topic Re: Watch and Record TV in PCs & Accessories

Watch and Record TV

careyclose — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:08:00 GMT

OK, I have given up trying to get the TV program working on my older Sony Vaio desk top (running XP) It was easy before digital, I could just plug the aerial in and there it was.

I have a newer Sony Vaio all in one desktop VPCJ1 running windows 7 64bit. No TV card only usb ports. Does anyone know if it is possible and if so how how I could watch and record TV on this computer. What extras would I need and which software. Any suggestions accepted.

Re: Watch and Record TV

rich912 — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:47:44 GMT

Hi careyclose,

This is possible with the addition of a USB DVB-T tuner.

As it happens I have just replaced my old one (it packed up) with this...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/PCTV-Systems-DVB-T2-nanoStick-Tuner/dp/B004C1176E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369147026&sr=8-1&keywords=pctv+dvb-t+stick

...which also receives freeview HD channels.

This works perfectly well with Windows Media Centre but does include a software programme for watching TV which I'm no over keen on.

If you are looking for third party software then try Media Portal - this is free open source software that works.

Rich

Watch and Record TV

careyclose — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:41:42 GMT

Thank you Rich. I have read the reviews on amazon and they seem to be fantastic. I have been struggling with my older vaio trying to connect through a digital set top box but have given up in frustration. This sounds like the thing I am looking for. I have never used the Media Centre so have some research to do. I suppose it is a bit of a leap from XP to windows 7. Some of the pre installed stuff on the newer vaio is not upto the standard as the one's on the older vaio, but much faster. Thanks again for the intro, I wouldn't have known what to look for, try and let you know how I get on.:smileyhappy:

Regards

Sorry, something I didn't ask you is will I be able to find the file of a film or program I have recorded to load in to Pinnacle 16. The files used to be saved on my hard drive automaticly.

Message was edited by: careyclose

Re: Watch and Record TV

rich912 — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:56:25 GMT

Hi careyclose,

Windows Media Centre, by default, stores the recorded programmes in C:\users\public\recorded TV

They are in dvr-ms format and I have no idea whether Pinnicle will recognise or work with this format. The software that comes with the card uses a more standard format and therefore may be a better choice if editing is needed.

Rich

Re: Watch and Record TV

careyclose — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:20:16 GMT

You are a star

Regards

Re: Watch and Record TV

careyclose — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:29:21 GMT

Hi Rich, received my TV stick today, followed all the instructions connected to a roof aerial tried to install and it failed to scan any channels. So i took my PC to another room and connected the stick to our main TV aerial, thinking was that I know thisone works. tried to install and ended up with a error message "error 1330. A file that is required cannot be installed because a cabinet file D:\TV centre\64 bit\data 1. cab has invalid digital signature. This may indicate that the cabinet file is corrupt. error 24592 was returned by WinVerifyTrust."

Unfortunately I don't understand a word of that and wouldn't know how to correct it. I can use a computer but don't understand them in technical terms. What a neat bit of kit, only sorry it didn't work for me. I have sent a email to the support people; just hope they don't tell me to mess with any registry stuff.

Regards

will keep you informed

Re: Watch and Record TV

rich912 — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:51:44 GMT

Hi careyclose,

Assuming that 😧 is your DVD drive I can only assume that there is a problem with the supplied software on the disk – this is not unknown. You could try cleaning the disk which sometimes helps. Otherwise ask support to send a new disk.

Have you tried installing the drivers only and then scanning for channels using Windows Media Centre? With just the drivers installed and the device recognised in Device Manager this should work – at least then you would be able to use it and will eliminate a problem with the device itself. Note that the remote will not work with WMC so you need to use mouse or keyboard.

Rich

Watch and Record TV

careyclose — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:17:54 GMT

Hi Rich,

I think I am destined to fail on this project. Cleaned the disc and used my external drive instead. First tried your suggestion to load drivers and use media centre to scan channels, unfortunately I have never used this program and could see nothing to say scan channels. Anyway I tried to load TV centre expecting the error message, didn't happen but still doesn't actualy show it is scanning. When I click on the i tab it just shows a lifeless panel with: TV channels 0. Radiio channels 0. unknown 0. After about ten minutes I click next and it congratulates me on a successful install, takes me to TV Centre which shows "Empty Channel List". I check the aerial cable on two other TV points and no problem so the cable is ok. I am waiting for a response from their tech guys. Will keep yuo updated just for the knowledge sake. Hope you don't mind.

Regards

Message was edited by: careyclose

Watch and Record TV

rich912 — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:00:50 GMT

Hi careyclose,

Rather than relying on email support, which could result in toing and frowing over a prolonged period, I suggest you call them on the local number (0207 378 0202).

For the WMC setup, if you have not already done so, install the Windows Media Centre drivers from the install disk.

Then check that PCTV 290e is listed in Device Manager under Sound, Video and Game Controllers.

Open WMC, this should then show Recorded TV highlighted.

Hover the cursor toward the bottom of the screen and click on the down arrow. ‘Tasks - Settings’ will now be highlighted, click on this.

Click TV and then click ‘TV Signal’.

Click ‘Set Up TV Signal’ - if you get a popup asking if you wish to continue then click Yes.

Select United Kingdom and click continue.

Enter your postcode and click next.

Agree to terms and click next.

Select ‘Update TV Setup Data’ and click next.

Examining TV Signals will commence – it will take several minutes to complete.

When complete the next screen should confirm that ‘Digital Antenna (DVB-T) (1 tuner) was detected – check ‘Yes, configure TV with these results' and click next.

On the next screen click Next.

The next screen will ask about download method for the guide. I choose Manual as the Auto option can cause the computer to wake from sleep at unexpected times – your choice but if you elect for Manual you will need to download the guide approx. every week and I can guide you through this process if necessary.

On the next screen click Next.

TV Channel Scan will now start – again this will take some while (possibly up to half an hour) but a progress bar will be displayed that should include the number of channels found during the progress. My Windows 7 system detects 122 channels (including HD – Windows 7 WMC, but not Vista) but this may vary depending on region.

Once scan is complete click Next and on the next screen click Finish.

Click the back button until you return to the main screen and then click ‘TV’. Click ‘Guide’ and select a program.

That’s it – it should then play the selected programme.

Good luck and let us know how you get on with both PCTV support and WMC.

Rich

Re: Watch and Record TV

careyclose — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:45:03 GMT

Hi Rich, You are my saviour, I followed your instructions and eureeka!!! it worked. I now have 122 channels. The tech guys sent me a email to down load something from their site so they could check out my computer, problem was the link didn't work, took me to an ooops page. I don't much mind not having their software program but i will have to see if the WMC files are compatible with Pinnacle 16, they should be because part of this PCTV system has Pinnacle stamped on it, might even be able to convert them. I am so grateful for your patience, unfortunately I have a heart condition, bypass, pacemaker and atrial fiblulation brought on by stress, this didn't help. Wish I could buy you a drink; you deserve it.

Thanks again

Re: Watch and Record TV

rich912 — Sat, 25 May 2013 06:25:16 GMT

Hi careyclose,

That’s great news. At least you are part way there and know that the device itself works

I would persevere with the supplied software as this records in MPEG-4 format which I believe is supported natively by Pinnacle. If DVR-MS is not supported you could in the meantime import the recorded TV into Movie Maker and then save. This converts the format to .WMV which I think is supported by Pinnacle.

If you don’t have Windows Live Movie Maker it can be downloaded for free.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-live/essentials

Let us know how you get on.

Rich

Re: Watch and Record TV

careyclose — Sat, 25 May 2013 13:40:23 GMT

Oh Rich, what have I done. I loaded windows essentials and thought i did everything right but couldn't find the program live movie maker, got a lot of other things with it though. problem now is I seem to have lost my windows live mail. I click on the icon but it does not open so I can't get to my emails. I looked in to control panel, remove programs and it looks like it was installed. I did a search and some one said go into cntr alt delete Task manager might be two copies, couldn't find anything resembling WLM exe? I have been trying some freeish video converters to try and find one that will convert the WMC files. Found one but sound is out of sync. Major concern is the loss of the use of live mail. If you have the solution i will look again in a couple of hours on this site because i can't get into my emails.

regards

Re: Watch and Record TV

rich912 — Sat, 25 May 2013 13:59:05 GMT

Hi careyclose,

There is the possibility that a fresh installation has moved the executable file and the shortcut is no longer able to find it.

Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Mail\wlmail.exe. If the file is there double click it and Live Mail should open.

If you are unable to locate the file then click Start and type wlmail.exe in the search field – this should locate it for you.

If this works then I will explain how to edit the shortcut to point to the correct location.

Rich

Re: Watch and Record TV

careyclose — Sat, 25 May 2013 17:15:46 GMT

Hi again, Went in to Computer, C: local disc, program file (x86). There are two files, one named Windows live, the other named windows mail.

I tried your other suggestion and it came up but when I clicked on it it did the same as when i click on the icon or the tag in the start programs, just get the wirly circle but nothing opens. Sorry to be such a pain.

Regards

Re: Watch and Record TV

rich912 — Sat, 25 May 2013 17:56:56 GMT

Hi careyclose,

It would seem that something has been corrupted. If Windows Live Essentials is listed in Control Panel > Programs and Features double click this and select Repair All Windows Live Programs.

If this doesn't solve the problem then can you try the search for wlmail.exe (the .exe is important otherwise only the shortcut will be listed) again and right click the file > select Properties and let us know the location of the file. Hopefully it will be C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Mail. If it is then look within the Mail folder for wlmail and try double clicking this.

Rich

Re: Watch and Record TV

careyclose — Sat, 25 May 2013 22:56:30 GMT

Hi Rich, I went into control panel found WE, checked and found two programs listed (I had uninstalled the other rubbish) one was Messenger the other Mail, clicked repair all WLE, no difference. Did a start, typed in imail.exe and nothing came up. Went to C: programFile (x86). Clicked on Windows Live (not live mail) found wimail (no exe) 05/02/2013 Application. Tried clicking this, still no luck. Off to bed now, hope to have afresh mind tomorrow to try again. Thanks and

Goodnight

Re: Watch and Record TV

rich912 — Sun, 26 May 2013 06:13:51 GMT

Hi careyclose,

You have eliminated the shortcut as the problem and it would seem the installation is corrupt or missing a dependency for some reason. You say you “uninstalled the other rubbish” – do you remember whether Live Mail was working immediately prior to doing this?

The only thing I can suggest is to uninstall Live Mail using Control Panel > Programs and Features and then download and re-install.

Rich

Re: Watch and Record TV

careyclose — Sun, 26 May 2013 06:48:42 GMT

Good morning Rich, Yes it was working ok before I installed WE. Ok I will uninstall and re install. I will have to get the books out, can't remember how I setup the account. let you know how it goes.

Regards

Re: Watch and Record TV

rich912 — Sun, 26 May 2013 07:15:03 GMT

Good morning careyclose.

If it’s not too late this download link may be of help for re-installing.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=29224

Rich

Re: Watch and Record TV

careyclose — Sun, 26 May 2013 07:58:33 GMT

Hi Rich, don't you sleep?

Yes it was a little late but I would not have found your email if your suggestion hadn't worked. I downloaded almost everyhting and low and behold a miracle!! all my emails came back and the address book, how do you do it??

Now to get back to the serious stuff, converting the WMC files but I have to do some home maintenance first, she who must be obeyed has the clip board out.

Take care and thanks for your help, keep you informed.

Regards