Using HDHomeRun Prime with BTV

[Zogg]

Originally Posted by marylander

I just switched from the NPVR version to this version, hoping that it will be more transparent to the user.

I was able to successfully add three tuners, recorded a show, and saw it record on time for the full length.

However, it is still going to the Unknown folder in BTV. Is it supposed to automatically dump the metadata into the file, or do I need to run a post-processing script like in NPVR?

Yes, it should add the information. I have seen a few times where it doesn't work but usually it does.

In BTVE, look in the Configuration->Controls tab and make sure that the "Add information" is checked.

You can also look in the BTV log file and see where BTVE adds the information, such as this example:

[2012/6/25 13:02:50] administrator added property 'Rules' with value 'EPG' to Media 'E:\SHOWS_E\World_s Hottest Hotels-(Bahamas)-2012-06-25-1.tp'.
[2012/6/25 13:02:50] administrator added property 'GUID' with value '58b06f2d-ea0d-4800-9861-739be61b12f2' to Media 'E:\SHOWS_E\World_s Hottest Hotels-(Bahamas)-2012-06-25-1.tp'.
[2012/6/25 13:02:50] administrator added property 'Timeslot' with value '000000000000670000000059303201206251730' to Media 'E:\SHOWS_E\World_s Hottest Hotels-(Bahamas)-2012-06-25-1.tp'.

Finally, if you have to you can manually edit the show info in the Web Admin. Find the show under Recorded Shows and then Options->Edit. Just change the Series Title and then BTV will put it in the right folder instead of Unknown. Copy the description from the Web Admin Guide before you Edit and then you can just paste in the description. Fix the title and dates, and Save.

[Zogg]

Hope this wasnt for nought for me. Got a letter from Verizon today saying they were implementing copy once on certain premium channels at the end of July.

As long as its just HBO and similar thats fine. Otherwise I guess its back to the 7MC Rube Goldberg method.

[lschroeder]

Originally Posted by Zogg

Hope this wasnt for nought for me. Got a letter from Verizon today saying they were implementing copy once on certain premium channels at the end of July.

As long as its just HBO and similar thats fine. Otherwise I guess its back to the 7MC Rube Goldberg method.

Read a copy of the letter FIOS customers received posted on another website.
http://www.dslreports.com/r0/downloa...O_LTR_v1r4.pdf

The line


"(which requirements are authorized by the Federal Communications Commission)"


What the FCC say is that the channels must be at least copy once. Which means that they cable providers can also use copy freely if they want. This is how TWC socal was able to block everything but their versions of OTA and force HDHR prime users to use 7MC for everything but clear QAM channels. They legally put copy once on all the channels but the OTA clear QAM.

Like you said the key is what they identify as premium. Hopefully the copy once flag will only be applied to HBO, Showtime, Encore and the other channels that are normally listed as premiums.

[Jakesty]

I assume that copy-once is not tunable with the PRIME unit, right? because in some way it is encrypted.

[Fonceur]

Originally Posted by Jakesty

I assume that copy-once is not tunable with the PRIME unit, right? because in some way it is encrypted.

It is tuneable, but it requires the recording file to be encrypted, so only 7MC will be able to create/read the file on that specific PC...

[Zogg]

Appears my worst fears are true. I can no longer stream any of my HD channels from the HDHR Prime. All the SD versions of the channels work, but not the HD.

I need to fire up my Win7 MCE system and see if they still work with it. If so I'll have to abandon this method and go back to the Win7 MCE record-and-convert system.

EDIT: Turns out that I just needed to cycle the power on the Prime. I guess the changes they pushed out required a reset that the STB's were forced into, but cablecard devices could not be.

No longer mad at Verizon!

[Fonceur]

You might have to redo a scan to get back the non-premium HD channels...

[Jakesty]

Originally Posted by Zogg

Appears my worst fears are true. I can no longer stream any of my HD channels from the HDHR Prime. All the SD versions of the channels work, but not the HD.

I need to fire up my Win7 MCE system and see if they still work with it. If so I'll have to abandon this method and go back to the Win7 MCE record-and-convert system.

Thanks, Verizon!

Zogg, if you have this method layed out or know where a good link is in order to do this, I'd appreciate it.
Recording, importing, commercial skip, compression, etc.
I'm still good with Comcrap, but like you, it most likely is only a matter of time.
thanks, Jake

[Zogg]

Originally Posted by Jakesty

Zogg, if you have this method layed out or know where a good link is in order to do this, I'd appreciate it.
Recording, importing, commercial skip, compression, etc.
I'm still good with Comcrap, but like you, it most likely is only a matter of time.
thanks, Jake

I'm good after all - only had to cycle the power on the Prime. Apparently Verizon only set the bit for the Premium channels like all the movie channels.

But, if you want to play with the Win 7 Rube Goldberg method, which really isn't much more Rube than this method, see Post #1 and look for the link in the 2nd underlined line.

[NickHark]

Originally Posted by Zogg

I'm good after all - only had to cycle the power on the Prime. Apparently Verizon only set the bit for the Premium channels like all the movie channels.

But, if you want to play with the Win 7 Rube Goldberg method, which really isn't much more Rube than this method, see Post #1 and look for the link in the 2nd underlined line.

I'm thinking about trying this on my Comcast system. My two HDHRs have been very dependable and I don't subscribe to premium channels, so,

How has it been for the past six months?

[Zogg]

Originally Posted by NickHark

I'm thinking about trying this on my Comcast system. My two HDHRs have been very dependable and I don't subscribe to premium channels, so,

How has it been for the past six months?

This system stopped working for me for some reason. BTV stopped scheduling jobs to the Prime tuners, and I couldn't figure out how to get it to work again. I didn't want to reinstall BTV so I gave up on it.

Instead, I've been using NextPVR in the background, recording most of the same channels that I do with my HDPVR's. I programmed a button on the remote to kill BTV Link and start NextPVR in clent mode on several of my Link systems, so I can easily switch over and watch a recording that way if necessary. I've also worked on a Metadata tool that mostly works to convert a recording over to work with BTV.

I'm still working out a few kinks with NPVR, but it works better for me in a lot of ways, although I don't care for the onscreen menus and how some of it works. I also need to work through converting my recordings library over, but I don't think it's impossible.

So, sad to say, but I'm in the process of migrating away from BTV. It might be a while yet, because the system does work, but I can save money and get overall better results with fewer lockups with NPVR.

[NickHark]

Originally Posted by Zogg

This system stopped working for me for some reason. BTV stopped scheduling jobs to the Prime tuners, and I couldn't figure out how to get it to work again. I didn't want to reinstall BTV so I gave up on it.

Instead, I've been using NextPVR in the background, recording most of the same channels that I do with my HDPVR's. I programmed a button on the remote to kill BTV Link and start NextPVR in clent mode on several of my Link systems, so I can easily switch over and watch a recording that way if necessary. I've also worked on a Metadata tool that mostly works to convert a recording over to work with BTV.

I'm still working out a few kinks with NPVR, but it works better for me in a lot of ways, although I don't care for the onscreen menus and how some of it works. I also need to work through converting my recordings library over, but I don't think it's impossible.

So, sad to say, but I'm in the process of migrating away from BTV. It might be a while yet, because the system does work, but I can save money and get overall better results with fewer lockups with NPVR.

It is sad.

Good Luck.

[Jakesty]

I have had somewhat acceptable success using the PRIME with BTV-e, but it's getting to be a chore. My problems currently is that BTV-E will lock with some kind of a C++ error, and sometimes it requires a complete reboot to fix it. Other times, my recordings have not been playable through BTV, but I can through VLC. So either the Prime unit is messed up and needs a reboot, or comcast did something to the video file, I'm thinking the prime unit.
But, recordings are awesome with the PRIME unit and I still like BTV's interface over all others I have tested. NEXTPVR is getting better everyday and the support from their developer is extremely responsive. I have even donated to help the cause. It's probably where I'll end up or some hybrid BTV/NEXTPVR system like Zogg.