Questions about Windows clients with v5

[JP23]

Hi,

I think I'm ready to upgrade from v4 to v5, but I'm not sure what clients to use.

Currently I have a v4 server, and several Windows 10 machines around the house using nextpvr.exe configured as a client.

This thread: https://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?tid=59473
states that the v5 windows client "will only connect to a NextPVR server running on the same machine".
The thread is almost a year old though - is this still the case?

If yes - I have questions about the other options.

 - Is nlite working well on v5 when running on Windows and talking to a server on a different PC?

- Using Kodi on clients is an option, but are either the official addon or knewc capable of watching in progress recordings and properly dealing with a growing file?
(Starting to watch a show that's still recording and catching up to live is almost a daily occurence for me.)


And a further question about remote controls - I'm currently using the SendMessage method (32775,x,x) with Eventghost to control nextpvr.exe - is this still going to work with v5?

[Graham]

... the v5 windows client "will only connect to a NextPVR server running on the same machine".
The thread is almost a year old though - is this still the case?

 - Is nlite working well on v5 when running on Windows and talking to a server on a different PC?

- Using Kodi on clients is an option, but are either the official addon or knewc capable of watching in progress recordings and properly dealing with a growing file?

Yes ... NextPVR Player (nextpvr.exe) only runs on the same machine as the server.

I also run my Player on a machine that is not the server.  I tried nlite and gave up but cannot now remember exactly why ... I vaguely remember that it would hang from time to time.

Kodi using the NextPVR addon and knewc both work well  ... but I can't see the point of using Kodi when all I want to do is use the functions of nextpvr.exe.

I'll let Martin give you the latest news about in-progress recordings.

I now nothing about SendKeys.

In short ... I gave up and decided to wait until the new NextPVR Player is available ... which appears likely to be never ...

[mvallevand]

For in-progress recordings in Kodi sub and I have both tested a patch for the PVR addon that is already in Matrix. For Leia (current release) we are waiting for any other user to confirm that it works before submitting if for final release. If you anyone is interested in helping create a thread in the Kodi sub forum and I will give the installation instructions.

UI clients like nlite and knewc can't play in progress or timeshift live TV which is why I don't use them.

NextPVR.exe has never been stable for me on wifi, the propriety protocol that is used for streaming is just not resilient enough to network errors to provide me with consistent performance. It also requires an HTPC which is a dated requirement.

Martin

[JP23]

Hi Martin, I have just created a thread in the Kodi sub forum as you suggest.

[vintdiesel]

In short ... I gave up and decided to wait until the new NextPVR Player is available ...

Same for me.  I have run V5 on a NAS server and it is running very stable, but I haven't retired my aging Windows PC running V4 because the NextPVR.exe interface does everything for me (and my wife) we need and it is so responsive.


This includes watching shows that are currently recording and playing catchup, which is nearly always the evening news.

With the problems of smart TV's losing their apps over time due to lack of OS updates from their manufactures, I tend to buy off-lease laptops with Windows OS already installed and use them to make my TV's smart which also means they can run any applications off the internet and also run NextPVR clients.  I have tried Kodi on PC, Smart TV (android) and RPI, but they all have glitches and some user unfriendliness that the simpler NextPVR interface doesn't have.

If the future is client to go down the Kodi path, then at some stage I will accept that and persevere with it, but if a new client pathway is being developed, I would look forward to that.

[mvallevand]

I suspect the new client will have a drastically different look and feel. It's funny how you get used to what you know. I still like the original GBPVR interface more than NPVR and NextPVR.

As for in progress I believe that is fixed in Kodi pvr, but not in UI client. I can probably build a LE version 3.3.21 if anyone wants to test that

Martin

[vintdiesel]

 It's funny how you get used to what you know.

Agree, I do suffer a bit from that.  It took me a long time to realise there was something better that Win XP!

[JP23]

It's very difficult to move totally away from the NPVR client - especially when you have family members who have got used to using it over the years.

I'm currently trying out just about evey Kodi skin to find one that has a good tv guide and recordings screen, and a simple and configurable main menu. Any suggestions are very welcome.