Beyond TV 3.7 sometimes locks up

[Arken77]

Yesterday I've downloaded and installed the latest version of Beyond TV from SnapStream site (3.7.2). It seamed to work great from the start (I've have a problem with importing XMLT guide data, as I live in Sweden and there is no Snapstream TV guide for my region as far as I know, but it too worked, after updating my XMLTV importer).

After having BTV run on my computer over night and successfully recording some show during that time I've wanted to start the BTV UI in the morning but found that I could not. Nothing at all happened when I've double-clicked the BTV tray icon (the usual method of starting the UI for me). When running the BTVD3DShell.exe it's process seamed to start (I could see it in Windows process list) but no windows opened. Then I've tried to right-click on the BTV tray icon, but got no reaction there either (Other tray icons could be used normally, so it was no problem with the windows tray), however the tool tip with time of next recording showed when mouse was over the icon.

I've tried to get to the WebUI and got as far as login and part of the webpage after it. The page stopped loading with about half of the pictures on it and then just waited doing nothing.

After that I've manually closed all BTV processes I could find and restarted the BTV from start menu. It worked flawlessly after the restart, I have rebooted the whole computer to be sure however.

Thinking it was just a one time glitch I've went about my business leaving the computer with BTV running (no User interface opened) as I usually do. Later in the afternoon I've once more checked the status of BTV and the same thing seamed to have occurred, the non-responsive tray icon, inability to start user interface and the webUI only loading about half page after login.

There have been no recordings since reboot of the computer until I've noticed the second BTV lockup. There was almost no activity on the computer, as I mostly use it as a BTV platform, as well as a small web server (only for my own needs). I have used it to read a Microsoft Reader book aloud during time since reboot and until 2nd hang-up, but I don't know if it was after or during the time the lock up occurred. However I've been using Microsoft Reader on this computer together with older versions of BTV without any problems.

Have anybody else noticed similar problem on their systems after 3.7 update? I've send a mail about it to the SnapStream support system, but I thought I'll ask around on the forums, if more people than me have this problem.

There have been only two of those lockups so far, but I don't want to have to check my computer occasionally just to make sure my recordings will occur.

PS: There is another small, unrelated (I think at least) issue that occurred after the update. Since we use PAL for TV here in Sweden I've been recording my BTV programs in 720x576 resolution (standard for PAL). Since the upgrade however I've noticed the following line in the log when starting each recording:

Unable to set desired capture resolution. Capturing at 720 x 480.

There was nothing like this in logs of earlier versions. The oddest thing however is that every program I use to check the resolution of MPG files recorded with 3.7 says that they are 720x576, just as every other MPG I've ever recorded in any version of BTV with this quality setting...

[merrypig]

File a formal support request about the last one. I think this relates to a bug a few of us are noticing in other areas (captions , jerkiness etc). It looks like the recording properties are not being set correctly.

The best way to get this addresses is make it an official support request so they can see who/what/where the issue is.

Just my tuppence of course.

[Arken77]

Thanks for the tip. I've already did file a support request for the thing with resolution error in the log, too.

However, as I've said, the files still record 720x576, at least according to Gspot and a couple of players I've tested them with. So the error in logs seam to be bogus. Strange...

[Arken77]

Just wanted to add that BTV have now locked upp on me for a third time. It's deffinitivly an reoccurring problem and it stars to be irritating...

[CoJaBo]

You are not alone. I had it crash several times before I downgraded back to 3.5.3, it even crashed the entire system 3 times. 3.7.2 is very unstable, I'm suprised it even passed beta testing...

[Arken77]

Actually I was thinking about downgrading my self, at least untill they release a patch for 3.7.2. This new release actually have no new features I have any use of (apart from the bug with header images in WebAdmin not showing in Firefox, my browser of choice, but I can live with that) and I didn't have any problems at all with 3.5.3.

Only problem is that I don't know where to find 3.5.3 setup any longer. I would need one for BTV Link as well I guess or does the new BTV Link works with older BTV?

Those of you who have downgraded from 3.7.2 to 3.5.3, how did you do it? First of all, where can I get the older set up and do you have to uninstall 3.7.2 first or can you install the older version on top of it? If you uninstall it, are all the settings (like custom recording qualities) gone and do I have to recreate them? That would suck...

[dirchm0628]

I've had issues with 3.7.2 also. About every thirty minutes it pauses for a second, then dumps everything in the buffer and continues running. Not a major crash but still highly annoying. I set my buffer for two hours not for thirty minutes. Also the channel information appears on the screen. It's acting as if it changes the channel. Then last night I paused the Red Sox Yankees game on my link station while I was putting my kids to bed came back out and link had crashed. Restarted link and it ran for about thirty minutes before it just went black. Nothing could revive it. I'm probably going to revert to 3.5.3 tonight.

[grillcheese]

this is sad.

Thanks for warning the rest of us guys.

[NYPlayer]

I backed off 3.7 too... Locked up a lot on me too. Also sometimes it would take up to 1 minute to start playing a recording.

Definitely has bugs.

[jmtyra]

I'm having issues with 3.7, too...

They've got a thread going with the issues so far:
http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/show...&highlight=3.7

Good luck!

[CoJaBo]

I did a system restore then replaced all the BTV system and settings files with backup copies i had made before the upgrade. If you did not make a backup I would recommend a complete reinstall. The installer link for 3.5.3 is below.

Originally Posted by jmtyra

For all those that wish to go back to 3.5, here's the D/L link:
http://snapstream.fileburst.com/store/BTV_V353.exe

edit:
I'm mirroring the D/L in case SS pulls the older version.
http://www.jmtyra.com/downloads/BTV_V353.exe

[Arken77]

Thank you very much for the download link! I didn't do any backup before instaling (unless you count automatic Windows XP system restore point, but I dont know if I cantrust it to restore the right things).

After about 6 freezes as described in first message (each after a longer period of inactivity) I am tired of having to check if my shows are being recorded every couple of houers. I thought the whole point of BTV is so it does all the work for you.

I think I'll downgrade to 3.5.3, at least until they release a working patch for 3.7.2. As I said, this release have no new features I have any use of and it seem a bit too unstable as it is.

PS: Since I'm also BTV Link user (2 computers on my home network), does anybody know if the 3.7.2 Link works with 3.5.2 BTV? I had no problems with link so far (I mostly use it to add new recordings from the other computer anyway). If it's incompatible, do any of you guys know where I can get setup for the older version?

[Arken77]

Sorry for answering my own question, but I'v maneged to find old version of BTV Link by changing the link to BTV 3.5.3 a bit. I thought that maybe some other people wanting to downgrade could use it.

Here it is, URL to download Beyond TV Link version 3.5.3:
http://snapstream.fileburst.com/store/BTV_LINK_V353.exe

[Arken77]

Hi!

Just wanted to say to you all that I have just downgraded to 3.5.3 without any problems, without making a backup of any kind before installing 3.7.2. Here is what I did, in case somebody else wanting to downgrade but don't having a backup is interested:

First I've make a copy of my "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\SnapStream\Beyond TV" folder (it was needed because uninstalling the newer version of BTV deleted it, I've later discovered).

Then I did an uninstall of BTV, restored contents of "All Users\Application Data\SnapStream\Beyond TV" folder and installed 3.5.3.

It firs said that it found old settings and wondered if I wanted to keep or delete them. I choose keep off course and the instalation proceeded as usual. Later I just answered a couple of questions about what country I'm in and what remote I'll be using and that was it.

After the setup BTV 3.5.3 started as usual, I eaven had the compleate guide data (was sure I would have to reimport XMLTV data). As far as I've tested so far all the custom settings are there and both recording, playing and liveTV work fine.

So, to all those wanting to downgrade but don't having a backup, I just want to say that it worked just fine for me.

I probably will test BTV 3.7 again, aftrer they release some patches and this time after I've back upp everything (not that it was needed this time, but you never know ).

[jmtyra]

I wonder if I could get my FireFly remote to work on MCE 2k5...someone may be making a switch after all of these headaches with BTV.