Network Recorders

[mvallevand]

Not having a clue what a Sage encoder is or how it works, but the words "tuner plugin" begs the question (for me) "could a 'tuner plugin' work with something like a DVB tuner in a networked PC?"

For the next version of NPVR I have written a tuner plugin that uses the SageTV protocol to talk to network encoders.

A network encoder using this protocol provides the means to capture video from any device on your network (including localhost) and the tuner plugin allows you to control this with standard NPVR EPG and recording, scheduling and livetv mechanisms.

There are four distinct network encoders available.

SGraphRecorder. - Provide remote access to recording using GraphEdit graph's as the recording mechanism. This works great when the remote capture is with a HDPVR/Collossus or svideo/composite, because a remote tuner is called. Currently no method to tune internal tuners analog or digital, but it would be nice to use an old XP box in the attic and run CAT 5e/6 to the NPVR host

SageDCT - Control digital cable card tuners from Ceton, SiliconDust and Hauppauge

SageMCTuner - control any Windows Media Center tuner device for playback in NPVR. DRM'd recordings can be scheduled but not viewed in NPVR.

r5000 - hardware implementations of the SageTV protocol

Other possibilities. It would not be extrememly difficult to

- create an interface to control a second instance of NPVR or even GBPVR on the network
- write a simple linux server controlling most /dev/video devices.

Martin

[martint123]

Thanks for the explanation Martin, I will keep my eyes open as things develop.

[pcostanza]

Martin has worked hard (with help from sub and others) on making this happen. It's not perfect but in a very short time, he's been able to work his magic. I am very grateful to him and the others for taking their time to work on something that they can't even take advantage of themselves.
I've watched GVBPVR grow to NPVR and in a short time, NPVR has blossomed tremendously. I never thought when I started working with cablecard tuners in 2006 that it would come to this. A free program to handle cablecards.
You can bet I sent in my donation again and will keep it up so that it will continue to grow.

[soccerdad]

I am very grateful to him and the others for taking their time to work on something that they can't even take advantage of themselves.

It is mind boggleing that sub in NZ and Martin in Canada are willing to take the lead to work on cablecards when neither one of them can even use it. We are very lucky (and thankfull) indeed. I am still trying to get my head around what Martin is doing, but I am sure will will be great for all of us.

[wtg]

This is really remarkable work you're doing. You're clearly someone that like to keep busy.

SageMCTuner - control any Windows Media Center tuner device for playback in NPVR. DRM'd recordings can be scheduled but not viewed in NPVR.

About this... while it would be a hack, would it be possible when one of these DRM'd recordings is selected for playback that NPVR invoke WMC to play it, and after it's done, minimize it again, or at least allow the user to exit WMC and return to NPVR themselves? I know double-clicking on a WMC video in Windows Explorer opens WMC and it immediately starts playing, so it seems at least playback ought to be possible via a PC anyway.

[pcostanza]

It is mind boggleing that sub in NZ and Martin in Canada are willing to take the lead to work on cablecards when neither one of them can even use it. We are very lucky (and thankfull) indeed. I am still trying to get my head around what Martin is doing, but I am sure will will be great for all of us.

No way I understand what was done but I know Martin has had to answer some really dumb questions from me.....he's very patient with those of us who are in the 'geek learning program'.

[mvallevand]

This is really remarkable work you're doing. You're clearly someone that like to keep busy.

It's a good hobby for sure.

About this... while it would be a hack, would it be possible when one of these DRM'd recordings is selected for playback that NPVR invoke WMC to play it, and after it's done, minimize it again, or at least allow the user to exit WMC and return to NPVR themselves? I know double-clicking on a WMC video in Windows Explorer opens WMC and it immediately starts playing, so it seems at least playback ought to be possible via a PC anyway.

I don't know what the extension is (.wtv maybe?) but this would have to be determined. It's possible that the graph itself is playback if the graph is able to keep the integrity of the DRM otherwise su would need to change things like he has fro blu-ray.

Martin

[wtg]

Yes, the files from the Hauppauge DCR-2650 I just recorded with W7 WMC have a .wtv extension, and if I double-click them it immediately opens WMC and starts playback. When you try to open these files in Windows Media Player however you're told that "Windows Media Player cannot play, burn, rip or sync the protected file because you do not have the appropriate rights", so in the least some WMC components have to be part of the graph. Probably more complicated than that though.

The fact that WMC can be invoked directly for playback though seems like a hack of sorts should be possible for PC playback anyway, and your recording plug-in could be used to schedule recording within WMC.

[mvallevand]

Yes, the files from the Hauppauge DCR-2650 I just recorded with W7 WMC have a .wtv extension, and if I double-click them it immediately opens WMC and starts playback. When you try to open these files in Windows Media Player however you're told that "Windows Media Player cannot play, burn, rip or sync the protected file because you do not have the appropriate rights", so in the least some WMC components have to be part of the graph. Probably more complicated than that though.

Until a more elegant solution it looks like sub should have a configuration option to launch wtv file file by extension.

The fact that WMC can be invoked directly for playback though seems like a hack of sorts should be possible for PC playback anyway, and your recording plug-in could be used to schedule recording within WMC.

No one has tested the theory yet.

Martin

[pcostanza]

Yes, the files from the Hauppauge DCR-2650 I just recorded with W7 WMC have a .wtv extension, and if I double-click them it immediately opens WMC and starts playback. When you try to open these files in Windows Media Player however you're told that "Windows Media Player cannot play, burn, rip or sync the protected file because you do not have the appropriate rights", so in the least some WMC components have to be part of the graph. Probably more complicated than that though.

The fact that WMC can be invoked directly for playback though seems like a hack of sorts should be possible for PC playback anyway, and your recording plug-in could be used to schedule recording within WMC.

If the files I record are copy protected and I right click the file and choose 'convert to dvr-ms' it won't work. Some people have told me their copy protected .wtv files do convert to dvr-ms but they are unwatchable with audio only.