Trouble getting istar mini hd working

[Elmo Putney]

Picked up a cheap istar to add as a second client but I'm having a bit of bother getting it to work, I think it's down to the way I'm trying to hook it up to my display, but some basics first...

I have the server and main PCH A100 client hooked directley to my router, due to running out of ports on the router I have then had to use an unmanaged switch to hook up to the istar, the only other thing on the switch is my office computer which I sometimes use as a client (main point being it's not the server) the switch is then plugged into the router.

I can see the share on the PCH and server can also see the istar so I dont think the network is the issue.

The istar has a vga port which I'm trying to use to hook into my office monitor (LCD 1440x900), which is where I think my troubles begin. I can only get a picture on the monitor if I choose 16x10 1440x900 @ 60Hz, some other 1080 @60Hz resolutions work but they are pretty much monochrome. If I use 1440 when I run gbpvr the screen goes black then it kicks back to the NMT front end, if I use a one of the monochrome resolutions the screen goes black and stays black, however I suspect MVPMCX is running because I can back out of the black screen with the power button...just like on my popcorn from the GBPVR front end. I selected 720 when I installed using the NMT installer I knew it wasn't the same as the NMT resolution but didn't have a lot of options.

Any thoughts...am I on the right track, can I just go into config.xml and change the resolution in the MVP section to a custom one or will that break something else?


Syntax check here:

Checking for mvpmc share on LOUNGE
mvpmc C:\mvpmc

Checking GB-PVR.html links
<a href="http://localhost.drives:8883/NETWORK_SHARE/LOUNGE:mvpmc/gbpvr.cgi">GB-PVR</a>
<a href="http://localhost.drives:8883/NETWORK_SHARE/NETWORK_BROWSER/browser.cgi">GB-PVR via Network Browser</a>
<a href="http://localhost.drives:8883/USB_DRIVE_A-1/mvpmc/usb_a.cgi">GB-PVR via USB</a>

NMT IP Address: 192.168.1.151 MAC 0006DC41BE05

GB-PVR Installed C:\Program Files\Devnz\GBPVR\
config.xml entry found Client Type PCH2
MVPSendIncrementalUpdates true
MVPClientType PCH2
MVPWidth 1280
MVPHeight 720
MVPOffsetX 0
MVPOffsetY 0

WebServerEnabled true
WebServerNMTStreamingEnabled true
WebServerPort 7647

The remote server returned an error: (404) Not Found.

Checking NMT Version
50-17-090204-15-QPG-402-000

Checking NMT Display
1440x900 60Hz

Calling NMT Source
tv
smb://MYTV/tv Username: Password Length: 0

movies
smb://MYMOVIES/movies Username: Password Length: 0

torrents
smb://torrents/torrents Username: pod Password Length: 3

[mvallevand]

Unfortunately I think I have bad news for you, mvpmcx2 does not support any VGA modes. If your monitor has a DVI input, I suggest trying a HDMI/DVI adapter, they aren't that expensive. With some luck, you might be able to get 1280x720 @ 50hz

Martin

[Elmo Putney]

It's not really a problem as I really bought it for travelling, my office PC is plugged into the DVI socket....however I have been considering relegating the monitor to the spare room where the PCH is so I've been having a play to prove concept which I've been meaning to do for a while.
The good news is that using an hdmi to dvi convertor I can get 1080p 60hz running in the normall NMT front end I didn't try 720 but I presume it would work. And I can now at least see the gbpvr front end when I run it. However a bit like another user reported with the M34a the menu is huge (1/4 screen ish), videos play normally but I spose that is to be expected.

What have I missed, something obvious?
Logs attached look around 7pm.


Checking for mvpmc share on LOUNGE
mvpmc C:\mvpmc

Checking GB-PVR.html links
<a href="http://localhost.drives:8883/NETWORK_SHARE/LOUNGE:mvpmc/gbpvr.cgi">GB-PVR</a>
<a href="http://localhost.drives:8883/NETWORK_SHARE/NETWORK_BROWSER/browser.cgi">GB-PVR via Network Browser</a>
<a href="http://localhost.drives:8883/USB_DRIVE_A-1/mvpmc/usb_a.cgi">GB-PVR via USB</a>

NMT IP Address: 192.168.1.151 MAC 0006DC41BE05

GB-PVR Installed C:\Program Files\Devnz\GBPVR\
config.xml entry found Client Type PCH2
MVPSendIncrementalUpdates true
MVPClientType PCH2
MVPWidth 1920
MVPHeight 1080
MVPOffsetX 0
MVPOffsetY 0

WebServerEnabled true
WebServerNMTStreamingEnabled true
WebServerPort 7647

The remote server returned an error: (404) Not Found.

Checking NMT Version
50-17-090204-15-QPG-402-000

Checking NMT Display
1080P 60Hz

Calling NMT Source
LOUNGE:mvpmc
smb://LOUNGE/mvpmc Username: Password Length: 0

[mvallevand]

That's good news about HDMI/DVI working, I'm amazed at how the NMT's are able to get 1080p out of some monitors (mine included).

Code:

MVPClientType PCH2
MVPWidth 1920
MVPHeight 1080

The problem is you have configured the GBPVR interface for 1920x1080 and the default for mvpmcx2 is 1280x720 so you need to modify config.xml The higher res really is too high for good performance on the NMT and the quality difference is not that noticeable. Even with the lower 720p dimensions video will be shown @ 1080 i/p on a capable monitor.

Martin

[Elmo Putney]

I'll ive it a go at 720, I wondered if it was because I needed the MAC of the switch in config rather than the NMT.

[mvallevand]

Those values probably were set with NMTInstall. If your monitor is capable of 1080p don't change the monitor, config.xml will still be wrong.

Martin

[Elmo Putney]

you were (of course) right, edited config to 720 and it works like a charm. Thats a good excuse to buy a new monitor.
Thanks martin.