NPVR recognize tuner in use by another program?

[ttfitz]

In trying to use the Network Recorder plug-in to set recordings with Windows Media Center for encrypted channels, I was testing to make sure NPVR noticed that a tuner was in use, and would select the other, and it didn't seem to. On the dual tuner DCR-2650, I tested this out by viewing a channel with WMC, which started using tuner 0. I then selected in NPVR another program (unencrypted, so it would be doing things regularly, not through Network Recorder) to record, and while it indicated it was recording the program, it created a 0 byte file.

Looking at the logs, it appears NPVR was attempting to use tuner 0, and somehow didn't detect it was in use. Could I have something setup wrong with the DCR-2650, or is there a problem with NPVR?

Thanks.

[sub]

The application generally cant tell when tuners are in use in other applications. Instead, the graph just fails to run, or fails to connect, or one of a myriad of other unexpected error condition. It has no idea why this is. In the case of the DCR-2650 plugin, it usually just receives no data from the device.

In summary, it's up to the user to make sure they're not trying to use a tuner in multiple applications at the same time.

[mvallevand]

I think NetworkRecorder with SageDCT returns an error to NRecord if it can't stream data because a tuner is in use.

Marti

[sub]

In the situation where it returns an error, you'll generally get an recording marked as failed, and the reason stored. If you were trying live tv, it'd briefly show you this message on the screen.

The DVR-2650 will generate errors for certain conditions. Not receiving data is not one of them (since this isnt generally known until slightly later than the attempt to start the capture plugin)

[ttfitz]

The application generally cant tell when tuners are in use in other applications.

Ah, I guess I misunderstood a line in the log, then. When I saw the line:

About to start HDHR device. Checking status for information sake... (could tell if it's already in use elsewhere)

I thought that meant that it was known some other way. So I was surprised when the call to get the status returned that tuner0 was in use, that it went ahead and tried to change the channel for that tuner, which returned an error status saying the resource was locked.

In summary, it's up to the user to make sure they're not trying to use a tuner in multiple applications at the same time.

There isn't any way for me to designate which tuner is being used, for either NPVR or WMC, is there? So the only way to make sure both apps aren't trying to use a tuner is to not schedule something on both programs at the same time?

Thanks.

[sub]

There isn't any way for me to designate which tuner is being used, for either NPVR or WMC, is there? So the only way to make sure both apps aren't trying to use a tuner is to not schedule something on both programs at the same time?

Correct, or use different tuners in each app.