Client setup experiments- See results inside

[zaldwaik]

I have spent the last two days experimenting with a client PC for GBPVR. I wanted to share this with you and see if anyone has any more tips I can try. I am using the most recent GBPVR version on both machines. I am using Nvidia Purevideo decorder on both machines (client has Intel GMA 950 graphics- but purevideo works fine)

Server and client both are capable of playing files in question (made sure that worked first). I set LiveTV pre-delay for client to 4000 in all scenarios. Both machines running Windows XP. I am using a wired network with no speed issues.

As you can see from my results, I am not able to get LiveTV to work from both tuners in one single setup. DVR-MS was out of question as it does not support LiveTV. I am wondering if there is anything left to try to make this work.

Digital ATSC
Server Mux- TS (ts files)

[INDENT]FileShare
[INDENT]LiveTV- Good
Recordings Playback- Good[/INDENT]
Streaming
LiveTV- Does NOT work (PVRX2 quits after few seconds, ts file is generated on the server but does not playback on client)
Recordings Playback- Mostly Good[/INDENT]

Server Mux- Cybelink (mpg files)

[INDENT]FileShare
[INDENT]LiveTV- Does NOT work (stutter and hiccups)
Recordings Playback- Good[/INDENT]
Streaming
[INDENT]LiveTV- Does NOT work (stutter and hiccups)
Recordings Playback- Mostly Good[/INDENT][/INDENT]

Analog Sat Dish (PVR-150) produces mpg files

[INDENT]FileShare
[INDENT]LiveTV- Stutter and hiccups (unwatchable)
Recordings Playback- Good[/INDENT]
Streaming
[INDENT]LiveTV- Mostly works, but a hiccup here and there
Recordings Playback- Good[/INDENT][/INDENT]

[stustunz]

yip
mpeg works best with streaming
ts works best with file sharing

thats how it is
so if you have a mix of both you are screwed for live tv

[sub]

The reality is that client/server hasnt been tested once by me since .ts recording and playback etc was added to the app. Client PCs have not been a priority to me over the last year, so hasnt received any development or testing time. The client/server stuff was designed and tested when the bulk of users were using analog and recording .mpg files. The world has changed a lot in the last 18 months, and most people are using digital devices now, and recording .ts files. I hope to revisit it when I have more development time available. I changed jobs about a year ago, and its been much more demanding on my available time.

[zaldwaik]

Sub,
I appreciate your quick response and dedication to this project. Is there a chance that you might go back to your old job?

I guess there is nothing I can do to allow for digital and analog livetv streaming at this point?

[soccerdad]

I have started playing with EWA for this. It works for both mpg and ts live tv, but the interface is a little cumbersome. I am not sure I have it optimized though. It certainly is not for surfing though. But it will work since it uses VLC streaming and VLC works fairly well with poor quality ts streams and great for mpg files as well.

[zaldwaik]

I have started playing with EWA for this. It works for both mpg and ts live tv, but the interface is a little cumbersome. I am not sure I have it optimized though. It certainly is not for surfing though. But it will work since it uses VLC streaming and VLC works fairly well with poor quality ts streams and great for mpg files as well.

I want to avoid any processing or encoding as that will slow things down given that I am trying to get the full quality.

Because I cannot run more than one instance of GBPVR I am wondering if there is another more reliable PC-based light weight option for streaming livetv content with a basic client interface (using a remote control) that can run alongside gbpvr. I can use GBPVR for analog mpg and that for ATSC or vice versa.

[jeremy]

I love GBPVR because of the server option. Thank-you for making this application. I have been using MCE for a while now, and I must say GBPVR is much cleaner and more fun to use. Plus my wife likes GBPVR better since it is easier to navigate.

I am a no-go with the streaming because all the channels I use are ATSC. If you get a chance, the streaming option would be great for ATSC. FileShare is working for me though for now.

One suggestion. Any chance for a recoding preview picture like the one in MCE?

[sub]

Any chance for a recoding preview picture like the one in MCE?

I've never spent much time trying MCE. Can you explain what the preview picture is.

[Bathman]

GBPVR has changed the way I wathc TV - I no longer watch live TV.

When I first set up my client I was dissapointed that i couldn't watch live TV however these days it doesn't matter.

Every week or so I browse throught the TV Guide set to record anything that interests me. i then watch it at my leisure. I simply don't watch live TV anymore so I don't miss this feature that is missing on the client.

[sub]

Attached is a "very beta" patch that should do .ts playback on streaming mode clients. Let me know how you get on.

In addition to applying the patch, you'll also need to create the following registry setting (which wont be required in the next release).

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Devnz\DefaultServer = "servername"