2.4.0 Alpha

[mackworth]

Please add a comment here to let me know if you're trying the new version, how extensively, and whether it's working for you or if there's any issue.

[mackworth]

Cross posted from Issue #83:

All: Ok, I still can't reproduce the beachball symptom on my system, but I've spent many hours pouring through what might be causing it. Here's a new version (beta 6 (520); without heavy logging) that restructures how I present the download and subscription tables. It's taken a more mainstream approach to some aspects and has cleaned up a couple others, although no Aha! moment that would certainly cause the problem. So please give it a try and let me know if it still has the problem for you.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21507587/cTiVo.zip

Oh, and I should mention that I think I've tested all the fields and buttons, so they should all be hooked up properly, but if you see any other oddities, please let me know.

[mackworth]

@ITSquire and @c64syntaxerror
Check out this article: http://arstechnica.com/apple/2015/01/why-dns-in-os-x-10-10-is-broken-and-what-you-can-do-to-fix-it/

[ITSquire]

Actually it comes up with 192.168.1.20

On Tue, Dec 23, 2014 at 7:01 PM, Hugh Mackworth notifications@github.com wrote:

@ITSquire https://github.com/ITSquire: Oh, and the other thing to try is what I said before:

Run Network Utility (in Applications/Utilities), enter the server name dvr-213e.local in the Lookup screen, hit Lookup button, and see if it translates to the 192.168.1.15 address.

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub https://github.com/dscottbuch/cTiVo/issues/63#issuecomment-68015597.

[mackworth]

ok, so try these: To test this, if you try the following URLs in Safari: https://192.168.1.20/TiVoConnect?Command=QueryContainer&Container=%2FNowPlaying&Recurse=Yes&AnchorOffset=0&ItemCount=15and https://dvr-213e.local./TiVoConnect?Command=QueryContainer&Container=%2FNowPlaying&Recurse=Yes&AnchorOffset=0&ItemCount=15

(with account tivo and password equal to your MAK).

If the numbered one works, and the named one doesn't, then that indicates a problem with the DNS. You might try just rebooting your Mac and your router (assuming that's providing the local DNS.

[czarnik]

I have tested the 2.4 beta release on both Yosemite & Mavericks. It appears to work well on both. It is running full time on Mavericks in the following config: Replaced the Decrypted Tivo Show format with a small python script that just creates a link to the downloaded file in the output directory & then uses the batch command to schedule comskip when the system load is light. comskip is run with the nice option to keep system load light and creates the commercial file (.txt) but leaves the original mpg file intact. This is done because xbmc / kodi handles playback of the mpg & skips the commercials so no recoding is necessary. Once the txt file is complete, both mpg & txt are moved over to a xbmc content directory via filebot that handles any renaming required and notifies xbmc to rescan the content. Since we don't archive the recorded shows - just watch & auto remove - the larger file size of the mpg isn't an issue and we have access to the high quality audio & video of the HD Tivo recording. Love the product and really applaud the effort. The Tivo content now just 'appears' along with the contents from the internet. Nice work Hugh!

[WhyAkron]

Export Subtitles not working in Version 2.4.0b6 (522). Saving as Decrypted TiVo Show, .srt file shows a file size of 3 bytes. When using Version 2.3.1 (468) on the same program, the subtitles export correctly. Started using version 2.4.0b6 for another issue, but haven't used cTivo much since, due to network drive problems (totally unrelated, except for limited drive space to move files), so didn't notice subtitle problem for a while. Also didn't notice (because I usually start a download then go away!) that the progress indication (red bar and stats) doesn't appear for anywhere from a couple of minutes to when the download is almost complete, unless another download is added to the queue, then the indicators appear for the active download. (using OS X 10.9.5 (13F34))

[mackworth]

Sorry, ahem, yes, you are correct. Version 2.4.0b6 has a critical bug that interferes with several workflows involving parallel activities (such as subtitles). b7 should be available soon, but I'm still doing some memory testing. I'm not seeing your second problem (in my version 7) but it could be related to the first.

[mackworth]

Okay, here's a "sneak preview" of beta 7 (533). I've done a lot of testing, but I'd like to get a couple folks testing it under other environments before designating it. (Yes, I'm a little gun-shy after breaking Handbrake in beta 6). Versus beta 6, new features are:

• Beta6 bug fix
• Updated to Handbrake version 0.10.0
• Significantly smaller memory usage, especially when running unattended.
• Zero in TiVo Refresh time means manual refresh only.

Let me know if you've tried it, and that it's working for you. I don't think this has fixed the Yosemite bug, but it clears the decks, fixing all other known bugs, especially one long-time one that crashed cTiVo whenever mencoder crashed.

[WhyAkron]

Tried beta 7 (533) on three programs. Looks like it fixed the 2 issues I was having (no subtitles and delayed progress indicator). I initially thought there were audio and subtitle sync problems, but more likely due to the player I used. (MPlayerX, because QuickTime Player doesn't show captions/subtitles playing Decrypted Tivo Shows format. Sound sync ok in QuickTime Player.)

[mackworth]

Great; thanks for the update! (Have you tried VLC as a player?)

[tannebil]

I use VLC all the time on both Windows and OS X. The interface is a mess and it makes a Swiss Army knife look like a masterpiece of simplistic design but it handles everything I throw at it.

On Feb 16, 2015, at 7:52 AM, Hugh Mackworth notifications@github.com wrote:

Great; thanks for the update! (Have you tried VLC as a player?)

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub.

[WhyAkron]

Had an OLD version of VLC that I didn't like, so updated and tried it again. Like it now. Thanks for the tip. For straight viewing I found Mac Media Player (from Macgo) is decent. Also discovered I have Roxio Video Player (came with Toast 11, but it's kind of hidden and usually triggered by another part of Toast). Has more convenient fast forward/reverse, but otherwise nothing special.

[mackworth]

I've posted beta 7 on the Releases page. Minor fix included, so it's version 2.4.0beta7 (534) of the program.

[ghost]

Greetings. I just downloaded and installed ctivo 2.4.0b7 on an iMac running OS10.10.2 (Yosemite). It worked flawlessly to transfer a program from a TiVo Roamio. Nice work. Thanks.

[WoodyO]

All works well except I can't get any subtitles (captions). I am hearing impaired and need this feature. It's probably just me. Using a TIVO Premier and a late model iMac. Please help me.

[mackworth]

Sorry you're having a problem. I need a little more info to start helping. First, which cTiVo "Video Format" are you using (some don't have the ability to support subtitles)? Second, when a show is in the download queue, is there a checkmark in the Subtitle column? Third, let me just confirm that you see subtitles while watching TV on TiVo directly? Fourth, which player are you using (Apple's quicktime player)? Thanks.

[WoodyO]

Wow! I sure appreciate the quick response. I didn't expect that. I thank you.

To answer your questions: 1) I am using H.264 Medium Quality. 2) Yes, there is a checkmark in both the "skip" and the "Subtitle" columns. 3) Yes, I always use subtitles for everything other than sports whenever watch television (via TIVO). 4) I have tried using both Quicktime Player and Quicktime Player 7.

Thanx again.

WoodyO ©¿©¬

[mackworth]

Great. Two more questions: do you use the Copy to iTunes option, and is there an SRT file in the same folder as your downloaded video (and is there anything in it (you can use a text editor))?

Then, can you run two experiments for me? First, try using AppleTV format, and assuming that also fails, then try NOT skipping (but still captioning) and see if that works.

(Sorry for all the questions, but these things are all related due to cTivo's underlying mechanics of moving bits around to the right place at the right time.)

[WoodyO]

No, I don't use the Copy option. The SRT files look just fine in listing all the captions (over 900).

Good news. I switched to Apple TV format and the captions showed up for the first time. But only if I used used VLC as a movie player. "No joy" using Quicktime. I hope we can get it to work w/Quicktime since the transfer is almost twice as fast.

You still want me to try skipping commercials? Ok. I'll do that now.

[mackworth]

Actually, the suggestion was to NOT skip commercials, but with the QuickTime format.

As a separate question, try deleting the SRT file and seeing if VLC still shows the captions.

[WoodyO]

Sorry I misunderstood. Skipping had no effect other than what it was supposed to.

After deleting the SRT file VLC would no longer display captions.

[WoodyO]

Incidentally, The Roxio Player doesn't work any better than Quicktime.

[WhyAkron]

Chiming in to add to the mix... Using cTivo 2.4.0beta7 (534) since it was released, OS X 10.9.5 (13F1066). Would say I'm a casual user, but no issues so far. In cTivo I always save as Decrypted Tivo Show to save time. QuickTime Player (Version 10.3 (727.4)) doesn't show captions with or without .srt file. Observation, not complaint - I assume Quicktime needs a different format to show captions. VLC (Version 2.1.5 Rincewind) shows captions with ("Track 1") or without ("Closed captions 1") .srt file. Roxio Video Player (1.0.3 (070)) shows captions with & without .srt file, but appears to not use the .srt.

[WoodyO]

Thank you, WhyAkron, for the input. Makes me wonder if OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) might be the culprit.

[mackworth]

Ok, so it sounds like cTiVo is creating the subtitles properly (the SRT file), but then isn't embedding the subtitles into the MP4 file for you, which occurs at the end of its processing. (VLC recognizes SRT, but QuickTime Player does not. I just tried that configuration (no commercials, embed captions H.264 Medium quality), and it worked for me. Can you download an app called Subler, and open the MP4 file and see if it has a subtitle track embedded?

[mackworth]

@WhyAkron Correct, the MPG format doesn't have the ability to have subtitles embedded, just the MP4 one, and QuickTime Player does not recognize the external SRT. On the other hand, because no video recompression occurs with the Decrypted format, the original line 21 subtitle information is still there, so I'm guessing that VLC and Roxio are accessing that (which is lost if any recompression occurs).

[WoodyO]

I downloaded Subler.app and opened three cTIVo transfers and all three had subtitle tracks.

[jerry7171]

Hello all, since the topic of subtitles has come up I thought I'd ask a question semi-related. I sometimes grab subtitles as I have the odd foreign language show and wanted to keep the subtitles. The problem is I don't know what I'm doing wrong; I have tried exporting the program as a simple decrypted file without encoding since it is much faster on my mid-2011 iMac i5. The problem is I can watch the program in VLC with subtitles but if I decided to convert the file for editing in Final Cut Pro X, I lose the subtitles. I have a vague sense that it is a FCP issue at that point. I also tried exporting directly from my TiVo via different options like using Handbrake or AppleTV but I seem to run into the same thing. As long as I don't molest the file by attempting to edit it it's fine but I lose the subtitles otherwise. Is there a step I'm missing or is this more of an issue outside cTiVo?

[mackworth]

Unfortunately, as odd as it may sound, FCP doesn't import subtitles whether embedded or external (just google "FCPX import subtitles"). There are a variety of tools that will help with this, but I haven't experimented with them personally.

[WoodyO]

I responded to your last message and am anxious to get this running properly. Is there anything more we can try?

[mackworth]

Hi WoodyO. I've been delving into the mysteries of MP4 formats and stss atoms, and I think I found a bug in the subtitle code and have generated a test version. See if it helps your situation.

[WoodyO]

Ok, we are one step closer. Using your test version of cTIVo I was able to: 1) transfer using the H.264 Medium Quality video format and 2) See captions using the VLC Player but 3) NOT see captions using Quicktime or Quicktime 7 players

Almost there. Are you using Yosemite?

[mackworth]

I am indeed, and see no problem with QuickTime Player with H.264 Medium Quality. With Subler, can you Export the subtitle track (from one you've created with the test version) to junk.SRT, and compare it to the SRT file already in the directory (should be exactly the same).

Can you try copying the file into iTunes and viewing it there (as well as on an iOS device if you have one) to see if it offers the caption option?

BTW, to really confirm the VLC ones, you should move the SRT file OUT of the directory, as VLC seems to prefer the SRT if it's available (and you may then have to explicitly turn on the subtitle display).

I did try downloading QuickTime Player 7 and it doesn't show the subtitles.

[mackworth]

Question Woody: if you have QT7 installed, do you also have Perian installed (look in System Preferences)? If so, try removing it (just click on Perian and hit Remove, then Show All preference panes and Control-Click on Perian to hit Remove again). It hasn't been updated for Yosemite (see http://www.perian.org) , and may be interfering

[WoodyO]

I made the comparison of the two .srt files and they are the same visually throughout their lengths. I can't remember how to do a digital comparison. Since I didn't think VLC would run without an .srt file I tried playing using both versions and they both worked so I assume the files are identical.

Captions showed in VLC with or without the srt file w/captions turned on.

I imported a file into iTunes. The movie with imbedded captions again would not show them.

No, do not have Perian installed. Never heard of it. I only kept QT7 because is had some editing capability and seems to run better than more current versions.

Your ball.

[mackworth]

Hmm. I'd like to see one of the files; if you have a short one and can post it somewhere (GitHub will only take image files). If you don't have a short one, just manually record a short piece on Tivo, and run it through the process.

[WoodyO]

I will create a short file but I don't know how to get it to you. Perhaps another email account? Or via the cloud?

[mackworth]

Any cloud account you have that you can then post an URL pointing to (e.g. DropBox public folder)

[WoodyO]

I have an iCloud Drive but have only used it for sending emails. But I don't know how to create a URL to point to it. Sorry.

Also I am trying to coral my daughter who has a iPod to try to get a sample file run on it. I have no iOS devices.

Rooting for Kentucky! Catch you again on Monday.

[mackworth]

Yeah, it looks like icloud drive can only share photos and iwork-type documents. Probably easiest to open a free Dropbox account (here's my referral link: https://db.tt/26vuVBV0 )

[WoodyO]

No comment.

[dscottbuch]

If you have Yosemite and use the Apple mail client you can use Mail Drop. http://www.tekrevue.com/tip/how-to-send-large-email-attachments-with-mail-drop/

D. Scott Buchanan

Sent from my iPhone

This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager

On Apr 4, 2015, at 9:21 PM, Hugh Mackworth notifications@github.com wrote:

Yeah, it looks like icloud drive can only share photos and iwork-type documents. Probably easiest to open a free Dropbox account (here's my referral link: https://db.tt/26vuVBV0 )

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub.

[WoodyO]

Scott, Thank you. As I understand it the problem here is that Github cannot received email movie attachments. Only graphics.

WoodyO ©¿©¬

[mackworth]

That's correct, but Scott's suggesting that you email the file directly to me, using Apple's Mail Drop. I think he's correct, so just use Yosemite's mail client to send it to my aol address (which to avoid putting the actual address here to avoid unwanted mail, is the exact same username as here, but with aol dot-com server after the at-sign). After you hit send, the client will object that your server can't handle that big a file, and ask if you want to use Mail Drop. Just say Yes, and I'll let you know if I got it.

[dscottbuch]

Attachment available until May 6, 2015 Just to test if mail drop will send a link through git-hub here’s a 30 MB nonsense file

Click to Download https://www.icloud.com/attachment/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fs3-us-std-101-prod.digitalhub.com%2FB%2FAWmwjtfdRHRbJVxl5zVu5LQ78tvcAch16_q8SkqPkkLiJ5rCWvD-Bsa2%2F%24%7Bf%7D%3Fo%3DAo1Btx6PP8ih60GTxRwO03oYyXWmNrxjQnap5gNW1nHy%26v%3D1%26x%3D3%26a%3DBbPF4u1siNPwA8LiKgEA_wHIAP8jtPQ6%26e%3D1430937708%26k%3D%24%7Buk%7D%26r%3D3D074BBD-E937-4FA9-97F1-535786A569D2-1%26ckc%3Dcom.apple.largeattachment%26ckz%3DBCE114CF-DE73-41B7-92E6-9DA83CC3E954%26z%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fp04-content.icloud.com%253A443%26s%3D7KH6WSV_pzQb83z8QHHU9SoemNg&uk=3gAkJ-qG_PBBKOgWKqZKDQ&f=xaa&sz=31457280xaa 31.5 MB

[mackworth]

Hey, look at that! Scott has shown that you can just reply to a github posting in Mail.app and attach a large file. Apple hosts the file automagically, Github posts the URL, and I can then download it. (And I've removed my email from the above notes because I get enough spam already.)

[dscottbuch]

Just FYI file size limit is 5GB according to apple web site.

D. Scott Buchanan

Sent from my iPhone

This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager

On Apr 6, 2015, at 12:27 PM, Hugh Mackworth notifications@github.com wrote:

Hey, look at that! Scott has shown that you can just reply to a github posting in Mail.app and attach a large file. Apple hosts the file automagically, Github posts the URL, and I can then download it. (And I've removed my email from the above notes because I get enough spam already.)

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub.

[WoodyO]

I sent nonsense file via iCloud mail but the server didn't recognize the address. I used "notifications" as a name. Did I misunderstand the email address you wanted? What should the name have been? I used iCloud mail account which I know handles "large" messages.

I then tried Scotts suggestion but received the following error message:

WoodyO ©¿©¬

[mackworth]

Well, the good news is that it's recognizing the file size as being too big, so that's a good start. I just tried it and you do have to enable it per sending account. Check in Mail>Accounts>{Your icloud account>Advanced for "Send large attachments with Mail Drop". Turn that on and save the account and you should be set.

[dscottbuch]

Interesting. I didn't do that explicitly. It must have been on by default.

D. Scott Buchanan

Sent from my iPad

This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager

On Apr 7, 2015, at 6:12 AM, Hugh Mackworth notifications@github.com wrote:

Well, the good news is that it's recognizing the file size as being too big, so that's a good start. I just tried it and you do have to enable it per sending account. Check in Mail>Accounts>{Your icloud account>Advanced for "Send large attachments with Mail Drop". Turn that on and save the account and you should be set.

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub.