TV Walker mini mpeg2 zero length

[HTPC-guy]

Hi sub

In GB-PVR v0.92.8 Live TV time shifting works ok and produces an mpeg2 file that grows nicely.

But testing on different machines shows that scheduled recordings on the TV Walker Mini produces zero length mpeg2 files. The gorecorder graph is using the following filters,

* HT MPEG Multiplexer
* HT MPEG1 Audio Encoder
* File Writer

The problem appears to be the qcap File Writer filter. I changed the graph to use each of the following,

* HT File Writer
* GB-PVR Writer
* Intervideo File Writer

and all worked producing an mpeg2 file that grew in size.

Would it be possible to get this fixed and even better specify in the go.ini or config.xml file a set of preferred filters e.g.

[TV Walker Mini Filters]
; Standard Filters are..
;Audio Encoder=HT MPEG1 Audio Encoder
;Multiplexer=HT MPEG Multiplexer
;File Writer=HT File Writer
;Specify AUTO to use system default filters
;
Audio Encoder=HT MPEG1 Audio Encoder
Multiplexer=HT MPEG Multiplexer
File Writer=HT File Writer


This would allow us, the users to mix and match filters that work instead of hard coding filters into the code.

Keep up the good work!

[sub]

Sorry, no I wont be making this configurable. I prefer to know which filters are being used, since it puts me in a better position to predict how they will behave.

When you record a MPEG1/MPEG2 file, it always uses the 'GB-PVR Writer' filter. This filter has some special customer features I've added, which are required by GB-PVR (for timeshift and playing in-progress recordings), but are not available in the other writer filters you mention.

When you record an AVI file, it always uses the 'File Writer' filter. Whilst writing a file with this filter, it always shows a file size of '0' bytes until the recording has completed. You can view the properties of the file to see the actual size during the recording.

BTW, dont PM me again telling me answer your question. I dont appreciate it. I read every question posted, and if I have any answer I want to supply, then I'll post it. Think what my inbox would be like if everybody did this.

[HTPC-guy]

The big trouble with mail, and especially when written quickly, is it can come across very badly, apparently as in this case, causing offence when none was given or intended.

Sorry, no I wont be making this configurable. I prefer to know which filters are being used, since it puts me in a better position to predict how they will behave.

Fair play, its your software after all! but the request was simply to save yourself grief in that users could have tried different filter combinations before issuing bug posts and let you know what works and doesn't work.

When you record a MPEG1/MPEG2 file, it always uses the 'GB-PVR Writer' filter. This filter has some special customer features I've added, which are required by GB-PVR (for timeshift and playing in-progress recordings), but are not available in the other writer filters you mention.

Ok I could be off track with the File Writer stuff, but fact is it doesn't appear to work. This is not a slight on your programming skills, you are to be commended for producing GB-PVR. As a programmer of 23 years I would have cut my throat by now, If I took umbrage at every comment made about my code :eek:

Anyway here are parts of my logs.

LiveTV Timeshifting which works
gbpvrrecordingservice.exe-native.log
20:51:02.421 INFO Log started
20:51:02.421 VERBOSE Starting Recording
20:51:02.562 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Video Decoder Out' to 'Analog Video In'
20:51:02.578 VERBOSE Loading [PAL-LiveTV Quality] settings...
20:51:02.578 VERBOSE Looking for 720x576
20:51:02.593 VERBOSE Initializing MPEG2 format
20:51:02.593 VERBOSE Checking caps:0
20:51:02.593 VERBOSE Initializing PCM Audio format (FOUND: 2, 32000, 16, 4, 128000)
20:51:02.593 ERROR DeviceControl: set pin format failed. Trying a default.
20:51:02.593 VERBOSE before routing
20:51:02.656 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Video Capture' to 'Video'
20:51:02.703 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Audio Capture' to 'XForm In'
20:51:02.703 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'XForm Out' to 'Audio'
20:51:02.781 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Output' to 'Input'
20:51:02.781 VERBOSE getSetting(ListGraphFilters)
20:51:02.812 VERBOSE Graph contains the following filters:
20:51:02.812 VERBOSE - File Writer
20:51:02.812 VERBOSE - HT MPEG Multiplexer
20:51:02.812 VERBOSE - HT MPEG1 Audio Encoder
20:51:02.812 VERBOSE - LifeView TV Walker mini A/V Capture
20:51:02.812 VERBOSE - LifeView TV Walker mini CrossBar
20:51:02.812 VERBOSE getSetting(SaveGraphFiles)
20:51:27.796 VERBOSE Stopping Recording

GBPVR.exe-native.log
20:51:03.109 INFO DirectShowPlayerBase::playVideoFile(D:\pvr\livetv\Star Trek Enterprise_1_20050531_20002100.mpg)
20:51:03.140 VERBOSE File already in use - probably still recording
20:51:03.140 VERBOSE File already in use - probably still recording
20:51:03.140 VERBOSE File already in use - probably still recording
20:51:03.140 VERBOSE File already in use - probably still recording
20:51:03.140 VERBOSE File already in use - probably still recording
20:51:03.140 VERBOSE File already in use - probably still recording
20:51:03.140 VERBOSE File already in use - probably still recording
20:51:03.140 VERBOSE File already in use - probably still recording
20:51:03.140 VERBOSE File already in use - probably still recording
20:51:03.140 VERBOSE File already in use - probably still recording
20:51:03.140 VERBOSE waited: 0 (1117569063 - 1117569063) filesize: 0
20:51:03.250 VERBOSE waited: 0 (1117569063 - 1117569063) filesize: 0
20:51:03.343 VERBOSE waited: 0 (1117569063 - 1117569063) filesize: 0
20:51:03.453 VERBOSE waited: 0 (1117569063 - 1117569063) filesize: 53248
20:51:03.546 VERBOSE waited: 0 (1117569063 - 1117569063) filesize: 94208
20:51:03.640 VERBOSE waited: 0 (1117569063 - 1117569063) filesize: 184320
20:51:03.750 VERBOSE waited: 0 (1117569063 - 1117569063) filesize: 215040
20:51:03.750 VERBOSE Creating new graph
20:51:03.750 VERBOSE getSetting(PreferredAudioRenderer)
20:51:03.750 VERBOSE audio renderer filter: Default DirectSound Device
20:51:03.921 VERBOSE getSetting(PreferredAudioDecoder)
20:51:03.937 VERBOSE audio decoder filter: InterVideo Audio Decoder
20:51:03.937 VERBOSE getSetting(PreferredDecoder)
20:51:03.953 VERBOSE video decoder filter: InterVideo Video Decoder
20:51:04.031 VERBOSE Using GB-PVR Parser
20:51:04.656 VERBOSE Rendering graph
20:51:06.296 VERBOSE getSetting(ListGraphFilters)
20:51:06.296 VERBOSE Graph contains the following filters:
20:51:06.296 VERBOSE - Video Renderer
20:51:06.296 VERBOSE - Default DirectSound Device
20:51:06.296 VERBOSE - InterVideo Video Decoder
20:51:06.296 VERBOSE - InterVideo Audio Decoder
20:51:06.296 VERBOSE - GB-PVR Parser
20:51:06.296 VERBOSE - SOURCE
20:51:06.296 VERBOSE getSetting(SaveGraphFiles)
20:51:06.406 INFO DirectShowPlayerBase::playFile() done

Scheduled Recording which doesn't work
gbpvrrecordingservice.exe-native.log
20:59:04.515 VERBOSE Starting Recording
20:59:04.578 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Video Decoder Out' to 'Analog Video In'
20:59:04.593 VERBOSE Loading [PAL-Medium Quality] settings...
20:59:04.593 VERBOSE Looking for 720x576
20:59:04.593 VERBOSE Initializing MPEG2 format
20:59:04.593 VERBOSE Checking caps:0
20:59:04.593 VERBOSE Initializing PCM Audio format (FOUND: 2, 32000, 16, 4, 128000)
20:59:04.593 ERROR DeviceControl: set pin format failed. Trying a default.
20:59:04.609 VERBOSE before routing
20:59:04.625 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Video Capture' to 'Video'
20:59:04.640 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Audio Capture' to 'XForm In'
20:59:04.640 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'XForm Out' to 'Audio'
20:59:04.703 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Output' to 'in'
20:59:04.703 VERBOSE getSetting(ListGraphFilters)
20:59:04.703 VERBOSE Graph contains the following filters:
20:59:04.703 VERBOSE - File Writer
20:59:04.703 VERBOSE - HT MPEG Multiplexer
20:59:04.703 VERBOSE - HT MPEG1 Audio Encoder
20:59:04.703 VERBOSE - LifeView TV Walker mini A/V Capture
20:59:04.718 VERBOSE - LifeView TV Walker mini CrossBar
20:59:04.718 VERBOSE getSetting(SaveGraphFiles)
21:00:00.125 VERBOSE Stopping Recording

When you record an AVI file, it always uses the 'File Writer' filter. Whilst writing a file with this filter, it always shows a file size of '0' bytes until the recording has completed. You can view the properties of the file to see the actual size during the recording.

Divx files record and play fine, the problem is with mpeg2 files.

BTW, dont PM me again telling me answer your question. I dont appreciate it. I read every question posted, and if I have any answer I want to supply, then I'll post it. Think what my inbox would be like if everybody did this.

Sorry I PM'ed you, but I noticed that in a few posts you've asked people to send you their logs. You make a vaild point about being swamped with mail, my mistake. Anyone thinking that I am an ungrateful nazi sod who ordered sub to answer my question, please see the pm'ed message below.

TV Walker mini mpeg2 zero length

Hi sub

I've posted a message (thread link below) regarding this issue in v0.92.8. When you have time please take a look

http://forum.gbpvr.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6469

regards

HTPC-guy

Actually I did consider sending you the logs etc directly as a PM but judging from your response it a good thing I didn't.

------------------------------------------------------
Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.
Cause what goes around, comes around.

[sub]

Sorry I PM'ed you, but I noticed that in a few posts you've asked people to send you their logs. You make a vaild point about being swamped with mail, my mistake. Anyone thinking that I am an ungrateful nazi sod who ordered sub to answer my question, please see the pm'ed message below.

Actually I did consider sending you the logs etc directly as a PM but judging from your response it a good thing I didn't.

Sorry, wasnt meaning to pick on you specifically. I'm just getting sick of the 50 odd emails and PM's I get each day, many of which are either asking me stupid questions, or pointing me to their post on the forums which hasn't been answered.

My comment stands though - if you've got a question, post it. If I've got a answer or a reply of any sort, then I'll respond. If I dont respond, then I've got nothing I want to add. If everyone who posted a question of the forums also sent me an PM to point it out, then that'd be a hundred odd pointless PM's filling my inbox.

LiveTV Timeshifting which works
gbpvrrecordingservice.exe-native.log
20:51:02.421 INFO Log started
20:51:02.421 VERBOSE Starting Recording
20:51:02.562 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Video Decoder Out' to 'Analog Video In'
20:51:02.578 VERBOSE Loading [PAL-LiveTV Quality] settings...
20:51:02.578 VERBOSE Looking for 720x576
20:51:02.593 VERBOSE Initializing MPEG2 format
20:51:02.593 VERBOSE Checking caps:0
20:51:02.593 VERBOSE Initializing PCM Audio format (FOUND: 2, 32000, 16, 4, 128000)
20:51:02.593 ERROR DeviceControl: set pin format failed. Trying a default.
20:51:02.593 VERBOSE before routing
20:51:02.656 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Video Capture' to 'Video'
20:51:02.703 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Audio Capture' to 'XForm In'
20:51:02.703 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'XForm Out' to 'Audio'
20:51:02.781 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Output' to 'Input'
20:51:02.781 VERBOSE getSetting(ListGraphFilters)
20:51:02.812 VERBOSE Graph contains the following filters:
20:51:02.812 VERBOSE - File Writer
20:51:02.812 VERBOSE - HT MPEG Multiplexer
20:51:02.812 VERBOSE - HT MPEG1 Audio Encoder
20:51:02.812 VERBOSE - LifeView TV Walker mini A/V Capture
20:51:02.812 VERBOSE - LifeView TV Walker mini CrossBar
20:51:02.812 VERBOSE getSetting(SaveGraphFiles)
20:51:27.796 VERBOSE Stopping Recording

When you add a filter to a graph, you can give it any name you like. I usually give it the original name of the filter, but sometimes I dont. In the case above I add the 'GB-PVR Writer' as 'File Writer'. This is done so another part of the code can retrieve the 'File Writer' filter from the graph and get the correct one regardless of wether I'm recording an AVI or an MPEG2.

There is a few other places I also do this. With the direct recording plugin (for PVR150/250/350/500 etc) I always add filters like 'ENCODER' and 'CAPTURE' which are obviously not the original names. It's convient for locating the filters at a later stage.

Scheduled Recording which doesn't work
gbpvrrecordingservice.exe-native.log
20:59:04.515 VERBOSE Starting Recording
20:59:04.578 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Video Decoder Out' to 'Analog Video In'
20:59:04.593 VERBOSE Loading [PAL-Medium Quality] settings...
20:59:04.593 VERBOSE Looking for 720x576
20:59:04.593 VERBOSE Initializing MPEG2 format
20:59:04.593 VERBOSE Checking caps:0
20:59:04.593 VERBOSE Initializing PCM Audio format (FOUND: 2, 32000, 16, 4, 128000)
20:59:04.593 ERROR DeviceControl: set pin format failed. Trying a default.
20:59:04.609 VERBOSE before routing
20:59:04.625 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Video Capture' to 'Video'
20:59:04.640 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Audio Capture' to 'XForm In'
20:59:04.640 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'XForm Out' to 'Audio'
20:59:04.703 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Output' to 'in'
20:59:04.703 VERBOSE getSetting(ListGraphFilters)
20:59:04.703 VERBOSE Graph contains the following filters:
20:59:04.703 VERBOSE - File Writer
20:59:04.703 VERBOSE - HT MPEG Multiplexer
20:59:04.703 VERBOSE - HT MPEG1 Audio Encoder
20:59:04.703 VERBOSE - LifeView TV Walker mini A/V Capture
20:59:04.718 VERBOSE - LifeView TV Walker mini CrossBar
20:59:04.718 VERBOSE getSetting(SaveGraphFiles)
21:00:00.125 VERBOSE Stopping Recording

Sorry, nothing obvious there. Timeshift and recording are actually the same thing, so I'm surprised one works and the other doesnt.

[HTPC-guy]

It might to be a good idea to consider adding a README FIRST sticky to the beginning of the forum pointing out rules and etiquette as I see there isn't one.


There is one small difference and it may of course mean nothing. In the recorder native logs the line
20:51:02.656 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Video Capture' to 'Video'
20:51:02.703 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Audio Capture' to 'XForm In'
20:51:02.703 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'XForm Out' to 'Audio'
20:51:02.781 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Output' to 'Input'
20:51:02.781 VERBOSE getSetting(ListGraphFilters)

20:59:04.625 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Video Capture' to 'Video'
20:59:04.640 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Audio Capture' to 'XForm In'
20:59:04.640 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'XForm Out' to 'Audio'
20:59:04.703 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Output' to 'in'
20:59:04.703 VERBOSE getSetting(ListGraphFilters)

which seems to indicate a different code path occurring at some point.

Anyway I hope you can find the answer and fix the problem in a future release.

Thanks.

[andro]

I also get zero size MPEG-2 files trying to record using Lifeview TV Walker Mini and GBPVR v 0.92.11

[Darx-starz]

I also get zero size MPEG-2 files trying to record using Lifeview TV Walker Mini and GBPVR v 0.92.11

I also have had zero size files when recording on resume from hibernate. If I record whilst powered I do not get this problem. I have posted a question on the UK Hauppauge forum here .

[mobiusnz]

I too can timeslip PERFECTLY with an MPEG2 file (obviously - can't play while record with avi) but cannot record to mpeg. Strangely my problem is twofold, if I set the medium quality to MPEG2 bitrate 4000000 it ignores me and records an AVI. With High quality set to MPEG2 4000000 bitrate it creates the MPEG file but the size never grows and can't be played (ie it stays 0 byte - not just explorer reporting that). I was recording Mpeg2 as of Friday last week - I upgraded since then to v0.92.11 and it seems to have occurred since then as the last few recordings I did are AVI's even though I always select High Quality so the upgrade seemed to alter my recording profiles. I suspect that deleting the Capture source and adding it again may fix this as I have a niggly feeling this happened once before in a version upgrade but I could be dreaming. I know for some reason I did have to remove and re-add a Capture source. I'm not too worried as I'll be switching to my new box with a 500mce soon hopefully and I can live with AVI's in the mean time unless someone comes up with a solution easily.

[mobiusnz]

Just to add to this - I was bored so I emptied the EPG, Removed the Recording Device, exited config, went back and added the recording device and re-configured it all and I still get AVI on Medium even though config shows medium being Mpeg2, 4000000 bitrate. Also High is on Mpeg2 and still has the zero byte problem.

This is in the gbpvrrecordingservice.exe-native.log for the Mpeg file

16:41:46.625 VERBOSE put_Channel(80, AMTUNER_SUBCHAN_DEFAULT, AMTUNER_SUBCHAN_DEFAULT)
16:41:47.344 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Video Capture' to 'Video'
16:41:47.391 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Audio Capture' to 'XForm In'
16:41:47.391 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'XForm Out' to 'Audio'
16:41:47.454 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Output' to 'in'
16:41:47.454 VERBOSE getSetting(ListGraphFilters)

And this for the AVI

16:36:02.297 VERBOSE put_Channel(91, AMTUNER_SUBCHAN_DEFAULT, AMTUNER_SUBCHAN_DEFAULT)
16:36:03.000 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Video Capture' to 'Video'
16:36:03.016 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Audio Capture' to 'XForm In'
16:36:03.032 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'XForm Out' to 'Audio'
16:36:03.079 VERBOSE ConnectPins: 'Output' to 'Input'
16:36:03.079 VERBOSE getSetting(ListGraphFilters)

As reported by someone else the connectpins is showing 'In' for one and 'Input' for another - is this normal Sub?

[mobiusnz]

Hey Sub - If you want a pc to VNC into let me know and we can arrange a time for me to give you VNC access?