File Sharing PVRX2 Client PC black screen on SECOND playback

[Mysteryman]

version: 1.3.7 (current) on both client and server
Client OS: WinXP SP2
Server OS: Win2k3

I've recently started using PVRX2 as a PC Client using File Sharing and am experiencing an odd issue.

When PVRX2 is executed, the program opens as it should. I am able to select and playback any prerecorded show without issue with fantastic performance. Video is smooth, audio is perfectly synced, and remote control response is instant. When I stop that recording and choose any OTHER recording, I'll get a black screen, but hear the audio playback just fine.

If I then exit PVRX2 and relaunch it, the situation resets, and I can yet again playback ONE recording before the problem comes up again.

In searching posts for others with this issue, questions about firewalls came up. Neither machine has a firewall enabled. Also, playback from the "server" which I also use as a client doesn't and has never had this issue.

Any thoughts or areas to look for?

For logs, should I post the client PC, the server, or both?

Thanks

[sub]

Post the client logs and I'll take a look.

[Mysteryman]

Post the client logs and I'll take a look.

Thanks for the quick response!

I'll grab the client logs and post them tonight.

[Mysteryman]

First show "Hogans Heroes" was the first show, and it worked fine. The second "Futurama" in this case, would sound fine, but never displays video. If I exit PVRX2, relaunching, then try Futurama, it would work fine, but then the next thing played would not. Heck even replaying Futurama after exiting at that time would manifest the same issue.

I very much appreciate the help on this.

[sub]

Do you have the same problem if you try the VMR9 video renderer?

[Mysteryman]

Do you have the same problem if you try the VMR9 video renderer?

I don't think my video card supports regular VMR9, (Radeon 9800pro) but I'll try it. I'm pretty sure this same thing would happy on Overlay if that helps. I'll confirm both of those statements though.

[Mysteryman]

Regular VMR not listed as an option.

VMR Custom
Full screen exclusive
EVR
Overlay

The only difference in any of them is that when opening the second offending show, certain renderers will black the screen others will leave the last image on the screen both while the audio plays back fine.

[sub]

By 'VMR9' I meant either 'VMR9 Custom' or 'VMR9 Fullscreen Exclusive'.

Have you tried other decoders?

[Mysteryman]

Good catch! It looks like the issue is the codec. I downloaded and installed ffdshow and it doesn't seem to have the same issue. It's a bit worrisome though. I've used this rig as my old standalone GBPVR for several years without issue including the ATI/Cyberlink codec that now appears to be the issue. I'll work on it. Thank you for your assistance on this.

One last question: I have searched but haven't found a clear answer. When using File Sharing mode for PC client is there anything that can be done to make the playback of the Live TV decent or is this just the limit of File Sharing? Streaming playback of Live TV is glassy smooth, but switching the same system to File Sharing with Live TV has half second pauses and choppy audio.

[sub]

Good catch! It looks like the issue is the codec. I downloaded and installed ffdshow and it doesn't seem to have the same issue. It's a bit worrisome though. I've used this rig as my old standalone GBPVR for several years without issue including the ATI/Cyberlink codec that now appears to be the issue. I'll work on it. Thank you for your assistance on this.

You were previously relying on the 'system default' decoders, which effective tells Windows to choose whatever it wants to use. You would have installed or removed or somehow changed some other applications which caused the Windows to start choosing a different decoder, which then caused problems in GB-PVR. In general its much better to explicitly select a decoder rather than rely on 'system default' which is very susceptible to changes on the system.

One last question: I have searched but haven't found a clear answer. When using File Sharing mode for PC client is there anything that can be done to make the playback of the Live TV decent or is this just the limit of File Sharing? Streaming playback of Live TV is glassy smooth, but switching the same system to File Sharing with Live TV has half second pauses and choppy audio.

If you have a digital capture devices, using the TS Mux works best with file sharing for live tv. If you're using analog capture sources, there isnt much you can do about it.