[mythtv-users] Can't record from composite.

[Michael T. Dean]

Greg Burke wrote:

> I've just got my mythtvbox up and running but i have a problem with it.
>
> i'm using a a wintv pvr 350 card which seems to working fine because i 
> can watch my old videotapes and satellite tv through it but i can't 
> record from s-video composite or tuner. when i press "r" while 
> watching  it just says "record" at the top of the screen but nothing 
> actually records.

MythTV is a PVR that records programs based on guide listings.  
Therefore, the "R" key simply requests recording of the current 
program.  If you don't have any guide data, there is no current program, 
so it doesn't do anything.

SVN has something of an "instant timer record" feature where pressing 
"R"  when there is no program info will start recording for 60 minutes 
and then you can adjust the end time as desired.  However, you're better 
off doing it correctly--using a Manual Recording rule.

See http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/commits/153279#153279

> My main reason for building this machine was to record from an 
> external vcr and satellite receiver so i haven't downloaded any xmltv 
> channels lists.

So, why not just:

dd if=/dev/video0 of=~/BabysFirstBirthday.mpg bs=64k

for the VCR.  Myth really isn't providing any benefit here--may actually 
be making things much harder.  The satellite, on the other hand, should 
be set up with guide data and an appropriate control mechanism (i.e. IR 
blaster/serial link--see the archives 
http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/ ).

Mike