Support: WinTV-HVR-5525, WinTV-HVR-5500 and Starburst

WinTV v10 application

WinTV v10 application and Windows driver package

This download is a complete WinTV v10 application, including Windows drivers for supported WinTV products plus utilities.

Installation notes for WinTV v10:

A WinTV v10 Activation Code will be needed to install this WinTV v10 version. An Activation code for WinTV v8.5 or WinTV v8 cannot be used with WinTV v10.

If you do not have a WinTV v10 Activation Code, you can purchase a new WinTV v10 Activation Code on the Hauppauge webstore.

If you have purchased an Activation Code for WinTV v10 with Extend from the Hauppauge Webstore, the latest version of WinTV v10 with Extend will be installed.

Installation on multiple computers: the WinTV application can be installed on as many PCs as needed as long as you use the same Hauppauge device. We link the serial number of your TV tuner (sometimes it is the MAC address) with the Activation code. So as long as you use the same Hauppauge device, you can install on more than one computer.

WinTV v10

WinTV v10 installer
For Windows 11, 10, 8 and Windows 7*

Version: 42031 | File size: 161 MB | Date: Feb 1, 2024
Release notes | Backup download site | Previous version

New features:

New satellite channel table for Astra 19.2E and new satellite FM radio stations
Record to network drive (NAS drive). The latest version of WinTV v10 will automatically move your recordings to a network drive after the recordings are complete, freeing up space on your local disk
XMLTV guide data now supported

*Please note: due to changes in Microsoft's code signing policy for Windows 7, new drivers cannot be signed for the 64-bit version of Windows 7. The WinTV v10 application will work, but the drivers will not install without warning messages on Windows 7.

WinTV v10 installation instructions

The WinTV v10 will install Windows drivers before installing the WinTV v10 application.

  • Step 1: Download the WinTV v10 installer by clicking the download button above. The WinTV v10 installer is normally saved in the Download folder on your PC
  • Step 2: Run wintv10setup from the Download folder on your PC. If you get a Windows message 'Windows protected your PC', click 'More info' and then 'Run anyway'. This is one of Microsoft's new 'features' to block new applications.
  • Step 3: Halfway through the installation, a message will pop up asking for you to enter the Activation Code.
  • Step 4: At the Activation required screen, click on Enter Activation code and enter the activation code which was emailed to you or is printed on the WinTV v10 activation card. You do not need to enter the dashes, and you can use upper or lower case characters.
  • Step 5: When the installation is complete, you will find the WinTV icon on your Windows desktop. Double click on this icon and the WinTV application will run. On the first run of WinTV, it will automatically go through the TV source selection and will scan for channels.

WinTV-HVR-55XX Windows driver

For the WinTV-HVR-5525 plus Starburst boards< br/> Plus the WinTV-HVR-1200, 1250, 1270, 1400, 1500, 1700, 1800, 1850, 3300, 4400 and 5500

Name: driver85_1_60_41271-win7-8-39012.exe
Size: 9.9 MB
Updated: 06/11/2023

To install the latest Windows driver only:

Leave your WinTV-HVR plugged into your PC. Follow the following steps:

  • Download the Windows driver above.
  • Double click the downloaded driver. This will install the WinTV-HVR Windows driver.
  • At the completion of the driver install, you should see a message which says Drivers have been updated successfully.
  • At this point, the Windows driver will be installed.

Satellite TV Troubleshooting

Satellite TV and Radio Troubleshooting

Loss of satellite channels?

From time to time, the transmission frequencies for individual satellite TV channels are changed. As a result, you may not have a satellite TV picture or sound, or you may not be able to find a channel. In this case, proceed as follows:

Step 1: Open WinTV v10. Click the gear icon ("Settings") at the bottom left of WinTV.

Step 2: Go to the Devices tab

Step 3: Select your WinTV tuner and then click Setup Tuner

Step 4: Choose Next

Step 5: Click on the Delete All Existing Stations button. This will remove all channels from the WinTV channel database.

Step 6: Then click Next to scan for channels again.

Once the channel scan is complete, you should now have a good channel list.

If you still can't get a satellite TV channel, there may be a problem with your satellite dish or the TV station may be offline.

Note: You must "Clear All Existing Channels" before searching for channels, otherwise there may still be a "bad" channel in your channel list.

Satellite TV information for WinTV-NOVA-S2, WinTV-HVR-5525 and WinTV-Starburst

Here are some notes on connecting the Hauppauge satellite TV receivers to your dish (LNB)

Diseq 1.0 is supported, but not Diseq 1.2

Unicable satellite distribution systems are not supported

Some universal LNBs are supported

Broadband LNBs are not supported

There are LNB and Diseq settings that need to be checked in WinTV v10. These settings can be found in 'Settings' (gear icon on the lower left of WinTV v10) -> 'Devices' -> (choose your TV tuner) -> 'Tuner Setup'

Problem with audio on satellite radio?

No sound from individual satellite radio stations? The reason might be that your satellite radio station recently changed audio formats.

In the latest version of the WinTV v10 application, we have added the necessary audio decoders so that you can receive satellite radio again.

I have a new type of Quattro Universal LNB and cannot pick up channels during a channel scan

You might need to change the LOF Switch setting.

In the WinTV10 software settings for Digital DVB-S Setup, the default value for “LOF Switch” is 11700hz. Some universal Quattro LNBs will need this setting changed to 22000hz

Here is how to change this setting:

  • click the 'gear' icon on the lower left of the WinTV v10 application
  • then go to the 'Devices' tab
  • select your Hauppauge satellite tuner and click 'Tuner setup'
  • under 'Digital DVB-S Setup', look at the setting for 'LOF Switch'
  • the default is 11700. Change this to 22000
  • click 'Next' and rescan for channels

Problem with Unicable?

The Hauppauge satellite TV receivers do not support Unicable systems.

Problems with Premium Satellite TV?

Premium satellite television is often encrypted. Hauppauge satellite TV receivers are for free-to-air satellite TV and radio only and cannot decode premium satellite TV.

3rd Party Applications

NextPVR

Is a free Personal Video Recorder (PVR) and Media Centre application for Microsoft Windows.

WinTV-HVR-55XX /Starburst 2 Installation Guides

WinTV-HVR-5525 / Starburst 2 QuickInstall Guide

WinTV v7 users manual

IR Blaster manual

WinTV-HVR-5525 and Starburst Frequently Asked Questions

What Operating Systems are supported by the WinTV-HVR-55XX?

  • Windows 11, 10, 8 and 8.1, Windows 7 (all versions), 32-bit and 64-bit
  • Microsoft® Windows Media Center Edition (Windows 7)

System Requirements

Processor Requirements (minimum): Intel i3 or equivalent

Microsoft Windows 11, 10, 8 or 7

TV aerial for Freeview HD/Freeview TV (DVB-T/T2) reception

Satellite TV dish for Freesat TV (DVB-S2)

Internet connection (for download and activation of the WinTV v10 application)

Can I use the WinTV-HVR-55XX with Media Center?

Yes, the WinTV-HVR-55XX can be used with Windows Media Center. Simply download and install the latest drivers from the Hauppauge website.

NOTE: You must set up an analog TV tuner in Media Center first before you can proceed to set up a digital tuner.

What type of channels will I receive with the WinTV-HVR-5525?

PAL Analog CableTV or over-the-air analog TV: You can use your cable TV from the wall to connect to the WinTV-HVR-55XX and receive PAL analog cable TV channels. You can also use a roof top antenna to receive "over-the-air" TV.

Freeview HD (DVB-T2) over-the-air digital TV: Supports Freeview HD or DVB-T2 TV channels on the WinTV-HVR-5525 only (Freeview HD is not supported on the WinTV-HVR-5500).

Freeview (DVB-T) over-the-air digital TV: Supports Freeview or DVB-T TV channels
Note: For Freeview and Freeview HD DVB-T digital TV, a rooftop/out door antenna is recommended for optimal results and best signal strength.

DVB-C cable TV Channels: DVB-C digital cable TV channels are unencrypted digital cable TV channels. Clear QAM allows users to watch unencrypted digital TV channels from their cable TV provider without a set-top box.


Note: Check your local cable TV provider for DVB-C TV channel reception over your cable TV network.

Can I get HD with the WinTV-HVR-55XX through my Cable or Satellite box?

The WinTV-HVR-5525 has Freeview HD support for over-the-air HD. It can also receive HD TV from a DVB-C source.

But the WinTV-HVR-5525 will not be able to receive encrypted TV broadcasts that come through your cable or satellite box. Free-to-view TV channels can be received, but not encrypted TV channels.

If you have an HD cable TV or satellite box and want to record HD TV, you can use Hauppauge's HD PVR 2 mdoel 1512.

Note: not all cable operators broadcast DVB-C channels which can be received by the WinTV-HVR-55xx. Contact your local cable operator to check if they provide clear digital cable TV channels.

What type of recordings can I make with the WinTV-HVR-55XX?

Using the WinTV 7 application the WinTV-HVR-55XX, will record in a transport stream (TS)
For Freeview HD, Freeview and DVB-C digital TV recordings, the recording format and bit rate is exactly the same as the broadcast format (i.e. Freeview HD 1080i is recorded at 1080i).

Note: TS files can be converted to MPEG files using options in the WinTV 7 configuration menu.

Note: The WinTV7 application recording are in MPEG format for both digital and analog.

Can I record one show while watching another with the WinTV-HVR-55XX?

The WinTV-HVR-5525 only has one TV tuner. But if you have two WinTV-HVR-5525's in one PC, you can record one TV program while viewing the other, or even record both simultaneously. While recording a digital TV channel, you can be watching an analog TV channel or visa versa.

If you have two WinTV-HVR-5525's in one PC, You can also use Windows Media Center to record one program and watch (or record) another program.

Black video window or choppy video when watching a digital TV channel

If you are watching a digital TV channel and you see choppy video, no audio or a black screen, then it is possible your PC is not fast enough to decode and play the digital TV channel you are watching. Please verify that your system meets the minimum requirements for using the WinTV-HVR-5525

Digital TV, especially ATSC high definition digital TV, is very CPU intensive. Many graphics cards have special built-in hardware to speed up decoding of high definition TV channels.

On graphics cards without special video decoding features, you can often improve the playback performance by using the Video Renderer settings located in the settings menu of WinTV 7. To open the setting menu click on the “gear” button located in the lower left of the WinTV 7 screen.

The default mode is EVR. The other modes are VMR9, VMR7 and Overlay. Each mode uses a different process to render video. Try each mode and use the one which gives you the best results. To use hardware acceleration put a check in the box “use hardware acceleration when possible. This will allow your graphics system to use hardware acceleration for video decode. Note: graphics hardware acceleration does not work on all systems. After making a change in video rendering settings Wintv must be restarted to take effect.

Can I use the WinTV-HVR-5525 with Linux?

There is some support for the WinTV-HVR-5525 under Linux. More information can be found here: LinuxTV.org

I’m receiving a flickering video image using my WinTV product installed on a Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4P motherboard?

To correct the flickering video issue, from the BIOS, disable the "C1E Support” option and restart the system.

How do I add an S-Video or Composite video source in the WinTV application?

You can bring video into the WinTV from an external audio/video source such as a cable TV or satellite set top box.
You will need to connect the A/V breakout cable included with your HVR-2250.

In the WinTV v7 application, click the Setup menu (Gear button in the lower left corner of WinTV v7).

Then click on the Devices tab.

In the Device Setup Wizard, select External Inputs (S-Video/composite) and click Next.

You will be presented with the option to add a Composite and an S-Video Input. Please select your country (if not correct) and click Next.

If you wish to connect a source not normally designed for operation in your country, you can configure the Video Format manually from the drop down list. Change the value from “AUTO”.

Note: Pal BGHIDK is the commonly used format in Europe. NTSC is the broadcast format used in North America.

I receive a "Low bit rate" error message when using Windows Media Center in Windows 7.

Microsoft has released Windows Media Center patches for the "Low bit rate" error message.
Click to view the information from Microsoft.

What file size will the recorded videos be?

Digital Broadcasts (DVB-T)

The file size of a digital signal capture depends on the bitrate of the digital signal.  The bitrate is set by the broadcaster and cannot be user configured.  Bitrates for digital signals can range anywhere from about 1.2 Mbits/sec up to 19.3 Mbits/sec.  Most of the time these bitrates are variable and not constant.  Capture sizes for Freeview (DVB-T) & recordings are approximately 1.7 Gigabytes per hour up to 8.3 Gigabytes per hour.

Analog Broadcast.

The WinTV v7 application has to convert analog signals to digital in order to record. There are four recording profiles. The following list shows recording file sizes for burning to 4.3Gb DVD:

Best - Approx 1 Hour+
Better - Approx 1 1/2 Hours
Good - Approx 2 Hours
Fair - Approx 3 Hours

TV Tuner Troubleshooting

The reception of TV channels in the WinTV application is dependent upon two things:

  • you need to have a strong enough TV signal for the Hauppauge TV tuner to achieve 'signal lock'. Once a TV channel has a signal strong enough to 'lock', it will appear in the Channel List during the channel scan. This often means that your TV aerial needs to be in the "line of sight" from the transmitter. If there is a building blocking the TV signal coming from the transmitter, you might not be able to achieve 'signal lock'.
  • once the TV channel appears in the Channel List, it also needs a signal strong enough so that the WinTV application can display a clear TV picture. We sometimes hear that there are channels which appear in the TV channel list but cannot be watched (frozen image, black screen or an image with lots of defects). This is due to the TV channel having just enough 'strength' to achieve signal lock, but not strong enough for a good TV image to be displayed.

Good reception - roof and window

Good reception - roof and window

Good reception roof, bad reception window

Good reception roof, bad reception window

Bad reception roof and window

Bad reception roof and window

The signal strength is related to the size (and quality) of the TV aerial, and the 'line of sight' to the transmitter. If you have a large TV aerial but it is not pointed toward the TV transmitter, the TV signal will be weak and may not be received.

In addition, please check the TV aerial connections to the Hauppauge TV tuner. If the connector is not securely plugged in, then signal loss will occur and you will not get an optimal TV pciture.

When TV channels cannot be received or if the TV quality is poor, here are a couple of things you can try:

Receiving TV in an apartment

You can use either 'stick' TV aerials or flat TV aerials when you are in an apartment. In general, you will get good reception as long as your TV aerial is 'pointing' toward the TV transmitter.

  • place your TV aerial in a window, as high from the floor as possible
  • if possible, place the TV aerial facing the direction of the broadcast towers. Over-the-air TV is most effective when it achieves "line of sight" to the transmitters. TV reception will still work without line-of-sight, but then you are dependant upon the TV signal bouncing off of a building or other structure
  • a TV signal booster can sometimes help bring in some of the weaker TV channels.

We recommend the purchase of a portable amplified TV aerial for indoor or outdoor use to be connected to the WinTV product to ensure correct reception of the TV channels.

Receiving TV at a home

When you are using a Hauppauge TV tuner to watch TV at home, most times you are further from the TV transmitter and a larger TV aerial is needed.

  • outdoor TV aerials will perform better than indoor TV aerials.
  • if possible, use an outside TV aerial located as high from the ground as possible
  • if using an indoor TV aerial place it near a window or wall facing the direction of the broadcast towers.
  • a TV signal booster can sometimes help bring in some of the weaker TV channels.

Using the Hauppauge 'stick' TV aerial

The Hauppauge stick TV aerial will work up to roughly 10 miles from the transmitter, and needs an unobstructed line of sight to the transmitter. Otherwise a larger TV aerial will provide better results.

Symptoms of needing a larger (better quality) TV aerial include scanning for channels in WinTV works, but when trying to watch a channel, they may achieve tuning 'lock' but the TV signal breaks up heavily.

If you cannot use an outdoor TV aerial, you might need an indoor TV aerial with a 'booster'.