“Error: Failure Playing Back File” (both 97.13 & 98.08)

[Brillig2]

I checked the Forum and found several postings related to this problem, but nothing very specific, or that seemed to offer a real solution. I am therefore Posting this as a new Thread.

This error message started about a week ago while I was trying to play back a recorded video using GB-PVR. I was still running 97.13. at the time. The symptoms are as follows:

Version 97.13

• I had been using this version of GB-PVR for about 6 months with no real problems.
  
• The only hardware change I have made is to drop back 2Gb Ram to 1Gb Ram (one paired DIMM failed and I removed it) This happened about two weeks ago, and I am pretty sure that I played back videos with GBPVR after this change.
  
• I Can no longer play any GBPV Recorded video file or Video Library File with GBPVR
  
• Fails with one of those “OK” boxes with the following message ““Error: Failure Playing Back File”
  
• This included previously recorded files that played fine within the last few days.
  
• I used VLC and WMP11 to play about 5-6 these files (played with no problems)
  
• New TV programs were still successfully recorded by GBPVR. Play Back attempts resulted in the same error message from GBPVR These same shows, however, could be played back successfully with the other applications.

Version 98.08

• I decided to do a pristine install of Version 98.08, since I had been planning to go to a new set of Skins and Plugin’s - i.e. complete new profile
  
• I deleted Version 97.13 completely from my system (including all folders, files, profiles, shortcuts, etc.), except for the recorded video files.
  
• I downloaded and installed Version 98.08 in the basic version and did a complete new configuration setup
  
• I was able to a record show as a test with GBPVR (Kidnap). It recorded fine and I could play it back with GBPVR.
  
• I also tried playing back files from the Video library and they worked.
  
• Seemed like the problem was solved
  
• Yesterday I downloaded and set up the Plain Jane Skin with it’s associated Plug-ins. If I remember correctly I could still play recorded videos with GBPVR. I note this change for completness, not because I think it caused the problem to reappear.
  
• Today I recorded a new show (Doctor Who – Season 2-Episode 1). Successfully recorded.
  
• The problem described above for 97.13 has re-appeared. I cannot play back this show, or any other Video from GBPVR (same error message) but all play back fine with VLC or WMP11

I have been trying to set up GB-PVR as my media Center, so lack of video playback capability is a definite show stopper.

MY SYSTEM: Windows XP Pro; AMD Athlon 3500+, 1Gb Ram (currently - waiting RMA other 1Gb DIMM); 250 Gb Samsung SATA HD; ATI Theater 550PRO Tuner; eVGA nVIDIA 7600GS Video Card; Kingwin 520W Power Supply; BioStar nForceT Motherboard; RealTek ALC850 5.1 Audio on MB; Thermaltake Tenor Case. SOFTWARE (possibly of interest)irectx9c; a multitude of Codecs: nVIDIA PureVideo Trial (default), CyberLink Video SP Decoder, others; VLC; WMP11Beta, QuickTime (Minimum Install)


Regards
Garth

[sub]

Reproduce the problem, then zip and attach the logs and I'll take a look.

If your problems only started when you installed the plain jane skin and its associated plugins, then its probably worth temporarily removing all the files from the c:\program files\devnz\gbpvr\plugins directory, then seeing if you still have the problem.

Have you tried switching video renderers?

[Brillig2]

The problem existed in 97.13 and started again after I updated to 98.08 and before I Installed Plain Jane , so I don't think thats where the problem lies. I therefore decided to first try going back from Plain Jane to the standard skin through Config. The problem still existed. I set the Skin back to Plain Jane.

Based on your other suggestion, I decided to try variations on the Playback settings in Config (Video Decoder, Audio Decoder, and Audio Renderer). To do this fully would be an exercise in permutations and conbinations, since there are three categories with from 3 -5 selections in each on my system (probably about 50-60 total combinations). I tried about 10 combinations using the 3 video decoders listed for my system (nVidia, CyberLink, and Nero), with the DirectSound RealTek 97 Audio Renderer, and several of the Audio decoders listed. All those with the CyberLink Audio Decoder configured corrected the problem. The playback problem was there for any other audio decoder in these configurations.

I also successfully went back from a failed configuration to one that worked, so there does not seem to be a residual problem (i.e. It is not once failed, always fails).

So, I am ok for now - I have three configurations that work!

But I am still intersted in understanding the problem. I will set up a specific a configuration that fails and send you the logs and description.

By the way GBPVR overall stability is commendable-- I did all this by starting and closing Config and GBPVR (and starting a video) in rapid succession about 15-20 times without restarting windows and with no system errors. I wish I could say the same for some of my other Software.

[kirschey]

I get that error too "Fail playing back file." For me it is very bizarre. It usually happens when playing back a file after playing a file in Recordings, then, in My Videos, then in recordings again. Or if I stop a show in the middle after being on for a while.

You can see the sqlite error in my gbpvr log 9/30/2006 9:14:08 PM.640 the other logs were included for reference.

Thanks