how do you use your MVP?

User · 2008-11-11, 08:23 PM

I turn my MVP's on and off all the time and they pop right up. Running win2000 with two MVP servers enabled in config. I found that running two servers even though I usually use just one MVP at a time helps quite a bit with the time it takes to connect to a server when the MVP is turned on. Also, some plugins seem to function better for some reason with two servers enabled.

fluffykeith · 2008-11-11, 08:51 PM

I'm not sure - do mean that is something installed with the MVP software ? I didn't install any - I just plugged it in and told GBPVR it was a server. The MVP then found it. Sometimes it says cant find the server and lists the PCs on the network - possibly the server address gets reassigned if the router goes down as its not static.

All seems a bit odd.
I'll have another play.

Dave_C · 2008-11-12, 12:33 AM

Fluffykeith -

I've seen similar behaviour (couple of minutes to load after powering on) with my wireless MVP. Once, it was due to Windows XP's firewall settings; I found I had to open up a number of ports to speed the process up (I have a list someplace, if that's helpful to you).

The second time I had this issue I eventually tracked it down to a flakey wireless router. Replaced the router and everything worked MUCH faster.

gapgapman · 2008-11-12, 01:41 AM

I turn off my MVP all the time, and the restart only takes 10 seconds with mvpmc. If I lose power or have to unplug, it does take several minutes for mvpmc to load the first time. Sometimes I have to turn off my firewall to get it to connect the first time too. Once it connects the first time, I turn back on the firewall and it loads in the normal 10 seconds with I turn on the MVP.

bgowland · 2008-11-12, 04:31 AM

fluffykeith Wrote:It seems like it is downloading every time I start it by pressing the green button. I guess if the power has gone off or the server reboots then this will cause this to happen. But it does seem to reload every time when I press the green button - is this normal as well?

The 'download' bit is when you get the big chunky blocks counting from left to right - it can take a couple of minutes and should never happen if you're just returning the MVP from standby.

When you return from standby you should only see the 'Contacting servers...' message and it should normally take only 10-30 seconds with either the default or mvpmc dongles. Even if I reboot the media server PC, the MVP won't try to reload the dongle - it'll just go into a 'Contacting servers...' cycle until things are up and running again.

I've had my MVP on standby for nearly 4 years now (in between tests of new software etc.) and normal routine is - enter room, press standby button on TV remote, press standby button on MVP remote, plonk my backside in beanbag...ready to roll. Big Grin

Cheers,
Brian

cosmocat · 2008-11-13, 01:14 PM

Both my MVPs start up from the green button very quickly ( not measured it but got to be under 15 sec). If you pull the wall wart out they have to reload firmware and get IP address for your router (or DHCP server - depending on your setup) which does increase the boot time. Taking minutes sounds wrong.

Steeb said
"I know this may not be totally energy friendly but considering that my GBPVR Server runs 24/7 what harm are two MVP's doing?"

I put a power monitor on the MVP (just for a laugh ) it seemd to draw 4 Watts from the mains regardless of being "On" or "Off".

HtV · 2008-11-13, 03:17 PM

I let my server go into standby-mode, when I press the green button it takes 20-25 secs to get to the main menu on the mvp. That's with the mvp on standby ofcourse. I don't pull the plug every night.:eek:

Satori · 2008-11-13, 03:43 PM

My server runs 24/7 (no standby). The MVP with the Hauppauge dongle takes at most 5-7 seconds to show the GBPVR screen after starting with the green button. It starts with "Contacting servers". I set my server as the default server in the setup screen of the dongle, seems to help.

Starting from a power up takes much longer, but it happens so infrequently it doesn't matter.

My current setup is not the one below. The setup below is still a work in progress.

HtV · 2008-11-13, 06:42 PM

Satori Wrote:My current setup is not the one below. The setup below is still a work in progress.

Thanks this reminded me that I have to update my sig. I replaced the motherboard a few weeks ago. The new mb let's me use the standby function, with the old mb only hibernation was usable. Smile

Hans

fluffykeith · (This post was last modified: 2008-11-16, 08:27 PM by fluffykeith.)

Well - thanks for the replies.

Seems I have a fault somewhere. I wonder if it is the number of ports as DaveC mentioned. Can you tell me what ports?

What happens now is that it takes a few minutes to load then I get the PVR menu and I can't do any more than that. When I press anything on the remote nothing happens, I can't even scroll up and down the menu.

Is this because different ports are being used and the firewall is blocking them? I use ZoneAlarm up it doesn't pop up any access boxes, although that is probably blocking without warning the user - I'll close it and see what happens - I'll kick myself if thats the problem.

*** update - no even with no firewall it just freezes when the GBPVR menu screen arrives - I got 1 menu scroll downwards and then nothing.

(sorry the slow response from me - I'm multi tasking very badly!!!)

Keith