NextPVR tuner plugin - User testing

[mvallevand]

Are there any NPVR or GBPVR users with r5000 devices or firewire tuning on their cable STB who want to help test a tuner plugin I am working on right now? Using the tuner plugin support sub added for 2.1.4/5 I am basically now able to control tuning devices that support the SageTV Universal Network Encoder protocol . I am testing it with firewire from my STB and it is working pretty well with the Sage Graph Recorder http://www.nolberger.se/Sage/GraphRecorder/ working much like the older GBPVR Graph Recorder plugin.

Martin

[CraziFuzzy]

Here's the .db3 I've got after running the sagetv import program. though I still fail to see why this would be needed to test a tuner plugin (shouldn't matter what I've already recorded elsewhere).

[mvallevand]

Thanks. The reason for the need for the database is that the plugins does not have any XMLTV or Schedules Direct import logic at the moment. Sub said he would create a generic method in the next version so I don't have to create me own.

You also need this additional patch, http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php...post416046
To apply a patch in NPVR, stop the recording service and copy in the patch. If you are blocked from updating you also need to exit the NTray app in the systray.

Martin

[mvallevand]

Here is your database with all channels mapped to the r5000 (single tuner). I removed the ATSC channels that were causing some errors.

For testing purposes uncompress the r5000 archive file into

y:\Users\Public\NPVR\Plugins\TestRecorder

You will need to modify the host IP and port as appropriate.

Currently the tuner plugin only supports one tuner but more are coming.

Martin

[mvallevand]

Here is a second version of the database with each channel marked as h264 (the other db they were marked normal mpeg2). It won't matter too much for recordings but live tv this value is important.

I still have not decided how I will resolve this.

Edit for now if the title end in HD I mapped them to h264 otherwise they are standard mpeg.

Martin

[mvallevand]

Here are the first comments on the firewire user testing. from mkeh49 T

It's looking pretty good for live TV - pauses, rewinds, smooth picture. I have a recording pending, so we'll see how that is.

Couple of things:

* Initially black screen. Logs said connection was refused on 127.0.0.1 Port 6689. I think I didn't have SGraph exe running. Anyway, I opened the Win firewall for PVRX2 and started SGraph. Then worked. Does the firewall need to be open? It was turned off, so presumably shouldn't have been a factor.

* Channel changing - is it included in TestRecorder at this time? Or, use the SGraph changer? I use timmmoore's channelw.exe changer that needs some parameters in the command line. The comments on SGraph ini imply that no parameters other than the channel number will be passed to the executable. Could an exe changer be added to the device setup for TestRecorder?

* It doesn't like to change channels on the STB while in live TV. The screen freezes, i.e. pauses. This kills further live TV (black screen and no audio = graph not running?) until NPVR is restarted.


Martin

[mvallevand]

It's looking pretty good for live TV - pauses, rewinds, smooth picture. I have a recording pending, so we'll see how that is.

Good news, NPVR is doing all the playback so with a sold firewire connection and graph I think thinks will go well.

* Initially black screen. Logs said connection was refused on 127.0.0.1 Port 6689. I think I didn't have SGraph exe running. Anyway, I opened the Win firewall for PVRX2 and started SGraph. Then worked. Does the firewall need to be open? It was turned off, so presumably shouldn't have been a factor.

Yes the plugin is using the SageTV Universal Network Encoder so any firewall rules on the server would block you unless you run SGraphRecorder. with elevated permission. Running on localhost I get an immediate no tuner available message.

* Channel changing - is it included in TestRecorder at this time? Or, use the SGraph changer? I use timmmoore's channelw.exe changer that needs some parameters in the command line. The comments on SGraph ini imply that no parameters other than the channel number will be passed to the executable. Could an exe changer be added to the device setup for TestRecorder?

No but I will be (as a lower priority). In your case you would need to use SGraphRecorder, because your firewire cable is connected to remote PC.

* It doesn't like to change channels on the STB while in live TV. The screen freezes, i.e. pauses. This kills further live TV (black screen and no audio = graph not running?) until NPVR is restarted.

Yes that reminds me, I have to ask sub about implementing a option to SwitchChannels.

Thanks for taking the time to test, hopefully we can convert you to NPVR.

Martin

[mvallevand]

Note for controlling firewire tuning, I have set up SGraphRecoder.ini to call a batch file

Code:

[ExeTuner]
UseExeTuner=1
ExeTunerPath=C:\Program Files\SGraphRecorder\channel.bat

and this is what I have as channel.bat, you should be able to use your command line.

"C:\Program Files\Timmmoore\MCE 2005 STB Controller\channel.exe" -f -a0 2 00%1

Martin

[mikeh49]

I should have been able to think of the batch file concept, doh! I'll give it a try. I presume the 00%1 pads the channel number from the guide/database with "00" = 0046 for channel 46. I have 3 digit numbers which the STB expects, so there should be no need for padding, as I see it.

BTW, the recording started and finished as expected, and plays fine.

Thanks.

[mvallevand]

Good news about the recording.

You actually don't need the bat file if you don't need padding. Just add your command line and SGraphRecorder will add a space and the channel number. This will save the little command box from opening too.

Martin