[linux-dvb] Nova-T 500 windows driver update fixes reception problems

[Patrick Boettcher]

Hi all,

I have discussed with the people involved with Hauppauge at DiBcom and 
wanted to know the problem.

They explained me, that the actual problem/mistake is the broadcaster: 
They are using SFNs (single-frequency network, a DVB-T mux is transmitted 
by several, geographically different, transmitters) and each transmitter 
has its own cell-id in the TPS. As the channels are the same, the cell-id 
should be the same as well. 

I have the register settings for the dib3000p and dib7000p (no rev-eng 
necessary) which disable some algos to work-around that. However I would 
like to make that a module-load option, because here in France and afaik 
in Berlin, Germany, the SFNs are OK and disable the algos may cost other 
performance problems.

I will try to prepare a patch for that as soon as I can.

Patrick.



On Tue, 10 Apr 2007, Matt Doran wrote:

> Hi all,
> 
> I've been using the Nova-T 500 PCI card and I'm using the Ubuntu 2.6.20
> kernel.   I and others in Melbourne, Australia have been having reception
> problems on a couple of channels.   The problem is not related to signal
> strength/quality, but region specific.   The Windows Media Center community in
> Australia were also having the same reception problems (see very long thread
> <http://www.xpmediacentre.com.au/community/tuners-mce/12244-hauppage-nova-t-500-driver-bug-20.html#post120121>).
> This community worked with the Australian distributer (New Magic), who worked
> closely with Hauppauge to debug/fix the problem.  After a couple of months
> they got a fix.
> 
> Apparently the problem was with the dib0700 chipset.  So this might affect
> more than just this card.  Here's the quote:
> 
>    "For those interested the issue actually had nothing to do with
>    Hauppauge, but rather was a chipset issue which we have identified
>    in other tuner and set-top products. Because the issue is unique to
>    only small parts of Australia, many users and manufacturers write
>    the symptoms off as a reception problem."
> 
> 
> The update hasn't been released publicly yet, but is available upon request
> from New Magic (see note on this page
> <http://www.newmagic.com.au/support/Hauppauge_Vista_Drivers.html>).  Any one
> interested can also email me off list, and I'd be happy to send it through.
> The Windows instructions for installing the fix are:
> 
>    * Install the latest drivers from here:
>      http://www.newmagic.com.au/support/Hauppauge_Vista_Drivers.html 
>    * Copy the updated file "hcw99bda.sys" into the
>      C:\windows\system32\drivers into the driver directory.
>    * Restart the system.
> 
> Hopefully this is just a firmware fix, or something easy to reverse engineer.
> ;)
> 
> Anyone know if "hcw99bda.sys" contains firmware?  And how to extract it?
> 
> Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
> 
> Regards,
> Matt Doran
> 
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