From analog to digital questions

[Stargrove1]

Hi,

I changed from an analog WinTV to a TT DVB-C Card and I have some questions:

- I'm using XMLTV for EPG, is it possible to use the EPG from the digital card, because only analog channels are provided by XMLTV (germany/bw)?

- The change went well, and I tried to record and view a show which also was correct. Then I tried to copy a 16:9 mpg file to an USB drive and took it to my media player integrated in the Samsung TV (le b 650), now the ratio is 4:3 and I have no possibility to change it to 16:9. Could this be changed?

- The recorded files are quite big, 1h takes about 1.8GB, is that normal? It is only a little bit smaller than my mpg files from the analog device, I expected smaller files?

Thanks

[sub]

- I'm using XMLTV for EPG, is it possible to use the EPG from the digital card, because only analog channels are provided by XMLTV (germany/bw)?

There isnt a mechanism for using the EPG from the digital card for the analog card.

Also, if analog and digital capture sources share some of the same channels, then I suggest you stick to xmltv for all of those channels, since we've often found that the DVB EPG and XMLTV EPG can have different times or names for shows, which leads to duplicate recordings etc.

- The change went well, and I tried to record and view a show which also was correct. Then I tried to copy a 16:9 mpg file to an USB drive and took it to my media player integrated in the Samsung TV (le b 650), now the ratio is 4:3 and I have no possibility to change it to 16:9. Could this be changed?

When it comes to digital recordings, the app just records the raw bit stream as supplied by the broadcaster, retaining stuff like the aspect ratio flags etc. If your TV isnt displaying it correctly, its morely likely a bug with the Samsung TV's integrated media player - you'd probably need to look for options in that player to resolve the issue.

- The recorded files are quite big, 1h takes about 1.8GB, is that normal? It is only a little bit smaller than my mpg files from the analog device, I expected smaller files?

The size of digital recordings can vary wildly depending on the channel etc. At the end of the day, its the broadcaster that sets the bitrate, which ultimately decides how big the file will end up on disk.

[Stargrove1]

Hi sub,

thanks for the tipps.

I planned to remove the analog hauppauge 350 at all because it is just a big heat source which is now only needed for the remote control, but first have build up a winlirc device to replace the hauppauge receiver. Would it be then possible to use the EPG from the TT card? How long will normaly be the preview and where do to tell GBPVR to use it?

[sub]

Would it be then possible to use the EPG from the TT card?

Sure, if you're using any DVB card you can try using the DVB EPG. You'd need to test it to see if it works well for you, and gives you the level of detail and number of days of listings that you'd want.

How long will normaly be the preview and where do to tell GBPVR to use it?

What do you mean? What preview?

[Stargrove1]

I mean how many days does the DVB EPG shows the information (with XMLTV I get 14 days).

And sorry if this is a dumb question, but I still don't get it, how do I have to set up the DVB EPG? I use xmltv, therefore I run a task where a xml file is produced which I tell gbpvr where it is located. When I want to use DVB EPG, where do I have to configure that in gbpvr?

[sub]

I mean how many days does the DVB EPG shows the information (with XMLTV I get 14 days).

It depends on the broadcaster. Some transmit 7 days or more. Some transmit only a couple of hours, meaning its not worth using in a PVR app like GBPVR.

And sorry if this is a dumb question, but I still don't get it, how do I have to set up the DVB EPG? I use xmltv, therefore I run a task where a xml file is produced which I tell gbpvr where it is located. When I want to use DVB EPG, where do I have to configure that in gbpvr?

Delete your capture source and recreate it, but this time instead of setting the EPG Source setting to the XMLTV option, choose the DVB EPG option.

[willyperkins]

You might want to consider a DTV converter for your Hauppauge card to give you a second tuner... You can still get a coupon, so the cost is minimal... I got a Zenith DTT901 that is hooked to my Hauppauge PVR150 and switched using the IR Blaster that came with the Hauppauge. Wasn't really that hard to set up, and I like having the extra tuner for less than $10 in hardware cost...

[johnsonx42]

stargrove1 isn't in the USA, so I don't think a US DTV converter or coupon will help him much. but the effort to be helpful is still appreciated...

[Stargrove1]

Thanks willyperkins, but Johnsonx42 is right, I'm in germany.