andy vt's tools & blog

Let me start off by saying that i have been DVRMSToolbox since Windows XP Media Center Edition and have never had any problems seting it up to do commercial skipping. But i just recently upgraded to windows 7 (which so far has been great) and for the life of me cant get skipping to work. I am an Early access member and payed for showanalyser. I installed the latest early edition DVRMSToolbox - 1.2.2.0 (R2) and ShowAnalyser Version 1.0.52.760 and DTBAddin for Window 7 - 1.0.0.4 (R2).

I followed this step by step, http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/22/how-to-automatically-skip-commercials-in-windows-7-media-center/ and it looks like everything installs correctly but i cant get the remote to turn off and on the commercial skip. Showanalyser shows the .WTV as being processed but still no skip.

I love this software but i cant for the life of me get it to work with Windows 7. Can anyone help me out?

Bert

I too have been a long term user of DVRMS and too have recently moved to Windows 7.  the instructions at http://babgvant.com/Wiki/view.aspx/DVRMSToolbox/Commercial_Skip_Addin are somewhat outdated, but this is what I know so far.

I have installed, removed and downloaded and re-installed the DVRMSTToolbox and the ComSkip.

It appears to be marking commercials after the show is recorded.

in working with http://babgvant.com/Wiki/view.aspx/DVRMSToolbox/Commercial_Skip_Addin/TroubleShootingCommercialSkip here are some of the results.

Register Commercial Skip Add-In.  << Looks automatic and unable to change with this version
1. Verify Rollup 2 for MCE 2005 is installed (if you're using 1.1.x.x).  << running Windows 7 Pro 64 with all latest updates
2. Verify XML files are being created.  << XML Files are being created.
3. Verify Add-In is installed correctly.  << I am guessing this version does not have these add-ins installed the same way
4. Verify Add-In is registered and starting up properly  << Logs are recorded in the application log and all entries look good.
5. Vista only: Add debug keys to the registry  << not vista -- and the whole HKLM\Software\DvrmsToolbox does not exist.
6. Vista x64: check your keys << a little worried about win 7 and vista differences so I haven't tried yet

Lastly, I cannot find the ehexthost log or determine how to create it. 

There are no errors that I can see, but the Com Skip on/off does not work, the skip ahead and back buttons do not work and in just watching thw show does commercials do not skip.

If anyone is willing I have the time, the knowledge and the desire to get this fixed today.

tony2003@runright.ca make sure you have the addin installed.  It is a separate installer.  Also, comskip cannot read wtv files yet.  You must use Show Analyzer Version 1.0.  That is unless you convert to dvrms first.

http://www.dragonglobal.biz/forums/showanalyzer-1-0/1007-download-latest-build-here.html

Okay here are the steps I took, and the results.  Nothing worked - see last paragraph.

Uninstalled the DVRMSToolbox and the Show Analyzer (I know I thought it was the ComSkip)

Deleted the old DVRMSToolbox and Show Analyzer Directories

Downloaded a new copy of DVRMSToolbox1219

Followed your link and downloaded the Show Analyzer Suite

Installed and ran DVRMSToolbox1219 and did NOT allow the Show Analyzer be automatcially downloaded and installed

Installed and ran the Show Analyzer Suite and didn't like it.

downloaded ShowAnalyzer Latest version (0.9.7) from
http://www.dragonglobal.biz/download/
I have already purchased the program...

Uninstalled the DVRMSToolbox and the Show Analyzer Suite

Deleted the old DVRMSToolbox and Show Analyzer Directories

Installed and ran DVRMSToolbox1219 and did NOT allow the Show Analyzer be automatcially downloaded and installed (Right click run as administrator)

Installed the Show Analyzer (Right click run as administrator)

Started Media Center, went to a recorded show, I hoped the question to mark the commercials, or for skip forward/back buttons to work (They only bring up the Program Info), or for it to skip a commercial.   no luck.  Also discovered that the down arrow usually used to turn the Autoskip on and off, only produced the Windows mini tv guide.

Restarted computer, tried again ... no luck, got the same results.  The part that gets me is the down arrow button used to turn the Autoskip off and on doesn't work...that should be a basic feature. 

Looking over the instructions again and maybe it does have to be the Show Analyzer Suite.  So uninstalled everything and did all the above with the Show Analyzer Suite...same results.

Windows 7 Pro 64 bit << all the lastest fixes and patches
Intel DG965WH Motherboard (latest BIOS), Intel Quad 2.4 Ghz CPU
4 Gig Ram, 571 GB free of 931 GB Local Disk C:  (Most space taken by recorded tv shows)
Clean install on DEC 27, 2009

I still question that the basic on/off function does not work.  Right now using the down arrow on the remote only brings up the program info (and yes I am testing this on a pre-recorded show).  I have uninstalled everything again and am leaving it running with all the default settings that come with the DVRMSToolbox1219 and the ShowAnalyzer Latest version (0.9.7).   I am open to any ideas. 

the FAQ should read Vista/7.  I will fix that.

You kind of lost me with that comment....Vista/7 ??  I am still waiting for my reply sent about 10 hours ago to appear on this site...

Tony

Okay, I thought I had kept a complete copy of what I sent previously...guess I didn't, here it is again in a nut shell

I have uninstalled DVRMSToolbox1219 and Show Analyzer (I know I said ComSkip before) and have gone and deleted any remaining files in the directory, did a restart and then installed the new software, using right click run as administrator, restarted again and tested.

I did this a few times, Installing DVRMSToolbox and a separate downloaded version of Show Analyzer, Show Analyzer Suite.  In all cases (and just to narrow down things) after the install, and going to a recorded TV show, and pressing the down arrow on the remote, I expect a window saying the Auto-Skip is off or on and all I get is the program guide.  The skip buttons also only give the the Program Info.  From what I can figure out, everything is loaded and working in the backgroup.  It looks like it marks the commercials after recording.  It just doesn't work.... any more ideas?

 Tony

Well you didn't mention the addin in the things you installed.  My apoligies if you already have this, but this is a must for the functionality you are talking about.

http://babgvant.com/blogs/andyvt/archive/2009/11/19/dtbaddin-for-window-7-1-0-0-4.aspx

No problems, ask any questions, I really like this program and am already really missing it.  Okay back to add ons.  In Windows MCE I have only downloaded and installed the DVRMSToolbox1219 and when it asked if it should, I let it install Show Analyzer Version 0.9.7.  About the referenced DTB addin, I did not specifically download and install such a program, but in the task mananger I do see a DTBFWService.exe and a DTBService running. No other MCE add in's have been knowingly installed.

I have found, downloaded and installed DTBAddin for Window 7 - 1.0.0.4 (R2), it would not let me download the R3 version, now what?

Install the version corresponding to your system x86 or x64 and you should be good to go.

That definantly solved the problam...Thank You Very Much...

 For those who skip to the bottom, a recap
1)  Downloaded and installed DVRMSToolbox1219 which came with Show Analyzer Version 0.9.7.  It appeared the program was not working, the arrow keys on the remote that control it were not functioning and there was no skipping of commercials happening.

2)  Solution downloaded  DTBAddin for Window 7 - 1.0.0.4 R2  from http://babgvant.com/files/folders/dvrmstoolbox/entry15310.aspx and ran it.

3)  Worked as before with asking if it should mark commercials with programs already recorded and it did mark them and the directional buttons worked correctly too!

4)  Haven't tested the full gambit of functions yet, but as of now it is a lot better than before.

Thanks again

Here's the link.

 http://www.dragonglobal.biz/forums/showanalyzer-1-0/1007-download-latest-build-here.html

If you purchased Show Analyzer before 1.0 was release you can retrieve your key for the new version here.

http://www.dragonglobal.biz/retrieve_key.html

The version you have will not work.