Codec Issues, what should be my approach?

[MaximumHP]

So lately I’ve been getting a lot of issues with my HTPC which I’m starting to believe is due to codec issues.  Not sure how these problems arose, it’s been fine for a while and I haven’t changed anything, but anyway I’m getting frequent crashing, especially when playing video, COM Surrogate errors, etc.

I generally used Josh’s guide a while back to set up my codecs here:

http://www.mnmaven.com/2010/03/20/codecs-codecs-and-more-codecs-the-easy-minimalist-approach/

 

I’m not sure how to attack this problem in fear of making it worse, any suggestions before I start updating programs, DIVX, VLC, etc?

 

Admittedly, I’m probably due for a fresh install, but would like to at least try to make it through until the new shows go on hiatus for a while so I have time to reset-up since I have shows recording almost every night at the moment.

Running:

Windows 7 Media Center – 32bit

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 3GHz

3MB DDR2 SDRAM

NVIDIA GT430

Hauppauge HVR 1800

Good Power Supply, updated drivers, couple SATA drives, nothing else fancy.

 

Thanks for any suggestions

-Eric

[MaximumHP]

I have errors all over the place, is there a way to stop DVRMS toolbox from autostarting on startup, seems I’m getting a lot of crashes due to DVRMS and I want to turn it off to see if that is the problem.

 

Not sure if this means anything to anyone:

Log Name:      Application
Source:        DVRMSToolbox
Date:          11/6/2011 10:03:05 PM
Event ID:      0
Task Category: None
Level:         Error
Keywords:      Classic
User:          N/A
Computer:      MediaCenter
Description:
PW Exit: System.ObjectDisposedException: Cannot write to a closed TextWriter.
   at System.IO.__Error.WriterClosed()
   at System.IO.StreamWriter.Flush(Boolean flushStream, Boolean flushEncoder)
   at System.IO.StreamWriter.Write(Char[] buffer, Int32 index, Int32 count)
   at System.IO.TextWriter.WriteLine(String value)
   at System.IO.TextWriter.WriteLine(String format, Object arg0)
   at Durrant.DVRMSFileWatcher.ProcessWrap.ap_Exited(Object sender, EventArgs e)
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns=”http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event”&gt;
  <System>
    <Provider Name=”DVRMSToolbox” />
    <EventID Qualifiers=”0″>0</EventID>
    <Level>2</Level>
    <Task>0</Task>
    <Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime=”2011-11-07T04:03:05.000000000Z” />
    <EventRecordID>32717</EventRecordID>
    <Channel>Application</Channel>
    <Computer>MediaCenter</Computer>
    <Security />
  </System>
  <EventData>
    <Data>PW Exit: System.ObjectDisposedException: Cannot write to a closed TextWriter.
   at System.IO.__Error.WriterClosed()
   at System.IO.StreamWriter.Flush(Boolean flushStream, Boolean flushEncoder)
   at System.IO.StreamWriter.Write(Char[] buffer, Int32 index, Int32 count)
   at System.IO.TextWriter.WriteLine(String value)
   at System.IO.TextWriter.WriteLine(String format, Object arg0)
   at Durrant.DVRMSFileWatcher.ProcessWrap.ap_Exited(Object sender, EventArgs e)</Data>
  </EventData>
</Event>

[babgvant]

[quote=MaximumHP]

I have errors all over the place, is there a way to stop DVRMS toolbox from autostarting on startup, seems I’m getting a lot of crashes due to DVRMS and I want to turn it off to see if that is the problem.

[/quote]

You mean PC crashes or application crashes?  That error can be ignored, and IIRC won’t get logged on recent builds of DTB.

To keep the FW from auto starting either set the service to manual or delete the shortcut from the startup folder depending on which FW you’re using.

[babgvant]

[quote=MaximumHP]

So lately I’ve been getting a lot of issues with my HTPC which I’m starting to believe is due to codec issues.  Not sure how these problems arose, it’s been fine for a while and I haven’t changed anything, but anyway I’m getting frequent crashing, especially when playing video, COM Surrogate errors, etc.

 

[/quote]

Can you explain in more detail what the issues are specifically?  Generally I don’t recommend installing codec packs (which despite Josh’s assertions to the contrary, Shark007 is) so I do think that a more specific approach to resolving codec issues (if this is a codec issue) is warranted.

[MaximumHP]

Well turns out I think it’s a hardware problem, think it might be my video card, but not sure.  I have a brand new clean install of Windows 7 on there and still experiencing the crashes.  They are usually whole PC lock ups, power off is the option.  Or the whole thing just shuts down on it’s own.  Seems kinda random, but when I try to record live programing I only make it a few minutes and it’s locked up.  I’ve run windows disk scans and memory checks with no problems noted.   The computer has never been the same or stable since the EVGA GeForce GT430.

 

Once I get this fixed, what would you suggest for a codec approach on my clean install?  All I really need is live TV, Xvid for avi files, and MKV support.

[frijones]

Could it be a temperature problem?  I installed a 5450 to upgrade the display and was also having a problem with random reboot/shutdowns.  Turns out I didn’t have enough airflow and the card was overheating.  I put a fan in to cool the card and it’s worked flawlessly ever since.

[MaximumHP]

Well it turned out my motherboard crapped out, back up and running now, starting over with a clean install.

Still looking for recommendations on the best approach for codecs before I booger up my system?  As mentioned before, all I really need is live TV, Xvid for avi files, and MKV support.  Thanks for any suggestions.

[umdivx]

I am still a fan of Sharks. I have never gone wrong with using sharks, I just don’t install everything it comes with, I don’t install AC3 filter, or any of the other addons sharks put into the install.

-Josh

[babgvant]

[quote=MaximumHP]

Still looking for recommendations on the best approach for codecs before I booger up my system?  As mentioned before, all I really need is live TV, Xvid for avi files, and MKV support.  Thanks for any suggestions.

[/quote]

Install the LAV Filters, should include everything you need.

[Author]

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