Digital vs. Analog recording conflict: HVR-2250 tuners

[Braklet]

Hi folks, long time no post. I know sub has moved on to bigger projects, but I'm hoping a fellow enthusiast can help me out here.

My WinXP + GB-PVR 1.4.7 system has been working well, but lightning recently zapped my old HTPC so I rebuilt it using a Hauppauge HVR-2250. Dual ATSC tuners are great, but I'm running into source conflicts when I attempt to simultaneously access digital and analog inputs. This occurs with live TV and scheduling recordings.

Setup:

• Antenna -> ATSC input; two digital recording sources sharing a single set of EPG channels.
  
• DishNet satellite receiver -> analog S-video input; one analog source sharing a second EPG lineup.
  
• Second analog input unused; reserved as a 4th recording source.
  

I believe I have set up all recording sources correctly, since I can access each individually w/o problems. I can even record two digital sources simultaneously. I can not schedule any analog recordings while one digital recording is scheduled. I can not watch analog TV while one digital recording proceeds. PVRX2 always thwarts my attempts via conflict error messages.

Here is an excerpt from pvrx2.exe.log indicating the capture source conflict when I attempt to QuickRec an analog recording (World's Dumbest...) from the TV Guide, at the same time a digital recording (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) is scheduled:

Code:

2010-09-23 19:07:31.520    VERBOSE    [1]    Creating new GBPVRUiElement (selected)
2010-09-23 19:07:31.520    VERBOSE    [1]    Creating new GBPVRUiElement (normal)
2010-09-23 19:07:31.520    VERBOSE    [1]    Creating new GBPVRUiElement (normal)
2010-09-23 19:07:31.520    VERBOSE    [1]    Creating new GBPVRUiElement (normal)
2010-09-23 19:07:33.301    VERBOSE    [1]    Creating new GBPVRUiElement (normal)
2010-09-23 19:07:33.301    VERBOSE    [1]    Creating new GBPVRUiElement (selected)
2010-09-23 19:07:34.864    VERBOSE    [1]    Recieved popup callback Quick Rec
2010-09-23 19:07:34.864    VERBOSE    [1]    getValue() loading new key/value into cache: /settings/PreShowPadding
2010-09-23 19:07:34.864    VERBOSE    [1]    getValue: /settings/PreShowPadding : 5
2010-09-23 19:07:34.864    VERBOSE    [1]    getValue() loading new key/value into cache: /settings/PostShowPadding
2010-09-23 19:07:34.864    VERBOSE    [1]    getValue: /settings/PostShowPadding : 5
2010-09-23 19:07:34.879    VERBOSE    [1]    Looking for capture source to record: World's Dumbest ...
2010-09-23 19:07:34.879    VERBOSE    [1]    Possible capture device: DEVICE:Hauppauge HVR2250:1
2010-09-23 19:07:34.879    VERBOSE    [1]    Checking 'HVR2250 S-video 1' (DEVICE:Hauppauge HVR2250:1)
2010-09-23 19:07:34.895    VERBOSE    [1]    canRecord@1
2010-09-23 19:07:34.895    VERBOSE    [1]    canRecord@2
2010-09-23 19:07:34.895    VERBOSE    [1]    canRecord@2.1
2010-09-23 19:07:34.895    VERBOSE    [1]    canRecord@2.1
2010-09-23 19:07:34.895    VERBOSE    [1]    canRecord@2.1
2010-09-23 19:07:34.895    VERBOSE    [1]    canRecord@2.1
2010-09-23 19:07:34.895    VERBOSE    [1]    canRecord@2.1
2010-09-23 19:07:34.895    VERBOSE    [1]    canRecord@3
2010-09-23 19:07:34.895    VERBOSE    [1]    canRecord@exit (possible)
2010-09-23 19:07:34.895    VERBOSE    [1]    Checking 'HVR2250 ATSC' (DEVICE:Hauppauge HVR2250:1)
2010-09-23 19:07:34.895    VERBOSE    [1]    RecordingFactory.loadScheduleRecordingByOID()
2010-09-23 19:07:34.895    VERBOSE    [1]    Checking 'HVR2250 ATSC 2' (DEVICE:Hauppauge HVR2250:2)
2010-09-23 19:07:34.895    VERBOSE    [1]    Checking 'HVR2250 S-video 2' (DEVICE:Hauppauge HVR2250:2)
2010-09-23 19:07:34.895    VERBOSE    [1]    CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
2010-09-23 19:07:34.895    VERBOSE    [1]    getValue() loading new key/value into cache: /settings/AllowedBeginningOverlap
2010-09-23 19:07:34.895    VERBOSE    [1]    getValue: /settings/AllowedBeginningOverlap : 3
2010-09-23 19:07:34.895    WARNING    [1]    No available capture source found
2010-09-23 19:07:34.895    VERBOSE    [1]    RefreshPendingRecordings()
2010-09-23 19:07:34.895    VERBOSE    [1]    RecordingFactory.loadSchedule()
2010-09-23 19:07:34.895    VERBOSE    [1]    getValue cached value: /settings/AutoRemoveMissingRecordings : false
2010-09-23 19:07:34.895    VERBOSE    [1]    getValue cached value: /settings/CheckForRenamedRecordings : false
2010-09-23 19:07:35.270    VERBOSE    [1]    RefreshPendingRecordings()@2
2010-09-23 19:07:35.270    VERBOSE    [1]    RefreshPendingRecordings() complete
2010-09-23 19:07:35.332    VERBOSE    [1]    loading /settings/Placements/Placement[@name="Conflicts"]
2010-09-23 19:07:35.332    VERBOSE    [1]    selectedIndex = 0     detailsViewVisibleIndex = 0
2010-09-23 19:07:35.332    VERBOSE    [1]    drawing image....

I notice the "DEVICE:Hauppauge HVR2250:1&2" messages and that my analog & digital sources share numbers. Should they use different sub-device numbers (i.e. do digital and analog sources share the same device IDs)?

Greatly appreciate any guidance, TIA!

[sub]

I believe I have set up all recording sources correctly, since I can access each individually w/o problems. I can even record two digital sources simultaneously. I can not schedule any analog recordings while one digital recording is scheduled. I can not watch analog TV while one digital recording proceeds. PVRX2 always thwarts my attempts via conflict error messages.

Here is an excerpt from pvrx2.exe.log indicating the capture source conflict when I attempt to QuickRec an analog recording (World's Dumbest...) from the TV Guide, at the same time a digital recording (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) is scheduled:

You'll probably find it's order dependent. ie, if you schedule your analog recording first, then the digital recording, it'll be fine.

The problem is probably happening because when your digital recording is scheduled, it allocates "DEVICE:Hauppauge HVR2250:1" for the job, and when it later goes to schedule the analog recording, it finds the channel is only on "DEVICE:Hauppauge HVR2250:1", but it's already in use. In the reverse order, when it goes to schedule the digital recording after the analog recording, it finds "DEVICE:Hauppauge HVR2250:1" in use, but the channel is also available on "DEVICE:Hauppauge HVR2250:2", so allocates to that.

ie, it wont adjust already scheduled items to accomodate a new request.

[Braklet]

The problem is probably happening because when your digital recording is scheduled, it allocates "DEVICE:Hauppauge HVR2250:1" for the job, and when it later goes to schedule the analog recording, it finds the channel is only on "DEVICE:Hauppauge HVR2250:1", but it's already in use.

Hi sub, thanks for the note.

That makes sense. Is it possible for me to change the device IDs so that digital and analog resources are considered separately? E.g.:

ATSC 1 = Hauppauge HVR2250:1
ATSC 2 = Hauppauge HVR2250:2
S-vid 1 = Hauppauge HVR2250:3
S-vid 2 = Hauppauge HVR2250:4

In the database, I noticed DIRECT_RECORDING_SOURCE.board and BDA_RECORDING_SOURCE.board corresponding values. Might also be a way to change them in the config application, perhaps the Analog Recording Plugin Capture Device, and Digital Recording Plugin Device Number.

Thanks again!

[sub]

Hi sub, thanks for the note.

That makes sense. Is it possible for me to change the device IDs so that digital and analog resources are considered separately?

They're not separate though. Your device has two tuners, each of which can be used for either analog or digital, but not both at the same time (svid counts as using an analog tuner). So you have "Hauppauge HVR2250:1" and "Hauppauge HVR2250:2" that can be used at the same time, and that is exactly what the application is trying to enforce.

You might try moving the ATSC board 2 capture source further up your capture source list though, so that "Hauppauge HVR2250:2" is more likely to be allocated, leaving "Hauppauge HVR2250:1" available for either analog or a second digital recording.

[Braklet]

Your device has two tuners, each of which can be used for either analog or digital, but not both at the same time

<brief ray of sunshine on a long-dark brain> Ohhhhhhh... so that's how it works. I thought the digital and analog sections of the card were completely separate, leading me to believe it would be possible to simultaneously access my analog input at the same time as two digital recordings. Huh, learn something new every day.

You might try moving the ATSC board 2 capture source further up your capture source list though, so that "Hauppauge HVR2250:2" is more likely to be allocated, leaving "Hauppauge HVR2250:1" available for either analog or a second digital recording.

I'll give this a try. I assume that when it comes to recordings, PVRX2 selects from the top down in the config application list? That order mirrors the OIDs in the corresponding DB table rows.

Thanks!

[sub]

<brief ray of sunshine on a long-dark brain> Ohhhhhhh... so that's how it works. I thought the digital and analog sections of the card were completely separate, leading me to believe it would be possible to simultaneously access my analog input at the same time as two digital recordings. Huh, learn something new every day.

Yeah, I thought you might be missing that.

I'll give this a try. I assume that when it comes to recordings, PVRX2 selects from the top down in the config application list?

Yes.

[Braklet]

Hi sub, that trick worked great. Thanks for the tip!