Dvbv5scan Initial File New!
Understanding how to create and use dvbv5-scan initial files is essential for anyone setting up digital TV on Linux using modern DVBv5 tools. What is a dvbv5-scan Initial File?
An initial file (or initial tuning file) is a text file that contains the core parameters—specifically frequency and delivery system—for a single transponder. The dvbv5-scan utility uses this "seed" data to lock onto a signal and then automatically discovers all other available virtual channels (services) and transponders in the network. How to Create or Obtain an Initial File 1. Use Pre-bundled Tables
Most Linux distributions include a repository of known frequencies for worldwide locations. You can usually find these in: /usr/share/dvb/ /usr/share/dvb/dvb-t/ (Terrestrial) /usr/share/dvb/dvb-s/ (Satellite) /usr/share/dvb/atsc/ (North American Standard)
For example, to scan an Astra satellite, you might use an existing file located at /usr/share/dvb/dvb-s/Astra-28.2E. 2. Generate Manually with w_scan2
If you don't have a pre-existing file for your area, you can use a tool like w_scan2 to search for frequencies and output them in a format dvbv5-scan can read. Command: w_scan2 -f c -x > my_initial.scan 3. Convert Legacy Formats
If you have an old DVBv3 channels.conf file, you can convert it to the modern DVBv5 format using dvb-format-convert.
Command: dvb-format-convert -I CHANNEL -O DVBV5 legacy.conf new_initial.conf Usage Example
Once you have your initial file, run the following command to perform a full scan. The -o flag specifies where the final, detailed channel list will be saved: dvbv5-scan and dvb-channels.conf · Issue #31
A key feature of the dvbv5-scan initial file is its role as a starting point for intelligent automated discovery. Unlike simple scan tools, dvbv5-scan only requires a single valid transponder frequency in the initial file to potentially map an entire network. Key Benefits of the Initial File dvbv5-scan(1) - Arch manual pages dvbv5scan initial file
initial scan file dvbv5-scan is a configuration file that provides the scanning utility with a starting set of frequencies and transponder parameters. Instead of blindly scanning the entire frequency spectrum (which takes a long time), dvbv5-scan
reads this file to lock onto a known working transponder, read its Network Information Table (NIT), and automatically discover all other available channels and services on that network. LinuxTV.org 📂 Where to Find Initial Scan Files
Most Linux distributions include these files by default when you install the LinuxTV.org Standard Installation Path: /usr/share/dvbv5/ (or occasionally /usr/share/dvb/ for legacy formats). Sub-folders by Standard:
Inside that directory, files are organized by broadcast standard: (Terrestrial / Antenna) (Satellite) (North American Terrestrial)
If you need the most up-to-date files or your local transmitter is missing, you can find the master community database at the official dtv-scan-tables GitLab/GitHub repository 📝 File Format Structure
Unlike older legacy formats that used a single line of comma-separated values, the modern DVBv5 format uses a highly readable key-value structure. LinuxTV.org Example of a DVB-T (Terrestrial) Initial File:
[Channel] DELIVERY_SYSTEM = DVBT FREQUENCY = 578000000 BANDWIDTH_HZ = 8000000 INVERSION = AUTO GUARD_INTERVAL = AUTO TRANSMISSION_MODE = AUTO HIERARCHY = NONE Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Example of a DVB-S (Satellite) Initial File:
[Transponder] DELIVERY_SYSTEM = DVBS FREQUENCY = 12551500 POLARIZATION = VERTICAL SYMBOL_RATE = 22000000 INNER_FEC = 5/6 INVERSION = AUTO Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard ⚙️ How to Use It Understanding how to create and use dvbv5-scan initial
To perform a scan using an initial file, reference it at the end of your CLI command. Debian Manpages dvbv5-scan [options]
To scan for over-the-air DVB-T channels in Sydney, Australia, using an initial file and saving the resulting channel list:
dvbv5-scan -o ~/channels.conf /usr/share/dvbv5/dvb-t/au-Sydney Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard
flag instructs the tool to output the discovered services into a new file that you can load into media players like VLC or Kaffeine). Kernel documentation 🛠️ What if I don't have an initial file?
If you cannot find an initial file for your specific city or transmitter, you can generate a fresh one or skip it entirely: Generate one: Use a hardware blind-scan tool like w_scan_cpp to scan your local spectrum and output a compatible file. Use a nearby city:
Try an initial scan file from a neighbouring region; as long as your receiver can lock onto at least
active transponder frequency, the NIT will populate the rest of the local network automatically. LinuxTV.org generating a custom initial file
The initial file for dvbv5-scan is a channel configuration file (typically with .conf or .ini-style format) that defines the delivery system parameters for a specific satellite, cable, or terrestrial transponder. Creating and Using the DVBv5-Scan Initial File Creating
Relationship with the Frontend and Delivery System
Modern DVB drivers support multiple delivery systems (e.g., DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-C). The initial file must specify DELIVERY_SYSTEM, otherwise dvbv5-scan may assume a default. For DVB-T2, use DVBT2.
You can also force the delivery system via command line:
dvbv5-scan -D 5 # 5 = DVB-T2 (see delivery systems list)
Creating and Using the DVBv5-Scan Initial File
Creating a DVBv5-scan initial file involves specifying the parameters mentioned above in a format that the DVBv5-scan tool can understand. The file is usually written in a simple text format, making it relatively easy to create and edit.
To use the initial file with DVBv5-scan, you would typically run the command:
dvbv5-scan -o output_file initial_file
Here, initial_file is the name of your initial scan file, and output_file is where the scan results will be saved.
5. Where to Find Pre-made Files
Writing an initial file from scratch requires knowing the exact frequencies used by local broadcasters. Fortunately, the Linux community maintains a repository of these files.
Verbose Scanning
Add -v for verbose output to see exactly what dvbv5scan is doing:
dvbv5scan -a 0 -f 0 -I my_initial.ini -v -o channels.conf
You will see lines like:
>>> Trying to lock to frequency 514000000
>>> Lock succeed (status: 0x1f)
>>> Service: Das Erste HD (service_id: 0x1111)
Mastering DVB Reception on Linux: A Deep Dive into the dvbv5scan Initial File
For anyone venturing into the world of digital television (DVB-T/T2/C/S/S2) on a Linux platform, the dvb-tools package is indispensable. At the heart of these tools lies dvbv5scan—a powerful utility for scanning channels and tuning to services. However, the command will not work magically out of the box. It requires a critical starting point known as the dvbv5scan initial file.
If you have ever encountered the error message Cannot find initial file for ..., or if you simply want to understand how to optimize your TV tuner setup from the ground up, this article is for you. We will explore what the initial file is, its format, where to find it, how to create one, and advanced techniques to ensure flawless scanning.