Druxar
11-16-09, 08:32 AM
I don't know if this has been ever satisfactorily answered here or anywhere but let's just say I've been trying to get this working for weeks and have searched every forum/google link out there and still have problems so I thought I'd start a thread. Maybe what used to work doesn't anymore?
I have the SA 8300HD and my only goal is to extract the saved content for archiving purposes via firewire. I don't need to view or control live tv, I just want a way to save the recorded shows because as we all know there isn't much recording space in there, but even if there was (by adding an external drive or otherwise), the content would be tied to that specific box so if it breaks down or has to go back to the cable company for some reason, there goes my content.
So I have confirmed the firewire port is active and can stream saved content because before linux I was trying to do this in windows. I was able to record but as everyone knows, it was riddled with transport errors (yes I read that somewhere on here, it's not called pixelated video). So I saw the only way to do this was use linux or buy a Mac.
I figured linux is cheaper so I installed Ubuntu 9.10. I'm new to linux so I've been stuck trying to follow exact step by step procedures from various sources and that's part of my problem. When I get an error or something I need isn't installed, I'm lost and have to get sidetracked figuring out the exact command lines to overcome that first, then go back and hope it will let me proceed etc. I end up going in circles.
My understanding was that I could use test-mpeg2 from a terminal prompt to begin capturing streaming content but I get the dreaded 0 byte file. THat's where I'm at. Plugreport shows an active firewire node 1 so I use that famous test-mpeg2 command line with node 1 in the example and so I don't know what's wrong.
So how can I debug my setup? Could something in Ubuntu 9.10 be broken, or are there different versions of test-mpeg2 (how can I check what I have?) or is there something else I should be trying to use to capture streams? Part of the problem is I find examples of how to do these things dating back to 2004 through 2007 and I'm thinking maybe something is different in the end of 2009 so I'm looking for complete guidance with my inexperience with Linux and with accessing the firewire port of an 8300HD (which is assumed functional based on access from windows). Are there any dependencies such as not being able to stream via firewire if using HDMI for regular video out? I just realized that's one thing that's different now. I used to use component cables and last week I switched to HDMI. I am at work now so I would have to double check if taking out the HDMI cable changes anything...
Where should I begin?
I have the SA 8300HD and my only goal is to extract the saved content for archiving purposes via firewire. I don't need to view or control live tv, I just want a way to save the recorded shows because as we all know there isn't much recording space in there, but even if there was (by adding an external drive or otherwise), the content would be tied to that specific box so if it breaks down or has to go back to the cable company for some reason, there goes my content.
So I have confirmed the firewire port is active and can stream saved content because before linux I was trying to do this in windows. I was able to record but as everyone knows, it was riddled with transport errors (yes I read that somewhere on here, it's not called pixelated video). So I saw the only way to do this was use linux or buy a Mac.
I figured linux is cheaper so I installed Ubuntu 9.10. I'm new to linux so I've been stuck trying to follow exact step by step procedures from various sources and that's part of my problem. When I get an error or something I need isn't installed, I'm lost and have to get sidetracked figuring out the exact command lines to overcome that first, then go back and hope it will let me proceed etc. I end up going in circles.
My understanding was that I could use test-mpeg2 from a terminal prompt to begin capturing streaming content but I get the dreaded 0 byte file. THat's where I'm at. Plugreport shows an active firewire node 1 so I use that famous test-mpeg2 command line with node 1 in the example and so I don't know what's wrong.
So how can I debug my setup? Could something in Ubuntu 9.10 be broken, or are there different versions of test-mpeg2 (how can I check what I have?) or is there something else I should be trying to use to capture streams? Part of the problem is I find examples of how to do these things dating back to 2004 through 2007 and I'm thinking maybe something is different in the end of 2009 so I'm looking for complete guidance with my inexperience with Linux and with accessing the firewire port of an 8300HD (which is assumed functional based on access from windows). Are there any dependencies such as not being able to stream via firewire if using HDMI for regular video out? I just realized that's one thing that's different now. I used to use component cables and last week I switched to HDMI. I am at work now so I would have to double check if taking out the HDMI cable changes anything...
Where should I begin?