w scan
"w_scan" is a small command line utility used to perform frequency scans for DVB and ATSC transmissions. It is capable of directly creating channels.conf files as well as initial tuning data for scan which is contained in the LinuxTV dvb-apps.
Obtaining w_scan
You can get w_scan here.
Documentation
w_scan doesn't have a man page. However, if you run it with the -h parameter, the output provides a summary of its command line options.
w_scan [options...] >> channels.conf
If you try to use w_scan you should at least specify three parameters: frontend type, country/satellite and output format.
If the output format is not specified, w_scan defaults to create VDR-1.6 channels.conf.
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| -f Type |
Frontend Type |
| -A Type |
ATSC Type (ignored for DVB-C and DVB-T) |
| -c ID |
Country (mandatory for ATSC, DVB-C, DVB-T) |
| -s ID |
Satellite (mandatory for DVB-S/S2) |
| -X |
czap/tzap/xine channels.conf |
| -x |
"initial tuning data" for Scan |
| -k |
channels.dvb for Kaffeine |
| -h |
basic help |
| -H |
extended help for expert functionality |
Experts or experienced users may use some of the other options, but this is not recommended.
Examples
- NOTE: ATSC support needs w_scan >= 20080815
- NOTE: DVB-S/S2 support needs w_scan >= 20090504
Scanning ATSC VSB (United States, Over-the-Air)
$ w_scan -fa -A1 -c US -X
Scanning ATSC QAM annex B (United States, digital cable TV)
$ w_scan -fa -A2 -c US -X
Scanning DVB-T (Germany, Over-the-Air, VDR output)
$ w_scan -ft -c DE
Scanning DVB-C (Germany, digital cable TV, kaffeine channels.dvb)
$ w_scan -fc -c DE -k
Scanning DVB-S/S2 (Astra 19.2east, vdr-1.7.x)
$ w_scan -fs -s S19E2 -o 7
Scanning DVB-S (Thor 0.8west, vdr-1.3.x .. vdr-1.6.x)
$ w_scan -fs -s S0W8
Generating dvbscan tuning data
Exactly as above, just specify output format dvbscan with "-x":
$ w_scan -f <FRONTEND_TYPE> {-c <COUNTRY>,-s <SATELLITE>} -x >cc-Ttttt
If you choose to create an initial scan file (and you know the name of your local transmitter or cable provider), you can send the resulting file to the dvb mailing list after checking that it hasn't already been posted or added to the scan directory in the dvb-apps repository.