UK Freeview recording problem

[Devonian]

I have used GBPVR for many years with no problems.

However when I tried to use NPVR I found that around 30% of recordings failed.
The recorded files appear normal but when editing or viewing is tried the pictures are striped or pixelated and when I try to fix these I get Invalid File. Sometimes I get multiple resolutions indicated. The failed recordings are on PSB2 channel.

In general the files are much shorter than successful recordings - possibly indicating low resolution transmissions. (see attached screen grab).

I am using Caradon Hill transmitter which has HD transmission and have had to update my Sony TV to accept the BBC HD channel which switches between p and i every few seconds.

I wonder if ITV is obtaining extra bandwidth by switching the transmitted resolution?

I had hoped that the latest NPVR would solve the problem but it has made no difference.

I have reverted to using GBPVR 1.4.7 and now have no problems with completely trouble free recording (15 over the last two nights using a variety of channels with hibernation in between).

The problem seems to an incorrect header on the recorded file but until a fix is found I will continue using GBPVR.

[sub]

What type of channel was this, and what capture device were using?

Assuming this is a digital recording, then it sounds particularly odd since NPVR just dumps broadcasters stream to disk. NPVR doesnt add headers or manipulate the stream in any way.

Does it look the same as that screenshot when you play the recording in NPVR? ie, this isnt just a case of videoredo not liking the file?

[Devonian]

Thanks Sub for the quick reply,

The Tuner is a NovaT-USB2

The failed recordings will not play on Video Redo, Windows Media Player or VLC Player.

All the recordings using GBPVR are OK with all editors and players.

Using Super the good recordings show correct resolution but the faulty recordings show no resolution.

It is possible that the failed recordings are low resolution transmissions, they are all low MB per min, between 12 - 16 MB/Min, but Super cannot show the resolution for these so I can't be sure.

Originally, using NPVR, I made 11 recordings overnight of which 2-3-5 and 10 failed. There was sufficient gap for Hibernation between all recordings.

The failed ones were on ITV1, More4 and ITV2 - all on PSB2 Multiplex.

Last night I made two recordings from More4 using GBPVR with no problems.

I don't fully understand ts recording. My understanding was that ts was the whole multiplex direct from the tuner but now it seems to be a single program stream.

I have tried completely unloading and re-loading NPVR several times over the last couple of months including deleting the two directories and then cleaning the registry but with the same result.

My full setup is:-

NovaT USB2
Gigabyte GA-G41MT-D3 motherboard with Intel graphics - 3X HDD
Wired link to Pinnacle ShowCenter and 20" TV at 100Mb/Sec
Asus Homeplug link to Sony 40EX503 TV running at 120Mb/Sec in self test.
D-LINK Router with Broadband at 11Mb/Sec

Hope this can Help.

[jcjefferies]

You dont mention what Live TV reception is like using NPVR. What was the signal strength and quality quoted at the start of the recording. Are you sure it is not boarder line reception conditions.

[Lao Pan]

You may also want to try plugging the tuner in to a Powered USB Hub
It took me 3 months to think of this with a PCTV Nano stick Freeview HD on a different Gigabyte MB - went from a similar picture to above to perfect. - not enough power on the USB sockets!

Also check signal is OK just plug in the one Tuner to the aerial (no splitters) - and make sure the DVB-T tuning ini is correct for your transmitter. It may be out of date due to Digital Changeover. - you may be tuned to a distant transmitter.

[imilne]

You still haven't answered the single most important thing sub asked you... do the recordings look ok when played back within NPVR itself?

Iain

[Devonian]

Your server was off the air yesterday evening so I couldn't access your site!!

Since digital switch over I have a very strong signal from Caradon Hill and recordings with GBPVR (and the good ones with NPVR) are 100% error free as reported when Video Redo saves after editing. Live TV is excellent but I can't say whether the live viewing of the faulty recordings was good or bad.

NPVR gives a completely black screen and returns to menu after a few seconds with the faulty recordings. The good recordings play OK.

Regarding tuning, I had to do a full channel re-scan every time NPVR was loaded from scratch.

I can't be catagoric but so far I have never had a faulty recording with GBPVR although before switch over I used to get a few data errors on most recordings.

Does NPVR split the Multiplex steam into separate ts program streams? It looks as if the resolution data is not present in the faulty streams.

Note that the duration of the faulty recordings as shown by Video Redo appears to be correct although the file size is smaller than for most good ones.

[imilne]

Can you attempt to play a faulty recording and then post your logs.

Iain

[Devonian]

Hi imilne

Over the night I made two recordings of Emerdale.

The first was good and the second faulty.

I played both after re-starting each time and I have attached both logs.

[Devonian]

I'm planning to use NPVR in Spain with QQBox later in the year where I have Freesat and have installed it on an old laptop.
Testing the set up with the NovaT-USB2 as I have no dish in the UK, I found no problems with recording.

I loaded NPVR on my PC again and immediately had a faulty recording.

The NPVR set up was the same on both systems but I found that on the laptop I had inadvertently picked up an old driver.

I installed this old driver on my PC and last night made 15 random recordings without error.

The current (and only) driver available from Hauppuage is 1.26.27005.0
The old one supplied with the tuner is 1.0.12.23346

It appears that GBPVR will work with both drivers but NPVR will only work reliably with the old driver.

Both systems use XP SP3.