MVP Client 1.3.0 (2005/08/16)

[jelder]

Stacy,

I think this might be a similar issue to what I am seeing. Do you have one MVP or two. For me, it seems when I have both MVP's connected, one of them will not allow me to change channels, it gets stuck on the highest channel available. When I try to change channel it will show the new channel info on the OSD but the picture is still the same channel. The other MVP client will allow me to change channels. Which server and client version are you using, I am on 2.1.9 for both.

Matt, in your readme file you say to load the SageClient version 2.1.8. Maybe that is my problem. Have you tested the 2.1.9 client.

SHS, which version of the server/client are you using? Have you seen any problems with live TV on either client? If you have 2 tuners, and 2 MVP's can you try to watch live TV on both at the same time and see what behavior you get.

Thanks for your help.

Jim

[Matt]

Originally Posted by srothwell

Hi!

Thanks SO much for the MVP client! The WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) has gone through the roof!

Cool

Originally Posted by srothwell

I have two issues at the moment:

1. The video coming out of the MVP is overscanned, quite a bit. Looking at typical CBS show the right-half of the eyeball logo in the lower-third is cut off horizontally. I tried setting both the overscan properties (which only do the menus) and the aspect ratio properties, but it still cuts off a lot of the picture.

I see this too, I but I'm not sure if it's allways or just sometimes. Is it always for all channels for you?

Originally Posted by srothwell

2. I'm having problems with Live TV and tuners not being "let go." If you go to the Live TV guide and select a show to watch, it will grab the tuner. If you simply hit menu again, go the live TV guide then select another show, it will continue recording the last show and use the second tuner to record the new one. You'll soon get the (-8) error becuase you didn't authorize a conflict resolution (!). Am I doing something wrong? Is the MVP client just more fussy?

Originally Posted by jelder

Stacy,

I think this might be a similar issue to what I am seeing. Do you have one MVP or two. For me, it seems when I have both MVP's connected, one of them will not allow me to change channels, it gets stuck on the highest channel available. When I try to change channel it will show the new channel info on the OSD but the picture is still the same channel. The other MVP client will allow me to change channels. Which server and client version are you using, I am on 2.1.9 for both.

Matt, in your readme file you say to load the SageClient version 2.1.8. Maybe that is my problem. Have you tested the 2.1.9 client.

SHS, which version of the server/client are you using? Have you seen any problems with live TV on either client? If you have 2 tuners, and 2 MVP's can you try to watch live TV on both at the same time and see what behavior you get.

Thanks for your help.

Jim

I actually say 2.1.8 and 2.1.9 in the same file 2.1.9 is correct. The MVP Client will not work right with 2.1.8.

I don't have 2 MVPs but with 1 MVP Client and two normal Clients I was not able to reproduce this.

-Matt

[SHS]

server/client 2.1.9
Depent on what problem are you ref to jelder
Is it Audio or Video?.

[jelder]

Thanks for the quick responses. I am running Sage TV as a service, and then running 2 clients on the same machine to support 2 MVP clients. I am launching the clients from 2 folders that are separate from the main SageTV folder as detailed in the SHS posting. It seems to me that the clients are somehow conflicting with themselves while communicating to the server. The other possibility is that both MVP clients are somehow trying to attach to the same SageClient, not likely as all other functionality besides LiveTV works fine. Is there some way to attach to a specific instance, i.e. maybe add the MAC address of the specific MVP into the properties file. Just a thought.

I am going to try a clean install tonight to see if I can narrow down the problem. At this point it is totally reproducible.

Thanks again for the great software.

[rjsimmons]

I have not set this up yet, but am looking forward to it! I currently have an MVP in the bedroom and want to use the Sage MVP client to improve the functionality.

I have a quick question, though. Since the MVP needs to be on the same switch/router as the PC where the video files are located, will the use of the Sage MVP client allow the MVP to work with a PC that is NOT on the same segement of the network? I would like to move the Sage Server to another part of the house and this would not be possible with my current wiring for the network (I do not want to use wireless).

Ron

[srothwell]

Did some messing around last night to verify the overscan problem:

It appears that it's not really overscanned, becuase that would also make it vertically wrong.

It's horizontally stretched and I think I know why......

Standard Definition TV does not use square pixels. The pixels on SD-TV are 0.9:1. That's why looking at regualr SgaeTV (not trhough MVP) if you select aspect ratio of Source, you'll get slightly fat people on regular TV and selecting 4x3 will get the people's shapes back correctly.

It appears that the MVP client is always using the normal 720x486 pixels. In this case, if 720 pixels are being interpreted by MVP as square then the picture will be too wide. If MVP is not centering the picture, but merely starting it on the left, then that would explain why the picture is stretched horizontally, correct on the left but off-screen on the right.

So, are there any magic ways to adjust the aspect ratio for MVP? Certainly, I tried adjusting with Sage to no avail.

Now, I will say that using the MVP with Hauppauge software (yuk), that this exact same thing would happen SOMETIMES. There was no rhyme or reason to it. One day, watching a show would look correct, the next day the aspect ratio was screwed up. The problem seemed to go away installing new software. I have tried a cold-boot (unplug) with the Sage MVP Client, but it's still streched.

Stacy

[Jason]

Originally Posted by rjsimmons

I have not set this up yet, but am looking forward to it! I currently have an MVP in the bedroom and want to use the Sage MVP client to improve the functionality.

I have a quick question, though. Since the MVP needs to be on the same switch/router as the PC where the video files are located, will the use of the Sage MVP client allow the MVP to work with a PC that is NOT on the same segement of the network? I would like to move the Sage Server to another part of the house and this would not be possible with my current wiring for the network (I do not want to use wireless).

Ron

Nope... The connectivity of the MVP is not improved nor degraded by the use of the Client. If you could not see/use the MVP with the original Software from Hauppauge, then the Client won;t see/use it either...

-Jason

[srothwell]

One more thing.....

Like many others I am running Server on my HTPC, which is in the living room. With the advent of MVP Client, I have now installed Sage Client as well on the same machine.

One anomaly I've noticed..... Sage Client loads faster than Sage Server. The client will try to load, then give the message that it can't talk to the server and it will wait. I have Server set to run full-screen and Client's properties set (via windows Start Menu) to run minimized.

All is well until Server finally boots. Server will come full screen, as expected. However, when Client finally connects to Server, it restores it's window to proudly say it found the server (actually, just shows the menu).

Catch is, upon a re-boot, you now have to dig the mouse out from behind the TV set in the living room and minimize Client again to be able to use Server as always in the living room.

Is there a trick to making this not happen, or can the Frey folks add something before the final release that makes sure that Client will stay minimized?

Thanks,

Stacy

[SprDtyF350]

I'm not at home to look but can't you just go to detailed setup on the client and have it start in the system tray?

Randy

[Jason]

Originally Posted by srothwell

It appears that the MVP client is always using the normal 720x486 pixels. In this case, if 720 pixels are being interpreted by MVP as square then the picture will be too wide. If MVP is not centering the picture, but merely starting it on the left, then that would explain why the picture is stretched horizontally, correct on the left but off-screen on the right.

From a few 'other' posts...

Originally Posted by Matt

Like the PVR350, the MVP client has a locked screen size...the OSD is running at max. resolution supported by the MVP (it helps to have PAL with 720x576 vs. 720x480 with NTSC.

I do see where you are referring to the difference between the 'pixelization however. This may also be why the regular OSD of the MVP is offset to the far right and upper portion of the screen (from the readme...).

Matt... any chance to correct this? :-)

-Jason

[rjsimmons]

Originally Posted by Jason

Nope... The connectivity of the MVP is not improved nor degraded by the use of the Client. If you could not see/use the MVP with the original Software from Hauppauge, then the Client won;t see/use it either...

-Jason

Jason,

I had planned on running the Sage Client on a PC that IS on the same network segement as the MediaMVP. It is the Sage Server that will be on a different network segement. I already run my current Sage Client on a different network segement and it works just fine. I suspect that since the MediaMVP is relying on the Sage Client for its video all will be well, but was hoping that someone had tried it already...

Thanks,
Ron

[ukmgranger]

Bump

Originally Posted by ukmgranger

Also - my Sage server and Sage client PC's connect to each other via a Netgear ADSL wireless router/Access Point. would the MVP work if I connected it (wired) to the router.

Below is a link to a page that shows my flats setup with the wireless network.
I want to put the MVP in the middle room with the router.

http://forums.freytechnologies.com/f...ead.php?t=7844

PS - could someone post some screenshots of the MVP client?

[AirJunky]

Originally Posted by rjsimmons

I had planned on running the Sage Client on a PC that IS on the same network segement as the MediaMVP. It is the Sage Server that will be on a different network segement. I already run my current Sage Client on a different network segement and it works just fine. I suspect that since the MediaMVP is relying on the Sage Client for its video all will be well, but was hoping that someone had tried it already...

Assuming that your using a 100 m/bit switch to segment your network, data should go from the MediaMVP to the Sage server without a problem. I had a bit of a problem using a 10 m/bit hub though, lost the server connection from time to time.

[spanky]

Kudos Matt. Great to see someone has finally done this, looks great but I am having a strange problem. Hopefully this is something stupid I am doing on my part but I am about ready to pull my hair out. Situation is this. I have loaded up the SageClient software. I verify that it is communicating to the server software by playing Vids and MP3s through the client. I shut down the client and unpack Matt's MVP client to the SageTV directory of the SageClient install. I open up the SageClient, connect my MVP and everything appears fine, "Yay, Sage on my MVP!". When I try to play a vid I get a black screen both in the SageClient and the MVP and the counter never moves. I try an MP3 and that will not play either. I can however open JPGs. I have tried running the SageClient on the same system that the server is running on (installed to a different directory), I have tried running it on a different networked PC, I have tried running it with the SageTV service enabled and disabled but for the life of me I cannot get this to work properly. If I remove the MVP and CH directories and delete the SageClient.properties (and the backup) file I can then play MPEGs and MP3s through the client again. Anyone have any ideas?

[Matt]

Originally Posted by rjsimmons

I have a quick question, though. Since the MVP needs to be on the same switch/router as the PC where the video files are located, will the use of the Sage MVP client allow the MVP to work with a PC that is NOT on the same segement of the network? I would like to move the Sage Server to another part of the house and this would not be possible with my current wiring for the network (I do not want to use wireless).

I believe the MVP and MVP Client have to be on the same segment or the MVP won't find the embedded software via BOOTP/TFTP server (both part of the MVP Client).

The MVP Client should run everywhere as long as the media files can be accessed the same way as the SageTV servers accesses them (UNC file names, drive mappings...).

Originally Posted by srothwell

So, are there any magic ways to adjust the aspect ratio for MVP? Certainly, I tried adjusting with Sage to no avail.

Now, I will say that using the MVP with Hauppauge software (yuk), that this exact same thing would happen SOMETIMES. There was no rhyme or reason to it. One day, watching a show would look correct, the next day the aspect ratio was screwed up. The problem seemed to go away installing new software. I have tried a cold-boot (unplug) with the Sage MVP Client, but it's still streched.

Stacy

Sorry, I have not found a way to control position and aspect ratio of video at all yet My best hope is that there's or will be a Hauppauge dongle.bin (the software running in the MVP) that solves the problem reliably.

Originally Posted by srothwell

...However, when Client finally connects to Server, it restores it's window to proudly say it found the server (actually, just shows the menu).

Make it sleep and it will just minimize into the Tray and stay there. Functionality it not affected.

Originally Posted by Jason

...I do see where you are referring to the difference between the 'pixelization however. This may also be why the regular OSD of the MVP is offset to the far right and upper portion of the screen (from the readme...).

Matt... any chance to correct this? :-)

I know only how to control the OSD position and size, but not that of the video. The original controls are displayed in the upper right corner and since I display the OSD full screen, the original controls or slightly off screen. I'll watch out for a solution.

Originally Posted by ukmgranger

Below is a link to a page that shows my flats setup with the wireless network.
I want to put the MVP in the middle room with the router.

Sorry, I have no experience with MVPs over wireless (I would avoid wireless for multimedia if ever possible). You might have better success finding someone with experience with wireless networked MVPs over at SHS's Site.

-Matt

[JasonJoel]

This won't help much... BUT...

I get that about 25% of the time I try to play files on my MediaMVP. And once it starts doing that, I have no idea how to fix it. I usually just end up getting PO'ed and shutting it all down and coming back later. Usually it works later.

I also (sometimes) get the 'black box' when playing videos after I finish one video and want to watch another. Like the MediaMVP isn't letting go of the video correctly.

Dunno. Thought maybe my server was running out of connections (there is a finite limit of concurrent peer-to-peer connections to one machine - 10 for Windows Professional OS's if I remember right). I haven't tried shutting down all machines, rebooting the Sage server machine to reset the connection count and try again. Just a thought.

Jason Bottjen

Originally Posted by spanky

Kudos Matt. Great to see someone has finally done this, looks great but I am having a strange problem. Hopefully this is something stupid I am doing on my part but I am about ready to pull my hair out. Situation is this. I have loaded up the SageClient software. I verify that it is communicating to the server software by playing Vids and MP3s through the client. I shut down the client and unpack Matt's MVP client to the SageTV directory of the SageClient install. I open up the SageClient, connect my MVP and everything appears fine, "Yay, Sage on my MVP!". When I try to play a vid I get a black screen both in the SageClient and the MVP and the counter never moves. I try an MP3 and that will not play either. I can however open JPGs. I have tried running the SageClient on the same system that the server is running on (installed to a different directory), I have tried running it on a different networked PC, I have tried running it with the SageTV service enabled and disabled but for the life of me I cannot get this to work properly. If I remove the MVP and CH directories and delete the SageClient.properties (and the backup) file I can then play MPEGs and MP3s through the client again. Anyone have any ideas?

[mcragoe]

Hi Matt,

Nice work!

I am unclear on this:
6. Execute SageTVClient.exe (use the -multi command line argument if you are
running more than one SageTVClient instance on one PC or SageTVClient will
just activate the first instance)

Do you need to add the number of MVP clients after the -multi?

Thanks,
Mike

[SprDtyF350]

Originally Posted by jelder

Thanks for the quick responses. I am running Sage TV as a service, and then running 2 clients on the same machine to support 2 MVP clients. I am launching the clients from 2 folders that are separate from the main SageTV folder as detailed in the SHS posting. It seems to me that the clients are somehow conflicting with themselves while communicating to the server. The other possibility is that both MVP clients are somehow trying to attach to the same SageClient, not likely as all other functionality besides LiveTV works fine. Is there some way to attach to a specific instance, i.e. maybe add the MAC address of the specific MVP into the properties file. Just a thought.

I am going to try a clean install tonight to see if I can narrow down the problem. At this point it is totally reproducible.

Thanks again for the great software.

Seeing something I think is similar. I also am running 2 MVP's. If I only launch the client for one MVP it will work fine. Channel changes fine. Running both MVP's isn't always so good though. One of them seems to grab the tuner and doesn't want to let go. I am only running a single tuner and expect that with both MVP's going but I would think that turning off 1 of the MVP's would let the other one have control. Doesn't seem to want to let go until I also stop the Client program for one of them.

I have also noticed the right stretched display. If I go into detailed setup and switch to anything besides "Fill" I get a dark overlay over the picture. Looks sort of like my TV is wearing sunglasses. Switch back to "Fill" and the picture becomes normal again. Same sort of dark screen as you get when the OSD is up.

Love the MVP Client. Hope these things can be fixed.

Randy

[mcragoe]

I can't get two MVP's working.

I have Sage server running as a service and I installed SageTV Client on the same machine in a new folder. I then unzipped Matt's zip file into the client folder/sagetv. I then added a second sage client folder by making a copy of the first client folder. Then removed the load_at_startup..... line from the second folder and changed the MVP1 to MVP2. added -multi to the first client shortcut.

OK, only one MVP works.

Any help would be great.

Thanks,
Mike

[Matt]

Did you start both SageTVClients from the two folders?
Did you power on/off both MVPs after that?

-Matt