First let me say sorry for disappearing for so long. Am in the process of moving and it has taken (much) longer than I expected to get setup again.

Due to work responsibilities, and getting settled in a new area, I will not have time to keep up and maintain the Wiz code associated with GBPVR, much less enhance to NPVR level.

I know a few folks have been asking for enhancements especially around the renamer and scrapers.

Is there anyone willing to take on the wiz code? If so, send me an email and I will zip up the code and pass along...

I normally post new releases at the end of the weekend, but I thought I'd post an early one to keep you on your toes...

I've updated http://www.gbpvr.com/NPVRSetup.exe to v 1.5.28

If you're upgrading from an earlier build of 1.5.x, you need to make sure you stop the NPVR software before installing. In future releases I'll make this automatic, but thats not the case yet. I'm also am aware of one issue with upgrading that can cause the media directories to be reset to the default. I wasnt going to have time over the next couple of days to fix this, so decided to get the release out anyway.

Lots of changes, mostly bug fixes and small things.

Quote:- added basic FM radio support. You can manual add FM stations in the analog capture source settings. I may add an FM scan feature in a later release. The FM radio stations appear as channels, just like DVB/ATSC radio do, and from the TV Guide you either get the option to 'watch' or 'listen' (which leaves you in menus rather than switching to tv mode). This gives the advantage of being able record radio shows, pause live radio etc.
- added initial Client/Server support.
- added a workaround to give more accurate skipping when playing .ts recordings (for comskip users etc). New recordings on NTFS drives are those that will benefit from these improvements.
- fixed a problem with the @hasMetadata/@hasImage in library screens
- fixed an issue with video library not always showing preview image when metadata
- added support for media\shows\*.xml
- added support for directory based 'movie.nfo' file
- sorting file names in Library screens to handle files being returned in a random order by some network filesystems.
- added QAM support for 'ATI 650 Theater' devices that werent correctly reporting QAM support in the drivers.
- added logic to move a scheduled recording to another tuner if a free one is available when recording is due to start and live tv is being used on the originally scheduled tuner.
- added a 'Delete' button in the video library
- on MCE remote CH+/- now does page up/down
- fixed a bug where tv listings could be left in database after removing a channel
- ScheduleRecording.xml skin can now use @channelIcon aswell.
- fixed a problem that could cause machine not to wake for epg update
- default pre/post padding settings now configurable in settings screen.
- added optional clearBeforeRender="true" attribute that be specified on skin Elements.
- 'home' key is showing top menu
- increase web server timeout when reading chunks from still growing files
- updated NEWA
- more audio renderer options to help those with multiple soundcards
- fixed a problem with DVB/ATSC epg not removing old listings
- now correctly renaming old log files when each time the app is restarted.
- UiList control now honoring the Visible attribute
- now looking for plugin's dependent DLLs in plugin directory, and in plugins\common. The scheme is more intelligent than GBPVR's, and tries to work out the currently executing plugin by walking the executing stack trace. (GBPVR was only able to resolve missing assemblies in the plugin directory for the last plugin loaded, or any time from the 'common' directory)
- video library now supports '.\media\shows\'. It assumes the last part of the directory name in the path being browsed is the show name.
- OSD now also uses '.\media\shows\' for cover art
- added a "_common" skin directory. Doesnt contain much yet, just a "back.jpg" shown on the [..] folder in the libraries
- fixed a problem with default skin not setting fixed aspect ratio for images in Music library screen's Covers mode.
- improved the way the TV Guide displays for people that have a small number of channels.
- fixed a problem with the UiList control that could cause a crash in the Recordings screen.
- fixed a problem with the capitalisation of plugin names
- added support for xmltv files that only specify programme start times (end time derived from start time of next show)
- added support for analog tuning spaces matching country code, which some users might use for frequency overrides.
- added a new "-ontop" parameter that can be used to start NPVR with 'Stay On Top' active.
- fixed a problem that could cause existing DVB/ATSC radio channels to become marked as video channels after later scans.
- now possible for skins to move button strip to global.xml and still have mouse clicks work
- added slideshow support to picture library. Press play on a picture to start slideshow/
- fixed a problem with analog support on certains of cards (like HVR-4400/3300 etc, and some other families).
- small change to the old style plugin rendering to support some of Jaggy's skinning.
- added a third view in the library screens. This is a horizontal version of icon view.
- added a popup base class to take a bit of work out of creating plugin popups
- added a MessageBox popup that plugins can use. Can either have no buttons, one button, or two buttons. Can be configured to auto disappear after x milliseconds.
- fixed a problem with narrative audio stream sometimes being selected by default
- had another go at fixing issue that could cause recordings to be marked as 'Recording service not running at recording time'.
- fixed a problem with some of the DVB-S tuning files being distributed

Recorded shows don't show up under Ready Recordings or What's New sections of NPVR.
However, the shows are always recorded in the destination folder and playable in VLC.

I found out that when I stop and restart NPVR Service the recordings show up in both sections mentioned above. I have resolved to restarting the service every morning - a pain.

Thanks.

Ari Tafari

I just received this:

Quote: We have some great news! The Ceton InfiniTV 4 has begun shipping!

The first batch of production units have landed in the US and are en-route to the Pre-Order Program retailers (Zones, Cannon PC and Fluid Digital). As we mentioned previously, they will ship to consumers on a first ordered/first shipped basis. We expect this first batch of units will start arriving at consumer homes starting next week, depending on the shipment method chosen when the pre-order was placed. As we also mentioned previously, your credit card will be charged when your unit(s) ship and some people will start seeing credit card pre-authorizations and charges starting this week. The production units are being produced in waves, which means the next batch is currently being manufactured, and will follow this same process until all the Pre-Order Program units have been delivered to your doors. We will continue to manufacture and ship all Pre-Order Program units as fast as we can but it will take some weeks for the entire backlog of orders to arrive at their end destination. Thank you for your continued support and patience.

We also want to let you know that we have posted the InfiniTV 4 Installer application, detailed installation instructions, an installation video (courtesy of Cannon PC) and warranty information on a new InfiniTV 4 support page on our web site.

Important note for FiOS customers: due to recent changes related to encrypting content on some FiOS networks, we will be posting a firmware update on the support site above for FiOS customers only. Non-FiOS customers can install the update but there will be no benefit.

Cheers,

The Ceton Team

I have been a user of GBPVR for many years now since way before PVRX2.

My set up is :-
GBPVR
1 – Acer M1610 PC with Windows 7
2 – Hauppauge PVR150 cards
2 – Cable set-top boxes
1 – USB-UIRT
Alan Birtles XMLTV GUI for programme listings

My current main use of GBPVR is to auto record programme series from the set-top boxes via Composite connections and use USB-UIRT to change channels. The USB-UIRT has been split into channels 1 and 2 to control the set-top boxes individually through GBPVR. When away from home I am able to remotely connect to my computers and check what programmes have been recorded and are due to record. I can change, or add to, the pending recordings if I have missed an episode or a new programme is scheduled since I left.

I am perfectly happy with GBPVR but always prefer to have something better if it is available.

Installing NPVR I was able to see my cards and setup xmltv but could not see any way of setting them to be used as above. I don’t have an aerial connected and so a scan for channels finds nothing. When I click on live tv the error message ‘unable to communicate with recording device’ is displayed. Clicking on ‘show status’ reveals a blank window. I assume that the main use of NPVR is to record digital channels and since my Composite recordings are all analogue is NPVR for me?

Hi All,

What is the difference between GBPVR & NPVR? Does BPVR supersede GBPVR, or do they have different features, etc?

Thanks

Bobby

For me the most attractive feature of nPVR’s new UI is it’s use of meta data and images. I’ve struggled to find a simple way of getting that info. My number one wish list item would be for a simple media (mainly video) scraper specifically designed for nPVR.

Something along the lines of:

• A utility, I see the attraction of a plug-in but I personally prefer the extra control of an external app.
  
• The ability to insert the scrapped meta data into nPVR’s database and reference and place art in nPVR’s media folder. Currently nPVR is set up to handle meta and art this way. sub is gonna drive himself crazy trying to accommodate all the different file formats out there. I think having this information centralized would help sub, skinners (consistency of what information is available and what is desired by users) and would be much neater overall.
  
• Some kind of smart referencing for artwork, e.g the ability to have a single image for say “The Simpsons” and then use that image in the recordings screen and the video library (including seasons and episodes). This gives the basic meta data gloss but cuts down on the need to have, and/or hunt down, loads and loads of images.
  
• The ability to automatically seek a couple of minutes into a video file and take a screenshot, mostly for the reasons above.
  
• The ability to scrap individual files, i.e a file formatted something like this [show title][season number][episode number][episode title].
  

I am leaving for holiday tomorrow...going to the beach for a couple of weeks. I will check in occasionally....but not too often (since I am on vacation).....

Are there any plans to update the windows vista/7 GB-PVR status gadget for NPVR/NEWA? I don't even know who wrote it, but it was distributed with EWA before wasn't it?

This isn't an announcement as such, because the plugin doesn't exist (except in my head), but would there be interest in some sort of movie browser for nPVR that looked like the image below?

It's a blatant copy from similar plugins available in other media centre apps, and nothing more than a mock up to see if it was possible. Background image and elements are real; the posters are pasted on top with photoshop.

I don't want to step on anyone else's toes who might already be working on something like this, but if not, I'd appreciate suggestions for features/functionality and suitable sources for meta data. Personally, I'd just like something to browse my DVD/BD collection. Titles, short descriptions, IMDB ratings, etc - the bare minimum of info is fine (for me). I don't even rip stuff to my HTPC so the ability to play files isn't a priority either, but I can imagine it would be for others. I just want something pretty to fill a 1080 screen

I can imagine it having animations/fades/transitions/etc, with options to show/hide posters and text, but they're all problems to worry about if I ever start coding it...

Iain