first time recording - 0 length file

[Esteban]

I'm a first time user and I can't get recordings to play. Probably because nothing is being recorded, though all seems well during the recording and there are no errors suggesting otherwise. The recording files are shown in C:\Temp but are 0 bytes. I've searched the forum and see others have had 0 byte issues with the new version. Perhaps I have the same problem, but I thought I should start a new thread since being a newbie, I have very little understanding of what I'm doing, and I might just be overlooking something basic.

I'm running Windows 7, GB-PVR version is 1.4.7, and my 2 tuners are SD-HDHR. I've attached the log files.

I'm having other issues with the EPG and channel mapping (the channels keep multiplying and repeating with different numbers), but I don't think these are related to the no recording issue. I'm using mc2xml to get the microsoft EPG for OTA digital broadcasts.

I'll post separately about the EPG once I get past the no recording hurdle.

Thanks for the forum.
Esteban

[sub]

I'm guessing you've got some software firewall issue that is stopping data from the HDHR getting to the GBPVRRecordingService.exe.

[Esteban]

I'm guessing you've got some software firewall issue that is stopping data from the HDHR getting to the GBPVRRecordingService.exe.

I'm using Windows 7 built in firewall. I disabled it and tried a manual recording. Same result - 0 byte file. It's still recording as I type, at least it thinks it is, but the file size is remaining at 0 and when I hit the play button, the program blinks, but does nothing.

BTW, Live TV plays through GB-PVR with the firewall enabled, including playing the program I'm attempting to record.

[sub]

I'm using Windows 7 built in firewall. I disabled it and tried a manual recording. Same result - 0 byte file. It's still recording as I type, at least it thinks it is, but the file size is remaining at 0 and when I hit the play button, the program blinks, but does nothing.

I dont know them. I'm still guessing its filewall related, since your logs show the normal symptoms we'd see (ie, signal lock indicated, but no data delivered).

BTW, Live TV plays through GB-PVR with the firewall enabled, including playing the program I'm attempting to record.

This is access from a different process (PVRX2.exe vs GBPVRRecordingService.exe), and from a different user account, so usually good indication that the firewall isnt getting in the way.

[Esteban]

I dont know them. I'm still guessing its filewall related, since your logs show the normal symptoms we'd see (ie, signal lock indicated, but no data delivered).

You are right. Apparently I only turned off public or private, not both. So now things are recording with the firewall off. Thanks for the quick diagnosis!

The new problem is the video output is not formatted in the window properly when playing the recording. It is squished to fill the window full size, distorting faces by narrowing them. Resizing the window doesn't help. Playing the same tv program live in GB-PVR rather than from the recording displays the 16x9 format in the window correctly.

Esteban

[sub]

Great.

For the automatic aspect ratio control to work, you must select a decoder other than 'system default'.

[Esteban]

More progress! Changing from default to either MS DTV-DVD or P2G fixes the problem, but only if I select 4x3 television shape. Choosing 16x9 in the config results in the same distortion. I don't understand the ramifications of this. Currently I'm watching on a 1280 by 1024 monitor (is that the problem?), but I will be eventually watching on a new LCD HD tv. Will the aspect ratio adjust properly on the new tv with 4x3 selected in config?

[whurlston]

The aspect ratio setting is for the monitor, not the video aspect. 1280 x 1024 is a 4:3 aspect ratio (unless you have a widescreen plasma) so you should select 4:3 for GBPVR. When you switch to your new widescreen LCD TV, change it to 16:9.

[Esteban]

The aspect ratio setting is for the monitor, not the video aspect. 1280 x 1024 is a 4:3 aspect ratio (unless you have a widescreen plasma) so you should select 4:3 for GBPVR. When you switch to your new widescreen LCD TV, change it to 16:9.

OK, I understand it now. Thanks.