Alex,
The card is supposed to be working before you edit the file. You are not supposed to have the file, youĺl have to create it with this content (for one card):
options bttv card=77 tuner=-1 radio=0 triton1=0 vsfx=0 autoload=0
But if the card is not showing anything, then the problem is with the card, because it worked with me after installing Ubuntu and I didn't have to install any driver and make any configurations except the one above to correct the channel 3 color problem.