AM21 Oddness

[ejb1980]

Yesterday, I was looking through the "all channels" list to look for a game on an alternate channel that I don't have in my favorites list. We could discuss the lack of properly functioning search feature on Directv equipment, but that's been beaten to death. The boolean search is like the search on this site - it only works when it wants to and for certain people.

Instead, I will share something that I found that I like...

If you clicked on this, you probably know about the AM21 and it's flukes, perks, flaws, and benefits; HR2X: database and no actual OTA scan, HR34/44: full scan with info from database. In my area there is a local PBS subchannel that is ONLY available on Time Warner Cable, UNC-MX. I get it on TWC QAM ch 4-4. It USED to be OTA, though, and was on the -4 or -5 channel in most areas. You could still add the guide data for this channel with the HR2X+AM21 set up because Directv never updates the database, but it was lost with the Genie+AM21 set-up because it can't scan for something that doesn't exist.

I do not receive channel 36, WUNP Roanoke Rapids, OTA (or on Directv for that matter). Directv gives me ch 26 WUNL Winston Salem and 26-2 UNCEX for PBS. I do not receive that channel OTA, but I receive ch 4 WUNC Chapel Hill, 4-2 UNC-Kids, and 4-3 UNC-EX. Yet, for some reason, 36-5 was showing in my "All channels" guide. So, now it's in my favorites list and I can see the info for UNC-MX without an online search. Losing the one-screen source for all UNC-MX was the only disadvantage I could see from the HR24 to HR34 upgrade, and now it's back! And, that is a very MINOR disadvantage.

I wonder why this happened. Thought I'd share, as this is a rare (and probably only) thing that could be seen as a positive that comes from the Directv database never being updated. Now if only we could merge the OTA and QAM signals into the AM21 so it could be watched directly from the Directv guide...

 

[harshness]

I wonder why this happened. Thought I'd share, as this is a rare (and probably only) thing that could be seen as a positive that comes from the Directv database never being updated. Now if only we could merge the OTA and QAM signals into the AM21 so it could be watched directly from the Directv guide...

As the AM-21 is not QAM capable, I'm not sure what the point would be. Most devices that you would use to tune QAM should have limited guide capability.

 

[raoul5788]

As the AM-21 is not QAM capable, I'm not sure what the point would be. Most devices that you would use to tune QAM should have limited guide capability.

That depends upon how old the equipment is. A few years back guides were common in QAM equipment.

 

[harshness]

That depends upon how old the equipment is. A few years back guides were common in QAM equipment.

Most are aware that PSIP support was a requirement for the subsidized adapter program.

Do you have evidence that PSIP support is going away on the receiver side?

 

[raoul5788]

What are you talking about? I didn't say anything about adapters. I'm referring to the built in guides that many televisions had just a few years ago. That has nothing to do with what may happen to PSIP support today.

 

[ejb1980]

I still don't understand how my AM21 is seeing a channel that only exists on QAM...

 

[Mr Tony]

gremlins......thats all I can come up with

If you moved the AM21 from the HR2X to the HR34 its possible the data is somehow still in the AM21 (or corrupted) and it shows
I know one time I tried something goofy...the old "load a 2nd zip to get guide for a channel in the market that isnt in the database) and it stuck after resets and everything. Needed to clear out the OTA then do a double red button reboot to fix it

 

[ejb1980]

I had thought of that, too, Iceberg... BUT... when I had my HR24, the guide data for UNC-MX was on channel 26-5, not 36-5!

 

[Mr Tony]

it might go by the zip code...looking at the OTA charts it shows both a 26-5 and 36-5 from "Research Triangle Pa, NC."

Here is the OTA list so you can look

 

[harshness]

What are you talking about?

I'm talking about the OP's desire for QAM support on the AM21 (not going to happen) and guide data integration (typically not available on QAM systems) to make it useful.

You seem to be talking about older televisions (or maybe TiVos) and OTA guide data and I don't see the connection.

 

[raoul5788]

As the AM-21 is not QAM capable, I'm not sure what the point would be. Most devices that you would use to tune QAM should have limited guide capability.

That depends upon how old the equipment is. A few years back guides were common in QAM equipment.

I'm talking about the OP's desire for QAM support on the AM21 (not going to happen) and guide data integration (typically not available on QAM systems) to make it useful.

You seem to be talking about older televisions (or maybe TiVos) and OTA guide data and I don't see the connection.

You were the one that said QAM tuners had limited guide capability. I merely pointed out that that fact is time dependent since older televisions often had QAM tuners and guides. See the connection now?

 

[harshness]

You were the one that said QAM tuners had limited guide capability. I merely pointed out that that fact is time dependent since older televisions often had QAM tuners and guides. See the connection now?

I said that most QAM capable devices (as opposed to the tuners themselves) featured guide capability. Dragging in older televisions into a discussion of AM21s and similar seems to be a coming out of left field. What's happening now and whether it is getting better or worse is surely of much greater interest.

Since the OP isn't going to get the desired guide integration from DIRECTV, they'll have to fall back on whatever the QAM device provides (whether a TV or a standalone tuner). Unfortunately, PSIP isn't common with cable.

 

[raoul5788]

I most humbly apologize for using your own words against you. How could I have been so thoughtless.....

 

[Hutch1814]

I most humbly apologize for using your own words against you. How could I have been so thoughtless.....

 

[raoul5788]

As the AM-21 is not QAM capable, I'm not sure what the point would be. Most devices that you would use to tune QAM should have limited guide capability.

I said that most QAM capable devices (as opposed to the tuners themselves) featured guide capability. Dragging in older televisions into a discussion of AM21s and similar seems to be a coming out of left field. What's happening now and whether it is getting better or worse is surely of much greater interest.

Since the OP isn't going to get the desired guide integration from DIRECTV, they'll have to fall back on whatever the QAM device provides (whether a TV or a standalone tuner). Unfortunately, PSIP isn't common with cable.

First you were talking about the AM21 and it's QAM capabilities. In the next sentence you mention devices that tune QAM and their guide capabilities. What other logical conclusion should be drawn than you were referring to QAM tuners?

 

[twizt3dsist3r]

Itd be nice if the am21 could add qam channels to the guide.

And just to clarify for those that dont know it cannot currently do this, its just wishful thinking for the next release

Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[ejb1980]

it might go by the zip code...looking at the OTA charts it shows both a 26-5 and 36-5 from "Research Triangle Pa, NC."

Here is the OTA list so you can look

I bet all of the UNC channels say Research Triangle Park. 26 is WUNL Winston-Salem, 4 is WUNC Chapel Hill, 36 is WUNP Roanoke Rapids.