Any success in using NPVR simultaneously with a capture program on the same computer?

[mvallevand]

I didn't think it was possible to use NPVR to manually capture (just Start and Stop without using any TV Guide). Could it be that it is and I just haven't discovered that yet? Maybe I will look at it tonight.

NextPVR isn't made for manual capturing, using Arcsoft, C4ME, or Hauppauge Capture are definitely better options.

Mratin

[christheman]

Okay, I tried some testing today. Two different tests for two different scenarios. Both programs with default process priorities. Also I have the Hardware Acceleration disabled on the Arcsoft capture module.

To recap, I had previously changed the NPVR process priority through the config file to "AboveNormal", in order to combat the processor usage of VideoRedo, which worked out great, but now since I have moved VideoRedo to its own machine, I am testing NPVR with default priorities again.

The first test was to start NPVR through NEWA, just by starting an ad-hoc recording. Then I started Arcsoft capture program through the main interface, like I have in the past. Shortly after I started Arcsoft, I stopped it, and then stopped NPVR through NEWA (cancel recording). The objective here was to look for interruptions in the NPVR recording, caused by the capture program starting and stopping. After two trials, all I could see was that Arcsoft seemed to close the file in a clunky manner which the NPVR recording registered as pixelation. It was apparent, but only lasted for a fraction of a second.

Then the other test was the opposite. I started the capture program first, then started and stopped NPVR, and then stopped the capture program. The results here were almost nothing, with the only thing I noticed being a very tiny bit of pixelation when I started NPVR. This might have even been from opening Internet Explorer in order to get at NEWA, which I have configured as the home page for that computer. This would be in addition to my normal workflow as NPVR runs completely automated, so I plan on doing this test again with all windows already open to reduce CPU interruption. The effect here was really miniscule though.

In retrospect, I usually record more rare things with the NPVR side of my setup, and less rare things with the Arcsoft side of my setup. My former config didn't interrupt the NPVR program at all, as its priority was elevated. Maybe when I get some more time I might test with BOTH of those programs having elevated priorities.

[christheman]

P.S. Since I am using a Duocore processor, I thought I'd take a look at the Processor Affinity settings under the Task Manager in XP. The TMShowbiz.exe process (Arcsoft's capture module) can be switched between different CPU cores. However the Nrecord.exe process looks like it can't. If this means that Nrecord.exe is only a single core process, then that might work if I just use NPVR like I did before with a high priority, and then also set the Affinity of the Arcsoft program to use only the second core whenever it starts. It appears that the Microsoft Sysinternals PsExec v2.11 free program may help me to do this in XP with a batch file. More later.

[Reddwarf]

Just curious, is there a particular reason why you are not using the epg and scheduled recordings?

[christheman]

Just curious, is there a particular reason why you are not using the epg and scheduled recordings?

It is mostly because of the Copy Once flag many of us have over here in the US, either on our cable service, or the encryption of our satellite service. That prevents many of us from directly using HD tuners like you might be able to. The rest of it is simply me letting the chips fall where they may. I didn't choose for it to work out this way, but this is the easiest way working out for me.

I use two signal chains, each with its own capture device. One signal chain/device actually does work using the EPG/Schedules Direct. That one is my favorite to use. It does probably 95% of the work. The other is a work-around to compensate for when things air on multiple channels at the same time (this is because I also make use of a multi-channel tuner on my sat. dvr). I only record certain things to my PC from there, things which I intend to preserve.

[Reddwarf]

I see. I'v ben looking at some chinese capturecards that can record h.264 from hdmi output from a STB without caring about copy flag, but unfortunately they don't have bda drivers (at least not yet) so not npvr compatible, else they would have been an alternative. Maybe in the future thou.

[sub]

I'v ben looking at some chinese capturecards that can record h.264 from hdmi output from a STB without caring about copy flag, but unfortunately they don't have bda drivers (at least not yet) so not npvr compatible, else they would have been an alternative. Maybe in the future thou.

Shhhh, don't tell anyone, but NextPVR can record HDMI from the Hauppauge Rocket without worrying about HDCP.

[christheman]

Also look at the ViewHD 1x2 HDMI Splitter. That way you wouldn't need an inferior capture card.

[christheman]

shhhh, don't tell anyone, but nextpvr can record hdmi from the hauppauge rocket without worrying about hdcp.

lol, I didn't know about that one...

[christheman]

Hey sub, since you are here, is there any way I could select which CPU core the NPVR recording service will run on? I try that from the Windows XP Task Manager and get a "This operation can not be completed. Access denied."