Peter's Blog - Hardware

ATI DCT Firmware Released - Install not so obvious

Peter — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:39:33 GMT

Thanks to EngadgetHD, I've been made aware that the ATI DCT (Digital Cable Tuner) update has finally been released.
We're now up to 1.19.12

Did this on Windows7x64

1) Installing via Windows Update. Not available directly from AMD/ATI

2. Curious. Says it is installed, but it didn't update my firmeware. Guess I'll aimlessly restart the computer before I start getting too upset

3. Upon reboot, it automatically starts updating both of my DCTs. I can hear it restart each tuner after it flashes each

4. Confirmed on device homepage

5. Confirmed by recording a show. Family Guy was before the update. You can see it is DRM protected. You should be able to record a show after the update with no DRM

DirecTV for PC future is dead

Peter — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:39:56 GMT

Long story short: DirecTV is bitch slapping Microsoft for not integrating Satellite TV into the Media Center TV Pack 2008 release. Since it was not integrated, the feature would have to wait until Windows 7. As much as MS is shooting for next year, DirecTV knows better.

It is still very depressing that DirecTV isn't going to stick it out. VMC won my heart when it could integrate many different sources into one UI creating a true 'set-top box experience' through a PC. Integrating Satellite TV would be one more way to corner the market and provide something NOONE else can.

http://www.gearlog.com/2008/12/its_official_the_directv_hdpc2.php from http://thedigitallifestyle.com/cs/blogs/ian/archive/2008/12/09/no-directv-for-media-center.aspx

HDD Format Failure - weirdest fix

Peter — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:23:00 GMT

One of my machines is a nice EVGA 680i SLI Motherboard. She's sporting a RAID array of 2 WD Raptor HDDs, Core2Duo 1.86 Ghz overclocked to 2.8 Ghz, and a sexy LianLi case.

She has been my workhorse for a while now and hasn't let me down.

Recently, it has been a dedicated media center that my parents use. My father, becoming as nerdy as me (or maybe i got it from him), purchased a Seagate 1.5 TB SATA HDD: a beauty! It would NOT take a format under ANY condition. Considering I had a variety of HDDs in there already with an extensive history configurations, I had come to the conclusion that the drive was faulty. Receiving the replacement HDD, the same problem existed....

I was lost it. How could this happen? The HDD fails a full format around 73% EVERY TIME, and it would never take a quick format. It also failed the Seagate diagonostics software! The twist: it will format on another machine!

So I decided to try some updated 680i chipset drivers. It fixed the problem immediately. The drive took a quick format, and I started a full format on her just to be sure. I generally expect stability fixes in driver updates, but this is one of the strangest/largest issue I've seen get corrected.

Either way, thanks Nvidia for correcting it.

Why is CableCard DRM bad?

Peter — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:10:36 GMT

So glad you asked. I'm going to give this to you in a story (then a rant), but we'll start with some background.

An ATI Digital CableCard tuner will encrypt ALL shows recorded, period. Some have noted that this may change to only encrypt shows that request it, but this doesn't solve the overall problem. This DRM chain is built off of many items: (i don't remember the exact ones, but this is a good start) GPU, Processor, Motherboard. Note: you can only buy your initial pc from an OEM so you have a secondary product code purely for the cablecard setup

Once you start recording shows, if you change a single item of hardware: BOOM, you can NEVER watch your recorded shows. This happens because the hardware change caused a break in the DRM chain. You will have to erase all of your shows, and start from scratch.

OK, story time....

Bought a refurbished MediaCenter, Sony Vaio VGX-XL3. I doubled up the RAM, bought a new GPU, and added an additional tuner card. Everything works GREAT, except that the ATI GPU is not compatible with the new Media Center TV Pack 2008. Now, first off, I'm no fool. This was a leaked update, and it was my own risk. I totally understand this, so I'm only willing to put the blame on Microsoft in the fact that they went along with this DRM scheme for 1 reason. I will have put my old GPU (nvidia 7000 series)in the computer, I will want to put the new one in once ATI updates their drivers. "Wait... didn't we just talk about that?" It will destory my DRM chain and create a new one. "But Peter, why won't you just use the non-TV pack version?" I'm spoiled by the new features? It handles multiple TV sources MUCH better than the previous release and it handles HD much better in the guide. Plus, even if I were to leave the ATI GPU in and run the orginal Vista Media Center, I'd still lose my DRM chain by upgrading to the TV pack! I might as well keep the TV pack and deal with the older GPU. Note: the reason I'm freaking out is due to the fact that Comcast is coming tomorrow to install my CableCards.

So if you followed me through the this rant, hopefully you'll come to my same conclusion... DRM sucks. It's pointless and extreme overkill. CableLabs, Microsoft, Comcast, NBC, FOX, FCC, whoever is willing to listen. GO LOOK at the torrent sites out there. All of your shows are out there, they will continue to be out there, and you usually release your shows on your website anyway!!!!! (I hate the "who cares because it's going to happen anyway arguement, but honestly, they'll never be 100% protected" for whoever's diety's sake, they were happy Batman: Dark Knight was only leaked hours after the movie was released??? ) So why would a typical CableCard PC owner have to pay over $1000 to get screwed from so many angles? This is all done for one purpose: so you cannot copy a tv episode file from your PC to a different PC. Lame!

I call BS, someone needs to stand up and try using some common sense. I'm sure most of this started with CableLabs and everyone just caved to them since CableLabs dragged their feet releasing the CableCards in the first place and everyone was happy when it finally came out. Also, how was it that there was a specification to for 2-way communication for Cable Co's to use on their DVR boxes, but it JUST WASN'T possible to put the 2-way communication in the first CableCard release? This makes me cringe EVERY time I talk to Comcast about CableCards,"But sir, if you use a CableCard, you won't be able to get On-Demand content. Which DVR box would you like?". It takes every bit of energy for me to hold back and not go ballistic. I usually come up with something clever,"It keeps me from giving your more money".

Image 1 Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Img_5022.jpg
Image 2 Credit: me!

Again my friends, a server

Peter — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:44:45 GMT

So, I've been doing some thinking. Our last plan for getting a server involved collocation and and slim server. Both not cheap. This was brought up last time, and I'm warming up to it: build a server (not worrying about size), and have someone host it @ their home with a static IP internet connection.

This way we don't have to worry about ~~Bryan running torrents~~ how much bandwidth we use. Sure, it will be a little slower in speed, but I'm willing to accept this.

Comments.. ready... set... go!

ClearQAM with HVR-1800 on VMC -TGB

Peter — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:42:25 GMT

Thanks to an ~~*official*~~ ~~*unofficial*~~, who gives a **** , a simple registry key will unlock most of the WinTV lineup from Hauppauge in Vista Media Center

http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/permalink/293058/292728/ShowThread.aspx#292728

Photo taken with HTC Tilt by PeterFnet

Just make sure you try it with the latest drivers that are public, and you'll be in the clear. I did not even have to update my drivers. Works great! I don't have as many channels as I had in OTA, but this could be all that Comcast provides to me over Clear QAM. I'll see what the WinTV app finds for QAM channels and compare. Once they get it working for the true dual tuner (HVR-2250), I'll be purchasing that!

Thanks to mjp14 for posting it!

REGEDIT4
;
; NOTE: this file should ONLY be used to enable Clear QAM support on Fiji
; (ie, "Windows Vista Media Center Feature Pack 2008")
;
; Using this file WILL break applications that only support the legacy "ATSC Network Provider"
; Apps must be recompiled to use the newer "MS Network Provider" if this file is used
;
; These keys control exposing support of Fiji compatible QAM for various ATSC products
; (of course, the HW products must be physically capable of supportting QAM!!!)
;
; You MUST restart you system after this file is installed for the changes to take effect
;
; HVR-1250, HVR-1290, HVR-1500q, HVR-1800, HVR-1850
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\HCW85BDA\Parameters]
"AllowQAM_PowerToy"=dword:00000001

; HVR-1600 (only some models support QAM; should list them here)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\HCW18BDA\Parameters]
"AllowQAM_PowerToy"=dword:00000001

; HVR-USB2, HVR-1950
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\HCW73BDA\Parameters]
"AllowQAM_PowerToy"=dword:00000001

; HVR-950q
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\HCW72DTV\Parameters]
"AllowQAM_PowerToy"=dword:00000001

; HVR-2250 (not yet supporrted)

Long nerdy projects actually coming to an end. Ha! Proved you wrong!

Peter — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:49:41 GMT

Those who know me know I have a severely high level of nerdiness that probably borders on some form of a disorder. My two largest projects recently involved my Vehicle and my Media Center PC. A very detailed write-up on each project will be posted in the future.

Each project involved a very large amount of time, but wasn't too horrible on the budget at the same time. This was pretty important since I was in college for most of it!

1. My 1996 ford explorer: On-Board x86 Computer Windows XP SP3, runs StreetDeck mobile software, GPS, touchscreen embedded in dashboard with custom bezel, MTX sound system, plenty of emergency lighting (not gaudy), and a 2-way VHF radio for ham/government

2. Media Center: Hauppauge HVR-1800 Cable Tuner with Digital OTA, 2 GB RAM, HD-DVD drive, Blu-Ray drive, ArcSoft TotalMedia Theatre, and VMC Netflix.

To my fellow nerds... Server collocation

Peter — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:52:28 GMT

A few of us have talked about renting some dedicated hosting. Primarily collocation hosting. It'd mean upfront purchase and ownership of server, and only a monthly cost for rack space, power, internets, bandwidth.

Personally, I'm very tired for getting pw3nd by shared hosting providers. I do understand that it can't be perfect, but you still have to have a decent uptime, and you can't lie. I'd go into detail about how 1and1 has screwed with me over the years but I'll be brief (tried to cancel webhosting but keep Exchange, but told me I had to get a different Exchange account and transfer my mail, or else it would be lost since the Exchange was 'attached' to the webhosting. Seems like a billing problem, not MY problem. Also, if I call you to tell you your server has been down for 30 minutes, and I call and you fix it while I'm on hold, don't passively treat me like I'm bothering you because everything is working)

Also, their .net app restrictions are not the best.

Okay, it wasn't too brief. But I've played out the numbers assuming I purchase the server, and it'll cost you less than good meal per month.

Update: +1 BJ +1 SP +1PS

Check out http://ntsource.com/web-hosting/colocation-web-hosting.html

Update: BJ and PeterS have brought up cloud hosting options like Amazon's EC2 and GoGrid. I am not very familiar with these, and they seem to charged based on application. But if it were possible to have a single app running windows server 2008 VM, I could see it working.

Amazon's Kindle

Peter — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:20:10 GMT

I've seen lots of blogs talking about the Kindle, but I've never seen one in person. It actually didn't look that awkward or out of place.

Screw Starbucks or other hipster hangouts, KFC/A&W FTW.

Edit: Thanks for pointing it out, Chris!

Another dead Hauppauge card

Peter — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:28:50 GMT

Two Hauppauge cards(HVR-1600 and HVR-1800) that will not tune QAM or OTA Digital. Now, the chances would seem to be slim, but what else could it be? When I take the coax from my tv (that tunes clear QAM), and plug it into my Hauppauge card, it fails. It was also a clean install of Vista. So now I RMA it again, at least they'll cover the shipping for an additional RMA

QAM in Media Center - Painful

Peter — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 02:22:35 GMT

I've always been a fan of Media Center, even in its infancy. But with ways to integrate Blu-ray, HD-dvd, Netflix, into a networked DVR on steroids, it makes Media Center a great choice for an all-in-one solution.

Fantastics aside, it's still plagued with problems that it should not have. In order to get most of these features, you need to have t3h nerd skills which brings me to QAM.

Sweet (biblical reference), clear QAM support should be in Media Center!!!! Most cards support QAM now, but you need to use their application to tune it to QAM channels.

Many card manufacturers like Hauppauge,WinTV products, have taken to the task of creating ways to trick media center into tuning QAM. The Beta driver has you setup an OTA as if you're using an antenna. Then you launch a separate application to map those channels to actual QAM channels from your cable service.
Put simply, it's a good thing they call it beta, so no hard feelings. They were driven to this horrid option. Even talking to an employee of Hauppauge, he/she was not able to get it to work. In addition to that, there was a report that after installation, it hosed *something* and QAM wouldn't even work in the WinTV app. Eeeek!

Nevertheless, I'm doing a clean install of Vista, prepping a disk image, and will be reporting back some findings!

Edit: go see a newer post of mine