arrow keys, why they don't do anything?

[reboot]

I love this application!
After fighting with WinTv2k, this was the answer I was looking for.
I did some searching through the posts, and did find an answer to one question, about recording quality, got that all fixed, by changing the settings under "medium".
I'm using a PVR-250 Model 32062 Rev. B185 with the latest drivers from shspvr (which I HAD to use, so the tuner in GB-PVR would work).

Question 1.
I still would like to know why none of the arrows work, on the recording screen. It seems like they should do something, change quality, change pre and post padding, but nothing...

Question 2.
If I'm browsing channels in the guide, and decide I don't want to watch or record, there's no way to get back to the main menu. I either have to shut it down, or start watching something, so I get the Menu button onscreen. Not sure if this is simply not implemented, or it's a fault on my system.

Question3.
I have the PVR-250, and after fighting with Overlay, I finally got VMR9 to work perfectly (or close enough for me).
In Playback, in config, Hardware decoder device, I only have PVR-350, None use software, and Sigma Designs Xcard. Must I use software decoding on my 250? If I select 350, what will happen?
Again, is this a fault of my setup, or the 250 just isn't implemented here?

TIA for any help.
Cheers, Jim

[cwills]

Question 1: I assume you are trying to click the arrows with your mouse? If you use the remote or the arrows on the keyboard, they should switch.

Question 2: If you hit the Back/Exit button on the Hauppage remote(or escape key on KB), or sometimes Menu button (depending on where you are), you can back out of things like menu's, livetv, etc.

Question 3: You must use software. If you buy a 350 or a Sigma Xcard, you can use one of them. The 250 has no hardware decoder.

[sub]

cwills answers are all correct. You sound like you're trying to do everything with a mouse. While some functions are available via the mouse, all functionality is available via the keyboard or remote.

The PVR250 does not have a hardware decoder.

[reboot]

Wow! Very prompt, and consice. Thankyou.
Yes, I'm a spoiled comptuer tech, used to Windows mouse for everything, and I feel totally out of my depth when it comes to capture hardware and software, it's all new to me...and you can't teach an old dog...
I'll do the keyboard thing from now on as I got the card at an "open box" sale, with no remote (not that I'd use it for anything anyhow).
(Wish I'd splurged for the 350 now)...

Edit, one last question, and I should probably just try it, but...
If I have a scheduled recording doing it's thing, it's still safe to open up the prog, and watch, right? I realize I can't change the chan, or risk messing up my cap.
Cheers!

[wtg]

Reboot,

The PVR-250 has a hardware encoder for recording, but you must use software to decode them when viewing.

The PVR-350 has a hardware decoder, but I think it's only used when using the 350's TV-out port. If you're watching a video on your computer monitor, you'd still use a software decoder even with the 350.

Tim

[cwills]

Quote[/b] (reboot @ Mar. 16 2005,16:00)]Edit, one last question, and I should probably just try it, but...
If I have a scheduled recording doing it's thing, it's still safe to open up the prog, and watch, right? I realize I can't change the chan, or risk messing up my cap.
Cheers!

Yes, this works, you can watch the program you are currently recording, or another recording while it's capturing.

[reboot]

It seems the more I get into this, the more questions I have...
I do understand the hardware decoder/encoder bit now, thankyou.
I really do appreciate the help here. I've received more, better, answers here than even the shs forums...so, here goes...

1) I have 3 different software mpeg-2 playback video decoders, and audio decoders, courtesy of different software I have on my system. So far, I've just left it at system default. Is one better than the other, or should I just try different stuff to see what happens?

2) I'm using Zap2it, and so far, it's just right. Easy, simple. I'm assuming the "subscription" runs out after a time, and I'll either have to pay, or change. Instead of waiting for the day when my tv guide no longer works, I'd like to set up xmltv, to have as an alternate source. Is this as painless as zap2it to set up, or am I in for some deep reading?

3) Are there other skins available? Are they easy to make? Seems like something I'd like to dabble in, providing I don't have to learn programming in Pascal or somesuch (my age is showing).

TIA again, Jim

[cwills]

reboot, I don't use software decoding, and have no opinion on what video/audio decoders work best, but others have claimed that certain ones have advantages over others. You may want to search the forum and see what you can come up with. I believe there is also a current thread in the General Discussion area on this right now. It never hurts to try different settings and see what you get.

The Zap2It subscription does expire from time to time, but they have never charged for it yet, and hopefully never will. You just got to re-login and "renew" your subscription, sometimes they have you answer a few questions about how you use your TV and such. The XMLTV is more difficult to setup and maintain IMO. I have used it when there was a temporary outage of Zap2It with a prior version of GB-PVR, but went back to Zap2It when it was fixed. It's not that hard to setup, there are a few threads on it if you search.

There are many skins available, you can get more info on them at the Wiki.

[reboot]

Thanks! I'll mess with the decoders, and do some test caps. Probalby end up leaving it at system default.
Nice to hear that zap2it just keeps going. I think I saw something about it expiring in June...I'll just wait and see, and do some hunting about xmltv in the mean time.
thanks also for the link to skins....time to customize (bwah, ha, ha, ha) ;-)

Cheers, Jim

[cwills]

Sounds good, make sure you check out some of the plugins also, they really expand on GB-PVR's abilities.