Plextor ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U

[agb1]

I almost gave up to make my Pinnacle PCTV Deluxe (PAL) USB device to work with GBPVR - but managed to get hold of new Plextor ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U device. It's as you know the next generation of Plextor ConvertX PX-M402U device as well with certified hardware DivX encoder and buit in TV tuner. So for I am very impressed with this device - but it would be great if it could as well be used with GBPVR

[sub]

Yes, this device works with GB-PVR.

[Guest]

I can't get the PX-TV402U (PAL) to work properly in GBPVR.

It won't change the channel after aprox. 20 min of watching a channel.

[steen]

Hello,

I just bought the Plextor PX-TV402U and am trying to have it work with GB-PVR. Now I have 2 questions.

1) The unit came with a remote control and an USB device for channel select, but without any notice or explanation. I don't know neither brand name nor product reference. Which Channel Changer shall I choose in Capture Source?

2) When starting the Tuning Assistent I'm asked for a Card Type. What is that? What shall I choose?

Thanks for your help.
Steen




I live in Paris, France (SECAM_L1).

[sub]

1a) Channel changers are used to change channels on an external set top decoder. They are typically an IR blaster that fakes the keystrokes of your normal set top decoder's remote. GB-PVR supports USB-UIRT and Actisys IR200L directly. You could find pictures of these on thier manufacturers websites to see if this is what you have (though I doubt it).
1b) GB-PVR only supports the Hauppauge remote control, or any remote via the USB-UIRT. Other than that, you'll need to use the keyboard or external IR remote software which sends fake keystrokes to GB-PVR.
1c) I've never seen a PX-TV402U shipped with a remote or IR blaster - its interesting that yours has these. Maybe they are bundling in some regions.

2) Tuning assistent doesnt work with this devices, but it doenst do anything important anyway. You dont need it.

[steen]

sub, thanks for your answer.

1) I can tell you that the USB device is labeled RC-202A, P/N 129-0601-00, Made in China. I have asked Plextor Europe for further details.

2) I thought that the purpose of the Tuning Assistant was to fine tune the different channels. Can this be done by modifying somethine in the register database or in a table in gbpvr.mdb?

3) I used the 18 steps guide to perform the EPG updating with french TV programs, and that worked quite well, except for one thing that I want to point out: the special french characters (such as é and è) were refused by GB-PRV, and I had to manually replace all these characters in the XML file. Did you know about this issue?

4) Anyway, when I browse through my 6 avalaible channels in "Live TV", GB-PRV only display the channel logo. There is [B]no[B] image on the preview screen, just flickering black and white noise. How can this be?

I can inform you that TV reception/display is OK when using the PX-TV402U with the bundled InterVideo software, so the problem is certainly related to the GB-PVR setup.

5) I discovered something else. When in the Settings for the "Recording Source" I specify "High Quality", the next time I come back to the settings the value is "Medium Quality".

The program package is very impressive, and I'm convinced that I shall manage to have it wirking here in Paris - with somme little help from the experts.

Steen

[sub]

1) this isnt something supported by GB-PVR.

2) No, tuning assistant literally does nothing. It changes no settings.

3) this makes me think your xml encoding is not set correctly on the first line of your XMLTV file. These sorts of extended characters usually work well if the XML file has the right encoding type.

4) All I can suggest is double check your country settings and video standard are set correctly. It could be a problem with SECAM support. I've never heard of anyone trying it to date.

5) This is correct. This is not used for setting the default profile. It is used for editing each of the available profile. You set the profile when you schedule a recording. "Medium" should have been called something like "Quick Record Defaults" in hind sight. You can edit the "medium" profile to have whatever you prefer the defaults to be.

[steen]

XML issue
The first line in the XML file reads <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>. Maybe I could modify the encoding parameter using UltraEdit-32 before loading into GB-VPR, but since the XML file was generated by XMLTV it should be possible to do it otherwise.

By the way, if I try xmltv tv_grab_fr --slow --output test.xml I get a lot of error messages saying "bad data inside programme element, not writing", and the XML file is even not created.

If you know someting about XMLTV I would appreciate if you could explain me how to do in order to recover TV program data including program descriptions - with the french characters.

SECAM issue
I have double checked country settings and video standards. They are OK. So I really think there is a problem with the SECAM support in GB-PVR. Should I really be the first european person to try discover this?

So, can we expect this issue being corrected in a future version of GB-PVR?

[steen]

Bug in tv_grab_fr
People living in France should know that I've discovered a bug in the tv_grap_fr module in the xmltv.exe package. Try download the latest version from http://alpha-exe.xmltv.org

Is the SECAM issue being examined by the developers? When can an updated version of GB-PVR be expected?

[sub]

Quote[/b] ]Is the SECAM issue being examined by the developers?

To be honest, no I havent looked at it all. I've been addressing other problems. Remember, this project is only a part time hobby for me, so I only have so much time to spread around.

Quote[/b] ]When can an updated version of GB-PVR be expected?

A new version will be available in a few days, but this probably wont correct the problem for you. Sorry.