HDHomeRun Prime and NPVR - Do I need Media Center OS?

[Graham]

The same shows record OK in Windows Media Center that i have set to also record during the same time slots.

For the avoidance of doubt ... typically, NextPVR cannot use a tuner that is being used simultaneously by another recording service.

Edit: Though I know nothing of network attached tuners.

[BrettB]

I have Charter and it appears that during prime time, most network channels (abc, NBC, CBS, etc) are protedted as I get a zero byte ts file when i try to record shows. The same shows record OK in Windows Media Center that i have set to also record during the same time slots.

However, in the HDPrime's status window, it shows "none" for protection yet the show will still not record.

As I understand it, the copy-freely, copy-once flags can be set on a "per-show" basis on any channel. However, I haven't ever heard of a cable company in the US actually doing that. All that I've ever heard is that they set them per-channel and leave them. So I would be skeptical that Charter is actually changing them during prime time on broadcast networks (even though that is technically possible).

That being said, you would need to specifically check the HDPrime's status window for the DRM logo or protection status during the time when a recording isn't working to be sure. I'm also not sure how the HDHR and/or NPVR would handle it if the copy protection flags changed DURING a recording. (Like if it started with pre-padding that was copy-freely and then when the actual show started the cable company changed it to copy-once.)

I would suggest that you post a .zip file of your ENTIRE LOGS DIRECTORY after one those zero byte .ts files. We may be able to see something in one of the log files which would give us a clue as to what is happening for you.