New to NPVR

[sicilian68]

I am new to the NPVR application. I installed and followed all instructions to the "T". After installation and configuration, I have three issues that I can't seem to resolve. 1. NPVR doesn't pull the channels from DIRECTV. How do I accomplish this without internet? 2. I used a grabber on a different computer and downloaded the channels into a xmltv file and imported it into the app, but when watching live tv, when I change the channel the picture doesn't change. They stay on whatever channel i have the receiver set to 3. there is an audio delay. Can you please help me resolve these issues?
My machine is a 3.2GHz P4 Core 2 Duo cpu, 2GB RAM, 2 - 250 GB hard drives, Win 7 Pro, ATI All-In-Wonder 512 MB PCI-e tuner card with Media Center compatible remote, Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 sound card. The pc is connected to a DirecTV D-100 receiver via s-video.

[johnsonx42]

1. NPVR doesn't pull the channels from DIRECTV. How do I accomplish this without internet?

You do what you've already done - download the channels on another computer, and import them into the app.

2. I used a grabber on a different computer and downloaded the channels into a xmltv file and imported it into the app, but when watching live tv, when I change the channel the picture doesn't change. They stay on whatever channel i have the receiver set to

You have to configure an IRBlaster to send the channel changes to your DirecTV (or a serial cable if you have one of the older boxes with serial control). Once you have your channel changing software setup (which is outside the scope of NPVR), you go into the Device Setup for your capture device and enter the channel changer command line. NPVR will call the channel changer when you change channels, and of course before recordings.

3. there is an audio delay. Can you please help me resolve these issues?

Try a different audio decoder. Some decoders, such as AC3Filter, have an audio "time shift" function that can help with this.

[mikeh49]

Also, set the audio renderer to "Default".

[mvallevand]

The ATI TV Wonder will require a lot of CPU for a software encoding which will impact playback. How do recordings playback?

Martin

[msmith8228]

Why would setting the audio renderer to default affect the delay -- vs. setting it to say Direct Show which I normally use. I would assume that this would only have an effect on analogue audio output -- any SPDIF settings or connections would not be impacted.

Is this correct?

[sicilian68]

thank you all for the answers. i was hoping to not have to get an IR Blaster but looks like i will. i installed a virtual blaster in hopes to work around. obviously not going to work. can anyone suggest a good name brand of IR Blaster that works well? to answer martin's question, i haven't even tried recording. didn't figure there to be any point until i get all the kinks worked out. the audio delay is during live tv play, so i would assume the delay would occur in a recording. thanks again, and if anyone has a suggestion on the ir blaster please let me know.

[vogelap]

You have to configure an IRBlaster to send the channel changes to your DirecTV (or a serial cable if you have one of the older boxes with serial control). Once you have your channel changing software setup (which is outside the scope of NPVR), you go into the Device Setup for your capture device and enter the channel changer command line. NPVR will call the channel changer when you change channels, and of course before recordings.

I am considering NPVR as a replacement for my aging (and no-longer-supported) Beyond TV, running on Win7 64-bit. I have a serial cable connecting my PC to my DirecTV box. Beyond TV manages channel changes itself, so I am ignorant about what software I need to change the channels for NPVR.

Can someone recommend software for changing the channels on my serial-connected DirecTV box? Thanks!

[johnsonx42]

afaik this should still work: http://gbpvr.com/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Utili...nelControl

[vogelap]

Thanks, @johnsonx42! That does work!