How do I get streaming (satellite) tv?

[spitfire78]

how do i stream (sat) tv to my xbox? there are many topics that are just too detailed for me to get the whole picture. i sense there are more people like me, so help me out and i'll make a guide.

goal: watch digital tv, low cost, maximum flexibility

i have 2 pc's and a xbox in my network. i can open and watch *.avi's, *.mpg's, *.iso's etc. via smb on xbox from the pc's hdd's. now i want to add satellite tv, and i have to options:

1. by buying a skystar 2 pci card for one of the pc's and stream to network via xbox
2. buy a dreambox sat receiver and add to network (model 500 ok?).

q1: what would be your argument for either one of the solutions?
q2: without spending money already, i have set up a configuration with mytheatre (without a dvb-s card) because mytheatre also playes files from disk. i installed mytheatre and the avbroadcast plugin and tried to broadcast a movie from pc hard disk to xbox. in this i did not succeed. so here i need to know:
1. is it possible to stream local files as well as dvb signal to xbox?
2. what settings and setup do i need to go through if i want to set up the whole thing from scratch?

as a "middle step" i tried to recieve a stream from one pc to the other by vlc but without luck also... i just need input on settings and "what means what" since it doesn't explain enough in the help files.

[Th3_H0unD]

ok first things first i'm not going to tell you how to setup mytheatre that's up to you to figure out.

get the mytheatre.py script and the files that come with it.
if you don't have it pm me with your e-mail address and i'll send it to you.

second install the files and launch mytheatre then run the
mytheatreepgserv.exe. (this is for the guide)


edit the mytheatre.py script to point to the ip of you pc with mytheatre running.

then go and launch the mytheatre.py script from your xbox.
and you should get your "favorites" and be able to select and channel and watch tv.

as far as the dreambox goes it is possible and there is a frontend to it posted here in the forms. i don't know anything about it.

hope this helps you out. if you need more info let me know.

th3_h0und

[johnwastaken]

do i need any hardware aside from the skystar2 card? does the card need to plug into anything, or can it work alone with the software. where is the best place to score one fo these cards?

thanks you!

[Th3_H0unD]

well your getting into other topics.... your best bet is too looking into dvbforums to find that information.

as far as getting that card i have no idea i have a card from dvbmaster vision plus 1020a is what i use. now you might be able to get your skystar card from threre as well. i don't know.

the card does not have to be plugged into your receiver. you can take it straight from the lnb of your dish to the sat card in your pc.

extra hardware well you need a computer for the card :)

th3_h0und

[spitfire78]

i downloaded "mytheatrexbmc2.0.rar" from the link for downloads in this thread. (http://www.xboxmediaplayer.de/cgi-bin/forums/ikonboard.pl?act=st;f=22;t=11437) i followed the instructions in the readme.txt file that comes with it. the progress i've made is that now the script runs from xbox, where the earlier version that came with my xbox in januari 2005 just showed [running] for a second and then nothing.

however i do get an error that says "unable to retrieve channel list" when pressing the two top buttons (tv only/radio only and the all channels/fta only). when i select the program guide in de xbox screen menu, i get "error tuning channel". i suppose i need to configure my favorites in mt on pc, but i do not have the dvb-card or tv-card in my pc yet. how can i stream a dvd or any other video-file first to see how it works before buying a dvb-card, satellite dish and full licence to mytheatre?

@th3_h0und: can you check by my download if these are all the files i need? on the pc i am using mytheatre 3.25.1 and the avbroadcast 0.12 plugin. when mytheatre is running on the pc, i run "mytheatreepgserv.exe" as you describe. a dos window opens for a second and closes again. it's too fast to read, but i think i saw the word error in there too.

[Th3_H0unD]

that's your problem right there. that dos window that opens should stay open cause the program keeps running.
run the command from a dos window and see what happens.

th3_h0und

[spitfire78]

i copied the folder xbmcepg to c:\ and opened mytheatreepgserv.exe from the command line. this is the text i see (i translated some of it to english myself):

port = 8001
traceback (most recent call last):
file "mytheatreepgserv.py", line 29 in, ?
dbchannel = engine.opendatabase(datapath+'\channels.mdb')
file "<comobject dao.dbengine.36>", line 2, in opendatabase
pywintypes.com_error: (-2147352567, 'an exception has occurred.', (0, 'dao.workspace', 'cannot find file ..\\channels.mdb.', 'jeterr40.chm', 5003024, -2146825264), none)
i copied the folder xbmcepg to c:\ and opened mytheatreepgserv.exe from the command line. this is the text i see (i translated some of it to english myself):

port = 8001
traceback (most recent call last):
file "mytheatreepgserv.py", line 29 in, ?
dbchannel = engine.opendatabase(datapath+'\channels.mdb')
file "<comobject dao.dbengine.36>", line 2, in opendatabase
pywintypes.com_error: (-2147352567, 'an exception has occurred.', (0, 'dao.workspace', 'cannot find file ..\\channels.mdb.', 'jeterr40.chm', 5003024, -2146825264), none)

//edit// update:
i got it to run by putting the xbmcepg folder under mytheatre folder in program files and run mytheatreepgserv.exe from there.

however i still have the errors "unable to retrieve channel list" and "error tuning channel" in my xbox screen. the readme.txt states that the mytheatre script will only work with favorites set up. but how do i setup favorite channels without a dvb-card? mpg's and dvd plays well in mytheatre on pc.

[Th3_H0unD]

well i'm glad too see that you installed it in the proper location. as for your other problem well if you have mytheatre setup and you are watching tv then it should be working.

too add any channels to your favorties well just right click on the channel goto properties then you will see the spot for putting it in your favorites.

and because you are trying to do this without your dvb card well you will allways get that "error tunning channel" because it cannot tune to something that does not exsist.

if you want this too work then get a dvb card. i'm not the only person that uses this script. this script does work and rather well at that. so if you want to get to the next level then get a dvb card.

th3_h0und

[spitfire78]

thanks a lot so far! :bowdown:

i installed a dish and skystar2. after 15 minutes of trying (alone) to point the dish, i went out to buy a compass and analog satfinder, which helped me to find astra...... 2, instead of 1! just to figure out which sat i had aimed at, took me more than installing the hardware. but there's a great website (http://www.satmania.com/eng/satchannels) you can check by searching for the channels you receive and check the sat.

now there are two steps (i hope) to victory:

1. mytheatre (3.12 and 3.21) will hang with some channels after 1 to more minutes or just play. when i change channels a few times it hangs too. i've de-installed the dvbviewer software that came wit the skystar2 and things seem more stable, but problems occur at least changing channels.

2. i still get the "unable to retrieve channel list" in the xbox script. good things are: i see that bandwidth is being used in the avbroadcaster plugin (which i didn't see before using a card), so there is broadcasting going on. i also added andalucia tv to my favorites, since it doesn't seem to hang if i start up and do not touch anything.

ps: my hardware should be ok: asus p4c-800e, p4 3,2 g, 1gb ram. cpu usage when playing around 6%.

[Th3_H0unD]

it's too bad you installed the software that came with it. i've usally only had problems and had to re-install my whole system from scratch. anyways. about your mytheatre problem is it a demo? cause you should not have any problems with the demo if you bought it then it will work fine as well. now there have been alot of reports of "illegal" copies not working 100 percent. i don't know why that's just what i've seen and read.

second let's fix your channel listing problem.

step 1) start mytheatre and set it to any channel.
step 2) run mytheatreepgserv.exe
step 3) start xbmc
step 4) run the mytheatre.py script from xbmc.

if you've configured the mytheatre.py script was modified to point to your pc with the skystar2 card then everything should be fine.

note: you don't have to start avbroadcaster just have it installed and configured.


try that and let me know.

th3_h0und

[robbo43]

hi there,

i have the same problem of unable to retrieve channels list. everything is installed in the correct directory, and epg server is active. the script will not exit if i press one of the top buttons.

i am able to watch the avbroadcaster stream pointing to the dvbcore.mpg file using a .strm file.

i am running mytheatre 3.25.1 and haven't payed for it as yet - i'm waiting to see if this works.

thanks

rob

[Th3_H0unD]

did you run the mytheatreepgserv.exe ? and does the dos window stay open?

if the window closes then there is a problem!!! and you need to run the command from a command prompt "manually" and that will help determine what the issue is.

if the window stays open and you still get the unable to retrieve channel listings message on your xbox then you might want to verify your settings in the mytheatre.py script.

th3_h0und

[robbo43]

hi,

i no longer get the unable to retrieve channel list - turns out the 1 hour evaluation time has expired, but the icon was still in the system tray!

however there is no list of channels when the script opens??

if i scroll down so the buttons at the top (tv only, all channels) are not selected and press enter i get a message saying channel cannot be tuned.

the dos window stays open - when i check the avbroadcaster plugin it doesn't seem to be broadcasting.

my favourites are all located in a subcategory - tv fav.

here's the debug file

01-04-2005 19:16:07 debug udpclient tx: 17038 -> 'kai_client_discover;'
01-04-2005 19:18:26 info activating window id: 10020
01-04-2005 19:18:30 debug loadlibrarya('zlib.pyd')
01-04-2005 19:18:30 debug initializing fs_seg..
01-04-2005 19:18:30 debug fs segment @ 0x8c3d50
01-04-2005 19:18:30 debug executing entrypoint at: 0xb684ff - dll: zlib.pyd
01-04-2005 19:18:30 debug loadlibrary('zlib.pyd') returning: 0x869fb0
01-04-2005 19:18:30 debug kernel32!getprocaddress(0x869fb0, 'initzlib') => 0xb62210
01-04-2005 19:18:30 info -->python initialized<--
01-04-2005 19:18:30 info
01-04-2005 19:18:30 debug loadlibrarya('_ssl.pyd')
01-04-2005 19:18:30 debug executing entrypoint at: 0xbbe951 - dll: _ssl.pyd
01-04-2005 19:18:30 debug loadlibrary('_ssl.pyd') returning: 0x86ffb0
01-04-2005 19:18:30 debug kernel32!getprocaddress(0x86ffb0, 'init_ssl') => 0xb71aa0
01-04-2005 19:18:30 debug loadlibrarya('pyexpat.pyd')
01-04-2005 19:18:30 debug executing entrypoint at: 0xc09c01 - dll: pyexpat.pyd
01-04-2005 19:18:30 debug loadlibrary('pyexpat.pyd') returning: 0xa02040
01-04-2005 19:18:30 debug kernel32!getprocaddress(0xa02040, 'initpyexpat') => 0xbf4540
01-04-2005 19:18:31 debug loadlibrarya('_sre.pyd')
01-04-2005 19:18:31 debug executing entrypoint at: 0xc2a3cb - dll: _sre.pyd
01-04-2005 19:18:31 debug loadlibrary('_sre.pyd') returning: 0x9ec670
01-04-2005 19:18:31 debug kernel32!getprocaddress(0x9ec670, 'init_sre') => 0xc2a120
01-04-2005 19:18:31 info activating window id: 13000

thanks for your help!

rob

[Th3_H0unD]

rob: you should get a list of "favorites" that appear on the left side of the screen. if you select one of those ie "tv fav" then you should see "all" the channels that are under that section. and you should then be able to scroll through the list and pick a channel to watch.

and well it does not appear that your debug level is not set to "0" so it does not give me all the information.

th3_h0und

[robbo43]

th3_h0und

i don't have anything on the screen apart from the tv only button, the all channels button, program guide text ( in the middle of the right hand side of the screen and i can't select it) and the two page numbers at the bottom. i'm running the project mayhem ii skin.

i only posted the debug file from the point where i get debug information.

thanks again

rob

[Th3_H0unD]

rob: then i don't see anything wrong. are you sure that your mytheatre.py script is configured properly ?

the ip is pointing to the ip of the pc with the sat card?

you did not change the port settings?

you don't have a firewall setup on your pc?


th3_h0und

[spitfire78]

i have (i think) major driver or codec problems. here's what i did...

1. installed a fresh winxp pro sp2 onto the second hard disk in my pc and booted from it
2. installed mainboard chipset drivers
3. installed directx 9c
4. installed lan drivers
5. installed (onboard) audio drivers
6. installed only the drivers for skystar2 from its official cd (latest drivers v. 4.3 or something, cannot check now but most recent i know)
7. installed mytheatre 3.21 which is the shareware version i downloaded from the official website (1 hour limitation)
7. disabled windows firewall
8. put in avbroadcaster plugin
9. edited ip adress in plugin to 192.168.123.103 (=xbox) and marked http streaming, and clicked ok to exit. (did not "start broadcast now")
10. scanned astra 1 and got all channels set up.
11. rebooted for the 105th time (or 106th???) :sleep:
12. tried to watch a channel on pc in mytheatre, but get only some streaming info in the bottom bar of mytheatre's window (which hangs after some minutes). when clicking on the left side arrow "show screen" (or something like that, cannot check exactly at this time) i get cyberlink audio codec error. my "fresh install" now behaves exactly like (actually worse) than my normal install where i also installed dvbviewer which is official skystar2 software. why?? ... because cpu usage goes up to 80% and system is thus very slow. sometimes mt will run stable, but no view.
13. googled for "codecs" and downloaded and installed ace mega codecs pack and error about cyberlink audio disappeared, even got vision in mytheatre now. but picture will hang after a few minutes.
14. tried these four steps as advised by th3_h0und:

step 1) start mytheatre and set it to any channel.
step 2) run mytheatreepgserv.exe
step 3) start xbmc
step 4) run the mytheatre.py script from xbmc.

but just the same messages on tv/xbox as i have described before in previous posts in this thread:

what is to be concluded so far on a "fresh winxp pro install":
- fresh winxp pro installation doesn't seem to eliminate effects that could be caused by official dvbviewer software from skystar2 cd,
- mytheatre 3.21 will rise cpu usage to 80% many times, causing to use reset button on pc (i'm impatient)
- mytheatre 3.21 needs additional codecs on a fresh install to display a channel
- mytheatre 3.21 will freeze after a few minutes

short: mytheatre is very unstable versus a very stable and very usable and nice dvbviewer (the official software from skystar2 cd). if there only would be a good dvbviewer plugin for xbox mediacentre , my problems would be solved!

but to quote:....

i'm not the only person that uses this script. this script does work and rather well at that. so if you want to get to the next level then get a dvb card.

th3_h0und

so, how do i get mytheatre, and then this script to work?

ps: (ofcourse) i edited the script to point to 192.168.123.100 where my skystar2 is located.

[Th3_H0unD]

ok well it sounds like mytheatre does not even work on your pc. can you watch it on your pc? if you are getting codec errors then you need to get a codec pack ie mpeg2_decoders.v2.04.exe
because you need the codec to decode properly and directx just doesn't cut it. if you have powerdvd i'd install it before mytheatre.

make sure you select the proper graph in mytheatre as well.

cause if mytheatre is not working on your pc properly then well i'd be checking the dvbnetwork forums for aid on this. if my suggestions here don't help you.


th3_h0und

[spitfire78]

i re-uploaded the mytheatre.py file to the xbox again and then i selected to run the script from the "file manager" instead of the little icon in the right on the bottom bar you can press to then select to reboot etc..... and to select scripts.

this got me as far as to watch 1,5 minute of tv. i did it!!! and then it started to slow down, artifacts, glitches,....and full stop. like what happens on pc.

2 things:

1. i've watched tv once (and never after) but for one minute and then slow down and stop
2. watching channels on desktop pc also still very unstable.

th3_h0und please link codec file in your post.

ps: what do you mean with "setting the proper graph". i have power dvd 5 installed.

[Th3_H0unD]

your problem is the graphs and or codecs so once you get that iron'd out on your pc you will be cooking with gas :d

in mytheatre , right click goto settings -> then graphs.
i have wxp v,a cyberlink selected.

now you might have to try them all to get one that works for you. as far as a link for mpeg2_decoders.v2.04.exe, i'd try the above first and well i can't find a link for it. i got it from the dvbnetwork forums.

the file is 5mb btw so e-mail would be out in most cases.
pm if not.

th3_h0und

[spitfire78]

i tried all graph settings. with some i get a codec filter error in the display. some others will work fine. but mytheatre will freeze after a minute or so in all cases. it's like a buffer that fills up and then mt stops. the problem with sky-high cpu usage remains also, when changing channels a lot and fast. i will try to find more info on stability of mytheatre in mt forums.

meanwhile please send my the file. you have pm :thumbsup:

//update//
i got to watch tv now and change channels a few times before mt froze. i deleted all network protocols of the skystar card, except for client for miscrosoft networks, detreministic network enhancer and tcp/ip. i read somewhere that this could help stability of mytheatre, but it didn't help.

the second thing i remembered doing last night, is that i left out the :8000 behind the ip adress in the py script. this is what i use for settings now, and it worked again, so i will not touch this soon again.

################################################## ##########
#set ip address of pc running mytheatre
servip = '192.168.123.100'
#
#set port for avbroadcaster http
avbservport = 8000
#
#set port for python epg server
epgservport = 8001
#
#set delay for channel change in seconds (default = 4, max = 18)
changedelay=4
################################################## ##########

however the picture quality on tv is not good. i get a lot of glitches and artifacts. could this have something to do with router settings? or do i need a bigger dish/stronger signal? it says 100% in the right window and nothing in the left % window of mt. i don't get artifacts etc. watching on pc.

[Th3_H0unD]

it could be the signal quality might not be high enough did you check it with a signal meter?


also it could be something todo with the protocols that the card installs.


th3_h0und

[spitfire78]

the freezing appears to be a known hyperthreading issue. i unchecked all cpu's except for number 1 in the expert settings. it seems to bring stability in life.

last issue left is image quality on my large wide-screen tv. it's better with the new codecs, but with pan-shots and fast moving images the picture is stuttering a little bit. i'm new to satellite watching, zo maybe it's accepted. signal meter (fastsatfinder) reads about 42% and a s/n of 5.45. pgrogdvb reads 47%.

avbroadcaster reads 3913 kbps. how much mbits is that? :nuts: i use a 1000 mbit networkcard, xbox is unkown to me and us robotics ap and wireless router with their 125 mbit technology. pc to xbox is all wired network.

[Th3_H0unD]

well there's 8 bits in a byte so do the math.

i would try to adjust you dish to get a higher signal cause that's a little low.

xbox is 100 mbps so you should not have any problems.
i stream my sat to my xbox and on my other xbox i stream 2gb files accross the lan at the same time and i have no issues with speed or lag.

i'm glad to hear that you resolved the choppy issue i would'nt have checked the hyperthreading.

th3_h0und

[spitfire78]

i have been listening to shoutcast a lot over my xbox, but now i have found some nice radiostations on the satellite as well. but now i find out that i cannot play radio streams in mytheatre.
tv streams work excellent but as soon as i tune into a radiochannel it will read something like "channel decrypted or not broadcasting". the same radiostations do work fine on my pc.
am i overlooking a checkbox somewhere again like the hyperthreading thing?

[Th3_H0unD]

well honestly i have not tried the radio channels so i can't help you out there sorry. however i don't see why it would not work though.

btw is anyone using mytheatre with dn?

th3_h0und