Newbie desperate for assistance

[dennit]

the reason why I wanted to use the MS-DVR mux is that it appeared to me that the overall quality of recording playback was much, much better than with the TS mux.

I'm not up to speed in this thread, but I use MS-DVR because it's the only format that lets me remove commercials properly with comskip. MS-DVR has the best timeline control. TS and MPG have several benefits, but they aren't enough to make me willing to lose comskip. I've never seen any quality differences.

[johnsonx42]

...I have isolated the problem channel as the only 1080i channel I've got?

Are you sure NBC is the only 1080i channel you have? Here CBS and the local CW affiliate are 1080i, and at least one of the PBS stations is as well. When playing Preview Mode LiveTV (NOT timeshift), pressing Ctrl-O will give you video and audio info. This will also work when playing back a recording.

Also, what happens if you record NBC with DVR-MS? Honestly the Mux you use really shouldn't make any difference in playback quality.

[Jaggy]

As I posted earlier in this thread, I am sure sub said in some circumstances it will record as .ts no matter what mux you pick, I feel that is what is happening in this circumstance, but having said that he should be able to get good playback of .ts with the right codecs & video card settings.......or the way I did/do it by buying an NMT for playback & forget all the other hassles getting them to play properly

[johnsonx42]

That only applies to non-MPEG-2 streams; for US broadcast, it can use whatever mux you want.

[RiverNoord]

I think I've maybe failed to communicate the nature of the problem effectively, and I'm sorry 'bout that. (johnsonx42, I can't record NBC with DVR-MS, and yep I'm certain that the local NBC channel is the only 1080i channel I get - all the others are definitely 720p - confirmed through several sources)

First, the NBC channel will not record with any mux except the TS mux, no matter which one I select. GB-PVR defaults back to the TS mux regardless of my selection for recording of the channel. Second, the channel won't display video, only audio, in LiveTV (I don't mind much, since I can use SiliconDust's QuickTV app, which works very well, but the problem may help in diagnosis). Third, and I've come to recognize that this is not just a playback problem, a .ts recording of the NBC channel results in a poor quality playback file, with any significant motion resulting in "jerks" from one stage of the motion to the next. I've used many different mpeg-2 decoders, played with every setting I could find, and the core problem remains.

Unfortunately, my short-term motivation in buying my HDHomeRun was to be able to watch and record "Heroes" on NBC - that was pretty much it.

The following is the line from the tuning cache file for the channel:

T:44,0,0~P:3~TSID:1899~V:1401~VTYPE:H264~A:52~PMT:48~PCR:49~N:>11.1 KVLY-TV (eng(AC3))

The portion that is different than all the other channels is the "V:1401~VTYPE:H264" bit. Whurlston pointed out earlier in the thread that this was almost certainly a mistake being made during tuning. He suggested an edit of the line that would force config to recognize the channel properly. That edit is indicated earlier in the thread. I followed his suggestion, edited the cache file, deleted the channel in config, and re-scanned.

The result was a major blowup. The NBC channel would now display in LiveTV. That was the sole positive result. Among the negative consequences was that every recording, not just of the NBC channel, resulted in a pair of 5.5k files, and the chosen mux didn't matter. IF I chose DVR-MS as the mux, the files were 5.5k MS-DVR files (although the NBC channel would still default back to the TX mux - which then left dual 5.5k .ts files). Selecting the TS Mux resulted, in all cases, in 5.5k .ts files. I have not been able to successfully record since then.

I have uninstalled and reinstalled GB-PVR, the 2005 C++ redistributable, and the SiliconDust software (even upgrading to a beta firmware at one point) at least three times now. After the first uninstall, which left many GB-PVR files and settings in place, I used a deep uninstall program, Revo Uninstall, to remove all registry settings and files, presumably starting from complete scratch with the reinstalls. I also (twice) downloaded new copies of all three setup files (vcrest, GB-PVR, and HDHomeRun), in case there was a corrupted file.

What I have now is this - not only will nothing record, I can't even start up LiveTV - I click on it in PVRX2, the screen blinks for a fraction of the second, and then it's back to the main menu. The same thing happens when I click on "TV Guide". I can't utilize any TV function of GB-PVR at all.

When I included my update about the NBC channel being the only 1080i one I get, I hoped that someone might have an "aha" moment and provide the missing link to the resolution of the overall problem... I'm about ready to yield and declare myself beaten. SageTV and BeyondTV (trials) both work fine, although the recording quality isn't what I got with GB-PVR and MS-DVR (except in the case of the NBC channel, of course).

At the moment, I don't have GB-PVR installed, since my multiple reinstall efforts have failed so dramatically and left me pulling out what little hair I have left...

I'd be very happy to go step-by-step through a reinstall, keeping logs, etc, if someone would be willing to work through it with me. That's probably a lot to ask, so I'd understand if there are no takers, but I'm basically a failed case so far, and I just won't be able to use the program unless I get help. I've used up every idea I've got. I dunno if there are persistent registry entries, corrupt files, etc., managing to avoid replacement during uninstall/reinstall, or just what could possibly be causing the problem(s).

I would be extremely grateful for any assistance -

Thanks All

Dan

Quick specs - 1.4.7/XP Pro x64/Phenom quad core 2.6 GHz, ATI X1900XTX, 4 G RAM, SiliconDust HDHomeRun, OTA ATSC.

[whurlston]

T:44,0,0~P:3~TSID:1899~V:1401~VTYPE:H264~A:52~PMT: 48~PCR:49~N:>11.1 KVLY-TV (eng(AC3))

... I followed his suggestion, edited the cache file, deleted the channel in config, and re-scanned.

When you rescanned, it deleted the edit. You should do the edit after scanning. Also edit the tuning string in the Capture Source configuration screen (the one that has the button "Map digital channels to EPG channels".

Or you can scan, close config, edit the scan cache, reopen config and then map the channel (without rescanning).

[dennit]

The portion that is different than all the other channels is the "V:1401~VTYPE:H264" bit. Whurlston pointed out earlier in the thread that this was almost certainly a mistake being made during tuning.

If it's any help to you, I completely agree with Whurlston.

He suggested an edit of the line that would force config to recognize the channel properly. That edit is indicated earlier in the thread. I followed his suggestion, edited the cache file, deleted the channel in config, and re-scanned.

The result was a major blowup. The NBC channel would now display in LiveTV. That was the sole positive result.

A major blowup is extremely unlikely from changing the cache file. It should have affected only the one channel. Further, I can't see how changing the cache-file, then rescanning would help. The rescan would overwrite the change. Whurlston wanted you to rescan first, then change the cache file, assuming the rescan had the same error of identifying it as H264.

Among the negative consequences was that every recording, not just of the NBC channel, resulted in a pair of 5.5k files, and the chosen mux didn't matter. IF I chose DVR-MS as the mux, the files were 5.5k MS-DVR files

A 5.5K file with the DVR-MS mux is a sign that you're getting no signal. DVR-MS creates a 5.5K-6K buffer, then fills that buffer.

I have uninstalled and reinstalled GB-PVR, the 2005 C++ redistributable, and the SiliconDust software (even upgrading to a beta firmware at one point) at least three times now. After the first uninstall, which left many GB-PVR files and settings in place, I used a deep uninstall program, Revo Uninstall, to remove all registry settings and files, presumably starting from complete scratch with the reinstalls. I also (twice) downloaded new copies of all three setup files (vcrest, GB-PVR, and HDHomeRun), in case there was a corrupted file.

What I have now is this - not only will nothing record, I can't even start up LiveTV - I click on it in PVRX2, the screen blinks for a fraction of the second, and then it's back to the main menu. The same thing happens when I click on "TV Guide". I can't utilize any TV function of GB-PVR at all.

Clearly, your tuning source is not set up correctly. Until that works, PVRX2/ GBPVR is not going to work. You need to stay in config until it is tuning correctly (it's not clear if your tuning source works inside config to show you live TV and sound).

When I included my update about the NBC channel being the only 1080i one I get, I hoped that someone might have an "aha" moment and provide the missing link to the resolution of the overall problem... I'm about ready to yield and declare myself beaten. SageTV and BeyondTV (trials) both work fine, although the recording quality isn't what I got with GB-PVR and MS-DVR (except in the case of the NBC channel, of course).

At the moment, I don't have GB-PVR installed, since my multiple reinstall efforts have failed so dramatically and left me pulling out what little hair I have left...

I feel your pain. All I can say is you won't find a more helpful forum than here.

I'd be very happy to go step-by-step through a reinstall, keeping logs, etc, if someone would be willing to work through it with me. That's probably a lot to ask, so I'd understand if there are no takers, but I'm basically a failed case so far, and I just won't be able to use the program unless I get help. I've used up every idea I've got. I dunno if there are persistent registry entries, corrupt files, etc., managing to avoid replacement during uninstall/reinstall, or just what could possibly be causing the problem(s).

I (and I'm sure others) will help. Do your best to install, and keep the logs. When you have a problem, post them. We will work with you to get there. Whurlston has been here for a long time and is an expert with the HDHomeRun. I have no experience with it at all. Clearly, there are no guarantees, but if you are willing to tackle what has to be done at your end, you will get friendly help here.

Good luck.

[johnsonx42]

I suggest you do it this way:

Install GB-PVR, configure your HDHomeRun. Do your channel scan. Map your channels, including NBC with the wrong tuning request. Then exit the mapping screen, and you will be back on the capture source configuration screen which lists the channels and tuning requests. Now, locate the line for your NBC channel. Click in the tuning request field so that it lets you edit the field... using your arrow keys, arrow over to the V: parameter, and carefully edit it so that it says "V:49" instead of "V:1401". Also eliminate the VTYPE:H264 altogether. So your final tuning request looks like this:

Code:

T:44,0,0~P:3~TSID:1899~V:49~A:52~PMT:48~PCR:49~N:>11.1 KVLY-TV (eng(AC3))

Repeat the process for the other tuner. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU DO IT FOR BOTH TUNERS BEFORE TESTING ANYTHING. Finally exit config with the OK button, then go back in and look at your NBC tuning request again for both capture souces, make sure it got saved right (and a second look may reveal a typo).
Now test.

[RiverNoord]

Thanks dennit and johnsonx42 - I'm going to follow your advice and see what happens - I'll make sure to grab the logs as I go.

I can honestly say that I doubt I've ever particpated in a forum with the level of friendly helpfulness that I've experienced here. Thanks again -

Here goes...

[RiverNoord]

OK here's the result of my testing.

After reinstall of GB-PVR, I setup both tuners for my HDHomeRun in config and ran channel scans. After scanning, I verified the signals by clicking on the channels on the bottom right of the scan window and watched for video in the upper right window. All was fine until I clicked on the NBC channel - config hung and I had to force shutdown.

After restarting config, I checked the tuning info for the channels - the NBC channel returned, as expected, the V:1401 and VTYPE:H264 entries. As johnsonx42 suggested, I manually edited the tuning request in the capture source configuration screen, for each tuner, and closed config.

I then started PVRX2 - I was able to see all channels in LiveTV and record all channels using the TS Mux. After confirming this, I changed the mux to MS-DVR. All recording attempts failed and left 5.5k files. I then changed to the ATI Mux - again, 5.5k files.

After reselecting the TS Mux, I restarted PVRX2 and began recording Heroes (on the NBC channel). It successfully recorded the full episode. After watching the show on SiliconDust's QuickTV while recording, I checked out the recording using VLC.

The recording was as bad as before - the two disctinct features are many, many periods in which the video appears to have tiny horizontal lines running through it and a lot of motion skipping/jerkiness. The horizontal line thing appears to be tied to motion in the signal. In other words, the recording looks really great until something moves.

After viewing the recording, I started PVRX2 and began recording the local OTA ABC channel (720p), featuring (ugh) "Dancing With the Stars." The advantage of recording that show was that there was plenty of motion - well, at least the pro dancer was moving - the "celebrity" guy wasn't doing much... OK I digress. The recording played back in VLC without any horizontal lines or motion problems whatsoever, although it was a little bit, well, "hazier," in full screen playback.

Conclusions - first, at least GB-PVR is up and running again - that's a start.

Second - the only Mux that I can use successfully for recording at this point is the TS Mux. Both MS-DVR and the ATI Mux returned 5.5k files.

Third - the NBC channel, which is the only 1080i channel I get and keeps returning a strange tuning request after scanning with config, records poorly, even though it looks great while viewed using SiliconDust's QuickTV app. All other channels, which are 720p and appear to return proper tuning requests in config, record free of the motion problems that I get with the NBC channel.

The log.zip file I'm uploading consists of 10 folders, numbered 1 through 9a, in which I placed the log files from each stage of the process I went through, from install to the successful recording of the ABC channel using TS Mux.

Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Dan