DVBViewer GE - locks on IR remote

[Job48]

Hi everybody,

 

I've been using Ver. 2.2 so far, because 3.x yielded inferior video quality in my configuration (video delays every 1000 ms). I usually never change a running system, however since DVD handling is unsatisfactory with 2.2, I've finally decided to switch over to DVBViever GE, which works quite nicely (thanks Griga!).

 

Using my settop system without monitor and keyboard, I came over a little problem though, which seems a bit tricky.

 

I will try to describe what I found:

 

a) The following steps led to a warning window - not OSD!

 

Das Erste -> Record -> ZDF by using "OSD up" = Warning window, afterwards no more Channel switching possible without using KBD -> have to shutdown DVBViever by remote computer (VNC).

 

 

 

the following steps, though similar to a) led to a warning OSD!

 

Das Erste -> Record -> ZDF by using number Key = Warning OSD, after submitting OK (red key on IRremote) chanel is switched. Further switching is possible, I suppose thats the way it should work.

 

 

 

c) Now the most problematic situation (catch 22)

 

Das Erste -> Record -> ZDF by using "OSD up" = Warning window, afterwards no more Channelswitching possible without using KBD -> try to shutdown DVBViever by infrared remote control (command #6) -> Warning OSD, which however does not react to "OK (red key on remote)". Afterwards the program is not responding anymore. Trying to shutdown DVBViever by remote computer (VNC) does not work. I can close the warning window from remote but not the warning OSD. Alt F4 is blocked because the system thinks, it is recording. So I have to press the hardware Power down button.

 

 

Thanks for help!

 

Jochen

[Griga]

Which GE version??? Which kind of warning???

 

Please describe your remote system more detailed. There are so many ways to remote-control DVBViewer GE:

 

- WinLirc

- Windows Messages

- Girder Plugin

- Faked keystrokes

- Command line parameters

 

Without this information I don't know where to search.

[Job48]

@Griga

 

Thanks for fast replying, here are the facts you asked for:

- Version is 1.8.4.0

- The warning message is "Diese Aktion stoppt Timeshift oder eine Aufnahme"

- Remote is Girder, straight forward, without DVBViewer Plugin. I'm using the Girder SendMessage plugin with the commandset from deutsch.lng.

 

Everything is working perfect with the exception of different handling of warning message depending on if channel is switched by OSD up/down (without OSD visible) or using the number key.

 

Regards

 

Jochen

[Griga]

different handling of warning message depending on if channel is switched by OSD up/down (without OSD visible) or using the number key.

 

Ok, let me guess (I have to, since you didn't attach your Setup.ini):

 

- Options -> General -> Channel switching delay is activated

 

- Options -> Control -> Mouse/OSD -> Use OSD up/down for favourites is deactivated

 

Under these circumstances OSD up/down finally yields channel plus/minus with a delay that lets DVBViewer GE forget the remote control as source of the action and display a Windows message box. I've provided a kind of memory for the number management (since it mostly has to wait for the next number to come), but forgot about the channel plus/minus delay (I never use it).

 

So, for now, switching the delay off (or using OSD up/down for favourites) should solve the problem. I'll look for a better solution - don't like the current handling anyway.

 

Please learn from that: Attaching at least the zipped Setup.ini saves time, guessing and further inquiries. Not providing these informations keeps the developers unnecessarily busy, thus hindering DVBViewer progress.

[Job48]

Hmm... ok, firstly thanks for your efforts, I really appreciate you support. Sorry for not attaching setup.ini, but I thought the situation was quite clear. Anyhow you guessed correctly, nevertheless I attach the .ini this time.

 

Your suggestion did only work partly. Eighter way, unchecking the delay and using OSD numbers/up/down for favorites, resulted in equal treatment of chanel switching while recording was active: no more warning window, rather in both cases the OSD warning. However the OSD warning does not have the focus for the IRcommand as it did in example "" of my initial post. So again I have to switch power off to resolve the issue.

 

Regards

 

Jochen

 

PS: When I try to attach, I get this warning: The total filespace required to upload all the attached files is greater than your per post or global limit. Please reduce the number of attachments or the size of the attachments. File is only 2.26 kB ???!

Edited February 8, 2006 by Job48

[Griga]

I'll look after it.

 

Please reduce the number of attachments or the size of the attachments.

Go to My Controls -> Manage Your Attachments (see left side) and delete old/outdated attachments.

[Griga]

Ok, source of the issue detected, by writing a remote control simulator that works like your stuff.

 

The Girder SendMessage Plugin uses the SendMessage API call, thus directly calling the according procedure in DVBViewer. It doesn't return if the OSD warning appears, since DVBViewer waits in a loop for confirmation -> SendMessage Plugin hangs, and cannot send further commands.

 

It should rather use the PostMessage API call, that works asynchronously: It puts the message to the DVBViewer's message queue and returns immediately. In the OSD warning loop DVBViewer constantly calls Application.ProcessMessages, that reads commands from the message queue. The loop terminates if it detects OSD Red, OSD OK (-> OK) OSD Green or OSD Exit (-> Cancel).

 

SendMessage should never be used for interprocess communication unless absolutely necessary, since it forces the application to process the command immediately, thus not allowing it to synchronize processing with other events. I hope it can be changed in the Girder SendMessage Plugin. If not, I recommend to try Lars' Girder Plugin.

[Job48]

I guess, I'll have to do a bit of reading then, though I still do not understand, why it works in one of the instances which I have reported initially.

 

I'll have a closer look at Lars' Girder plugin, which wasn't available, when I started my first steps with IRCs in 2002/3. Hopefully there is some documentation, so I don't have to bother anybody with stupid questions.

 

Thanks for help anyway.

 

By the way the old attachments, that eat up the space, is the old documentation on how to configure Girder, which are referred to at some places. I'm not sure, if I can take them out.

 

Jochen

[Griga]

though I still do not understand, why it works in one of the instances which I have reported initially

 

If you use the numerical keys, there is a delay before execution, that lets the SendMessage call return before the warning appears. It won't work, however, if DVBViewer determins that adding another number wouldn't make sense (due to the first number being 0 or the total number of channels that are present), thus switching immediately.

 

So, if using up/down wouldn't let a Windows message box appear, it would have worked with the delay activated. It will be fixed in the next GE release (probably next weekend). However, staying with SendMessage is too dangerous anyway.

 

the way the old attachments, that eat up the space, is the old documentation on how to configure Girder,

 

I see. There is a link in the German GE manual. An admin should give you some more space.

[Job48]

@griga

 

I'ld like to express my respect for your patient and yet highly competent support. Not experienced too often these days. Thanks!

 

 

Edited:

 

The issue is solved by using DVBViewer Plugin for Girder. I have to disable the channel switching delay though, as you suggested. Looking forward to the next release.

Edited February 8, 2006 by Job48