- Technotrend DVB
Since this currently works by looking up station names then I need to have a look at including some extra diagnostics (or at least info in the web page) and also work out why myHTPC is not sending the station name .. hopefully just a config problem in default myHTPC set-up.
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.
- Nebula DigiTV
Made a new 2.44 (2.44b15) release. Just copied over one of the existing 2.45 changes.
DId it because Nebula seem to have made an official 3.10 now and they have left in the change to the way that Last Channel details are stored. So made this new bahaviour the default because I expect new downloaders of DABDig to also have latest official Nebula code. The way that it works is configurable in DABDig anyway.
Made a new 2.44 (2.44b15) release. Just copied over one of the existing 2.45 changes.
DId it because Nebula seem to have made an official 3.10 now and they have left in the change to the way that Last Channel details are stored. So made this new bahaviour the default because I expect new downloaders of DABDig to also have latest official Nebula code. The way that it works is configurable in DABDig anyway.
Thursday, December 11, 2003
- WinTVCap
Viewing was not working for one user with WinTVCap enabled. He tried to get it going by also enabling WinTVPVR but (as expected) this resulted in problems since both would be competing for same resource when recording.
DABDig already knew that WinTVCap could not do live recording, so it launched WinTV anyway. Problem was that the user had WinTVCap and WinTV2K in different directories so DABDig could not launch it.
Easy change for user - copy WinTVCap to the WinTV directory.
Changed software anyway to add a new optional configuration item to specify where WinTV2K is when using WinTVCap. Also added a FAQ entry to cover it just in case someone else hits same issue. Build 2.45B39 but not released.
Viewing was not working for one user with WinTVCap enabled. He tried to get it going by also enabling WinTVPVR but (as expected) this resulted in problems since both would be competing for same resource when recording.
DABDig already knew that WinTVCap could not do live recording, so it launched WinTV anyway. Problem was that the user had WinTVCap and WinTV2K in different directories so DABDig could not launch it.
Easy change for user - copy WinTVCap to the WinTV directory.
Changed software anyway to add a new optional configuration item to specify where WinTV2K is when using WinTVCap. Also added a FAQ entry to cover it just in case someone else hits same issue. Build 2.45B39 but not released.
Tuesday, December 09, 2003
- TiVo
Problem with doing things too quickly ... I realised soon afterwards that the channel number that I use for Recording is probably not the same as the one used for Viewing, because it is to go in via a different interface ... so made the different numbers selectable with optional "/" divider ... 2.45b38
Problem with doing things too quickly ... I realised soon afterwards that the channel number that I use for Recording is probably not the same as the one used for Viewing, because it is to go in via a different interface ... so made the different numbers selectable with optional "/" divider ... 2.45b38
- TVPI/TVVI
Had a request to make configurable the time delay before sending the keystokes. I presume that the TVPI handler is loading very quickly and he wants to save a second of the display on the screen, but could also be a benefit for people who either have it loading very slowly or who want to study the on-screen dialogue box before continuing (especially when trying for the first time).
Done as 2.45b36 - just replaced a hard-coded 3000 (milliseconds) with a new INI file setting which defaults to 3000.
Had a request to make configurable the time delay before sending the keystokes. I presume that the TVPI handler is loading very quickly and he wants to save a second of the display on the screen, but could also be a benefit for people who either have it loading very slowly or who want to study the on-screen dialogue box before continuing (especially when trying for the first time).
Done as 2.45b36 - just replaced a hard-coded 3000 (milliseconds) with a new INI file setting which defaults to 3000.
Monday, December 08, 2003
Sunday, December 07, 2003
- General
Looks like there are some users in Germany - a HTPC community around http://htpc-board.henriks-home.com/ has some questions posed on using DABDig with ProgDVB and DVBsVCR2. I offered some help in my best English.
Looks like there are some users in Germany - a HTPC community around http://htpc-board.henriks-home.com/ has some questions posed on using DABDig with ProgDVB and DVBsVCR2. I offered some help in my best English.
Saturday, December 06, 2003
- Technotrend
Back in March I did some brief investigation into what was then a new release of teh Technotrend software that allowed the cards to be driven to make recording via command line.
There were reports that the software was not stable and no-one specifically asked for it ... so I did not persue it further.
However, request came up yesterday on myHTPC ... so I dug out the old material and put a quick version together and declared it available to people who ask by email. What I don't know yet is the syntax for the channel ids and exactly how to convert meaningful channel numbers into the syntax that Technotrend require ... but basics work.
Someone with one of the devices is trying it out.
- Nebula DigiTV
Looks like things might have slightly changed again in the 3.10 Beta concerning how I force it to tune to a particular channel. Modified the code to add a new configuration item so that both old and new way can be used and waiting for feedback from a Nebula user ... although my testing implies that it will work fine.
Back in March I did some brief investigation into what was then a new release of teh Technotrend software that allowed the cards to be driven to make recording via command line.
There were reports that the software was not stable and no-one specifically asked for it ... so I did not persue it further.
However, request came up yesterday on myHTPC ... so I dug out the old material and put a quick version together and declared it available to people who ask by email. What I don't know yet is the syntax for the channel ids and exactly how to convert meaningful channel numbers into the syntax that Technotrend require ... but basics work.
Someone with one of the devices is trying it out.
- Nebula DigiTV
Looks like things might have slightly changed again in the 3.10 Beta concerning how I force it to tune to a particular channel. Modified the code to add a new configuration item so that both old and new way can be used and waiting for feedback from a Nebula user ... although my testing implies that it will work fine.
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