Adding a timer to Hauppauge Nova-t software
While the Nova-t software isn't too bad, it desparately lacks a timer function for recording.
I've written a simple timer function, and thought that I'd make it available for others to try.
The software introduces a modification to the main window, where a
timer button has been added (ringed in the picture below).
If this is pressed then a new window appears, which is used to program the timer.
The top half of the window is used to enter the programme details.
By default this is set up to enter details for a recording later that day, but pressing
the radio buttons will allow a day or date to be entered.
Note that you must select the radio buttons first, otherwise the system will forget
the information (channel, date, day, time) that you've already entered ... Sorry about this -
I guess that it can prompt the first upgrade.
Also note that the software uses the PC clock, so make sure it's fairly accurate - I've inclused the 2 minute safety margin
checkbox to cope with minor alignment issues.
When the information has been entered, press 'submit', and the data will be entered into the timer.
This will show up in the bottom part of the window.
this shows the channel, the date, and the start and stop times for the recording.
Note that if the recording spans midnight, the system will automatically stop on the next day.
I guess this means that there is a maximum recording length of 24 hours.
Likewise, if the selected month is earlier in the year, the system will set the month
to be next year. (ie, no recording can be programmed more than 12 months in advance).
After a recording has finished the system will delete the entry from the timer list. The exception to this
is if 'every' has been selected, when the system will add a week to the entry.
If an entry must be deleted before the recording can take place, each entry can be deleted manually by selecting
the appropriate entry in the pull down list, and pressing 'delete entry'.
The system can cope with up to 250 entries, which should be enough for most people.
After you've programmed the timer, you can close the timer window - the system will remember the settings and still record on time.
If you want to update the timer settings, just press the timer button again. As of V1.3 the system will remember the timer settings even if the computer is switched off.
Version History
V1.0 Original timer
V1.1 Improved user interface, sorted bug with dropped frames on some systems.
V1.2 Minor update to sort out unreadable text on USB version.
V1.3 Major update to sort out 2 bugs - mainly associated with recording more than one program on some machines. This also incorporates a non-volatile memory. Note that this uses cookies, so these will have to be enabled to use this feature.
*** note that unfortunately an erroneous version somehow got onto this page, which will not record programmes under most circumstances - it was only up for a short while, but if the software didn't work for you, it's probably because of this - try the most recent version***
Installation instructions
Before starting on this I guess this is experimental software only, and you should proceed with caution.
At the very least I recommend backing up the contents of the 'html' directory of the nova software.
(just copy the entire directory somewhere safe, so setting things back to the way they were will be trivial).
This said, the software is pretty simple (javascript), and I cannot imagine any damage that could be caused.
(But the recordings quickly fill up your hard disk, which can be a pain).
The current modification is for the 1.46 software version. Apparently it also works with 1.48, but I haven't tried it yet.
Although I haven't tried it explicitly, the timer should also work with the tecknotrend software (1.46). If you haven't upgraded to 1.46 then do so, as it's much improved over 1.44. The software was designed around the PCI Nova device, but USB version - give it a try! *updated mid Jan 03 for USB compability. I've also had some mixed feedback regarding the 2000 device - I'd be very interested in getting further feedback for this.
To install:
Backup the html directory.
make sure the nova-t app isn't running.
copy all of the files in the zipfile to the hauppauge html directory.
that's it.
hauppauge nova-t timer software
To remove, simply copy the html directory backup back to where it came from.
If you didn't make a backup, you'll have to re-install the hauppauge software.
Just an aside on playing with recordings...
I had loads of problems with re-coding recordings, but have managed to solve it -
use Pvastrumento to separate out the video and audio, and then encode using tmpeg. This avoids the audio sync problems that
occurred otherwise.
Any questions, queries, or just to applaud the product :-) - get in contact with me at: richard @ dolaugu.com
Regarding the coding - I know it's awful javascript - it was a learning exercise, and I
certainly wouldn't write it that way now. So don't write in to complain!