16580 0
snd_ac97_codec 68984 2 snd_intel8x0,snd_intel8x0m
snd_pcm 79364 4 snd_pcm_oss,snd_intel8x0,snd_intel8x0m,snd_ac97_codec
snd_timer 22532 1 snd_pcm
snd 47460 7 snd_pcm_oss,snd_mixer_oss,snd_intel8x0,snd_intel8x0m,snd_ac97_codec,snd_pcm,snd_timer
soundcore 9312 1 snd
snd_page_alloc 9348 3 snd_intel8x0,snd_intel8x0m,snd_pcm
cx88_blackbird 13572 0
eepro100 29200 0
8250_pci 18560 0
ehci_hcd 31112 0
shpchp 91524 0
pci_hotplug 31048 1 shpchp
intel_mch_agp 10000 0
pcspkr 5324 0
tsdev 7744 0
md5 5760 1
ipv6 235808 10
autofs4 17284 0
af_packet 18696 2
tuner 26536 0
cx8800 27276 0
v4l1_compat 14852 1 cx8800
v4l2_common 6528 1 cx8800
e100 34176 0
mii 5888 2 eepro100,e100
cx88_dvb 7300 20
cx8802 9220 2 cx88_blackbird,cx88_dvb
mt352 7812 1 cx88_dvb
cx88xx 47904 4 cx88_blackbird,cx8800,cx88_dvb,cx8802
i2c_algo_bit 10504 1 cx88xx
ir_common 7300 1 cx88xx
btcx_risc 5768 3 cx8800,cx8802,cx88xx
tveeprom 13336 1 cx88xx
videodev 9600 3 cx88_blackbird,cx8800,cx88xx
or51132 11396 1 cx88_dvb
firmware_class 9728 2 cx88_blackbird,or51132
video_buf_dvb 6404 1 cx88_dvb
dvb_core 75176 1 video_buf_dvb
video_buf 18436 6 cx88_blackbird,cx8800,cx88_dvb,cx8802,cx88xx,video_buf_dvb
cx22702 9604 1 cx88_dvb
dvb_pll 5252 3 cx88_dvb,or51132,cx22702
i2c_i801 9612 0
i2c_core 20224 8 tuner,mt352,cx88xx,i2c_algo_bit,tveeprom,or51132,cx22702,i2c_i801
cfi_cmdset_0002 22400 1
cfi_util 5248 1 cfi_cmdset_0002
jedec_probe 18944 0
cfi_probe 8064 0
gen_probe 4864 2 jedec_probe,cfi_probe
ichxrom 6528 0
mtdcore 8008 2 ichxrom
chipreg 4736 3 jedec_probe,cfi_probe,ichxrom
map_funcs 3712 1 ichxrom
intel_agp 20636 1
agpgart 29616 2 intel_mch_agp,intel_agp
parport_pc 37444 0
parport 32456 1 parport_pc
8250 23108 1 8250_pci
serial_core 19840 1 8250
ohci1394 31748 0
pcmcia 20624 0
yenta_socket 20616 0
rsrc_nonstatic 10496 1 yenta_socket
pcmcia_core 42656 3 pcmcia,yenta_socket,rsrc_nonstatic
video 16260 0
thermal 12936 0
processor 22504 1 thermal
fan 5252 0
container 5248 0
button 7056 0
battery 10372 0
ac 5508 0
rtc 11980 0
ieee1394 301752 1 ohci1394
usb_storage 63552 0
evdev 9088 0
ohci_hcd 20488 0
usbhid 41408 0
uhci_hcd 30224 0
usbcore 101368 6 ehci_hcd,usb_storage,ohci_hcd,usbhid,uhci_hcd
tmscsim 22976 0
BusLogic 77588 0

The contents of the /etc/X11/XF86Config file (before configuring the
nVidia driver) is:

Section "Files"
RgbPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/misc:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/misc"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Speedo"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/PEX"
# Additional fonts: Locale, Gimp, TTF...
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/cyrillic"
# FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/latin2/75dpi"
# FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/latin2/100dpi"
# True type and type1 fonts are also handled via xftlib, see /etc/X11/XftConfig!
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/ttf/western"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/ttf/decoratives"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/truetype"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/truetype/openoffice"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/truetype/ttf-bitstream-vera"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/latex-ttf-fonts"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/defoma/CID"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/defoma/TrueType"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
EndSection

Section "Keyboard"
Protocol "Standard"
AutoRepeat 500 5
LeftAlt Meta
RightAlt Meta
ScrollLock Compose
RightCtl Control
# This is just the default keymap for X.
# May be changed with the KDE international keyboard tool.
XkbModel "pc105"
XkbLayout "us"

# XkbOptions "ctrl:swapcaps"
# XkbKeycodes "xfree86"
# XkbTypes "default"
# XkbCompat "default"
# XkbSymbols "us(pc101)"
# XkbGeometry "pc"
# XkbRules "xfree86"
# XkbModel "pc101"
# XkbLayout "us"
EndSection

Section "Pointer"
Protocol "PS/2"
Device "/dev/mouse"
Emulate3Buttons
Emulate3Timeout 70
EndSection

# Auto-generated by mkxf86config

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "SNY"
ModelName "SNY2270"
HorizSync 28 - 65 # DDC-probed
VertRefresh 50.0 - 75.0 # Very conservative. May flicker.
# VertRefresh 50.0 - 62.0 # Extreme conservative. Will flicker. TFT default.
# These are the DDC-probed settings reported by your monitor.
# 800x600, 60.0Hz; hfreq=37.88, vfreq=60.32
ModeLine "800x600" 40.00 800 840 968 1056 600 601 605 628 +hsync +vsync
# 640x480, 75.0Hz; hfreq=37.50, vfreq=75.00
ModeLine "640x480" 31.50 640 656 720 840 480 481 484 500 -hsync -vsync
# Extended modelines with GTF timings
# 640x480 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 50.90 kHz; pclk: 43.16 MHz
ModeLine "640x480" 43.16 640 680 744 848 480 481 484 509 -HSync +Vsync
# 768x576 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 35.82 kHz; pclk: 34.96 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 34.96 768 792 872 976 576 577 580 597 -HSync +Vsync
# 768x576 @ 72.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 43.27 kHz; pclk: 42.93 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 42.93 768 800 880 992 576 577 580 601 -HSync +Vsync
# 768x576 @ 75.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 45.15 kHz; pclk: 45.51 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 45.51 768 808 888 1008 576 577 580 602 -HSync +Vsync
# 768x576 @ 85.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 51.42 kHz; pclk: 51.84 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 51.84 768 808 888 1008 576 577 580 605 -HSync +Vsync
# 768x576 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 61.10 kHz; pclk: 62.57 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 62.57 768 816 896 1024 576 577 580 611 -HSync +Vsync
# 800x600 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 63.60 kHz; pclk: 68.18 MHz
ModeLine "800x600" 68.18 800 848 936 1072 600 601 604 636 -HSync +Vsync
# 1024x768 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 81.40 kHz; pclk: 113.31 MHz
ModeLine "1024x768" 113.31 1024 1096 1208 1392 768 769 772 814 -HSync +Vsync
# 1152x864 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 53.70 kHz; pclk: 81.62 MHz
ModeLine "1152x864" 81.62 1152 1216 1336 1520 864 865 868 895 -HSync +Vsync
# 1152x864 @ 85.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 77.10 kHz; pclk: 119.65 MHz
ModeLine "1152x864" 119.65 1152 1224 1352 1552 864 865 868 907 -HSync +Vsync
# 1152x864 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 91.50 kHz; pclk: 143.47 MHz
ModeLine "1152x864" 143.47 1152 1232 1360 1568 864 865 868 915 -HSync +Vsync
# 1280x960 @ 72.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 72.07 kHz; pclk: 124.54 MHz
ModeLine "1280x960" 124.54 1280 1368 1504 1728 960 961 964 1001 -HSync +Vsync
# 1280x960 @ 75.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 75.15 kHz; pclk: 129.86 MHz
ModeLine "1280x960" 129.86 1280 1368 1504 1728 960 961 964 1002 -HSync +Vsync
# 1280x960 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 101.70 kHz; pclk: 178.99 MHz
ModeLine "1280x960" 178.99 1280 1376 1520 1760 960 961 964 1017 -HSync +Vsync
# 1280x1024 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 108.50 kHz; pclk: 190.96 MHz
ModeLine "1280x1024" 190.96 1280 1376 1520 1760 1024 1025 1028 1085 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 65.22 kHz; pclk: 122.61 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 122.61 1400 1488 1640 1880 1050 1051 1054 1087 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 72.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 78.77 kHz; pclk: 149.34 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 149.34 1400 1496 1648 1896 1050 1051 1054 1094 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 75.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 82.20 kHz; pclk: 155.85 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 155.85 1400 1496 1648 1896 1050 1051 1054 1096 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 85.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 93.76 kHz; pclk: 179.26 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 179.26 1400 1504 1656 1912 1050 1051 1054 1103 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 111.20 kHz; pclk: 214.39 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 214.39 1400 1512 1664 1928 1050 1051 1054 1112 -HSync +Vsync
# 1600x1200 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 127.10 kHz; pclk: 280.64 MHz
ModeLine "1600x1200" 280.64 1600 1728 1904 2208 1200 1201 1204 1271 -HSync +Vsync
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "My Video Card"
VendorName "Unknown"
BoardName "Unknown"
# TextClockFreq 22.175
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "fbdev"
VendorName "Unknown"
BoardName "Unknown"
EndSection


# Standard Server
Section "Screen"
Driver "svga"
Device "My Video Card"
Monitor "Monitor0"
Subsection "Display"
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
ViewPort 0 0
EndSubsection
EndSection

# Accel. Server(s)
Section "Screen"
Driver "accel"
Device "My Video Card"
Monitor "Monitor0"
Subsection "Display"
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
ViewPort 0 0
EndSubsection
EndSection

# Fallback
Section "Screen"
Driver "vga16"
Device "My Video Card"
Monitor "Monitor0"
Subsection "Display"
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubsection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Driver "fbdev"
Device "fbdev"
Monitor "Monitor0"
SubSection "Display"
Depth 32
Modes "default"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "default"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "default"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "default"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "default"
EndSubSection
EndSection


Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Brian

There is no /dev/dtv because one should use the DVB drivers.

_________________
cesman

When the source is open, the possibilities are endless!

You are describing a classic "reception problem" as viewed on HDTV. When the signal gets low or corrupted, the picture stutters and has small or large blocks of corrupted image.

The signal strength could be lower than you expect if the antenna is indoors. I was surprised to find my house is an almost perfect "faraday cage" -- it blocks all radio signals in the TV band. I figured out why... It has stucco on the outside which is held in place by chicken wire mesh, a nice shield for these frequencies!

Your problem might be caused by too MUCH signal as well. The amplifier might be working against you here, causing distortion in the signal that makes it harder for the HD-3000 to receive. If the amplifier has gain settings, try turning it down to see if it has the same effect.

There is the matter of multipath distortion. My HDTV antenna positioning is somewhat critical, in as much as a small change in angle can cause corruption problems like you describe. My situation is different in that my stations are farther away. But close stations can suffer mightily from this too, since reflecting surfaces are closer, too.

Finally, there is an outside possibility that your hard disk isn't able to keep up with the data stream. Be sure to tune you disk with hdparm -tT to make sure you have dma enabled and are using the disk to the fullest. Search on "hdparm" for examples.

_________________
Do you code to live, or live to code?
Search LinHES forum through Google

Sounds like you are trying to "watch TV" live and if your system is not working properly you get these artifacts.

Try turning XvMC on or off and see if that helps or hurts.

Also try using the "program guide" to just select a show to record and then use "watch recordings" to go see if it is recording a channel or not. This is a good workaround if watching TV live is not cooperating.

Use antennaweb.org to get an idea of the good channels in your area.

There is a howto. Please check it out and add any new things you discover. Take the poll.

Thanks!

http://knoppmythwiki.org/index.php?page ... 3000_HOWTO

Andrew Lynch

PS, were you trying to follow the EFF guide to "build your own PVR"?

Thank you everyone for all the replies.

So, if there is no /dev/dtv when I'm using the DVB driver, how can I
see if I really have a classic "reception problem" (too much or too
little signal)? If I can't run dtvsignal, then it seems like I just have
to keep randomly guessing until I guess right. This seems like an
exercise in futility (or at least, exasperation.)

(All of the examples regarding installing the pcHDTV HD-3000 card
refer to running dtvsignal - It seems like I'm the only one that can't
run dtvsignal!)

I tried turning XvMC on and off. When I use the nVidia driver, enabling
XvMC seems to make an improvement in the signal.

Also, the workaround of using the program guide, and then watching
the recording does in fact provide a better, although not perfect,
video and audio signal.

I've read every howto that's been mentioned in all of the posts, and
have been to antennaweb. So, I know what and where the HDTV channels
are located.

I've already ensured that DMA is enabled on the HDD.

And, yes, the EFF guide gave me the "nudge" to finally tackle this
build-your-own-hdtv-pvr project (although I understand that the guide
is somewhat outdated, with respect to the HD-3000 and R5A16.

try searching for dtvsignal in the hdtv portion of this forum. there are instructions on how to run it with the new dvb drivers, and no you are not the only one not able to run it dtvsignal does not work with the dtv drivers. you basically have to unload them and load up the old drivers test your signal then go back.

_________________
Have a question search the forum and have a look at the KnoppMythWiki.

Xsecrets