Support: Software for WinTV-HVR-1800
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Latest applications and driver updates
Note: This driver/application download contains all the drivers and applications necessary to reinstall the WinTV-HVR-1800. See below for individual applications.
Note: the operation of WinTV-HVR-1800 requires two pieces: a WinTV driver and WinTV applications. We recommend you update both the driver and the application at the same time.
Note: to use the WinTV-HVR-1800 with Microsoft's Vista Media Center application, you only need the WinTV-HVR driver.
Installation CD Version 3.4D1 with WinTV version 6
Note: This is a single file which includes the driver, the driver update, middleware, video decoder and WinTV v6 applications. This file is larger than the individual pieces, but should be easier to install since it is in one file.
Note: this package is for Windows XP, Windows XP Media Center Edition, and Windows Vista.
Installation Procedure
Step 1 - Extract the Installer
Download the file to a suitable location on your computer, then extract it (Windows has built in support for zip files, if you right click on the file and select 'extract all' a wizard will guide you through extracting the directory).
Step 2 - Remove the previous software version (if necessary)
If you had previously installed the WinTV in your PC, browse to the folder you just extracted to (e.g. through My Computer) and locate a file called hcwclear.exe
Run HCWCLEAR.EXE and choose the options Remove All WinTV Drivers and Applications (Total Removal) and Search All .INF Files for Conflicting Hardware.
Note: wait until the black box has disappeared of its own accord before proceeding.
Step 3 - Reboot
Shutdown and reboot your PC.
Step 4 - New Driver Installation
After Windows reboots, you will see the New Hardware Found prompt.
Cancel the New Hardware Wizard.
Run HCWDriverInstall.exe, from the unzipped directory. This will install the Windows driver for your WinTV. At the completion of the driver install, you should see a message which says Drivers have been updated sucessfully.
Step 5 - Run Setup.exe
Run Setup.exe from the extracted folder (from Step 1). You will be presented with a list of things to install, leave all the default settings and click Install.
Once the installation is complete, all drivers will be installed and you should have a WinTV icon on your desktop.
Version: 3.4D1
Size: 54MB
Updated: Sept 13, 2007
Scanning for QAM channels 
After running WinTV v6 and scanning for analog and/or digital channels, you can scan for clear QAM channels.
QAM channels are received through the connector marked "ATSC", so if you want to use both analog cable TV and QAM digital TV, you will need an external splitter.
On the WinTV application, click the Menu button, then SuiteManager. Click the Sources tab. If you have the correct product code for WinTV-HVR-1800, you will see "Clear QAM source' listed towards the bottom of the list. Click on 'Clear QAM source' and then click 'Autoscan'. This will take as much as 10 minutes to scan. When finished, you will have a list of all clear QAM channels detected. The channels with names (such as 'ABC-HD') are those channels the WinTV v6 application will be able to display and which can be scheduled for automatic recording.
Click the picture above to see the scan window showing clear QAM.
WinTV version 6 application
WinTV version 6 has a new look for WinTV, but is still 100% compatible with all of the WinTV accessory applications such as WinTV Scheduler. You can install both WinTV v6 and WinTV2000 on your PC, but you can only use one at a time.
To install, unzip this file to a temporary directory on your local disk. Then run wintv_setup_25347, which will install the new WinTV application.
There are three sizes for the application: small, medium and large. The small application is used on displays up to 1024 x 768, the medium is used from screens larger than 1024x768 up to 1280x1024, and the large application is used in resolutions greater than 1280x1024. If you want to change the size used on your PC, close WinTV and edit the file 'WinTvSkin2007.ini '. Set 'Small_res' or 'Medium_res' to your vertical screen resolution. A future version of the WinTV v6 application will have this as a menu setting.
Name: wintv6_25347.exe
Size: 2.5 Mb
Updated: December 13, 2007
Accessory software for the WinTV-HVR-950
New! WinTV Digital Signal Strength Indicator
The WinTV Digital Signal Strength indicator displays information about the quality of the digital TV channel you are watching. This application is used with the WinTV v6 application.
Click here for instructions on using this application.
WinTV-Scheduler update
TV Scheduler version 25_26071.exe
This version allows 'background recording' on dual tuner WinTV products.
This version also supports Hauppauges' Wing, for creating iPod and Sony PSP videos from your standard definition MPEG-2 recordings (note: Wing requires the purchase of a license. For more information, go to http://www.hauppauge.com/site/wing/).
Name: sched25_26071.exe
Size: 3.8Mb
Updated: March 11, 2008
Beta test version
WinTV-HVR-1800 driver version 1.62 with fix for PCs with 4GB RAM or more.
Note: With 32-bit and 64-bit driver versions which will operate in PCs with more than 4GByte of memory.
To install the new driver, unzip this file and then go to either the Install or Install64bit directory and run HcwDriverInstall.exe
File name: hvr1800_1_27_26017.zip
.
3rd Party Applications
SageTV: Intelligent PVR Software : SageTV is personal video recording software with an integrated EPG for use with your WinTV-HVR-950, WinTV-PVR-150 or WinTV-PVR-500. With SageTV, you can pause live TV, rewind and fast forward, and conveniently record your shows. SageTV also provides an Integrated Programming Guide with no subscription fees listing all upcoming programs for the next 14 days based on your cable or satellite provider. SageTV is the only PVR application for the PC that introduces Intelligent Recording and Scheduling based on your past viewing habits. SageTV interacts with your WinTV-PVR to provide you with the ultimate 24/7 PVR application for your PC. SageTV also support the use of multiple WinTV-PVR's, recording multiple channels at once!
SnapStream Beyond TV™ 4 : "Proving that a PC can rival TIVO" !
- Supports the latest Hauppauge TV tuners: Supports the WinTV-HVR-950, WinTV-PVR-150, WinTV-PVR-150MCE and dual tuner WinTV-PVR-500 with remote control and more.
- Record more than one show at the same time or watch one while recording another with multi-tuner support
- Record an entire TV series Record one show, every episodes, or only new episodes of your favorite show
- Enjoy the full screen interface Choose shows and setup recordings from the comfort of your couch
- Easily find shows using the integrated Electronic Program Guide (EPG)
- Record and watch HDTV shows with over-the-air HD support on the WinTV-HVR-950
- Skip commercials with SmartSkip™
- Find shows faster with the new browse by category feature, or search by title or keyword
- No subscription fees
- Schedule recordings away from home via the Internet or a web-ready phone
- Download FREE 21-day trial today
Linux support for the WinTV-HVR-1800
Linux support for the WinTV-HVR-1800 is in process. When the WinTV-HVR-1800 is added to the growing list of over 30 supported Hauppauge products with Linux open source drivers, an entry will be made in the LinuxTV.ORG Wiki.
WinTV-HVR-1800 QuickInstall Guide
WinTV-HVR-1800 QuickInstall Guide- English
WinTV-HVR-1800 Media Center Kit QuickInstall Guide- English
WinTV version 6 users manual for HVR/PVR
Updated: October 15, 2007
Frequently Asked Questions
What Operating Systems are supported by the WinTV-HVR-1800?
Can I use the WinTV-HVR-1800 with Media Center?
Can I use the WinTV-HVR-1800 with Linux?
What type of channels will I receive?
Can I get HD with the WinTV-HVR-1800 through my Cable or Satellite box?
What type of recordings can I make with the WinTV-HVR-1800?
Can I record one show while watching another with the WinTV-HVR-1800?
How do I add an S-Video or composite video source in the WinTV application?
WinTV or Media Center is displaying a green screen instead of video?
Error: 'Hcwutl32.dll' is missing when attempting to run WinTV?
Error: 'Hcwpnp32.dll' not found during installation of Hauppauge decoders?
Error: 'Compatible hardware not found' during driver installation?
WinTV crashes on Dell Vostro desktop
After installing WinTV, DVD and video files do not play back correctly using Windows Media Player
What Operating Systems are supported by the WinTV-HVR-1800?
- Processor requirements: 2.2 GHz P4 or equivalent (minimum) required for displaying ATSC high definition TV. on your PC screen
- Microsoft® Windows® XP Home, Pro or Media Center Edition. Also Windows Vista Premium certified*
- Available PCIe X1 or X8 slot
- Graphics with 64 MB memory (or greater)
- Sound card
- DVD or CD writer for burning Video CD's, S-VCD's or DVD's (optional)
System Requirements
- Minimum processor recommended: 2.2 GHz P4 or 1.8 GHz Centrino or equivalent (minimum).
- Graphics display adapter with 64MB of memory (minimum).
- Available PCI slot.
- Sound Card
- CD-ROM drive (for Software installation).
- DVD or CD burner for burning (optional).
Can I use the WinTV-HVR-1800 with Linux?
Yes, you can find the latest Linux drivers here: http://linuxtv.org/hg/v4l-dvb/
Additional information about Linux can be found here: http://linuxtv.org/v4lwiki/index.php/Main_Page
Can I use the WinTV-HVR-1800 with Media Center?
The WinTV-HVR-1800 will work with Vista Media Center. Just usel the driver provided on the Hauppauge WinTV-HVR Installation CD. Since the WinTV-HVR-1800 is dual tuner, you will be able to watch and record analog cable TV channels and ATSC digital TV channels at the same time. Vista Media Center does not currently support clear QAM digital cable TV.
The WinTV WinTV-HVR-1800 can be made to work within the Windows XP Media Center application provided you have the latest updates (roll-up 2) for MCE installed. This update provides support for digital (ATSC) tuning and will allow MCE to recognize the WinTV-HVR-1800 as a tuner in its configuration. Without the latest updates MCE will give the error message “No tuner hardware found”.
Under Vista, there would not be any additional updates required for the WinTV HVR -1800 to operate in Media Center.
What type of channels will I receive with the WinTV-HVR-1800?
NTSC Analog CableTV. You can use your Cable from the wall to connect to the HVR1800 and receive all of your basic Cable TV channels.
ATSC over-the-air digital TV channels. Supports all ATSC formats, up to the high definition 1080i format!
Clear QAM channels are digital cable TV channels available from your local cable TV provider. Clear QAM channels can be resolutions from standard definition up to high definition.
NOTE: A rooftop/outdoor antenna is recommended for optimal results/signal strength for ATSC.
NOTE: To save your WinTV channel list, you may save the file HcwChanDB_5.mdb (which is located in the C:\Program Files\WinTV directory) into a temporary folder, and copy this file back into the WinTV directory after any re-installation to preserve your channel list.
Can I receive high definition digital TV with the WinTV-HVR-1800 through Cable or Satellite?
The answer is 'maybe' for digital cable TV but currently 'no' for satellite TV.
If you are using digital cable TV which broadcast "clear QAM", or if your local cable operator re-broadcasts the local ATSC channels, you can receive these digital TV channels with the new WinTV v6 application.
Note: currently Windows Media Center cannot be used to watch clear QAM digital TV channels.
Note: not all cable TV networks send clear QAM channels
What type of recordings can I make with the WinTV-HVR-1800?
With the WinTV-HVR-1800, you can record from an analog cable TV source (or through the S-Video or composite video inputs) in an MPEG2 format using the built on hardware encoder.
You can also record from either ATSC digital TV or clear QAM (on some models) in MPEG-2, but these recordings are typically high definition MPEG-2 recordings, but may also be standard definition depending on the broadcaster.
Note: Recordings made from high definition ATSC are not compliant for DVD burning. DVD burning can currently only be used from standard definition recordings.
Can I record one show while watching another with the WinTV-HVR-1800?
Yes, as long as one channel is digital and the other is analog, you may record one while viewing the other, or even record both simultaneously. In the WinTV Scheduler, you need to click the "Record in background" button. While recording a digital TV channel, you can be watching an analog TV channel.
Once you set "Record in background", WinTV Scheduler will use this as the default for all future recordings. If you use TitanTV.com as your Electronic Program Guide, once you set "Record in background", recordings scheduled through TitanTV will also be done in background.
How do I add an S-Video or Composite video source in the WinTV application?
In the WinTV application, click on the Menu button, then click Suite Manager. Choose Sources, and click on Composite source (or S-Video source). In the Channel Name box, type in a name for your video source and click the Save button.
This will create a composite video channel (or S-Video channel) in your channel suite manager.
WinTV is displaying garbled video with a shifted image on an ATSC channel on a system with an NVidia graphics card?
Try setting the primary application (start/programs/Hauppauge WinTV/Primary) to "VMR 7" or "Allow Overlay" to correct the problem.
WinTV or Media Center is displaying a green screen instead of video?
This is generally related to the graphics drivers or settings for the graphics card. Try updating the VGA drivers to correct the problem.
For WinTV, you can also try the different modes available in the Primary program (Start/Programs/Hauppauge WinTV/Primary).
Note: If you are running Vista 64 bit and have 4GB of memory or higher installed in the system, you will need to reduce the memory in the system to remedy this problem. This is a known OS issue that is currently being looked into.
Error: 'WinTV Initialization error! Missing HcwTVWnd.dll missing... A required component (hcwTVWnd.dll) is missing' when attempting to run WinTV?
This error message indicates that the WinTV middleware/channel manager is missing. Reinstall the HcwChanDB.exe (located in the PVR folder) from your WinTV CD ROM.
Error: 'Hcwutl32.dll' is missing when attempting to run WinTV?
This error is indicating that the WinTV drivers have not been succesfully installed. Reinstall the WinTV drivers to correct this problem.
Error: 'Hcwpnp32.dll' is not found error during installation of Hauppauge decoders?
This error may occur during the Hauppauge decoder installation if the WinTV's middleware has not been properly installed. Reinstall the WinTV's middleware (HcwchanDB.exe, which is located in the PVR folder on your WinTV CD ROM) and then you will be able to properly install the decoders.
Error: 'Compatible Hardware not found" during driver installation?
This error may occur if you are attempting to install the incorrect drivers for the product in question, or attempting to install a non-Hauppauge product with the Hauppauge drivers.
If you are installing the correct drivers for your Hauppauge product, try reseating the WinTV board into a different PCI slot. If the problem persists, please contact Hauppauge Technical Support.
When I scan for channels, the scan ends very quickly and indicates 0 channels found for analog, and 0 services found for digital?
Be sure that you have installed the latest software available by following the procedure in the WinTV-HVR-1800 software updates section.
Be sure that the Hauppauge decoders are properly installed.
Be sure the audio card drivers are installed and funtioning.
To check for the decoder installation, look in the C:\Windows\System32\Hauppauge folder and there should be a folder name SMD07 in it. If htere is not, you will need to reinstall the decoders.
To reinstall the decoders, install the HCWSMD07.EXE from your WinTV CD ROM.
If you have Sigmatel audio hardware in your system, be sure to have the very latest available audio drivers installed for it, as this issue may also result due to older audio drivers. The latest Sigmatel audio drivers available for most Dell Dimension systems may be found here. To search the main Dell downloads page for drivers for your particular model, please look here.
WinTV crashes on a Dell Vostro desktop
If you experience a crash on the WinTV application when running on a Dell Vostro computer, check to make sure the speakers are plugged in. If speakers are not plugged in, the Dell Vostro disables the internal sound card. The WinTV application requires a sound card to be enabled to operate correctly.
After installing WinTV, DVD and video files do not play back correctly using Windows Media Player
The video is garbled and audio is sped up. OR Media Player results in the error “Windows Media Player cannot play this DVD because there is a problem with digital copy protection between your DVD drive, decoder, and video card. Try installing an updated driver for your video card”, OR “Error PL4009: A CSS Encryption error occurred while trying to play the DVD.”/p>
Download the following zip file: ftp://www.hauppauge.com/Support/MISC/WMPdecoderfix.zip
extract the 4 files inside of the zip file, and double click on each one to apply these changes to the registry, and reboot the computer to address the problem.