SnapStream as a service?

I like the current version, but I was wondering if the next release could maybe run as a service in background on Windows 2000/XP systems? I mean I guess it is meant to be used on a server in a home network, but who likes to have his server logged on all the time? Hopefully this is something that can still be added to the next release.

Thanks,
Jens

[srigby]

If you're not logged on, it won't work anyway!

The capture interfaces were written more as user-based drivers rather than system services.

[richt]

The current release can run as a service, but with a few flaws. One of the big ones being that the scheduling from Titan TV does not work.
I agree with Jens, this is a VERY desireable function. I don't necessarily want my PC logged on all the time just to record a few programs. I had made an inquiry a month or so ago on this same question and was told that it would NOT be fixed in Quartz!

Hey Snapstream, Any chance this has changed or that I misunderstood?

[srigby]

Richt:

You're right that it can (sort of) run as a service - but you must be logged to allow this to happen.

Not exactly what Jens is looking for...

[vebix]

Jens, if you search the forum archive you'll find the step-by-step instructions to install 2.0 as a service. It's pretty easy, and works great. You can even tell windows to restart the service if it bombs, and reboot the server if it bombs too many times.

srigby get your facts straight. I'm running 2.0 as a service on a win2kserver box in my basement. I can even reboot the box remotely, and snapstream comes up automatically, as a *service* would. It works fine.

[vebix]

Ok, searching doesn't seem to be working so I pulled this from my own archive:

-----

Running as a service has not been fully tested in version 2.0. We decided to
scratch that as one of the supported features since it would have meant
delaying the release of version 2.0. You can experiment on your own time
however.

Running as a service is possible but its not 100% tested yet and there are a
couple of cards in question when you run as a service, particularly the ATI
cards.

You can do the following to run as a service:

1) Exit PVS if already running.
2) go to command prompt and locate C:\Program Files\SnapStream PVS
3) type in ssw -installservice (this will install ssw as a service with the
name, SnapStream Service, but not start the service)
4) Go to the services tab and start the service.
5) Click on start SnapStream PVS from the start menu (it will prompt you
whether you want to start the service or CANCEL to run as a tray icon.
Hitting YES will launch the service) and it should launch the browser.

To remove the snapstream service:

1) go to command prompt and locate C:\Program Files\SnapStream PVS
2) type in ssw -removeservice (this will remove the service option)
3) click on start Snapsteram pvs from the start menu and it will launch as
an icon in the tray.

Our next release should feature snapstream being able to re-start itself if
it crashes.

I have started having quite a bit of problems with the Service install - I worked fine for a while (minus titantv support) but know - it wont init the TV - just gives an error message the next time you log in. I think it has a problem if you log in, then out then attempt to stay at the user login screen.

Installation and proper functioning as a service is a KEY feature and without it - Snapstream would have a serious flaw.

Dustin

[vebix]

I can only speak for my system, but the service install has worked flawlessly. But I also only use the box for file, telephone, and snapstream serving. It doesn't get a lot of "sit-down" use.

[richt]

DMETS,
Make sure that you don't have another application running at startup or as a background service that uses the TV Card. The other answer is the one that seems to work quite well for snapstream. Uninstall and re-install.

[ATF]

Originally posted by srigby:
Richt:

You're right that it can (sort of) run as a service - but you must be logged to allow this to happen.

Not exactly what Jens is looking for...

I have not had this problem while running SS as a service. From a clean boot using WinXP Pro, I can use the web interface to record and play shows just fine. The recorded shows are just fine. I have an old Hauppauge WinTV card that works beautifully. Something tells me you have an ATI card. I have heard that their drivers don't work unless a user is logged in.

[srigby]

Mportune and ATF:

My facts are straight - it doesn't work for me unless I am logged in...admittedly because I have an ATI card.

[vebix]

srigby - my apologies. I'm using a wintv card, which works fine as a service. I didn't realize the ATI drivers don't allow for this feature.

[Scott McNay]

Now I'm curious; maybe I'll tempt fate by trying to set it up as a service to see if I can get it to work without logging on....

--Scott.

[PBMax]

This tread seems to be busy. Well one option that you can use is use XP Power toys TweakXP. You can have Windows Automatically log in. That way you will always be logged in and it works every time you reboot. That is how I do it and it works fine for me. I do hate that when I actually use my computer (hooked up to the TV) that the notification bubble keeps on poping up telling me of all the shows it recorded over the past week.

[ June 23, 2002, 04:11 PM: Message edited by: PBMax ]

[richt]

srigby:
I have an ATI card and WinXP, installed Snapstream as a service (ssw -installservice) and it worked fine. I was able to record programs while no one was logged in, but lost the Titan TV scheduling function, which has become more important to me the more I use the application. I also have an NTSC system.
My experience does NOT indicate that the ATI card is your limiting factor.