Hi All, I’m hoping for some help figuring out why no channels are found when setting up Live TV/DVR
I’ve got an Intel Nuc HomeBase running windows 10 with a tv tuner lid directly connected to an amplified digital antenna by a coax cable. I go through the initial setup screen, successfully selecting my tuner device, but no channels are found on channel scan.
Steps I’ve Taken:
Updated Plex Media Server
Updated Windows
Updated all device drives and Bios
Successfully tested an unamplified antenna on a TV
Successfully tested powered amplified antenna on a TV
Placed antennas in multiple locations
But no channels are found with either antenna through Plex
Hardware/Software
Host Device: SimplyNuc HomeBase
Tuner: PCIe MaxLinear MxL69x 4 tuners
Nonamplified Antenna: HiDB HD Digital TV Antenna, coax connection
Power Amplified Antenna: HOTTV Amplified HD Digital Antenna, coax connection with usb power
Host System: Windows 10 Home, 64-bit, Version 2004, OS build 19041.1415
Plex Media Server Version#: 1.25.5.5492
Plex Media Player Version#: 1.40.1.2823-6f60f3a7
Using XMLTV?: I don’t believe so, I just enter in my postal code and click next
Location: United States, Ohio
Please let me know if you have any questions or need any further information that may help. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated
however, are you sure that you have the correct drivers installed on your computer? Does the tuner come with some software that you could use to see if your computer can actually see the tuner and verify that it’s working? I’d check that first
Hey, thanks so much for the reply and the info. I really appreciate getting some input and bouncing some ideas of someone else.
Yea I noticed the tuner wasn’t on the list as well but SimplyNuc, the manufacture, claims this tuner hood was built and tested for Plex. So I’ve been going back an forth with them and here, hoping to narrow down if it is a Plex issue or a hardware issue,.
Great question regarding the drivers. After doing some Google searching, it looks like the tuner is using the IT9300 BDA Device driver found under the Sound, Video, and Game Controllers section of windows device management, and it appears to be working properly.
I believe all drivers are installed and up to date, however I’m not aware of a good way to test, other than Plex seeing the tuner just fine, however failing on channel scan.
I also saw while scrolling around the forum that Live TV has been an issue with some versions of Plex Media Server, so trying to figure out if that is still the case with the most up to date version or if I need to roll it back to a previous version.
If you have any testing suggestions, ideas, or would help if I can provide any info, please let me know. Thanks!
Hey, no problem. I’ve been a systems engineer for many years, so I’ll try to help as best I can. Since your tuner isn’t supported, we’d need to figure out if your computer that you have it plugged into can even see it and use it properly, before we try to pass it along to Plex. I googled the manufacturer of your tuner and don’t see that they offer any sort of software to utilize it (which is fairly odd, don’t know how you found this tuner to begin with, but moving on), can we find some sort of software that might be able to initialize it and use it? If we can prove that it works on your system, then getting it to pass the signals to plex will be easier.
I found this, and would think something like https://www.thewindowsclub.com/best-tv-tuner-software-windows-10-pc Nextpvr should work to get a test to see if the tuner can be seen by the computer and utilized. If that doesn’t work, you can try one of the other software, but obviously not Plex. Kodi might work as well. If you can’t get any of them to see the tuner either, then I’d honestly contact the manufacturer and see what they suggest. You can’t just sell a TV tuner that can’t be utilized by any popular software and also not provide a software of your own, right?
That’s awesome, and I very much appreciate the help.
For context, I found this device while looking at into Intel Nucs and it looked like a great all in one solution for Plex. https://simplynuc.com/homebase/
This sounds like a good first step. I’ll see if I can get Nextpvr installed and I’ll keep you posted.
Unfortunately never used the software, but from what I can tell, it can see the tuners just fine. I’m wondering if you can use the software to watch a channel? If so, then we can at least confirm that the system sees the tuner, the driver is working and the tuner card is functional. All we’d need after that is for plex to be able to talk to the hardware and use it. Again, it’s not on their supported list so even if you got it working on your system, I don’t think they’d help you get it working with Plex, but at least you know that you have everything right on your end?
The Simply NUC is the “computer”. It is specifically designed and made to be a plex server …I am considering buying one myself and it’s very disappointing to hear there are issues cause plex doesn’t support the builtin tuner hat? I doubt there is any issue between the card and the computer since this isn’t some card added to one’s PC. I don’t see how there could be user error in this regard? https://simplynuc.com/homebase/
It’s specifically made to be a plex server, sure, but the “live TV” aspect of plex is sort of an afterthought as far as I’m concerned and I feel that’s the way the Plex team feels about it as well. Sure, we’re all trying to make it work and for the most part, failing, but I’m sure it does all of the other Plex features just fine. I’m sure that this NUC can transcode and handle plenty of streams with no problem. I guess there aren’t many people that use Antennas these days.
In this age of streaming and cord cutters, if one wants local broadcast (for sports/news primarily) going back to an TV antenna like the good ole days makes sense …otherwise you probably have to pay extra to get access to certain games or go through an app for each channel you want to watch and hope they have a local option …but as a bonus I have close friend who is one of my home users who went back to the east coast for awhile …once I am setup (think I’m going with a HDHomerun Flex) he will be able to tune in to his home local channels through a convenient guide.
It does perfectly make sense, no reason to not utilize the free radio signals that are available to us. Not denying that at all. I was just relaying to the OP that his hardware wasn’t listed as supported by plex, so we’re trying to make something work that isn’t listed as supported. Not saying I’m not trying to make it work though. I’m trying to make my supported hardware work and can’t even do that. Just trying to get help and be helpful!
Yes, I believe if I can watch a channel on NVPR then that will be a good test to know if it’s a hardware or software issue. And should make sense if I can get it working then ideally it should also work with Plex.
However, I’m having some trouble figuring out how NVPR works. So I guess back to googling lol
Thanks for jumping in with us on the conversation. Hopefully with more replies, this issue might get more awareness.
Yea the device itself is pretty nice and works perfectly as a plex server.
It really is a shame that the TV tuner and live TV is not working because I intentionally bought it for that because of the built in tuner.
If I can’t get this working, then I can’t recommend the plex media base model. However, the regular Intel nuc without the hood is still a fantastic small package machine and cheaper than the designer model.
Yes, signal strength is perfectly fine. I’ve tested two antennas, one with amplifier and one without… Both get perfect reception connected directly to a TV.
So that would mean signal strength and antennas should be good to go. Which means it’s either a communication issue with the tuner from the antenna; or Plex issue.
Hopefully I can narrow down more if I can get another software to connect and stream channels.
If this is a clean fresh install the database shouldn’t have had an opportunity to get corrupted.
Temporarily disable the Windows firewall, restart Plex Media Server and verify that there is a Plex Tuner Service running. When you configure, use https://app.plex.tv and see if you get any further.
I wanted to give an update for anyone that was interested. I ended up sending my device in to the manufacturer. They replaced the tuner and now it is functioning perfectly, successfully scanned and streaming channels.
Fantastic service from the folks over at SimplyNuc. Highly recommend!
