Client / Server setup

[SLR_65]

I'm finally getting time to setup my client for the living room. (just been really busy lately with no time to play! )

I got the operating system loaded (Win XP SP3 on both the client and sever) and GBPVR loaded up. However I can't stream anything to the client. If I choose file share then I can watch the recordings and video library but I get a black screen when trying to watch live tv.

I read the wiki and I believe I have all the proper directories shared and stuff and I've disabled the firewalls on both the server and client but it didn't help.

I'm going to try and tear into it further tomorrow after work, but I was wondering if there is some common things that hang client / servers up that I should check for?

I'm wondering about my router, I think it's got a firewall in it too. Could I just run an ethernet cable between the client and server to bypass the router for a test? (probably need a crossover ethernet cable to do that? I just bought a pair of rj-45 crimpers and a tester so that'd give me a reason to play with them! )

Thanks!

Steve

[sub]

What type of recordings were you trying to stream? (.mpg .ts .dvrms?)

[johnsonx42]

I'm wondering about my router, I think it's got a firewall in it too. Could I just run an ethernet cable between the client and server to bypass the router for a test? (probably need a crossover ethernet cable to do that? I just bought a pair of rj-45 crimpers and a tester so that'd give me a reason to play with them! )

Unless you have a very high-end router, your router's firewall only blocks ports from the internet; the connection between your computers is via a simple ethernet switch. Nothing at all is blocked between your computers.

[SLR_65]

Hi Sub,

Analog TV mpegs made by a PVR-500 and HVR-1600. I do have one digital channel and I use the Cyberlink mux to make an mpeg out of it instead of a .ts. The HVR-1600 has flaked out though and I'm still working with Hauppauge to get it fixed, so currently it's only dealing with the PVR-500 mpegs.

In file share I can play all the mpegs plus the avis and stuff, I just can't watch a tuner as the screen just goes blank. In stream mode I've just tried the PVR-500 mpegs and just get a blank screen. I think after a bit it goes back to the main menu (I'm not quite sure as it's been a couple days and I've been working 16 hour days so I'm tired and not thinking straight right now).

I'll be working on this further tomorrow afternoon (central US time). If you need any logs just lemme know which ones and I'll get 'em posted for ya.

Thanks sooo much Sub! I can't wait to get the client up in the living room! GBPVR has me way to spoiled so now I can only watch TV in the family room!

Take Care,

Steve

[SLR_65]

Unless you have a very high-end router, your router's firewall only blocks ports from the internet; the connection between your computers is via a simple ethernet switch. Nothing at all is blocked between your computers.

It's a Linksys WRT54GL.

[johnsonx42]

It's a Linksys WRT54GL.

My comment definitely stands for that one. All simple routers of the sort any home user would have simply use a dumb switch for the 4 lan side ports - all the intelligent routing happens between the lan side and the wan side. Some of the better wireless routers can isolate the wireless clients from each other if you set it up that way (that's not part of the router part either but rather the wireless access point bit), but the wired side is still just a dumb switch.

[SLR_65]

Ok, that probably leads to a configuration problem then. I'm sure I can sort it out once I get some sleep (or Sub, Whurlston, etc. can spot it for me in a log if I can't (thanks guys!)).

/Steve

[sub]

If you post the client and server logs, I'll take a look.

[SLR_65]

OK, got it working!

My Asus motherboard untility disc loaded up some funky firewall! GRRR!

Got it unloaded and things started working, but I didn't have any program guide info . . . after checking all the shares, permissions, etc. I finally saw that somehow my time/date got screwed up! Of course it didn't have any data for 1/1/2008!

Streaming works well for both Live TV and recordings, but file share tends to make the Live TV stutter.

I read where streaming wouldn't allow you to play DVD files, AVIs, etc. but the couple I've tried worked fine?

What's the scoop? Does Streaming work OK for other file types?

If not, how do I get the Live TV working better with File Share? (or do I just not use the client for Live TV? <- that's not that big of a deal for this client).

Thanks!

Steve

[sub]

Streaming works well for both Live TV and recordings, but file share tends to make the Live TV stutter.

True, analog live tv doesnt work well over file sharing mode. Digital TV using the TS Mux works better with file sharing though.

I read where streaming wouldn't allow you to play DVD files, AVIs, etc. but the couple I've tried worked fine?

Correct, but GB-PVR doesnt record DVDs or AVIs. You typically access these types of files from the Video Library though, and these files will always be played as files from shares. (ie, no client/server stuff involved)