TWO Hours in and still no TV (1 Viewer)

[JustauserUSA]

OK, I'm frustrated. I'm not a PHD programmer like you guys. I had to look up what a GUI was. Took me awhile to find out what was meant by client and server for TV use. I have the server setup, it's just one PC , it sees the channels. next step is the mediaportal configuration tool. I don't have this tool anywhere. I have looked for over an hour .I Don't have it.I did a repair on the mediaportal install. no tool..nada..nothing...zilch
I can't setup the client without it, right?

WMC was such an easy setup for TV tuners, and I realize this is freesoftware, but still, its complicated

 

[HTPCSourcer]

Hi,

The sever setup does what it says - it provides a server only. The correct setup choice for you would have been "SingleSeat", which is IMHO clearly described behind each option.

If you have not yet configured the server, I.e. searched TV stations,the fastest way might be to uninstall and then reinstall by selecting single seat.

 

[JustauserUSA]

OK, I installed Mediaportal 2, and I read on the forum that it does not have the configuration tool, so I installed mediaportal 1, and I configured it quite easily.
Now, I've looked quite some time for a way to control the window size by dragging the corners of the window with the cursor like you can do with WMC. I see no way of doing this with MP. It can do full screen or nothing for me. I like to multi task and watch TV in a smaller window while surfing the web, etc.

 

[mm1352000]

Now, I've looked quite some time for a way to control the window size by dragging the corners of the window with the cursor like you can do with WMC.

You can press the ALT + ENTER/RETURN keys to toggle between windowed and full screen. This is explained in our wiki (manual):
http://wiki.team-mediaportal.com/KeyboardShortcuts_General

If you prefer to have MediaPortal always start in windowed mode then untick the "Start MediaPortal in fullscreen mode" option as shown here:
http://wiki.team-mediaportal.com/1_...guration/11_General/5_Startup_Resume_Settings

P.S. I strongly recommend that you check the wiki, search the forum, and/or ask for help if/when you're struggling. We're friendly and we're here to help!
...so don't waste your time and get frustrated. It just isn't necessary.

 

[JustauserUSA]

OK, thanks.that's very helpful. I had googled the window problem and it led me to the instructions on adjusting the screen for underscan and overscan, which of course is not the problem,[DOUBLEPOST=1445204344][/DOUBLEPOST]I guess my frustration is my lack of knowledge of the software terminology . I'm self taught in PC construction, and I have built probably close to 50 PCs, but the software is not my strength or interest, though my neighbors think I'm brilliant. Basic installation is fine, I just lack the education on things like what is XML , what does net framework do, things like that. So the instructions on the wiki TV guide setup have me googling...I need a wiki on what the wiki means

 

[mm1352000]

I need a wiki on what the wiki means

That would be Wikipedia

XML is a fancy (structured) text format. You shouldn't need to know or care about what it is or any of the technical details unless you choose to use the WebEPG IMDB EPG source (and in that case, specific step-by-step instructions are supplied in our wiki).

.NET is a framework from Microsoft that MediaPortal needs in order to run. Again, you don't need to care about the details. They're technical and completely unnecessary. All pre-requisite software you will need (including the .NET stuff) is linked directly in the requirements section of our website so that you don't have to go hunting. In fact, the installer will install most of that stuff for you automatically if necessary.

Don't hesitate to ask if you have any further questions.

 

[JustauserUSA]

yeah, I'm struggling with the setup guide for the TV guide. I'm lost. It's not working. I downloaded the suggested XMLTV, and it grabs nothing for me when I choose a source.[DOUBLEPOST=1445207515][/DOUBLEPOST]http://wiki.team-mediaportal.com/1_MEDIAPORTAL_1/13_Setup_Guides/2_TV_Setup/4_TV_Guide_Setup_(EPG)

you see here, this is what I'm talking about. If the info is not important as you say, why muddy the waters by referring to it?
"XMLTV is an XML based file format for describing TV listings"..this had me googling to figure out what the heck XML format meant.

 

[mm1352000]

Okay.

First, let's be clear: the wiki doesn't "suggest" any particular guide source. It simply offers some tutorials and basic advice/information for a bunch of popular sources in attempt to help you make your own informed choice about which source you will use.

When it comes to guide data in the USA (and Canada), please be aware that you get what you pay for... and you're probably going to have to pay money at some point. The only free guide data source that I'm aware of is the WebEPG plugin with the IMDB grabber source. However, the setup is quite technical, and the IMDB data is very basic. Like I said, you get what you pay for.

You mentioned XMLTV. XMLTV itself is really only a guide data format. What you need is a guide data source (for example: mc2xml or XMLTV GUI). If you want to go with XMLTV, my advice would be to follow the mc2xml setup guide:
http://wiki.team-mediaportal.com/1_MEDIAPORTAL_1/13_Setup_Guides/2_TV_Setup/4_TV_Guide_Setup_(EPG)/XMLTV_mc2xml

You'll either have to pay for the "donator" version of the mc2xml software ($20 one time cost) if you want to receive the free guide data from Microsoft... or you'll have to pay for a SchedulesDirect subscription ($25 per year).

 

[JustauserUSA]

well, first of all, advice is a suggestion to me..it's splitting hairs

. I was thinking I could get a free guide since WMC has free access, but maybe it's part of a contract with MS

but, a problem with mc2xml . It was flagged by Malwarebytes and my AV as infected

what I want is a setup as easy as WMC, that took me 20 minutes total to do

 

[mm1352000]

WMC is produced by a company with thousands of developers and which earns multiple billions of dollars per year.
MediaPortal is produced by a team of less than 50 people (of whom less than 20 are developers) which relies on donations to pay our server and hosting costs.
As you might imagine, that isn't exactly a fair comparison!
When you use WMC, you get the guide data for free... but Microsoft is paying for that data.

but, a problem with mc2xml . It was flagged by Malwarebytes and my AV as infected

mc2xml has been around a long time. I'd be very surprised if it is actually infected. It's far more likely your security software is reporting a "false positive".
Feel free to contact the mc2xml developer(s) (email given on the mc2xml website) if necessary. I'm sure they'd appreciate the report.

Remember that the free version of mc2xml won't help you anyway (unless you intend to get a SchedulesDirect subscription).

Ultimately you have to choose whether you trust it or not. If you don't trust it then I think cuts your options down to the SchedulesDirect plugin and WebEPG + IMDB.