Is a channel list required for LiveTV?

[seaken64]

Hello,

I'm new to nPVR and this forum. I've read hundreds of pages today in an effort to learn. I'll continue to read but I have a quick question about channels and the HD-PVR. If anyone can shed some light on this I would appreciate it.

nPVR version 3.3.8
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Time Warner Cable Digital TV Set Top Box
Hauppauge HD-PVR 1212 Component & SPDIF
WinTV v7.2.32311 (CD 3.9c) (working for Live TV viewing)

Does the LiveTV function of nPVR REQUIRE an EPG and channel list? I don't know how to "scan" for channels or get EPG data for the HD-PVR. There is no actual tuner, it is only a capture device. I have set up one "channel" called "Component" on channel number 3. LiveTV does not show anything (black screen on "Component" channel). But, if I start a recording from the guide on that same channel and then "play" the recording I can simulate watching LiveTV, just slightly delayed. Why does the recording of "channel 3" work but viewing in LiveTV does not? I guess I don't understand what the LiveTV function is looking for that the Recording function is not. Could it be a channel list/guide? Confused.

Thank you,
Sean

[johnsonx42]

I *think* there's a bug in 3.3.8 with livetv if you have no EPG data. In Settings->Misc try setting TimeShift Mode to "Time Based" (assuming it's currently set to "EPG Based"). I'm pretty sure you need to exit NextPVR and restart the recording service to make this take effect.

[Graham]

I may have misunderstood so forgive me if I am missing the point. I would expect that the HD-PVR is receiving a TV signal from a set top box (cable or satellite box, maybe). NextPVR can be persuaded to "blast" the STB to change channels so that you can operate NextPVR as if there was a tuner inside the 'puter. I have very little idea how this is done and no clue if it's possible with a HD-PVR.

[seaken64]

I *think* there's a bug in 3.3.8 with livetv if you have no EPG data. In Settings->Misc try setting TimeShift Mode to "Time Based" (assuming it's currently set to "EPG Based"). I'm pretty sure you need to exit NextPVR and restart the recording service to make this take effect.

Ahh, ok. Then the LiveTV does look somewhere for EPG data by default. I will try your suggestion.

Thanks,
Sean

[seaken64]

I may have misunderstood so forgive me if I am missing the point. I would expect that the HD-PVR is receiving a TV signal from a set top box (cable or satellite box, maybe). NextPVR can be persuaded to "blast" the STB to change channels so that you can operate NextPVR as if there was a tuner inside the 'puter. I have very little idea how this is done and no clue if it's possible with a HD-PVR.

Yes, the HDPVR captures the output of my STB. My problem is that I can't "scan" for channels and can't figure out how to set up the EPG since nPVR is not directly connected to a tuner. Do I have to manually enter all channels? And if so, how do I set up the EPG on these channels? Apparently LiveTV won't work without the EPG.

Thanks,
Sean

[SickBoy]

I may have misunderstood so forgive me if I am missing the point. I would expect that the HD-PVR is receiving a TV signal from a set top box (cable or satellite box, maybe). NextPVR can be persuaded to "blast" the STB to change channels so that you can operate NextPVR as if there was a tuner inside the 'puter. I have very little idea how this is done and no clue if it's possible with a HD-PVR.

Yes, most common NPVR configurations with a HD-PVR or Colossus would require blasting to change channels. I had one and managed to configure channel changing via the timmoore firestb package (changing channels on firewire) which worked great until my cableco pushed a software update to the box which disallowed this. At which point I lost interest and decided to cancel my cable service...

[seaken64]

I am not too concerned about IR blasting at this point. My concern is how to setup channels and the EPG. So far I don't have anything in my channels or EPG beyond my single "component" channel. Recording/playing on this "channel" works. LiveTV does not. I don't know why there is a difference. If it works through recording/playing shouldn't it also work in LiveTV?

Sean

[johnsonx42]

Yes, the HDPVR captures the output of my STB. My problem is that I can't "scan" for channels and can't figure out how to set up the EPG since nPVR is not directly connected to a tuner. Do I have to manually enter all channels? And if so, how do I set up the EPG on these channels?

you can manually enter the channels if you like, but it's much easier to import the channels from your EPG source. For the US, the best bet is always Schedules Direct (http://www.schedulesdirect.org); they offer a 7-day trial you can use to get things set up initially.

Apparently LiveTV won't work without the EPG.

did you try with Timeshift Mode set to "Time Based"? That mode doesn't use the EPG at all. Post logs showing an attempt to watch live tv; without logs we're just guessing at what you might be doing wrong.

[seaken64]

Okay, thanks for the tip. I won't get time to play with this for another week or so. I'll gather the logs and send them along after I get back to this. Thanks.

Sean

[seaken64]

you can manually enter the channels if you like, but it's much easier to import the channels from your EPG source. For the US, the best bet is always Schedules Direct (http://www.schedulesdirect.org); they offer a 7-day trial you can use to get things set up initially.


did you try with Timeshift Mode set to "Time Based"? That mode doesn't use the EPG at all. Post logs showing an attempt to watch live tv; without logs we're just guessing at what you might be doing wrong.

I can't play with the HDPVR right now since my wife is using the STB. But I have attached the log files. If there is anything in these logs that will help me understand what is happening I would appreciate some guidance.

Thank you,
Sean