Problems configuring Analog / svideo / composite input for Hauppauge WinTv card (1 Viewer)

[irelandp]

Second attempt to upload log files.

Kind regards
Paul

 

[mm1352000]

Hello again Paul

Unfortunately it just looks like the same thing over and over again:
[collapse]
[2015-01-10 17:24:26,344] [Log ] [7 ] [INFO ] - card: CardTune 6 CVBS#1 on 6 setuptv:6:-1
[2015-01-10 17:24:26,350] [Log ] [Remote blaster] [INFO ] - Tvservice stopped due to an unhandled app domain exception System.DllNotFoundException: Unable to load DLL 'hcwIRblast.dll': The specified module could not be found. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x8007007E)
at TvEngine.HCWIRBlaster.UIR_Open(UInt32 bVerbose, UInt16 wIRPort)
at TvEngine.HCWIRBlaster.blast(String channel_data, Boolean ExLogging)
at TvEngine.ServerBlaster.Sender()
at System.Threading.ThreadHelper.ThreadStart_Context(Object state)
at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.RunInternal(ExecutionContext executionContext, ContextCallback callback, Object state, Boolean preserveSyncCtx)
at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.Run(ExecutionContext executionContext, ContextCallback callback, Object state, Boolean preserveSyncCtx)
at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.Run(ExecutionContext executionContext, ContextCallback callback, Object state)
at System.Threading.ThreadHelper.ThreadStart()[/collapse]

The ServerBlaster plugin still can't find the IRBlast DLL hcwIRblast.dll, and this is causing the TV service to crash. In this scenario any graph building errors are either secondary or irrelevant.

Same advice as before: disable the ServerBlaster plugin or install IRBlast. Based on what you said previously I thought you'd installed IRBlast already... so you may need to restart the PC in order for installation to complete and the TV Server ServerBlaster plugin to pick it up.

Regards,
mm

 

[irelandp]

Sorry about that, I had several attempts at installing the blaster and the crash did not go resolve itself until I rebooted the PC. I have two different messages 1) With Blaster installed, I get Graph error, 2) With no blaster selected I get No input.

I have been "playing" with graphstudio, starting with the Analog.grf in "C:\ProgramData\Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal TV Server". Firstly, there appears to be a problem with the file as graphstudio will not open it (only in read mode) and secondly when it does the pins are not connected. I can re-create the graph (from scratch) and this will display the output. However, I think the real problem is that Hauppauge WinTV does not install an MPEG encoder - which I understand Mediaportal needs.

I will continue my investigations with graphstudio and let you know what I find.

Regards
Paul

 

[mm1352000]

I have been "playing" with graphstudio, starting with the Analog.grf in "C:\ProgramData\Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal TV Server". Firstly, there appears to be a problem with the file as graphstudio will not open it (only in read mode) and secondly when it does the pins are not connected.

For the record, TV Server treats that file as write-only. It does not use it when loading your tuner. It is fine to use it for checking the graph that TV Server builds, but beyond that you can't [for example] fix any problems by fixing that file.
BTW, it is normal for the MPEG 2 demuxer to not have pins connected when loaded like that, so I'm not surprised you see that.

However, I think the real problem is that Hauppauge WinTV does not install an MPEG encoder - which I understand Mediaportal needs.

Well, your latest logs (dxdiag) show that you have encoders installed:
MainConcept (HCW) MPEG-2 Video Encoder,0x00400000,2,1,hcw_mcm2ve.ax,7.04.0000.37081
MainConcept (HCW) Layer II Audio Encoder,0x00800001,1,1,hcw_mcl2ae.ax,7.03.0000.37081

Those are the Hauppauge SoftPVR/SoftMCE software encoders which should be compatible with TV Server and your tuner.
Therefore I'm not convinced that encoders are the problem.

 

[irelandp]

I think you are right about the blaster "interfering" with the analogue capture channels.

1) I configured WinTV to run WITH the blaster, rebooted and tried to preview the channel. I got the Graph error and TV Server crashed. But, the blaster was working OK and I could control media portal with it. I have uploaded a watchdog report from this
2) Then removed the blaster from TV Server, rebooted. When I tried to tune the channels I got NoVideoAudioDetected, but TV Server did not crash. I have also uploaded a watchdog report from this
3) I have looked at Analogue.grf with graphstudio and stripped it back until I got the video to show. It appears as though the problems of no input come from the encoders / demuxers,

I hope this is helpful.

Kind regards
Paul

 

[mm1352000]

Hello again Paul

But, the blaster was working OK and I could control media portal with it.

This doesn't make sense to me.
What I call an [IR] blaster is a small infra red device on the end of a wire. For example:

They're used to send commands to external equipment, as a substitute for the equipment's normal remote control.
For example, TV Server can be configured to use a blaster to power on/off and change channel with an external TV receiver/set top box.

The part of your statement that doesn't make sense to me is the part about controlling MP with it. One does not generally control MP with a blaster.
Far more likely is that you might use a remote (in your case, with Hauppauge's IR32 program/driver) to control/navigate MP, but blasters (with IRBlast) are really only useful to TV Server.

3) I have looked at Analogue.grf with graphstudio and stripped it back until I got the video to show. It appears as though the problems of no input come from the encoders / demuxers,

Yes that is possibly true, though a bit unusual for compatible encoders. It is also possible that crossbar, capture, and/or encoder configuration is incorrect, and that that is causing the problem.

I have uploaded a watchdog report from this

I think you may have forgotten to attach logs...

Best regards,
mm

 

[irelandp]

I am certain I attached the logs, will try again. I think I may have submitted the post before the logs had properly uploaded.

What I meant by controlling Media portal was that. Yes I have the IR receiver and cable installed into the Hauppauge card and when I start Media Portal, I can navigate through the menus using the Hauppauge remote control. To me this suggest this part of the configuration is working OK. What I cannot understand is why I get a different behaviour from TV server when trying to Preview the analog CVBS#1 channel when the server blaster plugin is enabled or no.

 

[mm1352000]

I am certain I attached the logs, will try again. I think I may have submitted the post before the logs had properly uploaded.

Got them now, thanks.

What I meant by controlling Media portal was that. Yes I have the IR receiver and cable installed into the Hauppauge card and when I start Media Portal, I can navigate through the menus using the Hauppauge remote control.

Yep, that's fine and good.

To me this suggest this part of the configuration is working OK.

I agree... but to be clear, the fact that the remote control (IR receiver + IR32) is working has nothing to do with TV Server. Your MediaPortal configuration - which includes the remote control stuff - may be fine, but you've clearly got a problem with your TV Server configuration.

What I cannot understand is why I get a different behaviour from TV server when trying to Preview the analog CVBS#1 channel when the server blaster plugin is enabled or no.

Okay please put that aside. Let's approach this problem from a different direction, because currently I feel like we're getting nowhere.

Some key points that you need to understand:

1. You do not need to enable the TV Server ServerBlaster plugin to have your remote control work.
2. You should not enable the TV Server ServerBlaster plugin unless you:
   1. Have a Hauppauge IR blaster connected to a Hauppauge TV tuner or capture card, AND...
      
   2. Have installed Hauppauge IRBlast and configured it successfully with BlastCfg.exe, AND...
      
   3. Intend to use the IR blaster to control an external TV set top box (DVR).

Based on the above, the first question you should ask yourself is whether you should actually have the ServerBlaster plugin enabled.
If you need to enable the ServerBlaster plugin then the second question you should ask yourself is whether you have done the pre-requisite things to make it possible for the plugin to work successfully (ie. physically connected the blaster, installed and configured IRBlast).
If you answer yes to both of the above then please confirm and we can investigate further.

If you don't need to enable the ServerBlaster plugin then please simply disable it. Leaving it enabled when you don't need it is completely unnecessary and unhelpful.

Does the above make sense?

If you really want to understand why you get different behaviours when the ServerBlaster plugin is enabled...
The one sentence answer is that when the plugin is enabled, it tries to send commands to the blaster every time you attempt to view or change channels. If:

1. The blaster is physically not connected, OR...
2. The blaster driver/software (IRBlast) is not installed, OR...
3. The blaster software is not configured correctly.

...at best the blaster won't work, and you'd experience no side-effects.
At worst you'll experience the exact problem you have been seeing for the last week.

That's why I've been repeatedly saying: don't enable the ServerBlaster plugin unless you need it, and also make sure you've installed and configured IRBlast if you need the plugin.

 

[irelandp]

Firstly, apologies for my misunderstanding regarding the blaster. I had assumed the blaster and remote control were connected and you needed to configure both of them. I have now disabled the blaster Plug from TV server. Now when I attempt to preview the capture channel - CVBS#1, I get NoVideoAudioDetected. (and TV Server does not crash!). (I have attached the log file).

I have taken Analog.grf and created a copy in graphstudio (using the same filters) but connected to the extended Video render - this displays the input. However, I cannot get Analog to display. I have tried saving it (using graphstudio) as an XML file but when I try to reopen the grfx file, I get an error, which reports a pin incompatibility. Opening the grf file is OK.

I have attached the grf, grfx, screen shot from graphedit and the error FYI.

You suggested the error may be due to a pin connection issue, do you think this may be the problem?

Kind regards
Paul