Converter X1 Problems

[saylaV]

Just got the GTMedia Converter X1 and I'm having lots of problems decoding/displaying channels. I have found that my ATSC 3.0 channels are at RF 33, or 587 Mhz. I seem to have good signal strength, -32 dBm, but nothing for quality. I'm about 22 miles from the towers for the ATSC 3.0 stations, and I'm doing this on the 2nd floor of my house. The automated channel scan picked up the channels, but I'm not getting any video. Did I get a bad unit? I had the unit check for a software update, and it says I have the latest version.

I am getting a few of the digital channels (I'm assuming ATSC 1.) at channel 31, but that's about the only ones that work even though the unit says I have 28 or channels available.

Any advice or help?

[Feralkiwi]

I see the instructions on the display say to try rebooting atsc3 again.

Owen

[saylaV]

Yeah, I've done that multiple times without anything changing. I also tried pressing the "reset" button on that back, which didn't seem to do anything.

[Feralkiwi]

Digital channels have options like 7M and 8M.

Do you have the correct settings?

Owen

[Feralkiwi]

As the scan finds them, are the FTA or paytv?

Owen

[saylaV]

I don't believe I have any options available to me, there is nothing through the unit that hints at whatever 7M or 8M even is. Do you know where this setting might be in this device?

[Feralkiwi]

The scan should have got those things done, the plp(0:1 1:0) thing.

You said auto scan, is there a blind scan option?

Owen

[saylaV]

There is a manual channel option, but all that allows you to do is add channels that the device doesn't think are strong enough to have been picked up in the auto-scan.

[saylaV]

There is a manual channel option, but all that allows you to do is add channels that the device doesn't think are strong enough to have been picked up in the auto-scan.

[Feralkiwi]

OK.

As I don't have one of these units or atsc I can't help much further.

I hope others can help.

Owen

[Feralkiwi]

Have a look at the other posts here like this one.

viewtopic.php?f=85&t=30852

Owen

[saylaV]

I am hoping to get an engineer from GTMedia to help with this issue, or at least someone who has this device as well that can help troubleshoot.

[saylaV]

I don't have an HDTV Mate, I have the new Converter X1.

[Feralkiwi]

You can try emailing their service address.
As for her, GT Media staff infrequently visit this site.

Try a PM to Lining.

Owen

[Feralkiwi]

I don't have an HDTV Mate, I have the new Converter X1.

It could the same issue with the Tv.
Check if there are video output options.

Owen

[tag875]

I had a similar issue with my X1 and two ATSC 3.0 channels being scanned but not tuning in. I connected the power through the USB port and and the retuned and the channel stopped buffering and tuned in. If this does not work the plug in through the USB port and go to settings/restore settings and delete stored channels and rescan.

If this does not work you can also try a factory reset under android setting. If that does not work then it can be a problem with your broadcaster.
Hope this helps

[tag875]

Also I can see from your picture you have full green bars. Are you using an amplifier with your antenna? If so try without the amplifier. What type of antenna are you using. I have roof mounted antenna and I get 105 channels with my X1. I found earlier on I was using a powered antenna amplifier and a powered coax splitter that created interference with my reception. I removed the antenna amplifier and then received more channels.
What is your broadcast location in the USA?
Tom

[saylaV]

Tom,

Thanks for your information, I will try your suggestions!

I'm using a Mohu Leaf 50 Original Paper-Thin Indoor TV Antenna https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AP ... =UTF8&th=1. (It was recommended by Consumer Reports.) It does have an amp on it, which I can turn on or off, or remove completely.

I'm in Northern Virgina (USA) about 35 miles west of Washington DC center. Based on the info on https://www.antennaweb.org/results, I'm 20 miles west of all the major NextGenTV stations (PBS, ABC, FOX, NBC, CBS) at RF channel 33.

[saylaV]

I connected the power through the USB port

Tom, how did you do this? The connector on the unit is a USB-A female, and most USB electrical plug adapters are USB-A female as well. Therefore, in order to provide power through the X1's USB port, you need a USB-A male-to-male. I don't have one of those, and I imagine most people don't either. I have a whole bunch of USB-A male to USB [-A] micro and mini male, and I also have USB-A male to USB-C male (and now a bunch of USB-C male-to-male).

But, isn't that USB port on the X1 used for the DVR storage? So isn't it meant to power a USB drive, not accept power from an external source? Even if it can receive power, how then do you use the DVR feature?

To be clear, you're saying you're not using the 1 or 2 mm DC IN barrel connector? Maybe I'm missing something here?

[STRETCH]

The user could be using the USB socket to gain extra power to use a external piece of equipment (ie use a Firestick) which can be powered via the
adapter from the main socket, or from the USB socket on the TV.

Den

[tag875]

You can power the X1 multiple ways. You can use the 5 volt 2 amp barrel connector with transformer or you can use the USB C on the box. You will need a power brick (cell phone charger with a rated amps above 3 amps at 5 volts). Yes you will need the proper cable to make the connections. You can buy a cord or adapter at the dollar store or on Amazon. You can either keep the power transformer plugged into the box or remove it.

I had you exact issue will my X1. The tuner need more than 2amps of power to lock in the channel. Once you get the ATSC 3.0 channels locked in you can go back to using the supplied power transformer and then plug your USB drive back in.

When you do a full channel scan do you get ATSC 1.0 channels to lock in and play?

[saylaV]

Tom,

So in staring at my cables and adapters, I was able to find a combination that worked. I am using a power adapter with a USB-C female, and then I also have a USB-A male to USB-C male cable. So I tried this, going from the socket to the X1's USB-A port. Nothing happens, there is no acknowledgment of power. [I'm using a Samsung EP-TA800 "Super Fast Charging" adapter rated at 25W, or 3A at 5V.]

In your last message, you wrote "you can use the USB C on the box." My box has no USB-C port:

X1 back.png

X1 side.png

My unit is as pictured: coax in from the antenna, RJ-45 LAN port, HDMI out, barrel connector for power in. On the side is the USB-A for external storage.

Once again, I think I'm missing something here...

[STRETCH]

What you may need to try will be connect to a (external) aerial to get the channels required.
Then connect your converter to your (internal) aerial.
This may be the issue.

Den

[saylaV]

What you may need to try will be connect to a (external) aerial to get the channels required.
Then connect your converter to your (internal) aerial.
This may be the issue.

Den

Den, with an amplified signal, I'm showing strong reception of the signal itself. However, I'm not getting any decoding out of the X1. Plus, I'm only 20 miles away from towers in a major US market (Washington, DC.) I am not thinking this is a reception issue...at least for the major, high-powered stations.

Regardless, I have no external antenna, it's forbidden by the HOA (although that's debatable...) and I have no coax run from the attic down through the house. This house was built in the days of cable TV, so all the coax originates at the cable entry point going into the basement. It's funny that there is a coax drop (sometimes more than one) in each room, but not a single pull was designed for an antenna in the attic or on the roof.

[Feralkiwi]

Tom,

So in staring at my cables and adapters, I was able to find a combination that worked. I am using a power adapter with a USB-C female, and then I also have a USB-A male to USB-C male cable. So I tried this, going from the socket to the X1's USB-A port. Nothing happens, there is no acknowledgment of power. [I'm using a Samsung EP-TA800 "Super Fast Charging" adapter rated at 25W, or 3A at 5V.]

In your last message, you wrote "you can use the USB C on the box." My box has no USB-C port:

X1 back.png

X1 side.png

My unit is as pictured: coax in from the antenna, RJ-45 LAN port, HDMI out, barrel connector for power in. On the side is the USB-A for external storage.

Once again, I think I'm missing something here...

I tried this with my GT Combo and it also did not work.
USB C has a brain and asks for what voltage before connecting power, so will not pass power with out getting a answer to what power is needed.
You need a USB to USB 2 or 3 cable?
I found I had one on a hdmi video capture unit.

Owen