Scenario:

Intel Pentium D805 Dual Core on an Intel D945PVS Mainboard (if that matters)

1 x TwinHan 3020C PCI HDTV Tuner
1 x Hauppauge PVR-150 Tuner/Capture (Non MCE with IR Blaster).

Foxtel Set-Top-Box (PACE model), connected via S-Video on the Video SCART output. We've put a scart to RCA convertor on the scart output, and tested the S-Video for signal - that works.

The TwinHan stuff is fine.

With the Hauppauge, we've followed most of the PVR-Installation guides here and on KnoppMythWiki, including the set-top box ones and this is where we are:

We've gotten so far that the channel change script works when run manually. It doesn't appear to work out of Myth yet, but we also don't have a working EPG yet (the D1 doesn't seem to work for Foxtel). The EPG may fix the channel change problem, but if there's suggestions on that I'd happily listen to them.

(By the way, the Codeset for Foxtel PACE box here in Perth Australia is 663)

The main problem, is that on default installation settings in mythtv-setup (/dev/video0 and S-Video 0 and/or 1 input), the picture coming in to the box is black and white.

If we change the foxtel box Video output to S-Video, the picture changes to colour in Myth, BUT changes the original Foxtel->TV to black and white.

If we set the Foxtel box Video out to anything else (PAL, RGB, whatever), the TV is fine, but the Video coming in to Myth is black and white.

This seems like a colour model problem right? Like the card is expecting a NTSC signal but getting a PAL one?

I've tried to attack that already.

I've changed /etc/sysconfig/ivtv.cfg-0 to say PAL but it made no difference. (In fact I get a blank screen in Myth).

Also tried changing /etc/init.d/set_ivtv_params to PAL - same
Also tried setting TV_TYPE (PAL) to 1 instead of ff according to some other post I saw - same.

"ivtvctl -a" lists NTSC, PAL and SECAM as possible values with the right codes, but none seem to work.

I've tried mplayer /dev/video0 in conjunction with ivtvctl changing settings here and there to try different things - also no go. However, the screen looks completely different. Instead of a blank screen (that drops out after 15 seconds or so), or a black and white foxtel picture, I get a completely jumbled screen with bits repeated, some colour (all over the place - not uniform), most black and white. It even appears some of the picture has nothing to do with what is on the real foxtel screen, and some does (with a 2-3 second delay).

It even warned me at one stage the PC wasn't quick enough to play the stream (yeah right).

Who can save me here? I'm now officially stumped...

Regards,
Ramrunner.

SCART and S-Video conversions can be a little hit and miss depending on your equipment (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCART). Since you've ruled out a PAL/NTSC issue, it sounds like the problem is that the set top box is not outputting S-Video. There may be an option to change this in the set top box setup. If not, you might try a SCART->Composite converter and connect to the composite in of the tuner card. Composite support in SCART equipment is much more common.

Cheers,

Allen

_________________
ASUS AT3N7A-I (Atom 330)
TBS 8922 PCI (DVB-S2)

I should've mentioned we've actually tried that with the same result.

At least we're thinking alike.

The fact that when we play with the set op box's video out settings (setting it to s-video for instance), it works except for the TV going black and white then still leads me to believe there is still a PAL/NTSC mismatch. Unfortunately for him he's puchased a Thomson rear projection which doesn't seem to let us set PAL/NTSC per A/V input - otherwise this might be moot point, he could just cheat and set his Thomson to NTSC and all would be well.

I'm not seeing this person again till Wednesday, but I've just had a thought!!!.

It seems in the set top box we can only set settings for the video out SCART port. We KNOW for a fact that the normal TV-out SCART port is a PAL signal. I might get him to try swapping them to see what happens.

If the signal going to the box is still black and white, we most definitely still have a PAL/NTSC mismatch.

I seem to have done everything I can with the ivtv settings, and the main mythtv set-up to set everything to PAL, is there somewhere I'm missing?

Is it worth trying the latest ivtv or does R5C7 already have the latest?

Still lost, but appreciating you taking the time to answer,

Ramrunner.

There are at least two places to set video standard in the setup. Against the channel and against the source. However, when I tried it, changing the channel standard didn't work.

You can verify exactly what is being recorded by executing "ivtvctl -a" while recording or watching livetv. Near the bottom there is a "Video standard" line. It will be a hex number, but if you look up a little you will see all the hex values defined.

Note: The standard information higher up in the card section is what is supported. You want to look at the "Video standard" line near the bottom. That is what is currently recording.
Allen

_________________
ASUS AT3N7A-I (Atom 330)
TBS 8922 PCI (DVB-S2)