newbie questions re: scripting, file types, and plextor m402u

[jd142]

Hi,

I'm just starting to look at various pvr software packages and I have some questions about gbpvr.

My first question is, how easy is it to script a recording schedule? My goal is to have one web page that I create that has a "dumbed down" interface so only authenticated users can access it and can only record specific things. For example, Jane can only tape channels 3, 5, and 6 using computer 1, John can tape 2,3,4 on computer 1 or computer 2 depending on which one has free time, etc. My script would take care of the restrictions and then automatically create the scheduled recordings. How does gb-pvr store it's scheduled recordings and how hard would it be for some one to script adding things to the backend schedule. I'd use either php or perl by preference, but could also use vbs or compile my own app if I have to. I'd prefer php or perl though.

Next question is what format are the recordings stored in? I played around with MythTV on a linux box and that stores files as a special version of nuppel, which means I have to convert the files to something else to do anything interesting with them. If gp-pvr stored the files in something a little more standard, that would be great!

Finally, reading through the forums I saw some very recent posts that seemed to indicate the plextor m402u wasn't fully supported, but it is on the list of supported cards. People seem to get it to work with only a little extra work(and that's only the people that post with actual problems) but if there's a chance it won't be supported in future releases or is less than fully supported I'd like to know. I can test it empirically when I'm at work tomorrow, but I'd like to know more about the status.

Thanks!

[sub]

Hi,

I'm just starting to look at various pvr software packages and I have some questions about gbpvr.

My first question is, how easy is it to script a recording schedule? My goal is to have one web page that I create that has a "dumbed down" interface so only authenticated users can access it and can only record specific things. For example, Jane can only tape channels 3, 5, and 6 using computer 1, John can tape 2,3,4 on computer 1 or computer 2 depending on which one has free time, etc. My script would take care of the restrictions and then automatically create the scheduled recordings. How does gb-pvr store it's scheduled recordings and how hard would it be for some one to script adding things to the backend schedule. I'd use either php or perl by preference, but could also use vbs or compile my own app if I have to. I'd prefer php or perl though.

Next question is what format are the recordings stored in? I played around with MythTV on a linux box and that stores files as a special version of nuppel, which means I have to convert the files to something else to do anything interesting with them. If gp-pvr stored the files in something a little more standard, that would be great!

You're probably best to look at the included web admin functionality, and it's source code, and use that as a starting point. It has a tv guide, allowing you to schedule recordings etc, showing how to interact with GB-PVR to schedule the recordings etc.

Finally, reading through the forums I saw some very recent posts that seemed to indicate the plextor m402u wasn't fully supported, but it is on the list of supported cards. People seem to get it to work with only a little extra work(and that's only the people that post with actual problems) but if there's a chance it won't be supported in future releases or is less than fully supported I'd like to know. I can test it empirically when I'm at work tomorrow, but I'd like to know more about the status.

I used to actively support it, but that was a couple of years ago. I stopped supporting it a year or so ago because only a very small number of users had this device, so it didnt really justify much time being spent on it. It also had kind of flaky drivers.

These days I dont actively test any releases against these GO7007SB devices, but I try to make sure I dont break functionality with it.