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Latest Ceton InfiniTV 4 Info Thread - Page 122

post #3631 of 4509
10/4/12 at 9:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdavej View Post

At least you have some ammo. You can keep the diagnostic screen open and show them it hasn't activated. Insist that they input all the numbers on your screen (Card ID, Host ID, Data and Serial) into their system and send another hit. Don't let them leave until you get that green check mark by the cable card. As soon as you get the hit, and the data is correct (no typos on their end), it will go green. Then you'll want to cycle power on your PC and the tuning adapter then check all your channels.

Thank you for the valuable tips. I will keep pressing until it's done.
After all, I purposely built this PC for HTPC use only... no office, no games, just WMC, MS Security Essentials, Ceton diag tool, and Windows updates and drivers. I'm seeing this through till the end.

On another note, I got an email from Ceton support asking for my Insight account info. It looks like they are going to bat for me with the cable company. That is great! I can't think of any other company that would do that. Well done Ceton. I haven't even gotten the iTV4 working yet and I'm a huge fan.smile.gif
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post #3632 of 4509
10/4/12 at 9:30am
Has InfiniTV4 USB been discontinued? Newegg doesn't have it anymore, and Amazon only has refurbs.
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post #3633 of 4509
10/4/12 at 9:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by blueiedgod View Post

Has InfiniTV4 USB been discontinued? Newegg doesn't have it anymore, and Amazon only has refurbs.

Looks that way. Nothing official as far as I know, but you can still find it new...

http://www.buy.com/prod/ceton-infinitv-4-usb-tv-tuner-functions-tv-tuning-video-recording/228870282.html
http://shop.hdnw.com/product.aspx?n=VI-CET03
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post #3634 of 4509
10/4/12 at 10:14am
I had a FiOS tech over when I setup mine - he had never seen one before but he had heard rumors of a HTPC with cablecard. I showed him everything and when we activated it there were problems. When I pulled up the diag screen he was amazed - happily so. I was able to try to tune the bad channel and show in the logs what happened. It was highly technical info, but that is what he loved about it - he knew what the problem was immediately. He called into the VHO and told them what to fix and poof, it was fixed!
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post #3635 of 4509
10/4/12 at 10:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by blueiedgod View Post

Has InfiniTV4 USB been discontinued? Newegg doesn't have it anymore, and Amazon only has refurbs.
The USB InfiniTV has NOT been discontinued. It is temporarily out of stock with some retailers. It is available from Buy.com today and we expect everyone to be back in stock soon at other retailers.
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post #3636 of 4509
10/4/12 at 10:55am
This isn't exactly a ceton question as it really is a question about the Cisco STA1520 but I thought I would post here since it involves cooling my infinitv usb... Currently I have a case fan sitting on it and I'm not too happy of the contraption I made to provide power to the fan. I also found a small usb fan that I could run another usb cable from the computer over to my infinitv and STA1520 but I noticed the front usb port of the TA that is right next to my tuner and I thought maybe I could plug in the fan there... I tried it and it worked fairly well as it just needs a little air movement. However I'm hesitant to make this my more permanent solution as I'm not sure the front panel usb port of the TA would like to power a fan 24/7... does anyone foresee a problem with using it that way... I guess if it breaks I could just return it to the cable company and get a new one but I'd rather not cause it to break.
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post #3637 of 4509
10/4/12 at 11:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by signcarver View Post

This isn't exactly a ceton question as it really is a question about the Cisco STA1520 but I thought I would post here since it involves cooling my infinitv usb... Currently I have a case fan sitting on it and I'm not too happy of the contraption I made to provide power to the fan. I also found a small usb fan that I could run another usb cable from the computer over to my infinitv and STA1520 but I noticed the front usb port of the TA that is right next to my tuner and I thought maybe I could plug in the fan there... I tried it and it worked fairly well as it just needs a little air movement. However I'm hesitant to make this my more permanent solution as I'm not sure the front panel usb port of the TA would like to power a fan 24/7... does anyone foresee a problem with using it that way... I guess if it breaks I could just return it to the cable company and get a new one but I'd rather not cause it to break.

I believe USB ports are required to have "self-healing" fuses, plus the fan is likely under the allowed current draw, so I wouldn't worry about it. That said, why are you putting a fan on your InfiniTV USB. It should not be necessary.
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post #3638 of 4509
10/4/12 at 1:52pm
I was thinking that about the usb ports but I don't know what cisco was thinking about the front usb port and whether or not it follows any spec other than its own unless it is there to flash a firmware upgrade or something ( used to have a cisco router that only took their own usb sticks so it wouldn't surprise me if they set their own spec for it). To my knowledge they have never been used for anything and if it were to shutdown from excessive draw, I don't know how the rest of the device responds to it... I one time had a laptop that disabled all the other usb ports when one device had an overload (its been awhile as this was either a 1.0 or 1.1 port). I'm thinking about plugging int my usb aquarium into it instead smile.gif

I live in phoenix and at this particular location, the thermostat is usually set at 78-80F in the summer and this room with all its electronics usually has an ambient temp of 82-85F... The temp readings without the fan were around 65-70C with the fan it drops to 45C... even the usb fan which is more for personal use and is one that you can stick your finger in drops its tuner temp to 52 just being above it. This seems quite a difference and it seemed to help with some pixelization.
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post #3639 of 4509
10/4/12 at 6:10pm
I have a quick question regarding the InfiniTV not being recognized. A few months ago I added a HDHomerun dual tuner to my setup to basically just work with ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and The CW. I have it set in WMC so the dual HDHomerun tuners will have first priority for those channels over the InfiniTV to keep it open for any cable recordings. I mainly did this because it was a cheap solution to bump myself up to 6 tuners (without adding any extra monthly CableCard fees) and ensure I can appropriately pad my recordings at the end.

Occasionally the Ceton ends up not getting used for a period of time because I may not have more then two recordings, or a cable recording scheduled.. The next the time the InfiniTV is needed it sometimes becomes completely unresponsive as if it's not even installed. The Ceton Diag Software just keeps saying "Searching". The only way I can get it to work again is to reboot the HTPC. The problem with this is if it happens while I'm recording with the HDHomerun, now I have to interrupt those recordings to reboot the system to ensure I get my other recordings the InfiniTV is needed for. Is there any other way to prevent this short of manually rebooting at random, or at the very least get Windows to see the tuner again without a reboot? Thanks for any advice.
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post #3640 of 4509
10/4/12 at 6:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SLAYER6669 View Post

I have a quick question regarding the InfiniTV not being recognized. A few months ago I added a HDHomerun dual tuner to my setup to basically just work with ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and The CW. I have it set in WMC so the dual HDHomerun tuners will have first priority for those channels over the InfiniTV to keep it open for any cable recordings. I mainly did this because it was a cheap solution to bump myself up to 6 tuners (without adding any extra monthly CableCard fees) and ensure I can appropriately pad my recordings at the end.
Occasionally the Ceton ends up not getting used for a period of time because I may not have more then two recordings, or a cable recording scheduled.. The next the time the InfiniTV is needed it sometimes becomes completely unresponsive as if it's not even installed. The Ceton Diag Software just keeps saying "Searching". The only way I can get it to work again is to reboot the HTPC. The problem with this is if it happens while I'm recording with the HDHomerun, now I have to interrupt those recordings to reboot the system to ensure I get my other recordings the InfiniTV is needed for. Is there any other way to prevent this short of manually rebooting at random, or at the very least get Windows to see the tuner again without a reboot? Thanks for any advice.

If you haven't already, I would upgrade to our beta drivers and beta FW.
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post #3641 of 4509
10/4/12 at 8:00pm
So I just got a infiniTV 4 PCI set up today and so far I am disappointed. I already had a cable card as I was coming from a HDHomeRunPrime.

I am getting this issue where on some channels, it just drops signal and says the signal is low which obviously isn't the case since these channels work fine with both the cable box and HDHomeRun Prime. After doing some research, I am guessing that this is because I have fios, and don't have a low pass filter. I am on chat trying to get one now but does anyone know where to get one for cheap?

I really hope this filter fixes the issue, because if I can't get one easily I might just return it and go back to the HDHomeRun Prime. I lose one tuner, but I also gain channel change speed.
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post #3642 of 4509
10/4/12 at 9:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mackworth View Post

So I just got a infiniTV 4 PCI set up today and so far I am disappointed. I already had a cable card as I was coming from a HDHomeRunPrime.
I am getting this issue where on some channels, it just drops signal and says the signal is low which obviously isn't the case since these channels work fine with both the cable box and HDHomeRun Prime. After doing some research, I am guessing that this is because I have fios, and don't have a low pass filter. I am on chat trying to get one now but does anyone know where to get one for cheap?
I really hope this filter fixes the issue, because if I can't get one easily I might just return it and go back to the HDHomeRun Prime. I lose one tuner, but I also gain channel change speed.

Tell them you have problems with many channels and that everything they tell you to do fails...they will do a truck roll to your house. When the tech gets there, tell him you need a Low Pass Filter, he will have some on his truck. Install it just prior to the Centon Tuner (connected on the splitter side if possible to prevent its weight from potentially breaking the tiny connector on the Ceton). If you install it at the FiOS box it will prevent your Internet Router from working...so you have to make sure the line running to the Internet Router is not filtered.

This fixed a lot of HD channel problems for me.
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post #3643 of 4509
10/4/12 at 10:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mackworth View Post

So I just got a infiniTV 4 PCI set up today and so far I am disappointed. I already had a cable card as I was coming from a HDHomeRunPrime.
I am getting this issue where on some channels, it just drops signal and says the signal is low which obviously isn't the case since these channels work fine with both the cable box and HDHomeRun Prime. After doing some research, I am guessing that this is because I have fios, and don't have a low pass filter. I am on chat trying to get one now but does anyone know where to get one for cheap?
I really hope this filter fixes the issue, because if I can't get one easily I might just return it and go back to the HDHomeRun Prime. I lose one tuner, but I also gain channel change speed.

Depending on your configuration, the low-pass filter may help, though I would expect you would also have trouble with the HDHR Prime. Have you opened a support ticket with us? Also what FW version are you on? I would recommend upgrading to the beta FW if you have not already.
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post #3644 of 4509
10/5/12 at 6:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cybrsage View Post

Tell them you have problems with many channels and that everything they tell you to do fails...they will do a truck roll to your house. When the tech gets there, tell him you need a Low Pass Filter, he will have some on his truck. Install it just prior to the Centon Tuner (connected on the splitter side if possible to prevent its weight from potentially breaking the tiny connector on the Ceton). If you install it at the FiOS box it will prevent your Internet Router from working...so you have to make sure the line running to the Internet Router is not filtered.
This fixed a lot of HD channel problems for me.

This is basically what is happening. After talking to the online chat for over and hour and trying to convince them that I didn't need a new cable card, they are sending a truck on Monday.
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post #3645 of 4509
10/5/12 at 6:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by erickotz View Post

Depending on your configuration, the low-pass filter may help, though I would expect you would also have trouble with the HDHR Prime. Have you opened a support ticket with us? Also what FW version are you on? I would recommend upgrading to the beta FW if you have not already.

I have not opened a ticket yet. I did run a "capture information" thing from the control panel when this error was happening. I will probably open a ticket tonight. I also updated to the latest beta firmwares and that didn't help.
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post #3646 of 4509
10/5/12 at 7:50am
Thanks to the efforts of the Ceton support staff, my iTV4 is up and running!

Every now and then, I will get a "low signal, try tuning to this channel again" error, but not too often... not enough to ruin my WAF.

I my splitters are at bare minimum to get by (kitchen, modem, living room/HTPC), so I don't think it's an issue with signal strength.
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post #3647 of 4509
10/5/12 at 8:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by snappjay View Post

Thanks to the efforts of the Ceton support staff, my iTV4 is up and running!
Every now and then, I will get a "low signal, try tuning to this channel again" error, but not too often... not enough to ruin my WAF.
I my splitters are at bare minimum to get by (kitchen, modem, living room/HTPC), so I don't think it's an issue with signal strength.

Can you post your signal levels? The Ceton itself has a drop equivalent to a 4-way splitter, so you may need an amp (many people here are using one).

xnappo
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post #3648 of 4509
10/5/12 at 8:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by xnappo View Post

Can you post your signal levels? The Ceton itself has a drop equivalent to a 4-way splitter, so you may need an amp (many people here are using one).
xnappo

Sure. I just fired up all the tuners at once.

T1: -14.9
T2: -4.5
T3: -21.0
T4: -2.4
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post #3649 of 4509
10/5/12 at 8:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by snappjay View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by xnappo View Post

Can you post your signal levels? The Ceton itself has a drop equivalent to a 4-way splitter, so you may need an amp (many people here are using one).
xnappo

Sure. I just fired up all the tuners at once.

T1: -14.9
T2: -4.5
T3: -21.0
T4: -2.4




Those -14 and -21 are not very good. Whats your snr also. Could also be that channel.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2
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post #3650 of 4509
10/5/12 at 8:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by drtdiver View Post

Those -14 and -21 are not very good. Whats your snr also. Could also be that channel.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2

They are all between 32 and 35 dB
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post #3651 of 4509
10/5/12 at 9:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by snappjay View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by drtdiver View Post

Those -14 and -21 are not very good. Whats your snr also. Could also be that channel.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2

They are all between 32 and 35 dB


How many times is your cable split before it gets to the ceton?

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2
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post #3652 of 4509
10/5/12 at 9:59am
It goes..

Box outside > 3 way splitter > Kitchen HD DVR STB (motorola), Cable modem, Ceton. It's as simple as I can possibly get it.

Thanks for the assistance!
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post #3653 of 4509
10/5/12 at 10:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by erickotz View Post

The USB InfiniTV has NOT been discontinued. It is temporarily out of stock with some retailers. It is available from Buy.com today and we expect everyone to be back in stock soon at other retailers.

Thanks!

Any news on InfiniTV6? biggrin.gif
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post #3654 of 4509
10/5/12 at 10:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by snappjay View Post

It goes..
Box outside > 3 way splitter > Kitchen HD DVR STB (motorola), Cable modem, Ceton. It's as simple as I can possibly get it.
Thanks for the assistance!

Maybe try grounding the splitter? And where did you procure this splitter? The CableCo should give you one for free and check for losses through the splitter too.
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post #3655 of 4509
10/5/12 at 11:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by drtdiver View Post

Those -14 and -21 are not very good. Whats your snr also. Could also be that channel.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2

Agreed - that isn't going to work well. You can probably get the cable co to boost the signal since really you are not splitting too much - but you may end up needing an amp. I recommend this one before the splitter:
http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Signal-Booster-1-Port-Amplifier/dp/B003T2RY7I/ref=cm_cr-mr-title

xnappo
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post #3656 of 4509
10/5/12 at 11:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by xnappo View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by drtdiver View Post

Those -14 and -21 are not very good. Whats your snr also. Could also be that channel.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2

Agreed - that isn't going to work well. You can probably get the cable co to boost the signal since really you are not splitting too much - but you may end up needing an amp. I recommend this one before the splitter:
http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Signal-Booster-1-Port-Amplifier/dp/B003T2RY7I/ref=cm_cr-mr-title

xnappo

When I moved a few months back I was getting a lot if weak signal and subscription required messages. I installed one of these Motorola cable amps and haven't seen the message since putting it in.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2
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post #3657 of 4509
10/5/12 at 11:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by snappjay View Post

It goes..
Box outside > 3 way splitter > Kitchen HD DVR STB (motorola), Cable modem, Ceton. It's as simple as I can possibly get it.
Thanks for the assistance!

Does your box outside have a splitter in it? 2 cascaded 3-way splitters (in a worst-case configuration) can give you 15dB of loss.
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post #3658 of 4509
10/5/12 at 12:19pm
Also, most 3 way splitters are internally two cascaded 2 way splitters giving you 2 6db loss ports and one 3db loss port. Make sure your ceton is on the 3db port!
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post #3659 of 4509
10/5/12 at 3:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimwhite View Post

Also, most 3 way splitters are internally two cascaded 2 way splitters giving you 2 6db loss ports and one 3db loss port. Make sure your ceton is on the 3db port!

If you have an imbalanced 3 way splitter as discribed above I would guaranty that the cable co put their modem on the 3db loss port. They want as strong a signal as possible to their modems. However, I have seen many 3 way splitters that are really a 4 way with one port "capped" internally so all of the ports have the same 6 to 7 db loss.
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post #3660 of 4509
10/6/12 at 7:07am
wanted to give a quick update.

I switched the cable modem and Ceton on the splitter. So now my 3 way splitter is 6 db = Kitchen DVR and Cable modem. 3 db is the Ceton.

The signals are:

1= -12.5, snr 35.2
2= -12.8, 35.2
3= -12.1, 35.4
4= -6.4, 33.6

I haven't seen the low signal warning yet. Crossing my fingers smile.gif
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