"D3D12.DLL missing from system" - no more Win7 support for NextPVR?

[DSperber]

I had been running the 7.01 version of NextPVR Server on my Win7 system (which is the production mode of that machine, in support of Windows Media Center). No problem.

Today I saw there was a 7.02 version so I ran the usual NPVRSetup.EXE to upgrade to this latest version. And the upgrade ran successfully (supposedly).

However when I then tried to run it, I received an error advising "d3d12.dll missing from system":



Doing a search for this missing module, it appears it IS present on Win10/Win11 systems, but not Win7.

Is there anything that can be done to resolve this? Or is NextPVR Server 7.02 and newer simply no longer available for running in Win7?

I can restore the previously working 7.01 on my Win7 production system if I have to, and simply never move on from there, but I'd certainly prefer to remain current if possible.

[mvallevand]

DirectX 12 isn't supported on Windows 7 so yes that is an unexpected side effect the libSkiaSharp update https://github.com/mono/SkiaSharp/issues/3267

Unfortunately this impacts UI clients too not just NextPVR.exe. Kodi might work but only older versions since it doesn't support Win7 now

Martin

[DSperber]

DirectX 12 isn't supported on Windows 7 so yes that is an unexpected side effect the libSkiaSharp update  https://github.com/mono/SkiaSharp/issues/3267

Martin

Well, that's unfortunate.

I suppose I will now have to rethink my overall position regarding Silicon Dust hardware and software, and related NextPVR.

Still no support for ATSC 3.0 DRM means I have zero use for any of this, as I have complete live/DVR support for OTA through both (a) Windows Media Center for ATSC 1.0, and (b) ATSC 1.0 + 3.0/DRM + local built-in licensed AC4 audio decoding through my Zapperbox M1, and (c ) Windows Media Center for Spectrum cable DRM/Playready via cablecard and tuning adapter. I simply do not use my SD Flex-4K or the native HDHR client app on any device (since it does not support ATSC 3.0 DRM and NBC/CBS here in LA, which are the only OTA channels I regularly watch).

My whole home and its four TVs are fully supported by WMC for OTA and cable, and the ZB M1 on my main LG OLED C9 if I want to watch OTA ATSC 3.0. Looks like my multi-year experiment with SD Flex-4K is coming to an end. It's all really just been a "lab project" anyway, with so many shortcomings (e.g. no support for AC4 audio in ATSC 3.0 in NextPVR) that I have to just accept.

I might as well just uninstall everything and disconnect my Flex-4K. Completely worthless for my environment.

[mvallevand]

Yes your original post was unexpected (not sure if sub will revert libSkiaSharp or not) but technically .netcore 8 doesn't support Win7 either.

Personally I was never happy with WMC and it never supported cable DRM here in Canada but you have the extrememly old and obsolete technology that makes it work for you. You have no reason from NextPVR.

There are NextPVR clients that do support AC-4 (Android uidroid h/w or ffmpeg hack, yauiclient (ffmpeg hack) on Windows, Rokus that support AC-4 and Samsung Tizen but recordings only in mp4. DRM is the shortcoming.

Martin

[DSperber]

I would suggest that sub updates the information about the availability of v7.0.2 to PLAINLY SHOW that there is no longer support for running NextPVR Server in a Win7 environment.

And same for any 3rd-party derivatives and alternative UI clients and apps that will likewise no longer function for a similar reason.

I have been running WMC since 2009 using AMD TV tuner/capture cards of that time. In 2010 when Ceton came out with its InfiniTV cablecard-enabled tuner card which supported DRM content (which is what AT&T Cable -> Time Warner Cable -> Spectrum Cable all activated on all cable channels starting back then) I upgraded from the AMD TV tuner card to the Ceton (+ Hauppauge ATSC tuner card for OTA).

I have thus really been using WMC for the past 15 years. When MS dropped support for Zap2it guide data and went to Rovi, users rebelled. That prompted one very ambitious and capable user/developer to create EPG123 which made use of Schedules Direct for a data source. So for the past 5 years or so all of us remaining WMC users have made use of EPG123/SchedulesDirect to continue to let WMC operate flawlessly.

WMC does everything it promised, and everything I need. It supports both my OTA ATSC 1.0 4-tuners as well as my cable 6-tuners. It supports all cable DRM content. There is absolutely nothing defective or inferior about it, other than that it requires a Win7 host.

I need more than just some OTA capability. I need Spectrum cable support, and whole-home DVR support for my four TVs. WMC is my production world and will obviously remain so for as long as Spectrum continues to support cablecards (for WMC and Tivo users). Everything else (including Zapperbox M1 for ATSC 3.0) is just "playing in the sandbox".

I will simply uninstall NextPVR, as while I spent much time installing, customizing, and playing with it, I never actually used it "for real" as I thought I might. I will likely retain the HDHR DVR software (which still runs on Win7) and client apps (installed on all of my devices).

[mvallevand]

UI client work but they are rendered by the server. As I said this was unexpected.

WMC doesn't support whole home DRM well without specific devices that it seems you have. Thiese don't work in Canada. NextPVR support HDMI capture devices that give me whole home even with DRM channels (all cable here in Canada).

I fully expect cablecard to disappear too so be prepared.

Martin

[Bobins]

DSperber

You did mention you had the means to revert back to 7.01 and realistically that would be your only option if you wished to keep using NPVR on Windows 7.

Almost certainly those of us who beta tested prior to the 7.02 release wouldn't have been doing so on Windows 7.
Whilst I have sympathy with your problem, you ARE running a system with an OS (Windows 7) that hasn't had support for nearly 5 years.
Even Windows 10 is heading in that direction.

If Sub is to continue to develop NPVR then it will only be possible if it keeps up with changes in the technology and the supporting software environment, especially considering NPVR is mostly "Free" and totally down to his dedication to a hobby.

Ray

[sub]

I would suggest that sub updates the information about the availability of v7.0.2 to PLAINLY SHOW that there is no longer support for running NextPVR Server in a Win7 environment.

This is the first I'm hearing of it. It's probably been 10+ years since I had a Win7 machine here, so not something I've tested.

I also couldn't tell you if it works on Vista or Win8, so hard to give a definitive list of how far back you can go.