New user moving from Windows Media Centre (2 Viewers)

[Dan SK]

Hoping for some help from the experts...
I'm giving MediaPortal a try. I've been using Windows Media Center on a Windows 7 computer, and am considering converting to MediaPortal in anticipation of its demise under Windows 10. But I've not had luck getting MediaPortal to work.
I've followed the instructions on the wiki as well as I could. I got the TV tuner card on my computer to scan through and find stations through the TV server configuration thing. And the channels do broadcast on the "Preview" function in that configuration. I've set up the computer to pul EPG data through the imdb web server (not sure if that's the right approach... it's an over-the-air antenna that I'm using for TV on this machine).
However, going to MediaPortal, I cannot get the TV Guide to show any data. When I'm in the TV menu section, I cannot get the TV to turn on. When I select the "Channels" sub-menu, MediaPortal just freezes. So somehow MediaPortal's GUI is not talking to the whole TV server thing. I can get the radio to turn on and receive FM through the antenna connected to the computer, though that isn't always reliable -- it often freezes up in that case as well.
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[The_Stig]

MM1352000 is usually the most patient person you can find here

Not usually, but always!!! And the most competent (at least regarding TV-Stuff, but many other places too)

 

[The_Stig]

Hoping for some help from the experts...

I would suggest you to open a proper bugreport with full logs, so that our experts can jump in. From our wiki:

How to start a bug report thread:

1. Choose a meaningful title for your thread.
2. Report only one problem per thread.
3. At the moment you start a new thread in the support forums, the hardware specification template will be added automatically.
   If the template is empty, then you have not filled out your specifications in the usercp yet. See System Specs if you need help entering these.
   Note: Your report MUST include a complete hardware specification!
4. Add a detailed, step by step description of your problem.
5. To create clean and conclusive logs you only have to: (See Log Files for details)
   1. use the "MediaPortal Debug" shortcut from your Windows Start Menu (Team MediaPortal/MediaPortal) to start MediaPortal using the WatchDog Debug tool.
   2. Inside the new window which will then open, select the first option "Report a bug to Team MediaPortal", which will start MediaPortal in a special debug mode, using the default skin and distributed plugins only.
   3. Reproduce the issue and close MediaPortal afterwards.
      Note: Debug mode automatically disables all extensions and uses the Titan skin to ensure your issue is not produced by an extension.
   4. A MediaPortalLogs_<Date>_<Time>.zip file will be automatically created.
   5. Please attach it to your thread/post.
   Without logs it is IMPOSSIBLE for us to help you!
6. Do NOT copy/paste your log files (or large parts of them) in your post.

Please note that support and bug report threads, which are missing the required information posted above will not be processed and may also be deleted.

 

[Skywizard]

Hello I am a noob and just joined up. (sounds like an AA meeting)
I have been a long time user of WMC - what have I been missing with MP!

Win 10 is doing me a favour by not supporting WMC any more. I thought the world was going to end so I looked again at MP and am very impressed. So far I have been able to get a basic config running and streaming to another PC - wow that is so cool without any fancy boxes - that is a feature I could have used years ago. I am streaming from my Media Centre PC over wireless to another PC on wireless and it all works well. (I will have to read up on whether or not I can get it on my Galaxy tab 3 - all in good time - patience grasshopper)

I have been reading the setup guides and have figured out how to get the frequencies I want to use - the auto tune did not do it quite right.
My next thing is to configure the (AUS) IceTV Guide - that is not hard there are instruction about for that then I need to get the WMC remote working then work from there. I am currently using a wireless mouse and keyboard. I may have to use some drivers to get the IR working on the Antec Fusion media centre case.

I would like to keep the old recorded TV but would have to convert that from WTV to TS which is a very slow process. I have movies and music on a separate drive which is not hard to map.

In the fullness of time I need to work out comskip and I suppose a few other cool features that I do not yet know about. Looking forward to the 'New' system on win 10.

 

[CyberSimian]

I would like to keep the old recorded TV but would have to convert that from WTV to TS which is a very slow process.

If the WTV files are not copy-protected, MP can play them directly (no need to convert to TS files).
I migrated from Vista WMC 8 months ago.

-- from CyberSimian in the UK

 

[LJG]

Welcome @Denys Gover !

The MCE remote should also just work if you select it under the remotes configuration.

 

[Skywizard]

I would like to keep the old recorded TV but would have to convert that from WTV to TS which is a very slow process.

If the WTV files are not copy-protected, MP can play them directly (no need to convert to TS files).
I migrated from Vista WMC 8 months ago.

-- from CyberSimian in the UK

I did copy a wtv file and put it in what I thought was the recorded TV folder but it did not show in the list - this was only a quick test though and di not spend much time doing it.

So if I do map the recorded TV files to where the wtv files are, should that show in the recorded tv list?
Thanks for the reply.[DOUBLEPOST=1434286638][/DOUBLEPOST]

Welcome @Denys Gover !

The MCE remote should also just work if you select it under the remotes configuration.

That is what I thought - I am thinking it is a hardware issue with my case. I also have the very old IR WMC keyboard which I love..... (Maybe I need to move on and update some of my peripherals.....

The other thing I want to do is move the live TV buffer or whatever MP calls it on to a USB stick so the SSD or hard drive does not get a thrashing - it is cheaper and easier to buy and replace a USB stick than an SSD or hard disk all in the fullness of time though.

 

[LJG]

I am not sure that you would be able to import them to the recorded TV list. But, you could definitely have them in the videos folder. And / Or, if they are films or TV Series you could have them accessible via MP TV Series / Moving Pictures, both are excellent plug-ins, that I would definitely recommend you have a look at, along with Trakt.

 

[Edalex]

And probably you need to check if wtv format is present in videos format list in settings

 

[Skywizard]

It was not an import - I copied it to the folder - any way not a big issue as it will do me good to have a bit of a clean out - my son and I do like to look at some of the recorded TV - shaun the sheep for instance.

Will take a look at the plug-ins in good time - I just need to get it set up and working first.... I have an old disk I am playing with at the moment so it does not matter what I do. I will get a new SSD for the OS and a new larger disk for movies and music and another disk for rec TV.