Problems starting if channel is off air

[NickH]

Hi,
I've had a startup issue for years and have finally got round to posting.
If I leave NextPVR on a channel which only broadcasts at certain times and power down the PC, when I next power the PC on, If the channel is off-air I have the devil's own job to get NextPVR to change channel to a working channel. The only way I have found to do it is to go into the EPG, select a working channel from there and the Watch.

If I directly type a channel number it goes into a not responding state. Selecting from the Channels menu does nothing and ends in a non-responding state. It only seems to fail from a cold boot.

If I power on and last had a working channel then select a non-working channel, I can select a working channel successfully.
If I power on and last had a working channel then select a non-working channel, then do a warm reboot, I can change channel.
I only get the problem from a cold boot.

In the UK, typical channels are BBC4 and Quest+1 which only start broadcasting at 7pm.

Below is my log having powered down watching Quest+1 (channel 76) then I try switching to Quest (channel 37) which is broadcasting;

Code:

[...startup]
2019-05-25 10:21:12.439    [DEBUG][1]    Created mutex. Must be only instance.
2019-05-25 10:21:12.455    [DEBUG][1]    Checking if upgrade required
2019-05-25 10:21:12.455    [DEBUG][1]    master file is C:\Users\Public\NPVR\Config-master-dont-edit.xml
2019-05-25 10:21:12.611    [DEBUG][1]    PluginResolveEventHandler: System.ResolveEventArgs
2019-05-25 10:21:12.611    [DEBUG][1]    Known plugin directories:
2019-05-25 10:21:12.627    [DEBUG][1]    Looking for assembly in (2) C:\Users\Public\NPVR\Plugins\common\NextPVR.resources.dll
2019-05-25 10:21:12.627    [DEBUG][1]    Looking for assembly in (3) C:\Program Files (x86)\NPVR\Plugins\common\NextPVR.resources.dll
2019-05-25 10:21:12.627    [DEBUG][1]    PluginResolveEventHandler: System.ResolveEventArgs
2019-05-25 10:21:12.627    [DEBUG][1]    Known plugin directories:
2019-05-25 10:21:12.627    [DEBUG][1]    Looking for assembly in (2) C:\Users\Public\NPVR\Plugins\common\NextPVR.resources.dll
2019-05-25 10:21:12.627    [DEBUG][1]    Looking for assembly in (3) C:\Program Files (x86)\NPVR\Plugins\common\NextPVR.resources.dll
2019-05-25 10:21:12.627    [DEBUG][1]    PluginResolveEventHandler: System.ResolveEventArgs
2019-05-25 10:21:12.627    [DEBUG][1]    Known plugin directories:
2019-05-25 10:21:12.627    [DEBUG][1]    Looking for assembly in (2) C:\Users\Public\NPVR\Plugins\common\NextPVR.resources.dll
2019-05-25 10:21:12.627    [DEBUG][1]    Looking for assembly in (3) C:\Program Files (x86)\NPVR\Plugins\common\NextPVR.resources.dll
2019-05-25 10:21:12.627    [DEBUG][1]    PluginResolveEventHandler: System.ResolveEventArgs
2019-05-25 10:21:12.627    [DEBUG][1]    Known plugin directories:
2019-05-25 10:21:12.627    [DEBUG][1]    Looking for assembly in (2) C:\Users\Public\NPVR\Plugins\common\NextPVR.resources.dll
2019-05-25 10:21:12.627    [DEBUG][1]    Looking for assembly in (3) C:\Program Files (x86)\NPVR\Plugins\common\NextPVR.resources.dll
2019-05-25 10:21:12.627    [DEBUG][1]    Version: 4.2.4.190307
2019-05-25 10:21:12.627    [DEBUG][1]    SingleInstance()
2019-05-25 10:21:12.830    [INFO][1]    About to connect to remote recording service
2019-05-25 10:21:12.846    [DEBUG][1]    RecordingServiceProxy@exit
2019-05-25 10:21:12.846    [DEBUG][1]    Rendering for screen size: 1920x1080
2019-05-25 10:21:12.924    [DEBUG][1]    Using skin: C:\Users\Public\NPVR\skin\Default\..
2019-05-25 10:21:12.924    [DEBUG][1]    About to look for plugin directories in: C:\Users\Public\NPVR\Plugins\
2019-05-25 10:21:12.924    [DEBUG][1]    Skipping non-existant plugin directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\NPVR\Plugins\
2019-05-25 10:21:12.955    [DEBUG][1]    Loaded menu item: TV Guide
2019-05-25 10:21:13.002    [DEBUG][1]    Loaded menu item: Recordings
2019-05-25 10:21:13.017    [DEBUG][1]    Loaded menu item: Live TV
2019-05-25 10:21:13.017    [DEBUG][1]    Loaded menu item: Search
2019-05-25 10:21:13.017    [DEBUG][1]    Loaded menu item: Music
2019-05-25 10:21:13.017    [DEBUG][1]    Loaded menu item: Videos
2019-05-25 10:21:13.033    [DEBUG][1]    Loaded menu item: Pictures
2019-05-25 10:21:13.033    [DEBUG][1]    Loaded menu item: DVD
2019-05-25 10:21:13.033    [DEBUG][1]    Loaded menu item: Exit
2019-05-25 10:21:13.064    [DEBUG][1]    Menu loaded
2019-05-25 10:21:13.236    [DEBUG][1]    Supports HardwareVertexProcessing
2019-05-25 10:21:13.236    [DEBUG][1]    Supports PureDevice
2019-05-25 10:21:13.271    [DEBUG][1]    Using Direct3DHelper
2019-05-25 10:21:14.471    [DEBUG][1]    GetServerStatus() returns:
<Status>
  <Device oid="23" identifier="Digital TV:1">
  </Device>
  <Device oid="21" identifier="IPTV">
  </Device>
</Status>
2019-05-25 10:21:14.483    [DEBUG][1]    StartLiveTV@1 (QUEST+1)
2019-05-25 10:21:14.483    [DEBUG][1]    StartLiveTV@2
2019-05-25 10:21:14.484    [DEBUG][1]    StartLiveTV@3
2019-05-25 10:21:14.517    [DEBUG][1]    StartLiveTV@4
2019-05-25 10:21:17.684    [DEBUG][1]    Client got streaming handle: 170001
2019-05-25 10:21:17.684    [DEBUG][1]    service type is: 1
2019-05-25 10:21:17.687    [DEBUG][1]    CaptureSource.LoadAll()
2019-05-25 10:21:17.693    [DEBUG][1]    StartLiveTV@5 (servicetype=1)
2019-05-25 10:21:17.693    [DEBUG][1]    StartLiveTV@6
2019-05-25 10:21:17.693    [DEBUG][1]    StartLiveTV@6
2019-05-25 10:21:17.710    [DEBUG][1]    Looking for: C:\Users\Public\NPVR\Media\Channels\QUEST+1.png
2019-05-25 10:21:17.711    [DEBUG][1]    Looking for: C:\Users\Public\NPVR\Media\Channels\QUEST+1.jpg
2019-05-25 10:21:17.711    [DEBUG][1]    Looking for: C:\Users\Public\NPVR\Media\Channels\QUEST+1.jpeg
2019-05-25 10:21:17.711    [DEBUG][1]    Looking for: C:\Users\Public\NPVR\Media\Channels\QUEST+1.gif
2019-05-25 10:21:17.725    [DEBUG][1]    StartLiveTV@7
2019-05-25 10:21:17.725    [DEBUG][1]    StartLiveTV@done
2019-05-25 10:21:17.731    [INFO][3]    Checking online for updated versions...
2019-05-25 10:21:17.731    [INFO][3]    Web@1
2019-05-25 10:21:17.731    [DEBUG][3]    CaptureSource.LoadAll()
2019-05-25 10:21:17.732    [INFO][1]    StartClientHost()
2019-05-25 10:21:17.732    [INFO][1]    Starting remoting service
2019-05-25 10:21:17.958    [DEBUG][1]    Using 'NPVR TS Reader 4'
2019-05-25 10:21:18.219    [INFO][3]    Online check reports version info:
<?xml version="1.0"?><version><component name="NextPVR" version="4.2.4" buildDate="190307" display="NextPVR 4.2.4"><url>https://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?61173-4-2-4-available-(7th-March)</url><installer>https://nextpvr.com/NPVRSetup_4_2_4_190307.exe</installer></component></version>
2019-05-25 10:21:18.219    [INFO][3]    current online version: 4.2.4 (190307)
2019-05-25 10:21:18.219    [INFO][3]    last notified version: 4.2.4 (190307)
2019-05-25 10:21:23.548    [DEBUG][1]    About to render demux (serviceType=1)
2019-05-25 10:21:23.548    [DEBUG][1]    RenderDemux(all-pins)
2019-05-25 10:21:23.550    [DEBUG][1]    No audio mapped. Will default to MPEG1 Layer II.
2019-05-25 10:21:24.051    [DEBUG][1]    restoring last aspect ratio
2019-05-25 10:21:24.056    [DEBUG][1]    Playback graph running...
2019-05-25 10:21:24.057    [DEBUG][1]    Graph filter list:
2019-05-25 10:21:24.058    [DEBUG][1]     - NPVR TS Reader 4
2019-05-25 10:21:24.075    [DEBUG][1]    Hiding OSD.
2019-05-25 10:21:24.094    [DEBUG][1]    GetEventCode() returned: 0x000d
2019-05-25 10:21:27.717    [DEBUG][1]    Client about to request renewal of handle: 170001
2019-05-25 10:21:28.930    [DEBUG][1]    Updating OSD.
2019-05-25 10:21:29.525    [DEBUG][1]    Frame Render Rate=30.8534622192383
2019-05-25 10:21:32.604    [DEBUG][1]    LiveTvPlayer.OnKeyDown() called: NumPad3
2019-05-25 10:21:32.639    [DEBUG][1]    Updating OSD.
2019-05-25 10:21:32.861    [DEBUG][1]    LiveTvPlayer.OnKeyDown() called: NumPad7
2019-05-25 10:21:32.965    [DEBUG][1]    Updating OSD.
2019-05-25 10:21:33.835    [DEBUG][1]    Updating OSD.
2019-05-25 10:21:34.377    [DEBUG][1]    auto changing channels after 1516.55297851563ms
2019-05-25 10:21:34.378    [DEBUG][1]    Looking for: C:\Users\Public\NPVR\Media\Channels\QUEST.png
2019-05-25 10:21:34.378    [DEBUG][1]    Looking for: C:\Users\Public\NPVR\Media\Channels\QUEST.jpg
2019-05-25 10:21:34.378    [DEBUG][1]    Looking for: C:\Users\Public\NPVR\Media\Channels\QUEST.jpeg
2019-05-25 10:21:34.378    [DEBUG][1]    Looking for: C:\Users\Public\NPVR\Media\Channels\QUEST.gif
2019-05-25 10:21:34.416    [DEBUG][1]    Updating OSD.
2019-05-25 10:21:34.460    [DEBUG][1]    StartLiveTV@1 (QUEST)
2019-05-25 10:21:34.460    [DEBUG][1]    StartLiveTV@2
2019-05-25 10:21:34.461    [DEBUG][1]    StartLiveTV@3
2019-05-25 10:21:34.461    [DEBUG][1]    StartLiveTV@4
2019-05-25 10:21:36.065    [DEBUG][1]    Client got streaming handle: 170002
2019-05-25 10:21:36.065    [DEBUG][1]    service type is: 1
2019-05-25 10:21:36.065    [DEBUG][1]    CaptureSource.LoadAll()
2019-05-25 10:21:36.066    [DEBUG][1]    StartLiveTV@5 (servicetype=1)

[sub]

We don't really have an equivalent here in NZ, with channels that are only broadcast certain hours of the day.

Can you use the eval version of tscapture, from http://tscapture.com, to record a 1 minute Full TS from one of these channels that is off air, and put the file somewhere like one drive or drop box, and let me know the download url? With this file, I can reproduce this scenario here using my signal generator.

(tscapture is a utility written by me, which uses NextPVR components)

[NickH]

Sorry, I did not get an e-mail notification of a reply. I have just realised I have set it to notify me through the control panel ......

I have a capture at https://www.howitts.co.uk/nickh_capture.ts. I'm afraid I only have an 10Mb/s uplink so the download will be a little slow.

For your capture program, can I suggests it selects a valid recording location to start with, e.g. %temp% instead of c:\temp?

[sub]

I have a capture at https://www.howitts.co.uk/nickh_capture.ts. I'm afraid I only have an 10Mb/s uplink so the download will be a little slow.

It performed admirably - only took 3 minutes to download.

Thanks for the file - I'll try to improve the behaviour of off-air channels for the next release.