What is the dongle.bin responsible for?

[tarp]

I have been reading this forum for a while. I'm having trouble getting my new MVP to work within GB-PVR. Here's my question.

Does the dongle.bin file contain the entire program to run the MVP? Or is it merely a bootstrap file? Does the same dongle run within Hauppage's service do the same as running it within GB-PVR?

[sub]

Does the dongle.bin file contain the entire program to run the MVP?

It contains a Linux image, and the associated applications, which are downloaded to the MVP during its start up. It load linux then runs the applications that have been included in the startup scripts.

Does the same dongle run within Hauppage's service do the same as running it within GB-PVR?

Yes, unless you're using gbmvp.bin, which is a dongle I developed.

[mvallevand]

I have been reading this forum for a while. I'm having trouble getting my new MVP to work within GB-PVR. Here's my question.

Does the dongle.bin file contain the entire program to run the MVP? Or is it merely a bootstrap file? Does the same dongle run within Hauppage's service do the same as running it within GB-PVR?

There are BIOS and boot loader files stored in flash memory on the MediaMVP, which actually loads the dongle.bin. The reason you have read so much about the troubles recently is that people are using the latest H* version MediaMVPs which incorporated changes in the boot loading process which are still not fully understood.

Martin

[tarp]

Does this mean if I want the same basic functionality of GBPVR within the MediaMVP I need to use GBPVR.bin dongle? Then is it true that the other ones listed basically improve on the existing Hauppage software? I would like to have the same GUI in GBPVR as the MVP. So since I have a H2 release of MVP. I suppose I need to wait for GBPVR.bin to be fixed?

[sub]

No, thats not the case. Both the GBMVP.bin and Dongle.bin implement the same protocol for remotely viewing screens generated on a server across the network. The server included with GB-PVR shows the GB-PVR screens, and can supply them to either GBMVP.bin and Dongle.bin.

GBMVP.bin was an exercise to remove my dependence on Hauppauge, and was an attempt to emulate functionality in the Hauppauge dongle.bin, but with a couple of small additions (cleaner shutdown, and video in a window). Unfortunately a couple of months after I introduced the gbmvp.bin dongle option, Hauppauge made a lot of hardware changes, which presented some challenges for gbmvp.bin. It has not yet been upgraded for full compatibility with these new models.

You can safely use the Hauppauge Dongle.bin with GB-PVR to get the GB-PVR screens etc. You dont need to wait for gbmvp.bin updates, but it wont give you the video in a window that you could get with gbmvp.bin.

[tarp]

Thank you sub. That is clear now.

[ww4397]

...but it wont give you the video in a window that you could get with gbmvp.bin.

Please pardon this simple question, but what is "video in a window" on an MVP?

[jksmurf]

tarp, I sent you a PM with dongle access for you to try incl for your H2.

k.

[sub]

Please pardon this simple question, but what is "video in a window"?

When you're watching tv or video, pressing the 'menu' on the MVP remote switches back to the main menu, with the video continuing in a small window. This is the same as on the PC, when you press the home key. It isnt possible with dongle.bin.

[ww4397]

When you're watching tv or video, pressing the 'menu' on the MVP remote switches back to the main menu, with the video continuing in a small window. This is the same as on the PC, when you press the home key. It isnt possible with dongle.bin.

Thanks, Sub. I wasn't aware of that feature. It's clever the way it works with some of the sub-menus like "Recordings" for instance.