MVP Client 1.3.0 (2005/08/16)

[Matt]

Originally Posted by dcampano

I noticed that Hauppage has released an update to allow DivX movies to be played on the MVP. Has anyone had any experience with this yet? I know that it does the transcoding on the PC side to convert the video from divx to MPEG2. Any chance we might see this in a future Sage Client???

The transcoding in the Hauppauge original software has been there for some time an experiences are very mixed (mine were far from good). Have a look at SHS's site for more infos. I'll consider adding transcoding if I can find a very reliable library I can easily to the MVP Client, otherwise not (looks more like not at this time).

Originally Posted by that_kid

According to the mvp log there was a java exception and the connection was forcibly closed by the host.

Please check your PM. I need the mvp_0.log log files of both your MVP Client instances.

Originally Posted by Wakecrash

is thier a remote ini file or similar with this plugin. I have setup a JP1 remote to control the MVP, but I want to configure more bottons. Anyone know the list of codes that can be recognized?
I have duplicated all the original buttons from the silver remote, but my JP1 has more that I could map.

I pass all the button presses I get from the MVP to SageTV. So if you can't assign buttons in the SageTV configuration (Detailed Setup>Commands), then you have to ask Hauppauge to not filter out these RC buttons in MVP.

-Matt

[turak]

Just a warning...I desided to replace my MVP with a full blown client. I wanted to use the client license from my existing MVP client for the new client. So I uninstalled the SageClient from my server and installed the client on the new computer. When I uninstalled the client from my server, the SageTV server stopped functioning. It could no longer record shows or play them back. I tried uninstalling the server and reinstalling it. Then I replaced my properties and wiz.bin files from backup. The server was then able to record (kinda), but unable to play back. I'm now in the process of reinstalling windows on the server. So for all of you that have both a server and client installed on the same box, I'd think twice before uninstalling the client.

[Wakecrash]

Did you install the client in the same directory as the server?

[JasonJoel]

I've uninstalled the client on the same machine as my server many times. Works fine.

HOWEVER, if you install the server AFTER you install client, then go to uninstall the client it will use the SERVER directory.

So you must be VERY careful that you are uninstalling from the correct directory!

Same, is true of installing actually. It remembers the path of the last program installed (server or client), so must double check the folder being installed to each time.

Not sure if that was your problem or not, but is good advice to everyone.

Jason Bottjen

[turak]

Originally Posted by Wakecrash

Did you install the client in the same directory as the server?

I installed the client in C:\Program Files\Frey Technologies\mvp_client

[turak]

Originally Posted by JasonJoel

I've uninstalled the client on the same machine as my server many times. Works fine.

HOWEVER, if you install the server AFTER you install client, then go to uninstall the client it will use the SERVER directory.

So you must be VERY careful that you are uninstalling from the correct directory!

Same, is true of installing actually. It remembers the path of the last program installed (server or client), so must double check the folder being installed to each time.

Not sure if that was your problem or not, but is good advice to everyone.

Jason Bottjen

I'm not sure what went wrong. I think it was a registry issue. After reinstalling the OS and SageTV, I used my old wiz.bin and everything is back to normal. I'm probably better off now. The instance that just got wrecked had been originally installed as SageTV 1.4.10 I believe. Then upgraded through all of the various 2.0 betas. It was getting pretty messy. The best part is that Sage can now control my actisys and UIRT at the same time. Before I had to have SageRecorder running as a network encoder on 127.0.0.1 to control my actysys.

[Deadbolt]

My screen is nice and bright until I watch a show...than it all gets dark.

Thanks!

[Crashless]

Originally Posted by Matt

The transcoding in the Hauppauge original software has been there for some time an experiences are very mixed (mine were far from good). Have a look at SHS's site for more infos. I'll consider adding transcoding if I can find a very reliable library I can easily to the MVP Client, otherwise not (looks more like not at this time).

What exactly does this entail? I'd love to help hunt stuff down, just let me know what you're looking for.

Edit:
I found a project that might help. It's a transcoding based used in a lot of linux projects including mythtv. Maybe it will give some direction.

http://ffmpeg.sourceforge.net/index.php

[ukmgranger]

Originally Posted by Deadbolt

My screen is nice and bright until I watch a show...than it all gets dark.

Thanks!

Me too.

I have my MVP connected to an LCD screen. I can't get the brightness high enough on the screen to compensate for the lo brightness output from the MVP. I have asked Hauppauge if there is/will be a work around for this, but as yet I have had no reply

I need to control the brightness output from the MVP!!

[hufnagel]

Thought I'd pass along my notes on how I setup my twin MVP clients. I currently run a 2-box setup... one machine called PVR does all the encoding work and temporary/recent file storage. another machine called CUBE stores all the archived programs I have and runs the Sage/MVP clients.

I not only install the MediaMVP stuff from Matt but also a different STV so take that into account. here's the notes...

base install of SageTVClient_V2_2_3BetaSetup.exe into default folder
renamed folder SageTV to MVP_template
unzipped sagetvmvp-1[1].1b6.zip into MVP_template
unzipped CoreFilesR2.zip into MVP_template
unzipped Cayars17.zip into MVP_template
unzipped JavaR1.zip into C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_04\lib\ext
in SageClient.properties changed autoconnect_server_hostname=localhost to pvr

MVP_template copy to SageClient.Properties cayars-menu.xml
MVP1 mvp/mvp=MVP1 <menu title="MVP1 Main Menu">
MVP2 mvp/mvp=MVP2 <menu title="MVP2 Main Menu">


run SageTVClient.exe in MVP1 and MVP2 one at a time to get baseline properties setup and change STV
create batch file to launch each MVP client correctly

--- begin batch file StartMVPClient.cmd ---
@echo off
set MVP="C:\Program Files\Frey Technologies"
set CLASSPATH=MVP_MVP1
start "MVP1" %MVP%\MVP1\SageTVClient.exe -multi

set CLASSPATH=MVP_MVP2
start "MVP2" %MVP%\MVP2\SageTVClient.exe -multi

--- end batch file ---


For me the key was the realization that I SHOULD NOT run the SageClient until after all the needed changes were made and the MVP_template folder was copied to each of the MVP1 and MVP2 folders. if you run SageClient before hand it writes all kinds of hardcoded folder structures into the SageClient.Properties file, resulting in all kinds of crazy weird results when it comes to manipulating settings for each SageMVP client. (aka, tuning the display to each TV.) This is also why I keep the MVP_template separate and do not use it to control the MVPs. That way if I either corrupt an MVPx folder or need to make some base changes (new Cayars revision, etc.) I can manipulate the template.

-- John

[hufnagel]

Is there some setting I can make that'll force a SageClient instance to bind to a specific MVP?

Example: I want MVP1 to bind to the MediaMVP on ip address 192.168.1.101 and MVP2 to to bind to MediaMVP on ip address 192.168.1.102

I have to setup each MVP slightly differently in terms of menu sizing and positioning due to different TVs. Also if I wanted to create a "restricted" instance where certain menu options, TV shows or folders weren't available to certain MVPs. (aka, a kind of parental lockout for the kiddie's MVP)

Thanks!

-- John

[DIBU]

Originally Posted by hufnagel

Is there some setting I can make that'll force a SageClient instance to bind to a specific MVP?

Example: I want MVP1 to bind to the MediaMVP on ip address 192.168.1.101 and MVP2 to to bind to MediaMVP on ip address 192.168.1.102

I have to setup each MVP slightly differently in terms of menu sizing and positioning due to different TVs. Also if I wanted to create a "restricted" instance where certain menu options, TV shows or folders weren't available to certain MVPs. (aka, a kind of parental lockout for the kiddie's MVP)

Thanks!

-- John

is there a way?

[Matt]

Originally Posted by hufnagel

Is there some setting I can make that'll force a SageClient instance to bind to a specific MVP?

Nope, there isn't at this time. But since one of my MVPs now has a new remote and the two others have old ones, I have a motivation to get this supported

For now, just make sure you power up the MVPs in the same order each time you restart the first MVP Client (MVP1, which also manages the the MVP/MVP Client assignments).

-Matt

[Deadbolt]

Any new progress on the MVP Client? Just wondering if Frey bought the code or something for their MVP client. Everything is great feature wise...maybe my host machine (AMD 2500, 1GB RAM) needs upgraded, but it would be great if the MVP client was a snappier.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[JasonJoel]

Nope, Frey is developing their MVP client on their own (they didn't buy Matt's).

It isn't going to get oo snappier... Even the original Hauppauge software is about the same as Matt's client. That is just a result of how it works (rendering the display on the PC then copying the display over to the MVP). Thereis always going to be conversion time and latency.

That is why some other devices like the Pinnacle Showcenter, Roku Photobridge, or the new Buffalo device would be a little better than the Media MVP.

But for now the MVP is the best (and only) standalone client we have, so I'm not complaining.

Jason Bottjen

Originally Posted by Deadbolt

Any new progress on the MVP Client? Just wondering if Frey bought the code or something for their MVP client. Everything is great feature wise...maybe my host machine (AMD 2500, 1GB RAM) needs upgraded, but it would be great if the MVP client was a snappier.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[Deadbolt]

Would a host PC speed increase lead to an MVP client responsiveness increase?

[JasonJoel]

Actually, yes, it CAN.

Depends on how fast your are starting with.

Ultimately there is a limit to how fast it will go. It will never go faster than ~0.5 second update or so on menu moves, etc.

I saw firsthand how upgrading the CPU can make the MVP more responsiveness though. So if you have <2GHz CPU (my cutoff, not a technically derived number), I would say YES a faster CPU would give you somewhat faster response.

Jason Bottjen

Originally Posted by Deadbolt

Would a host PC speed increase lead to an MVP client responsiveness increase?

[dnlmln]

Matt,

You have done amazing work on this client.

I just showed it to my significant other and she gave me a thumbs up to buy one more mvp.

And it work great with SageMC too !!!

Congratulations and keep up the great work.

[NivekNaj]

I run the original MVP server software on a Celeron 400 Mhz machine with 256 ram and it floats between 56 and 65 % cpu load. With this lowly old machine I am able to watch high quality movies and tv shows. With the SageTV service running I float between 75% and 98% depending on menu selections (navigating too quickly pegs the cpu briefly). When the SageTV MVP client begins pushing the mpeg file to the mvp the cpu spikes to 100% which can cause the MVP to reboot and not play the file. I was excited when i first bought my mvp and found that I could use it with my old machine. I was really excited when I discovered that I could use my MVP to coordinate TV recording and watching. I was dissapointed though to find that the SageTV client used drastically more resources than the original MVP software and now my cheapskate ass will have to buy a new machine - unless matt is willing to provide the source so i can see if there is any way to reduce cpu usage. I suspect that Java is the whore stealing my cpu cycles (I am using 1.5). The original mvp services are written in good ole C++...maybe I could look at porting the java code to a lean mean C++ version. Please do not consider my post to display ungratefullness! I am very glad that you worked on this! I am cheap but If I can get this to run on my old machine I will do the paypal thing to Matt!

As a seperate issue... I did make a service that will run any exe when the computer boots (this is better than batch files and seperate login accounts) It works great with Matt's SageTV MVP client. As soon as the machine boots the service runs the client on a "hidden" desktop. If you have several accounts on your 2000/XP box you don't have to login to any account to run the client. It is up immediately! ...now if only the SageTV client didn't eat up my CPU!


Update: I forgot to mention that you need to create a variable under windows environment variables and name it "CLASSPATH" and put "%CLASSPATH%;MVP_MVP1" as its value. Also add the directory where SagetTV.exe is located to your environment variable "Path"

[insomniac]

Matts client is absolutely awesome. I just hope that someone buys him a pinnacle or buffalo box so that he can adapt it to them soon!

Originally Posted by JasonJoel

Nope, Frey is developing their MVP client on their own (they didn't buy Matt's).

It isn't going to get oo snappier... Even the original Hauppauge software is about the same as Matt's client. That is just a result of how it works (rendering the display on the PC then copying the display over to the MVP). Thereis always going to be conversion time and latency.

That is why some other devices like the Pinnacle Showcenter, Roku Photobridge, or the new Buffalo device would be a little better than the Media MVP.

But for now the MVP is the best (and only) standalone client we have, so I'm not complaining.

Jason Bottjen