Peak Dual DVB-T tuner PCI lockup (1 Viewer)

[ChrisOfCatford]

MediaPortal Version: 1.1.2
Windows Version: 7 HP
CPU Type: Core2 Duo
Memory: 4GB
Motherboard: ASUS
1. TV Card: Teratec Cinergy 2400i
1. TV Card Type: DVB-T
1. TV Card Driver: Latest
2. TV Card: Hauppauge HVR something???
2. TV Card Type: Hybrid
2. TV Card Driver: Latest
3. TV Card: Peak 221544AGPK
3. TV Card Type: DVB-T
3. TV Card Driver: 9.603.1.630

Hi,

I recently purchased a Peak PCI dual tuner after seeing it recommended several users on the MP forum.

It installed OK using the drivers on the CD (windows auto-installed it as DVB-T2 at first which did not work). It correctly installed as AF9015 BDA device in device manager.

When tuning the card I ended up waiting for a long time before the card would tune. It did eventually, but the second tuner was un-responsive after this. CPU went to 54 percent while this was going on. I restarted the machine.

I watched some TV at first and was encouraged by the speed of channel change (my other cards are much slower). It worked for most of the evening.

Then I recorded using the card (set both to top of the priority list for testing) and watched the show out of time on a client. When I tried to watch TV after this, I got "Unable to start graph" on all but 2 channels. Both BBC channels. There were other cards enabled, but they didn't get used.

I tried updating the driver with the one from the Peak website. Ths has a later release date on the site, but appears too be exactly the same driver in reality.

Now when I even click on the card in TV service config, CPU usage goes up to 54 percent and TV service stops responding. This is folowed by a complete system freeze some minutes later.

I have now disabled the card and TV service works fine again.

I have attached dirty logs as I don't want to reproduce a hard reset if can help it.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[ChrisOfCatford]

Hi,

I just uninstalled and re-installed the card and scanned.

Tuner 1 worked after a long period with high CPU usage. The scan started after the CPU went back to normal.

Tuner 2 returns "No signal".

On re-starting the system, I get extremely high CPU usage for a few minutes and this in the log:

2010-12-24 11:42:29.309946 [(18)]: Exception ystem.AccessViolationException: Attempted to read or write protected memory. This is often an indication that other memory is corrupt.
at TvLibrary.Hardware.TeVii.FindDevices()
at TvLibrary.Hardware.TeVii.CheckAndOpen()
at TvLibrary.Implementations.DVB.ConditionalAccess..ctor(IBaseFilter tunerFilter, IBaseFilter analyzerFilter, IBaseFilter winTvUsbCiFilter, TvCardBase card)

2010-12-24 11:58:34.942792 [(6)]: Exception ystem.AccessViolationException: Attempted to read or write protected memory. This is often an indication that other memory is corrupt.
at TvLibrary.Hardware.TeVii.FindDevices()
at TvLibrary.Hardware.TeVii.CheckAndOpen()
at TvLibrary.Implementations.DVB.ConditionalAccess..ctor(IBaseFilter tunerFilter, IBaseFilter analyzerFilter, IBaseFilter winTvUsbCiFilter, TvCardBase card)

2010-12-24 12:00:08.090556 [DVB EPG timer(4)]: Exception ystem.ObjectDisposedException: Cannot access a disposed object.
Object name: 'Timer'.
at System.Timers.Timer.set_Enabled(Boolean value)
at TvService.EpgCard.GrabEpg()
at TvService.EpgGrabber.GrabEpgOnCard(EpgCard epgCard)
at TvService.EpgGrabber._epgTimer_Elapsed(Object sender, ElapsedEventArgs e)

UPDATE:
The PC failed to re-start after this and disabling the card returns the PC and MP back to normal (although obviously without the use of the new tuners).

 

[porky996t]

Hi Chris,

I use this card and have no problems using the drivers from the Peak website - BUT, the first card I got was faulty and only one tuner would work, and the other was very unreliable, so I had to return it for a replacement. Maybe yours is faulty??


M.

 

[ChrisOfCatford]

Hi M,

That is what I wanted to hear!

Going to RMA it ASAP.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[porky996t]

When it works it really is a good card. I also have a Hauppauge Nova 500 and I find the Peak performs so much better, and is more accepting of weak signals. (I have only just put my Win TV card back in as I am now using a client and I can tell when I have tuned to it due to pixelation and break up - in fact I have both Hauppauge tuners at the bottom of the tuner priority list)


HTH, (& Merry Xmas!! )


M.

 

[ChrisOfCatford]

Hello again,

Happy new year!

I received my replacement card in the post and installed it this morning.

I have exactly the same issue.

I am going to try installing the bundled sftware to see if this is a problem only with MP or if the second card also has the same issue with it's native software.

Has anyone been able to look at my logs to see what may be the problem?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[ChrisOfCatford]

Hi,

Well this is strange: The bundled software works just fine. Both tuners.

Channel scan was quite quick (not as fast as MP usuallly scans a working card) and CPU did not get excessively high.

I have attached a screen shot of both tuners doing their stuff HyperMediaCenter.

So, maybe an MP problem with this card????

Can't wait to tell the retailer that I got it wrong (oops).

I think I now have the card scanning on the second tuner in MP still waiting for TV Service config to respond... OK, after 5 minutes, some joy. I get a successful scan on the second tuner.

I have put both Peak tuners at the top of the priority list and runn MP on the server. On attempting to tune to BBC1, I get a freeze. The same sort of length as the original freeze before scanning so far.... Still waiting CPU at 54% and constant. No TV after quite some time still.

This is in the tv service log:

2011-01-01 11:57:14.107267 [(4)]: Exception ystem.AccessViolationException: Attempted to read or write protected memory. This is often an indication that other memory is corrupt.
at TvLibrary.Hardware.TeVii.FindDevices()
at TvLibrary.Hardware.TeVii.CheckAndOpen()
at TvLibrary.Implementations.DVB.ConditionalAccess..ctor(IBaseFilter tunerFilter, IBaseFilter analyzerFilter, IBaseFilter winTvUsbCiFilter, TvCardBase card)

2011-01-01 12:28:43.138593 [(6)]: Exception ystem.AccessViolationException: Attempted to read or write protected memory. This is often an indication that other memory is corrupt.
at TvLibrary.Hardware.TeVii.FindDevices()
at TvLibrary.Hardware.TeVii.CheckAndOpen()
at TvLibrary.Implementations.DVB.ConditionalAccess..ctor(IBaseFilter tunerFilter, IBaseFilter analyzerFilter, IBaseFilter winTvUsbCiFilter, TvCardBase card)

2011-01-01 12:32:16.949822 [(13)]: Exception ystem.AccessViolationException: Attempted to read or write protected memory. This is often an indication that other memory is corrupt.
at TvLibrary.Hardware.TeVii.FindDevices()
at TvLibrary.Hardware.TeVii.CheckAndOpen()
at TvLibrary.Implementations.DVB.ConditionalAccess..ctor(IBaseFilter tunerFilter, IBaseFilter analyzerFilter, IBaseFilter winTvUsbCiFilter, TvCardBase card)

And this is in the MP log (Strangely):

2011-01-01 12:35:12.672873 [ERROR][MPMain(1)]: SKIN: Missing C:\ProgramData\Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal\Skin\Xmas Blue3wide\infoservice.feeds.xml
2011-01-01 12:35:12.966890 [ERROR][MPMain(1)]: SKIN: Missing C:\ProgramData\Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal\Skin\Xmas Blue3wide\infoservice.xml
2011-01-01 12:35:12.967890 [ERROR][MPMain(1)]: SKIN: Missing C:\ProgramData\Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal\Skin\Xmas Blue3wide\infoservice.twitter.xml
2011-01-01 12:35:17.251135 [ERROR][MPMain(1)]: SKIN: Missing C:\ProgramData\Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal\Skin\Xmas Blue3wide\infoservice.feeds.xml
2011-01-01 12:35:17.252135 [ERROR][MPMain(1)]: SKIN: Missing C:\ProgramData\Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal\Skin\Xmas Blue3wide\infoservice.feeds.xml

After some time, I get TV come up and CPU drops to normal. Not sure if this card is being used. It probably goes through both tuners doing the same thing, before finally finding my working cards I suppose... No, MP is using the second tuner (I will try to reverse priority and see if one tuner is working).... TV service taking ages to start after changing priorities... CPU again over 54%... I guess when this drops, this will continue.

Log says this now:

2011-01-01 12:56:12.968958 [(18)]: Exception ystem.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at TvLibrary.Implementations.DVB.TvCardDvbBase.AddBDARendererToGraph(DsDevice device)
at TvLibrary.Implementations.DVB.TvCardDvbBase.AddAndConnectBDABoardFilters(DsDevice device)
at TvLibrary.Implementations.DVB.TvCardDVBT.BuildGraph()

2011-01-01 12:56:12.968958 [(18)]: Exception :TvLibrary.TvExceptionGraphBuildingFailed: Graph building failed ---> System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at TvLibrary.Implementations.DVB.TvCardDvbBase.AddBDARendererToGraph(DsDevice device)
at TvLibrary.Implementations.DVB.TvCardDvbBase.AddAndConnectBDABoardFilters(DsDevice device)
at TvLibrary.Implementations.DVB.TvCardDVBT.BuildGraph()
--- End of inner exception stack trace ---
at TvLibrary.Implementations.DVB.TvCardDVBT.BuildGraph()
at TvLibrary.Implementations.DVB.TvCardDVBT.Tune(Int32 subChannelId, IChannel channel)

2011-01-01 12:56:12.970958 [(18)]: Exception :TvLibrary.TvExceptionGraphBuildingFailed: Graph building failed ---> System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at TvLibrary.Implementations.DVB.TvCardDvbBase.AddBDARendererToGraph(DsDevice device)
at TvLibrary.Implementations.DVB.TvCardDvbBase.AddAndConnectBDABoardFilters(DsDevice device)
at TvLibrary.Implementations.DVB.TvCardDVBT.BuildGraph()
--- End of inner exception stack trace ---
at TvLibrary.Implementations.DVB.TvCardDVBT.BuildGraph()
at TvLibrary.Implementations.DVB.TvCardDVBT.Tune(Int32 subChannelId, IChannel channel)
at TvService.CardTuner.Tune(User& user, IChannel channel, Int32 idChannel)

CPU dropped and TV server config closed.

MP now says "No free card availible" on attempting to tune. All cards type stated as "Unknown" in TV service config. Restarted TV service and all cards have DVB-T type again. Tried TV, MP hangs for now. CPU at 54%.. TV will probably start in a while... There it is. TV server config says that the second tuner on the Peak card is doing the work.

This is a cheap card which I am sure could be made to work. Is anybody interested in getting to the bottom of this (as I may have 2 cards like this to play with )? I can test any suggestions in the next few days... There must be a way.

Thanks and sorry for the long post,
Chris

 

[porky996t]

Hi Chris,

Wow... you do seem to be having problems with this card. I can't really help with the logs, but mine just works flawlessly.

In the TV server both tuners show up as a "DVB-T AF9015 BDA Tuner" with them being 2 & 4 in the priority list (the dual DVB-S card is a priority 1 and 3, with the Hauppauge DVB-T being at 5&6).

If I can help in any way, I'm more than happy to do so. I know there are some other users on the forum with the same card (Paranoid Delusion has one fitted and he is very knowledgeable) who may be able to suggest ideas.

Edit: Info from PD on Peak Card - see here Also, similar problem here

M.

 

[ChrisOfCatford]

Hi M,

Thanks for giving this your time!

Is that on windows 7 too?

Chris

Oh,

this is interesting.

Does anyone know if these cards are actually somehow USB tuners bolted on to a VIA USB control card? Because that is how it looks in device manager.

Could this be part of the problem? Maybe a chipset issue with my motherboard? Does it work well with AMD setups and not with INTEL?

I had a peak single tuner USB stick which I bought for an experiment recently and it would not work either. I gave up.

Does anyone with this card working have an INTEL CPU?

Just clutching at straws here, but I remember all sorts of fun with a VIA chipset on an old machine that I once had.

Chris

 

[porky996t]

Hi Chris,

I'm no expert, but from reading here on the forum (searched for Peak Dual Tuner) and elsewhere I have read that it is two USB tuners using the VIA chipset to get around the PCI limitations.

I have had it running fine with both XP SP3 and Win 7 Ultimate, but others appear to have had allsorts of problems with it.

I'm sorry I can't offer any more info, but if you need anything info about mine just let me know.


M.