Beta testers needed for new DVB-T recording software. Options

[deason]

I'm launching the beta stage of a new DVB-T recording utility, RikPVR. The software is designed to make recording simple - just click on the interactive TV guide and you're set to record.

If you're interested in joining the beta program then sign up here. This is a closed beta so you'll need to provide your email address then I'll get back to you with details on how to get the software. It's already been through an Alpha testing stage so the software is already stable as is. The goal of these tests are to highlight any issues when running it in other regions (we're based in Brisbane).

Thanks for your interest. I've been a (albeit quiet) member of dvbowners for a couple of years so I'll be keeping you up to date with any releases as they happen.

Thanks, Richard

[drdos7]

Hi,

I've installed, scanned and set recordings I get this:

17/08 16:39:26: Error starting graph - System.Exception: Unable to create dump filter
at RikBDA.Utility.CreateRikDumpFilter(TVGraph graph, String name)
at RikBDA.MpgSinkAttachment.Initialise(TVGraph graph)
at RikBDA.TVGraph.Attach(GraphAttachment attachment)
at RikPVRRecorder.ActiveRecording.InternalStart()
17/08 16:39:26: All cards failed - retrying - Attempt 2
17/08 16:39:26: Trying to start recording with DTV-DVBT 878 Digital Tuner Filter
17/08 16:39:26: Unable to load Dump filter library.
17/08 16:39:26: Error starting graph - System.Exception: Unable to create dump filter
at RikBDA.Utility.CreateRikDumpFilter(TVGraph graph, String name)
at RikBDA.MpgSinkAttachment.Initialise(TVGraph graph)
at RikBDA.TVGraph.Attach(GraphAttachment attachment)
at RikPVRRecorder.ActiveRecording.InternalStart()
17/08 16:39:26: Trying to start recording with VideoMate Hybrid A+DVB-T DVBT Tuner
17/08 16:39:26: Unable to load Dump filter library.
17/08 16:39:26: Error starting graph - System.Exception: Unable to create dump filter
at RikBDA.Utility.CreateRikDumpFilter(TVGraph graph, String name)
at RikBDA.MpgSinkAttachment.Initialise(TVGraph graph)
at RikBDA.TVGraph.Attach(GraphAttachment attachment)
at RikPVRRecorder.ActiveRecording.InternalStart()

Both cards record OK with their own S/W & WebScheduler.

Another problem, the program doesn't remember "QuickAccessToolbar" modifications. That's all the testing so far.

Thanks,

dRdoS7.

[deason]

Hi,

I've installed, scanned and set recordings I get this:
Both cards record OK with their own S/W & WebScheduler.

Another problem, the program doesn't remember "QuickAccessToolbar" modifications. That's all the testing so far.

Thanks,

dRdoS7.

It appears that the RikPVRRecorder service is unable to register the dump filter it needs for recording. One possibility is that you've changed the user which the service is running as?

To workaround this you could manually register RikDump.ax from the RikPVR install folder (use "regsvr32 rikdump.ax" from the command line) however there may be other issues in not running the service as its default user.

If you haven't changed the service's user then let me know and I'll see if I can find another reason for the failure.

Thanks, Richard

[deason]

Hi,

I've installed, scanned and set recordings I get this:
Both cards record OK with their own S/W & WebScheduler.

Another problem, the program doesn't remember "QuickAccessToolbar" modifications. That's all the testing so far.

Thanks,

dRdoS7.

Regarding the QAT modifications - I've noted that on the issues list. Thanks for the feedback.

Richard

[drdos7]

Hi,

It appears that the RikPVRRecorder service is unable to register the dump filter it needs for recording. One possibility is that you've changed the user which the service is running as?

To workaround this you could manually register RikDump.ax from the RikPVR install folder (use "regsvr32 rikdump.ax" from the command line) however there may be other issues in not running the service as its default user.

If you haven't changed the service's user then let me know and I'll see if I can find another reason for the failure.

Thanks, Richard

No, I was me when I installed it and used it.

I got this when registering dump filter:

LoadLibrary("rikdump.ax" failed - This application has failed to start because the application configuration is incorrect. Reinstalling the application may fix this problem

I tried to unload it and got the same message.

Thanks,

dRdoS7.

[deason]

I got this when registering dump filter:
I tried to unload it and got the same message.

OK. Thanks for the info. I'll have to look into this more.

In the meantime you should be able to use the dvr-ms recording mode. You can change through the menu->options->Recorders, select the RikPVRRecorder and hit Configure. Unfortunately, it's unlikely this mode will work correctly with HD channels. I'm currently working on fixing that.

I'll let you know when I've tracked down a solution.

Thanks, Richard

[Guest_Broken_*]

Sounds like a fantastic idea Richard, and it looks great from what I saw on your website. When are you thinking about open beta/release?

Great work mate.

[deason]

Sounds like a fantastic idea Richard, and it looks great from what I saw on your website. When are you thinking about open beta/release?

Great work mate.

I'm aiming on releasing within the next couple of months. Actual release date will depend a lot on the feedback I get from this closed beta. So far testing has been with a relatively small group so I expect to squash some bugs before releasing too far.

Keep an eye on the website as well. I'll be adding screenshots in the coming weeks so you can get more of an idea of the app.

Thanks, Richard

[drdos7]

Hi,

OK. Thanks for the info. I'll have to look into this more.

In the meantime you should be able to use the dvr-ms recording mode. You can change through the menu->options->Recorders, select the RikPVRRecorder and hit Configure. Unfortunately, it's unlikely this mode will work correctly with HD channels. I'm currently working on fixing that.

I'll let you know when I've tracked down a solution.

Thanks, Richard

OK, yeah tried dvr-ms, and it worked OK the first time. After it finished I couldn't do anything with the RikPVR program, had to "terminate" it. I tried another capture and it kept stopping. What I'll do is uninstall, delete all the directories it created and re-install, making sure I select dvr-ms not ts or mpg. When I changed to dvr-ms it reverted and tried to create mpg (or was it ts? I forget which now) A fresh start may be better.

Do you have plans to make it a viewing program as well? If so, will you be able to extract EPG from the signal (if it's ever transmitted)? IMHO a good program that does those things is needed, I find there's stuff around that does one or the other or you can't buy it unless you buy another card or it only supports one card, not two.

Thanks,

dRdoS7.

[deason]

Hi,
OK, yeah tried dvr-ms, and it worked OK the first time. After it finished I couldn't do anything with the RikPVR program, had to "terminate" it. I tried another capture and it kept stopping. What I'll do is uninstall, delete all the directories it created and re-install, making sure I select dvr-ms not ts or mpg. When I changed to dvr-ms it reverted and tried to create mpg (or was it ts? I forget which now) A fresh start may be better.

Do you have plans to make it a viewing program as well? If so, will you be able to extract EPG from the signal (if it's ever transmitted)? IMHO a good program that does those things is needed, I find there's stuff around that does one or the other or you can't buy it unless you buy another card or it only supports one card, not two.

Thanks,

dRdoS7.

I've just released a new version which should address the problems with registering the RikDump filter. You can get the new verson through the "Check for Updates" option off the main menu.

Eventually I will look at adding at least rudimentary viewing features, but initially I'll be concentrating on recording features. I have a number of features planned for adding after the initial release. I did have a viewing plugin partially developed but it was done more as a experiment than a serious viewing feature. Of course, if there is enough interest then I'll redirect my efforts - I'm all for letting the users guide the future development

Extracting the EPG will definitely be examined if it becomes available in Australia since getting quality data in Australia is very tough, but I'm not holding my breath on that front. Especially with the recent announcements about some form of encrypted EPG coming about I think it'll be a long time before we see a standard EPG feature.

Let me know if the new version fixes up your recording problems.

Thanks, Richard

[drdos7]

Hi,

I updated it OK, and set 2 recordings of .ts files, it recorded both fine.

I also set both recordings to "stand-by" after finishing but the PC didn't. My wife was using it at the time so that may be why.

Is there an option to set the default action after a recording, rather than having to set it for each recording individually?

I just did another test, the PC didn't go to "stand-by", it wasn't being used at the time.

Another test I did while it was recording was to press the button on my keyboard which puts the PC sleep and it went to sleep. This is something my wife would do if she didn't know, or if I forgot, that I was recording.

Are you going to sell the program when you have it working/finalised?

Good work so far.

Thanks,

dRdoS7.

[deason]

Hi,

I updated it OK, and set 2 recordings of .ts files, it recorded both fine.

I also set both recordings to "stand-by" after finishing but the PC didn't. My wife was using it at the time so that may be why.

Is there an option to set the default action after a recording, rather than having to set it for each recording individually?

I just did another test, the PC didn't go to "stand-by", it wasn't being used at the time.

Another test I did while it was recording was to press the button on my keyboard which puts the PC sleep and it went to sleep. This is something my wife would do if she didn't know, or if I forgot, that I was recording.

Are you going to sell the program when you have it working/finalised?

Good work so far.

Thanks,

dRdoS7.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll look into the stand-by issue. I know it's definitely been working for some people so I'll have to have a closer look at that. I'll also look at preventing the machine from sleeping when recording.

I will be the selling RikPVR once it passes the beta stage. The beta is going well, at least for Australian users, so hopefully the release won't be too far away.

Thanks, Richard

[Guest_RobCarter_*]

I'm viewing on a LCD with 2560x1600 native res, the ability to change font size would be nice.
and remote admin via LAN or the web.

I schedule recorded a file (.ts) by letting it sit in the background, worked ok then found the incremental quick record function for
currently screening shows (nice feature).

After this DWII and DNTV were stuck on the last channel that RikPVR recorded and wouldn't respond to channel changing,
had to uninstall and delete/reinstall/rescan channels to get my two main viewing progs working again.

[deason]

I'm viewing on a LCD with 2560x1600 native res, the ability to change font size would be nice.
and remote admin via LAN or the web.

I schedule recorded a file (.ts) by letting it sit in the background, worked ok then found the incremental quick record function for
currently screening shows (nice feature).

After this DWII and DNTV were stuck on the last channel that RikPVR recorded and wouldn't respond to channel changing,
had to uninstall and delete/reinstall/rescan channels to get my two main viewing progs working again.

Good idea with the font size - I'll add that to the plans. I have plans for LAN support, and possibly web support, however that will be in a later version.

I'm surprised a full reinstall was required, I would expect a reboot to be the absolute worst-case for this type of thing. I'll check into how I shut down the cards after recording to see if there's a problem there. Have you tried recording again and got the same result?

Thanks for the feedback.

Richard

[deason]

Hi all,

I've released a new version of RikPVR. All beta testers should be able to obtain it through the auto-update process within RikPVR.

I'm still taking beta requests so if you wish to join the program sign up at http://www.rikpvr.com/Beta.aspx

The new version has fixes to the scanning process, stability of the recording service amongst many other minor fixes.

Richard

[deason]

Thanks to all the beta testers. I've now relesed version 1 of RikPVR. A 30 day trial version is now available off the website - http://www.rikpvr.com/