(Optionally) Set GBPVRRecordingService.exe process priority to High.

[Trevor]

On a shared machine, some applications (such as The Sims 2, which my oldest kid likes to play in the morning when the PVR is in action) spike CPU usage. If GB-PVR is recording a show at the same time, this can cause the recorded show to skip or jump, almost as if it were in a "fast forward" mode, making it somewhat unwatchable. Even though the process normally only used about 2% of my CPU, when placed at par with other apps it didn't get all that 2% when it needed it.

Through a bit of a hack (eventually using <a href="http://www.beyondlogic.org/solutions/processutil/processutil.htm">this app</a>) I managed to increase the process priority of GBPVRRecordingService.exe from "Normal" to "High", and the problem went away completely. I can run high CPU apps and recording is glitchless. I've got this down to a link on my desktop, but it's a bit of a kludge solution. It doesn't run after a reboot or reconfig (which resets the priority back to Normal).

Would it be possible to allow you to configure the system (possibly optionally) to launch GBPVRRecordingService.exe with a High process priority? This would seem to be a good and simple addition to me, as even on a dedicated PVR system the actual recording of shows should be the most important non-OS activity.

Thanks for your time and consideration!

[reboot]

If you start a service via cmd, you can add this to the beginning of it:
cmd /c start "runhigh" /high "c:\program files]devnz\gbpvr\GBPVRRecordingService.exe
I think you may be able to do this in the key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\GB-PVR Recording Service\ImagePath
Untested! Edit the registry at your own risk!
WAIT!!! I found something else that might work...
Go to start > run > and type in "services.msc"
Find gbpvrrecordingservice.
Right click, select properties.
In the "Start parameters" box, you should be able to add /high
You'll have to temporarily stop the service, but this should work.

Something else that may work, and is extremely simple, is to:
Go into control panel, system, advanced, performance, settings button.
Advanced tab, and change the priority to "Background services" from it's default of Programs.

For $20 you can get this: http://prioritymaster.com/
Or for $50 this: http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintaskspro/

[Trevor]

Sorry, door number 2 doesn't work (Services/Start parameters). Not only does /high not set it into high mode, the start params seem to dissapear. This does seem like the right answer though.

#3 is probably a good solution, but needs testing.

#1 I'm a bit concerned about. I'll stay with my freeware hack at the moment.

[reboot]

I'll research a bit more on services/start parameters. I'm sure there's an answer somewhere.

[stefan]

Check the new release .9211

[Trevor]

Check the new release .9211

Indeed. Sweet! I'll have to try this out tonight.

[jammin]

I'm using .9211 ... where is this option?

Thanks
Jammin

[Trevor]

You have to manually edit config.xml with a text editor.

[jammin]

aha there it is, thanks.

Is there any such option to run the front end application GBPVR.EXE as high priority ?

Thanks
Jammin

[stefan]

No, I don't think so. But this thread might give you some help:
http://forum.gbpvr.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2732