Several "How To" questions from a newbie

[dough]

Let me start by saying that this PVRX2 is one slick app. Two thumbs up (more if I had 'em) for the creators! I've tried a number of media center apps and I think this is the best of all of them.

So, being new at this, I have a few questions:

1. Applying skins/themes: In the "Settings>Skin" menu, after selecting a different theme, I get a dialog asking if I want to run "CopyTheme.bat". I click run and then PVRX2 hangs. Task manager shows "not responding". After 3-4 minutes, the app "un-hangs" but the theme is not applied. If I close then reopen PVRX2, the theme has then been applied. Is this normal?

2. I use my mouse & keyboard much more often than the remote. When using the mouse in PVRX2, the pointer often disappears and I can't tell what I'm pointing at. That's probably a good thing in a home theater but I use this in a home office so the mouse is more convenient than the remote. Is there a way to prevent this from happening?

3. Speaking of remotes, I'm using the remote that came with my Visiontek HD650. The remote has no model name or anything on it, it just says "ATI Theater Video" on a decal. I configured it as an "MCE" remote and most of the buttons work. I understand there are apps out there that will reconfigure the behavior of remote buttons. What's the best or most recommended way to get all the buttons working?

4. Weather plugin: I can add cities by entering zip codes in config but I can't do it within PVRX2. The list of cities is blank. Is there a fix for this?

5. I have a couple of recorded programs in .ts format. When I choose "Video Library>Transcode" and tell it to convert to MPEG2, nothing happens. How do I fix this so I can convert my videos?


That's all for now. Thanks in advance

[sub]

1. Applying skins/themes: In the "Settings>Skin" menu, after selecting a different theme, I get a dialog asking if I want to run "CopyTheme.bat". I click run and then PVRX2 hangs. Task manager shows "not responding". After 3-4 minutes, the app "un-hangs" but the theme is not applied. If I close then reopen PVRX2, the theme has then been applied. Is this normal?

There is a known bug in the current release that can cause this. I've fixed it for the next release.

2. I use my mouse & keyboard much more often than the remote. When using the mouse in PVRX2, the pointer often disappears and I can't tell what I'm pointing at. That's probably a good thing in a home theater but I use this in a home office so the mouse is more convenient than the remote. Is there a way to prevent this from happening?

Sorry, no there isnt an option to disable this auto-hide feature. If you move the mouse it'll reappear.

3. Speaking of remotes, I'm using the remote that came with my Visiontek HD650. The remote has no model name or anything on it, it just says "ATI Theater Video" on a decal. I configured it as an "MCE" remote and most of the buttons work. I understand there are apps out there that will reconfigure the behavior of remote buttons. What's the best or most recommended way to get all the buttons working?

Sorry, I'm not familiar with the remote this device ships with. You might be able to get the remote fully functioning using third party software like HIP or EventGhost or IR Server Suite.

4. Weather plugin: I can add cities by entering zip codes in config but I can't do it within PVRX2. The list of cities is blank. Is there a fix for this?

I'm not that familar with the Weather plugin, but it might your firewall getting in the way of querying the list of cities.

5. I have a couple of recorded programs in .ts format. When I choose "Video Library>Transcode" and tell it to convert to MPEG2, nothing happens. How do I fix this so I can convert my videos?

Reproduce the problem, then zip and attach the pvrx2.exe.log and I'll take a look.

[dough]

Thanks sub. Here's the pvrx2.exe.log file.

[sub]

If you run this from the command line, what output does it give you:

Code:

"C:\Program Files\Devnz\GBPVR\Third Party\FFmpeg\ffmpeg.exe" -y -i "D:\Recorded TV\GB-PVR\Germans in America\Germans in America_20090128_03000400.ts" -vcodec copy -acodec copy -f dvd ""D:\Recorded TV\GB-PVR\Germans in America\Germans in America_20090128_03000400.mpg""

I suspect it might be those double quotes around the filename confusing it, but lets see the output to be sure.

[dough]

It says it is "Unable for find a suitable output format for 'TV\GB-PVR\Germans'":confused:

Here it is:

[ACTCMS]

I think sub was suggesting that you try changing from

"C:\Program Files\Devnz\GBPVR\Third Party\FFmpeg\ffmpeg.exe" -y -i "D:\Recor
ded TV\GB-PVR\Germans in America\Germans in America_20090128_03000400.ts" -vcode
c copy -acodec copy -f dvd ""D:\Recorded TV\GB-PVR\Germans in America\Germans in
America_20090128_03000400.mpg""

to

"C:\Program Files\Devnz\GBPVR\Third Party\FFmpeg\ffmpeg.exe" -y -i "D:\Recor
ded TV\GB-PVR\Germans in America\Germans in America_20090128_03000400.ts" -vcode
c copy -acodec copy -f dvd "D:\Recorded TV\GB-PVR\Germans in America\Germans in
America_20090128_03000400.mpg"

[johnsonx42]

ACTCMS and sub are right, the output you got proves it... with the double double quotes where ACTCMS bolded, the app will get the everything in the path as a separate arguement, confusing it to logical death.

[dough]

I think sub was suggesting that you try changing from
to

Oops, that one went right over my head.

I tried it w/o the double quotes and it worked. Is there a way to fix the UI so I don't have to convert from a command line?

[johnsonx42]

I suppose you could edit the config.xml and remove the " " around {DEST_FILE} in <AutoConvertTSCommand>. I don't see a separate entry for the video library transcode ts to mpeg, so I'm assuming it uses the same entry.

I should probably let sub comment at some point here... it's his proggy after all

[ACTCMS]

I suppose you could edit the config.xml and remove the " " around {DEST_FILE} in <AutoConvertTSCommand>.

That sounds like it might be worth trying - but it might be worth trying to find out where the extra "'s are coming from in the first place

@dough - you should only use notepad (or something like notepad++) to edit config.xml and you should also back it up first...