Greetings,
We are busy working on a brand new (and fully integrated) version of Interactive for Win7 which will add things like padding options, detection of last minute schedule changes, channel mapping and accessibility over Media Center extenders like the Xbox 360 which is due to be released in Q4 this year.
I would be very much interested in any suggestions and/or feature requests which you would like to see in the new version. Send us your wish list! :)
As listed by you:
1. record padding options - I presume these options will enable an over-ride of the pesky MCE default of "5 minutes after - when possible" which does not seem to work properly anyway. Any chance of modifying padding at the front also?
2. detection of last minute schedule changes. I presume this means the scheduling will be more in line with the program data actually sent with the digital stream rather than the supposed schedule to which the commercial channels especially take great delight in ignoring. (Except for the 6pm news and the start of a football match. Bah.)
3. channel mapping. I presume this means greater specificity in channel selection for series recordings. For example, Q&A is broadcast on both ABC1 and ABC News24 but a request for series recording should pick up only one of these broadcats/channels.
4. Accessibility over Media Center Extenders. I don't know what this means.
The first three would be monumentous improvements. I have one more but I don't think it is specific to MCE.
5. When searching for a title, say "MotoGP", there are many instances presented. By choosing any one and requesting a series recording, many instances are then scheduled for recording. This includes Qualifying, 125cc, Moto2 and Main Race as well as broadcasts both on One and Ten. I only want to record Qualifying and Main Race on One but have not been able to achieve that. Perhaps I'm just dumb. The same problem of multiple and unwanted recordings often applies to programs that are broadcast or re-broadcast on ABC1 and ABC2 and ABC News24.
Good luck guys.
popybear,
Your problem can be solved using the "advanced search" feature on the website, you can setup two keyword recordings:
(1) series:MotoGP episode:Qualify repeat:no
(2) series:MotoGP episode:Main repeat: no
Cheers,
:)
Thanks Guru.
I'll give that a try. If you don't hear from me, you'll know I have learned a new trick, thereby being an exception to the old rule - you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
Cheers. ;)
Here's a screenshot of our upcoming Interactive application, showing the main menu within Media Center. We are including some of the features which you'll find on our phone apps, like "My Week", "My Shows", "New Shows", and "Popular".
More screenshots to come.
Cheers
:)
Luke, it looks great.
When are you anticipating a Beta being available?
My bigest issue is the default padding in Media Center. Basically Media Centre is dumb and doesn't realise that you may have free tuners when a program ends on one channel and another starts on a different channel (or even the same one). It ignors the "if possible" option and just cuts the recording.
I manually change all my programs to hard padding (read between the lines, it's a pain in the a#$e) and deal with any conflicts that come up. I'd like the option of setting hard padding via IceTV.
Dave.
Hi Cuddon!
Thanks for your comments.
We are planning to provide a padding solution on the server side. By keeping it server side and sending down the padding options with each recording task we can enhance and evolve the padding strategies on the server according to what our customers want without having to rely on our PVR partners to integrate new functionality each time.
We are aiming at Interactive V4 for Media Center Beta to be released around the end of October / Early November.
Cheers.
Id really like to see a fix for the issues where series recordings that are scheduled through IceTV (website or app) and those scheduled directly within Media Centre end up messing each other up.
I had some bad experiences using Interactive to schedule stuff early on, and I disabled it for over a year. I've just recently re-enabled interactive, and I'm being very careful to only schedule the odd one off recording as I'm scared my series recording will become corrupt.
Quote from: Luke at IceTV on September 23, 2011, 03:54:41 PM
We are planning to provide a padding solution on the server side. By keeping it server side and sending down the padding options with each recording task we can enhance and evolve the padding strategies on the server according to what our customers want without having to rely on our PVR partners to integrate new functionality each time.
In Windows 7 to resolve the issue of Win 7 not using the spare tuner when you have back to back shows on the same channel you need to manually change the first scheduled recording to "stop x minutes after" instead of "stop x minutes after, when possible". This adjustment forces Win 7 to use the second tuner.
I'm wondering if the new version of IceTV can apply this as a default within Media Center when you schedule a recording via the website or app? So for instance, when I log on to the IceTV website to schedule a recording for my Win 7 pvr I am given the option to set a recording to stop 15 minutes after instead of the Media Center default of 15 minutes after when possible.
This would make IceTV perfect for me as now I have to adjust the recording settings within media center manually.
Cheers
Dan
Adding channel logos would be really nice as well. This would eliminate the need to install more software.
Cheers
Dan
Quote from: Luke at IceTV on September 23, 2011, 03:54:41 PM
Hi Cuddon!
Thanks for your comments.
We are planning to provide a padding solution on the server side. By keeping it server side and sending down the padding options with each recording task we can enhance and evolve the padding strategies on the server according to what our customers want without having to rely on our PVR partners to integrate new functionality each time.
We are aiming at Interactive V4 for Media Center Beta to be released around the end of October / Early November.
Cheers.
Hey Luke, how's Interactive V4 going?
Dave.
Interactive V4 currently has the highest development priority, and I have an internal deadline to demo the basic version next week :) Our project schedule has it ready for release before Christmas, along with an exciting new product on which to run it...
Quote from: tvmandan on October 09, 2011, 03:49:02 PM
In Windows 7 to resolve the issue of Win 7 not using the spare tuner when you have back to back shows on the same channel you need to manually change the first scheduled recording to "stop x minutes after" instead of "stop x minutes after, when possible". This adjustment forces Win 7 to use the second tuner.
I'm wondering if the new version of IceTV can apply this as a default within Media Center when you schedule a recording via the website or app? So for instance, when I log on to the IceTV website to schedule a recording for my Win 7 pvr I am given the option to set a recording to stop 15 minutes after instead of the Media Center default of 15 minutes after when possible.
This would make IceTV perfect for me as now I have to adjust the recording settings within media center manually.
Cheers
Dan
This is a massive issue (to me at least) and I don't think many other users realise it's an issue that can be avoided.
We all pad our recordings, issue is oftentimes when you have two shows running back to back the first one will either contain some of the second at the end or the second one will contain some of the first show at the start.
This is annoying as it wastes storage and is open to accidentally losing the start or end of you show when you delete the other show because you've watched it without realising that you should keep it around for the others.
We have four tuners in our system specifically for this issue and with the broadcast EPG its a non-issue. However, since switching to IceTV we've been having this issue ad nausium.
The option for recording the show directly after the other on another tuner must be the default behaviour for IceTV - not the other way around. If there's a tuner for it then use it!
Please IceTV - include this in the new version 4. Your customers are your best source of features and needs.
My 2 cents.
Thanks Dan for pointing this out... I didn't realise how this setting worked before.
Jaans
We're definitely listening..
So what we're looking at is:
- event accurate recordings
- better padding management
- tuner collision avoidance (TCA)
- automatic channel mapping
- integrated UI which is accessible over extenders
- logos (more bling, artwork etc)
- instance recording from phone apps, widgets, etc
and of course, you want iView and movies right? The good news is that all of this is being worked on rightr now and has the utmost priority and we are definitely making progress.
Quote from: Luke at IceTV on November 18, 2011, 10:55:19 PM
We're definitely listening..
So what we're looking at is:
- event accurate recordings
- better padding management
- tuner collision avoidance (TCA)
- automatic channel mapping
- integrated UI which is accessible over extenders
- logos (more bling, artwork etc)
- instance recording from phone apps, widgets, etc
and of course, you want iView and movies right? The good news is that all of this is being worked on rightr now and has the utmost priority and we are definitely making progress.
Luke, that all sounds great and I'm keen to try out a beta and let you know how I go if there's any chance I can get a copy.
Cheers,
Dan
Quote from: Luke at IceTV on November 18, 2011, 10:55:19 PM
We're definitely listening..
So what we're looking at is:
- event accurate recordings
- better padding management
- tuner collision avoidance (TCA)
- automatic channel mapping
- integrated UI which is accessible over extenders
- logos (more bling, artwork etc)
- instance recording from phone apps, widgets, etc
and of course, you want iView and movies right? The good news is that all of this is being worked on rightr now and has the utmost priority and we are definitely making progress.
Thanks Luke... really like the items in the list... can't wait!
Quote from: tvmandan on October 13, 2011, 11:45:23 PM
Adding channel logos would be really nice as well. This would eliminate the need to install more software.
Cheers
Dan
Be careful what you wish for ;)
Looks great Luke.
Will you be looking to enable the inband program updates you had in one of the recent beta's?
I am really looking forward to these updates.
Thanx.
Dave.
Quote from: Luke at IceTV on January 04, 2012, 01:41:26 PM
Quote from: tvmandan on October 13, 2011, 11:45:23 PM
Adding channel logos would be really nice as well. This would eliminate the need to install more software.
Cheers
Dan
Be careful what you wish for ;)
Looks awesome!
BTW, I'm loving the hard-padding in the latest release too!
Quote from: Dave on January 04, 2012, 02:20:03 PM
Looks great Luke.
Will you be looking to enable the inband program updates you had in one of the recent beta's?
I am really looking forward to these updates.
Thanx.
Dave.
Yes, this is coming in the next beta along with logos. We're also getting close to ditching the current UI and switching to V4 / native plugin.
Quote from: Luke at IceTV on January 04, 2012, 02:34:20 PM
Yes, this is coming in the next beta along with logos. We're also getting close to ditching the current UI and switching to V4 / native plugin.
I am really looking forward to the native plugin so I can record programs using IceTV via my Media Centre Extender. This will be a FANTASTIC enhancement. ;D
My new issue with the current interactive is if someone schedules a new program to record using MCE, the padding defaults to 15 minutes
where possible. No matter how much I tell them to use an IceTV interface which now forces the 15 minutes. :P
Bring on V4.
Dave.
Hi Dave,
I considered that option and wondered how many people would need it. I can make it happen in the next beta, so that local recordings too will pick up the default hard padding setting. If you decide to manually override the padding for that recording later within MCE, that will be OK too - we wouldn't keep changing it after the first time we adjust it.
Cheers,
Luke
Quote from: Dave on January 04, 2012, 03:02:21 PM
My new issue with the current interactive is if someone schedules a new program to record using MCE, the padding defaults to 15 minutes where possible. No matter how much I tell them to use an IceTV interface which now forces the 15 minutes. :P
It's a shame that Microsoft haven't incorporated this option in to MC7 themselves!
I know........it's asking a lot. :P
BTW, how many tuners do we really need these days?
Quote from: Luke at IceTV on January 04, 2012, 03:58:27 PM
BTW, how many tuners do we really need these days?
At least 4. ;)
Quote from: Luke at IceTV on January 04, 2012, 03:34:00 PM
I considered that option and wondered how many people would need it. I can make it happen in the next beta, so that local recordings too will pick up the default hard padding setting. If you decide to manually override the padding for that recording later within MCE, that will be OK too - we wouldn't keep changing it after the first time we adjust it.
I'm one that would prefer to keep the soft padding in MCE for local recordings. That way I can use IceTV to do my normal recording and hard padding (which is great now by the way), and use MCE for other default recording. Hence, maybe you can make it a tick box in settings as to which type of behavior a user prefers?
Other Requests:- per channel padding settings? To deal with some of the wayward channels. Or instead of totally autonomous padding settings for each channel, maybe to make it easier to handle in Interactive, give us 2 lots of manual padding settings ("Manual Padding 1", Manual Padding 2", "No Padding - Use MCE defaults") and allow us to allocate which channels should use padding 1 and which 2. That way I could have one padding setting of 5 minutes of hard padding for the "good" channels using "padding 1" and 15 or more minutes for the bad ones using "padding 2".
- Determine/set default "Keep Until" behaviour for each of my shows, eg keep until space needed, until watched, until a certain date, or until deleted. (not a high priority, but nice to have when I again start to run of HDD space!)
- Priority of a show (I saw this discussed in another thread somewhere on this Forum). I don't need a 1 to 100 priority. 1 to 5 would do me, but I guess it hardly matters from a programming perspective. But the priority would be used in case there are insufficient tuners available to decide which show will not be recorded. Although I have 4 tuners, sometimes I'd like to record "less important" shows if there are spare tuners. I would set these shows to a low priority.
- There was also a suggestion in another thread to utilise the MCE functionality for series recordings. This is NOT something that I see of any use for me. I'm happy as is. So I guess that is a feature non-request ;D
Quote from: Dave on January 04, 2012, 04:04:25 PM
Quote from: Luke at IceTV on January 04, 2012, 03:58:27 PM
BTW, how many tuners do we really need these days?
At least 4. ;)
I agree, at least 4, but 5 would be "nice" :D
Regards
Wolfgang
Quote from: Mozi on January 04, 2012, 04:14:49 PM
I'm one that would prefer to keep the soft padding in MCE for local recordings. That way I can use IceTV to do my normal recording and hard padding (which is great now by the way), and use MCE for other default recording. Hence, maybe you can make it a tick box in settings as to which type of behavior a user prefers?
Regards
Wolfgang
Wolfgang.
I believe that the new feature for V4 is that Interactive will be integrated with MCE. Currently my wife and kids record programs by selecting them on the program listing in MCE and they therefore inherit the MCE default soft padding. I suggest using Interactive on the web or iPhone, but that seems to be a bit too hard for them (ie they tend to be lazy ::) ). I assume that the new V4 iInteractive will assist greatly seeing it's integrated with MCE. Therefore, they just use the same remote to schedule the show or the series and IceTV takes care of the rest.
Perfect solution from my perspective. ;D
Dave.
Thank you Dave,
I guess I am not totally clear of what it means to have IceTV Interactive integrated with MCE. So some of my suggestions may therefore be superfluous ... but I'll leave that to the experts to work out :)
Regards
Wolfgang
Quote from: Luke at IceTV on January 04, 2012, 02:34:20 PM
Yes, this is coming in the next beta along with logos. We're also getting close to ditching the current UI and switching to V4 / native plugin.
Do you need anymore beta testers? - Happy to give it a go on one of my Win7 Media Centers with XBOX 360 extender
I've got three IceTV devices - 2 Win7 and 1 Wiz so happy to give one of the Win7's a go with it
I just really want to shock the wife when she sees the Channel logos ;D
Quote from: bodogbodog on January 09, 2012, 02:26:13 PM
Quote from: Luke at IceTV on January 04, 2012, 02:34:20 PM
Yes, this is coming in the next beta along with logos. We're also getting close to ditching the current UI and switching to V4 / native plugin.
Do you need anymore beta testers? - Happy to give it a go on one of my Win7 Media Centers with XBOX 360 extender
I've got three IceTV devices - 2 Win7 and 1 Wiz so happy to give one of the Win7's a go with it
I just really want to shock the wife when she sees the Channel logos ;D
Absolutely, I'll add you to the list.
Cheers. :)
;D Thanks - standng by ;D
Quote from: Luke at IceTV on January 09, 2012, 05:58:03 PM
Quote from: bodogbodog on January 09, 2012, 02:26:13 PM
Quote from: Luke at IceTV on January 04, 2012, 02:34:20 PM
Yes, this is coming in the next beta along with logos. We're also getting close to ditching the current UI and switching to V4 / native plugin.
Do you need anymore beta testers? - Happy to give it a go on one of my Win7 Media Centers with XBOX 360 extender
I've got three IceTV devices - 2 Win7 and 1 Wiz so happy to give one of the Win7's a go with it
I just really want to shock the wife when she sees the Channel logos ;D
Absolutely, I'll add you to the list.
Cheers. :)
I may as well ask to be a beta tester as well as I have a spare machine to test on.
Kevin
Quote from: zoszos68 on January 09, 2012, 09:24:39 PM
Quote from: Luke at IceTV on January 09, 2012, 05:58:03 PM
Quote from: bodogbodog on January 09, 2012, 02:26:13 PM
Quote from: Luke at IceTV on January 04, 2012, 02:34:20 PM
Yes, this is coming in the next beta along with logos. We're also getting close to ditching the current UI and switching to V4 / native plugin.
Do you need anymore beta testers? - Happy to give it a go on one of my Win7 Media Centers with XBOX 360 extender
I've got three IceTV devices - 2 Win7 and 1 Wiz so happy to give one of the Win7's a go with it
I just really want to shock the wife when she sees the Channel logos ;D
Absolutely, I'll add you to the list.
Cheers. :)
I may as well ask to be a beta tester as well as I have a spare machine to test on.
Kevin
Awesome, welcome to the Beta testers group :)
Can't remember if I expressed my interest in trying the beta of v4 but if I didn't I am now. :)
Don't forget me either for the v4 Beta.
;D
Dan & Dave you are both on the 'special' list :)
I should be rolling out Logos and automatic channel mapping in the next couple of days.
Wow it really saves time having the channels automatically mapped.
Quote from: Luke at IceTV on January 11, 2012, 01:53:03 PM
I should be rolling out Logos and automatic channel mapping in the next couple of days.
Wow it really saves time having the channels automatically mapped.
Can't wait. :D
Hi Guys,
Here's the latest Win7 Interactive 3.0.0.26 Beta download link.
http://files.icetv.com.au/Win7 Interactive Beta/IceTV Interactive (Win7) 3.0.0.26.exe (http://files.icetv.com.au/Win7InteractiveBeta/IceTVInteractive(Win7)3.0.0.26.exe)
Changes in version 3.0.0.26 Beta:
- Automatic channel mapping
- Channel Logos
- Better handling of network outages
- Improvements to the installer
Feedback is much appreciated.
Luke
Luke,
I've installed OK but I don't get the logo's. I assume they should be in the guide screen.
I've tied turning the option off and on and running another sync. Do I need to restart, as I have somethig recording at the moment.
What have I done wrong? Are there other settings I need to change?
Dave.
Quote from: Luke at IceTV on January 17, 2012, 09:42:05 PM
Here's the latest Win7 Interactive 3.0.0.26 Beta download link.
Luke
A bit of guidance for someone who is new to the beta programme - do I need to uninstall the previous version before installing this one or will the install process detect it and manage the change?
Hi bodogbodog,
You should ensure that the current version is not running, then install this version. It will replace any previous version.
Cheers,
Luke
Quote from: Dave on January 18, 2012, 12:17:53 AM
Luke,
I've installed OK but I don't get the logo's. I assume they should be in the guide screen.
I've tied turning the option off and on and running another sync. Do I need to restart, as I have somethig recording at the moment.
What have I done wrong? Are there other settings I need to change?
Dave.
Luke,
I've restarted and still have the same issue.
Dave.
Hi Dave,
No only exiting the EPG and returning to it is all that is required.
Did you press 'Apply" button after toggling the option?
Dave,
I can see from our web server log that Interactive is asking for the logos.
Let me do some investigation.
Do you have any other Media Center plugins installed? like My channel logos?
Cheers,
Luke
Quote from: Luke at IceTV on January 18, 2012, 09:08:11 AM
Dave,
I can see from our web server log that Interactive is asking for the logos.
Let me do some investigation.
Do you have any other Media Center plugins installed? like My channel logos?
Cheers,
Luke
No I don't have any other plugins, but I do run an extender if that's of any relevance.
I have applied the settings, restarted the PC and forced a sync. No difference.
I have confirmed the version is the 26 release.
Also, I can see interactive mapping the channels, but it seems to miss quite a few like 7TWO.
Dave.
Dave,
They are coming through on our Xbox 360 extender, so I don't think that is the problem.
Luke
Luke,
Let me know if there are any logs you need.
Has anything come from the investigations of the logs at your end?
Dave.
Also, am I the only one having issues?
Hi Dave,
You are not alone.. some channels did not map correctly on other installations. For the channels which do not map properly, the logos will not be visible.
If you can send your logfile c:\ProgramData\IceTV\Interactive\3.0\ice.log and epg.mxf from the same directory that would be great.
Cheers,
Luke
Luke,
I don't have much time for testing at the moment, but V26 installed fine and downloaded/displays most of the channel logos fine.
I seem to have two channels that show up "twice" each in the MC guide, one without a logo and no EPG data and one with a logo and data, eg:
7 - SCTV Darwin - "No data available"
7 - "7 logo" - data showing ok
90 - GEM - "No data available"
90 - "GEM logo" - data showing ok
and then I have this:
99 - "GO! logo" - data showing ok
99 - "GO! logo" - data showing ok
I haven't yet checked if I need to disable anything or how that affects the IceTV scheduling from the web page.
Cheers
Wolfgang
Just loaded up beta .26
Seems good in terms of mapping channels
I have logos for everything except any of the ABC or SBS channels (and TV4ME)
Ive checked in MCE and the channels for the ABC and SBS channels are the -ICETV versions according ot MCE Setup
Should I be expecting logos for those channels - can you check and see what your ends showing or let me know what log gile I should send you and to what address?
Guide data is there for all of the channels (Sydney Metro location)
Will review what others have found and see if I can replicate any of it
Hi bodogbodog,
You should be seeing logos, but it looks like a channel caching issue. Media Center keeps multiple versions around for a while... I'm working on it :) A few people have reported this issue, including our MD. All good, this is what Beta testing is all about.
As you can see in my screenshot, ABC logos are available.
Cheers,
Luke
Luke - thanks
Let me know if you want me to do anything at my end to try to resolve the missing logos
Happy to try (almost) anything ;D
You could try "Setup TV Signal" in Media Center again, which would rescan your channels and rebuild the master lineup. Once done, a full sync on Interactive will grab the full guide..
Hi Running 3.026 beta and almost all is good.
Have the wrong logo for C31 Melbourne. I have the Brisbane logo.
I was thinking maybe it is just this way for the beta or is there another reason.
Also an idea would be for the user to be able to add logos for channels not in your guide in my case tv4me, ABC dig radio and ABC jazz radio.
The last bit is so the guide looks a little neater (yes I,m a little fussy) but can live without it (or i might find where the logos are stored and change them myself).
Either way good job and looking forward to v4 intergration in Media Center.
Kevin
Luke,
Any word on the latest version of the Win7 Interactive 3.0.0.26 Beta?
Dave.
There's been a small delay this week due to many projects happening at once.. A new version should be available next week.
Cheers,
Luke
Hi there,
IceTV Interactive version 3.0.0.27 beta is available for download from http://files.icetv.com.au/Win7 Interactive Beta/IceTV Interactive (Win7) 3.0.0.27.exe (http://files.icetv.com.au/Win7InteractiveBeta/IceTVInteractive(Win7)3.0.0.27.exe)
Changes to this version are:
- improved channel mapping
- improved uninstaller
I am interested in feedback concerning channel logos, automatic channel mapping, whether uninstall removes all traces of the application and whether the startup options work for everyone.
V4 beta is approximately one week away...
Cheers,
Luke
Luke,
3.0.0.27 installed OK and there were no issues.
However, the new Interactive still didn't overcome the caching issue in Media Centre with the Logo's.
After the install, I rescanned the channels and ran a sync in Interactive.
It worked flawlessly. I now have logo's on nearly all channels (except TV4ME - but who cares).
Well done.
Dave.
PS. Looking forward to Interactive v4.... ;)
Great news! Thanks! :D
Installed 3.0.27 and all ok except the wrong logo for c31 Melbourne.
But the logo says 31 (it's the Brisbane logo) so at least I know what channel it is.
But would be nice to have the Melbourne logo (the newer one not the older one they changed just after they went digital).
So looking forward to v4.
Kevin
Ahh yes, that should be right within the next 15 mins... (next sync)
Hi guys,
Installed 3.0.0.27 on a machine in the ACT. Got the following results:
Channels Correctly Configured for ICETV Guide with Icons
ABC1
SBS ONE
SC10 Canberra
ABC3
ABC News 24
SBS HD
SBS TWO
Eleven
No configuration with Guide or Icons (the channel numbers on the web site for the ACT have been wrong forever, but previously manually configured it all anyway so was not bothered)
Win Canberra ( 8 )
ABC2/ABC4 (22)
One Canberra (50)
GEM Canberra (80)
GO! Canberra (88)
PRIME7 Canberra (202)
7TWO Canberra (205)
7mate Canberra (206)
Once manually configured icons and guide data are both correct.
Regards
Quote from: Luke at IceTV on January 21, 2012, 10:22:33 AM
You could try "Setup TV Signal" in Media Center again, which would rescan your channels and rebuild the master lineup. Once done, a full sync on Interactive will grab the full guide..
Thanks - I moved to the 3.0.27 beta - that didn't fix it but a full rescan of channels did - so all worknig well for me now
Keep it coming
Hi Luke
Well done with the latest updates. It's nice to see these improvements coming along.
It's the silly season for TV shows at the moment and as such many shows that we record are showing back to back. How are we doing with a solution to this (http://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/index.php?topic=3100.msg15523#msg15523) to either specify which show goes to which tuner, or to avoid these back to back shows using the same tuner?
Ps: Is this what you mean with "Tuner Collision Avoidance" - if not what's that?
Thanks,
Jaans
Quote from: Jaans on February 13, 2012, 10:53:50 AM
It's the silly season for TV shows at the moment and as such many shows that we record are showing back to back. How are we doing with a solution to this (http://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/index.php?topic=3100.msg15523#msg15523) to either specify which show goes to which tuner, or to avoid these back to back shows using the same tuner?
Setting some hard post-padding should really do this, but I can add an option to reassign recordings that are back-to-back to a different tuner. I'll take a look once Interactive V4 beta1 is available.
Quote from: Jaans on February 13, 2012, 10:53:50 AM
Ps: Is this what you mean with "Tuner Collision Avoidance" - if not what's that?
Not really, TCA is more related to preventing conflicts in the first place by finding an alternative airing of the show.
Luke
Can you have a look at this thread - http://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/index.php?topic=3252.0;topicseen
Would the fact that I am seeing guide data for TV4ME channel have anything to do with me running the beta version?
Just wondering...
I just looked at my latest guide data
From now until 11am on Thursday 16 February its showing "No Data Available." then programme data until 5pm on Saturday 18 February then back to "No Data Available."
It must be picking it up from inband data
It really doesnt matter to me as I am very unlikely to want to record infomercials - but like all things technology its a case of wanting to get to the bottom of it!
Quote from: Luke at IceTV on February 13, 2012, 01:44:15 PM
Setting some hard post-padding should really do this, but I can add an option to reassign recordings that are back-to-back to a different tuner. I'll take a look once Interactive V4 beta1 is available.
I'm not sure I follow. What do you mean by "hard post-padding" and how will that ensure that content of the two back to back shows aren't on the other one's recording.
As far as I can tell, the only way to solve the problem, is indeed to use another tuner to ensure that a given recording isn't missing part of it's intended content because that part content is actually recorded on the show immediately following. That's how Media Centre did it when we recorded shows before moving over to IceTV
If another tuner is used in alternate fashion when shows are back to back, it will allow for the first show to be recorded in it's entirety (and may or may not include some of the next show - but that's irrelevant). What is significant is that the second recording will contain some of the first show overlapping a bit with the first recording (but that's possible because each used different tuners), but most importantly is will contain everything from the second show.
The reason this is so important is because I cannot delete some shows already watched because it contains parts of another show not yet watched. Furthermore, you need to figure out (or remember) which already watched show contains the "missing" content, and it often happens that someone in the family doesn't realise that the content at the end of their show is meant for someone else's show and then deletes it. Another reason is all these shows that cannot be deleted yet, eventhough they are watched, is eating up all the space.
I'd be more than happy to be a beta tester gunea pig for this, especially if it means I can salvage our situation with all the new shows starting.
Thanks again,
Jaans
The idea is that hard padding at the end of the first show should force the second show to be recorded on another tuner.
I would be interested to hear if the hard padding options in Interactive have allowed for this in the current version.
Jaans,
The hard padding can force your recording to have x minutes before the scheduled time and x minutes after. This ensures that the recording includes the start and end of your program. It does however mean that back to back recordings will use two different tuners in your machine. So you need to have the extras available. I run 4 tunners in mine and set hard padding for 5 minutes before and 15 minutes after. This guarantees that I get the beginning and end of all programs.
Luke,
This functionality is a Godsend. It really does solve all the issues we used to have. I do get the odd conflict where I run out of tuners, but I manage that manually in Media Centre on the rare occasion it happens.
Dave.
@Luke: Ah... I see what you are saying :o
Just to make sure I set the right padding option. Should I be enabling the "Manual Padding" options on the "Recordings" tab of IceTV interactive (3.0.0.25 is the version I have)? Or is this set elsewhere?
Are the padding options set in Media Centre considered "soft" padding? Also, are these then ignored / overwritten?
@Dave: Your post just came in as I was typing. That's exactly what I want... are you using 3.0.0.25 for that?
Jaans,
I'm not sure if 3.0.0.25 has the hard pading option, but 3.0.0.27 beta certainly does. It also adds station logos to your program guide.
Luke had previously advise that the latest beta was at http://files.icetv.com.au/Win7%20Interactive%20Beta/IceTV%20Interactive%20(Win7)%203.0.0.27.exe (http://files.icetv.com.au/Win7%20Interactive%20Beta/IceTV%20Interactive%20(Win7)%203.0.0.27.exe)
Give it a go and see how it works. I haven't seen any adverse feedback on this beta.
Dave.
Thanks Dave - are you using the "Manual Padding" options on the "Recordings" tab of IceTV interactive to do this?
Jaans,
That sounds about right. There are two options (I just don't have them in front of me here at work) the first for pre-padding and the other for post-padding. I think the options are something like "Media Centre Defaults" or "Hard Padding". The Hard Padding options will force the recording to include the padding and not the Media Centre normal "x minutes if possible".
It works a treat if you have sufficent tuners.
Dave.
Thanks Dave... I just installed the beta.
I did notice that the Log tab now shows a .NET "Exception System.NullReferenceException - Object reference not set to an instance of an object" error during "sync" operation.
It appears as if the other bits still work (ie. show scheduling tasks), perhaps Luke knows more as to whether this is a serious enough issue to consider rolling back.
Jaans,
Are you getting that error message consistently with each sync operation?
I've just checked again, since checking the first few syncs after the initial install and yes I still do.
Here's the latest last few log entries after clicking on "sync":
15/02/2012 9:18:34 PM Info Loading EPG data..
15/02/2012 9:18:34 PM Warn Exception System.NullReferenceException - Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
15/02/2012 9:18:35 PM Info Uploaded 2 tasksI've also noticed a few more exceptions popping up between yesterday and now:
- Warn Exception System.InvalidOperationException - You cannot map a UserHidden channel. (this one happens regularly)
- Warn Exception System.InvalidOperationException - Collection was modified; enumeration operation may not execute (only a few times)
After thinking a bit I suspect the UserHidden channel exception may be because I have 31 SBS Digital enabled on the IceTV web site for my account, but in Media Center I don't show it. I'll remove it from the IceTV website and see if it goes away.
Hope that helps...
I will release a new build (3.0.0.28) tomorrow afternooon. It contains a number of small fixes.
V4 is still a little delayed but we have our project meeting tomorrow and will be in a position to comment on a firm beta-release date afterwards. I suspect that 3.0.0.28 will be the final v3 release.
All going well so far - haven't spotted anything in the current version so it will be interesting to see what it "fixes"
Thanks
Quote from: bodogbodog on February 16, 2012, 09:59:38 PM
All going well so far - haven't spotted anything in the current version so it will be interesting to see what it "fixes"
Thanks
- The sync option wasn't being saved, although most people (99.9999999%) would have this option on.
- Channel mapping wasn't 100%
It would appear that the NullReferenceException error I reported earlier results in the EPG data not being downloaded / applied. I can confirm that this still happens with the latest v3.0.0.28 also. :(
Took a while to realise this, because I already had a weeks worth of EPG data before I installed the versions 3.0.0.27 / 3.0.0.28 and only after this time had gone by did I notice "No Data Available" and also how it correlates with the "position" of the exception in the log (i.e. after "Loading EPG data..")
I tried a couple of things to resolve the issue but none of these worked:
- WMC Reindex
- WMC Recover Task
- Re-setup all channels from scratch
- Uninstall, clear all files from [ProgramData] for IceTV
- etc.
The only resolution was to rollback to 3.0.0.25 which promptly downloaded and applied the EPG data without throwing the exception.
Hope that helps,
Jaan
Hi Jaans,
3.0.0.29 is out now and should resolve your issue.
Please accept our apologies for the error.
Kind Regards,
Luke
Thanks 8) ... I'll give it a try and let you know.
Hi Luke
It looks like the exception relating to the EPG not loading has gone and the EPG now loads.
However, I'm getting the following Exception as soons as the "EPG loaded successfully" appears.
21/02/2012 3:25:22 PM Warn Exception System.InvalidOperationException - You cannot map a UserHidden channel.
Jaans
Right, this build will plug that issue too -
IceTV Interactive Beta 3.0.0.30 (http://files.icetv.com.au/Win7%20Interactive%20Beta/IceTV%20Interactive%20(Win7)%203.0.0.30.exe)
Thanks Luke
Just installed it and it looks like the exception is no longer appearing.
Jaans
hmmmm
Installed IceTV Interactive Beta 3.0.0.29 - lost most of my channel logos
Installed IceTV Interactive Beta 3.0.0.30 - still missing the channel logos
Will try another rescan tomorrow when I have time
Bit of a PITA having to rescan - hope others don't have to go through that...
Yes, mine have too, just now.
I've checked the EPG data, and the image URLs are definitely still being provided.
Looks like some other issue... will let you know.
Quote from: Luke at IceTV on February 22, 2012, 12:16:59 AM
Looks like some other issue... will let you know.
Any thoughts on a fix?
Looks like it got introduced with .29 version
A new Beta is available here: http://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/index.php?topic=3297.15
On interactive can we set the number of tuners so that if using Phone or Website we get warnings of conflicts?
Most people find Hard Padding has to be a minimum of 10 minutes, if set to 5 minutes hard padding setting just goes to soft padding in Media Center. Have you been able to address that?
I would also like padding per channel. I have 4 tuners and 15 min hard padding is needed for many movies but on the ABC you only need 2 minutes. The less padding the quicker tuners get freed up. It is surprisingly easy to chew up 4 tuners once a week with aggressive hard padding. If Microsoft recorded the full transport stream you could have padding back to back programs on one tuner for say ABC and only need one tuner, I think two tuners would then cover my needs. I see other applications that do this but no where as easy as Windows Media Center to use.
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