Online User Manual:  "Disk2Tape" Utility

basic usage       menu      creating groups      options       scheduler, misc.
Introduction
Disk2Tape is a simple to use utility for transferring disk-based transport stream files to D-VHS Tape. Many of the problems associated with this process have been eliminated with the use of the custom-designed source-packet creation filter incorporated in the R5000-HD DVR. The stream's PCR PID is automatically sensed but can be overridden by the user. Also of particular interest is the ability to record compressed-mode (no filler packet) files to tape.

Usage
Note: Disk2Tape relies on the R5000-HD main DVR application, which must be properly installed and registered on the system.

Basic: Using the application is quite straight-forward. The desired files are loaded by activating the "Add" button. When finished, the start button or tape transport record button is used to initiate the process. Recordings are made in the order displayed in the listbox. Items are moved up and down in order by left-click drag and drop. For convenience, the D-VHS transport interface is duplicated along the top.

Listbox items: There are no column-sort options. Items are always displayed in the order they will be recorded. The first column shows the location (full path and filename) of the files to be recorded. "Order" shows the group the event belongs to followed by the order within that group. The "Length" header shows the length in minutes of the file and toggles to show filesize. "Status" indicates one of the following: "Pending", "In Progress", "Incomplete" or "Finished".
Note the "???" in the length column for the 3rd entry. This indicates a stream file with corrupted data at the start. In this case, the stream rate and length cannot be properly determined. This file may not record properly.

 

Menu: Right-clicking on any selection will bring up an options menu. From here items can be cleared from the list, re-activated, etc. Of particular interest are the Grouping function and the "Stream Options" settings (see below).
 

 
Grouping: This is particularly useful for dividing programs amongst tapes. Disk2Tape will pause after each group, giving the user the opportunity to change tapes. By default, all items are added to a single group unless a new one is created. To group items, select the programs to be grouped (ctrl + click)  and then right-click to bring up the menu. Select the (Un)Group option and the dialog to the left will pop-up. As a decision-making aid, the total times for the selected items and the target group are displayed.

A single item can be placed in a group, thereby creating a single tape with one movie, for example.
 

 
Stream Options: Here the user is given the option to make manual changes to how the file will be handled. It is not recommended that the defaults be changed unless you understand the consequences. The proper PID containing the program PCR data should always be automatically found. If for some reason it isn't and you know that the PCR is on a different PID, it can be specified here. Always enter it in the hex format as shown.

Disk2Tape will attempt to scan and flag a file that was recorded in compressed-mode (no filler packets) when it is added to the list. However, it is up to the user to make the final decision and check the box shown to the right. Make a note of compressed files or run a test recording if in doubt.
 

Options: The global options (those affecting over-all operation) are set in this area. The "Auto Clear" option forces items to be automatically cleared from the listbox after they have been recorded.

Pre-roll time (in seconds) sets the amount of time the D-VHS deck rolls before the transport stream data is read from the file. This is true pre-roll, not blank tape roll. It contains special synchronization data so that picture information is not lost to deck sync-up. It is highly recommended that at least 5 seconds be specified for pre-roll.

 

Scheduler: Timed activation of the push to tape process is setup here. The checkbox becomes active once the time is advanced to a future point. Checking the box makes the timer active. Only those items grouped as group 1 will be recorded since Disk2Tape will always pause after that, requiring manual intervention.

Status and Progress: The strips at the bottom are reserved for status messages (top) and progress meter (bottom). The progress is shown for each individual file not the group as a whole.

Logging: Disk2Tape creates its own log, "disk2tape.log" for all push to tape events. It can be found in the utilities folder: ...\Program Files\r5000hd\utils.