Is NPVR for me?

[davejohnson]

I have been a user of GBPVR for many years now since way before PVRX2.

My set up is :-
GBPVR
1 – Acer M1610 PC with Windows 7
2 – Hauppauge PVR150 cards
2 – Cable set-top boxes
1 – USB-UIRT
Alan Birtles XMLTV GUI for programme listings

My current main use of GBPVR is to auto record programme series from the set-top boxes via Composite connections and use USB-UIRT to change channels. The USB-UIRT has been split into channels 1 and 2 to control the set-top boxes individually through GBPVR. When away from home I am able to remotely connect to my computers and check what programmes have been recorded and are due to record. I can change, or add to, the pending recordings if I have missed an episode or a new programme is scheduled since I left.

I am perfectly happy with GBPVR but always prefer to have something better if it is available.

Installing NPVR I was able to see my cards and setup xmltv but could not see any way of setting them to be used as above. I don’t have an aerial connected and so a scan for channels finds nothing. When I click on live tv the error message ‘unable to communicate with recording device’ is displayed. Clicking on ‘show status’ reveals a blank window. I assume that the main use of NPVR is to record digital channels and since my Composite recordings are all analogue is NPVR for me?

[Reddwarf]

I have been a user of GBPVR for many years now since way before PVRX2.

My set up is :-
GBPVR
1 – Acer M1610 PC with Windows 7
2 – Hauppauge PVR150 cards
2 – Cable set-top boxes
1 – USB-UIRT
Alan Birtles XMLTV GUI for programme listings

My current main use of GBPVR is to auto record programme series from the set-top boxes via Composite connections and use USB-UIRT to change channels. The USB-UIRT has been split into channels 1 and 2 to control the set-top boxes individually through GBPVR. When away from home I am able to remotely connect to my computers and check what programmes have been recorded and are due to record. I can change, or add to, the pending recordings if I have missed an episode or a new programme is scheduled since I left.

I am perfectly happy with GBPVR but always prefer to have something better if it is available.

Installing NPVR I was able to see my cards and setup xmltv but could not see any way of setting them to be used as above. I don’t have an aerial connected and so a scan for channels finds nothing. When I click on live tv the error message ‘unable to communicate with recording device’ is displayed. Clicking on ‘show status’ reveals a blank window. I assume that the main use of NPVR is to record digital channels and since my Composite recordings are all analogue is NPVR for me?

NPVR works fine with analogue channels also. Right click and choose Settings, click on Devices. Now double click on the device you want to setup and click Add to add a channel. Choose Input sourec (I guess Composite in your case), click ok and choose the excutable you use to control the USBUIRT. This should get you started.

[jksmurf]

You seem to have the same usage profile as me. I must admit that while the digital channel side is working great, I'm struggling with the PVR-150 composite (or svideo) input Cable Box option

See this thread e.g. http://forums.gbpvr.com//showthread.php?...el-Changer.
Still not sure of the solution for this as not had feedback on the thread as yet. You could try the USBUIRT executable - See this thread: http://forums.gbpvr.com//showthread.php?...RTSEND.EXE

Be VERY interested if you can get it working ...!

k.

[davejohnson]

Update:

Don't know exactly what I have done but:-

Uninstalled 1.5.24 and installed 1.5.28. Procedure followed :-
Settings
Devices
Device setup
Import xmltv - data.xml
Input source 'Composite' 'OK'
Channel changer 'USBUIRTSend.exe'
arguments {channel}

Initially I had the same errors as previously ('unable to communicate with recording device'), nothing shows in Status, so did a reboot.
Was the same.

Went for a coffee and when I came back Live TV was showing. Live TV was recording and I was able to initiate recordings although some problems still exist. As yet I am not able to change channels but am working on that. Will post progress.

[Reddwarf]

Update:

Don't know exactly what I have done but:-

Uninstalled 1.5.24 and installed 1.5.28. Procedure followed :-
Settings
Devices
Device setup
Import xmltv - data.xml
Input source 'Composite' 'OK'
Channel changer 'USBUIRTSend.exe'
arguments {channel}

Initially I had the same errors as previously ('unable to communicate with recording device'), nothing shows in Status, so did a reboot.
Was the same.

Went for a coffee and when I came back Live TV was showing. Live TV was recording and I was able to initiate recordings although some problems still exist. As yet I am not able to change channels but am working on that. Will post progress.

Have you checked in Services.msc that the NPVR Recording Service is allowed to interact with desktop? And let NRecord.exe and NextPVR.exe throu the firewall?

[jksmurf]

Dave - referring to the pics posted on the thread http://forums.gbpvr.com//showthread.php?...el-Changer did Composite stick for you? What did you select as Tuner?

Code:

<tuning>  
<type>[B][color=red]Analog[/color][/B]</type>
   <locator>  
   <channel>671</channel>    
  <country>[color=red][B]1[/B][/color]</country>    
  <input>[color=red][B]cable[/B][/color]</input>    
  <source>[B][color=red]composite[/color][/B]</source>    
  <fixed>[color=red][B]2[/B][/color]</fixed>  
  </locator>
</tuning>

After you select a channel on your TVGuide (Deoesn't matter if the USBUIRT isn't working right now for this test) can I ask what you got in the Nrecord.log for the items in red above?

Thanks! - So close but so far. This and USBUIRT are the last pieces in my GBPVR =>NPVR switchover puzzle.

k.

[davejohnson]

Sorry jksmurf.

For a couple of hours I was able to watch live TV, record and attempt to change channels (with no success). Then suddenly I'm back at square one as per original post.

Uninstalled NPVR, removed all folders etc and reinstalled. Still the same am unable to watch live TV and status is blank. So annoying after seeing how it can work. Still, I'm not giving up yet and will continue to explore all avenues.

Reddwarf

Checked Sevices.msc and firewalls. Had to add Nrecord.exe to firewall programs but still the same. From the NPVR.log the following appears to be the problem.
2010-08-08 10:16:07.058 [ERROR][1] Unexpected socket exception calling StartStream(): System.Net.Sockets.SocketException: No connection could be made because the target machine actively refused it ::1:8968

[Reddwarf]

Reddwarf

Checked Sevices.msc and firewalls. Had to add Nrecord.exe to firewall programs but still the same. From the NPVR.log the following appears to be the problem.
2010-08-08 10:16:07.058 [ERROR][1] Unexpected socket exception calling StartStream(): System.Net.Sockets.SocketException: No connection could be made because the target machine actively refused it ::1:8968

I think that is something Sub has to look at. BTW: Are you using IpV6? If so, can you change to IpV4?

[davejohnson]

I'm using IpV4, IpV6 is disabled.

[davejohnson]

Yippee

There's always somebody who knows the answer. Its just a case of patience until they read your thread (or another similar). I've been keeping my eye on "Konka" 'Cannot connect to the recording service' and "mvallevand" came up with the answer. Changed host to 127.0.0.1, rebooted and can now watch LiveTV. So pleased I'm posting this having only achieved it a couple of times but things are looking promising.

Will now try the next step of getting USBUIRT to change channels on the set top box.

Many thanks