No Decoder Options

[Woody Brown]

I just installed NextPVR on a Dell Venue 8 Pro, win 8.1.
In trying to set it up, there are no options for the various decoders.
H 264 video is set on MS DTV-DTD Video, and MPEG1 Audio is set on MS DTV-DVD Audio.
The H 264 has no option other than disable, but the MPEG1 has an option of MPEG Audio or disable.
All others are disabled, and there are no other options available.
I am using an HDHomerun Prime tuner.
I am sure it is tied in with this, but I have not been able to get any data into the Guide -- the channel scan went fine.

[Graham]

In Windows 8, MS decoders only work with MS software (subject to some small print that I can't remember). Some folk acquire other decoders "by accident" when they install, for example, video editing software. The SAF codec pack ( http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php...post414049 ) is used by many on this forum (including me). Send a forum private message to Hoborg to get the unlocked version.

A quite and easy alternative is LAV ... http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=156191 ... LAV is included in SAF.

[mikeh49]

Make sure you read the entire getting started sticky at the top of the forum, especially the firewall issues for the HDHomerun tuners, also note that it states that NPVR does not provide any decoders. For Windows 8.x, you will have to provide the MPEG2 and AC3 decoders for US cable TV. You're best bet is probably hoborg's SAF decoder pack. Search on "hoborg SAF". American TV is MPEG2 video, and AC3 audio for digital TV. Get this working before you tackle other video formats like for downloaded stuff.

Set the video renderer to EVR and the audio renderers to default.
For the guide, you will have to install/subscribe to something. The easiest, most reliable is Schedules Direct for $25/year but there is a free trial. MC2XML is free, but subject to MS ongoing support and there might be ethical considerations.

[Woody Brown]

Thanks Mike.
Now, if I download Hoberg's pack, are they installed in the right location automatically?
If not, what do I do to get them into the right place?

[johnsonx42]

yes, hoborg's SAF6 installs all the decoders needed and also sets them to be used in NPVR.

one thing you might also try since you have 8.1 is to force the microsoft decoder. a week or so ago cncb found that the ms decoder actually does work... if we could get additional confirmed reports then sub could remove the ms decoder from his blacklist if win8.1 is detected. See http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php...post474160

[Woody Brown]

Just a note to let you guys know that I am not ignoring you.
I am having password troubles signing in to the Venue.
As soon as that is straightened out, I will try the Hoborg thing and post back..

[Woody Brown]

Okay -- I have the converter options installed, so I'll go on from here.
Thanks loads, guys.

[whurlston]

a week or so ago cncb found that the ms decoder actually does work... if we could get additional confirmed reports then sub could remove the ms decoder from his blacklist if win8.1 is detected.

Just tested on a couple of recordings (SD and HD) and I can confirm that it worked for me.

[sub]

Just tested on a couple of recordings (SD and HD) and I can confirm that it worked for me.

I wonder if it's to do with the model of Windows, or if they have the Windows Media Center addon?

Since I had a license for it, I used Windows 8.1 N, which is the version that comes without Windows Media Player, but it's available as an optional download (which I installed immediately after I installed Windows). After this it seems to have the same decoders, and I can user the Microsoft DTV-DVD video decoder for H.264, but not MPEG-2.

At this stage I don't have any set of criteria for determining if the decoder will work for MPEG2. I may have to try building a graph and hooking it up, to see if MPEG2 will connect. Do a one time test, and store it in config.xml or similar.

[johnsonx42]

cncb said he had 8.1 with the media center add-on. I don't know whether whurlston had the same. We don't ever see the 'N' versions here in the states; I do know what they are, but am not at all familiar with the nitty-gritty details of the precise differences. I'd guess it might be the media center add-on that provides a slightly different version of the MS DTV-DVD decoder.