Question on resulting video files

[Kalessin]

They are recorded as MPEG files are they not? They certainly appear to have the extension .mpg on my computer. However, I am unable to view them in Winamp (though I have no problem viewing them with GB-PVR). Are you supposed to be able to view them elsewhere? It's quite possible that I don't have a setting correct or that my MPEG encoder is at fault (Cyberlink). I was just wondering what was going on with that and what I'd need to do to be able to watch the files elswhere.

Also, I assume that GB-PVR wouldn't take kindly to my deleting the video files directly (instead of using GB-PVR to do it) and that I wouldn't be able to copy a recorded file (and put it on a CD/DVD or somesuch), delete it through GB-PVR, put it back later, and then have GB-PVR know that it's there (and thus watch it through GB-PVR). If that's the case, then it's that much more imperative to be able to watch the video files elsewhere since I only have so much space on my computer and if I want to save the files, saving them elsewhere will be necessary. Is it possible to back the files up and then watch them on GB-PVR later after the original file has been deleted? And must you delete the files through GB-PVR if you want it to be a happy camper?

[bluesxman]

Also, I assume that GB-PVR wouldn't take kindly to my deleting the video files directly (instead of using GB-PVR to do it)

GBPVR doesn't care if you delete your video files. However any EPG information from a recording will be removed from GBPVR's database once the recording service detects that the file no-longer exists - usually after a few minutes. Once this happens, you will not be able to access it from the Recordings menu again (unless you do some manual database jiggery pokery).

and that I wouldn't be able to copy a recorded file (and put it on a CD/DVD or somesuch)

It's just a file, you can put it on CD another HD or whatever takes your fancy.

Is it possible to back the files up and then watch them on GB-PVR later after the original file has been deleted?

In order to get GBPVR to playback a file, you need to put it in the directory specified in the config app for the Video Library and view it from there.

There also plugins you can use to playback/archive videos, Video Archive springs to mind.

[soccerdad]

You should be able to view the files with other software. I do. They are MPEG files.

[sub]

They are recorded as MPEG files are they not? They certainly appear to have the extension .mpg on my computer. However, I am unable to view them in Winamp (though I have no problem viewing them with GB-PVR). Are you supposed to be able to view them elsewhere? It's quite possible that I don't have a setting correct or that my MPEG encoder is at fault (Cyberlink). I was just wondering what was going on with that and what I'd need to do to be able to watch the files elswhere.

Yes, they're just standard MPEG2 files. I dont know anything about the video player built into WinAmp, but check that it can play MPEG2 (which also has the same .mpg extension as MPEG1). Many software applications only do MPEG1, because MPEG2 requires paying a license fee.

Alternatively, if its like many applications, and designed to just use whatever directshow filters you already have on your machine, then it sound like you system some crappy video decoder installed which is getting in the way of things working. This is actually very common - you often see reports of WMP being unable to play MPEG2 for this reason.