Calling all MP New Zealanders (Both of you!!) (17 Viewers)

[kiwijunglist]

@kiwijunglist: I take it you mean the 'Automatic Decoder Settings" option under the Codecs-Video tab? Would that apply to the codecs selected for TV as well?

I have a perfect setup ;-) so I don't go into MP config often, but yes im pretty sure that's what it's called and i don't think it applies to TV, but im not sure and i cant remember if there is a similar option under tv or not.

One more question (then I'll exit stage right and let this thread get back on track - whatever that is ): When it comes to selecting the codecs to play MKV, MP4 & AVI files in MP config-Video tab is that the H.264 setting?

mkv can be h264 (mpeg4) or it can have mpeg2 inside it. I find only having 2 options quite strange, which is why I originally used merits and the automatic decoder settings. It seems that h264 codec box applies to most of the video formats, but you also have an option there for mpeg2 from memory also. (EDIT: sorry this is kinda a crappy answer to ur Q)

 

[Pommedan]

One more question (then I'll exit stage right and let this thread get back on track - whatever that is ): When it comes to selecting the codecs to play MKV, MP4 & AVI files in MP config-Video tab is that the H.264 setting?

MKV, MP4 and AVI are all containers. H264 is a codec which can be supported in the container. so these containers can also support other formats like mpeg2, h263 and sound codecs.

H264 is more of a high compression codec for HD video. so in MP just select the codec you want to use for HD Video... say Powerdvd, and for the MPEG2 box you can select the same codec (powerdvd) if it plays files without the h264 codec .or select a different one like divx. Powerdvd will give you hardware acceleration with h264 rather than software. (which is better)

 

[timmyNz]

Hi fellow New Zealander's,

I have been using MCE 2005 for many years now but feel it is time to upgrade to Media Portal. I would really appreciate any advice.

I currently am using a WinTv PVR 150mce with the MCE remote and IR Blaster to recieve sky Digital and to change the channel. I am still using xmltvnz to get the epg.

What i would like to do is to upgrade to media portal and keep the sky setup the same. I would also like to add a DVB-S card (Probably a Nova S Plus) to receive Freeview from the same satellite. I believe I could also use this card to pick up the sky EPG as well and that will enable me to get rid of xmltvnz as that seems to be dying.

So is what I am trying to do possible? What pitfalls could i face?

I really appreciate your help.

Cheers

 

[mcraenz]

Welcome Timmy, what you want to is absolutely possible, I'm not sure there are NZ specific IR blaster setup instructions for sky in the NZ wiki yet but I'm sure plenty of people around here have experience. And yes you will be able to pull EPG from DVB-S

 

[Bleazle]

@timmyNz: Like mcraenz said what you want to do is possible - if you go back a few pages in this thread (pretty much just before my recent rant on codecs) there's a bit of info on getting the EPG from Freeview etc. I used to get Prime via my Sky Decoder/PVR-150 and was using the EPG from Freeview but I've never used a blaster.

Re: MediaPortal 1.1

This isn't a complaint, but has anyone else noticed how the "Roadmaps" to MP 1.1 have changed since MP1.1 RC1 was relesead? Things like "[My Videos] Filmstrip view problem" which was listed on the 1.1 Roadmap have been "bumped" in order to get the release out on time (I assume). I appreciate that MP is an ongoing work so there will always be things that need fixing but when I see "to do" items moved out to "Future Releases" it makes me thing "well OK, that was going to be MP 1.1 Final but really it's just another RC"

Now that I've typed all of that I guess it's just the nature of the beast when it comes to software...

Update: My battle with the codecs

This has been an ongong "fix it - it works - 3 days later it has to be completely overhauled again because for some reason nothing will play" kind of deal However on Monday I "rebuilt" things a bit differently and so far so good. Here's hoping it's fixed because my 50" TV has almost become a 3D TV on a few occasions lately (imagine a MediaCentre Keyboard remote sticking out of the screen and you'll know what I mean). My kids get back today so if anyone can break it I'm sure they can....

 

[Edwood]

Hmmm... I got an email Notification showing Bleazles latest post... but i can't go to page 299 - site gives me an error about prefetch!?!?

Anyway, I'm working myself up to making a 'help' post about the 'perfect codec selection'... I've started with THIS POST, which you fullas may wanna comment on.

Also, after a quick skim, it appears to me that I should uninstall SAF, uninstall PDVD, and re-install SAF... except... how in the world do you uninstall codecs (without using format C: ).


Love & Vogels! Ed.

 

[Valharion]

can see it being useful for the daily show, which is on 4 times a week and quite often at slightly different times. it also repeats in the morning, so with the default tv recorder you cant quite configure it correctly.

Question's for the Kiwi's on here:

1. Now that C4 is no longer screening 'The Daily Show' have you found another way to watch it? I'm really missing it and would love to watch it regularly again. I've been playing around with the 'Online Videos' plugin, which works brilliant but I've as yet been unable to get 'The Daily Show' through it.

2. Has anyone managed to configure 'TV3 On Demand' working through the 'Online Videos' plugin?

 

[stevied20]

Hi,

Just bought a HTPC with MP bundled off Trade Me, before i get into it i have v. 1.0.2.0 loaded, should i update to the latest version or stay with this one?.....never sure whether better to stick or twist!!

I have a couple of film download files pre loaded and when i choose to play them under (My videos) i get the thumbnail and info grapics coming up which looks great, how would i get this with new film files that i put on? Is it automatic, or do i have to find the pics myself?

Steve (Chch)

 

[kiwijunglist]

stevied20 - Mediaportal My videos can automatically download the movie details and images if it is setup correctly. The option is under My Videos in MP configuration. However I recommend you use the Moving Pictures plugin for movies as it's easier to use. If your not an expert with mediaportal you might want to stay with the current installation, if you do decide to upgrade you should take a backup image of your system partition. PS. you can't actually upgrade your version of mediaportal, you actually have to reinstall, which means it doesn't remember your existing settings/setup, so you have to re-do all the configuration/tv server setup etc...

If you do decide to upgrade
1. Backup your system to an image first
2. Wait until MP1.1 Final is released later this week
3. After installing MP1.1 you should install latest version of streamedmp
(This skin is bundled with tv series and moving pictures, so you don't need to install them seperately)
4. If you have problems playing movies, consider installing the unlocked version of saf codec pack.

 

[Valharion]

I have a couple of film download files pre loaded and when i choose to play them under (My videos) i get the thumbnail and info grapics coming up which looks great, how would i get this with new film files that i put on? Is it automatic, or do i have to find the pics myself?

Stevied20, download 'Moving Pictures' plugin and use that for your movies. It does an excellent job of automatically downloading the graphics/descriptions for movies and presenting them.
MEDIAPORTAL - free media center - Moving Pictures

Also consider downloading 'My TV Series' if you're going to keep a library of TV series shows. It does the same thing but organises your TV series.
MEDIAPORTAL - free media center - MP-TVSeries