MediaPortal 2.1

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askelon

875 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#1889153 25-Oct-2017 09:54

I havent used a flirc adapter, does it support normal MCE commands? If so just set the remote up as a MCE remote and it should be fine.

Benoire

2798 posts

Uber Geek

#1889161 25-Oct-2017 10:04

xyf: I'm thinking of trying tvhead out. Do you just spin up a VM with it all installed then just config it? I have one USB tuner and one pcie

Install ubuntu on a vm, add the download location from the tvheadend.org download page to the sources.list for apt, update apt and then apt-get install tvheadend and this will install the latest version and configure it to run, after which just log in to the webgui at the VM IP address with port 9981, and it should if you've got the tuner attached then work fine.

DMCM

78 posts

Master Geek

#1889167 25-Oct-2017 10:12

askelon:

I havent used a flirc adapter, does it support normal MCE commands? If so just set the remote up as a MCE remote and it should be fine.

Yes it does I believe - I'll try this out. Thanks.

DMCM

78 posts

Master Geek

#1889520 25-Oct-2017 20:30

Ok, got the remote working. Everything seems to work OK, except the guide, it's littered with garbage characters. What would be causing this?

antant

115 posts

Master Geek

#1889548 25-Oct-2017 20:53

Unfortunately the over the air guide doesn't work for MediaPortal (I asked the same question the other day - https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=126&topicid=223893 ) .

You'll need to go the xmltv route ... there's quite a good source if you google "nz freeview epg listings" .

DMCM

78 posts

Master Geek

#1891128 27-Oct-2017 08:39

antant:

Unfortunately the over the air guide doesn't work for MediaPortal (I asked the same question the other day - https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=126&topicid=223893 ) .

You'll need to go the xmltv route ... there's quite a good source if you google "nz freeview epg listings" .

Righto, I got the information together and downloaded the Matt Huisman XML EPG. All good. Imported it and mapped the channels. The guide now turn up in MP but the EPG seems to be offset by 12 hours but I see there is a timezone setting I need to set.

But.... a couple of questions:

1. Does the EPG download schedule actually work? If so, where does the downloaded file end up? I couldn't see where it ends up - it this set on the main tab in "Folder where the TVGuide.xml is stored" ?

2. Does the EPG have to be called TVGuide.xml? The Matt Huisman file is epg.xml so I'd need to write some process to rename the file once downloaded, correct? A bit average the EPG filename is hard coded!

Thanks!

xyf

300 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1891132 27-Oct-2017 08:48

from my last life in MP you need to schedule it to auto download (i used to auto scrape the guide data from the tuners at midnight) and then you just use the plugin to point to where that file is under the mp server app

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askelon

875 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#1891151 27-Oct-2017 09:18

Easiest way to get the guide is as follows:

Download EPG Collector
Set that up for your correct transmission service (heres a link to my ini file and batch file - you can edit this to suit)
Run batch file and make sure it creates the tvguide.xml where you told it to - this can take a few minutes
Go into TV Server Configuration
Go to Plugins and enable XmlTv and PowerScheduler
In XmlTv change the path to where you will be downloading the tvguide.xml file to (F:\ in my case)
Tick import new tvguide.xml and Delete old Programs. Leave the rest unticked
Click Import and wait for the initial import - this can take a few minutes.
Go to mappings tab and click on the Load/Refresh button. Make sure your channels are all mapped then click Save
Go back to the main xmltv and click import again - this will take around 5 mins but will import the guide correctly for your channels the first time.
Go to the PowerScheduler Plugin
On the EPG Tab select when you want it to grab the epg - you must have one DVB card free at the time as it will be locked during this. Select the days you want it to grab - I normally do Monday / Wednesday / Saturday. No real need to do it every day. And I normally have it set to around 6:30PM since I know the computer will already be on. Make sure all 3 of the next boxes are ticked (so it'll wake up/sleep/away mode). Make sure the Run command is pointing to your batch file (update.bat)

Thats pretty much it. I have had it doing it via a windows task schedule before but found its just not needed and doing it from within MP works fine. Doesnt slow the computer down etc. Just requires you have a card free to grab the EPG. My setup is for Waiatarua, Auckland.

This method works perfectly every time. Never had an issue. There are various epgs around you can download and load in but its more hassle than its worth.

DMCM

78 posts

Master Geek

#1891157 27-Oct-2017 09:38

askelon:

Easiest way to get the guide is as follows:

Download EPG Collector
Set that up for your correct transmission service (heres a link to my ini file and batch file - you can edit this to suit)
Run batch file and make sure it creates the tvguide.xml where you told it to - this can take a few minutes
Go into TV Server Configuration
Go to Plugins and enable XmlTv and PowerScheduler
In XmlTv change the path to where you will be downloading the tvguide.xml file to (F:\ in my case)
Tick import new tvguide.xml and Delete old Programs. Leave the rest unticked
Click Import and wait for the initial import - this can take a few minutes.
Go to mappings tab and click on the Load/Refresh button. Make sure your channels are all mapped then click Save
Go back to the main xmltv and click import again - this will take around 5 mins but will import the guide correctly for your channels the first time.
Go to the PowerScheduler Plugin
On the EPG Tab select when you want it to grab the epg - you must have one DVB card free at the time as it will be locked during this. Select the days you want it to grab - I normally do Monday / Wednesday / Saturday. No real need to do it every day. And I normally have it set to around 6:30PM since I know the computer will already be on. Make sure all 3 of the next boxes are ticked (so it'll wake up/sleep/away mode). Make sure the Run command is pointing to your batch file (update.bat)

Thats pretty much it. I have had it doing it via a windows task schedule before but found its just not needed and doing it from within MP works fine. Doesnt slow the computer down etc. Just requires you have a card free to grab the EPG. My setup is for Waiatarua, Auckland.

This method works perfectly every time. Never had an issue. There are various epgs around you can download and load in but its more hassle than its worth.

Very good! This is the last piece of the puzzle for me, so thank you for taking the time to list out your process. Much appreciated.

DMCM

78 posts

Master Geek

#1892998 31-Oct-2017 10:56

To follow up on this, we are now running MP1.8x and it's working quite well.

The only small issues for me to resolve is some of the remote functionality, and it seems going "back" to watch a programme once it's being recorded (from the guide), MP hangs. I need to Google that though as it's probably resovable...

askelon

875 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#1893027 31-Oct-2017 11:12

DMCM:

To follow up on this, we are now running MP1.8x and it's working quite well.

The only small issues for me to resolve is some of the remote functionality, and it seems going "back" to watch a programme once it's being recorded (from the guide), MP hangs. I need to Google that though as it's probably resovable...

Unusual.. I have zero problems with that myself. Only real time it freezes for me is when watching some h264 videos where it'll freeze at the end rather than returning back to the normal menus. Are you getting good signals for your channels? Only real issue I ever have is with prime (recordings and live if I skip) cause I get a crappy reception, it'll sometimes freeze on whatever Im viewing and require me to skip back / forward to get it going again. There is a setting in MediaPortal Config > TV/Radio > TV >TsReader for dont drop discontinued packets. Try ticking that. Makes a big difference for me in regards to tv freezing. While your at it (depending on your sound setup) I make sure prefer AC-3 is ticked in the audio settings.

As for remote setups, I dont remember adding anything different in the standard default MCE remote settings but in saying that it has been a loooooong time since I programmed my logitech 885 with any new settings - it uses the old software from logitech. Cant say Ive used my 650 or harmony one on the MP computer but they are easy enough to change the way you want.

DMCM

78 posts

Master Geek

#1893037 31-Oct-2017 11:29

askelon:

DMCM:

To follow up on this, we are now running MP1.8x and it's working quite well.

The only small issues for me to resolve is some of the remote functionality, and it seems going "back" to watch a programme once it's being recorded (from the guide), MP hangs. I need to Google that though as it's probably resovable...

Unusual.. I have zero problems with that myself. Only real time it freezes for me is when watching some h264 videos where it'll freeze at the end rather than returning back to the normal menus. Are you getting good signals for your channels? Only real issue I ever have is with prime (recordings and live if I skip) cause I get a crappy reception, it'll sometimes freeze on whatever Im viewing and require me to skip back / forward to get it going again. There is a setting in MediaPortal Config > TV/Radio > TV >TsReader for dont drop discontinued packets. Try ticking that. Makes a big difference for me in regards to tv freezing. While your at it (depending on your sound setup) I make sure prefer AC-3 is ticked in the audio settings.

As for remote setups, I dont remember adding anything different in the standard default MCE remote settings but in saying that it has been a loooooong time since I programmed my logitech 885 with any new settings - it uses the old software from logitech. Cant say Ive used my 650 or harmony one on the MP computer but they are easy enough to change the way you want.

Nice, some good pointers there. I'm using a Harmony 350- I just think I have to fiddle around a bit and try a few options. Strangely in the PC based configuration suite I can't add new command buttons for the FLIRC USB IR receiver, but as I say I think I just need to experiment a little bit. Annoyingly, pressing Mute on the LG remote (I have an LG smart TV), causes MP to change the channel at the moment!

askelon

875 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#1893043 31-Oct-2017 11:42

The mute thing is just a matter of setting the remote up properly. You'll have a bit of trial and error unfortunately to get it perfect :) I have all the volume/mute buttons set for my amp rather than MP at all, which I have set to around 98% volume all the time. Not sure you need to change your lirc settings at all , just assign the buttons in the logitech software - dont quote me on that though. One option is to also add the mce keyboard as a device into the remote and manually assign buttons to keypresses. Its a pain in the butt though and really shouldnt be needed.

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