Newbie - Fed up with MediaPortal - Wants to try GBPVR

[Graham_Shepherd]

Hi from a beginner...

I hope you can help with some basic queries before I start on installing & configuring GBPVR please.

I have been using ShowShifter for many years to watch DVB-T using a Hauappage Nova USB.

Having decided something more was needed I have bought two Hauppage Nova-T 500 pci cards and planned on finding suitable software. My plan was to evaluate GBPVR, MediaPortal, etc.

First off, I installed one of the Nova-T 500 cards and installed the latest drivers from the Hauppage website. Strange things started to happen when the second card was installed!

I'm running XP Pro SP2 so I've installed the Microsoft Hotfix for multiple tuners since then.

I tried a new install of MediaPlayer using the latest TVServer engine and client. Sad to say it was a nightmare of instability and error messages, just with one Nova-T 500 card. After many, many hours I was still unable to satisfactorily configure the software. I'm not a quitter but sometimes it's important to admit defeat!!

ShowShifter and the old USB tuner aren't happy alongside the new hardware so the family are giving me grief about the absence of TV on the PC!!

So....

This weekend I plan to install GBPVR, wishing I had started with this earlier.

Can I ask if anybody can give me a heads up on any problems I might find with the following please?

a) Using GBPVR with one Hauppage Nova-T 500 pci card.

b) Using GBPVR with two Hauppage Nova-T 500 pci cards.

c) Either of the above with a 45 Button Hauppage Remote.

Obviously I do not have any log files yet but I have included a summary of my system at the end of the post.

Any tips for installation or configuration generally would be really appreciated.

Finally, what patches, hotfixes and codecs, etc should I be using, or are these included in the installation/download package?


Many thanks

Graham



Spec Summary:

Windows XP Pro SP2
Intel P4 2.8 GHz
ABIT IC7
1 GB Ram
ATI Radeon 9700 Pro – Driver 8.33.0.0
Terratec DMX 6Fire 24/96 – Driver 5.40.3.130
Hauppauge Nova-T 500 – Driver 4.3.25080.0

[wannabepvr]

Welcome!
I am Happily using one Nova500T here. It seems like lots of Brits are using them also.

From memory there are two options in the config utility when you ask it to show only the hardware (tuners) installed. I found one worked, one didn't. But can't recall the specifics right now.

I think there might also be something in the tuner numbering convention that is a bit of a catch. I will have to check when I get home tonight.

Edit: Use a MCE2005 remote here.

[sub]

Finally, what patches, hotfixes and codecs, etc should I be using, or are these included in the installation/download package?

After installing the app, apply the patches from the sticky 'v1.2.13 survival guide' thread.

[Graham_Shepherd]

Hey Guys

Thanks for a super speedy reply!

I look forward to getting GBPVR running this weekend.

Regards Graham

[systemshark]

Can I ask if anybody can give me a heads up on any problems I might find with the following please?

a) Using GBPVR with one Hauppage Nova-T 500 pci card.

b) Using GBPVR with two Hauppage Nova-T 500 pci cards.

c) Either of the above with a 45 Button Hauppage Remote.

Obviously I do not have any log files yet but I have included a summary of my system at the end of the post.

Hello. I'm running two machines with Hauppauge Nova 500 cards in it. One with one card, the second with Two. Both use the Hauppauge remote.

On the Single Hauppauge Card Machine, just install the hauppauge software and then move on to GBPVR. I found I could build a working machine in about an hour.

The Two Nova 500 Machine, I has issues with Remote, I discovered the IR eye has to be plug into the first Nova 500 on the PCI bus. The Hauppauge software assuming there is only one card and locks onto the first card. If you like me use the 'wrong' card the remote will not response. (reboot between changing the eye).

Otherwise you are good to go....

[Graham_Shepherd]

Richard ... Thanks for you encouraging experiences.

Tell me, have you had any issues with traffic on the USB bus and high CPU utilisation?

I only ask because I've read on other forums about similar problems using two Nova-T 500's. People have resorted to using a Microsoft Hotfix designed to address mods to USB drivers on laptops to increase battery life. {Sorry this all seems a bit vague!! But maybe you are familiar with the problem}

Forgive me if I am looking for problems here. I will see how I get on and plan to resolve any difficulties as and when they arise.

[systemshark]

Hi Graham,

I've had lots of PCI Traffic issues on my twin card machine, but I fixed it by removing the riser card from my custom case manufacturer.

I also had issue with getting a MUX to generate MPEG files correctly, I'm currently using ATI mux and nVidia Pure decoders...

I'm also using the fix from Microsoft which was included from the Hauppauge site/cd.

Lastly I only run USB via the Hauppauge cards. I'm disabled USB on my bios so the Windows error is 'removed/ mitigated

Hope this help

[Graham_Shepherd]

Cool - Thanks for great welcome to the Forum.

I feel pretty confident in making a start on install & config over the coming weekend knowing that there are some really helpful folks keen to help.

[systemshark]

Cool - Thanks for great welcome to the Forum.

I feel pretty confident in making a start on install & config over the coming weekend knowing that there are some really helpful folks keen to help.

Feel free to post and we'll try to help !

[Graham_Shepherd]

Hi Guys

Can you help with some basic config queries please?

First off I have completed the install ok, but have a few odd issues;


*****
:o
Currently only using one Nova-T 500 I cannot record on one tuner & watch the other.

In Digital Sources Config I have ticked box to only show installed devices. This offers; Nova T 500 DVB-T (1) & (2) as well as Nova-DT #1 DVB-t & #2 DVB-T.

I am using Nova T 500 DVB-T (1) & (2) set to device numbers 1 & 2. I have tried the Device Number checking utility but this seems only to work with 150 PVR etc.

Guess that there is an issue on device numbers here??

{Wannabepvr mentioned something similar above}


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:eek:
Having started recording just to test things out I cannot seem to find a way to stop it! Tried from toolbar to stop recoding and also from TV Guide. Sorry if I'm being dim here?
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:confused:
Using a Hauppage 45 Button remote (without the Hauppage IR utility installed) just in GBPVR is a problem. Few if any of the buttons seem to function as expected. Have I missed something obvious??
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Lastly I have a problem with the volume control using either the keyboard or remote.

If vol is set in config to master I can see an OSD for vol +/- & mute but this has no effect on actual volume. With vol set to local in config nothing happens at all.
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Sorry to dump such a noob list. Hope you can help.

Thanks Graham