Evesham iplayer - the Freeview PVR you've dreamt about!

[Bob Crabtree]

I understand any attached USB hard disk needs to be FAT32 format. Given FAT32 restricts file size to 4GB maximum and a single 1 hour recorded HD TV programme requires over 5GB of space how does this square with the HD ready, future proof claim

As I am seeing things here, the size limitation for a FAT32 video file is 2GB.

At least, when I go to transfer a file over Ethernet to a FAT32-formatted drive attached to a PC, that transfer stops when the file on the hard disk reaches 2GB in size.

As I recall FAT32 has a 4GB limit but the AVI file type has a smaller - 2GB - limit on FAT32 partitions.

For reasons I don't understand, it seems to be the case that the .mp2 files that the recordings are saved as are being treated as AVI files (perhaps this is a quirky Windows Media Connect thing) and fall foul of the 2GB limit.

So, in answer to your question - you have every right to be confused.

I have already asked Netgem (the iplayer's maker) how it proposes to work around this problem when HD Freeview transmissions start - and I await the company's reply.

But, unfortunately, it seems to me that this 2GB limit is already a barrier to transferring movies to drives that are formatted at FAT 32 - because the barrier is breached with standard-definition recordings that are longer than about 70 mins.

[lucien]

According this french thread, the Netbox record HD program in many small files of 47 Mo. When you play back, the box knows automatiqly how to join all this files without any freeze.

Now for those who want to keep the recording, there are some free tools for joining all pieces. The limitation is 4 Giga in FAT32 and no limits with Ext2 format.
Here is the link. Because i am still a beginner, I am not aload to post full link, so you have to insert the right sequence h t t p : // w w w before this link

[B].netbox.fr/forum/viewtopic.php?t=415[/B

]

http://www.netbox.fr/forum/viewtopic.php?t=415

[chrestomanci]

Bob, (or another admin) Could you give lucien link posting privalages. That is the forth post of his with usefull info and a munged link.

[Bob Crabtree]

Bob, (or another admin) Could you give lucien link posting privalages. That is the forth post of his with usefull info and a munged link.

See what I can do but, as I recall, after his fifth posting that restriction is lifted.

Lucien care to comment twice to this message and see what happens?

[Bob Crabtree]

Lucien,

I'm only telling you what I am seeing here - and what I am seeing is a 2GB limit.

As for HD, the method you talk about (many small files) certainly doesn't seem to apply with the iplayer I have - exports to USB drives formatted as FAT 32 stop when the file on the receiving hard disk reaches 2GB in size.

This is the case whether the original is SD or HD (and, yes, I do have access to HD reception via Freeview!!)

According this french thread, the Netbox record HD program in many small files of 47 Mo. When you play back, the box knows automatiqly how to join all this files without any freeze.

Now for those who want to keep the recording, there are some free tools for joining all pieces. The limitation is 4 Giga in FAT32 and no limits with Ext2 format.
Here is the link. Because i am still a beginner, I am not aload to post full link, so you have to insert the right sequence h t t p : // w w w before this link

[B].netbox.fr/forum/viewtopic.php?t=415[/B

]

http://www.netbox.fr/forum/viewtopic.php?t=415

[lucien]

There is a good translation of what I try to explain about HD record in this thread:

http: // w w w

.radioandtelly.co.uk/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1164215324/15#21

Clean link added by Bob C:

http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/cgi-b...64215324/15#21

But it is possible that Evesham iPayer with hard disk inside works differently of Netbox with USB2 hard drive.

Here is a copy of the interesting paragraph of the previous link:
-------------------------
FAT32 2 / 4 GByte file limit
The French Netbox HD to an external USB disk, will record a digital TV programme as a series of small files, not one huge file for the whole programme. Each small file has a header (extra info describing the file at the start) which has to be chopped off before joining the files (their bodies) to make a single file suitable for play on a PC. I'm sure a codec could be written for the PC to do this joining. DVDs have several small files - one (or more?) for each chapter of a title, and PCs play them.

By the way, the iPlayer HD will play DVD files if you change the extension from .vob to .mpg (or something).

Perhaps, use the internal disk for pausing live TV and make recordings to the external disk. The external disk can then be plugged into a PC and a program run to create a single media file from these small files.
----------------------------

[Bob Crabtree]

I've commented directly to that thread already.

My observations suggest that the Evesham iplayer is working differently from the French model mentioned.

I'm also rather horrified at the cludge that is being described, even if it were to work on the Evesham.

The iplayer is a consumer product not a techie see-what-I-can-do toy and all these sorts of workarounds are totally out of keeping.

The product needs to work out of the box, not only after carrying out all sorts of trickery - some of which, it would appear, are pure theory at the moment.

[daniel_owen_uk]

Gotta agree, whilst I am sure most hexus users are capable of grabbing a couple of files and joining them together, if it doesn't split them, then how does it record?

I have seen BBC programs in HD that aren't much shy of 10GB for an hour (h.264 as well not TS mpeg).

How far are you from finishing the review bob? (only wondering no pressure )

[t_aitch]

Lol i was wondering too, i keep checking back on this thread every 5 minutes!

[Bob Crabtree]

Gotta agree, whilst I am sure most hexus users are capable of grabbing a couple of files and joining them together, if it doesn't split them, then how does it record?

I have seen BBC programs in HD that aren't much shy of 10GB for an hour (h.264 as well not TS mpeg).

How far are you from finishing the review bob? (only wondering no pressure )

daniel,

A good way away - probably after the weekend. I'm now trying to finish off a DVD burner review and so can't spend much more time with the iplayer until that's done.

Shout if you have any questions, though, cos I'm keeping a close watch on this thread and will respond if I can.

[robpete]

I pre-ordered one of those Evesham Iplayers so its quite helpful and frustrating that they have not sent out any yet, or so they say as of today, although they have been in stock for weeks.

Helpful becasue I can read your review to seperate the BS from the netgem sell, frustrating 'cause I am one of those sorry people who wants to find out what its like for myself and have at times been burned for my impatience before reviewers find out how serious the glitches are, update and support quality, and usability.

BTW does anyone know why one poster said that HDMI inputs on TVs upscale anyway already, but what is the point of that unless you have the kit and the electronics to take an external SD signal and output that through an HDMI port to your TV, seemed like a useless pedantic comment.

Oh well
Pete

[t_aitch]

If youve preordered one, then it would be good to see your comments and pictures if poss when you get it.

Yeah HDMI doesnt upscale, its the device that plugs into it that usually determines how the upscaling is carried out and to what detail. If HDMI upscaled then we would all be buying Scart > HDMI adapters

It doesnt look like theres a review anywhere on the web, but i will be more interested in the Hexus review as ive trusted their reviews for a very long time now.

[Bob Crabtree]

It doesnt look like theres a review anywhere on the web, but i will be more interested in the Hexus review as ive trusted their reviews for a very long time now.

[robpete]

Bob or anyone
Do you know if I only have the latest addition of XP does that mean that none or only some of the stuff that the iplayer can supposedly do with a PC connected through Lan will be limited?
Don't really want to remove XP and load another operating system or am i not understanding the spec.

Pete

[Bob Crabtree]

The iplayer uses Windows Media Connect - which IS an app that runs on XP.

V2 of that software comes on the CD supplied with the iplayer.

However, the standalone version is no longer available from MS downloads (though you can get V1.0, I think).

To get V2.0, you need to download and install Windows Media Player 11, with which it is tightly integrated.

This Windows Media Connect FAQ on Microsoft's site might be useful.

[robpete]

Thanks Bob
I will download version 11 of wmp and that should include version 2 of media centre if I understand you correctly. ok

Just heard delivery is tommorow for the iplayer, I guess its in for a penny in for a pound or am I a stupid *******!!!

pete