How to trigger external scheduler

[WolfCry]

How can I use an external schdule for recording TV program?

I have setup the TV Guide to read the EPG data. When I click on a TV program, a dialog box pops out and I can select "Record". At this point, how can I trgger an external program and pass over the key parameters such at the TV program start date/time, end date/time, the program name and channel?

I have read the Wiki and I suspect I need to define a custome task but I do not know how to process from there. Pls help.

Many thanks.

[Graham]

Why do you need an external program? Why can't you let GBPVR do the recording?

[dennit]

Why do you need an external program? Why can't you let GBPVR do the recording?

GBPVR needs BDA aware drivers for digital tuners and MPEG2 hardware capture chip for analog. Some devices can't be operated by GBPVR. I can think of several scenarios where this might be nice, but I don't think there's any good way to do it. Perhaps if you define an external channel changer to be a bat file. It could receive the channel, run an external record program and will start at the correct time, but it won't know title or length. I suppose you could always record for 2 hours and use a default name - it's a hack, but might meet a specialized need.

Edit: The parallelprocessing.bat file receives channel number and name, it might also work - but it's not supported.

[David]

There used to be a plug-in 'external recorder tuner' that would install as a virtual tuner in GB-PVR. I have no idea if it works with the current version. Any programs scheduled on that 'tuner' would call an external executable with some parameters. You might take a look for it.

[WolfCry]

Why do you need an external program? Why can't you let GBPVR do the recording?

I am new to GB-PVR and would need to explore it features. Nonetheless, below are the reasons for using external scheduler.

1. My tuner card is not support.
   
2. I am using an external recorder, VirtualVCR. [INDENT] It allows me to select different recording source, composite or tuner, via command line. Also, it allows me to select different codec [/INDENT]
   
3. I am using an external scheduler, VVCRS2. [INDENT]It can wake my computer for recording and send it back to sleep after recording. It also has schedule conflict management; recording priorities.[/INDENT]

[WolfCry]

Hi Dennit.

Having the show duration is key in operating the scheduler... Thanks anyway.

Hi David,

I'll look for this 'external recorder tuner'.

[dennit]

Hi Dennit.
Having the show duration is key in operating the scheduler... Thanks anyway.
Hi David,
I'll look for this 'external recorder tuner'.

The only other option I can think of would be to parse out the duration info from the gbpvr.db3 database using an sql query.

[carpeVideo]

It seems to me you are using all this external stuff to recreate native GBPVR functionality making your solution a bit overcomplicated.

GBPVR already does conflict mgmt, scheduling and wake from stand by.

If you don't like the recording methods gbpvr uses then the graphRecorder plugin with various graphs which you build) it will replicate the virtual vcr functionality in a more seamless manner.

http://gbpvr.com/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Plugin/GraphRecorder

http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=25550

[dennit]

It seems to me you are using all this external stuff to recreate native GBPVR functionality making your solution a bit overcomplicated.

You're right, if he can get graphRecorder to do it, that's definitely the way to go. I haven't had a need for this, and wasn't aware that it would allow GBPVR to speak to WDM drivers. That's something that might be useful for me.

[WolfCry]

Thanks. I'll give graphRecorder a try.

One more question: Can I trigger my external cable box to change the recording channel?