FYI How I got an NextPVR Client to go through Windows 8.1 Firewall (server)

[scJohn]

With Windows 8.1 Firewall (server) turned on for a Private network the Client will show the EPG in TV Guide and Recordings will show the appropriate recordings. Live TV (or play a recording) will start off with 'please wait' followed by NextPVR Not Responding. Note: the client takes over 2-minutes to start.

Windows 8.1 Firewall (server) has 4 entries for Inbound Rules for NextPVR. Two have Profile for Private and two are for Profile - Domain. For Outbound rules there were no entries for NextPVR. Could this be what is causing the problem with Live TV? Note: Windows 8.1 does NOT pop up a window asking for permission to allow outbound connection for NextPVR.

Turning Windows 8.1 Firewall (server) off and restarting the Client, Live TV and playing a recording works. Also Client starts up in about 3 seconds.

I added an Outbound Rule On the Windows 8.1 Firewall:
Group: blank
Profile: Private
Enabled: Yes
Action: Allow
Override: No
Program: %ProgramFiles%\Users\Public\NEXTPVR\nextPVR.exe
Local Address: Any
Remote Address: Any
Protocol: Any
Local Port: Any
Remote Port: Any
Authorized Computers Any
Authorized Local Principals: Any
Local Users Owner: Any
Application Package: Any

Restart the Client. Client now starts up in about 3 seconds and Live TV and play a recording works.

[scJohn]

Well I was to early to declare success. I thought the Firewall was turned on when it was actually still off. So I still can't get port 8968 pass the firewall.

[mvallevand]

Where are you running NextPVR from?

%ProgramFiles%\Users\Public\NEXTPVR\nextPVR.exe

Looks wrong for many reasons.

Remember that you need to allow NRecord.exe and NDigitalhost.exe through the firewall too.

Martin

[scJohn]

Where are you running NextPVR from?

%ProgramFiles%\Users\Public\NEXTPVR\nextPVR.exe

Looks wrong for many reasons.

Remember that you need to allow NRecord.exe and NDigitalhost.exe through the firewall too.

Martin

My bad. Program: is %ProgramFiles% (x86)\NPVR\NextPVR.exe

There are no Inbound Firewall entries for NRecord.exe and NDigitalHost.exe

I'll try adding them.

[scJohn]

Okay. It looks like I got it all working.

Here is the template to use for the Inbound Rules:

Group: blank
Profile: Private
Enabled: Yes
Action: Allow
Override: No
Program: %ProgramFiles% (x86)\NPVR\NextPVR.exe
Local Address: Any
Remote Address: Any
Protocol: Any
Local Port: Any
Remote Port: Any
Authorized Computers Any
Authorized Local Principals: Any
Local Users Owner: Any
Application Package: Any


For the 2nd and 3rd Inbound Rule you need to change the Program entry to NRecord.exe and NDigitalHost.exe.

Also make sure that Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Advanced sharing settings > Private(current profile) the button: Turn on network discovery is ON and check box: Turn on automatic setup of network devices is checked. If both of these settings are not "on" then client(s) will not be able to be seen by NextPVR.