Direct2Dell

TUNER not found

Shirley, Mike:

Sometimes Vista thinks the TV Tuners are part of your network, ie external to your computer (even though of course they are actually inside).  (Check this using Start/Network)

Some firewall programs like Norton then may have to be configured to permit access to the tuners, which initally the firewall program has thrown outside the wall.

Hey Guys!...Thanks for ALL the input...I did not received a remote control with my ATI Digital Tuner either and I'm trying to contact Dell to see what they'll do about this. Have any of you got a positive response in regards to this problem?...Is Dell liable for this?...After all, they charged over US$200.00 for this tuner....

A1210307	1	TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner FOR SALE WITH XPS 410 BD *****ONLY*****

Shirley,

I too have the ATI Digital Tuner and it loses connection to my Dell XPS 420.  I have had no luck with Dell support.  I had them replace the tuner but that did no good.  I am at a loss as to why the tuner will not stay connected.  I have a Comcast Digital Card but it does not matter if the card is installed or not.  The tuner loses connection after about 20 minutes.  You normally have to unplug the power and the USB and reconfigure MediaCenter to get it going again.  I have just given up.

Hi:

I was wondering if anyone is receiving: "Tuner Not Installed. Video cannot be displayed because no tuner hardware has been detected. Please check that your tuner hardware is properly installed and plugged in." I have only been able to watch TV a few times because I usually receive this message. I've tried unplugging the ATI Wonder Tuner and unplugging the USB. I'm not using a cable card at this time, due to lack of funds after purchasing the XPS 420. Does anybody have any info that might help me? I sure would appreciate it. Thanks, Shirley

What is going on with the digital cable support on the XPS 420? I've activated Vista with the digital activation key and still Media Center does not recognize my Hauppauge HVR-1250. I spent four hours obn line with a tech through the GoToAssist and a tech on the phone for over two hours at the same time and neither were able to resolve anything. I baught this PC to use with QAM and i get analog instead.

What is the problem?

Hi,

The XPS 420 I purchased did not come with a Digital Cable Product Key. Comcast is coming tomorrow to install the tuner, but won't be able to without it. I have contacted over a dozen support reps and managers, and all have been unable to assist me. Do you have any suggestions? I wrote it up in more detail on my blog, and can provide chat logs and reference numbers as well.

http://lostincode.wordpress.com/2008/07/21/lost-in-dell-support-maze/

Thanks,

Chris

Hi,

In your above blog you state "Back when we supported digital cable tuner on the XPS 410, we only offered it on a single configuration. On the XPS 420, it is a base option on the system." Unfortunately this is not the case as my XPS 420 did not come Digital Cable Ready. I was able tog et the BIOS update, but I need the Digital Cable Product Key.

Any chance you can help with this issue? I've posted more details to my blog here:

Thanks,

Chris

I have the following TV tuner card. Xcelerator with Hauppauge HVR1250 Hybrid TV Tuner and Remote  with the ATI 2600 Video card.  I attached my Direct TV box and I am not receiveng sound.  I tried to attach a cable from my Sat box to the input on back of the sound card but still no sound.  Please Help.

You can order it, I just did. 

Hi, 

Any idea why the ATI TV Wonder™ Digital Cable Tuner has disappeared from the tuners page today (it was there 4/21/08)? The XPS 420 can no longer be ordered with this card? When are they coming back?

Thanks

I just spent the better part of 2 hours trying to tell the Dell sales staff that they sell this product. If you call for it, use these SKU:

 [412-0953] and [A1210307]

Since I was mentioned in the blog post, I thought I’d give feedback on my experience with the XPS 420.  First of all, none of the following negative experiences I had are Dell’s fault.  I’m sure of that.  In fact, I feel really bad for having to return the system I bought.  It is like we are both victims.  First of all, I extensively researched all of the potential issues I might have.  What I was looking for here was a total digital entertainment solution.  I wanted this system to be my “digital media hub.”  I wanted it to record digital HD TV, play DVDs, and play Blue-Ray DVDs.  I bought an XPS 420 with an ATI HD2600 XT video card and dual ATI digital tuners… exactly the system I asked about originally.  I bought Dell 5.1 surround speakers that had analog connections, just in case DRM restrictions turned off the SPDIF digital outputs (I already have a 5.1 surround system that can handle SPDIF, but not analog inputs – go figure).  It is bad enough I had to even consider this factor with DRM restrictions.  I received my XPS 420 sans the ATI tuners, because, of course, there is a delay on getting those components.  I connected it to my HDTV via HDMI.  Vista displayed perfectly.  However, when I tried to play a regular DVD, there was an obvious HDCP problem.  This problem is a classic one, where a few frames will display and then you get snow or a blank screen.  I know HDCP works because I have other sources that require it – for example, my Xbox 360 Elite when playing HD downloaded content.  It will actually tell you the secure HDCP connection has been re-established when turning off the HDTV or switching back and forth between HDMI inputs.  In fact, this is instantaneous with no lost frames.  From the Xbox 360 and my HD DVR, I know that HDCP works at least with those two devices properly.  However, when trying to play a regular DVD with the XPS 420 and ATI HD2600 XT, I had HDCP issues.  If you get “snow” or a blank screen, it means the HDPC encryption is not working.  I tried installing all of the Vista updates.  I upgraded my ATI video card drivers.  I even went ahead and bought the full version of CyberLink DVD Ultra.  In fact, this made it worse because then the entire system totally locked up when playing any DVD – not Blue-Ray DVD, not HD content from the ATI tuners (because I had not received that component yet), just regular DVDs, which I assume were going to be up-converted… but regardless, were not being displayed on a 1080p HDTV over HDMI that supports the latest HDCP protocol and works with two other devices that use HDCP.  I have many other older displays that are not HDCP compliant which I tested with, and I didn’t have problems with those, other than the obvious issues with content that would normally require HDCP.

This leaves me wondering… who is at fault here?  Surely not Dell.  They are selling systems with 3^rd party components that are supposed to be HDCP compliant.  Is it the ATI HD2600 XT video card?  Is it Vista and its DRM system?  Is it my HDTV?  Surely, all of those 3^rd parties will tell you they are compliant with the HDCP standard.  I know this.  I’ve searched online about this sort of problem, and it’s more prevalent than one would think.  I returned my XPS 420 and all of the extras I bought with it, including a UPS, 5.1 surround speakers, and the system itself.  I simply cannot use a system that can’t display on the HDTV I own, given that other devices work fine with HDCP.  To Dell’s credit, I received a full refund.  One should not discount this fact… because I have to say, I feel really bad because of this experience.  I not only wasted my time and money, but Dell’s time and money.  It actually makes me feel bad.  It’s like I feel as if I ripped someone off.  I even want to buy a new XPS 420 with an Nvidia video card instead, just in case that would work based on one other experience I found while searching  – but it is not clear that those cards have HDMI output capability (only from looking at the Inspiron systems “help me choose”, which is not seen on the XPS systems web pages, could I see that the Nvidia cards seem not to have HDMI output, though I know various Nvida cards do support HDMI).  I want this system that badly, yet I just can’t bring myself to go that route because I just can’t justify wasting more time and money on either side.  If I knew for sure that the Nvidia card option did HDMI, I’d consider buying another system and just eating the cost if it didn’t work a 2^nd time, because I couldn’t bring myself to cause more problems (thus the purchase risk factor goes up).  Heck, charge me an extra $500 to make me feel better if I bought a 2nd system and ate the cost in case of failure.  I'm torn on the desire for such a media solution and my apparent hardware issues... and not wanting to cost Dell money on what could be an issue with my hardware.

Been through it all, including getting tuner reshipped complete with no bundled remote.  After over an hour on the line with a CSR, I have a standard Dell media center remote coming (sure I could have just went to any computer store and bought one, a nicer one even, but hey this was supposed to have one!)

My problem is that with the first tuner and with this ATI cable card (lack of TV wonder!) tuner I still can't get media center to 1. recognize there is a tuner, though network connections show its there. 2. get it to recognize my cable signal for just analog cable when it does recognize the tuner. Yes, it goes back and forth between recognizing it and not doing so.

 This is so frustrating, between this and the fiasco that is DHL getting all this delivered I am running out of my 21 days to return it, and I still havent seen a dang thing on the media center, tv wise.
 

After MUCH persuasion I did finally receive a remote from Dell. I received the Logitech Harmony 550 Advanced Universal Remote. It looks like a very nice remote. Although it does not come with an IR receiver, so I am a little confused as to how it is supposed to work with a PC?

I did not receive a remote and IR receiver with my XPS 420.  I called Dell Customer Service on 12/31.  The CSR spoke with some people then ordered a new set of digital cable tuners.  They arrived today with no remote control.  Sigh...

Would someone please get to the bottom of this, please, pretty please?

Thanks,

Keith Combs

Hey Lionel, can you just send me one of these?

I asked the resolution specialist that called me back today, but she said no cause it's too expensive. So they are just going to ship me some new tuners, which probably still won't include a remote. So I'll have to send those back, and start all over.

Will Direct TV HD work with the ATI TV Digital Cable Tuner?  If not what will work with Direct TV HD?

I installed Direct TV today and the reciever they gave me does not have a coaxial output to connect to the TV tuner...

Can somebody help me out?

Lionel,

I currently have a re-shipment of the tuners "in production". I think it's silly someone thinks the appropriate action is to ship another box of tuners.  I mean come on, does that make sense to anyone?  Now that Andrew Dignan received his shipment sans remote, I have no confidence I'll receive my remote either.

As a good starting point, could you guys post a picture of the remote that is supposed to be delivered with the XPS 420?  Could you at least post some information on if the remote is supposed to be included with the system at shipment, or shipped with the tuners?  Do you ship the same remote with all XPS 420 systems regardless of the TV tuner or does the Digital Cable Tuner warrant something different and special?

Please post something tangible soon,

Keith Combs

The XPS 420 Dell shipped to ZDNET for their Review had a Remote....

http://review.zdnet.com/desktops/dell-xps-420/4505-3118_16-32716531.html

"The Dell's price also includes a fancy, $70 LCD-equipped (non-SideShow) remote control"

Same problem here. I talked to customer care on Friday and they are suppose to have a "resolution specialist" call me back. Haven't heard anything from them yet. Please give us an easy solution to get our remotes!

(HELP- not another xps product release nightmare!!!)
 

Maybe I'll return my system now too. I want my remote!! What a hassle Dell is now a days....

Remote....

I just received my new XPS 420 as well and I ordered the DUAL ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner "WITH REMOTE" and did not receive a remote or IR.  Is the IR built into the 420? (I don't see one) or is it a BlueTooth remote?  How do I go about getting this remote?

Sam~

 I have not received the Remote Control as well. In fact, after hours of being on hold and transferred around the globe, I was finally informed that I would not be receiving the Remote Control. The configuration page clearly states that a Remote Control comes with the Single ATI TV Tuner. My order confirmation clearly stated that the Remote Control was included as well. However, Dell Customer Care stated that the configuration page was a mistake, and if I wanted the Remote I would need to return my current TV Tuner and re-order a new one with the Remote. I spent $4K in the last two weeks on my system from Dell. I'm returning the whole system as I do not believe I received what I purchased.

The "Support" I received from Dell was HORRIBLE!

Has anybody recieved the remote control for this product?

I called Dell XPS Tech support and they didn't even know what this product was so they transfered me over to customer care and they didn't know either and told me to call tech support.  What the hell is going on DELL!?

Dell has got to have the worst customer care and tech support.  They don't know anything about what they sell...

I also did not recieve a remote control.  I called customer service and asked them about the remote and told me they will get back to me.  Still no repnose...I called again and another customer care told me he doesn't know anything about it.  Told me he will find out and give me a call...Still no reponse....I am STILL WAITING! What is wrong with DELL CUSTOMER CARE!? These people don't know what they are talking about.  Does anyone have a different customer care phone number where I can talk to someone in the US instead of the call getting routed to India?

 Also,  I have subscrition with Direct TV which does not offer cablecards.  If I hooked up the satellite reciever provided by Direct TV and hooked it up to the TV tuner will I get the same picture and functionality as having a cablecard? 

Thanks.

By the way, I did not receive the remote control and IR receiver with my order, nor did some readers of my blog.  As you can see in your screenshot, it is listed.  I'll be calling Dell Customer Service tomorrow but it appears there is a but in the ordering and packaging process since it wasn't in the parts list for my order.  No big deal, but it does need to be fixed.

 Cheers,

 Keith

I purchased the "Xcelerator with Hauppauge HVR1250 Hybrid TV Tuner and Remote" 
with my xps420, does that support digital cable?

If I want to watch cable channels in HD (hbo) do I need an HD box? Any help here will be greatly appreciated...thanks
 

I just got the xps420 and plugged the tv cable right into the pc 'tv in" outlet from the wall outlet and the picture looks like crap (i got the 24 inch monitor)

 Do I need to get an HD box to get a true HD picture? Any feedback would be great. Thanks
 

Ok, I've been playing with my XPS 420 for a couple of days.  See http://blogs.technet.com/keithcombs/archive/2007/12/15/dell-xps-420-first-impressions.aspx for my first impressions.  More later when I get my CableCards installed.

Keith Combs

Finally! (been waiting over 2 years for this product)

Now Windows media center actually has a purpose.

I received everything already.  I like it when I buy something and they promise it will be to you by Christmas and it arrives the next day (almost).

The tuners are the ATI Digital Cable tuners (external) pictured all over the internet.

Time to call Verizon and place an order for two more CableCards.

And Bill, yea I wish all of my HD cable channels were in the clear and didn't require CC's, but I didn't make the rules.  If I want to record a movie from HBO, or Showtime, I have little choice other than the CableCard route.

Cheers,

Keith

Ok, let me re-phrase the question.  I ordered the dual digital cable tuner option with my XPS 420.  Will I receive the external ATI digital cable tuners that connect via USB, or does the machine arrive with two internal cable tuner cards?

It certainly isn't clear at the website what will be shipped.  All previous pictures show the XPS 410 with the external tuners so I am just looking to confirm what the design is for the XPS 420.

Thanks,

Keith

I think it's fantastic that you are now offering this.  Nice to see a mainstream, supported option at a reasonable price.

I've been looking at my options and one issue I've seen with CableCards is a struggle Tivo is currently going through to provide support for the switched digital channels that many cable companies (such as Time Warner in Austin) are moving to.  Do you have any insight into how this is being addressed in the future (either with Dell or in general)?  I'm concerned if I take the plunge now I may have to buy another machine soon to see the SDV stuff.  And for now, I'm not sure everyone is aware that even basic channels such as TBSHD and ESPNHD may not be viewable with a cable card alone if your local Cable COmpany is using SDV.

Is there currently, or is Dell going to release a video card option that allows a users to use and HDMI connection to connect their PC to their LCD or Plasma TV for true 1080p video?

Thanks.

 Craig

For your Linux systems, provide the pcHDTV HD-5500 card as an option. It does over-the-air digital HD ATSC, cable QAM, and analog NTSC.

CableCard is poison because of the DRM anti-features.

Hello,

I just purchased the XPS 420 with the dual digital cable tuner option.  Do you have any pictures of what I'll receive?  I'm curious to know if it's two of the external ATI devices or what.

Thanks,

Keith