Pal Tuner Mod - Black Screen

[pjpete]

Just out of curiousity. Does the palmod.o/palmod_config files need to be downloaded if I am running version 3.0 - 1.6.2 of the image? I would have thought it contains the most recent version of these files.

Only reason I ask is that the mod we did today didn't quite work. All AV inputs work great with the Foxtel STB, RF is flowing through the pal tuner as it reaches the TV with no probs (ie: we can use normal channels on the TV because the signal is flowing through the tuner). But when you view Live TV we get a black screen with no audio at all.

Have triple checked the chip soldering, and also the correct linked pins on the tuner. We removed the channel selector switch as well.

I will fire up the beast again tonight and obtain some logs if anyone can point me to the right ones to supply.

[Darren King]

The latest 1.6.2 image (and for that matter all since around 1.3) has the necessary files to make the PAL tuner work and these are installed as standard.

A couple of things to note:


1. Do you get UHF RF output (default is channel 60) from an A/V input?

2. You have not altered the palmod_config to say it is a "philips" tuner but left it set to the default of Samsung/Alps?

If the how-to document is followed to the letter then the tuner will work, provided of course you have also run through Guided Setup correctly too.

[pjpete]

The latest 1.6.2 image (and for that matter all since around 1.3) has the necessary files to make the PAL tuner work and these are installed as standard.

Excellent thought so :)



1. Do you get UHF RF output (default is channel 60) from an A/V input?

Sorry for being a tad dumb on this one, but what exactly do you mean here ?


2. You have not altered the palmod_config to say it is a "philips" tuner but left it set to the default of Samsung/Alps?

Well actually I went into palmod_config and specifically selected Samsung/Alps then saved just to be sure. Didn't know what it defaulted to so thought I would select it.


If the how-to document is followed to the letter then the tuner will work, provided of course you have also run through Guided Setup correctly too.

And here is where I think my problem lies, having never done a PAL tuner install, I was waiting for the "Please select Input" part where I got to choose the RF as the input, it never showed. I think I have just buggered up the install, so it's start from scratch tomorrow night with the Guided Setup.

Is there a log file I can post here to perhaps point you in a particular direction for support ?

[Darren King]

Sorry for being a tad dumb on this one, but what exactly do you mean here ?

The PAL tuner by default outputs the signal from the TiVo on UHF channel 60 in addition to also having your normal A/V output connections. I suggest tuning your TV into this channel and see if you can see the TiVo. If you can then your PAL tuner installation should be pretty much OK.


Well actually I went into palmod_config and specifically selected Samsung/Alps then saved just to be sure. Didn't know what it defaulted to so thought I would select it.

OK then.



And here is where I think my problem lies, having never done a PAL tuner install, I was waiting for the "Please select Input" part where I got to choose the RF as the input, it never showed. I think I have just buggered up the install, so it's start from scratch tomorrow night with the Guided Setup.

Sounds like it. You should select for two inputs, then when it asks for your first input source you select "I'm using an antenna and PAL tuner" and then from the list of available services from your area select whatever location is appropriate (ie "Brisbane Analog FTA" or whatever for your area, ensuring you see the word Analog in the selection) and then when you get to the "Connections to Recorder" page do not touch the settings for first input source.


Is there a log file I can post here to perhaps point you in a particular direction for support ?

Not sure. I don't think so.

[pjpete]

OK, this may be of some use I hope to someone. I am guessing an incorrect solder of the Micronas chip ?

(none) kernel: I2C arbitration error at address 0x88.
(none) last message repeated 2 times
(none) kernel: Msp: error reading MSP HW ver.
(none) kernel: Msp: MajorRevCode Version 0x0
(none) kernel: I2C arbitration error at address 0x88.
(none) kernel: Msp: error reading ROM ver.
(none) kernel: Msp: ROM Version 0x0
(none) kernel: Msp: ProductCode = 0x0
(none) kernel: Msp: *** Unknown MSP product!!! ***0x0
(none) kernel: I2C arbitration error at address 0x88.
(none) kernel: I2C arbitration error at address 0x88.
(none) kernel: mediaswitch: returning -1 from standin tune after tuning to ch -1 with adjust 0
(none) kernel: tuning:lock 1
(none) kernel: tuning:lock 0

[petestrash]

OK, this may be of some use I hope to someone. I am guessing an incorrect solder of the Micronas chip ?

It certainly looks that way. Do you see any other I2C errors from other devices on the bus? EG the SAA7114 which loads before the Micronas chip.

Peter.

[Darren King]

I'll agree with Peter. SMD soldering can be tricky. If you want a REAL challenge then try replacing the large TiVo ASIC chip or the Sony MPEG encoder. Those used to take me hours at first but now got it down to 15 minutes with the same rework tools and a LOT of experience :)

[pjpete]

Do you see any other I2C errors from other devices on the bus? EG the SAA7114 which loads before the Micronas chip.
Peter.

I found this a little further up the screen on a previous reboot

(none) kernel: I2C arbitration error at address 0x8A.
(none) kernel: We are using the Philips 7121 video encoder.
(none) kernel: pxmpegdecode configured in PAL mode.
(none) kernel: PX DECODE HYBRID: IBM CS22 initialization completed!
(none) kernel: MPEG: MPEG subsystem initialization completed
(none) kernel: MAJOR number = 78
(none) kernel: PALmod: in rc.arch loadMpegOutput
(none) kernel: PALMOD: Migrate old tuner type of 1 to tuner/freq values
(none) kernel: PALMOD: Tuner type=1
(none) kernel: PALMOD: Frequency table=0
(none) kernel: I2C arbitration error at address 0x88.
(none) kernel: PALMOD: Unknown sound processor detected: 0
(none) kernel: PALMOD: Using tuner type 1
(none) kernel: PALMOD: Horizontal resolution=544
(none) kernel: PALMOD: Horizontal shift=195
(none) kernel: PALMOD: S-Video saturation=85
(none) kernel: PALMOD: S-Video brightness=125
(none) kernel: PALMOD: S-Video contrast=67
(none) kernel: PALMOD: Composite saturation=85
(none) kernel: PALMOD: Composite brightness=125
(none) kernel: PALMOD: Composite contrast=67
(none) kernel: PALMOD: A/V input audio level=25
(none) kernel: PALMOD: Tuner saturation=85
(none) kernel: PALMOD: Tuner brightness=125
(none) kernel: PALMOD: Tuner contrast=67
(none) kernel: PALMOD: Tuner audio level=25
(none) kernel: PALMOD: Luminance delay=0
(none) kernel: PALMOD: Stereo detection threshold=16
(none) kernel: PALMOD: RF Output channel=60
(none) kernel: PALMOD: register_chrdev successful
(none) kernel: PALMOD Version 3.2 loaded successfully

We will just have to give it another crack in the morning and see if we get a better result. I have noticed now that the sound no longer comes in via the AV inputs. Video is fine, but audio has vanished overnight (which again I am putting it down to the soldering)

Darren, don't be offended I would have sent it to you, but i'm having a great time learning and it's so much more fun waiting for the puff of smoke after you have a go at soldering these in. :D

[Darren King]

Darren, don't be offended I would have sent it to you, but i'm having a great time learning and it's so much more fun waiting for the puff of smoke after you have a go at soldering these in. :D

Not offended at all. In fact I also believe that the only way to learn is "hands on". I'm quite happy to take a back seat and help when asked. I haven't put much input in as quite hoestly if the mod has been performed as per the how-to document and the TiVo was functional before the mod commenced then it simply "works" afterwards. It has to be soldering and has to be the micronas chip if you have also lost A/V input sound.

[pjpete]

Hmmm , not so good. Have checked (then triple checked all possible solder joints. We get video via AV input, but the sounds swaps between nothing and a high pitched squealing. Went through the instructions over and over, and am certain we never missed anything. No dummy to soldering these types of chips as we do satellite receivers quite often. A guess is that we have blown the chip with static during install, or perhaps overheated this particular one.

Still, no great loss, have a wonderful collection of spares for the other TiVo's now :)

[Darren King]

but the sounds swaps between nothing and a high pitched squealing. Went through the instructions over and over

Try resoldering the crystal besite the micronas chip, or if you feel adventerous swap one from another TiVo. I've experienced what you are describing and it is either dry soldering under the crystal or a dud crystal - sometimes heat sensitive.


Still, no great loss, have a wonderful collection of spares for the other TiVo's now :)

Shame if this is the case. Hate to see a good TiVo go bad. If you ever want to save it let me know. I'd actually be interested to know what went wrong with what should have been an easy mod for someone with your calibre.