- Nebula DigiTV
Nebula have released a new Beta of 3.11 - primarily to get around their leap year bug.
However, also gives a chance to try out the new HTTP interface.
Made new version (2.47b06) to use their chosen syntax but issue will remain with Id/Password handling. Needs some more experimentation.
In any case - it does not seem to result in data being saved to registry, even on exit of DigiTV and DigiTV still not polling registry for updates. Sent email to Nebula.
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
Sunday, February 29, 2004
Saturday, February 21, 2004
- ATi MMC
Had a report that ATi MMC 8.8 was going completely wrong when I entered schedule information. It now requires that the tuner settings (tint, brightness etc) are stored with the timer entry - this was optional before.
Made a 2.47b03 to provide it.
- Nebula DigiTV
Had a request from someone using Nebula DigiTV in conjunction with Total Recorder to record the "radio". This is because the file format used by Nebula DigiTV is difficult to handle on a simple audio device - has to be post-processed etc.
Problem was that Nebula DigiTV running in FULLSCREEN mode (even when for a radio channel) uses a lot of CPU. So added ability to control the windowing a bit when choosing PLAY. Not a great thing to do if PLAY is used for TV - but at least users can now choose.
- General
Published 2.46b16 (essentially same as 2.46b15 with the Matrox code removed)
Made 2.47b01 to renable the Matrox G450 eTV for anyone still testing it.
Had a report that ATi MMC 8.8 was going completely wrong when I entered schedule information. It now requires that the tuner settings (tint, brightness etc) are stored with the timer entry - this was optional before.
Made a 2.47b03 to provide it.
- Nebula DigiTV
Had a request from someone using Nebula DigiTV in conjunction with Total Recorder to record the "radio". This is because the file format used by Nebula DigiTV is difficult to handle on a simple audio device - has to be post-processed etc.
Problem was that Nebula DigiTV running in FULLSCREEN mode (even when for a radio channel) uses a lot of CPU. So added ability to control the windowing a bit when choosing PLAY. Not a great thing to do if PLAY is used for TV - but at least users can now choose.
- General
Published 2.46b16 (essentially same as 2.46b15 with the Matrox code removed)
Made 2.47b01 to renable the Matrox G450 eTV for anyone still testing it.
Saturday, February 14, 2004
- WinTVPVR
Had a request to be able to include "###" in the command line at the end of the file name to enable auto-numbering facility of WinTV2K.
Done (2.46b15) by extending FileNameOrder to allow user to specific any characters anywhere. Could be another way of getting the recording stored into a specific directory.
- VirtualVCR
Had request to add control over forcing exit - 2.46b14
- General
Added a retry on trying to write to log - in fact it is a loop ut set to only go round once. Could make the loop exit configurable if needed in future - 2.46b14
Maybe modify the file handling in general so that all open/write/close goes through similar process.
Had a request to be able to include "###" in the command line at the end of the file name to enable auto-numbering facility of WinTV2K.
Done (2.46b15) by extending FileNameOrder to allow user to specific any characters anywhere. Could be another way of getting the recording stored into a specific directory.
- VirtualVCR
Had request to add control over forcing exit - 2.46b14
- General
Added a retry on trying to write to log - in fact it is a loop ut set to only go round once. Could make the loop exit configurable if needed in future - 2.46b14
Maybe modify the file handling in general so that all open/write/close goes through similar process.
Sunday, February 08, 2004
- WinTVPVR
Might need to change default setting for RecWinStyle - had a report that running it minimised does not work. Might just make it a FAQ entry for now.
- General
A few suggestions received for catching overlapping recordings on Nebula DigiTV but more widely applicable. The principle is more wide reaching.
Also had a suggestion/request to open/close the log file on each event ... making it even less of a chance that running more than one copy will cause the trapped log contention. Made it configurable - 2.46b13
Might need to change default setting for RecWinStyle - had a report that running it minimised does not work. Might just make it a FAQ entry for now.
- General
A few suggestions received for catching overlapping recordings on Nebula DigiTV but more widely applicable. The principle is more wide reaching.
Also had a suggestion/request to open/close the log file on each event ... making it even less of a chance that running more than one copy will cause the trapped log contention. Made it configurable - 2.46b13
Wednesday, February 04, 2004
Monday, February 02, 2004
- Technotrend DVB
When launching the Technotrend application to show live TV, it does not start in complete full-screen mode. Maybe there is a command line option to do it, but trying the other way of switching to the screen and sending the key sequence to rull full-screen (F ESC). Might not work though because the title of the screen is hidden. (2.46b11 - used same version number as for previous change because I had not sent it to anyone before)
When launching the Technotrend application to show live TV, it does not start in complete full-screen mode. Maybe there is a command line option to do it, but trying the other way of switching to the screen and sending the key sequence to rull full-screen (F ESC). Might not work though because the title of the screen is hidden. (2.46b11 - used same version number as for previous change because I had not sent it to anyone before)
Sunday, February 01, 2004
- Nebula DigiTV
Prompted by someone who is writing some software to drive Nebula DigiTV from a PDA to schedule recordings (and view existing schedule), I made a suggestion about who Nebula DigiTV could make a web interface available via simple URL.
I then added that, speculatively, into DABDig (2.46b11).
- General
Even if 3rd-parties do not add their own web (or other remote) interface to their software, their is no real reason why I could add some ability into DABDig. This would enable the other devices plus might be interesting to do.
I sent an email out to the DABDigNews mailing list to see if anyone was interested.
Text was:
Remote scheduling via email or web
Over the 2 years that DABDig has been available there have been only two or
three users that have requested the ability to submit schedule requests
while out back to their home recording equipment.
I have thought about doing it a few times, but expected that the various
manufacturers would include this ability themselves - or users might uses
Windows Terminal Server or remote control software like VNC to achieve
complete remote control of their home PC.
A few of the devices that I support with DABDig do have a web interface or a
planning to release one soon ... e.g. TiVo (via TiVoWeb), DigiGuide (planned
for next version), myHTPC, Nebula DigiTV (planned for next version).
Some others allow some sort of remote control via client/server (but you
need to install their software on your remote PC) ... e.g. Nebula DigiTV,
DigiGuide (planned for next version).
So - why would I add it to DABDig?
Apart from it being an interesting thing to do, the reason would be that
some users might want to do it but do not know how to set it up or their
software manufacturer has no intention of including it in their software ...
unless perhaps they buy something new. Or, users might not be allowed to
install their own software on remote (probably work) PCs. Or, firewalls
might block things, but scheduling via email (e.g. when hearing about a
program while at work) might be possible.
What do you think?
Would you use such a facility?
Do you already do something like this?
Do you have an always on connection back at you PC with the recording
hardware?
Prompted by someone who is writing some software to drive Nebula DigiTV from a PDA to schedule recordings (and view existing schedule), I made a suggestion about who Nebula DigiTV could make a web interface available via simple URL.
I then added that, speculatively, into DABDig (2.46b11).
- General
Even if 3rd-parties do not add their own web (or other remote) interface to their software, their is no real reason why I could add some ability into DABDig. This would enable the other devices plus might be interesting to do.
I sent an email out to the DABDigNews mailing list to see if anyone was interested.
Text was:
Remote scheduling via email or web
Over the 2 years that DABDig has been available there have been only two or
three users that have requested the ability to submit schedule requests
while out back to their home recording equipment.
I have thought about doing it a few times, but expected that the various
manufacturers would include this ability themselves - or users might uses
Windows Terminal Server or remote control software like VNC to achieve
complete remote control of their home PC.
A few of the devices that I support with DABDig do have a web interface or a
planning to release one soon ... e.g. TiVo (via TiVoWeb), DigiGuide (planned
for next version), myHTPC, Nebula DigiTV (planned for next version).
Some others allow some sort of remote control via client/server (but you
need to install their software on your remote PC) ... e.g. Nebula DigiTV,
DigiGuide (planned for next version).
So - why would I add it to DABDig?
Apart from it being an interesting thing to do, the reason would be that
some users might want to do it but do not know how to set it up or their
software manufacturer has no intention of including it in their software ...
unless perhaps they buy something new. Or, users might not be allowed to
install their own software on remote (probably work) PCs. Or, firewalls
might block things, but scheduling via email (e.g. when hearing about a
program while at work) might be possible.
What do you think?
Would you use such a facility?
Do you already do something like this?
Do you have an always on connection back at you PC with the recording
hardware?
- Technotrend DVB
The changes I made to switch channels for live viewing worked. (246b10)
Basically it is a simplified command line.
ALso - since this is an immediate switch then changing NOWOFFSET to -1 has the useful side-effect of removing the delay when trying to view a program that has already started. Should not be done for all devices because some will not accept a time that is before "now".
The changes I made to switch channels for live viewing worked. (246b10)
Basically it is a simplified command line.
ALso - since this is an immediate switch then changing NOWOFFSET to -1 has the useful side-effect of removing the delay when trying to view a program that has already started. Should not be done for all devices because some will not accept a time that is before "now".
Thursday, January 29, 2004
Saturday, January 24, 2004
- AVerTV DVB
Had a request to rename the recorded file after completion. This is because the AVerMedia stuff does not allow direct control of the file name and invents a name based on current day/time.
- Technotrend DVB
Do not forget to work out how to support switching channels for live viewing.
- mythtv
Might be able to support scheduling into the this Linux application ... have offered and am waiting for any takers. Reason - the Ananova site no longer offers TV listings which means that UK users are without a fast source (Radio Times is slow when getting listings with details). However, DigiGuide running under Wine on Linux might be a workable way to schedule things for that user base.
Meanwhile, XMLTV folks trying to write a new grabber to get the data from the site I gave them a while back but I suspect that this might start blocking access if too many people use it.
Had a request to rename the recorded file after completion. This is because the AVerMedia stuff does not allow direct control of the file name and invents a name based on current day/time.
- Technotrend DVB
Do not forget to work out how to support switching channels for live viewing.
- mythtv
Might be able to support scheduling into the this Linux application ... have offered and am waiting for any takers. Reason - the Ananova site no longer offers TV listings which means that UK users are without a fast source (Radio Times is slow when getting listings with details). However, DigiGuide running under Wine on Linux might be a workable way to schedule things for that user base.
Meanwhile, XMLTV folks trying to write a new grabber to get the data from the site I gave them a while back but I suspect that this might start blocking access if too many people use it.
Monday, January 19, 2004
- Nebula DigiTV
Had a report that when DigiTV exits (perhaps should really be referring to it minimising) focus is not returned to myHTPC. Maybe I could force it to be restored by waiting until end of scheduled programme and then setting focus to configurable program.
Might be something that could be done by end-user themselves with the postprocess function .. if there is some sort of "setfocus" command line executable.
Had a report that when DigiTV exits (perhaps should really be referring to it minimising) focus is not returned to myHTPC. Maybe I could force it to be restored by waiting until end of scheduled programme and then setting focus to configurable program.
Might be something that could be done by end-user themselves with the postprocess function .. if there is some sort of "setfocus" command line executable.
- Nebula DigiTV
Had another look at setting the output directory per recording - for people that want the station name included in path. Problem remains with setting it back to the right value at the end because DigiTV keeps copy of the registry on start-up and writes it back on exit ... so would have to stop DigiTV at the end of the show which is dangerous since it might not have closed the recorded file etc. (2.46b09)
Had another look at setting the output directory per recording - for people that want the station name included in path. Problem remains with setting it back to the right value at the end because DigiTV keeps copy of the registry on start-up and writes it back on exit ... so would have to stop DigiTV at the end of the show which is dangerous since it might not have closed the recorded file etc. (2.46b09)
Monday, January 12, 2004
- General
Just worked out why auto-detection not working on initial install for some devices. Problem was that when I introduced the RegUnable field into dabdig.ini to handle non-English Windows I had not allowed for having no configuration for this field - which would be the case on first run since dabdig.ini would not yet have been created. Fixed in 2.46b05 and possibly important enough to put in 2.45 unless I release 2.46 soon.
Just worked out why auto-detection not working on initial install for some devices. Problem was that when I introduced the RegUnable field into dabdig.ini to handle non-English Windows I had not allowed for having no configuration for this field - which would be the case on first run since dabdig.ini would not yet have been created. Fixed in 2.46b05 and possibly important enough to put in 2.45 unless I release 2.46 soon.
Sunday, January 11, 2004
- General Scheduling
Found the real cause for the problem that someone was having with the Windows Scheduler ... the command line length.
Looks like WMI has a limit of around 260 characters (interestingly not 255/256). So - removed the code that puts in quotes (since it makes it slightly longer) and used a "DOS-Legal" directory name instead ... which should make it shorter again.
- Matrox
Someone wants to test the Matrox stuff - so sent a new version (2.46b02) with running of PC-VCRScheduler included.
Looks like he has a different version of the software because it installs to a different location - maybe this version of the Matrox software that is being used will not crash the machine ...
Found the real cause for the problem that someone was having with the Windows Scheduler ... the command line length.
Looks like WMI has a limit of around 260 characters (interestingly not 255/256). So - removed the code that puts in quotes (since it makes it slightly longer) and used a "DOS-Legal" directory name instead ... which should make it shorter again.
- Matrox
Someone wants to test the Matrox stuff - so sent a new version (2.46b02) with running of PC-VCRScheduler included.
Looks like he has a different version of the software because it installs to a different location - maybe this version of the Matrox software that is being used will not crash the machine ...
Sunday, January 04, 2004
- Matrox G450 eTV
Removed the ability to use this code in 2.45b45 to make it a public release.
Too dangerous to release to anyone but Beta testers because it seems to crash the PC if the Matrox software is running at the same time.
Started a 2.46 release set and reinstated support in there.
- General Scheduling
It is possible to make DABDig use the Windows Scheduler. This has a potential benefit of allowing suspended PCs to be woken up. However, the WMI interface that I use can not set the flag to request a wake up. A bit of digging around revealed another way of doing it. So - will probably add support for this way and then also make some more generic code so that the Windows Scheduler can be used for devices that I currently do use it for (i.e. devices that have their own scheduling). The benefit of this is that all devices might get suspend/hibernate/resume support. If it is to be used for waking up the PC then should also include some extra code to make the event a few minutes before the real scheduling to give time to start up. Might also need to allow username/password to be specified for XP systems that start from cold boot.
Also - put quotes around command when scheduling to Windows Scheduler.
- General
Made 2.45b45 public release.
Removed the ability to use this code in 2.45b45 to make it a public release.
Too dangerous to release to anyone but Beta testers because it seems to crash the PC if the Matrox software is running at the same time.
Started a 2.46 release set and reinstated support in there.
- General Scheduling
It is possible to make DABDig use the Windows Scheduler. This has a potential benefit of allowing suspended PCs to be woken up. However, the WMI interface that I use can not set the flag to request a wake up. A bit of digging around revealed another way of doing it. So - will probably add support for this way and then also make some more generic code so that the Windows Scheduler can be used for devices that I currently do use it for (i.e. devices that have their own scheduling). The benefit of this is that all devices might get suspend/hibernate/resume support. If it is to be used for waking up the PC then should also include some extra code to make the event a few minutes before the real scheduling to give time to start up. Might also need to allow username/password to be specified for XP systems that start from cold boot.
Also - put quotes around command when scheduling to Windows Scheduler.
- General
Made 2.45b45 public release.
Wednesday, December 31, 2003
- AverTV DVB
The "correction" to the spelling mistake that I made in 2.45b42 was wrong.
It was AVerMedia who spelt it wrong and my correction of their spelling in my code meant that my automatic detection failed!
Modifed the code to allow for their current spelling and what I think is correct and therefore what they might change to in the future.
More importantly - a tester for the AVerTV stuff now on board. So chance to finish things off. I had made a mistake in one of the routines for copying modified records .. used ChrB instead of Chr. I thought I was being safe by using ChrB but, even though there was no error returned, there was no data copied either. Meant that the crucial record was not being inserted.
Corrected and made 2.45b44
The "correction" to the spelling mistake that I made in 2.45b42 was wrong.
It was AVerMedia who spelt it wrong and my correction of their spelling in my code meant that my automatic detection failed!
Modifed the code to allow for their current spelling and what I think is correct and therefore what they might change to in the future.
More importantly - a tester for the AVerTV stuff now on board. So chance to finish things off. I had made a mistake in one of the routines for copying modified records .. used ChrB instead of Chr. I thought I was being safe by using ChrB but, even though there was no error returned, there was no data copied either. Meant that the crucial record was not being inserted.
Corrected and made 2.45b44
Saturday, December 27, 2003
- VirtualVCR
I did not have support for PLAY with Virtual VCR (i thought that it was only Capture software).
Following a question on myHTPC forum ... I added support (2.45b43). Possible that the command line is not quite right - so waiting for feedback. I could imagine problem with the Duration. I have hard-coded including the duration but there might not be one.
Also noticed that the VirtualVCR site has moved so changed the link from the web site.
- AVerTV DVB
2.45b42 just corrected a spelling mistake that would have effected automatic detection of AVerTV DVB device.
I did not have support for PLAY with Virtual VCR (i thought that it was only Capture software).
Following a question on myHTPC forum ... I added support (2.45b43). Possible that the command line is not quite right - so waiting for feedback. I could imagine problem with the Duration. I have hard-coded including the duration but there might not be one.
Also noticed that the VirtualVCR site has moved so changed the link from the web site.
- AVerTV DVB
2.45b42 just corrected a spelling mistake that would have effected automatic detection of AVerTV DVB device.
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
- Technotrend
The very early days code for the Technotrend DVB card via their own software had some testing today in Germany.
The calculation of the internal channel number from the EPG number was the right idea, but there was a different registry prefix for this user. So - made the prefix selectable via a new field (Type).
Need to work out how to full automate this - must be able to get a clue from elsewhere in the configuration data.
Also - possible that the EPG number does not really match the channel number, so try parsing the channel line-up data file.
Still need to work out how to support switching channels for live viewing.
The very early days code for the Technotrend DVB card via their own software had some testing today in Germany.
The calculation of the internal channel number from the EPG number was the right idea, but there was a different registry prefix for this user. So - made the prefix selectable via a new field (Type).
Need to work out how to full automate this - must be able to get a clue from elsewhere in the configuration data.
Also - possible that the EPG number does not really match the channel number, so try parsing the channel line-up data file.
Still need to work out how to support switching channels for live viewing.
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