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The long time promised “2.0 Release” is finally here. For those who followed with the 2.0 Beta versions, here is what has changed since 2.0 Beta 3:

• Added a “Prefix Key” in MceIR so that you can now prefix all your channel changes with a custom key of your choosing.
• Added a “Learn Timeout” parameter in MceIR. It is usefull for some set-top-boxes remotes which we fail to learn correctly with the default value.
• Added a new parameter “AcquisitionLostManualPowerCycleTimeout” which allows you to control how long to wait before calling the on-device-error-power-cycle hook. Default value is 30000 (30 seconds). Aactually we retry once before calling the hook, so the total time is twice that. If you set it too short, you run the risk of power cycling your HD PVR needlessly.
• Trial period is back to 30 days instead of 15 days. However, the trial counter is not reset.

For the others still using 1.0, here is a recap of the improvements between 1.0 and 2.0:

• Full support for Multiple HD PVRs
• Improved stability with a higher process priority AND an intermediary FIFO buffer between DirectShow and Media Center.
• New built-in and easy to use line-up editor. That means you don’t need to use DVBLink Add-in anymore (within Media Center) to synchronize your line-up.
• New improved installer. You only have a single installer to run and it will check UAC for you. The new installer also verifies that a compatible version of DVBLink is installed. You also won’t need to save your configuration manually anymore.
• New hooks feature (change-channel, on-idle, on-standby, on-device-error-power-cycle). They allow you to customize your setup yourselves.
• Fixed and improved MCE Compatible IR Blaster support (frequency detection, port selection and various options)
• Added access to the Hauppauge HD PVR Encoder properties from within DVBLink for HDPVR (you don’t need to fiddle with graphbuilder or TME anymore)
• Added support for sub-channel numbers (ex: 700.1 or 700-2)
• Changed the hardware fingerprint to use the Ethernet MAC Address
• Fix the registration dialog for all platforms.
• Multiple UI/Configuration edition improvements.
• Various logging improvements.

As an additional note, you should be aware of the following changes:

• The location of the configuration files, log files, IR files and hooks has moved to %ProgramFiles%\Dvblink\Data\<sourcename>
• The log file is now renamed to output.log

The upgrade from 1.0 to 2.0 is free. However, since this version now uses the Ethernet MAC address as the hardware fingerprint, 1.0 users will need to request a new activation key. Users using 2.0B2 and up do not require a new key and can use the same key used with the beta versions.

Due to the overall improvements, DVBLink for HDPVR 1.0 will no longer be available for download. All new installations should move to 2.0 and we also hope everyone still using 1.0 will progressively move to 2.0 as support for 1.0 will be more and more difficult to provide.

That was fast… only two weeks after DVBLink for HDPVR Beta 2, here is DVBLink for HDPVR Beta 3 with the following changes:

• Higher process priority (above normal)
• Embedded DVBLink Server installer
• Removal of faulty screen saver
• Product version validation

The tests that were made using a higher process priority for the DVBLink service has resulted in a much improved reliability for many users. Also the “Fault Screen Saver” feature in 2.0 Beta 2 was not quite ready as it caused slow and failed channel changes. We recommend to everyone using a prior 2.0 Beta version to update to this version.

Since we have this new all-integrated installer, you will not have to worry anymore about deciding whether you need to re-install the DVBLink server or not. The installer will let you know what’s best depending on your situation. Also, there is no need to delete your HDPVRBridge sources or do backup of your current config.xml because the installer is made to handle upgrade scenarios very well (we use this functionality very often to deploy on our own HTPCs).

This beta version will most likely be the last beta release for DVBLink for HDPVR 2.0. At this point, we believe users still using DVBLink for HDPVR 1.0 should start using DVBLink for HDPVR 2.0.

After a much long wait, we are announcing DVBLink for HDPVR 2.0 Beta 2. While you wont see it, this version has seen its internals re-organized and re-written to help with maintenance and issues. The additional improvements are:

• Added a “Stream Saver” feature to get rid of the infamous “No TV Signal” message. That is, if the HD PVR Streaming is lost, we feed a dummy stream that Media Center continues recording “unknowingly”. This way, if you have an “on-device-error-power-cycle” hook present, Media Center won’t abort your recording.
• Added support for sub-channel numbers (ex: 700.1 or 700-1)
• Much improved MCE Compatible IR support (fixed the frequency bug AND the port selection)
• Improvements and bug fixes to line-up editor.
• Added the ability to change the “set-top-box” number for your channels in your line-up.
• Hardware fingerprint changed to use Ethernet MAC address.
• Fixed the registration dialog for all platforms.

This version is for DVBLink for HDPVR experienced users that want to give a shot at the new features and for users experiencing issues with version 1.0.2.

Since this version now uses the Ethernet MAC address as the hardware fingerprint, you will need to request a new activation key. All future releases as well will move to this new hardware fingerprint method.

That means:

• If you have a registration key for DVBLink for HDPVR, your registration key won’t be compatible with 2.0 Beta and 1.0, however you license will still be valid and you will be able to request a new registration key.
• If you don’t have a registration key for DVBLink for HDPVR and you have installed the 30-days version, the trial counter will get reset with the 2.0 Beta 2 installation, for an additional 15 days.
• If you buy a license using the 2.0 Beta 2, the registration key won’t be compatible with the 1.0.2 version, but it will be with the future 2.0 version. You however will be able to request a key for the 1.0.2 if you decide to use it instead of the 2.0.

DVBLogic is also working on an automated registration key generator that wont require human intervention. Keep tabs on it on DVBLogic website and forums.

We are proud to announce the availability of the version 2.0 Beta. This version offers a lot in terms of improved usability and simplicity. The major improvements are:

• Full support for Multiple HD PVRs
• Built-in line-up editor in HDPVRBridge Properties (simplified version based on GuideTool)
• Read more…

There is currently a problem with the registration dialog on Windows 64 bits. This problem is currently under investigation but a workaround is now available, until the problem is fixed.

Workaround installation instructions:

1. Unzip the workaround file
2. Copy registerhdpvr.exe in C:\Program Files\DVBLogic\DVBLink\Sources\<your source name>.
3. Execute registerhdpvr.exe to bring up the DVBLink for HDPVR registration dialog (or a message that trial is expired).

Download the workaround from below.

download: RegisterHdpvr (3.44KB) added: 24/07/2009 description: Windows 64 bits registration fix

This version includes the following bug-fix:

• Includes an updated DVBLink installer that allows background scanning disabling

To update from a previous version, please follow these instructions.

Read more…

This version includes small bug-fix:

• Corrected error message that could be displayed on some extenders
• Corrected the “Unable to save your settings” message when updating channels in ConfigTool.exe

To update, please follow these instructions.

Note: In case you already had 1.0 installed, you can skip re-installing the DVBLink software.

Read more…

We are proud to announce the official first release of DVBLink for HDPVR 1.0.

Here is a list of the improvements offered by DVBLink for HDPVR over DVBSBridge for HDPVR:

• Removed dependency on mc2xml for Guide data, replaced by the full Microsoft guide
• Added Idle mode to avoid streaming when HD PVR is not in use
• Added support for stand-by/sleep
• Improved support for Microsoft Media Center Compatible IR Receiver/Blaster
• Added Media Center notifications for important information about acquisition lost/resume
• Generally improved stability
• Improved documentation: step-by-step installation instructions and FAQ

Read more…

The RC3 version includes several fixes since the original RC:

• Fixed standby mode, now stops the acquisition properly.
• Fixed the “Needs manual power cycle” looping message.
• Read more…

We have had reports of problems with the Sleep/Standby mode with the RC1 and also problems with the “Needs manual power cycle”. We are releasing an update of the RC1 DLL with the following improvements:

• Fixed standby mode, now stops the acquisition properly.
• Fixed the “Needs manual power cycle” looping message.
• Read more…