GBPVR freezes PC occasionally

[philly_phenom]

Some background <skip to 3rd paragraph if this is to much to read>

I'm a former BTV user who got fed up with BTV missing to many recordings. I gave Sage a shot but the picture was terrible, so I'm trying GBPVR - and so far, it's been the best of the three - and the picture is even better than BTV was.

Here's the problem: Anyway, one quirk I've noticed is that occasionally GBPVR will lock the PC & I have to restart to get out of it. I've narrowed it down to times when I'm either watching live TV or a currently recording show AND I hit to many remote buttons in succession (such as when trying to quickly skip through a commercial block), so for the most part I've been able to avoid this by skipping slowly when watching current shows.

I read in another thread that since it freezes the whole computer, it is likely a driver issue (didn't encounter freezing in BTV or sage though - doesn't mean the failure isn't in a driver though). Is there a way to detect where the failure occurs (does XP log any info that would be meaningful to the user)? Or is my best bet to update the different drivers one at a time & see if the problem goes away? I've already updated my video driver to the latest, next I'll try updating the drivers for my capture cards (WinTV PVR 150's)

As I stated above, I've been able to mostly avoid the issue by being careful with the remote (Firefly), but I'd like to fix it altogether if possible. I really like the software (Sage's picture wasn't up to snuff & BTV dropped ~ 1/3 of my recordings) and you can't beat the price .

If I can resolve this, I'd be more than happy to contribute a few $$ to the project.

[philly_phenom]

From your description it seems like you've nailed your problem fairly and squarely with the remote. Try using the keyboard exclusively for a couple of days just to make sure.

Can you get task manager up when you get the problem? Maybe have it running, sorted by descending CPU and try and force the problem, you might get a clue with the last display before your PC becomes unresponsive

Once it freezes, I can't get anything - no task manager, nothing. The box is completely frozen. The only thing that works is the power button.

It could be the remote - I'm definitely open to that as a possibility, but it works fine with every other piece of software - however, there is a new version of the firefly software, so I'll update it & see if that helps.

I also wonder if there's an issue with the capture card drivers since it only occurs when either watching live TV or a show that is currently recording. Previously recorded shows, DVD's etc are all fine.

Funny how you feel the need to contribute to GBPVR after a problem that almost certainly has nothing to do with GBPVR is resolved. No reflection on you at all, it just seems to be one of those weird illogical human traits :p

Please don't take it the wrong way, I'm not trying to bribe people into helping me, all I meant was that if I decided to stick w/ GBPVR, I feel I should contribute to the cause - don't want to be a sponge.

Actually, I'm fairly okay with it since I'm able to avoid it most of the time. However, WAF is critical in my choice of software - I'm trying to keep from having to sign up for Tivo or shell out the extra $80/mo for Comcast DVR.

[sub]

If the Firefly remote is a USB remote, try disconnecting it next time it happens.

I do stand by my previous comments on PC's freezing solid - this is typically a problem occuring in ring 0 code like drivers, rather than ring 3 user code like GB-PVR.

[philly_phenom]

If the Firefly remote is a USB remote, try disconnecting it next time it happens.

I do stand by my previous comments on PC's freezing solid - this is typically a problem occuring in ring 0 code like drivers, rather than ring 3 user code like GB-PVR.

Firefly's receiver does plug into the USB port. Are you suggesting that next time it freezes, I unplug it to see if it unfreezes?

If it is a problem with the remote, does anyone have suggestions as to a good one? I tried the Hauppauge remote that came with one of my capture cards (~2 years ago) & it was kind of a pain as I had to contort myself into all kinds of positions to make sure the signal hit the receiver...

[sub]

Firefly's receiver does plug into the USB port. Are you suggesting that next time it freezes, I unplug it to see if it unfreezes?

Yeah. I used to have a USB capture device that would cause a freeze, and unplugging it unfroze the system. Of course it may not help at all, but worth trying just to know.

[philly_phenom]

Yeah. I used to have a USB capture device that would cause a freeze, and unplugging it unfroze the system. Of course it may not help at all, but worth trying just to know.

Thanks - I'll definitely give it a shot. Even if it doesn't work, it rules something out.

[philly_phenom]

Yeah. I used to have a USB capture device that would cause a freeze, and unplugging it unfroze the system. Of course it may not help at all, but worth trying just to know.

So unplugging the USB did not work thanks for the suggestion thought.

I'm going to upgrade my capture card drivers next - just a hunch since it only happens during live TV or playback of shows that are already recording.

Question: If I upgrade the drivers, do I need to redo my capture devices in the config?

Thanks in advance.

[sub]

Question: If I upgrade the drivers, do I need to redo my capture devices in the config?

No.

[Jarobata]

I have a very similar problem and using the keyboard still freezes gbpvr.

[gEd]

If I skip forward too fast (with Hauppague remote) it goes back to the recordings screen.

Possibly a problem with the mpeg decoder? - I use the Intervideo NonCSS ones (atm)