Barely running with AverMedia A800

[roadSurfer]

I'm new to all this, to please bear with me if I ask dumb questions.

I am trying to get GB-PVR (version 0.99.12) up and running on my Windows XP SP2 Media Center (E6600 Core 2, NVidia GeForce 7900 GS, SB XFI Audio) with an AVerMedia USB 2.0 A800, as Media Center was doing my head in (randomly losing signal and deleting all channels). I'm only having partial success.

The main problem seems to be missing channels (about half of them). Although AVerMedia (and MC for that matter) itself will show ABC1, for example, GB-PVR does not. Why would it not detect all channels? How do I get at the missing ones? (Which I guess means finding out all the transmitting frequencies?) And how does one re-order the channels? I've noted that I can change the channel number in the "Channels" tab; is that the way?

In the window where you match the tv channels up to the EPG, I see the same channel listed multiple times and some times the currently defined ones (e.g. BBC1) become rather strange (e.g. T:C41,634166,0,0,8~NID...), and when I click that drop-down the selection vanishes. Is this normal?

GB-PVR also claims I have no multiplexer (as does the Mux Checker). I have all the AVerMedia software installed (version 6.1.0.20 with 5.4.10.12 BDA; an update from AVerMedia as the initial install did not work with MC) and I am told that that should give me a mux, but none is listed. Using DECHECK I can see a version 1.0.0.1 AVerMedia mux installed; but that it showing as not MC (and GB-PVR?) compatible. Could that be a previous version from the the old stuff on the install CD? I can see a version 1.2.3.4 under the AVerMedia and Common Files folders; in fact all the registry entries seem to point at the newer version.

Most of my music is m4a (rather than mp3). Can GB-PVR cope with these? I can't seem to play any just now.

I realise the UI of GB-PVR can be skinned, so I can change that, but how can folders be configured to show a "preview" of content (a bit like MC). You know, the album cover, thumbnail or frame from video? I can't find that documented (sorry).

I know XMLTV isn't strictly supported here, but anyone know how to keep the guide up to date? From what I can tell I'll have to manually re-fetch the entire guide every week or so and then manually update GB-PVR. That doesn't seem right and I think I am missing a trick.

My main conclusion is that I bought the wrong damned DVB-T device with this PC. I guess I probably need a PCI dual tuner rather than a USB one (should have twigged they we more for laptop use). Any recommendations?

GB-PVR looks like it might be good kit, and I really like the plug-in architecture (got Skin and Weather working, easycinema seems to be down just now) but at the moment it's frustration central for me I'm afraid!

[martint123]

Hi RS, nice to find you here.
Found this in another thread about missing channels when scanning - 2nd from bottom(ish) it refers to mising E4, but may apply to others? http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php...g+channels

pointers to Mux's can be found here http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=25630 and can solve quite a few problems - I'm currently using cyberlink 5.0.1307 with sucess.

Seeing channels listed multiple times is ISTR something like the base channel plus extras like subtitle channels, teletext - just use the first one.

XMLTV - I use xmltvgui from http://www.birtles.co.uk it is a gui, but once configured can be used in command line mode. I run it from Windows scheduler once a day at 2am with xmltvgui /grab /d7 which "grabs" 7 days worth from the Radio times. When you use gbpvr config you tell each tuner source where to gets its EPG data with "XMTLV plugin" and point it to where xmltvgui is putting the data. Then on the capture sources screen you can setup the gbpvr EPG update bit.

It is possible for gbpvr to run a batch file at epgupdate time, but I went for a separate schedule job.

The boss will be along shortly to correct my mistakes and fill in the gaps.

Martin

If

[McBainUK]

In the window where you match the tv channels up to the EPG, I see the same channel listed multiple times.

Depending on where you live you can get repeat channels from multiple tranmistters. Also with Freeview some channels are repeated but have names like Audio#2 etc. I belive this is for the interactive stuff so you won't need them enabled in GB-PVR.

how can folders be configured to show a "preview" of content (a bit like MC). You know, the album cover, thumbnail or frame from video? I can't find that documented (sorry).

If you have a folder.jpg in the directory then that is normally shown as a preview.

[roadSurfer]

Found this in another thread about missing channels when scanning - 2nd from bottom(ish) it refers to mising E4, but may apply to others? http://forums.gbpvr.com/showthread.p...ssing+channels

Seems to match exactly what I am seeing. I'll give it a go.

Seeing channels listed multiple times is ISTR something like the base channel plus extras like subtitle channels, teletext - just use the first one.

Yes, I noticted BBC Blah, BBC Blah Audio #2 etc. But what i was referring to is the drop down where you match them up. I can see 3 copies of each BBC channel (and other). I think it might be related to re-scans. Not sure. It is also this drop-down which shows the weird channel names.

XMLTV - I use xmltvgui from http://www.birtles.co.uk it is a gui, but once configured can be used in command line mode. I run it from Windows scheduler once a day at 2am with xmltvgui /grab /d7 which "grabs" 7 days worth from the Radio times.

Cool - I'll give a similar thing a punt...found it at http://www.birtles.org.uk/xmltv/

If you have a folder.jpg in the directory then that is normally shown as a preview.

OK, that's easy enough. Is it possible to get a thumbnail for the video files themselves?

Thanks!

rS

[herbs]

On the missing channels front, you may have to re-scan when they are broadcasting, i.e scanning for ABC1 after 6pm will not pick it up, the same for cbbc after 7pm etc. Most of your questions, the answers can be found on wiki pages for gbpvr.

[roadSurfer]

On the missing channels front, you may have to re-scan when they are broadcasting, i.e scanning for ABC1 after 6pm will not pick it up, the same for cbbc after 7pm etc. Most of your questions, the answers can be found on wiki pages for gbpvr.

Might be right about the channels - will try again.

I hadn't found the answers in the Wiki, which is why I'd asked here.

Cheers,

rS

[sub]

OK, that's easy enough. Is it possible to get a thumbnail for the video files themselves?

The video library, which in icon mode, will show "TheSimpsons.jpg" when the file name video file name is ""TheSimpsons.mpg".

[roadSurfer]

The video library, which in icon mode, will show "TheSimpsons.jpg" when the file name video file name is ""TheSimpsons.mpg".

Ah...things are so simple as to be stupid. But, of course, that leads to the next question...how do you get the screenshot? Can that be scheduled in the background?

Ok, ok, ok. I'll leave you lot alone for a bit and fiddle with the advice I've got. I'll be back if I hit any problems.

Thanks!

rS

[sub]

Ah...things are so simple as to be stupid. But, of course, that leads to the next question...how do you get the screenshot? Can that be scheduled in the background?

There is nothing built in that will do this for you.