Terratec Cinergy C PCI HD + MythTV
In the middle of December 2009 danish cable TV providor Stofa made most of the channels in its DVB-C network available unencoded. This prompted me to replace my analogue Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-500 TV tuner card (yes the links goes to my old PVR-150 page) with something that could record the digital signal from DVB-C. I looked for a card that had the following characteristic:
- Have stable Open Source Linux drivers
- It should work with MythTV
- Fit in a PCI slot (My Asus AT3N7A-I motherboard only has one PCI slot)
- Be able to record HD TV
- Not be to expensive
I spend a lot of time looking for information on different sites like LinuxTV wiki (direct link to TerraTec Cinergy C DVB-C) and MythTV wiki, and ended up with the TerraTec card.
Installing the card
On the physical installation I don’t have any interesting to say, it fits into the PCI slot on the motherboard without covering/blocking anything.
The “mantis” driver that the card uses is currently not in the mainline kernel, but it will be of version 2.6.33 (I’m currently on 2.6.32). So you have to download the source and build the driver yourself.
I found the “ArchVDR” project quite useful, I just followed the instructions in their wiki on how to build the s2-liplianin-hg package (scroll down to the section about s2-liplianin-hg). After building (it takes a while as there are a lot of drives in the s2-liplianin mercurial repository). When the build is complete and the package is installed, you only have to run “modprobe mantis” as root.
You can check if the driver loaded correctly by looking at the output of “dmesg”, I get the following:
Mantis 0000:01:05.0: PCI INT A -> Link[LNKA] -> GSI 18 (level, low) -> IRQ 18 irq: 18, latency: 64 memory: 0xdffff000, mmio: 0xffffc90003f72000 found a VP-2040 PCI DVB-C device on (01:05.0), Mantis Rev 1 [153b:1178], irq: 18, latency: 64 memory: 0xdffff000, mmio: 0xffffc90003f72000 MAC Address=[00:08:ca:1e:b5:a7] mantis_alloc_buffers (0): DMA=0x77a40000 cpu=0xffff880077a40000 size=65536 mantis_alloc_buffers (0): RISC=0x7b588000 cpu=0xffff88007b588000 size=1000 DVB: registering new adapter (Mantis dvb adapter) mantis_frontend_init (0): Probing for CU1216 (DVB-C) TDA10023: i2c-addr = 0x0c, id = 0x7d mantis_frontend_init (0): found Philips CU1216 DVB-C frontend (TDA10023) @ 0x0c mantis_frontend_init (0): Mantis DVB-C Philips CU1216 frontend attach success DVB: registering adapter 0 frontend 0 (Philips TDA10023 DVB-C)... mantis_ca_init (0): Registering EN50221 device mantis_ca_init (0): Registered EN50221 device mantis_hif_init (0): Adapter(0) Initializing Mantis Host Interface input: Mantis VP-2040 IR Receiver as /devices/virtual/input/input4 Creating IR device irrcv0 Mantis VP-2040 IR Receiver: unknown key for scancode 0x0000 Mantis VP-2040 IR Receiver: unknown key: key=0x00 down=1 Mantis VP-2040 IR Receiver: unknown key: key=0x00 down=0
Adding the card to MythTV
I started by scanning for channels using the “scan” tool from the linuxtv-dvb-apps package in ArchLinux. None of the provided data files (in “/usr/share/dvb/dvb-c/”) contained the correct information, so I created one using information about frequency and other bits provided by Stofa:
Frekvens: 346 MHz Netværsks-ID: 0 Modulation: 64 QAM Symbol rate: 6900 KS
From which I created a file called “stofa”:
# Stofa # http://www.stofa.dk/ # freq sr fec mod C 346000000 6900000 NONE QAM64
To scan for channels using this file run: “scan stofa > channels.conf” (You can run “scan stofa” to test it without creating the channels.conf file).
Note: Later I have learned that importing a channels file into MythTV does not provide MythTV with enough information to get EIT (TV guide) working, but more on that later. Running the “scan” tool showed that the driver/card could find the DVB stream.
So instead of importing the channels.conf file, I made MythTV itself scan for the channels.
Mythtv setup
I started by shutting down the mythbackend, and starting “mythtv-setup”. I deleted all references to my old analogue TV card, and proceeded to setup the new Terratec Cinergy C PCI HD card. Note: I only mention the settings that I changed, the rest are left on their default setting.
Adding a new capture card
In mythtv-setup enter “Capture cards” and select “New capture card”.
MythTV setup: adding new capture card
- Card type: “DVB DTV capture card (v3.x)” (DVB Device Number should change to “/dev/dvb/adapter0/frontend0″ and Frontend ID should change to Philips TDA10023 DVB-C)
In “Recording options” I entered:
- Max recordings: 2 (allows you to record 2 streams simultaneously if the channels are in the same mux)
- Use DVB Card for active EIT scan: checked (should allow MythTV to get data for its TV guide from the DVB stream)
When I pressed finish, the card is listed on the capture cards page.
Adding a new video source
In mythtv-setup enter “Video sources” and select “New video source”.
MythTV setup: adding new video source
- Video source name: “TV Guide” (whatever you want)
- Listings grabber: “Transmitted guide only (EIT)”
Press finish and the source should be listed on the sources page.
Connection capture card to video source
In mythtv-setup enter “Input connections” and select the one that matches the DVB device number you got from capture cards.
MythTV setup: input connections
- Display Name: TV
- Video source: “TV Guide” (the one that was added previously)
Now press “Scan for channels”
Scanning for channels
MythTV setup: scanning for channels
- Desired Services: TV
- Scan Type: “Full Scan (Tuned)”
- Frequency: 346000000 (based on the information from Stofa, Note: the frequency is in Hz)
- Symbol Rate: 6900000
- Modulation: “QAM 64″
When you press next MythTV should start scanning:
MythTV setup: performing the scan
This takes a while, and then you should get:
MythTV setup: channel scanning completed
Select “Insert all” which brings you back to the input connection screen.
Channel editor
In mythtv-setup enter “Channel Editor”
Here you can see all the found channels and change their names, channel number, and so on. I did not change anything using the channel editor, but went to phpMyAdmin and changed settings like “Use on air guide” in one SQL.
This should be it, you should be able to record now 
EIT (TV guide)
MythTV should be able to get the data for the TV guide from the DVB-C stream, but I can’t get it working. When googling the problem I learned that importing the channels.conf generated by the “scan” tool does not provide enough data for MythTV to pickup the EIT data from the stream.
To further debug the problem I set mythbackend to log messages about EIT, in ArchLinux you can edit “/etc/conf.d/mythbackend” and change LOG_OPTS to:
LOG_OPTS='--verbose important,general,eit'
So I shut the myhtbackend down, went to phpMyAdmin and truncated all tables related to channels/capture card and started over, and then let MythTV do the scan.
But I still get messages like this in “/var/log/mythbackend.log”:
2010-01-31 21:22:19.366 Program #1148 not found in PAT! Program Association Table PSIP tableID(0x0) length(33) extension(0xb) version(27) current(1) section(0) last_section(0) tsid: 11 programCount: 6 program number 0 has PID 0x 10 data 0x 0 0x 0 0xe0 0x10 program number 1090 has PID 0x 5a data 0x 4 0x42 0xe0 0x5a program number 1098 has PID 0x 62 data 0x 4 0x4a 0xe0 0x62 program number 1099 has PID 0x 63 data 0x 4 0x4b 0xe0 0x63 program number 1165 has PID 0x a5 data 0x 4 0x8d 0xe0 0xa5 program number 1251 has PID 0x fb data 0x 4 0xe3 0xe0 0xfb 2010-01-31 21:22:20.120 ProcessPAT: Program not found in PAT. Rescan your transports. 2010-01-31 21:22:20.156 Desired program #1148 not found in PAT. Can Not create single program PAT.
So for the time being I have given up, but luckily I found another way to get data from the stream.
TV grab dvb plus
tv_grab_dvb_plus is a small tool that produces a xmltv file that can be imported into MythTV, just download and compile it. It worked the first time I tried it, although there are two minor issues:
- The mapping of xmltv ids to channels in MythTV
- The encoding of special characters like Danish letters (æøå)
The first issue I fixed with a small PHP script:
<?php $mysqli = new mysqli("localhost", "YOUR DB USER", "YOUR DB PASSWORD", "mythconverg"); if ($mysqli->connect_error) { printf("Connect failed: %s\n", mysqli_connect_error()); exit(); } $result = $mysqli->query("SELECT chanid, serviceid FROM channel"); while ( $row = $result->fetch_assoc() ) { $sql = sprintf("UPDATE channel SET xmltvid = '%s' WHERE chanid = %d", $row['serviceid'].'.dvb.guide', (int) $row['chanid']); $mysqli->query($sql); } $mysqli->close(); ?>
Remember to replace “YOUR DB USER” and “YOUR DB PASSWORD” with real values.
This script uses the serviceid from the channel table to set the xmltvid to the correct value.
The encoding issue was fixed by editing the source of tv_grab_dvb_plus. In the file “src/dvb_text.cpp” on line 133, I changed the encoding to “ISO-8859-1″:
cd = iconv_open("ISO-8859-1", cs_new);
And now it works.
All that is left is to import the produced xml file into MythTV with this command: “mythfilldatabase –file 1 dvbplus.xml” (or whatever you called the file).
Final thoughts
So far I’m pleased with the combination of the TerraTec Cinergy C DVB-C card and MythTV, although it’s not super stable, and sometimes MythTV fails to record a program, and the following messages appear in dmesg:
mantis_ack_wait (0): Slave RACK Fail ! mantis_ack_wait (0): Slave RACK Fail ! mantis_ack_wait (0): Slave RACK Fail ! mantis_ack_wait (0): Slave RACK Fail ! mantis_ack_wait (0): Slave RACK Fail ! mantis_ack_wait (0): Slave RACK Fail ! mantis_ack_wait (0): Slave RACK Fail !
I hope this problem is fixed when the 2.6.33 Linux kernel hits my machine.
To view the recorded shows I strongly recommend a Nvidia graphics card that support VDPAU.
March 9, 2010 at 01:44
Try: sudo setpci -v -s xx:xx.x latency_timer=80 on the dvb card
May 10, 2010 at 16:04
I tried to see if the CI module eventually has support but I have not yet figured it out. Anyone here knows?
May 29, 2010 at 16:31
I think it’s supported, but googling it does not really return any useful results.
July 12, 2010 at 06:59
I’m thinking of getting this card or the following 4 models:
Technisat Cablestar HD2
Technotrend C-1501
KNC1 TV-Station DVB-C Plus
FloppyDTV C (last resort)
Have you been mostly happy with your Cinergy C PCI HD?
Or if you could start over would you order a different model?
Thanks!
July 12, 2010 at 18:15
I’m very happy with my Cinergy, the card has been very stable with the latest kernels. The only thing I can think of is that I would have preferred a PCI-e x1 version of the card, because there is a wider range of Mini-itx boards with PCI-e slots than PCI.
July 12, 2010 at 18:42
Excellent, thanks for verifying this for me.
I’ve already placed my order, couldn’t wait!
PCIe’s not a necessity for me, as I’m building my HEPC around an ATX mobo. I deliberately decided on ATX in-the-end, after I realised all the flexibility I need/want.
Have you experimented with PayTV?
I’m getting 1 of these 3 PC/SC based USB smart-card readers:
http://www.zoweetek.com/product_show.asp?id=322
http://www.amcamerica.com/AICR-04.html
http://www.akasa.com.tw/update.php?tpl=product/product.detail.tpl&no=181&type=Card%20Reader/Hub&type_sub=Card%20Reader&model=AK-ICR-05
They also function as storage/SIM card readers, & can be mounted into a 3.5″ bay or externally if preferred.
I intend to use my reader & tuner in GNU/Linux + OSCAM + SASC-NG + NewCamd + Myth* so I can discard my cable STB.
I will continue to pay for my cable subscription of course.
Thanks again!
*I might end-up using VDR instead….
In which case SASC-NG/NewCamd will be scratched, & VDR-SC will be used.
July 12, 2010 at 19:24
I don’t know if an external smart card reader works with the Cinergy card as they have a CI module for their card: http://www.terratec.net/en/products/Cinergy_C_PCI_HD_CI_1612.html
July 13, 2010 at 17:31
Yeah it should,
The software combo i mentioned essentially functions as a “virtual CAM”, that would otherwise be physically slotted into the CI Module.
So I take it that’s a “no” to having experimented with Pay DVB-C?
Thanks for your earlier confirmation that the card works well!
-jed.
July 13, 2010 at 17:45
Yes that’s a “no”
August 3, 2010 at 06:26
Thanks Henrik
Finally, after more than 3-weeks it’s arrived!
The Card & it’s CD arrived in nothing but a electrostatic bag & bubble-wrap.
Was the packaging for your Cinergy C as sparse as that?
I’m concerned I’ve been given a 2nd-hand item.
Thanks again,
Jed
August 3, 2010 at 14:04
I got my card in a retail box, and it included 1 or 2 CDs, a remote control, an infrared receiver and user manual. Maybe you have bought a “bulk” version?
August 3, 2010 at 18:09
“Maybe you have bought a “bulk” version?”
So it seems
It did come with the F-to-IEC adapter already attached to the card.
Someone suggested they may have deliberately removed excess packaging & other items to cut postage.
Their product page doesn’t suggest they’re selling a “bulk” version.
http://www.satshop.tv/Terratec-Cinergy-C-PCI-HD
And neither did any of their very brief/terse e-mails.
They could’ve at least said something, not happy
I’ve sent a “please explain” email, going by their track record, I won’t be surprised if they ignore it.
September 6, 2010 at 16:02
I have the same card and built up an HTPC for my father-in-law who begged me to let him enjoy HD TV (gets it from YouSee I think). That was about one year ago I think. I did have to compile the mantis module, and did not use the EIT scan for program guide.
I’ve had a PVR500 as well before (for my own use), and used the xmltv grabber of the day (the TV2 then DR grabber). I kept using this in this DVB based HTPC (I had to match xmltv IDs and DVB channels, was a bit tedious but it worked). But after a couple of months, I had to recycle the PC for office use.
It’s only recently that I used the DVB card again. My own mythbackend mobo fried (VIA EPIA-EN12000-EG) which I replaced with an Intel D510MO (got a cheap retail). For 5 years, my frontend has been an aging Dell Latitude Laptop with a GeForce FX 5200 Go nvidia chip. I was doubting whether it could handle the new HD stuff but so far so good but without vdpau, I won’t really go far with that. I am mostly using the backend for data so the mythtv stuff is anyway not critical. I am not a big TV fan.
The card did come packed with CI module, remote control and USB IR receiver. I lost the latter from the day I unpacked the card
but I already had an IRA-2 OEM serial IR receiver which I inserted directly on the mobo and configured the DVB card remote with lirc and this serial receiver. But now that my in-law’s HTPC is no more, I do need the USB dongle for my laptop …
As a final comment, I think the mythtv setup is still kinda unfriendly w.r.t program guide and channel conf. The channel IDs are quite unintuitive and you always end up chaning things a posteriori. But all in all, it’s a great system
September 7, 2010 at 19:20
I actually redid a full scan and selected EIT only for the program guide. It seems to work out of the box now. For the channels, I looked into all the frequencies available for the Great Copenhagen area provided by YouSee :
http://www.suodenjoki.dk/yousee_dvbc_channels.htm
There are quite bunch … of course my old laptop is not performing well with the HD stuff but the other channels are no problems.