HDPVR 1.5.6.2 Driver in HD PVR support package for Windows Media Center

[jorton]

I noticed that there was a new WMC driver package for the HDPVR, the driver included in the zip is 1.5.6.2.

http://hauppauge.lightpath.net/softw...beta-28145.zip

Here is a link to the release notes,

http://www.hauppauge.com/site/suppor...dia_center.pdf

Looks like Win7 is req.

Anyone try the new driver with Sagetv?

My three HDPVR setup has been stable for a week on 7.0.10 beta so it may be time to try to break it

[viperdiablo]

This is good news for wmc7 users. However beta version only allows 1 hd pvr at this time.

[sic0048]

Originally Posted by viperdiablo

This is good news for wmc7 users. However beta version only allows 1 hd pvr at this time.

While that is true, it shouldn't effect Sage users. It seems that the software that allows WMC7 (the actual media center software) to see the HD-PVR is what it limited to 1 device during the beta.

[jorton]

I bit the bullet last night and updated the drivers on my three HDPVR's using the 1.5.6.2 driver and ran it through it's paces. All units are functioning and I haven't had any lockups. Forced all three to record at the same time and had no issues, so you are correct that the driver is not limited to one unit only the WMC7 software piece.

[ewelin]

Originally Posted by jorton

I bit the bullet last night and updated the drivers on my three HDPVR's using the 1.5.6.2 driver and ran it through it's paces. All units are functioning and I haven't had any lockups. Forced all three to record at the same time and had no issues, so you are correct that the driver is not limited to one unit only the WMC7 software piece.

How was your stability prior to the driver update?

[jorton]

Since I have been using the latest beta (about a week) I haven't had any lockups. Before that about once a week I had to stop the sagetv service and reset the power on the HDPVR's manually. So at this point I have to wait another week to see.

PS - I currently use two PCIe USB 3.0 NEC addin cards to connect to my three E1 HDPVR's (I know they are only 2.0 devices but I wanted to try them cause I got a good deal on them). I did notice that one thing that seems to really help me is installing the Intel chipset driver and not using the default Windows ones. I also reset the HDPVR's each night by stoping the sagetv service at 3AM (net stop, windows scheduler), power cycle the HDPVR's with cheap power strip with built in timer set to 3:05am (home depot), and restart the service (net start, windows scheduler) at 3:10. This seems to have helped with stability but like I said I still get the odd lock up and I'm starting to think it's maybe just the cable company reseting the motorola boxes or just having problems with digital audio stability... I have to blame someone

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by jorton

I did notice that one thing that seems to really help me is installing the Intel chipset driver and not using the default Windows ones.

Why wouldn't you install the Intel chipset drivers?

[jorton]

When I rebuilt my server I forgot to install the latest "Intel" drivers and had some stability issues until I installed them. I noticed that the HDPVR didn't respond so well with the default MS drivers and once I installed the actual Intel drivers things have been more consistant etc... More just just a general comment to suggest making sure you have the latest NEC and Intel chipset drivers installed for the best luck with the HDPVR.

Cheers,

Jeremy

[joe123]

Dumb question. Is this driver ok for us on Win XP 32bit systems?

[SHS]

Originally Posted by joe123

Dumb question. Is this driver ok for us on Win XP 32bit systems?

Yes ok to use on XP as well

[joe123]

Originally Posted by SHS

Yes ok to use on XP as well

Cool. So how do I install it?

My older drivers, there is a "HcwDriverInstall" that I click and it installs the drivers. I don't see any install scripts in that folder fow Win XP Pro 32bit.

[Rico66]

Originally Posted by joe123

Cool. So how do I install it?

My older drivers, there is a "HcwDriverInstall" that I click and it installs the drivers. I don't see any install scripts in that folder fow Win XP Pro 32bit.

The release notes contain a detailed walkthrough. Just perform the part related to driver installation. And yes, it is intended for win7, but xp is not that different with regards to manual driver installation (if I remember correctly)

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by Rico66

The release notes contain a detailed walkthrough. Just perform the part related to driver installation. And yes, it is intended for win7, but xp is not that different with regards to manual driver installation (if I remember correctly)

The problem is that the HDPVR's firmware doesn't get updated with a manual driver install. Only when you install with Hauppauge's installer does this happen.

[Rico66]

Originally Posted by Taddeusz

The problem is that the HDPVR's firmware doesn't get updated with a manual driver install. Only when you install with Hauppauge's installer does this happen.

Why is that a problem? Maybe there's no firmware update included for this update. The release notes clearly describe the manual update and don't mention anything else.

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by Rico66

Why is that a problem? Maybe there's no firmware update included for this update. The release notes clearly describe the manual update and don't mention anything else.

True, but comparing the two drivers shows that the .rom file has a newer date and is slightly larger. I've been told specifically that the only way to update the HDPVR's firmware is through Hauppauge's installer. Why do they include a .rom file if it won't update the device?

[SHS]

Originally Posted by Taddeusz

True, but comparing the two drivers shows that the .rom file has a newer date and is slightly larger. I've been told specifically that the only way to update the HDPVR's firmware is through Hauppauge's installer. Why do they include a .rom file if it won't update the device?

Just Reboot problem fix

[jerryt]

Originally Posted by joe123

Cool. So how do I install it?

My older drivers, there is a "HcwDriverInstall" that I click and it installs the drivers. I don't see any install scripts in that folder fow Win XP Pro 32bit.

I read somewhere that you could extract the drivers and use 1.5.6.1's HcwDriverInstall.exe with the 1.5.6.2 drivers.

[ewelin]

yes, i used that method and it worked well for me. I posted the details someplace, but basically you grab the driver folder from the 1.5.6.2 download and save them to your pc. Then open up the 1.5.6.1 drivers and inside the driver you can grab the HcwDriverInstall.exe file and place it in the 1.5.6.2 driver folder. Then simply run it and you're good to go.

[joe123]

Ok, this works too:

I placed a copy of HcwDriverInstall.exe in the new folder where the drivers are at, ran it and it installed the 1.5.6.2 drivers.

I got several lock ups In less than 1 hour. Un-install drivers, SageTV, re-install drivers then SageTV and I get lock-ups in less than an hour

I am now trying the 1.5.6.1 drivers to see if it helps. Originally, the 1.5.6.1 drivers also caused lock-ups, but that was on my OLD PVR. On my new PVR, I never tried 1.5.6.1. So let's see how that goes.

[joe123]

An update that 1.5.6.2 drivers did not work for me. Had multiple lock-ups in less than 1 hour.

I am currently testing 1.5.6.1 WHQL and so far so good.