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MCE2005 HTPC + OTA HD in Toronto experiences ...
This thread has 22 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Monday August 8, 2005 at 17:10
toddklost
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2005
4
I wanted to start a thread specific to HD-HTPCs in Toronto. I am having great success with my HD-HTPC now, I have a lot of experience setting up HTPC rigs, I would be happy to help anyone out. (and hopefully someone can help me out with some of my problems.)

I'm in the Toronto Beaches (Off Woodbine) and I get the following with my ATI HDTV Wonder + Stock antenna w/10DB amp and 30ft cable. I was told I can damage the HDTV Wonder with this amp, but with 30ft cable I doubt it

02-1 NBC HD
04-1 CBS HD
05-1 CBC HD
07-1 ABC HD
23-1 CBC HD (same as 4-1)
23-3 UPN SD
25-1 CBC French
29-1 Fox HD
40-4 CFTO-CTV HD (9-1?, 40-3?)
43-1 WNED PBS HD
43-3 Think B
53-1 CityHD
66-1 Toronto 1 HD

By the way, without the 10DB amp I don't get half of these channels, the stock antenna works great for me, I would recommend moving around your room and find the sweat spot like I did. (South-east corner of my room pointing to lake ontario)

FYI: I was in Etobicoke a few months back (401/Islington) on the 11th floor and I got the same channels, with the amp of course.

When I started fooling around with Windows XP MCE 2005, I can't stress enough how amazing this OS works with the HDTV Wonder, from the superior program guide to recording quality.

However on the the annoyances (I am destined to fix these issues!)
With channels 5-1 and 25-1, the CBC english and French channels, won't tune in MCE 2005, that is why I dual boot with Professional since I installed ATI Multimedia Center there where I can get both CBC HD channels!. Has anyone got CBC HD working in MCE 2005?, if I can get CBC HD in MCE2005 I would dump the ATI software in a heartbeat, MCE2005 is far supperior. I have heard one report that its a sub-channel issue with 5-1 & 25-1, but I added the channel "5-1" in MCE2005 and left the antenna position as it was when working in ATI's software, not sure why its not coming in?

Bring on the new hockey season!

HTPC setup:
AMD Athlon XP 3200+
1gig 200MHZ DDR
DFI Infinity NForce 2 w/Soundstorm, DD 5.1 Live enabled
ATI 9700 128 meg
ATI HDTV Wonder (w/Kram drivers in MCE2005 to use Analogue tuner + Canada Patch to get HD working)
Fortissmo II with SixPack 5.1+ Driver (optical connected to Panasonic HE-100 Receiver)
Tannoy FX 5.1 Speakers
Silverstone case
Dual Boot Windows XP Media Center 2005 + Windows XP Professional.
>>> VGA cable Sanyo PLV-Z1 with 94" Screen.
>>> S-Video to Panasonc 27".
Post 2 made on Tuesday August 9, 2005 at 02:18
Daniel Tonks
Wrangler of Remotes
Joined:
Posts:
October 1998
28,779
Not sure why CBC won't come in in MCE... Interesting that CTV comes in as 40-4 for you; my standalone DVR also gets it as that but most STB users report it mapping to 9-1 correctly.
Post 3 made on Tuesday August 9, 2005 at 18:30
Weblurker
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2004
83
On 08/08/05 17:10 ET, toddklost said...
I wanted to start a thread specific to HD-HTPCs
in Toronto. I am having great success with my
HD-HTPC now, I have a lot of experience setting
up HTPC rigs, I would be happy to help anyone
out. (and hopefully someone can help me out with
some of my problems.)

I'm in the Toronto Beaches (Off Woodbine) and
I get the following with my ATI HDTV Wonder +
Stock antenna w/10DB amp and 30ft cable. I was
told I can damage the HDTV Wonder with this amp,
but with 30ft cable I doubt it

Where did you buy the 10db amp and how much did it cost? Also, what is the part number for that amp?

I'm about to set up a HTPC very similar to yours, except I'll be getting the DFI nF3 250Gb motherboard.
OP | Post 4 made on Thursday August 11, 2005 at 23:48
toddklost
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2005
4
Its an Archer 10DB amplifier (very old actually) Model 15-1117 inline 5-900MHz, you won't find it at radio shack anymore, but try a 10DB signal amplifier from the Source by CC. I would recommend using longer cable if your using a amplifier.

I finally got CBC and CTV working in MCE!

When entering CBC the first box you enter "5" then "1", for the freq. you put "20"
When entering CTV the first box you enter "9" then "1", for the freq you put "40"
When entering CBC French (which I have not got working yet) you should enter "25", "1" then "24", but stay tuned and I'll figure it out.
Post 5 made on Friday August 12, 2005 at 15:46
Weblurker
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2004
83
On 08/11/05 23:48 ET, toddklost said...
Its an Archer 10DB amplifier (very old actually)
Model 15-1117 inline 5-900MHz, you won't find
it at radio shack anymore, but try a 10DB signal
amplifier from the Source by CC. I would recommend
using longer cable if your using a amplifier.


Thanks toddklost. I found that video amp on the Source CC web site, it costs C$24.99. Below is the link for anyone else interested. The product code is 15-1118.

[Link: thesourcecc.com]

How reliable have you found the TV reception of the HDTV Wonder and Silver Sensor? Do you experience drop outs or a lost signal very often?
OP | Post 6 made on Friday August 12, 2005 at 20:06
toddklost
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2005
4
Hi, when the signal is actually there I get them all at 100%, with no noticeable dropouts. Case in point, I have Star Wars Episode II in hidef (recorded from Fox HD in Buffalo) on my harddrive it its just amazing.

It just took a while to find the sweat spot in my room, for example im in a duplex, so there was no signal below 5 feet so I have it on top of a shelf.

Just pray on Oct 5, we get Hockey Night in Canada in HD.
Post 7 made on Friday August 12, 2005 at 23:47
Weblurker
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2004
83
On 08/12/05 20:06 ET, toddklost said...
Hi, when the signal is actually there I get them
all at 100%, with no noticeable dropouts. Case
in point, I have Star Wars Episode II in hidef
(recorded from Fox HD in Buffalo) on my harddrive
it its just amazing.

It just took a while to find the sweat spot in
my room, for example im in a duplex, so there
was no signal below 5 feet so I have it on top
of a shelf.

Just pray on Oct 5, we get Hockey Night in Canada
in HD.

Thanks. I'll post a report about my experiences with the HDTVW and Silver Sensor.
I've read a couple of reports about problems with indoor antennas in the GTA, adding the 10db amp might be the answer.

I too am looking forward to HDTV Hockey Night in Canada. But "Go HDTV Leafs Go!" doesn't sound quite right. :->

This message was edited by Weblurker on 08/13/05 10:15 ET.
Post 8 made on Tuesday August 23, 2005 at 12:17
SilverRSX
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2005
2
Hi toddklost;
I have been playing with HDTV Wonder for about a week; got most of my stuff working with ATI's software; getting the recommended booster 10dB today to gain better strenght on my channels (I get about 80~90%). I figured out KRAM drivers to get regular Stations working, but I have no clue how to get HDTV going... you mentioned something about "Canada Patch to get HD working" can you explain?

LOCATION: Just north of SQUARE ONE, Mississauga

Pentium 4 3.0G
Intel MB
1 Gig of Ram
WD 250G Hard Drive
ATI HDTV WONDER Tuner
ATI 9600 PRO Video Card
Windows XP Media Center 2005
Post 9 made on Saturday August 27, 2005 at 10:07
HDPC_Blaze
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2005
1
Hey guys. It's good to finally see a thread like this for Toronto. Now here are my questions. I have an HP Media Center PC and I was thinking of getting the HDTV Wonder. I'd like to know where you guys got it from. It's selling at PC Village for $199 and I couldn't find a better price in Toronto.

My other question is this: I live close to Finch and Weston in a house that's facing directly south. The only thing is I don't have a direct view of the CN tower; all I see are houses and behind that, more houses. And behind those houses is the humber river valley. It's not like I live that far from the CN tower (North York). But in your personal opinion, do you think I'll actually get any channels in my area with the indoor antenna even though I can't see the CN tower? I'd hate to spend 200 bucks on a card and later find out that it won't even work in my area, especially since the return policy is "exchange only". I talked to the guy in PC Village and some other guy at Best Buy and they told me that it would be useless to try this ANYWHERE in Toronto. But considering your luck with it, I doubt their opinions. I'm not interested in installing a huge antenna in my backyard and would prefer only to use the indoor supplied antenna with the amp. Anyway, any feedback from you guys would be appreciated. Thanks.
Post 10 made on Sunday August 28, 2005 at 12:20
CybArt
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2005
1
I've been using ShowShifter PVR for a few years now and I'm interested in upgrading to a PCI or USB card that will be able to receive Rogers Digital Cable, digitally (mpg, etc)

Currently I am using an AIW VE PCI, which is analogue. Quality of this card is acceptable, but not awesome.

I think the terminology describing the type of card I am looking for is DVB - but I am not certain.

OTA is "over the air" I assume, which is like the old Look TV? I do not have access to such a service I don't think, but without an HDTV, I guess that's not a big concern.

I do not yet have an HDTV, but I am curious if the HDTV Wonder will allow me to capture a direct MPEG stream/file from my Rogers box, or I suppose direct from my cable feed.

Does anyone have experience with this?

I apologize if my question is somewhat divergent from the topic of this thread - I saw similarities...
Post 11 made on Saturday November 5, 2005 at 22:19
creature
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
November 2005
1
Hello,

Back in August you defined your system. I've just entered the HDTV Wonder world and have discovered that I need either a second TV tuner or the "kram" drivers.

If they are still available, can you point me in the right direction where I might find the kram drivers?

Many thanks.
Mike.

On 08/08/05 17:10 ET, toddklost said...
ATI HDTV Wonder (w/Kram drivers in MCE2005 to
use Analogue tuner + Canada Patch to get HD working)
Post 12 made on Tuesday November 8, 2005 at 10:21
MWHD
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
November 2005
5
On 08/11/05 23:48 ET, toddklost said...
Its an Archer 10DB amplifier (very old actually)
Model 15-1117 inline 5-900MHz, you won't find
it at radio shack anymore, but try a 10DB signal
amplifier from the Source by CC. I would recommend
using longer cable if your using a amplifier.


I finally got CBC and CTV working in MCE!

When entering CBC the first box you enter "5"
then "1", for the freq. you put "20"
When entering CTV the first box you enter "9"
then "1", for the freq you put "40"
When entering CBC French (which I have not got
working yet) you should enter "25", "1" then "24",
but stay tuned and I'll figure it out.

toddklost, did you manage to get CTV to work in MCE?
Post 13 made on Wednesday November 9, 2005 at 13:40
webpicasso
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
November 2005
1
Any luck finding the Kram drivers??
Post 14 made on Wednesday November 9, 2005 at 18:10
ontariocraig
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
September 2004
162
can you pick up the analog channels from the CN tower ?

Plug a small radioshack UHF antenna in and see what you get (bowtie or something intended for UHF - NOT Rabbits Ears)

If you can get decent analog reception using an indoor antenna, then you have some chance of picking up digital channels which are broadcast on the same UHF frequencies.


On 08/27/05 10:07 ET, HDPC_Blaze said...
Hey guys. It's good to finally see a thread like
this for Toronto. Now here are my questions. I
have an HP Media Center PC and I was thinking
of getting the HDTV Wonder. I'd like to know where
you guys got it from. It's selling at PC Village
for $199 and I couldn't find a better price in
Toronto.

My other question is this: I live close to Finch
and Weston in a house that's facing directly south.
The only thing is I don't have a direct view of
the CN tower; all I see are houses and behind
that, more houses. And behind those houses is
the humber river valley. It's not like I live
that far from the CN tower (North York). But in
your personal opinion, do you think I'll actually
get any channels in my area with the indoor antenna
even though I can't see the CN tower? I'd hate
to spend 200 bucks on a card and later find out
that it won't even work in my area, especially
since the return policy is "exchange only". I
talked to the guy in PC Village and some other
guy at Best Buy and they told me that it would
be useless to try this ANYWHERE in Toronto. But
considering your luck with it, I doubt their opinions.
I'm not interested in installing a huge antenna
in my backyard and would prefer only to use the
indoor supplied antenna with the amp. Anyway,
any feedback from you guys would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Post 15 made on Monday November 14, 2005 at 23:36
rbq
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2005
19
Hey guys,
I've been using the hdtv wonder with no problems for the last 9 months here in Toronto. I'm running xp pro. I recently did a fresh install and I don't get 23-1 (4-1) or 40-1 (9-1) anymore. I get a strong signal but no video or audio. I've tried mmc, watchhdtv and got all media and they all do the same. I can get the channels with my samsung ts160 with no problems. Anybody else experiencing this? I'm running the latest drivers and mmc 9.08. I have an nvidia video card (6600GT) but it was working flawlessly on my old system so I don't think that it's the videocard. By the way I get the same results with mce2005.
Thanks,
rbq
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