MP-TVSeries v2.5.4 Stable Release [01-Jun-2010] (1 Viewer)

[RoChess]

Re: *NEW* MP-TVSeries v2.5.3 Stable Release [13-Mar-2010]

[Pet Peeve]

To all users of MediaPortal that have a problem, please put yourself in the developer shoes. Take your own work as an example, say you are an accountant.

• Client walks in, tosses a big box filled with his financial papers on your table and says "IRS says there was a problem with the filing you did for me as a favor, fix it and have it ready fast!" and then walks away.
  
• Another client walks in next, "Hey excuse me, IRS told me there was a problem with section 937, sub-section IV, item #2. It's all on this paper they gave me, that shows you exactly what was wrong."

Which task would you do first?

Now it doesn't matter what job you do, there is always going to be a situation, where you could have saved yourself a lot of time, if your boss, client or whomever hands you your work, would have been specific in explaining to you what they needed and what the problem is. Being able to re-produce the problem is the first step in finding a solution.

This is what LOG FILES are for when it comes to software. So please learn how to gather the right information. In short, turn on debug mode, and re-create the problem in as few steps as possible. This way the log files have all the details that the developers need, without any clutter. There are instructions on how to do this all over the website, forum, and wiki.

Saying it is broken, is the same frustration you have in your own job when somebody isn't specific in what they want from you, and you waste a lot of time trying to figure it out. Most of the time, you end up putting the work at the bottom of your ToDo list or in the garbage can. The same goes for developers, they rather fix problems they can re-create themselves so that they don't have to go hunting needles in a haystack.

In closing; replying to an existing thread "Yeah the exact same thing happens to me!!", without thinking to yourself "Hey wait a minute, how can I help the developers", doesn't really help anybody either. Now you don't immediatly have to start adding your log file if one already exists, but then show your support with a reply in the form:

"Same thing happens to me. I see that the original poster already provided log files, but since I am able to re-create the problem as well, maybe my log files will help. Let me know if you need them."​

I hope these examples clear up some of the frustration a developer goes through trying to make sure their product will work for everybody. If it works for them, but not for you, and you want them to fix it; You will have to provide them with the information, because it works for them and they don't know where to look.

Thank you!

[/Pet Peeve]

 

[Schaeklovic]

AW: Re: *NEW* MP-TVSeries v2.5.3 Stable Release [13-Mar-2010]

I was just going to upgrade to RC2 but got hesitant based on the above problem.
Has anyone else upgraded to RC2 and tested MP-TVSeries?

I did the upgrade yesterday evening and everything is ok!! No problems with the "MP-TVSeries". So backup your system and give RC2 a try! ;-)

 

[glenb83]

Re: *NEW* MP-TVSeries v2.5.3 Stable Release [13-Mar-2010]

Hi all, more of an enquiry here than a problem.....

I run mp-tvseries through streamedmp skin and have noticed that my c: partition is getting full fast, and alot of space is taken for the thumbnails for my tv series and moving pictures within streamedmp. Is it possible to change the default storage location for fanart etc to another partition without losing the information in mediaportal/streamedmp?

I should add that Im currently using the 1.1 beta, and about to uninstall it andreinstall mediaportal rc2 and the latest version of streamedmp if that makes it easier to answer the question, perhaps there is a setting for the original installation of either/or mediaportal and streamedmp?

 

[T-Buster]

AW: Re: *NEW* MP-TVSeries v2.5.3 Stable Release [13-Mar-2010]

[Pet Peeve]

To all users of MediaPortal that have a problem, please put yourself in the developer shoes. Take your own work as an example, say you are an accountant.

• Client walks in, tosses a big box filled with his financial papers on your table and says "IRS says there was a problem with the filing you did for me as a favor, fix it and have it ready fast!" and then walks away.
  
• Another client walks in next, "Hey excuse me, IRS told me there was a problem with section 937, sub-section IV, item #2. It's all on this paper they gave me, that shows you exactly what was wrong."

Which task would you do first?

Now it doesn't matter what job you do, there is always going to be a situation, where you could have saved yourself a lot of time, if your boss, client or whomever hands you your work, would have been specific in explaining to you what they needed and what the problem is. Being able to re-produce the problem is the first step in finding a solution.

This is what LOG FILES are for when it comes to software. So please learn how to gather the right information. In short, turn on debug mode, and re-create the problem in as few steps as possible. This way the log files have all the details that the developers need, without any clutter. There are instructions on how to do this all over the website, forum, and wiki.

Saying it is broken, is the same frustration you have in your own job when somebody isn't specific in what they want from you, and you waste a lot of time trying to figure it out. Most of the time, you end up putting the work at the bottom of your ToDo list or in the garbage can. The same goes for developers, they rather fix problems they can re-create themselves so that they don't have to go hunting needles in a haystack.

In closing; replying to an existing thread "Yeah the exact same thing happens to me!!", without thinking to yourself "Hey wait a minute, how can I help the developers", doesn't really help anybody either. Now you don't immediatly have to start adding your log file if one already exists, but then show your support with a reply in the form:

"Same thing happens to me. I see that the original poster already provided log files, but since I am able to re-create the problem as well, maybe my log files will help. Let me know if you need them."​

I hope these examples clear up some of the frustration a developer goes through trying to make sure their product will work for everybody. If it works for them, but not for you, and you want them to fix it; You will have to provide them with the information, because it works for them and they don't know where to look.

Thank you!

[/Pet Peeve]

:sorry:
Sorry for that,

I wasn't at home Yesterday as i write my Post, that post was more an hint for T.Lancer that he isn't alone with this Problem.

For the log i attached, i clean the Log folder, then Start the Configuration.exe go to Plugin section and try to open the TV-Series Config.
Then i get the Message witch you can see in the Screen Shot.

 

[RoChess]

Re: AW: Re: *NEW* MP-TVSeries v2.5.3 Stable Release [13-Mar-2010]

Sorry for that,
I wasn't at home Yesterday as i write my Post, that post was more an hint for T.Lancer that he isn't alone with this Problem.
For the log i attached, i clean the Log folder, then Start the Configuration.exe go to Plugin section and try to open the TV-Series Config. Then i get the Message witch you can see in the Screen Shot.

Next time, on such a screen shot, you can see the "Details" button in the bottom left. A developer needs to know those details.

But you included the log file, and they contain a lot of information that might give you a solution.

First thing that pops out at me is the following error:

2010-04-15 21:27:25.415039 [Debug][Config Main(1)]: PluginsNew: loadPlugins C:\Program Files\Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal\Plugins\windows\OnlineVideos.dll
2010-04-15 21:27:29.009765 [Warn.][Config Main(1)]: PluginManager: Plugin file OnlineVideos.dll is broken or incompatible with the current MediaPortal version and won't be loaded!
​

Clearly you have plugins installed that are not compatible for your MediaPortal version. They can cause unexpected results, sound familiar?

Next error:

2010-04-15 21:27:29.242187 [Info.][Config Main(1)]: Playlist: Loading default playlist default.m3u
2010-04-15 21:27:29.253906 [Info.][Config Main(1)]: exception loading playlist C:\Users\Sascha_Thomas\Documents\My Playlists\default.m3u err:Illegales Zeichen im Pfad. stack: bei System.IO.Path.CheckInvalidPathChars(String path)
​

You need to stop using configurations that cause errors, either fix the error, or remove the option. Anything causing a small problem can cascade down to big one. You have a few more small errors in log file as well.

Debugging is easy when you start from a working configuration.

If you install MediaPortal fresh, no custom additions, verify it works, and then ONLY install the item you are trying to fix a problem with (so only MP-TVSeries plugin), you eliminate a lot of combination problems, don't restore your existing settings/dbase immediatly, try it with a clean empty one first. Maybe your problem doesn't show then, because it's one of the two above mentioned errors, maybe it's the combination of those two, maybe it is the MyTrailers plugin you added, maybe the MyLyrics plugin, maybe, maybe... See what I am getting at? If you install 1000 things and then see if it works, you will never quickly know which single items is a problem, or which combination is a problem. If you install something, verify it works and then move on, the moment something doesn't work, you immediatly know the cause.

Trial and Error takes time, but your setup is unique, so only You can fix it.

 

[seco]

Re: *NEW* MP-TVSeries v2.5.3 Stable Release [13-Mar-2010]

For those who are experiencing configuration crashing because of a SubtitleDownloader, use the following thread:

https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/...n-when-opening-mytvs-config-79508/#post606543

 

[thepahakurki]

Re: *NEW* MP-TVSeries v2.5.3 Stable Release [13-Mar-2010]

For those who are experiencing configuration crashing because of a SubtitleDownloader, use the following thread:

https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/...n-when-opening-mytvs-config-79508/#post606543

Thanks!

Yes, the problem is caused by RC2-incompatible version 0.19 of OnlineVideos.
Deleting OnlineVideos.dll from plugins fixes it and then TV-series config works again!

 

[seco]

Re: *NEW* MP-TVSeries v2.5.3 Stable Release [13-Mar-2010]

For those who are experiencing configuration crashing because of a SubtitleDownloader, use the following thread:

https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/...n-when-opening-mytvs-config-79508/#post606543

Thanks!

Yes, the problem is caused by RC2-incompatible version 0.19 of OnlineVideos.
Deleting OnlineVideos.dll from plugins fixes it and then TV-series config works again!

I can confirm this, installing OnlineVideos 0.19 causes the issue. I will investigate why.

 

[montecristo]

Re: *NEW* MP-TVSeries v2.5.3 Stable Release [13-Mar-2010]

i have a quick questions.

i just installed TV-series.
and i manually added my episodes.
but these are copy's from the dvd. the IFO files.
namely video_ts.ifo and vts_01.ifo

when i try vts it is not showing up in my tv series. when i try video_ts it does.
but when i click to play nothing is happening.

what i wanna now now is if i am able to play VOB files with tv series.
or do i have to compress them to another format that works with this?

the reason i wanna stay with the original file formats is because i then have my chapters and video quality which for example you cannot have with AVI files.


montecristo

 

[RoChess]

Re: *NEW* MP-TVSeries v2.5.3 Stable Release [13-Mar-2010]

the reason i wanna stay with the original file formats is because i then have my chapters and video quality which for example you cannot have with AVI files.

montecristo

There are existing threads on this forum that explain the steps needed to make VIDEO_TS folder structures work.

But the misconception that chapters and video+audio quality can not be retained in another container format is wrong. It is even possible to create chapters in AVI files via a hack, and use the same video and audio codecs that the VOB container format uses, but MKV format is the better choice.

MKV has support for:

• any video codec, so MPEG-2 that is common on DVDs (can also be MPEG-1) is no problem
• any audio codec, so AC3, or DTS which are the two common formats on DVDs are no problem.
• Text-based and Bitmap-based subtitle support (the latter is what DVDs use, especially for weird fonts, shadowing, etc)
• Chapter support, it is easy to duplicate the existing DVD chapter structure within the MKV file you are creating
• Menu-support, unfortunatly still too much in beta development to be used, but eventually an exact copy of DVD is possible, including all the graphical menus

When you do not touch the video and audio codecs, you can create the MKV files almost as quick as your computer can copy one file to another. If you do however prefer smaller files, you can get extremly high quality (human eye can usually not spot any difference if the right encoder settings are used) with H.264 video-codec. But even XviD with a high enough bitrate can get very close.

If you have access to a higher quality source, say for example 1080p Blu-Ray and you would create a DVD from it, then a H.264 version at same resolution and filesize would be much higher quality. It is soo much higher infact that a 1.5GB encoding in H.264 codec is better then the 4.5GB MPEG-2 version a DVD would be, while saving you 3x the amount of space.

The only downside is the many hours that a codec conversion takes, sometimes days on a slow computer with multi-pass quality settings. But computers are getting faster everytime, and if Toshiba would hurry with their PCI-Express expansion card with a Cell-BE processor on it, we can even do it faster then real-time.

Seems LeadTek offers: Leadtek - We make dreams a reality now, but that's not the $50 card that was promised by Toshiba by the looks of it.