Ngrab

Stiofain

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trying to set up Ngrab. When I go to "expert setup" and "Ngrab Streaming Setup" put in pc ip addy and click on Detect Mac Address it does not work. I don't know what I am doing wrong. Won't let me enter it manually either.

I am running Nabilosat Darkstar II on a 500s

Any ideas?
 
you need to setup an ngrab server - so you will need to install the ngrab server software on your pc!

As you are using the Nabilosat image, easiest option is just to mount a HDD on your network, and record straight to that. And to stream, just use webxtv, or stream direct to vlc!!!

Now I've never used Ngrab, but just typing 'Ngrab' into a google yielded the following:

Those are for you the instructions to be followed step by step , in order to establish a successful "Ngrab Streaming Process" between your Dreambox-device (DM 500s) and your (Windows based) Desktop PC :


NGrab STREAMING PROCESS SETUP : HOW TO RECORD DIRECTLY FROM THE DMBox TO THE HARD DISK OF YOUR (Windows based) DESKTOP PC
- The following tutorial concerns the owners of the (Enigma1 based) Dream Multimedia Receivers DM 500/56XX/600PVR/7000/7020 [not those of the latest <Enigma2 based> Receivers DM 7025 PVR or DM 800 HD PVR).
- The owners of the DM 500 , via the NGrab Streaming Utility , can bypass the Receiver's incapacity to support the installation of an internal Hard Disk and satisfy their data storage needs.
- The owners of the other models (DM 56XX/600PVR/7000/7020) can always have at their disposal an alternative/extra "Data Streaming/Storaging Tool" (no limitations concerning the Hard Disk Storage Capacity).

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A> NECESSARY EQUIPMENT/TOOLS FOR A LAN CONNECTION
- Modem-Router with at least 2 ethernet ports (Desktop PC + DMBox)

- Cables RJ-45 (cat. 5 or cat. 6)

- A (Windows based) Desktop PC (NGrab SERVER) with a 10/100 MBit Compatible Ethernet Interface

- DMBox 500/56XX/600/7000/7020 (NGrab CLIENT) / Firmware : Gemini Project (Enigma)

- A Windows Streaming Tool (for the Desktop PC) : "NGrab Lite v1.0.3" application _http://www.eurocardsharing.com/redirect-to/?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fsfteam.anfy.cz%2Ftools.html

- A Linux Streaming Tool (for the DMBox) : the application is already included in the standard list of the supported for the DMBox plugins (application already installed into the system). The User , in order to activate the DMBox's NGrab recording capabilities , has to locate and set up correctly the necessary parameters appearing in the "NGrab Server Setup Options" (Menu/Setup/Expert Setup/NGrab Streaming Setup/NGrab Server settings).
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B> PRELIMINARIES
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HOW TO CONNECT THE DMBox TO THE PC (LAN Connection) VIA THE MODEM-ROUTER
I> USING THE Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)

i> Go to the configuration interface of your modem and ENABLE the DHCP option. The Modem-Router is now the default Internet Gateway
which acts as a DHCP Server , in order to distribute automatically to each device of the LAN (PC , DMBox) its own Local IP Address.

ii> Connect the PC and the DMBox to the modem-router , via cables RJ-45

iii> Configurations on the DMBox (DM 500/56XX/600/7000/7020)

Go to "Menu/Mainmenu/Setup/Expert setup/Communication Setup :
*ENABLE the DHCP option and CONFIRM the option "Enable Network"
*Connection Type : LAN
*Port : 80
Green button to SAVE the above configurations

iv> Configurations on the PC :

Start/Control Panel/Network Connections/Local Area Connection/Properties/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)/Properties :
- CHECK the following options : "Obtain an IP address automatically" & "Obtain DNS server address automatically"
- Go to Advanced/Default gateways : ADD the IP address of the Modem-Router

II> USING Personalized settings

- For the DMBox (DM 500/56XX/600/7000/7020)

The elements to be modified are the following :

- IP Address : Associate to the DMBoxes a Local IP address starting from 192.168.xxx.xxx , because this type of address is "private" and cannot be refound on the Network
- Nameserver : Set the Primary (Public) IP address of your ISProvider. You could also set the Local Internal <LAN> IP address of the Modem-router. It's up to you.
- Gateway : Set the Local <LAN> IP address of the Modem-router
- CHECK the option : "Enable Network"

PRESS the OK/Green button to SAVE the configutations.

- For the (Windows based) Desktop PC

Start/Control Panel/Network Connections/Local Area Connection/Properties/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)/Properties :
- CHECK the option "Use the following IP address" and set :
i> IP address : 192.168.xxx.yyy
ii> Subnetmask : BY DEFAULT , 255.255.255.0
iii> Default gateway : the Local IP address of the Modem-router (192.168.xxx.zzz)
- CHECK the option : "Use the following DNS server addresses" and set as "preferred" & "alternate" the Public IP addresses (primary and secondary) of your ISP

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FOR EXAMPLE :
*Router's Local Internal <LAN> IP address : 192.168.1.1
*PC's Local <LAN> IP address : 192.168.1.2
*Default Gateway : 192.168.1.1 (router's LAN IP address)
*DNS server addresses : ISP's main & alternative public IP addresses OR the Router's Local IP address (192.168.1.1)
*DMBox's <DM 500/56XX/7000/7020> LAN IP address : 192.168.1.3
*Gateway : 192.168.1.1 (the router's Local IP address)
*Nameserver : 192.168.1.1 (the router's LAN IP address) OR the ISP's Primary IP address
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C> CASE STUDY : DM 500 AND DATA STREAMING PROCEDURE (How to use the "NGrab Streaming" utility)
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I> DESKTOP PC {the NGrab SERVER} CONFIGURATIONS (Operating System based on Windows XP)
a> Define (create) a folder named "DMBox RECORDINGS" (path of your choice) , in order to store the Data files created during the NGrab Streaming Procedure.
b> Download _http://www.eurocardsharing.com/redirect-to/?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fsfteam.anfy.cz%2Ftools.html and install ("SetupNgrabLite.exe" file / Install Folder : C\Program Files\"NgrabLite") the "NGrab Lite v1.0.3" application.
c> Run the program (activate the application) : Start/All Programs/"NgrabLite" Folder/"NgrabLite" Application. The program has now added a GREEN ICON on your System Tray (NgrabLite connected to your system).
d> RIGHT Click on the PROGRAM'S ICON and SELECTION of the "Setting" Option :
* "Target Folder" : SELECT the Folder already created on the PC's Hard Disk ("c:\DMBox RECORDINGS")
* "DBox-Setting" : - DBox IPAddress : the DMBox's LAN IPAddress = 192.168.1.3
- Port (Listen-Grab) : the NGrab (Streaming) Communication Port = 4000 (standard) OR 6000

PRESS THE "OK" Option , IN ORDER TO APPLY THE NEW CONFIGURATIONS. The Windows Streaming Tool , reactivated , is now ready to use.

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II> DMBox {the NGrab CLIENT} CONFIGURATIONS (Operating System based on Linux / DM 500 & GP2-v 4.30 MaxVar)
Menu / Setup / Expert Setup / Ngrab Streaming Setup / "Ngrab Server" Options :
- Srv IP : the PC's LAN IPAddress = 192.168.1.2
- Srv Port : the NGrab (Streaming) Communication Port = 4000 (standard) OR 6000
ATTENTION : Server Port <PC> & Client Port <DMBox> must be the SAME <4000/4000 OR 6000/6000>
- Srv MAC : the PC's MAC Address. Two (2) ways to define it :
1st WAY : PRESS the BLUE BUTTON ("detect MAC Address") and the DMBox will AUTOMATICALLY recognize the PC's "Physical Address".
2nd WAY : ALTERNATIVELY , YOU CAN GET THE NECESSARY INFORMATION FROM THE PC'S LOCAL AREA CONNECTION STATUS :
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* Start / Control Panel / Network Connections / Local Network Connection / "Local Area Connection Status"
* Click on the "Support" tab / Click on "Details" / " Network Connection Details" : "Physical Address" (MAC Address)
After having got the information , YOU CAN MANUALLY ENTER (via THE DMBox's TELECOMMANDER) THE SERVER'S (the PC's) MAC ("Physical") ADDRESS.

GREEN BUTTON , IN ORDER TO SAVE AND APPLY THE NEW SETTINGS. The Linux Streaming Tool , reactivated , is now ready to use.


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GENERAL REMARK : THE 2 SYSTEMS -SERVER (PC) & CLIENT (DM 500)- AFTER HAVING BEEN PROPERLY CONFIGURED (Steps I & II) , ARE FULLY FUNCTIONAL AND COMMUNICATE THE ONE WITH THE OTHER. THE "NGrab CLIENT" (the DM 500) , FROM NOW ON , DETECTS THE PC'S HARD DISK (c:/) AND CONSIDERS IT AS IF IT WERE "A DISK OF ITS OWN".
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III> DATA RECORDING PROCEDURE : 2 DIFFERENT WAYS
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- INSTANT RECORDING
* GO TO DMBox and SELECT the Channel you want to record from.
* PRESS THE YELLOW BUTTON (Plugins) OR PRESS THE BLUE BUTTON (Blue-Panel / Plugins <Tools>) AND SELECT "Start Ngrab recording".

The "NGrab Streaming" process has been activated. The data file created (file's extention ".mpg") during the process is stored on the PC's Hard Disk , right into the "NgrabLite folder" (c:\"DMBox RECORDINGS").

If you wish to TERMINATE the process , PRESS THE YELLOW BUTTON (Plugins) OR PRESS THE BLUE BUTTON (Blue-Panel / Plugins <Tools>) AND SELECT "Stop Ngrab recording".
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- RECORDING via TIMER
* GO TO DMBox and SELECT the Channel you want to record from.
* PRESS , via the telecommander , THE "Menu" Option" : SELECT "Timer" , PRESS the "OK" Button ("Timer List").
* PRESS THE "Add" (GREEN) Button , in order to DEFINE the " Year/Month/Date/Time (Beginning & Stop) & Channel" for the desired recording.
* SELECT the appropriate "Timer Type".
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There are 3 Timer types : i> Switch , ii> Record DVR & iii> Ngrab.
YOU MUST DEFINE the "Ngrab" as the DEFAULT "Timer type" , in order to activate the DMBox's "Ngrab streaming" capabilities.
PRESS THE GREEN ("Apply") BUTTON , IN ORDER TO SAVE THE ABOVE SETTINGS and CLOSE THE Timer Edit Window.

YOU ARE NOW READY TO SAVE YOUR RECORDINGS DIRECTLY FROM THE DMBox TO THE HARD DISK OF YOUR DESKTOP PC , BUT ON ONE CRUCIAL CONDITION :

THE PC , DURING THE PERIOD OF THE "RECORDINGS SCHEDULE" , MUST ALWAYS BE ON THE RUN 24/7 (NO "SHUTDOWN ATTEMPTS" ALLOWED) , IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN "NGrab Server" < PC> AND "NGrab Client" <DMBox receiver>. THAT WAY , THERE'S NO CHANCE FOR "RECORDING FAILURES".

Nota Bene :
IN ADDITION , VIA A STANDARD SOFTWARE APPLICATION (such as MSoft WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER <WMP>) ALREADY INSTALLED & ACTIVATED INTO YOUR SYSTEM (ON YOUR Windows based PC) , YOU ARE ABLE TO WATCH ON THE PC/TV MONITOR/DISPLAY THE RECORDED FILES OF YOUR CHOICE.

Quote:
REMARK :
The above tutorial has been successfully tested with the below Media Players :

1> Windows Media Payer 11
2> Nero ShowTime 3 (Ahead Nero Burning Rom 7.x.x.x. Premium Edition + Nero Mega Plugin Codec Pack 1.0)
3> InterVideo WinDVD 8 Platinum
4> Elecard MPEG Player

The sound is stable and synchronised. In case you experience "Sound Problems" (no Sound Synchronisation or no Signal Sound at all) , download from the Official Site (Media Player's Manufacturer) and install on your PC the latest associated Audio Codecs (Plugins).
 
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Works like a dream. My problem was that the Dreambox would not auto find the Server MAC. Previously when I tried to manually put the MAC in (Go to run, type "cmd" and then "ipconfig /all" and the number next to Physical MAC Address is your Server MAC address) it would not take by pressing the number on the dreambox remote. However I discovered if you move to the Server MAC address and press "ok" on the dreambox remote first it will allow you to edit.

Picture and audio are perfect.

I can access my Enigma Web Interface from anwhere through the Dyndns account I set up and so now I am wondering if I can click on record when I am away from home which would be neat. The record button does not appear to trigger it nor does the timer. Is this even possible?

Would be great if it was as I could access it from my iphone I presume.

Obviously I would have had to have left my pc runnning at home for this to work.
 
easy way that i do it:

-Open VLC
-select streaming (or press ctrl+s) -> network tab -> enter http://dream.box.ip:31344 (port for pli image)
select stream - enter you desired details, i.e. resolution, codec etc and stream to http://PC.IP:8080
- now open vlc, or any other media player, and type http://PC.IP:8080 (or if you have a DNS, use that)

Works great on my iphone, and used to also work on my n95 with coreplayer!

With regards to recording...? Dunno as i never used ngrab... if i want to record when im away, i just use the epg in the Enigma Web Interface! if i want to instantly record, there is a little record button in the top right corner somewhere! I have a hdd in my Dm800, but my 2 dm500s use a cfis mounted network hdd on my pc, and they record just fine aswell!
 
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Thanks for your help with everything so far. I have managed to get both WEb X TV and Ngrab recording as a result so big thanks for that RuddyRum

I think the port for Nabilosat is "31339"

Can you provide more clear instructions as I cannot follow these. When I go to network tab in VLC where do I put "http://dream.box.ip:31339". Where can I select "stream"? Where do I enter "http://PC.IP:8080"?

If you could send a screenshot of your settings that would be most helpful (obviously with any sensitive data blacked out). I would really love to get this working on my iphone.

Stiofain
 
Mate, you really need to use google/the search button just a tad more!!!

I posted a tutorial with regards to internet streaming a while ago here!

No screenies, but process is simple enough! Pli images are THE best images for streaming, so if you are streaming on a regular basis you should consider swapping over! The tut is also written for use with the pli image, so port numbers, settings may be slightly different for nabilosat and others!

If you have trouble doing it manually via vlc (Which i prefer, as you can specify settings to suite your bandwidth & device) you can always try this
 
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