Does GBPVR use buffers for live TV?

[Pob]

Still trying to work out why I get ntl.dll crashes when trying to view live satellite TV, unless 'use live preview mode when possible is unchecked.
(I would rather use live preview to save wear on the hard-drive; if recording two SD channels, and trying to watch a HD program, the HDD is actually recording three separate files!)
I know Sub thinks it may be something to do with the 780g mobo/IGP/drivers that myself and DAVA use - we have different sat tuner cards - but I still think it odd that other software like DVBDream does not crash, despite 'timeshift' being turned off. DVBdream is using exactly the same decoders, so the only difference I could think of is the TS reader. But then I saw DVBDream has the buffer settings page (picture attached). Maybe this buffer - which would mimic recording the file to HDD first - could be a solution? Needless to say I want to use GBPVR, not inferior imitations!
I have uploaded a full TS recording: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=K9910JSR and a TS recording from DVBDream http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6DOSU4XT in case they help:-)

[sub]

Still trying to work out why I get ntl.dll crashes when trying to view live satellite TV, unless 'use live preview mode when possible is unchecked.
...
I know Sub thinks it may be something to do with the 780g mobo/IGP/drivers that myself and DAVA use

I'm still sure its something to do with this, otherwise others would have the same problem.

DVBdream is using exactly the same decoders, so the only difference I could think of is the TS reader.

Remember the TS Reader is only used when when you've got live preview disabled. Live Preview doesnt use it at all. Instead, live preview enabled effectively connects the capture device to the microsoft demux, to the audio/video decoders, to the audio/video renderers (with no added buffering etc).

GB-PVR only uses buffers if live preview mode is unchecked. In this case everything is recorded to disk, then those files are played (using TS Reader).

If you've got access to another machine, without 780g MB, even just your desktop machine temporarily, I'd give this a go to see if you have the same problem.

[Pob]

If you've got access to another machine, without 780g MB, even just your desktop machine temporarily, I'd give this a go to see if you have the same problem.

I did briefly install a Compro S350 in another PC with GBPVR, did not pursue it because at the time I was getting the scanning crashes, and it was not finding all the channels, and the PC in question cannot handle 1080i. I will try it again though for this specific issue.
I am thinking that these small buffers do make a difference though, as even when PVRX2 does not crash, you can see the PC struggles at first viewing 1080i - you can see in the first few milliseconds the picture freezes / judders before it begins playing smoothly. It is usually in this first brief period that the ntl.dll crash occurs (though rarely it carries on for a few seconds before crashing). When not using live preview, after the period of buffering when the screen is blank, playback commences smooth from the outset...

[sub]

I did briefly install a Compro S350 in another PC with GBPVR, did not pursue it because at the time I was getting the scanning crashes, and it was not finding all the channels, and the PC in question cannot handle 1080i. I will try it again though for this specific issue.

Remember to apply the patches from the survival guide. One of these related to crashes during scanning.

I am thinking that these small buffers do make a difference though, as even when PVRX2 does not crash, you can see the PC struggles at first viewing 1080i - you can see in the first few milliseconds the picture freezes / judders before it begins playing smoothly. It is usually in this first brief period that the ntl.dll crash occurs (though rarely it carries on for a few seconds before crashing). When not using live preview, after the period of buffering when the screen is blank, playback commences smooth from the outset...

I cant think why your machine would be having problems with Live Preview, but if you really need some buffering then you're able to disable live preview. I have no intention of adding any buffering in live preview mode - we've not had it for the last three years that we've had digital TV support (DVB-T/DVB-S/DVB-C/QAM/ATSC), and never had a need for it in the past, and cant really see any need to add it now.

[Pob]

Remember to apply the patches from the survival guide. One of these related to crashes during scanning. Yep sorted now.

I cant think why your machine would be having problems with Live Preview, but if you really need some buffering then you're able to disable live preview. I have no intention of adding any buffering in live preview mode - we've not had it for the last three years that we've had digital TV support (DVB-T/DVB-S/DVB-C/QAM/ATSC), and never had a need for it in the past, and cant really see any need to add it now.

Fair 'nuf
Just for fun I tried using DVBdream with no H264 buffer (actually it will only let you reduce the size down to 1mb) - and the picture became seriously screwed-up!
So it seems on that software that the buffer is definately needed!

[sub]

Our H.264 is fine here in Live TV with no buffering in GB-PVR. I have no idea what DVBDream does with that buffer though - it may need it for the way it works.

[mvallevand]

Is this really any different then on my post yesterday?

http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php...post293696

There seems to be some issue with livetv preview versus recorded play and it has happened in the last few releases.

Martin

[sub]

Pob gets a crash in ntl.dll if he tries to use live preview mode. Is this what you're getting too?

[mvallevand]

No just black screen and no audio, what I meant was something has gone awry in live preview mode.

Martin

[sub]

I'm sure that will be unrelated. I'll post a suggestion in the other thread.

Pob also didnt have this problem using DVB-T, and only started getting the problem when he added DVB-S into the mix, rather a general problem Live Preview.