Struggling here with MP (1 Viewer)

[chrisuk76]

First off, hi to all.

I have recently built a HTPC to replace my old Dreambox 7020, mainly for watching Satellite HD Channels, but also for the added media element (watching MKV's mainly), which obviously the Dreambox couldn't do.

I have gone down the MP route as it seemed exactly what I wanted, but I am struggling to get things moving and working, there seems to be so many options and plus I don't get much time to dedicate to it due to family commitments, its seems at present I am never going to get it to replace my Dreambox.

Ok I will start off with my system spec which I have put together, then I will go onto my questions/problems in the hope that someone with the knowledge or the same equipments can help me out a bit.

Here is the spec:-

Vista Ultimate
AMD5050e
1TB Samsung F1 Spinpoint
Kingston 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 HyperX Memory Non-ECC CL5
GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-S2H
Tevii S460 DVB-S2
Antec Remote Black Case with Veris RM200 Remote
Corsair 400W CX PSU
Sony Bravia KDL-40D3000 (upto 1080i)

Ok may 1st problem I have already posted here :-https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/get-support-90/problem-sky-uk-hd-channels-stuttering-60239/#post423298

For some reason I get BBCHD playback fine, but any HD channels from Sky either Stutter badly, or come to a halt with or without any sound.

I am guessing this is codec related but I am not sure? I have installed the SAF 3.47 codecs but this does not seem to have helped.


My 2nd problem is that when I have scanned the Satellites and stored them in TV Server, when I select a channel from a different Satellite to what I am on it does not move the motor?

My 3rd problem is the Veris RM200 remote and using with MP, epecially when using with Streamed MP skin, I find it very hard to navigate with the remote as there doesnt seem to be a up and down, more like a cursor (unless I am missing something?). And if I got to select anything the screen goes blank (like an unused area of the skin, no menus are showing), sometimes I will get to a screen were I go shut down or restart MP, but if I move the cursor around I get the menu back with the usual options, i.e TV, Movies etc. Please let me know if you need any clarification on this problem as I may sound confusing.

My 4th problem is I cannot seem to find a way to exit MP, I have been using Alt+F4 as I do not see a shutdown button to navigate away, other than sometimes when I get it on the front menu screen as detailed above. Is there a better way?

My 5th problem is a bit further down the line one I have my other problems sorted, but it is to do with the Antec Fusion Case LCD Display and also the remote and how to configure and work with MP and display TV Channel info and Movie info, does anyone know how to set this up?

My 6th problem is again to do with TV Service, when I have been able to use the TV, I don't see any EPG info on the channels when I am selecting them. Is there a way to get the EPG to populate?

Right I think that will do for now, these are my main problems at present.

It would be good I think if someone with the same Motherboard (GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-S2H) and who is viewing the Sky HD channels, could clarify their codecs settings and any other related settings that may be causing my probs.

Well I am hoping some knowledgable peeps come along and save me from pulling my hair (what I have left) out and help with my probs above.

If you need any other info then let me know.

Thanks in advance.

Chris

 

[Owlsroost]

Re the EPG problem - see https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/development-91/sky-uk-uk-freesat-epg-43261/

Tony

 

[etheesdad]

My 4th problem is I cannot seem to find a way to exit MP, I have been using Alt+F4 as I do not see a shutdown button to navigate away, other than sometimes when I get it on the front menu screen as detailed above. Is there a better way?

Yes. Use the Topbar plugin. Some skins have better support for it than others....

Alternately, map a button on yr remote to shut it down.

My 3rd problem is the Veris RM200 remote and using with MP, epecially when using with Streamed MP skin, I find it very hard to navigate with the remote as there doesnt seem to be a up and down, more like a cursor (unless I am missing something?). And if I got to select anything the screen goes blank (like an unused area of the skin, no menus are showing), sometimes I will get to a screen were I go shut down or restart MP, but if I move the cursor around I get the menu back with the usual options, i.e TV, Movies etc. Please let me know if you need any clarification on this problem as I may sound confusing.

If I understand correctly its putting up a mouse cursor? Isnt there a button on that remote to switch from Mouse to Keyboard mode? (just centre and above the round mousepad). I dont really understand the blank screen issue, but are you able to replicate it by using the keyboard? (this may help diagnose whats causing it - whether its specific to the remote or to do with something else) Also does it occur with all skins? (check with Blue3/Blue3 Wide)

My 6th problem is again to do with TV Service, when I have been able to use the TV, I don't see any EPG info on the channels when I am selecting them. Is there a way to get the EPG to populate?

From what source? Are you using dvb stream, webepg, xmltv, or a combination of them?

 

[MLH01]

My 5th problem is a bit further down the line one I have my other problems sorted, but it is to do with the Antec Fusion Case LCD Display and also the remote and how to configure and work with MP and display TV Channel info and Movie info, does anyone know how to set this up?

I have the same case. You need to enable the MiniDisplay plugin (from MP config) and use the following settings:
Type = SoundGraph iMON USB VFD/LCD Plugin V03_03_2009
Port = USB

Then click on the 'Advanced' button to get into more detailed configuration settings.

Display type = LCD2
Antec/iMON Manager - tick on Ensure is running before driver start and leave all others unticked

I am pretty sure all other MiniDisplay settings on my rig are left as per the default. Click on OK a couple of times to exit MP config and then restart MediaPortal. Your LCD should light up and display whatever MP is doing.

You can customise further by tweaking the settings, but the above are the basic settings to get the LCD working with MP.

As for codecs, I ended up installing the ffdshow tryouts, but have had the MPV and MPA codecs working in the past. Be careful not to have too many different codecs installed or they may fight with each other trying to create graphs. Paranoid Delusion has a link in his signature with a handy tool for checking and fixing any codec issues. It is called 'filmerit' (Google it for info and download).

Good luck!

 

[chrisuk76]

My 4th problem is I cannot seem to find a way to exit MP, I have been using Alt+F4 as I do not see a shutdown button to navigate away, other than sometimes when I get it on the front menu screen as detailed above. Is there a better way?

Yes. Use the Topbar plugin. Some skins have better support for it than others....

Alternately, map a button on yr remote to shut it down.

Yes, will try this thanks.

My 3rd problem is the Veris RM200 remote and using with MP, epecially when using with Streamed MP skin, I find it very hard to navigate with the remote as there doesnt seem to be a up and down, more like a cursor (unless I am missing something?). And if I got to select anything the screen goes blank (like an unused area of the skin, no menus are showing), sometimes I will get to a screen were I go shut down or restart MP, but if I move the cursor around I get the menu back with the usual options, i.e TV, Movies etc. Please let me know if you need any clarification on this problem as I may sound confusing.

If I understand correctly its putting up a mouse cursor? Isnt there a button on that remote to switch from Mouse to Keyboard mode? (just centre and above the round mousepad). I dont really understand the blank screen issue, but are you able to replicate it by using the keyboard? (this may help diagnose whats causing it - whether its specific to the remote or to do with something else) Also does it occur with all skins? (check with Blue3/Blue3 Wide).

Never tried this before, but will give it a go and see if I get the same blank screen when navigating. No this does not happen on other skins.

My 6th problem is again to do with TV Service, when I have been able to use the TV, I don't see any EPG info on the channels when I am selecting them. Is there a way to get the EPG to populate?

From what source? Are you using dvb stream, webepg, xmltv, or a combination of them?

Not sure what you mean by this, I am using a DVB-S2 card???

My 5th problem is a bit further down the line one I have my other problems sorted, but it is to do with the Antec Fusion Case LCD Display and also the remote and how to configure and work with MP and display TV Channel info and Movie info, does anyone know how to set this up?

I have the same case. You need to enable the MiniDisplay plugin (from MP config) and use the following settings:
Type = SoundGraph iMON USB VFD/LCD Plugin V03_03_2009
Port = USB

Then click on the 'Advanced' button to get into more detailed configuration settings.

Display type = LCD2
Antec/iMON Manager - tick on Ensure is running before driver start and leave all others unticked

I am pretty sure all other MiniDisplay settings on my rig are left as per the default. Click on OK a couple of times to exit MP config and then restart MediaPortal. Your LCD should light up and display whatever MP is doing.

You can customise further by tweaking the settings, but the above are the basic settings to get the LCD working with MP.

As for codecs, I ended up installing the ffdshow tryouts, but have had the MPV and MPA codecs working in the past. Be careful not to have too many different codecs installed or they may fight with each other trying to create graphs. Paranoid Delusion has a link in his signature with a handy tool for checking and fixing any codec issues. It is called 'filmerit' (Google it for info and download).

Good luck!

Thanks for that sounds like the solution for the LCD, will try it when I get a minute.

I have already tried that filemerit app and it does not find any errors. I am a bit lost with the codecs and am continuing to search for someone with similar specs to me to try and find the right software setup in the way of ATI Catalyst and which codecs to use.

 

[Owlsroost]

There's basically two sources of epg data - carried in the DVB broadcast stream itself ('dvb stream'), or via the internet (in XMLTV format or 'scraped' from websites).

Tony

 

[chrisuk76]

From what source? Are you using dvb stream, webepg, xmltv, or a combination of them?

There's basically two sources of epg data - carried in the DVB broadcast stream itself ('dvb stream'), or via the internet (in XMLTV format or 'scraped' from websites).

Tony

It is dvb stream then.

 

[MLH01]

When I get a chance (tonight - like you I have family commitments that hinder troubleshooting progress... ) I will send you my codec details. I have the same mobo as you and am using Catalyst driver 9.4 with an ATI HD2400XT video card. Version 9.5 came out recently, but I haven't upgraded yet.

 

[Owlsroost]

From what source? Are you using dvb stream, webepg, xmltv, or a combination of them?

There's basically two sources of epg data - carried in the DVB broadcast stream itself ('dvb stream'), or via the internet (in XMLTV format or 'scraped' from websites).

Tony

It is dvb stream then.

In which case read this thread - https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/development-91/sky-uk-uk-freesat-epg-43261/

Tony

 

[chrisuk76]

Am I right in thinking then, that I would only be able to get EPG data for Sky UK and Sky IT? What about the rest of the Satellites?

Cheers