What is a decoder, and why do I need it?

A combination of audio decoders and video decoders are required for you to watch live tv and recordings. In simplistic terms, decoders take compressed audio/video frames, and decompresses them into audio samples for sending to the speakers, or video frames for displaying on the screen.

NextPVR is a non-commerical application, and ships without any decoders installed, since these would cost $$$ for me to legally license and distribute. Instead, NextPVR will make use of decoders you already have on your system. Some of these are supplied with Windows, some come from other applications you have installed, some are downloaded from Internet sources.

Below is info on what decoders you need and recommendations, the TL;DR answer: install the LAV decoders from HERE, then go to the Settings->Decoders screen, and set everything to the LAV decoders

Which decoders do I need?

It depends on the country you're in, the television system you're using, and sometimes the device you use. If you don't have a decoder you require, NextPVR will tell you what type of decoder it's missing. Here are some example decoder requirements for common user groups:

USA/Canada: Usually require MPEG-2 video decoder, MPEG1 audio and AC3 audio decoders
Freeview UK: Requires most decoders. MPEG-2 and H.264 video decoders, and MPEG1 audio, AC3 audio and HE-AAC decoders
Freeview NZ (DVB-S): Requires MPEG-2 video, MPEG1 audio decoder
Freeview NZ (DVB-T): Requires H.264 video, HE-AAC audio decoder
HDPVR/HDPVR2/Colossus/Rocket: Requires H.264 video decoder, AAC audio decoder

Btdg07a Bluetooth Usb Adapter Driver: Epox

The Epox BTDG07A is a legacy Bluetooth USB adapter. Finding original manufacturer drivers is challenging as Epox (Epox International) is no longer active in the consumer electronics market. Driver Installation Guide

Once installed, this feature lets you use your Bluetooth headset buttons to play, pause, or skip tracks in media players like Spotify or Windows Media Player. Virtual COM Ports (SPP):

Troubleshooting

How to Install the Epox BTDG07A Bluetooth USB Adapter Driver

The Driver Challenge: Why Is It So Hard to Find?

If you have plugged the BTDG07A into a Windows 10 or Windows 11 machine, you likely encountered a generic error or a "Unknown Device" notification. There are three main reasons for this: epox btdg07a bluetooth usb adapter driver

"Driver is installed but Bluetooth turns off immediately"

Fix: Go to Device Manager > View > Show hidden devices. Uninstall any grayed-out Bluetooth radios. Then, go to Power Management for your USB Root Hubs and uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device."

Installation Tip: On Windows XP, install the driver before plugging in the dongle. Run the installer, let it copy files, and then insert the BTDG07A when prompted. The Epox BTDG07A is a legacy Bluetooth USB adapter

What to expect: Windows should detect the hardware and automatically install a generic driver.

Is there anything else I should be aware of?

NextPVR is a 32bit application so will only see 32bit decoders on the machine. It can't see 64bit decoders, so these will not be listed.

NextPVR's decoder settings only apply to Live TV, and the playback of .ts recordings. For playback of other file types, like .mkv/.mp4/.avi, it's left to Windows to decide what decoders etc are used during playback. Installing LAV from HERE will often resolve issues with playback of these other file types.