No MPEG2 Video Decoder = "disabled" - can't watch OTA TV-post here or "hardware?"

[bickertn]

My apologies for posting this twice: I put it in "hardware" and then realized "support" may be the more appropriate place.

I've had a good time setting up NextPVR for the first time UNTIL I got to the decoder settings page.
I read the manual and scanned the existing posts and couldn 't find a solution.

I can set Video Decoder to H.264 = Microsoft DTD-DVD Video Decoder, HOWEVER, all I get for MPEG2 Video is "Disabled." When I try to watch a TV station in the Guide (I use an antenna for OTA stations) I get an error message that a MPEG2 decoder needs to be selected. I am using a NVIDIA GeForce FT 730 card connected to my Denon AVR4806 receiver for video via HDMI. How do I set up a MPEG2 decoder? I clicked on "Missing decoders ... download LAV..." but nothing happens. Video renderer is set to EVG - but changing that does not solve the absence of a choice for a MPEG2 video decoder.

THANK YOU for anything you can do to help me get past this roadblock.
thanks,
Bob

[Graham]

My stock advice regarding decoders ... SAF is an installer that will install decoders and configure NextPVR for all situations ... SAF will also install some utility programs ... Send Hoborg a forum private message to get the "best" decoders ... http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php...post414049

As a stopgap ... LAV is at ... https://github.com/Nevcairiel/LAVFilters/releases ... but I suggest that you uninstall these LAV filters before you run SAF (which may install a different version of LAV).

[mvallevand]

LAV isn't the best for mpege2video anyway. As an alternative to saf you can try ffdshow http://ffdshow-tryout.sourceforge.net/download.php (mpeg2 video has to be enabled).

If you have a Hauppauge card installing the software that comes with it gives you decoders.

Martin

[bickertn]

My stock advice regarding decoders ... SAF is an installer that will install decoders and configure NextPVR for all situations ... SAF will also install some utility programs ... Send Hoborg a forum private message to get the "best" decoders ... http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php...post414049

As a stopgap ... LAV is at ... https://github.com/Nevcairiel/LAVFilters/releases ... but I suggest that you uninstall these LAV filters before you run SAF (which may install a different version of LAV).

Graham - thank you for your rapid response. How do I uninstall the LAV filters before running SAF?
thanks,
Bob

[bickertn]

Martin - thanks for your rapid reply as well; I'm still getting used to this forum and didn't realize that replies are posted with the original thread.
I do have a Hauppauge DualHD tuner and have installed the drivers and the software - BUT - nothing comes up for "MPEG2 decoder" other than "disabled" Am I missing something? I will follow your and/or Graham's recommended solutions once I'm clearer on the roadblocks I'm hitting (or, perhaps, that I've created).

[mvallevand]

I think WinTV 8 should have them, does it play video for you? I don't recommend saf myself because it is not public release (probably for a good reason)

Martin

[bickertn]

Martin - thanks again.
I have WinTV 8 installed and yes, it plays video for me. That said, it doesn't resolve the MPEG2 decoder = disabled
bob

[sub]

Martin - thanks again.
I have WinTV 8 installed and yes, it plays video for me. That said, it doesn't resolve the MPEG2 decoder = disabled
bob

Having WinTV8 installed would normally do the job, giving the MainConcept MPEG2 video decodr in to the dropdown. Did you actually click the arrow next to 'disabled' to see if there were other options?

If it's definitely not there, find the location of the "hcw_mcm2vd.ax" file. It'll be somewhere under "C:\Program Files (x86)\WinTV\WinTV8", then start a command prompt with 'run as administrator', and run:

regsvr32 "C:\Program Files (x86)\WinTV\WinTV7\SMD06\hcw_mcm2vd.ax"

or where ever it is on your machine, then the decoder should be listed.

[bickertn]

I reinstalled WinTV8 and this time was able to select a decoder; I chose Main Concept (HCW) MPEG-2 Video Decoder (it was first of 2, the 2nd is ArcSoft Realtime MPLEX Filter.
I get further when I click on the TV Guide (schedules direct) but it comes back with a new error message when I click "Watch," "Unable to communicate with recording service"
I set up the Recording tab so it points (by default) to my NAS, a WD EX4100.
Any recs for solving this new barrier would be most appreciated.
thanks,
bob

[bickertn]

ps: I also tried to record a show and it appeared to be working - but nothing was saved to the default directory.
I'm wondering if this may have to do with the WinTV8 installation which ONLY offered me drive C options for the record directory (browse did not permit me to get to Network devices/directories). Could these 2 settings be in conflict?
bob