Dvico Plus & Lite Dual Tuner Freezes WMCE

[cabe]

Oh man I can't figure this out! I read on the dvico site offically how you can't have different models together (Lite + Plus).. but I read here that people have it working!
Can anyone help me...

- I have 1 x Lite and 1 x Plus version
- Latest drivers from site
- Updated windows as much as it lets me

Issue: I have my WMCE setup so that it auto launchs into WMCE GUI and as soon as I hit anything with needing the TV tuners (TV and Guide etc) the thing freezes and forces me to Ctrl-Alt-Del and end it. However I end up having to do this 5 times (it's different) to get it working... however now I can't even get it working at all now!

I then tried what I have been reading - removing/reseating cards in different PCI slots... no change. THEN what I did was remove the Lite model completely (so it's just one tuner card) and it works fine! I then put the Lite back in - fine! UNTIL... it needs to use both (ie. I setup recording and flicked to another station) and it freezes again.

I have the following setup:
- Silverstone SST-LC10MS MultiMedia Silver Case
- SF QUIET 500W ATX PSU W/14CM BLUE-LED
- ASUS P5AD2 Deluxe Pentium 4 Motherboard S775 WiFi
- Intel Pentium 4 530J 3.0GHz 800FSB 1MB Cache S775 CPU
- 2 x Western Digital 200 gig 7200rpm SATA JD
- CORSAIR KIT Value Select 2GB RAM (2x1GB)
- Pioneer DVR-109 16xDVD DL Burner OEM WHITE
- DVICO FusionHDTV Tuner with Analogue Input
- DVICO FusionHDTV Tuner Lite
- GeCube 256M X600PRO PCI Express Video Card
- 2 x Western Digital 80 gig 7200rpm SATA JD
- MS WINDOWS MEDIA CENTRE IR REMOTE CONTROL
- MS Windows Media Centre Edition
- LOGITECH THX Z5500 5.1 SPEAKER SYSTEM

I'm lost, I'm really just wanting to get it working... without having to buy another brand or either another lite/plus version (to have two tuners of the same brand/model).

[schmeg]

Mine did the same initially - wasn't until I installed the nVidia PureVideo codec that I realised it was a problem with the MPEG decoder bundled with the DVICO's (don't use it even if you can get it to work, quality is pretty poor)

I'd suggest the following (if you haven't already):
- Install nVidia PureVideo trial - http://www.nvidia.com/object/dvd_decoder.html
- Install latest MCE drivers for your video card - both ATI and nVidia have different drivers for MCE.

Hope that helps

[cabe]

I'd suggest the following (if you haven't already):
- Install nVidia PureVideo trial - http://www.nvidia.com/object/dvd_decoder.html
- Install latest MCE drivers for your video card - both ATI and nVidia have different drivers for MCE.

Thanks for your reply and advice..

I have that decoder (just installed it last night to see if that fixed it), and I also went to ATi's website for the latest WMCE drivers also... no go still...

This is what I have tried today (which has taken me hours lol)..
- Removed both cards
- Removed software
- Clicked on the "uninstall drivers" on the DViCo menu (worked well at uninstalling them both!)
- Installed DViCo Plus and run the installation program, and all drivers installed OK. At this point I went into WMCE, tested it - and it worked!
- Turned off machine and installed DViCO Lite and done the "repair" on the installation and choose the other driver - and THIS worked well too! I was on a roll...
- I then went into WMCE, told it to use 2 tuners... and it worked! I tested by recording TWO shows, and even played a movie at the same time! I was over the moon... I had finally thought this was over.. I was wrong.

As soon as I restarted the machine, the WMCE GUI came up, I hit "Live TV" on my remote.. and my heart pumped... it was taking some time... and then it happend, it froze. I had to Ctrl-Alt-Del and close it, and now I can't get it working again.

What the heck am I doing wrong?! lol...

Any other clues?

[cabe]

BTW - Here is my device manager.. for you guys that have it working, is that what yours look like with it's drivers?

[schmeg]

Just out of interest - what happens if you change the setting so MCE doesn't start up when Windows starts up - then give it a few minutes, start MCE, then give it a couple more minutes and start Live TV ... just wondering if something is taking some time to initialise or something??

Also - have you run the Windows XP decoder checker - maybe its not using the correct decoder (I found that it didnt always set itself to the correct one just because you installed it) ... http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

I'll check out my device listing later and crosscheck with your screenshot - not on my HTPC atm.

The other thing I'd try is opening MCE, then restoring it to a window (ie. so you can see the task bar) - then run Live TV and make sure the nVidia logo pops up in the system tray. Maybe there was a problem with the nVidia install and its corrupted. You can also right click the start bar and get task manager up to see whats going on (do this before you start Live TV and watch the processes)

[cabe]

Things I've tried since last post:

- Stoped it to auto start - didn't change anything, still froze it I hit Live TV (either go into Media Centre GUI then hit it, or just hit Live TV from the desktio)
- Restarted machine, it loaded the desktop.. I hit the WMCE button, before I did anything else I made it into a little window on my desktop, hit the Live TV button and it worked!! I then maximised the window and again, it worked! The bad thing was it was glitching.. I then tested out if BOTH cards were working.. started to record a show and flicked the channel.. BANG it tells me the other is not working or not setup.
- I then go into config to tell it (again) there is 2 tuners, and then it works.. but still glitching..
- I exited, reinstalled drivers (from menu in DViCo sub-menu), restarted, pressed WMCE button, made it a window on desktop, started Live TV without issues, re-configued it in WMCE that I have 2 tuners and now I "think" it's not glitching.. (haven't had a chance to let it go for hours yet..

Why do you think it works only when I have it as a window first...? I have had it work as normal, but it was so long ago I can't remember (even though it's been just yesterday lol)...

And yes I do see the decoder icon pop up in the task bar without any problem... What do you think I need to do to tackle this problem.. cause you guys have it working

Thanks for all your advance so far champ..

[schmeg]

Hmms ... odd problem ya have there ;P

Personally - I'd reinstall Windows from scratch - trying to install everything in the right order and see if you get anywhere.

I (kind of) followed the instructions from Clean Build of MCE and it worked Ok (obviously tuner drivers etc will be different).

Just on thing

I exited, reinstalled drivers (from menu in DViCo sub-menu)

... what menu option was this? (one of the options installs the DVICO mpeg codec [which will replace the nVidia codec as preferred] => DVICO codec caused me many headaches)

I also had stuttering video, but when I reinstalled my VGA drivers (latest MCE version availalbe from https://support.ati.com/ics/support/...uestionID=1154 ) it fixed it so maybe try reinstalling (even if you already have the correct drivers - can't hurt)

[schmeg]

cabe - check out this thread - you also need to install the drivers for the plus card and the lite card seperately - thinking back this is what I did, but I forgot

http://www.xpmediacentre.com.au/comm...ad.php?p=23821

[cabe]

Awesome thread, thanks..

I have tried that yesterday, but I might of messed it up? What are the steps extacly to install them if going from a fresh install (I might do that this week when I have more time)..

Eg.. Do I: (?)
- Install WMCE w/ only DViCO Plus card...
- Install ATi Drivers for WMCE from web..
- Install DViCO program and drivers selecting "Plus" drivers..
- Then install physically the second DViCO Lite tuner card
- Boot up machine
- Run DViCO setup again , select the "repair" option (is that right???) and then select the Lite drivers on this pass....

Should this work?? How did you do it from a fresh install? I am confused in that threat where simbot82 said:

Ditto. Ti and Plus hereFusion 3.0 beta 3. Make sure you install one set of drvers then the equivilent card, then the other set of drivers and the equivilent card. Drivers first, cards second

Does he mean install the software, THEN phsycally the first PLUS tuner... THEN reinstall software again choosing LITE version, THEN physically installing LITE card??

[schmeg]

All correct, except I think this is the best way (and what simbot82 is recommending):

- Install DVICO drivers, selecting Plus card
- Physically install DVICO Plus card, boot into Windows and let it install correct drivers
- Install DVICO drivers again, selecting Lite card
- Physically install DVICO Lite card, boot into Windows and let it install correct drivers

You *may* actually be able to do this now anyway (ie. install the drivers with the Plus selection, reboot and install with the Lite selection - who knows, could work )

[simbot82]

Originally Posted by cabe

Awesome thread, thanks..

I have tried that yesterday, but I might of messed it up? What are the steps extacly to install them if going from a fresh install (I might do that this week when I have more time)..

Eg.. Do I: (?)
- Install WMCE w/ only DViCO Plus card...
- Install ATi Drivers for WMCE from web..
- Install DViCO program and drivers selecting "Plus" drivers..
- Then install physically the second DViCO Lite tuner card
- Boot up machine
- Run DViCO setup again , select the "repair" option (is that right???) and then select the Lite drivers on this pass....

Should this work?? How did you do it from a fresh install? I am confused in that threat where simbot82 said:


Does he mean install the software, THEN phsycally the first PLUS tuner... THEN reinstall software again choosing LITE version, THEN physically installing LITE card??

Yep. Don't put cards in until you have installed the drivers for them. Also don't install both sets of drivers at once. One set of drivers per card, shutdown and install card, allow it to be discovered and isntalled then install next set of drivers and repeat

[cabe]

Success!!!

I reinstalled everything including O/S again, installing drivers then cards one by one and it worked!!

However I think I have found the main problem...

As soon as I installed Norton Ghost 9.0 on my machine (it runs in the background) I started having the exacte some problems!! I would hit any button to do with Live TV and the system would freeze until I Ctrl-Alt-Del.

So NORTON GHOST 9.0 is not recommended to be installed with these two cards. Does anyone else have this issue??

To fix the problem I used Windows Restore (God send in this case ) and restore back BEFORE I installed Ghost and it worked flawlessly!! I'm SUPER happy now, everything works fine with LiveTV.

Thanks for all your efforts.

As for Norton Ghost 9.0, does any one have this installed and have any issues? If so, try uninstalling it and see if that helps - it did for me

[schmeg]

Excellent!

Good to hear cabe

Bet you feel as good as I did when I finally got my video playback to stop stuttering

Still have the girlfriend giving me eyes everytime something small goes wrong though hehe