truncated recordings Plextor PX-TV402U/DivX

[alantu]

Hello, I am having trouble with my scheduled recordings. So far, I have tried three times to record a program. Each time, my recording is truncated (once after 23 minutes, the other times after about 5 minutes.)

Setup:
Card: Plextor PX-TV402U hardware decoder USB
Operating system: Windows XP Sp2
Connection: Comcast analog cable via coaxial
GB-PVR: latest, 0.9211
latest tuner drivers from Plextor
Profile: custom1, MPEG-4 DivX 640x480, 1200000 bps target bitrate

Live TV works fine. I can watch and change channels.

Now, for each of the three recordings, I schedule the recordings via the web scheduler. The recording is visible in the web scheduler. The log files (gbpvrrecordingservice.exe-native.log) seem to indicate the recording was successful and full-length (one hour long.) The "ready to record" light on the Plextor unit is on for the full hour. It turns off and on right on time. Every sign I can think of indicates everything is fine. Yet my recordings are dramatically truncated.

I'm a newbie to using my computer as a PVR. At this point I am at my wits end. How do I go about troubleshooting this issue?

Alan

[sub]

Can you do long recordings with the software that came with your device?

[alantu]

I haven't tried recording with the Intervideo WinDVR. I'll reinstall it tomorrow. Next hour I'm changing to the MPEG-4/Microsoft codec to see if that makes a difference. Its not like it doesn't work. I have a 23-minute recording on my hard drive to prove it can work. It is possible my computer may be a little underpowered for this (Pentium M Centrino notebook at 1.3 GHz), but still, its very weird. The 23-minute recording is the longest, the other three recording attempts were just several minutes long. And yes, I have tried recording off a fresh restart. Alan

[alantu]

I've concluded my computer cannot record in MPEG-4 mode. The Plextor sales materials clearly stated MPEG-4 recording requires a Pentium 4 2.4 GHz processor. I thought my processor may be able to cut it, but apparently not. (I intended to get a desktop for PVR purposes anyway.) The MPEG-4 results are too unstable.

MPEG-2 recording seems to work perfectly. Although, for 27% of the resolution the MPEG-2 file is 35% bigger.

Alan

[sub]

I dont have a solution, but your machine shouldnt have any problems recording. Playback of a divx will be harder on you machine, but even then a Pentium M 1.3Ghz should have no problems.