David

Comment #2319 from David [Reply]

Why use the symbolic link when you can just use the Record settings in WMC to move the record buffer to whatever drive letter you want.

Michael Healy

@Reply #2320 from Michael Healy [Reply]

The settings don’t allow you to change the location of the buffer itself, only the directory of the stored recordings which contains the buffer files. Creating the symbolic link allows you to change the location of the buffer without changing the location of permanently stored recordings.

Shawn

@Reply #2321 from Shawn [Reply]

I found that when Media Center started again it just changed the registry setting back to the default TV Recording directory. A few other users found that problem when they tried to change it. (See the ramdisk creation article comments)

Michael Healy

@Reply #2322 from Michael Healy [Reply]

Yeh, that’s why I changed it from the registry method to the symbolic link method. This method seems to work out for most everyone.

Anonymous

Comment #2323 from Anonymous [Reply]

What would be the minimum size of flash drive you would need for this to work ?

Terrik

Comment #2324 from Terrik [Reply]

What would be the minimum size flash drive you would need for this to work?

Michael Healy

@Reply #2333 from Michael Healy [Reply]

I wouldn’t go any lower than 8gb for HDTV and 4gb for SDTV viewing.

Scott

Comment #2346 from Scott [Reply]

This is an interesting concept. Would love to hear additional comments implementing it with the upcoming USB 3.0 “SuperSpeed” drives coming out soon…

edn4x4

Comment #2365 from edn4x4 [Reply]

Would this also work with an hdsd card (speed wise)?? My usb slots are full and i have a card reader that I can use.

Also is the live tv buffer in the same location as for recording tv? I usually record the news and timeshift at the same time it is recording.

Michael Healy

@Reply #2368 from Michael Healy [Reply]

I believe if you timeshift a show you are recording it uses the recording file instead of the live TV buffer

TonyC

Comment #2402 from TonyC [Reply]

I have to ask…why. I know the read/write access will be a lot faster, but isn’t a standard SATA drive fast enough for Life TV (and buffering). Am I missing something? Does it make the GUI overlay faster? I get a little studder with the overlay.

Michael Healy

@Reply #2419 from Michael Healy [Reply]

The speed increase is nice when fast forwarding, rewinding, and skipping back and forth through a show. It just provides a slightly smoother experience during time-shifting for those interested in the increased performance.

Terrik

Comment #2517 from Terrik [Reply]

Would it not also save a lot of wear and tear on the hard drive because there is not as much writing to the hard drive?

Johno

Comment #2519 from Johno [Reply]

when i try to do the mklink in command prompt it says ‘You do not have sufficient privilege to perform this operation’

Johno

Comment #2521 from Johno [Reply]

never mind i figured it out here.
Coming from XP MCE I wasn’t aware that i needed to run it as admin
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/05/22/create-symbolic-links-hard-links-and-directory-junctions-in-vista-with-mklink/

Siniša K

Comment #3089 from Siniša K [Reply]

Hello everyone!

I’ve set this up on my “8GB Corsair Voyager” and it seems to be working…

What makes me wonder is, but not that important…

Why, under My Computer, I can see free space change, but when I access it (USB drive) no files or folders are present (even though “Show hidden files and folders” option is enabled)?

Another thing is…

Since I already use Recorded TV Manager to move recorded files to dedicated folder/drive, can another symbolic link be created, one that would make WMC record TV to USB thumb drive (as well as buffer files), and then tell Recorded TV Manager to move those files to dedicated TV folder/drive?

Thanks!

Michael Healy

@Reply #3097 from Michael Healy [Reply]

Not sure why the temp files wouldnt appear in Explorer, they may be labeled as protected system files which are also hidden even after enabling hidden files and folders.

As long as you’ve got the space to record to the USB drive you could even just set the recording settings to the USB drive and then add the permanent location into the Recorded TV library management. Then of course have Recorded TV Manager move the files.

Siniša K

@Reply #3107 from Siniša K [Reply]

Thanks for the advice…

I went on with it, but ran into one opsticle…

Trying to set USB drive as recording location returns following message:
“This folder can’t be included because it is on a removable device. <>”

I tried to change it via Start / Recorded TV (Right Click – Properties) / Library Tab / Include a Folder.

If I misinterpreted your advice, please advise, thank you.

Michael Healy

@Reply #3110 from Michael Healy [Reply]

Hrm, I didn’t realize that Media Center would block you from setting a removable device as the recording location. In that case I would use a symbolic link instead. Set the recorded TV directory then use “mklink /d” followed by the original location and the destination.

Mercanbobbo

Comment #3959 from Mercanbobbo [Reply]

I can’t delete the TemRec folder due to lack on privilege. Does anyone explain me how to gain privilege in order to delete the TempRec folder?

Ray

@Reply #4191 from Ray [Reply]

I’m having the same issue. I start up Explorer by Shift + Ctrl + Right Click + Run as Administrator, but it still tells me that I need permission from the Administrator to delete the folder.

Dave G

@Reply #4481 from Dave G [Reply]

Had the same issue with needing admin rights, set your pc to not run MCE at boot and reboot. With it not running you will be able to delete the hidden share.

Sopur

Comment #4894 from Sopur [Reply]

Hello!
I linked the temprec to an SSD – unfortunately, the HD with the recorded TV does not go to standby, even if it’s not used. Is this, because the “folder” appears to be on the HD? How could this be avoided?
Regards
Sopur

John

Comment #4999 from John [Reply]

Does it make any difference what format the USB memory stick is? Fat, FAT32, or NTSC? Would NTCS be a better bet for compatability, say for 8GB cards and larger?

John

Comment #5004 from John [Reply]

Fantastic! Works perfect! Thanks to Michael for that one.

Love WMC, but hate the idea of burning a hole in my HDD!

Running 8GB Compact Flash card. Has used just over 4GB (so 8GB card needed). Decided to stick with FAT32, no problems so far.

Could increase / decrease the standard 40min buffer (see additional thred), but happy as it is.

John

Comment #5045 from John [Reply]

Just to let people know, if you change the recording default location within WMC, then with me, it also changes the ‘temprec’ file to the new destination (an external HDD in my case), but a new symbolic link placed in this folder will again send it back to your memory stick.

Using DVB in UK (not HD) uses just under 4GB, but still need 8GB to be big enough after format, unless you decrease the length of the TV buffer just a pinch so you can use 4GB.

Some people can’t delete temprec folder. This is because if you have accessed WMC or WMP then it will not grant you permission. Do a clean restart, then you will be able to delete without an issue.

Good luck!

Brian

Comment #6080 from Brian [Reply]

Can this be done with a SD CARD instead of a USB thumb drive? I have a reader built in on my computer that doesn’t get used. It would be nice to stick a card in and forget about it.