Live-TV freezes computer

[lippo]

After reading a lot of topics I found that there were quite a lot of reports of systems freezing while watching live-tv.
According to Sub some problems were fixed in 0908, but my system keeps freezing while zapping through the channels.
My system is a compaq PIII-600 (SFF), 512MB Cas2 Dane-elec PC133 sdram, w2K with SP4, Hauppauge PVR-350 and a seagate Barracude IV 80 Gig harddrive.

I use NTFS on 2 partitions, a 8 gig boot, and a 72 gig for tv-buffer and recordings. Both are defragmented. swap is tried on both partitions (1024MB fixed).

The problem occurs when swapping fast (< 4 seconds) through channels. The computer totally freezes. Tried almost every possible setting (including the new ones). There are no messages in the log, that relate to the problem.

Hopefully we can use this topic to see if we can relate the problem to specific hardware/driver/setting.

[amoeba]

Does a mod want to merge this and my threads together - same problem.

[nielsen]

Hi
I have the same problem.
Machine:
VIA Epia-M10000N,Seagate 7200.7 160GB,LiteOn SOHW-1653S-01C, Hauppauge WIN/TV PVR350, Kingston DDR266, 512 MB

[sub]

This is a known problem with the PVR350 drivers on some machines. I am unable to work around this problem, so you may need to look at disabling the hardware decoder. Hopefully Hauppauge will release some new drivers in future that correct the issue.

[hasso]

here's the previous thread on this issue.

[hasso]

and here's a thread about those poor Sage guys who are having similar problems with the PVR350.

[lippo]

thnx hasso,

I will try to use the software decoder. My machine is fast enough.
Is every user of a PVR-350 experiencing the problems or are there other factors?

I won't be on this forum the next week, but will try it after my skiing holiday.

[cwills]

lippo,

I'm not totally convinced it is a driver specific problem.  GB-PVR version 0227 is extremely stable with my Hauppauge 350 with hardware output, every version since is not.  I am still running 0227, with the main problem being there is a bug in that version where the Zap2It does not work, forcing you to use XMLTV to generate EPG data.  Also, since Feb 2, the GB-PVR guide does not work.  The scheduler, fast find plugin and web scheduler do work, with proper EPG data, so I can still use GB-PVR to watch live tv, use the mini guide with EPG data, schedule recordings via the fast find plugin or web scheduler and basically everything else.

I would love to get the guide back, along with direct Zap2It EPG updating, but as I said, all versions above 0227 lock up my system, and have caused other random problems that I cannot fix.  I'm between a rock and a hard place, a working guide with a couple of new bells and whistles or a stable system missing a few features.  I guess I'll just keep trying new versions of GB-PVR and hoping that another future version will be as stable as 0227, until then I don't have much other choice than to live with it.  You can try going to software rendering, but even that isn't without it's problems, and it's kindof a waste of your hardware when you have decoding available.

[lippo]

cwills,

I also am not convinced it's a driver problem. With a 100% driver problem, ALL Hauppauge PVR-350 users would have problems.

I tried the shspvr drivers, but couldn't get them to work good. After my holiday I will experiment with different drivers (card not recognized). After so many hours of trying to get the thing working, I want to start using the box, instead of trying to get the thing working.

I like the GB-PVR product, but need the live-tvguide so that I can manually start a recording if I decide to record instead of watching it on live-tv. Most zapping will be done on my TV-set.
I've got everything working except for live-tv and that's quite frustrating.

I looked at Mediaportal, but I need a DX9 videdocard for that and they are hard to find for the PCI-bus. When changing the PVR to my second slot (I only have 2 slots) it won't work at all, so I am scared I won't be able to get it working.

Well, Sub and all other hard working people, keep up the good work and hopefully we'll all get the thing working.

[reven]

i use my 350 for tv out and its been stable for me since 0.238 (possible 0.227, cant remember), but i have to problems with live tv freezing or the computer locking up, i do however have issues some times with changing channels the video stutters around every 5 seconds, i have to exit live tv and reenter to fix the problem (tv in is via 150 thou, 350 does recording). and it takes a few seconds for the show end/show start cross over, and its not very smooth, but other than that its fine.

oh and im only have 256mb ram, which might be causing the stuttering video.