TV Manager 1.0 Thursday, August 28 2008 - Releases

Comments

Tom on 8.28.2008 at 2:45 PM

Success! I'd like to try it... maybe I'll have to install my copy of WHS on a VM.. ;D

Actually.. couldn't I just leave the VM running. Hmm..

Ian Dixon on 8.29.2008 at 1:29 PM

Great app, just what WHS needs

Brian on 8.29.2008 at 3:00 PM

Does this work with the TV Pack?

Marty on 8.29.2008 at 6:40 PM

The documentation is broken!

Brent on 8.30.2008 at 1:17 AM

Ian Dixon,

Thank you very much.

Brian,

Yes, it does work with the TV Pack. The only feature not compatible with it is ComSkip.

Marty,

You need to unblock it. Save the documentation to your desktop. Right click the file on your desktop and click properties. Once the properties dialog opens, click unblock and OK. Now, it should load the pages properly.

Mike on 8.30.2008 at 9:51 AM

Can you play recorded shows that have drm restrictions on them from any PC once they have been copied over to the WHS? SHows recorded using cable card adapters?

Thanks,

Mike

John on 8.30.2008 at 10:28 AM

I'm using the hack that allows recording directly to my WHS. Can I use Recorded TV to organize and/or list my recordings in my SERVER\Recorded TV folder ?

I'm thinking that I don't need the MCE side software since my recordings are already on the Server.

I'm also using the TV Pack so the extensions are.wtv

Brent on 8.30.2008 at 11:54 AM

Mike,

I haven't actually tried that. However, I don't see why it won't work.

John,

Using TV Manager that way won't work unless you keep Regenerating the XML (using the client) after something gets recorded. You could stop using the registry hack and use the client. About the new TV Pack, TV Manager does work with it. You just can't use ComSkip on those recordings. In the future, a commercial skipping application/feature for .WTV should arise. When it does, I'll add it to TV Manager.

Jolly on 8.30.2008 at 1:50 PM

what if my Mediacenter gets into Standby during moving my recordings to Windows Home Server?

Brent on 8.30.2008 at 5:26 PM

Jolly,

To tell you the truth, I hadn't thought of that before. I'll look into it for you.

Steven on 8.30.2008 at 5:29 PM

I'm getting an error when I attempt to install the add-in. Error 1618, and then it closes the installation. I've followed the instructions in the CHM file, and rebooted the server and still having the same error.

I'm looking forward to using the 1.0 verison!

Thanks,

Steven

Brent on 8.30.2008 at 5:56 PM

Steven,

I don't see why it would fail. You installed it through the Console, right? If so, try following this: www.mediasmarthome.com/.../Error-1618-afte

Stefan on 8.31.2008 at 1:53 AM

Hello

The recordings do get moved the the home server ... but I can't see the recordings at the recorings mediacenter interface? How do I trace it?

I looks like you have activated anonymous access at the homeserver much like access between two mediacenters:

thedigitallifestyle.com/.../how-to-share-re

But how do you configure the Homeserver share access at the mediacenter, Watchedfolders key or?

Cyber on 8.31.2008 at 8:58 AM

Hi,

I just installed the add-in and the client software, but when I click on play episode in the WHS console, it tries to open de dvr-ms file in notepad.

Do I have to make some other changes then first?

Grtz,

Nic

Brent on 8.31.2008 at 12:56 PM

Stefan,

I'm working with someone who has the same problem with them being moved As for not being able to see them. Check this registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Service\Recording\

WatchedFolders should equal: \\SERVER\Recorded TV

Cyber,

I believe you need to change the default handler for .dvr-ms files. On the PC having the issue, open up run (Start => Run or WinKey + R). Type in: \\SERVER\Recorded TV

Once that opens up, select one of the recordings. Right click it +> Open With => Choose Default Program.

Change the default to Windows Media Player. Make sure 'Always use the selected program' is checked. Click OK, and then close Windows Media Player after it pops up.

Now try playing it via the Console.

Frank on 8.31.2008 at 1:06 PM

Hi, there is no TVManager_Client.msi after installation and deployment within the \\server\software folder.

German homeserver with power pack 1

Stefan on 8.31.2008 at 2:18 PM

Hi

Thanks for quick answer!

No It did not helped with a change in the watch folder key. in the registry.

1. I did have my Recorded TV folder on E-drive, tested now to see if it were a NTFS problem and changed back to default c: -> TV Manger: move failed when a recording were added to the folder-

2. Is it possible to copy a dvr-ms file to Recorded TV folder to test the function of TV Manager or must I do a recording?

3. Have you tested My Movies together with TV Manager?

Thanks Stefan

Brent on 8.31.2008 at 5:05 PM

Frank,

I'm not sure why that isn't working for you. It probably has to do with being a German version. Just copy the TVManager_Client.msi from 'C:\Program Files\Windows Home Server\' on your WHS to 'D:\shares\Software\'. Then it will be in your software share and accessible by the clients.

Stefan,

1. What do you mean on the E: drive? It grabs the path of where Media Center stores your recordings via the registry. So the path shouldn't matter.

2. You can copy recordings to the Recorded TV folder. You will just have to Regenerate the Xml using the client.

3. No, I have not tested MyMovies with TV Manager. However, doesn't MyMovies only work with DVDs?

JB on 9.01.2008 at 3:18 PM

Brent -

I'm having one of the same issues as Stefan - I can't see the recordings in the Recorded TV section of the Vista MC. I also have a XP MC and it works 100% as expected.

I added the registry entry that you mentioned (there was no WatchedFolders entry, I added it), but I still am not seeing the new recordings. I manually added some recordings just to be sure.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

JB

Brent on 9.01.2008 at 3:48 PM

JB,

Can you try restarting the Vista PC? After adding the registry key a service needs to be restarted. A restart is a simple way to make sure the proper services are restarted.

JB on 9.02.2008 at 10:50 AM

Brent,

I have tried restarting several times. I have also uninstalled and reinstalled several times just to be sure. I even followed some of the tips that I found when searching for "WatchedFolders" [Unded GPEDIT.msc add the share name to: ‘Network access: Shares that can be accessed anonymously’]

As mentioned, this works perfectly on my XP machine. I am inclined to believe that the issue is with Vista.

I have a fresh install of Vista Ultimate with Avast Antivirus. All Windows updates are installed and all drivers are up to date. The only other things installed on this computer is the k-lite codec pack and the My Movies client.

Please let me know if there is anything else I can try.

Thanks.

Martin on 9.02.2008 at 6:21 PM

Hi Brent,

I am working through the setup process. One GUI feedback I have for the server side would be to add a way to view a list with ALL recording at once. Given I record a large number of titles, scrolling a long list if ofter more convenient than having to go to a pull-down menu all the time. Could be a "Show all" entry in that same pull-down for example.

Thanks.

Martin on 9.02.2008 at 7:05 PM

Hi Brent,

I am having the same issue as others. In my Vista MC machine, under the Recorded TV interface, I cannot see recordings stored on the server. However on the WHS console I can see them. I have added the \\HPSERVER\Recorded TV folder to both the library and recorded watch lists using the MC GUI (there is no need to edit the registry to accomplish this).

Martin.

Martin on 9.03.2008 at 5:35 AM

Display issue.

In the WHS console, the "Name" and "Airtime" columns always display unknown. Any idea why ?

Martin

Kane on 9.03.2008 at 9:36 AM

I too am having problems with the recordings disappearing from VMC after they are finished. They do exist on WHS however.

Brent on 9.03.2008 at 11:26 AM

Okay, everyone having the issue with recordings not showing up. On your WHS, check the permissions on the D:\shares\Recorded TV\ folder. Check them in the Sharing and Permissions tabs. You should see 'Anonymous Logon' and 'Everyone' listed with full permissions. If you don't, add them and make sure they have full permissions. After that, restart the client and see if they are visible.

If that doesn't work, open the WHS Console. Switch to the Shared Folders tab. Select Recorded TV from the list and Properties button. Change tabs to User Access in the dialog. Give the client machines with users (the one logged in) with the same user name and password on the WHS full access.

Also, make sure you have the WHS Connector on the client machines. It is required to be installed and joined to the WHS for the client software to work.

Martin,

About your display issue. Depending on the recording, it may not have the episode name and original air time in the metadata. For example, movies don't have the episode name set but do have the show name set as the movie's name. They might not have the original air date as well.

In regards to your rquest, I'll add it in the next release. I did have that in the beta releases.

Martin on 9.03.2008 at 6:46 PM

Regarding your previous message, I am curious to better understand something when you talk about rights for Anynymous and Everyone. As you probably know there is a MC & WHS hack out there that requires the creation of a logon script to do this, because everytime the WHS reboots it resets the rights to its onw thing. What part of your solution changes the rights and will it take care of reboots ??

Re shows not showing in Vista, this is not resolved.

Thanks again.

Chris on 9.04.2008 at 11:45 AM

Hi Brent

Brilliant Add-In. Just installed after reading about it quite a few times, Works great on my Main Media PC. Just a quick question though. Should I be able to see the recordings on any computer in the house with Media Centre installed, and if so should I view them through the Videos Section or be able to access them from the Recorded TV Screen?

Many Thanks

Chris

Brent on 9.04.2008 at 1:56 PM

Martin,

This does take care of reboots using the TV Manager service. I'm not sure why it won't show up for you in Vista. You do have the WHS Connector software installed and paired with the WHS. You installed the client on an Administrator account. You could try disabling UAC and then rerun the client.

Chris,

As long as you install the TV Manager client software on those PCs, you can play them using the Recorded TV screen.

Martin on 9.04.2008 at 7:51 PM

Sorry Brent, regarding my comment on Vista, I didn't mean "noT resoved" but rather "noW resolved'. Doing a restart of the service on the server as you indicate in your documentation indeed did the trick.

Thanks again.

Martin on 9.05.2008 at 9:20 AM

Hi Brent, another feature request. Would it be possible that on the client side there be a switch that allows to enable or disable file moving to the WHS. In my implementation the VMC has some good storage. I woudl rather move things by hand when it gets full.

I appreciate this great addin. Thanks again.

Mike on 9.06.2008 at 12:50 AM

Hi Brent - I haven't tried TV Manager yet but it looks like it will be fantastic. Just one question... We start watching a lot of recorded TV shows half way through the recording. Will we be able to do this with TV Manager, or will we have to wait for it to finish transfering to the WHS server?

Frank on 9.06.2008 at 1:10 AM

Hi Brent,

after installing the TVManager_Client.msi on the client the recordings moved to the home server, but they are not playable. If I doubleclick within the windows explorer the vmc starts but I receive an error message that the file is unknown or brocken. All files recorded before I installed the TVManager_Client.msi working fine if I doubleclick them.

best regards

Brent on 9.07.2008 at 12:20 AM

Mike,

You can still watch them while it is being recorded. It only moves the file after a recording is finished and when the recording's file is not in use.

Frank,

I'm not sure why that is happening. You didn't enable ComSkip, did you? ComSkip still has a lot of issues with it. Could you try playing them from the Media Center interface and see if they work then?

Frank on 9.07.2008 at 2:54 AM

Hi Brent,

ComSkip is off. open the files from VMC interface produces the same error message. I could send you a small file if I had your mail adress.

Frank

Guy on 9.08.2008 at 6:49 AM

Hello,

Is there a way to call this to regenerate the xml programmatically? I only want to use this to force the Media Center to see the files that have been moved on a NAS (not home server). (like a command line call?)

Brent on 9.08.2008 at 11:38 PM

Frank,

Can you PM me on WGS (http://forum.wegotserved.co.uk)? I would rather not post my email address here as it may be indexed by spam bots.

Guy,

Sorry but the regeneration cannot be called by command line. However, I do have a utility I had made for beta testers that regenerates the Xml.

Just copy brentf.homeserver.com/.../tester.exe to C:\Program Files\CompuGeek Software\TV Manager\

After copying over, just execute tester.exe.

Guy Allen on 9.09.2008 at 5:21 AM

Brent,

Thanks for that, but now another question. What exactly does tester.exe do?

Fei Che Sow on 9.10.2008 at 5:33 AM

TV Manager copies the recording rather than move it. I end up with 2 copies, one on the MCE machine, one on the Home Server. Any ideas why? Using MCE2005, WHS PP1.

Brent on 9.10.2008 at 9:01 PM

Guy,

It references my Api.dll and calls two functions. The functions read the metadata can copy certain items to the xml. You can do it with your own C#/VB.NET application if you want. Reply if you want to do so, and I'll reply with the two or three lines of code needed.

Fei Che Sow,

There is a small bug with the client keeping the file in use after grabbing the metadata from the recording. Try following the instructions I gave to Saxnix: forum.wegotserved.co.uk/.../index.php

Guy on 9.11.2008 at 4:47 AM

I am a C# programmer so, sure give me the 2 lines of code.

Thanks very much btw.

Fei Che Sow on 9.12.2008 at 3:18 AM

I applied the patch, out of about 5 recordings, one still showed the ghost/duplicate.

Brent on 9.15.2008 at 6:51 AM

Guy,

Reference the TVManager_Api.dll on the client.

Then add to the top of your CS file:

using Api.TV;

You are going to want to have it delete Shows.xml before regenerating.

Then have it execute these three lines:

var newShow = new NewShow();

if (newShow.IsNewShows())

newShow.GrabNewShows();

Fei Che Sow,

Try TV Manager version 1.0.1.

Joshua Ferguson on 2.15.2009 at 9:20 PM

I'm just trying to install 1.01 and from the add-in install I get a message TV manager service failed to start. Verify that you have correct privilages to start system services. I've tried from console and also remote desktop to load console.