Blasters: Not Using Port 2 For Dual Recording (2 Viewers)

[pulse8]

TV-Server Version: .2
MediaPortal Version: 0.2.2.0
MediaPortal Skin: Default
Windows Version: XP Pro SP2
CPU Type: Intel 3.2Ghz w/ HT
HDD:
Memory: 1GB DDR2
Motherboard:
Motherboard Chipset:
Motherboard Bios:
Video Card: NVIDIA 7900GT
Video Card Driver: 93.71
Sound Card: SoundMax
Sound Card AC3:
Sound Card Driver:
1. TV Card: Hauppauge PVR500MCE
1. TV Card Type: analog
1. TV Card Driver: 2.9
2. TV Card:
2. TV Card Type:
2. TV Card Driver:
3. TV Card:
3. TV Card Type:
3. TV Card Driver:
4. TV Card:
4. TV Card Type:
4. TV Card Driver:
MPEG2 Video Codec: MPV
MPEG2 Audio Codec: MPV
Satelite/CableTV Provider: Time Warner Cable
HTPC Case:
Cooling:
Power Supply:
Remote: MCE Remote
TV: Sony 27"
TV - HTPC Connection: Component

I appear to have everything setup correctly. If I test everything in the configuration both blasters work. If I load TV, record the current show and then change the channel it works correctly and uses blaster port 2 to change the channel on the other STB. If just go in the guide and start recording something and then go in and record a second channel in the guide (this is all without having the actual tv showing) it will record using the second tuner, but will change the channel on the first tuner using blaster port 1.

This is also happening for shows that are scheduled to air on different channels at the same time. If one show is an hour long and the second one starts during the second half hour of the first, it doesn't record it correctly. It just changes the channel to the show already recording.

Anyone have any ideas on what's causing this? I've done some searching, but haven't found anything.

Thanks in advance!

 

[and-81]

This sounds like a bug in the TV Engine 2.

The problem has been documented in the past, it was even "fixed" in the past, but unfortunately the fix had some wild and completely unexpected side-effects and had to be removed.

What happens is that the plugin is given the wrong tv card number by the tv engine, sometimes it's the number of the wrong card, sometimes it's -1 which is nice...

Unfortunately there are no plans to fix this in the near future. And there is nothing I can do from the Plugin side to fix it.

I'll take another look at the problem and let you know if I can find a solution.

If you're desperate you could try upgrading to the TV Engine 3 ...

Cheers,

 

[pulse8]

I appreciate the swift response.

Unfortunately, I've been dealing with configuration issues with MediaPortal for a week now and I absolutely need this functionality. I'm afraid if I can't find a fix for this I'll have to find another solution.

Is there anything as full featured as MediaPortal that is free?

 

[and-81]

I can't recommend any MediaPortal alternatives. As far as I know there is nothing as feature rich or with as active a development community. But of course I'm biased.

I will look at fixing this problem for you, but I believe you would benefit from using the new TV Server. In which case you will probably want to use the "Server Blaster" plugin or perhaps the new plugin suite I've been working on.
https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/ir_server_suite_testing-t22430.html

I'll post back here if I can find a solution for you.

Cheers,

 

[pulse8]

I'm afraid to use the new server.

It's taken me so long to configure Media Portal up until this point I can't imagine what a beta would take.

 

[and-81]

It's actually not that bad, and the experience you now have with MediaPortal will hold you in good stead.

I was initially resistant to moving to the TV Server, it seemed like overkill for my setup. But I took the plunge and haven't looked back.

It's where most of the development efforts are being directed these days, so if you do have a problem with it it's likely to get fixed quicker than a bug in the 0.2.2.0 tv engine.

Cheers,