Originally posted by pwat
Gaderson,
The Hartford, Ct area is recordable. So the problem must be on my end. Oy!
Guess I have to start all over. I still wonder if it is the OS X 10.38 somehow. Wonder if it is worth going backwards to a previous version?

On thing I though of, do you have any other Firewire devices connected with associated programs? I know that before I have my eyeTV loaded I need to start my DVHSCap program before, otherwise DVHSCap won't see my DVHS deck. Otherwise have you tried to 'start-over' say create a new user and try with that (or delete the appropriate prefs)? Not sure if re-installing the SDK will work. You're using the standard VirtualDVHS right, maybe one of the modded ones has problems with your system. Really strange. Granted I can never get two shows to record after another on my eyeTV so we've all got problems.

Erik,
I have no other firewire devices. I even turned off both of my hard drives to make sure the 6412 was the not only last but the only thing in the chain. AVS can see it, but V-DVHS cannot make it record. I have tried both the SDK version and the mod version. I did install the SDK and there was some talk as that could screw things up in Panther, but then someone else NO. I am willing to buy a DVHS deck just to try the whole thing out, because others are getting it to work without the deck. I am still convinced something is fishy on my end since I cannot boot iRecord or his modded AVS.
Thanks for the thoughts.
Phil

Originally posted by pwat
Erik,
I have no other firewire devices. I even turned off both of my hard drives to make sure the 6412 was the not only last but the only thing in the chain. AVS can see it, but V-DVHS cannot make it record. I have tried both the SDK version and the mod version. I did install the SDK and there was some talk as that could screw things up in Panther, but then someone else NO. I am willing to buy a DVHS deck just to try the whole thing out, because others are getting it to work without the deck. I am still convinced something is fishy on my end since I cannot boot iRecord or his modded AVS.
Thanks for the thoughts.
Phil

Looks like we're now in a similar situation. I can no longer record from my DVHS deck to my Mac. All I get are '0 bytes' files, and I can't get a bit rate in DVHSCap. So, I've been throubleshooting to no avail, I've even tried with different systems (10.3.4), cables and such. Still need to find a base system I can try.

Originally posted by gaderson
Looks like we're now in a similar situation. I can no longer record from my DVHS deck to my Mac. All I get are '0 bytes' files, and I can't get a bit rate in DVHSCap. So, I've been throubleshooting to no avail, I've even tried with different systems (10.3.4), cables and such. Still need to find a base system I can try.

This has happened to me with my 169time setup. Setup ordering is very important.

I always turn things on in the following order: 1. Receiver, 2. VirtualDVHS on the Mac, 3. 169time AVX1 and finally 4. the DVHS deck. Sometimes I also have to unplug the DVHS deck to make the firewire work properly again, particularily on play back.

If I do not do it in this order, VirtualDVHS shows '0 bytes' always.

Hi everyone,

Looks like I'm late to the party, and thanks for all the great info posted so far. I've read every page, and it seems like I'm having a unique problem here.

First, the setup:

SA 3250HD with Pioneer Passport (anyone know how to get into any sort of service menu/advanced info menu for firmware info, etc? I checked the SA 3250HD thread, but only found info for SARA boxes)
Power Mac G5 Dual 2GHz, Mac OS X 10.3.8, 1GB of RAM, Radeon 9800 Pro, 250GB HD connected via FireWire to SA 3250HD
Samsung TX-P3071WH (480p/1080i native, supports 720p/1080i HD) connected via component to SA 3250HD and connected via DVI to G5
Klipsch ProMedia GMX 5.1 connected via digital coax to SA 3250HD and connected via digital optical to G5.


AVC Browser, Virtual DVHS, AVC Browser "enhanced", and SubnetExplorer all see my SA 3250 properly. iRecord doesn't seem to work properly (timers are always "pending" or "missed", it's never recorded, manual "record" button grayed out). VLC FW dylib doesn't seem to work at all (installed in modules, but VLC won't recognize "fw://" protocol).

EyeTV 1.7.1 and VLC 0.8.1 can both play back *some* m2t streams. And this is where it gets interesting....

I have trouble with:

HD broadcast channels: VLC shows partial picture full of random pixels/noise/black areas
HD cable channels: No errors while recording, data is written, but will not play in VLC or EyeTV
SD channels above 11: Same as above
SD Premium Channels: Same as above


So either something's wrong with my box or with my cable service I think, since I can record some things just fine. MPEG Streamclip 1.2 does not recognize any of the problem files. I haven't messed with Project X yet cause I'm not in the mood to compile a Java app. Recording broadcast and even cable HD would be nice to do if possible, but I'm not sure it's a problem worth fixing.

Comments and suggestions?

You can't play back the "recorded" "cable" channels because they are most likely encrypted with 5c. Only real DVHS can record and play back 5c encrypted stations like HBO, InHD, etc. Some cable co.s aren't encrypting, but they are in the very slim minority.

Right, I'm aware of possible 5C restrictions on content, but I had read previously that I should see errors either when attempting to record (such as 0 byte files) or attempting to play back such content (such as Invalid TS Header Packet errors with MPEG Streamclip). I'm getting neither; a data file is written and nothing will open it. It that means 5C protection, so be it.

More to the point, I am getting garbled recordings of HD broadcast channels. I guess I was hoping someone would have some info on how to tell if my SA 3250HD isn't sending those streams over Firewire properly (since I can record and view some streams just fine), or to learn if there's a way to check on my end if 5C copy-once is mistakenly applied to the HD broadcast channels.

Originally posted by MikeInNY
Right, I'm aware of possible 5C restrictions on content, but I had read previously that I should see errors either when attempting to record (such as 0 byte files) or attempting to play back such content (such as Invalid TS Header Packet errors with MPEG Streamclip). I'm getting neither; a data file is written and nothing will open it. It that means 5C protection, so be it.

More to the point, I am getting garbled recordings of HD broadcast channels. I guess I was hoping someone would have some info on how to tell if my SA 3250HD isn't sending those streams over Firewire properly (since I can record and view some streams just fine), or to learn if there's a way to check on my end if 5C copy-once is mistakenly applied to the HD broadcast channels.


A 5C encypted file will have a proper byte size depending on the bit rate and time just like an unencrypted file. Non-encypted files should be pixellation free. This reminds me of Comcast in the early days of FireWire transport - some perfect and some a mess. Comcast did fix the FireWire streams for the affected channels. If it is a local HD channel, you should contact your local headend engineer and describe the problem for correction.

Does anyone have any suggestions on crashproofing iRecord?

It seems like I get about 3 crashes per 4 recording attempts ...

System is a basic sawtooth G4/450, base system, all updates installed, and all it does is sit there for firewire capping ...

thanks!

- litz

The best answer for iRecord is to erase it. I have mentioned numerous times on this thread that iRecord does not work, and the author is unresponsive. In an effort to save the rest of you the aggrivation that I have had with iRecord, I mention this.

Its bogus hacky software that only occassionally does something under author specific conditions.

I have since moved on, but iRecord always worked pretty well for me...I still use it if I want to do two recordings at once...
Z

Originally posted by Compromise
The best answer for iRecord is to erase it. I have mentioned numerous times on this thread that iRecord does not work, and the author is unresponsive. In an effort to save the rest of you the aggrivation that I have had with iRecord, I mention this.

Its bogus hacky software that only occassionally does something under author specific conditions. And how much exactly did you pay for this software? Zero. It is a hack and freeware and the author posted it here, solicited feedback and did develop it further to some degree. The reasons for your bitterness are beyond me. As they say, don't look a gift horse in the mouth. If you don't like it, move on.

Some gift, the guy posts crap software, I spend alot of my time dealing with it and he doesn't have the courtesy to work with his beta people. He can you know what.

Originally posted by Compromise
He can you know what. I don't understand what you are trying to say.

This was simply one individual trying to build something from Apple's SDK. It was not a commercial product in beta. Relax! You payed nothing for this

Originally posted by Compromise
Some gift, the guy posts crap software, I spend alot of my time dealing with it and he doesn't have the courtesy to work with his beta people. He can you know what.

Man, with support like this, why would he want to hang around? He never once called it a "beta". He said "here it is: if you like it use it. Let me know how it goes". He never promised anything more...

Originally posted by zmatzkin
I have since moved on, but iRecord always worked pretty well for me...I still use it if I want to do two recordings at once...
Z

What are you using in its stead, then?

I know I can use iCal and the original av/c scripts but am looking for other options as well, so I can pick the best one.

Is the source for iRecord available?

- litz

Originally posted by litz
What are you using in its stead, then?

I know I can use iCal and the original av/c scripts but am looking for other options as well, so I can pick the best one.

Is the source for iRecord available?

- litz

I now have an EyeTV 500... iRecord is based on VirtualDVHS, and that source is certainly available... You could contact kaadray about his additions... look him up here at AVS...

Zach

I currently have 10.3.8, and can no longer record with DVHS...it shows zero bytes for all files. Anyone figure anything out? I had it working fine a month ago. (I use the 6412 box as well). :-(

Originally posted by leannaaker
I currently have 10.3.8, and can no longer record with DVHS...it shows zero bytes for all files. Anyone figure anything out? I had it working fine a month ago. (I use the 6412 box as well). :-(

Had this problem recently and it seems to be something with my Firewire ports. I can control my DVHS deck, but, all files are '0 bytes'. Different systems, reinstalling the SDK...nothing. So, I have a LaCie FW800 card for my Rackfire+ (http://www.wiebetech.com/products/rackfireplus.php) and I just got a 9-pin to 4-pin (for my DVHS deck), and now I can capture. Not really sure what's going on, since my iPod and eyeTV work just fine through the 6-pin ports on my G4 (the pre-FW800 MDD one). Maybe some firmware from a system update??

I have created another version of Virtual DVHS (vdVHS) by hacking in some features I needed.

My setup involves a Mac mini and a Sharp Aquos 37" LCD with both DVI and i.Link inputs.
It can be seen here (updated):

http://www.unithom.com/avstuff/

I am planning to record SD/HD digital TV using an EyeTV 500 and OTA programming.

Right now, a helper app is in development which will augment the EyeTV software. One of the proposed features is "Create descriptively-named aliases to your media files." This would make it *really easy* to use vdVHS as a way to display files in my EyeTV library.

I did some fiddling and realized that while vdVHS cannot use *aliases*, it can use *softlinks.* So I requested that the author of the software make softlinks as an option. (I'll also request that these softlinks change .mpg to .m2t to save another step.)

I also realized that the current vdVHS doesn't "see" new files added to its 'media library' folder if they're added while it's running. So, I added a refresh button, and the app also checks each time it's foregrounded. New files are added at the end of the list (so sue me. :) )

The next problem I had was, if I'm viewing the DVI input from the Mac mini on the LCD TV, and I use vdVHS to start playing back content, then it automagically 'takes over' the display. That's great... until you want to pause or stop the action. So I also added a new 'control' menu with play / pause / stop items, and assigned them keys (P, H, and S... think 'H' for Hold, I guess.) Again, it could have been done better, but I was just going for baseline functionality here.

Note: The keys do not need command held down. Just hit P, H and S by themselves.

Lastly, I added some much-needed hotkey equivalents like cmd-opt-H (hide others) and cmd-comma (preferences), etc.

I realize that it would be nice to add some additional commands, much like EyeTV has (there, the arrow keys can skip forward or backwards by N seconds, eg for 30 second commercial skip or 7 second instant replay, or shift-arrows could go back/forward by 3 seconds... etc.) That may be my next attempt to add functionality...

I welcome any feedback you can give me, if you find this version useful.

http://www.unithom.com/avstuff/VirtualDVHS_20050316.zip

More specifics about what I actually did to make these modifications are located in the following two blog entries:

http://www.unithom.com/blog/?p=18
http://www.unithom.com/blog/?p=19

unithom-

what exactly is a softlink and how do I create one?

You can make these in the Terminal. You will need some basic unix knowledge.
Here is a tutorial about hard and softlinks: http://ldp.paradoxical.co.uk/LDP/LGNET/105/pitcher.html

The gist of it is, cd into the vdVHS media directory you've chosen.
Then,
ln -s /path/to/EyeTV\ Archive/0000000007c43401/0000000007c43401.mpg some_logical_name.m2t

Remember that by default, the folder "EyeTV Archive" has a space in it and you need to backslash-escape spaces, as in my example above, etc.

As I mentioned before, there is an EyeTV helper app being developed. I have already made a feature request. This program would automatically create softlinks for you, and hopefully also change their endings from .mpg to .m2t as vdVHS requires.

Hope this is helpful... if you don't feel up to doing it yourself, just be aware that the helper app is on the way. ;)

Okay, this is driving me nuts ...

Near as I can tell, I have two solutions for stream capture :

1: av/c browser enhanced with iCal
2: iRecord

The problem is, the av/c browser keeps messing up the channel changes. I get all my scheduled recordings, but they are often the wrong channel. I've tried having it manually push the buttons and use the direct-access method. Neither works reliably.

iRecord does EXACTLY what I need, but it often crashes. Even worse, when iRecord crashes, it puts up a crash recovery box and the ENTIRE MACHINE is held hostage until that box is cleared. There's no way for it to re-launch and catch later schedules.

Does anyone have a more reliable solution? All I need to do is set the channel on the 6200, and record a stream, all at a preprogrammed time.

thanks !

- litz

iRecord is certainly a problem. Others have said, "well its free so don't complain." Well I have spent hours with it and given up.

The real issue here is people that put "free" but crappy software out there then expect us to play with it and report all of the problems. This is ok but in this case the author never fixes anything, and page after page of forum post goes on and on about how crappy the software is.

I wish the author would charge for it so all of the "well its free" sanctimonious people would go away.

The crime here is even though its free, the author should not release it because it is a piece of crap and we all consequently suffer. And we do pay with all of the man hours didling with it.

I would pay dollars for good software, no problem.

OK, now I expect the next post to say something like "chill, its free" etc.

But to all of you who have not used it yet, be forwarned, its crap.

Originally posted by Compromise
The crime here is even though its free, the author should not release it because it is a piece of crap and we all consequently suffer. And we do pay with all of the man hours didling with it.

I would pay dollars for good software, no problem Where exactly is the crime? Did someone put a gun to your head and say you must download, install and spend hours trying to get this program working to your satisfaction? It was offered as is and if you don't like freeware quite simply don't use it. Perhaps you are just not happy about your choice of recording options in general. Attacking the author will not help this. This entire thread is about the challenge and trial and error of working with experimental software and everyone that has had success has spent many hours getting their systems to work. If that's not your thing go buy an EyeTV 500 or some other commercial product. If and when it doesn't work you'll have something legitimate to complain about.

http://www.unithom.com/avstuff/Sailboat_Cartoon_3.jpg

Originally posted by rcliff
Where exactly is the crime? Did someone put a gun to your head and say you must download, install and spend hours trying to get this program working to your satisfaction? It was offered as is and if you don't like freeware quite simply don't use it. Perhaps you are just not happy about your choice of recording options in general. Attacking the author will not help this. This entire thread is about the challenge and trial and error of working with experimental software and everyone that has had success has spent many hours getting their systems to work. If that's not your thing go buy an EyeTV 500 or some other commercial product. If and when it doesn't work you'll have something legitimate to complain about.

This is exactly the type of sanctimonious comment I expected. People should not share crap. They should throw it away. When you walk down the street and you see a shoe box and pick it up and there is dog crap in it, do you say, hey its free!! Therefore take it home?

This is the same, a nice outside wrapper with crap inside that I wasted a lot of time on.

Oh, regarding Eye TV it doesn't record satellite so its essentially useless as well. All you can do is OTA and none of the premium movie channels. The software does have some utility however in terms of file processing, but has a long way to go. At least it works to some extent.

rcliff, you are entitled to your opinion, but I completely dissagree with you and think your horse is way too high. I think that people that spread this type of crap software around, like junk mail, should be banned from these forums.

Originally posted by unithom
http://www.unithom.com/avstuff/Sailboat_Cartoon_3.jpg
ROTFLMAO!!!

^

:D

Originally posted by Compromise
rcliff, you are entitled to your opinion, but I completely dissagree with you and think your horse is way too high. I think that people that spread this type of crap software around, like junk mail, should be banned from these forums. I know this is prime flame bait but I'm done. I have to go check on my horse because I think he may have spread some crap in the yard. I'm thinking about banning him for it. :D

PS. Get help. You seem really po'd.

Originally posted by Compromise
iRecord is certainly a problem. Others have said, "well its free so don't complain." Well I have spent hours with it and given up.

The real issue here is people that put "free" but crappy software out there then expect us to play with it and report all of the problems. This is ok but in this case the author never fixes anything, and page after page of forum post goes on and on about how crappy the software is.

I wish the author would charge for it so all of the "well its free" sanctimonious people would go away.

The crime here is even though its free, the author should not release it because it is a piece of crap and we all consequently suffer. And we do pay with all of the man hours didling with it.

I would pay dollars for good software, no problem.

OK, now I expect the next post to say something like "chill, its free" etc.

But to all of you who have not used it yet, be forwarned, its crap.

Dollars don't create good software.

People releasing SDKs and open standards to the public is the only reason any of this happened. There's no money in creating software that's inferior to a Tivo for 90% of users, which can be had for under 300 dollars.

Know how long this thread would be without free software?

Jim: Hey, can I record from my STB firewire port to my computer's firewire port?
Joe: Nope
Jim: dammit

THE END.

If dollars created good software, we would all be able to do this stuff by just shelling out the money for Windows MCE, right? Dollars create worse software, because said dollars are spent on copyrights, lawyers, and politicians, not research and development.

On the one hand I love the fact that Apple is actually trying to create new and useful things. On the other hand I hate the fact that Apple makes it all idiot proof ;) (thus attracting idiots like some people we know).

Originally posted by unithom
I have created another version of Virtual DVHS (vdVHS) by hacking in some features I needed.

My setup involves a Mac mini and a Sharp Aquos 37" LCD with both DVI and i.Link inputs.
It can be seen here (updated):

http://www.unithom.com/avstuff/

I am planning to record SD/HD digital TV using an EyeTV 500 and OTA programming.

Right now, a helper app is in development which will augment the EyeTV software. One of the proposed features is "Create descriptively-named aliases to your media files." This would make it *really easy* to use vdVHS as a way to display files in my EyeTV library.

I've been meaning to post my appreciation for your efforts... doubly so now that I got my EyeTV 500 up and running. Now I've just got to get an HDTV and a Mini to sit beside it. 1080i content does drop some frames on playback from my PowerBook 1.33 GHz, so your project will have relevance for me once I get a HDTV on which to watch more of it.

Keep up the good work. BTW, your artwork is TOO funny!

Originally posted by Compromise
The real issue here is people that put "free" but crappy software out there then expect us to play with it and report all of the problems. This is ok but in this case the author never fixes anything, and page after page of forum post goes on and on about how crappy the software is.


I have refrained from replying to these posts to keep from getting too off-topic, so I will limit this to one post. If you want to comment on iRecord, of course, feel free, but your personal attacks are uneccessary. For many people, iRecord does not work or is not useful. I also have a mailbox full of people for whom it is and has been working very well. If you believe that is a problem, you are welcome to go to each of those people and demand they remove it since I apparently should not have made it available to them.

I have attempted to respond to every email I have received. If I missed any it was not intentional . Any problems I can reproduce I have tried to fix. With the variations in stbs and other FireWire devices I do not own or rent there are a number of things I have not been able to resolve. The FireWire sample code from Apple is available to everyone - feel free to take a shot at them if you are so inclined.

It is true, however, that I have not tried to update or fix the VLC module I posted. Play with it for standard def if you want, but I stated it was an experiment and I would not be putting more time into it, and I have said that in response to every email I have received about it. Believe or not, there are other people out there who like to experiment, and sharing applications or code enables that process.

I hope whatever options you have chosen or found work out for you. I'm guessing we're all in this thread because we look forward to improved integration with our FireWire devices.

Originally posted by kaadray
I have refrained from replying to these posts to keep from getting too off-topic, so I will limit this to one post. If you want to comment on iRecord, of course, feel free, but your personal attacks are uneccessary. For many people, iRecord does not work or is not useful. I also have a mailbox full of people for whom it is and has been working very well. If you believe that is a problem, you are welcome to go to each of those people and demand they remove it since I apparently should not have made it available to them.

I have attempted to respond to every email I have received. If I missed any it was not intentional . Any problems I can reproduce I have tried to fix. With the variations in stbs and other FireWire devices I do not own or rent there are a number of things I have not been able to resolve. The FireWire sample code from Apple is available to everyone - feel free to take a shot at them if you are so inclined.

It is true, however, that I have not tried to update or fix the VLC module I posted. Play with it for standard def if you want, but I stated it was an experiment and I would not be putting more time into it, and I have said that in response to every email I have received about it. Believe or not, there are other people out there who like to experiment, and sharing applications or code enables that process.

I hope whatever options you have chosen or found work out for you. I'm guessing we're all in this thread because we look forward to improved integration with our FireWire devices.

Well said. I find it easy to recognize the qualities of class and intelligence when I see them.

Kaadray, that was more than gracious. Of course some people won't agree.

Software offered for free that has spyware and/or malware in it is crap.
Software offered for free that may or may not work for you is a very kind gift.
People doing this sort of thing is how open source software started and why it continues to thrive. Linux, Firefox, Thunderbird, Mozilla, Open Office - the list goes on and on. Without people like kaadray we would have none of these. We'd be living in MS-USA.

Has anyone found a successful way to stream `live' tv from the firewire output of a Motorola 6200 on a mac mini? I tried using VLC 0.72 with the firewire module, but can't get it to work. Doesn't crash VLC, just doesn't pop open a video window. Also, HackTV didn't work - gave me the 9405 error. Recording works just fine, whether with VirtualDVHS or the AV/C enhanced browser. Any ideas?

...without requiring any other hardware, like an EyeTv.

Here's a good question for you guys ...

Comcast here has a nasty habit : they force their cable boxes to reboot almost nightly - usually 4-5 times a week in the wee hours of the morning.

This, of course, makes it impossible to reliably schedule ANY kind of recording that takes place in the morning because the Mac will disconnect itself from the cable box when it reboots. And it fails to REconnect when the box restarts.

The only way to restore the connection is to either reboot the mac or unplug/plug the firewire cable.

Anyone have any ideas for a more elegant way to re-establish firewire communications between the mac and the cable box after it's been reset?

- litz

Use the AppleScript scheduling capability of iCal.

Hello all. I have a Motorola DCT6412 and I've been able to get VirtualDVHS to capture standard definition m2t files from it (haven't messed with HD channels yet), which vlc plays back perfectly.

However I have been unsuccessful in converting the files to a more usable format. DropDV introduces some vertical "jitter" into the converted files. MPEG Streamclip 1.2 doesn't seem to open the files correctly; in trying to even just playback one within MPEG Streamclip, there is no video (just the grey screen with the five blue dots), and there is a split-second of garbled audio, then nothing more. I don't believe the clips are encrypted, as vlc plays them just fine, and DropDV converts them (just with some jitter, rendering them unusable).

I have installed Apple's MPEG2 plugin for QuickTime 6.5...I've also tried the MPEG Stream 1.2.0.2 beta, which seems to have somewhat improved playback of files (the audio plays ok, however the video still does not appear). Anyone else experience this, or have any suggestions?

Thanks!

nabziF

Originally posted by nabziF
Hello all. I have a Motorola DCT6412 and I've been able to get VirtualDVHS to capture standard definition m2t files from it (haven't messed with HD channels yet), which vlc plays back perfectly.

However I have been unsuccessful in converting the files to a more usable format. DropDV introduces some vertical "jitter" into the converted files. MPEG Streamclip 1.2 doesn't seem to open the files correctly; in trying to even just playback one within MPEG Streamclip, there is no video (just the grey screen with the five blue dots), and there is a split-second of garbled audio, then nothing more. I don't believe the clips are encrypted, as vlc plays them just fine, and DropDV converts them (just with some jitter, rendering them unusable).

I have installed Apple's MPEG2 plugin for QuickTime 6.5...I've also tried the MPEG Stream 1.2.0.2 beta, which seems to have somewhat improved playback of files (the audio plays ok, however the video still does not appear). Anyone else experience this, or have any suggestions?

Thanks!

nabziF Welcome to the forum. Quicktime doesn't support transport streams. Why are you trying to convert the stream anyway? What is your end goal?

Originally posted by rcliff
Welcome to the forum. Quicktime doesn't support transport streams. Why are you trying to convert the stream anyway? What is your end goal?

It is true that QuickTime doesn't support transport streams directly....but MPEG Streamclip does (when the QuickTime MPEG2 plugin is installed), as has been discussed in great detail previously on this thread. My specific goal is to capture some shows from my digital cable box, edit out commercials, and ultimately burn to DVD for my own personal use, in a completely digital workflow (no analog generations). From what I can tell, MPEG Streamclip is the perfect tool for my needs...I just need to make it read my m2t files properly, like vlc and DropDV do.

Anyone else use Streamclip with m2t files captured from a Motorola digital cable box?

I recently picked up a HMDH5U D-VHS. Playback with unithom's vdvhs edition results in a message to the effect of "Cannot decode Video and Audio. Use a STB or Cable Box" displayed on the projected screen. Recently ran the full 10.3.9 updater to correct Java issues so my Firewire is newer than the older betas, but was looking to see if this might be due to data stream rates versus the firewire drivers.

My DVHS sees Cable box, two eyeTVs, and the Mac VDHVS via firewire.

Joseph,

Slightly off topic here... but how do you like your HMDH5U so far? I've been thinking about picking one up, versus JVC's 40K or 30K, for time-shifting and TS output. I read the H5U has a better front info display but not much else over the 40K or 30K. Please let us know what you figure out about this decoding problem. People seem to have success playing EyeTV 500 recorded TS with the 30K & 40K, so I am wondering what's different with the H5U that's causing your trouble.

but how do you like your HMDH5U so far?

The display is something I use a lot for getting better recordings while not using the HDMI out during record. It was essential when checking how much time was left while recording 3h + baseball games last week. The only gripe I have is with by going HDMI (HDCP)->DVI (HDCP) but audio on its own via optical, I end up with a lip sync error by the end of 2hrs that is pretty obvious when the Cable HDTV system's drops its signal for split seconds every few minutes and forces HDCP re-handshakes. The recordings seem better if I do so without watching live via HDMI but rather my Cable Box's DVI out.

Thanks. I was wondering if there was some improvement that would justify HMDH5U's higher cost versus the earlier models. It seems the 30K / 40K may be a better value for Mac users with limited dVHS recording needs and a desire to output TS streams to tape or to a HDTV display that lacks FireWire.

For those of us with an EyeTV 500, a dVHS recorder would appear to have usefulness for archiving HD recordings for longer-term storage, versus filling up hard drives with terabytes. Most of the programming I record gets deleted within a few hours, but I would like to keep some recordings around for later viewing. Burning DVDs from MPEG2 transport streams just seems too complicated. (Maybe BluRay burners will change that equation down-the-road for people with quad-G5's but I'm not holding my breath.)

I remain unclear how practical any of these dVHS units are for archiving TS streams that have the commercials stripped by EyeTV software. I think I read somewhere that stripping commercials, or any other editing, interferes with TS output via FireWire. Anyone care to comment?

i have a JVC 30K and a 5U. i'm new to the whole Mac world, and very new to using it for ingesting/outputting HD/hi-res video.

I downloaded the VLC player (which plays everything fine so far), installed VirtualDVHS (which recognizes my dvhs decks when hooked up via firewire)...also downloaded the Firewire SDK, and DVHSCap. This is with a g5 mac OSX...

what's the trick for outputting AVI files I have on my harddrive to dvhs???

Can you record non HDTV content through firewire to the MAC with the Comcast 62xx box?

Oleus, I believe you received the answer to your question about AVI transcoding in the thread you started yesterday:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?threadid=531905

DanB, The technique for exchanging .ts data shouldn't matter about whether the data stream is HD or SD as long as it's digital. (Analogue channels won't work.) I'm not familiar with the Comcast box, though.

I am still wondering if anybody had success outputting an EDITED .ts file to a dVHS deck, or is this just for unedited transport streams?

Thanks.

Originally posted by MacHound
I am still wondering if anybody had success outputting an EDITED .ts file to a dVHS deck, or is this just for unedited transport streams?

MacHound:

I don't have a DVHS deck, but I can output edited transport streams via VirtualDVHS to a STB, so I assume it would work. I used to do it a lot, now I use a networked DVD player that can play the streams over the network... I edit with EyeTV now, but used to use Streamclip...(Mac)...

Thanks for the response. So regular ESPN, I can't record, but ESPN HD I can? Just wanted to get this straight. Also, where do you buy one of these networked DVD players? How can you archive a recording to DVD to watch? Thanks again! Great thread!

Originally posted by danb5521
Thanks for the response. So regular ESPN, I can't record, but ESPN HD I can? Just wanted to get this straight. Also, where do you buy one of these networked DVD players? How can you archive a recording to DVD to watch? Thanks again! Great thread!

I think you are still confused - you can record ANY digital stream that is output over firewire, so if you can get a firewire output for regular ESPN, you should be able to record it just fine...

The player I have is the IODATA AVLP2:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=484807

Another one using the same chip is the Buffalo Linktheater:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=495915

There are ways to archive shows to DVD, but I do not think it is worth the time. I play everything right from my computer to my screen or projector...(over my network, thru the AVLP2). Gigabytes are so cheap these days... and I don't archive TV shows or most movies...

It's cheaper to archive on DVD especially if I could watch the recordings off of that DVD. Any archiving tips would be greatly appreciated. Also, thanks to all for this thread!

Now if there were only a way to watch an MPEG Transport stream in real-time instead of having to record it first.

BlackFire, I have no trouble watching transport streams in real time on my computer display from EyeTV 500. I assume you mean you want to watch it on your HDTV via Firewire. That would indeed be a great feature but I wonder if that would require a Mac with two Firewire busses... one for the EyeTV and the other for the HDTV. I know DV signals can get messed up (dropped frames) when you try to record from a DV device to a hard drive when both devices are on the same Firewire bus. Perhaps it's the same issue with transport streams... just speculating.

ZMatzkin, Thanks for the info. It looks like I'll be getting a dVHS deck soon.

Machound, yes, good point, I meant from arbitrary Firewire device (in my case Motorola 6200) as opposed to spending another $$$$$$$$$$$ on EyeTv.

Awesome! With the new version of MPEG Streamclip released today (1.3.1), it is now compatible with clips I capture from my Motorola DCT6412, using VirtualDVHS. It appears to have a few extra new features too, such as a QuickTime Pro component allowing native editing of DivX without re-encoding.

For my next challenge...I downloaded EyeTV 1.7.1, which I understand also has the ability to edit transport streams. Anyone know how to get it to edit m2t files? I don't actually have any EyeTV hardware, just wanting to use the app for editing...

Thanks!

Ok nevermind, I read earlier in the thread about the ctrl key trick in EyeTV to open m2t files. However with the smallest editable increment being about half a second, I feel MPEG Streamclip is superior in this regard with its frame-by-frame capabilities.

Which leads me to my next question. Sometimes the video that is broadcast has weird interlacing artifacts. For example, on one capture I have of some cartoon animation, every 5th frame is half comprised of the previous frame, and half of the next frame, resulting in a very strange mishmash "approximation" of movement which, when played back at normal speed, looks kind of ok..but it's still noticeable. Another similar instance is only apparent during *part* of a live-action commercial, and follows a different pattern: 2 normal frames, 1 interlaced like above, then 1 normal, then 1 more interlaced. Perhaps it has something to do with 3:2 pulldown (or lack thereof). I've noticed that the same clips played back in either vlc or EyeTV do not exhibit this distracting interlacing; apparently any such interlacing is "smoothed over" by those apps. Also I don't notice it when I plug in my digital cable box through my analog-firewire converter, and watch directly in iMovie. I've tried messing with the different DV export options in MPEG Streamclip (interlaced scaling, better downscaling, deinterlace video) in order to smooth it over, but none of those change the output DV file in any way-- in fact, the resulting DV file is identical to leaving them all off.

Any ideas and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

i'm having a problem outputting a m2t file from virtualdvhs to dvhs...

i can get the file into the library playlist window, highlight it, start the dvhs recording from the virtualdvhs control panel (the dvhs deck does indeed start recording), but after checking the tape nothing is there. any idea what i might be doing wrong?

thanks in advance

oleus

I think that you want to use DVHSCap. I have never used it, so I am not sure. But, it is billed as:

DVHSCap – Sample application that uses the FireWireMPEG.framework to import and export streams from DVHS devices.

i think DVHSCap is in the same application bundle i got from the apple develepor's site. i know people use that for the same transporting VirtualDVHS does, and i've been able to get as far as recording the 5.1 track of a file to dvhs, but the picture never shows up. i know it's possible to record with virtualdvhs from reports i've read, but somewhere in my file transcoding to make it a .ts/.m2t file i think i am doing something wrong (i am using VLC to transcode mainly from .avi in the vlc advanced output settings, which turns it into a transcoder to an mpeg TS stream). either that or there is something i am not doing right in virtualdvhs (i have tried preferences but that doesn't give me many options).

Originally posted by nabziF
Ok nevermind, I read earlier in the thread about the ctrl key trick in EyeTV to open m2t files. However with the smallest editable increment being about half a second, I feel MPEG Streamclip is superior in this regard with its frame-by-frame capabilities.

Um, I think Streamclip and EyeTV edit in exactly the same way, EyeTV just makes it more clear where the edits will be.

A good description from the Streamclip documentation:

"Editing and trimming operations are not frame-accurate since MPEG packs pictures into GOPs (Group Of Pictures) usually with a duration of half a second. MPEG Streamclip does not split GOPs, so the accuracy of editing is about 1/2 second; but the accuracy of audio/video sync after editing is much higher, and usually less than 1/2 frame, regardless of the number of cuts. Please note that in this version, Trim leaves "at most" the selection, while Cut removes "at least" the selection and Copy copies "at least" the selection. Editing and trimming can be accurate only if In and Out are both on keyframes; you can go to keyframes using the up and down arrow keys or the "Go to Keyframe" command in the Edit menu."

And BTW, you can go advance frame by frame in EyeTV by using option-arrow. FF and REW are command-arrow, and slow motion is option-command-arrow. Arrow alone moves to the next keyframe(the thumbnails). You just can't set your edit points at any old frame. But at least with EyeTV you can see exactly where you will cut. For editing out commercials, it is very easy to get nice results with the accuracy in EyeTv(in fine mode).

Zach

Originally posted by zmatzkin
Um, I think Streamclip and EyeTV edit in exactly the same way, EyeTV just makes it more clear where the edits will be.

A good description from the Streamclip documentation:

"Editing and trimming operations are not frame-accurate since MPEG packs pictures into GOPs (Group Of Pictures) usually with a duration of half a second. MPEG Streamclip does not split GOPs, so the accuracy of editing is about 1/2 second; but the accuracy of audio/video sync after editing is much higher, and usually less than 1/2 frame, regardless of the number of cuts. Please note that in this version, Trim leaves "at most" the selection, while Cut removes "at least" the selection and Copy copies "at least" the selection. Editing and trimming can be accurate only if In and Out are both on keyframes; you can go to keyframes using the up and down arrow keys or the "Go to Keyframe" command in the Edit menu."

And BTW, you can go advance frame by frame in EyeTV by using option-arrow. FF and REW are command-arrow, and slow motion is option-command-arrow. Arrow alone moves to the next keyframe(the thumbnails). You just can't set your edit points at any old frame. But at least with EyeTV you can see exactly where you will cut. For editing out commercials, it is very easy to get nice results with the accuracy in EyeTv(in fine mode).

Zach

Ah ok, thanks for the clarification! With that understanding, it would be nice to be able to directly edit m2t files within EyeTV, rather than to have to "capture" them from the original files...I've had sketchy success capturing short clips, especially since it loops everything it plays (is there an option to not loop?). Any way to just directly edit the m2t files in EyeTV without going through that?

Thanks!

Originally posted by nabziF
Ah ok, thanks for the clarification! With that understanding, it would be nice to be able to directly edit m2t files within EyeTV, rather than to have to "capture" them from the original files...I've had sketchy success capturing short clips, especially since it loops everything it plays (is there an option to not loop?). Any way to just directly edit the m2t files in EyeTV without going through that?

Thanks!

Not, really, but, capturing is pretty easy. Just Control-open the file, play, then hit record. THEN, highlight the 'Live Recording' and do 'Get Info' and set the record time as appropriate, maybe adding a few minutes just in case.
It would be nice to do it in Streamclip, but, Streamclip has problems handling AC3 audio (aka Dolby Digital Surround) so editing is just as much of a hassle. (Someone noted that you can pull out and save each individual clip and then join them together and the AC3 audio will be retained.)
Remember as Apple has done graphical interfaces are much easier to use, and eyeTV's is a bit more refined--just wish you could edit to frames, which they did hint about at MacWorld 2005.

I'm having an awful lot of trouble getting sound to record with my setup (Mac OS 10.3.9, Motorola comcast box...tried 2 different cables. Every few weeks, i can get one stream to record with sound...otherwise, it has absolutely no sound. Anyone have anything like this?

Anyone who's installed Tiger, please report on any incompatibilities with the typical apps used here (AVC Browser, VirtualDVHS, MPEG Streamclip, etc). Thanks!

The only problems I've encountered so far are as follows:

1) For some reason my volumes are taking longer to mount, or EyeTV is launching too fast as it gets launched before the volume that has all the show data on it after a reboot. I had to take it out of my login launch items list.

The reasoning for this may very well be the work that was done in Tiger to try and run as much as possible in parallel at boot time. I think I'll have to ask El Gato to add an enhancement to have their software listen for volume mounting notifications if the data isn't present when it is launched and handle that at the later time.

2) Some sound issues with Tiger/M-Audio Transit/DVD Player/EyeTV. I think this is all probably just tied to whatever issue was previously around where EyeTV would consume the audio resource so that it wasn't available for DVD Player. This seems to also affect MiTheater sound output as well. The only workaround is to quit EyeTV and relaunch the other apps. But this was a pre-existing condition on Panther.

I did a software update on my Macmini last night and now Virutal DVHS just hangs the computer when i try to launch it

i tried both V-DVHS from SDK 18 and 19

GRRR i wanna break this thing now

the update was just Quicktime and Java

Has anyone been able to record ESPN HD or HBO HD?? Every time I try it it will act like it's recording fine, but when I hit play it says "MPEG2Transmitter Error: Invalid TS Packet Header!". It also does it for a couple other HD channels but these two were important to me. also, whenever I try to run an applescript (launch and record for instance) it goes through almost the entire thing and stops just before the "record command". This is the area it highlights to say there is a problem:

"click button 3 of group 1 of window "VirtualDVHS-
FireWire MPEG-2 Stream Player/
Recorder - Version 1.0b2""

Andone know what's happening and how I can fix it??

Thanks in advance!

Originally posted by oleus
i'm having a problem outputting a m2t file from virtualdvhs to dvhs...

i can get the file into the library playlist window, highlight it, start the dvhs recording from the virtualdvhs control panel (the dvhs deck does indeed start recording), but after checking the tape nothing is there. any idea what i might be doing wrong?

thanks in advance

oleus

Hmm, should work. One thing, I've had some trouble with is. Make sure you're recording in 'HS' speed--had a few recordings in STD which doesn't do HD. My usual method is drop the requisite folder onto VirtualDVHS. Start the deck recording, then hit play (make sure to have "playlist" selected if doing multiple recordings--it defaults to "loop clip").
Now just wondering how best to get rid of the judder at edit points--maybe "fix timecode" with Streamclip?

gaderson -

i will check that. i am pretty sure i was in HS mode though, as the 5.1 track recorded fine - would that have recorded in STD mode?

i will do some more trying tonight...one problem might be that the files really aren't true HD like i thought.

Anyone know how to set the JVCs to only to HS mode versus AutoHS? I keep having to do it manually.

Originally posted by oleus
gaderson -

i will check that. i am pretty sure i was in HS mode though, as the 5.1 track recorded fine - would that have recorded in STD mode?

i will do some more trying tonight...one problem might be that the files really aren't true HD like i thought.

Ok, interesting, I have recorded (OTA) streams with an 480i signal, so it should be able to output digitally any signal in the ATSC resolutions. Also interesting that you get sound, but, no picture, maybe it's thinks there are multiple streams/sub-channels and is using a 'phantom' signal? Or maybe it's a weird resolution and the deck can't deal with it.

I am trying out VirtualDVHS with the firewire ports on a Sharp LC-37D7U television. Although I cannot get the TV to recognize a tape drive, I can record from the computer side if I jump through sufficient hoops with AVCBrowser first.

Problem is, almost all recordings give me a bunch of invalid packet errors on playback. The only place it worked was when recording the local PBS station.

Are stations using 5C for local broadcasts? I'm in the Dallas area.

is there any way to minimize/eliminate the stutters and pauses on dvhs tapes that are caused by outputting multiple .ts files in the virtualdvhs playlist?

thanks

Originally posted by bacampbe
[B]I am trying out VirtualDVHS with the firewire ports on a Sharp LC-37D7U television. Although I cannot get the TV to recognize a tape drive, I can record from the computer side if I jump through sufficient hoops with AVCBrowser first./B]

Oops, I meant to say I cannot get the TV to recognize VirtualDVHS as a tape drive...

ElGato says they recommend a UPNP media player (Buffalo LinkTheater) to get the video from the EyeTV 500 out of your Mac into your HDTV. Anyone doing this or have other alternatives? I'm not someone to downgrade the quality by burning to DVD or to watch it on a small computer display. I want the big screen experience, just want to timeshift the material. Currently it looks like you need to sink almost a grand into hardware to do this on the Mac. The new Sony HD PVR is roughly the same price for that money.

Again anyone with solutions? Everyone here has pretty much discussed getting HD into the Mac. Not very many here are discussing what they use to get the HD content from their mac back to their tv's or projectors other than firewire directly connected thus my inquiry...

Originally posted by Driver
... what they use to get the HD content from their mac back to their tv's or projectors other than firewire directly connected thus my inquiry...
There are at least two options that result in no loss of quality. The first, as you mention, is available only if your HDTV has a FireWire input option. Not all sets do. If it does that means it has an MPEG-2 decoder to render the transport stream of compressed video (compressed exactly as it was at the source and as it is demodulated from the antenna signal) to the screen. You could use Apple's VirtualDVHS to play files captured with EyeTV 500 across FireWire to your HDTV set.

If your HDTV set does not have FireWire input but it does have component video then you could consider the Roku unit. It is about $300 now and connects to your Mac over ethernet and to your HDTV set with component video. The recorded transport streams made with your EyeTV unit can be played using software that is built into the Roku using its remote control. So in that way it might be considered a bit more natural than having to drive the process from a computer. If you are willing to pop for $300 per set and have a home ethernet network then you could feed every HD (or regular) TV set in your home from a libary of captured files on a single Mac on the network.

i use a Jvc 30K to covert the firewire(from mac mini) to Component

plus this way i can watch D-Theater movies too!

Originally posted by Ladd
So when Elgato's EyeTV 500 page says:

"Save your collection of favorite shows for all times. Create DVDs, Video CDs or Super Video CDs of your recorded television shows to play on standard DVD players. (Toast 6 Titanium required)"

it either is flat out false or it is so complicated a procedure as to be the next best thing? :(

Has anyone tried Toast Titanium 6.1 to see if it fixes the problems described earlier in this thread with burning transport streams to DVD?

Hurray! I reached my 100th post. :)

I have done my best to read through this very lengthy thread. But I am still generally confused by what you can and cannot do by connecting a mac to a firewire enabled STB.

I finally managed to get Time Warner to deliver to me an SA3250HD. I was able to record and playback the same channels I get via clear QAM. But any other channel I try to record (ie, HBO, IHND, etc) does not play back.

Is it simply the case that I cannot record anything that I can't already record with my EyeTV 500 with clear QAM?

Also, is there any way to set the SA3250HD to playback a stream from a firewire device?

Thanks for the help and I am sorry if these questions are coverd in this huge thread.

-Sean

5c must be enabled in your area.....

its not in my area , except for VOD *knocks on wood*

to be honest , I would cancel my 80+$ a month gold pakage and both my DVRs if they enabled 5c....then just get limited basic for 13$ a month.....

There are at least two options that result in no loss of quality. The first, as you mention, is available only if your HDTV has a FireWire input option. Not all sets do. If it does that means it has an MPEG-2 decoder to render the transport stream of compressed video (compressed exactly as it was at the source and as it is demodulated from the antenna signal) to the screen. You could use Apple's VirtualDVHS to play files captured with EyeTV 500 across FireWire to your HDTV set.


Do you have to do much to make this solution work? I have a SIR-165, tested VirtualDVHS yesterday and was able to get it to work. However, it's not sufficiently user-friendly to allow my family to use. I'm thinking now about buying an EyeTV500 and a Mac Mini, managing all recording and timeshifting through the EyeTV software and sending the saved MPEG2 streams to my SIR-165.

Think this can work?

Thanks

SJYANG

... However, it's not sufficiently user-friendly to allow my family to use. I'm thinking now about buying an EyeTV500 and a Mac Mini, managing all recording and timeshifting through the EyeTV software and sending the saved MPEG2 streams to my SIR-165.

Think this can work?...

You have to take any advice I give on this specific setup with more than just a grain of salt. I have neither a Samsung SIR-165 nor EyeTV 500. I do have an HDTV tuner card for my PC, the EyeTV software (one version handles all their hardware options including the original EyeTV USB which I have), VirtualDVHS and a FireWire connection between Mac and PC.

I have played with HDTV and the EyeTV software using the hack that others have revealed (option Open to open a transport stream file and then click Record to have EyeTV record it as though the file were coming from the EyeTV 500). As far as I can tell the EyeTV software is only designed to output the rendered HD to a display connected to the Mac, not a transport stream. That is an ability that VirtualDVHS has and I can verify that it works fine sending the transport stream to my PC which shows the recorded content (in my case using firewire in and the FusionHDTV software).

So you could certainly use EyeTV 500 to provide a friendlier interface for recording and time shifting HD content but to ouput to your SIR-165 I think you would need VirtualDVHS or at least that part of it which plays transport stream files to firewire out. Apple does supply the source code for VirtualDVHS so it would be possible for someone to abstract out just that capability and provide a friendlier (or at least less cumbersome) interface for it.

To tell the truth I had been considering a project of that sort before I concluded that the Broadcast Flag miasma was going to make any such project doomed to be marginalized. Now that the courts have shown some backbone it might be worth revisiting that decision but I have a current video related project that I'd like to get shipped before I take on new challenges.

Notice that the scope of the opportunity is uncomfortably influenced by FCC decisions and their reception. The FCC mandated that all cable providers have firewire capable set top boxes (good FCC) which it seems that most cable providers have ignored or at least tried to ignore. On the other hand the FCC mandated Broadcast Flag compliance (bad FCC) which has been thrown out by the DC Circuit Court as not being an area of their proper authority. Even supposing one could count on only the good FCC decisions there is still the issue of FireWire input to the majority of HDTV sets. The SIR-165 is a solution to that issue but there aren't many of them.

Still, the idea of a Mac Mini as an HDTV time shifter together with its other capabilities is an attractive possibility. It is too bad that it doesn't seem to have the necessary processing power to render HD content to its DVI out.

Thanks for the reply.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that Samsung's new HL-R line of RPTVs has two four-pin firewire ports included in most models. This is promising, as I was under the impression, that firewire was going to go by the wayside with the advent of HDMI.

sjyang

Awesome! With the new version of MPEG Streamclip released today (1.3.1), it is now compatible with clips I capture from my Motorola DCT6412, using VirtualDVHS. It appears to have a few extra new features too, such as a QuickTime Pro component allowing native editing of DivX without re-encoding.

For my next challenge...I downloaded EyeTV 1.7.1, which I understand also has the ability to edit transport streams. Anyone know how to get it to edit m2t files? I don't actually have any EyeTV hardware, just wanting to use the app for editing...

Thanks!


How do you record from the 6412 with Virtual DVHS? I've been reading here for a while now and I am still getting blank files from V-DVHS.

I've been using AVC Browser, the cable box shows up in the lower window (output) I click connect. I open up V-DVHS, select the right channel number from AVC Browser.
Click record and nothing... file stays at zero bytes.

I checked my box and the firewire is active. Shouldn't it show under input rather than output tho?

I am all confused.... any help would be great!

Still, the idea of a Mac Mini as an HDTV time shifter together with its other capabilities is an attractive possibility. It is too bad that it doesn't seem to have the necessary processing power to render HD content to its DVI out. I use both a PC and a Mac mini for firewire recording from my 169time HDD-200 and my cable STB. The mini is much easier to program (get the Apple scripts and create some drag and droppable "alerts" in iCal.) It is also more stable than the PC running the Panasonic drivers (haven't tried the JVC drivers on the PC). The mini occasionally suffers overruns when recording to the internal hard drive, but it works perfectly when recording to an external USB drive formatted in HFS+.

You are correct though. For playback the mini is not viable. This should change when Macs get "Intel Inside." ;) My 2.1 GHz AMD Athlon will easily play mpeg HD streams and even 24 fps 720p Real Video or some AVC files. Actually, Quicktime 7 is probably better at decoding AVC than mpeg2, but I haven't done any tests on my mini.

Despite the lack of hardware horsepower, the Mac's Virtual D-VHS program enables the mini to playback files perfectly through my JVC HM-DH30000U deck. With a IR blaster remote control, it could even be pretty convenient.

Hi,

I am running Mac OSX 10.3.9 and I installed XFirewireSDK19e from Apple. I connected my Comcast STB to my mac and launched the AVS browser. I selected the DCT device and connected. I got the following message

Compare-swap to output plug 0 successful. OldVal=0x80008178 NewVal=0x81008178

The channel in the output plugs section is 0.

Then I started VirtualDVHS and the channel is set to 0 and the bitrate is 0 and when I hit record, I get zero files. I tried changing the channel to 1-63, of no avail.

What is wrong?

rr

Hi,

I am running Mac OSX 10.3.9 and I installed XFirewireSDK19e from Apple. I connected my Comcast STB to my mac and launched the AVS browser. I selected the DCT device and connected. I got the following message

Compare-swap to output plug 0 successful. OldVal=0x80008178 NewVal=0x81008178

The channel in the output plugs section is 0.

Then I started VirtualDVHS and the channel is set to 0 and the bitrate is 0 and when I hit record, I get zero files. I tried changing the channel to 1-63, of no avail.

What is wrong?

rr

Go to this link (http://mac_hdtv_timer.home.comcast.net/) and download the SDK 18 and the scripts and install them. They work pretty much flawlessly. If you need help there are some great pdf files with "how-to's"...

Hi,

I am running Mac OSX 10.3.9 and I installed XFirewireSDK19e from Apple. I connected my Comcast STB to my mac and launched the AVS browser. I selected the DCT device and connected. I got the following message

Compare-swap to output plug 0 successful. OldVal=0x80008178 NewVal=0x81008178

The channel in the output plugs section is 0.

Then I started VirtualDVHS and the channel is set to 0 and the bitrate is 0 and when I hit record, I get zero files. I tried changing the channel to 1-63, of no avail.

What is wrong?

You could try the new AVCVideoCap application in Apple's FireWire SDK 20. It is designed to work with that STB, and does the isoch channel selection and point-to-point connection stuff automatically. It also allows the user to choose the tuner's channel, set the record time, and even defer the record start time (timer-based recording).

Hi,

I did not make one thing clear. I was trying to playback on the DVR an already recorded program. Can this be recorded using VirtualDVHS? I haven't tried tuning the STB and recording. Also, what does the external D-VHS VCR TC do? On my old iBook, even with max. resolution, I can not see this part of the window?

rr

Hi,

Where can I get these applescripts? Do I need an Applescript running to record off of the DVR?
Do I have to type in an AV/C command in the AVC browser?

ravi

Do I have to leave iCal running to get the alarms to go off?

can a Mod make this thread sticky please??

For the adventurous, the next version of iRecord is feature complete and available for download. This means I've added the new features for this version, but have not done aggressive bug-hunting, testing, and polish. That will be ongoing for the next couple of weeks.

This version requires Tiger. It also uses the new AVCVideoServices framework to hopefully improve device management and stream capture.

Here is the new location - the web site is only about 50% done, but you can download, email me, etc.

http://www.ammesset.com/software/irecord/

I am using OS10.3.9 via software update and everything, including FW drives etc. are working just fine. In approaching the connection with a Motorola 6200 with the aim of manually capturing those HD feeds from the Comcast supplied box (FW is "active") that are available and accessible, I am not sure how to install Apple Firewire SDK18 (or 20) without risking the existing System components. I thought I could selectively install the AV/C browser and the Virtual DVHS from the SDK 20 package, but I am unable to determine if and how I should do that or even if just those two components are sufficient. I have read the various expert and thoughtful guidance provided on this Forum so I am sure I can follow up once I have a better picture of the rules and constraints regarding the install of the SDK package. Any advice and directions to links are greatly appreciated.

If you are running 10.3.0 or later, none of the applications in the FireWire SDK require you to install updated FireWire components.

Hi, I'm sort of new to this, so bear with me. I have tried to transfer content from the cable box to the Mac, but I have 0 bit rate and 0 file size.

I have a Mac Mini (1.42 GHZ) with a 100GB 7200 RPM HD and 1GB of RAM. I'm running OS 10.4.1. I have the Motorola DCT-6212 with service from Comcast. I have followed the following following directions to the letter:

1. Connect the DCT-6200 to Mac via Firewire while Mac is powered off.
2. Power on Mac.
3. Launch AVC Browser from the same Firewire SDK 18 containing Virtual DVHS.
4. Highlight the DCT-6200 in list by clicking on it once.
5. Click on Open Device Controller.
6. In Finder, create a folder or use existing folder to which recorded content will be stored.
7. Drag and drop this folder onto the Virtual DVHS icon.
8. Click on the Connect button in the output section of controller window.
Make note of the Firewire Channel number resulting from clicking on Connect.
On the recorder side of Virtual DVHS, there is a field called Channel to input the possibleFirewire channel between 0 and 63. Here, input the channel obtained from AVC Browser.
9. Tune to a digital broadcast channel on the DCT-6200.

I am getting 0 bit rate and 0 file size. I have tried every channel from 0 to 63. I have tried using SDK 18 and 19. I have also tried using the AV/C Browser Enhanced. None of it works.

Does anyone have any idea what I'm doing wrong? Is this incompatible with Tiger? Do I need to go back to Panther? I don't want to, but I will if I have to. I noticed that Apple just came out with SDK 20. Do you think this would work?

Any help you could provide would be appreciated.

You should download FireWire SDK 20, and try the new AVCVideoCap application with your Comcast STB.

Or, try the new iRecord 0.3 ( http://www.ammesset.com/software/irecord/ ), for a more comprehensive, multi-program scheduling capability.

Both apps are basesd on the new AVCVideoServices.framework for device detection,control and stream capture.

asolo - I think you may be running into copyright protection. I tried to do this a few months ago and my recollection is that many programs are protected, and the Mac is not "5C compliant" and does not send the proper signals to the 6412 to allow recording. I won't pretend to know what I'm talking about here, but that's what I recall being told. I was not running Tiger, so I don't know if anything has changed with that version of OS X.
On the other hand, your problems also sounds very similar to ravir's, so it would be nice to know if the applescripts solved his problem. It also sounds like lpfactor may be trying to do the same thing, and maybe he can let us know how he's doing. My new imac should be here in a couple of days, and I will definitely try it again once I get set up.

Ok, I can now record content. The question now becomes, how do i get it onto DVD? I have Toast, but it won't accept an m2t file format.

Thanks for all your help.

If you are running 10.3.0 or later, none of the applications in the FireWire SDK require you to install updated FireWire components.

Thanks very much for the guidance you provided and to the folks on this forum who have provided how to's etc. I am able to capture, store, and playback certain channel source materials from the Comcast 6200. I am trying to retrieve a specific program recording on the DVR drive onto my Mac and play it back via the Comcast STB at some future point in time. I suspect the recorded material is encrypted since it came from an encrypted source. I see what appears to be capture and recording but I cannot verify via either VLC or MpegStreamclip. The program material is rather unique so I am wondering if I can do this rather than leaving it parked and occupying space on my DVR.

Hi,

I am running Panther and using VirtualDVHS with no problems, but would like to use iRecord. Does it ONLY work with Tiger? Or, if I update to the firewire 20 SDK will I be able to use it? Thanks in advance for help. I apologize if this was already clarified.

Sean

You can use v0.2.7c on Panther - look at the right/bottom of the web page.

Version 0.3 and higher requires Tiger. The Tiger requirement is not about the FireWire support, it involves other features.

with the new firewire sdk 20 pack at apple's developer site - what is currently the best application to bring HD video INTO the mac?

with the new firewire sdk 20 pack at apple's developer site - what is currently the best application to bring HD video INTO the mac?

Using OS 10.3.9 and a Motorola 6208, VideoCap seems to do it all. Strangely, the flavors of VirtualDVHS included in sdk20 did not work as well as previous versions. The Browser also failed from time to time.

Ok, I can now record content. The question now becomes, how do i get it onto DVD? I have Toast, but it won't accept an m2t file format.

Thanks for all your help.

To date, DVD related applications on the mac do not work with incoming m2t files.
There is an application called MPEGstreamclip ( free) which will allow you to demux (separate) the video from audio, a step needed so you can use Quicktime to work with these sources on the Mac. Keep in mind that the audio in the m2.t stream is likely to be multichannel and that needs to be converted to two channels. Once demuxed and converted you can bring them into Quicktime.
Based on what I have seen so far, unless you have a way of playing back the m2t files processed into QT onto a HD display (other than your computer monitor), I do not see much point in going through the conversion and then compressing to get a DVD. There is no HiDef there(yet). There is another application called VLC (from Videolan)that plays the stream back just great that allows you to see and hear the m2t file in all its glory. If you must get the m2t stream onto a DVD, why not allow your Comcast to do the work and use an AD converter (Canopus or Formac, for example) and capture to iMovie or one of the FCP's? This may be your best path since other than regular broadcast channels (NBC, CBS, ABC and PBS) most channels are encrypted and Streamclip cannot work with those.

Started messing with all of this again. I had done it before a few months ago and kinda lost interest.

Grabbed SDK 20 for firewire and the iRecord app. Both are big improvements to the process from when I messed with grabbing transport streams before.

I did some test records using either iRecord or AVC videocap. I only seem to capture video. MPEG streamclip shows me no video.

Anyone ever run into this?

It is very easy to process files and burn to dvd. Use MPEGStreamclip to export the file as Apple Intermediate Codec, edit with Quicktime Pro, save and then import to iDVD and burn. I have done several programs with excellent results.

To date, DVD related applications on the mac do not work with incoming m2t files.I haven't found a way to do this on the Mac, but Nero Vision 3 on a PC will often import an m2t file (mpeg2 transport stream) file directly and recompress/author it to DVD, if you have the right filters (DirectShow filters) installed on your PC. There's also a patch on the Nero website that might help with it. You might have to rename the file to *.ts. Not sure if Nero looks at the extension.

I haven't found a way to do this on the Mac, but Nero Vision 3 on a PC will often import an m2t file (mpeg2 transport stream) file directly and recompress/author it to DVD, if you have the right filters (DirectShow filters) installed on your PC. There's also a patch on the Nero website that might help with it. You might have to rename the file to *.ts. Not sure if Nero looks at the extension.

Thanks for the suggestion. As pointed out, the issue is converting the m2t file into a format that the specific Apple applications can handle. The base for these is Quicktime. MPEGStreamclip works just fine. If you can accept compression there are other codecs available via QT. The folks who run the PC and Apple worlds do not often speak with the same video technology.

Very Informative thread.
I have Samsung new HLR HDTV with firewire and am a big time Mac fan. I installed Virtusl D VHS (customized version) on my ibook. After ten minues, I got it to work -- both recording and playback. But I have the following issues and questions
1. iBook can not keep it up with HD content. Playback is unusable. Is this expected? My interest is recording only HD content. (ibook is running the latest OS and is only two months old)
2. I have a very old G3 ibook (original green color 200MHertz) running 10.2. While it has a fire wire port, I was not able to DVHS to run. I read something about old firewire chipset incompatibility. Am I possibly suffering from it?
3. As an alternate, if I can reliably record HD content, I like to get Mac Mini and use it for recording? Does this make sense?
I do not have nor do I wish to use STB.

Very Informative thread.
I have Samsung new HLR HDTV with firewire and am a big time Mac fan. I installed Virtusl D VHS (customized version) on my ibook. After ten minues, I got it to work -- both recording and playback. But I have the following issues and questions
1. iBook can not keep it up with HD content. Playback is unusable. Is this expected? My interest is recording only HD content. (ibook is running the latest OS and is only two months old)
2. I have a very old G3 ibook (original green color 200MHertz) running 10.2. While it has a fire wire port, I was not able to DVHS to run. I read something about old firewire chipset incompatibility. Am I possibly suffering from it?
3. As an alternate, if I can reliably record HD content, I like to get Mac Mini and use it for recording? Does this make sense?
I do not have nor do I wish to use STB.

Just curious,

Are you playing back to your HDTV via firewire? Or trying to play back on the iBook itself (with a program like VLC Player)? If you are using the VLC player, I am not surprised about the choppy playback. My 1.67GHz powerbook just barely keeps up with a 720p recording using VLC, and maxes out the CPU. Firewire playback straight back to the TV works fine. I don't think I could play back a 1080i stream with VLC...

Jeff

Just curious,

Are you playing back to your HDTV via firewire? Or trying to play back on the iBook itself (with a program like VLC Player)? If you are using the VLC player, I am not surprised about the choppy playback. My 1.67GHz powerbook just barely keeps up with a 720p recording using VLC, and maxes out the CPU. Firewire playback straight back to the TV works fine. I don't think I could play back a 1080i stream with VLC...

Jeff

I am playing back on the TV. All I want to do is to record and save HDTV broadcast. May be there is a easier way to do all of this.

I am playing back on the TV. All I want to do is to record and save HDTV broadcast. May be there is a easier way to do all of this.

I would monitor your CPU while you are trying to play back to the TV (use the activity monitor in the utilities folder under Applications). See if it is under high usage during that playback...what iBook do you have - one of the latest? Which CPU, hom much RAM, etc?

I will check recording again soon with monitor on.
It is a 1.2GHz G4 notebook with 512M ram (14")

can I get directed as to how or where to find this info? Using Comcast Moto DCT 6412 DVR and iBook G4

Apologize if this is covered somewhere earlier, but does anyone have any idea if the new JVC HDILA sets output HD from their firewire ports such that it could be recorded to virtual DVHS on a Mac without using an STB or other external tuner?

BB

I have a Mac Mini (1.42 GHZ) with a 100GB 7200 RPM HD and 1GB of RAM.

Can't help you with your question but I'd like to know where you got a 100GB 7200 drive for the mini? Ever since Hitachi announced these I've been checking the major sites and haven't seen them available yet.

I'm really frustrated with transfering glitch-free .ts files from WinXP to DVHS. Could someone please tell me the lowest-end/cheapest Mac I could buy that would allow me to do this?

I'm really frustrated with transfering glitch-free .ts files from WinXP to DVHS. Could someone please tell me the lowest-end/cheapest Mac I could buy that would allow me to do this?

Almost any Mac from the past 4-5 years should be able to send files to a dVHS deck. Among currently shipping models the cheapest is the $499 Mac Mini. You could probably pick up an old eMac or iMac on eBay or Half.com for a lot less if that's all you wanted to do, but then you wouldn't have the elegant form factor of a Mini. An old 500+ mHz PowerBook or iBook would probably work just fine too. Even a vintage G3 or G4 PowerMac would get the job done provided it could run recent OS versions (10.3.x or above). See the first post in this thread for tips on getting older Macs to run vdVHS.

So a Blue & White Mac wouldn't work? (first post says something to that effect)

So I'd have to buy a 266/G3 beige tower and stick a Firewire card in there?

If you want to use this for the next year or two it might be worth getting something that is guaranteed to run Panther and Tiger, just to keep up with whatever FireWire software updates become available.

I've seen used G4 eMacs go for under $250, even under $200, which is not much more than what it will cost to hobble together an old beige machine plus a FireWire card, and then the effort to make it happy. It is a good solution if you have one lying around, but otherwise I'm not so sure. Even old G4 towers can be cheap sometimes.

eh, probably not worth the bother. I'll just buy alot of blank DVD-Rs and split up the .ts files and stick them on there.

eh, probably not worth the bother. I'll just buy alot of blank DVD-Rs and split up the .ts files and stick them on there.

That sounds like a lot of bother to me but I guess it depends how many DVDs you are planning to burn. Firewire cards are pretty cheap these days... $10-15.

What were you looking to spend? Can probably give a more definitive or specific answer.

I guess I just reeavualted what I wanted to do. Since I already have a HTPC, I might as well just save the movies that way. Blank DVDs are cheap enough anyways.

So a Blue & White Mac wouldn't work? (first post says something to that effect)

So I'd have to buy a 266/G3 beige tower and stick a Firewire card in there?

Actually the B&W is a newer model than the Beige (just installed Tiger on one for a friend). But, the one caveat is that the Rev 1 B&W tended to have rather flakey FW, and IDE, so you may just need a card(s) anyway. So if you have a Rev 2 you should be ok, check LowEndMac (http://lowendmac.com/ppc/g3c.shtml) for the dirty. And, since the B&W you can get a RAID card and add more harddrives for lots of storage. Really cool would be an irackDV (http://marathoncomputer.com/iracdv.html), but, you can only get them used now, and they're pretty rare. But, it seems even using an old iBook people have been able to stream out a TS file.

We have an independent feature film that is on our Mac in Final Cut Pro and a 5.1 surround soundtrack that is in Pro Tools. We want to marry these 2 sources and play them in a movie theater in 5.1.

I understand that we could play our film on a DVHS deck. I was told we could go optical out for the 5.1 through a consumer receiver to give us our 6 tracks of audio- out the pre-amps and go component out for the video.

If this is so, how do we get the 5.1 sound married to the DVHS (m2v) file on a mac and then firewire it onto a tape?

As analternative is there also a way to play it from our Mac with our 5.1 sound? What software and hardware do we need and how do we do it? VideoLan says it supports 5.1 and I understand the 17" powerbook has an optical connection but would that work for our audio (ac3 or aac?) and could we go out the DVI for our video? Anyone tried 5.1 with h.264?

We have an HDCAM/DA88 master but I am looking for a very economical way of showing screeners so we can quickly go back and do fixes and then create a new version to project.

thanks in advance

Anyone know where this guy would have been able to get the larger 7200RPM drives? The new Hitatchis (greater than 60GB) dont seem to be available yet.

Trying to convert mpeg 2 transport file to mpeg in MPEG Streamclip 1.3.1. Error message says "Error: can't find the last audio sample." This happens no matter what type of conversion I choose. Anyone seen this before? Thanks in advance.

Motorola DCT 6208 PVR > Powerbook (onto Lacie ext firewire drive)
Used VirtualDVHS from the apple firewiresdk20 package to facilitate the transfer.

Trying to convert mpeg 2 transport file to mpeg in MPEG Streamclip 1.3.1. Error message says "Error: can't find the last audio sample." This happens no matter what type of conversion I choose. Anyone seen this before? Thanks in advance.

Motorola DCT 6208 PVR > Powerbook (onto Lacie ext firewire drive)
Used VirtualDVHS from the apple firewiresdk20 package to facilitate the transfer.
I have seen it before. Actually it was the error "can't find last video sample"....To fix it I open the file in VLC using the file menu and transcoded the file to a new ts file. The new ts file seems to work in MPEG Streamclip whenever I see this error. I don't remember the exact menu options to do the transcoding, but I can look it up when I get home if you can't figure it out. Let me know.

I have seen it before. Actually it was the error "can't find last video sample"....To fix it I open the file in VLC using the file menu and transcoded the file to a new ts file. The new ts file seems to work in MPEG Streamclip whenever I see this error. I don't remember the exact menu options to do the transcoding, but I can look it up when I get home if you can't figure it out. Let me know.

Transcoded to a .ts file using VLC. Same error message in MPEG Streamclip. What options did you use when transcoding the file? BTW, this is an HDTV stream.

Transcoded to a .ts file using VLC. Same error message in MPEG Streamclip. What options did you use when transcoding the file? BTW, this is an HDTV stream.
I do this with my HDTV Streams that don't always work in MPEG Streamclip. Though, this doesn't work 100% of the time. It does work most of the time however. Here is my procedure....

Open VLC. Then, using the file menu, go to File>Open File. Chose "Browse" and find your troubled file. Check the box "Advanced Output" and then click "Settings".

Under the "Output Options" section, make sure the "file" section is selected, then Click "Browse" to chose a new output file and name it "whatever.ts" Keep everything else default. On my machine, that is "no checkmark" on 'dump raw input', Encapsulation is "MPEG TS". I do not do any "transcoding options" or "stream announcing". (I guess when I originally said "transcode to a new ts file" that was wrong of me....sorry). Click ok to close the options window. Then click ok to start the process.

Depending on the length of your source, this may take a few minutes. On the VLC controller window (where the volume and skip buttons are), you will see the "progress bar" moving. When it jumps back to the beginning, your file is finished.


If this doesn't work, then I don't know what will....Good Luck

Hello,

I did go through thread to look for an answer before posting.

I currently don't own a TV, just getting a 6200 and watching TV would be great via my nice Mac set up.

Can you use DVHS or AVCBrowser or VLC and just watch the live SD or HD streams? So I don't want to record, just watch the stream.

thank.

does anyone have any idea if the new JVC HDILA sets output HD from their firewire ports such that it could be recorded to virtual DVHS on a Mac without using an STB or other external tuner?
I'm looking for the answer to this as well. I have all the hardware, but don't care to spend a couple hours trying it out if it ain't gonna work...

I'm looking for the answer to this as well. I have all the hardware, but don't care to spend a couple hours trying it out if it ain't gonna work...

If you have the TV, the Mac, and the Virtual DVHS program, why not just give it a shot? :rolleyes: Am I correct to assume that you are trying to record OTA programming via the TV's internal tuner?

It couldn't take more than 5 or 10 minutes to find out, would it? Or am I missing something here?

I can do it with my Mits DLP (62525), and a current generation powerbook. Is your mac a desktop machine that is more cumbersome to move around?

If you have the TV, the Mac, and the Virtual DVHS program, why not just give it a shot? :rolleyes: Am I correct to assume that you are trying to record OTA programming via the TV's internal tuner?

It couldn't take more than 5 or 10 minutes to find out, would it? Or am I missing something here?
Yes, you are correct, I want to record OTA HDTV programming via the TV's internal tuner.

And yes, you are missing something. I need to find, download, and install the virtual DVHS app. Then I need to move my G5 to the JVC TV. Not a small task since some cables of the Mac (including the power cable) are behind a 6-piece computer desk/bookcase that would need to be moved. Once at the TV I would need to move the 52-inch TV that is in a built-in cabinet to connect the G5 to the TV via FireWire, again, a difficult task because some cables barely reach my TV and were a pain to connect. Once I move the TV, I need to set up mirrors and put myself in odd positions to connect the cables. Realistially, including putting the G5 back when I'm done recording, the setup alone would take 2-3 hours, which is why I'd rather just hear from someone who has tried it. Not to mention I was hoping to try to record a HD program later tonight, but looks like I'll just have to record it in SD to my VCR for now. :(

Yes, you are correct, I want to record OTA HDTV programming via the TV's internal tuner.

And yes, you are missing something. I need to find, download, and install the virtual DVHS app. Then I need to move my G5 to the JVC TV. Not a small task since some cables of the Mac (including the power cable) are behind a 6-piece computer desk/bookcase that would need to be moved. Once at the TV I would need to move the 52-inch TV that is in a built-in cabinet to connect the G5 to the TV via FireWire, again, a difficult task because some cables barely reach my TV and were a pain to connect. Once I move the TV, I need to set up mirrors and put myself in odd positions to connect the cables. Realistially, including putting the G5 back when I'm done recording, the setup alone would take 2-3 hours, which is why I'd rather just hear from someone who has tried it. Not to mention I was hoping to try to record a HD program later tonight, but looks like I'll just have to record it in SD to my VCR for now. :(

Gotcha.

No firewire on the front panel then? That's a bummer. I am REALLY glad I have a powerbook for this purpose. I was able to hook it up on a whim when my wife wanted to record an HD concert a month ago. I just leave a firewire cable connected to the back of my TV just in case, and snake it around to the front when I need it.

But on the other hand, the Virtual DVHS app is on the install CD if you have Tiger (if I remember right)...it is part of the development tools. If not, you need the Firewire SDK from apple's site.

I assume the answer is no, but I can't find it anywhere. Is there an older DVHS Player/Recorder that doesn't recognize "5C" and will still playback the content?

ET -

It's even a little more work for me to do it, I would have to buy an HDTV antenna and install it in my attic. My motivation for asking. I am checking with a contact at JVC though. Hope to have an answer for us in a week or so.

From research it appears likely. The only (other) wrinkle is the note in the HDILA manuals that says the firewire ONLY talks to JVC branded devices. It would really suck if the virutal DVHS app did not fall into that category.

BB

Brandon - I wonder about that reference to JVC only devices as well. I have already connected my Sony PC330 camcorder via FireWire, and I could not import nor export audio/video via firewire to the Sony camcorder, which is very unfortunate. Neither the TV nor the camcorder saw the other device.

I am hoping the Mac to be compatible via FW with the JVC TV, but at this point, it is only a hope. Based on the experience with the camcorder, it is doubtful. If I can find the time to try it myself, I'll post my results here.

As for the HDTV antenna, that is something you will want to connect to your JVC HDTV anyway even if the Mac can't record HD off of the JVC ATSC tuner. The difference between HD and SD is night and day. (and you can get HD w/ just rabbit ears -- I do.)

There'll be no HD with just rabbit ear where I live. I will need one of the more ambitious antenna setups from what I have found researching it.

I am also mildly hopeful the the firewire sdk VDVHS will successfully appear as a JVC device, since this is in large part JVCs format and maybe, just maybe, the TV will be fooled by assuming ANY DHVS deck is OK.

BB

Apologize if this is covered somewhere earlier, but does anyone have any idea if the new JVC HDILA sets output HD from their firewire ports such that it could be recorded to virtual DVHS on a Mac without using an STB or other external tuner?
I just connected my JVC 52G786 to my iMac G5 2.0GHz via FireWire and NO JOY trying to use the internal tuner of the JVC TV to record a HD program. :( I couldn't get the JVC to recognize the Mac, and trying to record using Virtual DVHS produced no result. I tried many channels in the Virtual DVHS app from 0-20 before giving up. I opened Apple System Profiler, and it recognized my 52G786 TV was connected, but none of the apps worked.

One weird thing, I connected my Sony PC330 camcorder to the second iLink/FireWire port on the back of the JVC TV. The TV passed the video through so that I could record from the camcorder in iMovie HD, but still the TV iLink input remained grayed out. So the FireWire ports on the JVC TV were obviously functional, but when the JVC manual says it will only recognize JVC decks, they mean what they say. :( :mad:

what OS ? what Firewire SDK are you using?

Hmmm. There might be away to have the V DVHS program "pretend" to be a JVC deck. Beyond my present capabilities to analyze and produce, but maybe not for someone else here.

Pretty crappy of JVC to do this. Make that very crappy.

BB

what OS ? what Firewire SDK are you using?
My iMac G5 came with OS 10.4, and it has been updated to 10.4.2. The FW is just what came with the system. I didn't think 10.3 or higher needed any more FW components.

He means which Firewire SDK did you get virtual DVHS from in your attempt to record? 18, 19, 20? Or is it one of the tweaked ones some of the guys here have put together?

BB

Oh, heh. :D I'm using one of the modified ones. It says version 1.0b2 when I open the app.

I just connected my JVC 52G786 to my iMac G5 2.0GHz via FireWire and NO JOY trying to use the internal tuner of the JVC TV to record a HD program. :( I couldn't get the JVC to recognize the Mac, and trying to record using Virtual DVHS produced no result. I tried many channels in the Virtual DVHS app from 0-20 before giving up. I opened Apple System Profiler, and it recognized my 52G786 TV was connected, but none of the apps worked.

Read in earlier in this thread, and it was something about channel 63, (in VDVHS). VDVHS is just a virtual JVC--really. But, you need to check that your HDTV can output a signal--some of the Sonys are only one way, so check your manual (or other threads here). The way DVHS-iLink/Firewire works is that the tuner device (your JVC HDTV) controls the deck (JVC DVHS VCR/VirtDVHS). So you need to go into the Firewire or something menu in the JVC and have it record to to the V-DVHS program (you can specify a directory/folder by dragging and dropping it onto the VDVHS icon and quitting and restarting). Then with VDVHS open go through the Firewire/iLink menu and select the VDVHS (on my JVC DVHS VCRs I can see my Mac and even 'tune' to what it's streaming out on VirtualDVHS or DVHSCap).


One weird thing, I connected my Sony PC330 camcorder to the second iLink/FireWire port on the back of the JVC TV. The TV passed the video through so that I could record from the camcorder in iMovie HD, but still the TV iLink input remained grayed out. So the FireWire ports on the JVC TV were obviously functional, but when the JVC manual says it will only recognize JVC decks, they mean what they say. :( :mad:

Remember your Sony camcorder is only DV (the SD standard) a different standard from HD Transport Streams, so though their the same plug they don't talk to each other. For DV just use iMovie/FCP to capture.

They may recognize each other, but, I think you need V-DVHS open so that your HDTV sees a DVHS deck to record to. Keep trying and make sure to be specific with what you're doing, and what you see and we may be able to help--though seems as though you're the only one with a JVC TV trying this...there are several threads on other TVs (maybe read the Sony ones to find some hints).

Read in earlier in this thread, and it was something about channel 63, (in VDVHS). VDVHS is just a virtual JVC--really.

That is encouraging if accurate. The manual for the TV does explicitly say the TV is designed to interface with a DHVS deck (if it is a JVC, anyway). So if virtual DVHS is exactly emulating a JVC branded deck, it should work.

When I am not 5000 miles away from my TV, I will give this a try, for playback at least.

BB

Fixed some broken links and added a few new ones to the first post in this thread.

I want to add that I DID try channel 63, if I remember correctly. I went one channel the direction opposite zero, and if 63 is the upper channel, then I tried that also (and up to channel 20).

Maybe I didn't do something right, so someone else should try to record to a Mac with a JVC HDILA TV using the built-in tuner. For now, I just purchased a DVD recorder. I borrowed a friends, and went from the S-Video output of the JVC TV to the DVD recorder, and although I know its not recording in HD, the resulting picture is still very good and it retained its 16:9 format. Sure beats the pants off of an analog SD recording to a VHS VCR that is crappo quality and non-widescreen.

Next month when I am home I will try to get the mac to stream video into the TV. If that works, then recording should work as well, and we'll have to figure out where your bug is.

BB

I missed the part about the AVC Browser application, so I downloaded the Apple SDK 20 and got the AVC browser app and now I got the recording to work. I can play the recording back in VLC on my iMac G5. Woo-hoo! :cool:

However, I cannot play it back to the JVC TV via FireWire. The iLink input option in the JVC input menu is grayed out and not selectable, even when playing back the recording in VirtualDVHS. I'll keep playing around and see if I can get it to work.

EDIT: After trying some more, things only got worse. What I recorded the first time was the news on two local digital channels (OTA, non-HD). They both played back fine in VLC. When I tried to record HD widescreen channels, both Monday night football on ABC and Travels with Rudy Maxa on PBS, the shows seemed to record, but I could not play them back in VLC. I tried several times, and even restarted the Mac, but VLC would not play back the HD content on my iMac G5 2.0GHz w/2GB RAM.

I never got the JVC TV to recognize the iLink/FW input, so I never was able to play back from my Mac to the JVC TV.

Interesting experiment. I'll be interested to hear Brandon what you and others may come up with. For now, I'm just going to record the S-Video out of the JVC to a DVD Recorder to record HD programming (yeah, I know the recording is not in HD, but it still looks decent).

Well if the TV is willing to output to it, seems like it is recognizing it as a JVC device, which is promising. I think.

BB

Hi guys - I'm a newbie here and I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the info - I have a FW equipped Motorola DCT6400 series box (DVR) and I want to transfer some 1/2 hour shows to my G4 Mac (10.4.3).

I've looked at LOTS of posts but.......I'm not sure what I need and where to start.

Sorry if all that I want to know is posted already..... :confused:

I truly appreciate it.

Has anyone had success w/ getting a recorded stream from HBO to play on your mac? Any channel I record from other than HBO seems to work fine...

Has anyone had success w/ getting a recorded stream from HBO to play on your mac? Any channel I record from other than HBO seems to work fine...

HBO, yes. HBO is listed as copy-free. I've only had issues recording things marked copy-never. In these cases, the TV looks to refuse to pass a signal via D-Net.

HBO, yes. HBO is listed as copy-free. I don't know where your list comes from but HBO is most definitely protected content.

I don't know where your list comes from but HBO is most definitely protected content.

Unless you live in San Francisco. Need to get a place there for HD recording. :D

I have a FW equipped Motorola DCT6400 series box (DVR) and I want to transfer some 1/2 hour shows to my G4 Mac (10.4.3).

I'll probably miss some steps, but here goes.
First, hook up your computer to your DVR. I've heard that the DVR needs to be the last item in your firewire chain, and you should turn it on last. I only have the computer and DVR, so I don't have to worry about the chain, and turning the DVR off until the Mac is up and running is no big deal.
Then, find AVCVideoCap on your hard drive and start it. It should be under the Developer/FirewireSDK20/Applications folder. Your DVR should be listed in the window of this app, click on it, then click on Capture From Device, adjust the properties accordingly (recording time is the only thing I change), start recording, start playing back your DVR content, and wait. Since you're recording in real time, you have to wait for playback to finish.
Once you're done, you'll have a .ts or .m2t file. I think you can play this back via VirtualDVHS, but I use Mpeg Streamclip. If you pay $20 to Apple to get the appropriate upgrades, you can use Mpeg Streamclip to convert to a DV file, then open via iMovie and burn to DVD via iDVD. This can take a really looooong time (I have a 2 GHz iMac G5 with 1 GB of RAM).
I've only done it once, just to see if it worked, so there may be more efficient ways. There are a lot of details to playing back, and I can give you those if you want to pursue the Streamclip route. I don't typically play back the content on my Mac, so you'll have to get someone else to provide the details if that's what you want. If no one else replies, all of the information is in this thread, so you have to search a little, and some of it is a little old, but you'll be able to figure it out. As you may have read, you cannot record protected content (premium movie channel or even something like Discovery HD).

I don't know where your list comes from but HBO is most definitely protected content.

Just going by what my tele tells me.

Thank you gakon!

Does Fox HD also encrypt broadcasts? Tried to record The OC tonight and the m2t file in unplayable in VLC and not accepted by MPEGStreamClip....

Does Fox HD also encrypt broadcasts? Tried to record The OC tonight and the m2t file in unplayable in VLC and not accepted by MPEGStreamClip....You don't show (or mention) where you are but if you receive FOX OTA it should be in the clear.

Bloomington, Indiana using Insight HD through the cable box...

You don't show (or mention) where you are but if you receive FOX OTA it should be in the clear.

Does Fox HD also encrypt broadcasts? Tried to record The OC tonight and the m2t file in unplayable in VLC and not accepted by MPEGStreamClip....


Take a look at this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=438767) and this other thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=501035&page=1&pp=30).

I believe it has to do with the EPN settings. There is another thread where another AVS member discussed his efforts to get the field set right for the OTA channel by the cable co. This occurred last year.

I'll probably miss some steps, but here goes.
First, hook up your computer to your DVR. ....
Then, find AVCVideoCap on your hard drive and start it. It should be under the Developer/FirewireSDK20/Applications folder. Your DVR should be listed in the window of this app, click on it, then click on Capture From Device, adjust the properties accordingly (recording time is the only thing I change), start recording, start playing back your DVR content, and wait. Since you're recording in real time, you have to wait for playback to finish.

I follow the procedure above, BUT the output file is 0 k. Nada, zilch. Same when I use iRecord. So the firewire port is active, because it shows up in the applications as a source, and in my Mac's system profiler. But when I hit record, nothing is recorded. As I said, the output file is 0k.

So what I'm wondering...
I'm on Tiger. Do I need special apps? Right now I'm using AVCVideoCap 1.0, from Firewire SDK 20. I've also tried iRecord v.0.1.something, because when I download 0.4 or 0.3 and try to open them, I get this error I can't find any help on: "iRecord event data could not be opened or created. Verify that you have proper permissions in your application support directory. iRecord will now quit." I have no idea what this means--any ideas?

Is Comcast simply disabling the output somehow? Do I need a different box? I would think that if it shows up as a firewire device, then it's working, but why else would I get output .ts files that are zero k?

--I have a Motorola 6412, which does show up in the recording apps as DCT-6412.
-Other specs: TiBook 667
:confused:

All of the sudden HBO, Cinemax, Starz and Showtime cannot be recorded via DVHSCap. This all worked last week. I do get a file and a bitrate, but VLC and Mpegstreamclip will not play back the file. All the other channels are fine. My JVC DVHS VCR will still record and playback these channels.

Any ideas? Think an older version of these apps may do the trick?

Setup:
G5 Dual 2.0Ghz with Mac OS 10.4.3
Comcast 6200
JVC 40000 D-VHS VCR
LG 3410a

I follow the procedure above, BUT the output file is 0 k. What channels are you trying to record? Where do you live? In most areas, only local channels can be recorded, most others have 5C encryption which prevents recording via FireWire. In some areas Fox channels cannot be recorded.

I get this error I can't find any help on: "iRecord event data could not be opened or created. Verify that you have proper permissions in your application support directory. iRecord will now quit." I have no idea what this means--any ideas?


Go into your home folder, and open the Library folder in there and then Application Support. Delete the iRecord folder in Application Support and then try the newest version.

iRecord data files underwent some growing pains between versions and not every change from version x to version y is handed cleanly, so you just have to wipe any old settings/data.

You can also delete the iRecord preferences in Library/Preferences, which don't always translate between versions.

All of the sudden HBO, Cinemax, Starz and Showtime cannot be recorded via DVHSCap. This all worked last week. I do get a file and a bitrate, but VLC and Mpegstreamclip will not play back the file. All the other channels are fine. My JVC DVHS VCR will still record and playback these channels.

Any ideas? Think an older version of these apps may do the trick?

Setup:
G5 Dual 2.0Ghz with Mac OS 10.4.3
Comcast 6200
JVC 40000 D-VHS VCR
LG 3410a

5C was enabled on your cable system. Only a 5C compliant device like the JVC will record premium and standard basic channels. Local channels should still be recordable.

What channels are you trying to record? Where do you live? In most areas, only local channels can be recorded, most others have 5C encryption which prevents recording via FireWire. In some areas Fox channels cannot be recorded.

I've tried several. With your advice in mind, I tried recording my local PBs station (ch 2), and still the output file is 0k.

So it sounds like more of a copy-protection issue than a recording software issue to you?

I am in Boston using Comcast digital cable.

So it sounds like more of a copy-protection issue than a recording software issue to you?
Yes, it does, but I don't want to pretend I'm an expert. My Mac is not near my TV. Moving it is not a big deal, but something I do not do regularly. Next chance (hopefully this weekend) I will try to do it and write down all of the steps in detail, just to make sure I didn't miss anything.
In the meantime, I recently read that some people say you should only use the firewire port on the right hand side (looking from the back). I doubt that's your problem since your Mac recognizes the DVR, but who knows.
Here are some instructions for determining if 5C encryption is enabled on a particular channel in your area:
Enter DIAGNOSTICS page on the DCT6412 as follows with remote: Power off, Select, Select (this can also be done from the front panel buttons).
Scroll down to: d11 INTERFACE STATUS and then click right arrow to enter that module.
In 1394 I/O DEVICE section you should see ACTIVE PORTS=1 (indicating the Firewire connection is active) and look at 5C IMPLEMENTATION value. If it is something other than 0 this means 5C protection is enabled and you won't be able to capture that channel.
To get out of the Status Page click left arrow with remote and scroll down to EXIT and click Select.
You'll need to check every channel separately, but as soon as you find an unencrypted one that won't record, you'll know that's not the problem. Have you tried the Boston Comcast thread to see if anyone there has made this work?

Here are some instructions for determining if 5C encryption is enabled on a particular channel in your area:...

Thanks! I tried this and found 5c Implementation set to "0" on all the channels I checked. Which means there is NO copy protection on those channels, (correct?)

So now I'm happy there is (apparently) no copy-protection, but befuddled as to why I'm getting 0k output files.

Thanks to Kaadray's advice I was able to run iRecord 0.4. It opened, I set up a recording, and it even tuned the channel properly when the time came! But once again... output file was 0k.

Bizarre. Even more bizarre because I started archiving shows off my dvr using iRecord & eyeTV almost a year ago, and it all worked fine! Then this summer eyeTV stopped being able to 'tune in' the output .ts files iRecord was producing. And now most recently, the output files themselves are blank.

Help?? :(

Is there a way for me to move data from the Motorola 6412 to my Mac Mini or another Firewire-connected hard drive for long term storage?

Some of the information on the forum seems dated. I'm using MacOS X 10.4.3

Is there a way for me to move data from the Motorola 6412 to my Mac Mini or another Firewire-connected hard drive for long term storage?

Normally I'm not so obnoxious on the forum, but posts like these are amazing. :rolleyes: On the previous page, post 1162, I provided instructions for doing this exact operation. While Ron may have had problems making this work, it is at least a starting point. I will provide more detailed instructions shortly.

It also should have been obvious from many other posts that you cannot use a Mac Mini or external firewire drive as a true expansion of the 6412. You can store the content and play it back to your TV from your computer, but I do not believe you can play it back through the 6412. I'm not sure if this was your intent or not.

... but I do not believe you can play it back through the 6412...

Right, the 1394 implementation on the 6412 is one way. There is no media player mode on the 6412 to make it two way.

Here are the steps I use to transfer recorded content from my Motorola 6412 to my iMac G5 running OS X 10.4.3. Since I have to move my Mac to connect to the 6412, I have some setup steps that you may not need.
1. Power on the Mac.
2. Connect the 6412 to the Mac via Firewire. I had problems with the 6412's left port (when looking from the back) but not with the right port. I can't say that the problems were caused by the port, but others have had problems with the left.
3. Turn on the 6412
4. On the Mac, open AVCVideoCap. It's under Developer/FirewireSDK20/Applications. Version number 1.04b showed up at the top of the AVCVC capture window.
5. In the AVCVC capture window you should see DCT-6412 listed under "Device". Select it.
6. Click "Capture from Device". A "Save As" dialog should appear. Fill in the box and click "Save".
7. A recording time window will open. Enter a time long enough to capture your program. Since I'm just transferring recorded content, I don't do anything with the "enable channel change..." or "defer recording..." selections.
8. Set up your 6412 to play back, and get read to start it.
9. Click "Continue" on the AVCVideoCap record time window and start playback on the 6412. The recording time window should disappear on the Mac, and the capture window should come to the front. The capture status line should update, as should frame/packet count. I have had non-zero overruns and dropped frames, but these haven't caused me any problems (I think). When recording is done, you'll have an ".m2t" file saved. I have used both VLC and MPEG Streamclip to play back these files on the computer. I do not have my Mac hooked up to my TV, so I don't play back that way.
If these instructions don't work for you, let me know. I actually haven't had too many problems because I don't do this too often, but I'll try help.

Thanks! I tried this and found 5c Implementation set to "0" on all the channels I checked. Which means there is NO copy protection on those channels, (correct?)

So now I'm happy there is (apparently) no copy-protection, but befuddled as to why I'm getting 0k output files.

Thanks to Kaadray's advice I was able to run iRecord 0.4. It opened, I set up a recording, and it even tuned the channel properly when the time came! But once again... output file was 0k.

Bizarre. Even more bizarre because I started archiving shows off my dvr using iRecord & eyeTV almost a year ago, and it all worked fine! Then this summer eyeTV stopped being able to 'tune in' the output .ts files iRecord was producing. And now most recently, the output files themselves are blank.

Help?? :(

If both AVCVideoCap and iRecord are producing 0k fies and

If iRecord and/or AVCVideoCap can tune the channel and

If it is a 6412

then I really have to believe it is a configuration problem on the 6412, or a problem in the connection. I didn't notice in your posts - is it a direct FireWire connection between your computer and the cable box? If you haven't tried that yet, give it a shot to rule out something interfering on the FireWire bus.

Otherwise, my best guess is that something is configured wrong on the box (firmware version or a setting) or in the stream the cable co is sending. Unforutnately these are all essentially out of your control. The 64xx boxes are most reliable devices with iRecord and AVCVideoCap from what I can tell from user reports, when the boxes are up to date and the stream is correct.

EyeTV no longer being able to playback in the summer would be an indication of 5C being activated on those stations, but 0k could be a lot of things. I believe I have read reports of 5C implementation returning 0 in the diagnostics screen even when active for some firmware version, so I wouldn't take that as a hard truth.

If both AVCVideoCap and iRecord are producing 0k fies and

If iRecord and/or AVCVideoCap can tune the channel and

If it is a 6412

then I really have to believe it is a configuration problem on the 6412, or a problem in the connection. I didn't notice in your posts - is it a direct FireWire connection between your computer and the cable box? If you haven't tried that yet, give it a shot to rule out something interfering on the FireWire bus.

Otherwise, my best guess is that something is configured wrong on the box (firmware version or a setting) or in the stream the cable co is sending. Unforutnately these are all essentially out of your control. The 64xx boxes are most reliable devices with iRecord and AVCVideoCap from what I can tell from user reports, when the boxes are up to date and the stream is correct.

EyeTV no longer being able to playback in the summer would be an indication of 5C being activated on those stations, but 0k could be a lot of things. I believe I have read reports of 5C implementation returning 0 in the diagnostics screen even when active for some firmware version, so I wouldn't take that as a hard truth.

Interesting. Right now the cable box and Mac are at either end of a daisy chain which has a firewire hdd and dvd burner in the middle. I will hook the Mac directly to the cable box and see if that makes a difference (although they were always daisy-chained before, when everything worked and the world was bright).

Also I will try AVCVideoCap again. I should note that with both AVC and iRecord, not only are the output files 0k but the bitrate field shows 0/mbps at all times, even during "recording."

I will also ask at the comcast Boston forum if anyone else has had success/failure trying this.

Actually, now that dvd recorders are barely over $100, that is looking better and better. :cool:

Can one record via firewire from a TWCNYC 8300HD box? The V2.2 has two firewire ports.

Hi,
I have been following this thread for over a year. And from time to time record a program off my Comcast box. I just decided to start saving some of the shows I watch. I have bought some of them on DVD but wonder why should I spend money for something I'm recording anyway each week and then not get an HD version of.

I currently have a Moto 6412 and transfer shows I have saved on the DVR over to my PowerBook G4 1.67. I had been using AVC Browser 0.3, but would often get a file is not supported/playable after transfer in MPEG StreamClip and VLC(seemed to happen if the recorded program ended and it popped up the message "do you want to delete" before I stopped the recording.)
I just switched to FW SDK20 using AVCVideoCap and have had no problems recording but I don't see a manual record (you always have to put in how long you wish to record for)

I would like to save my recordings in the best quality but smallest size until I'll be able to put them on a High Def DVD (HD-DVD or BLU-Ray) when they are available, and until then also to play them from my PowerBook to a Samsung 50" DLP.

I once spoke to the author of MPEG StreamClip and he recommended using H.264 with 2-pass encoding and "use B frames" for the best quality and smallest size. He said to keep the height the same (ie use 1280x720 for 720p shows, and 1920x1080 for 1080i shows) I tried these settings and the resulting files are very clear and went from a 40min 3.5GB to only 786MB file.

My Questions are
1, In MPEG StreamClip, what settings are people using to save their HD content. The 720p recordings I have are 59.94fps could I make that 29.97fps and not notice a lack of quality?

2. Should I adjust the quality slider or leave it at the default middle setting?(does it even do anything on H.264?)

3.My powerbook, even with the 1.67 G4 cannot play this H.264 file smoothly (my iMac G5 can just handle it if nothing else is running at the time) Is there a setting that I will be able to make a high quality H.264 file for future transfer to HD DVD that is also playable on a PowerBook G4?

I did search these forums and couldn't find anything on recommended settings. If I have to, I'll just save the files at the best quality on an external HD for future burning and make a second copy at a lower quality that should play on my powerbook and still look OK for the time being.
If thats the answer what would the best setting and the low quality be? (maybe the above settings for Hi, and 720x480 for low??)

Thanks in advance,
Ray

Hi,
I have been following this thread for over a year. And from time to time record a program off my Comcast box. I just decided to start saving some of the shows I watch. I have bought some of them on DVD but wonder why should I spend money for something I'm recording anyway each week and then not get an HD version of.

I currently have a Moto 6412 and transfer shows I have saved on the DVR over to my PowerBook G4 1.67. I had been using AVC Browser 0.3, but would often get a file is not supported/playable after transfer in MPEG StreamClip and VLC(seemed to happen if the recorded program ended and it popped up the message "do you want to delete" before I stopped the recording.)
I just switched to FW SDK20 using AVCVideoCap and have had no problems recording but I don't see a manual record (you always have to put in how long you wish to record for)

I would like to save my recordings in the best quality but smallest size until I'll be able to put them on a High Def DVD (HD-DVD or BLU-Ray) when they are available, and until then also to play them from my PowerBook to a Samsung 50" DLP.

I once spoke to the author of MPEG StreamClip and he recommended using H.264 with 2-pass encoding and "use B frames" for the best quality and smallest size. He said to keep the height the same (ie use 1280x720 for 720p shows, and 1920x1080 for 1080i shows) I tried these settings and the resulting files are very clear and went from a 40min 3.5GB to only 786MB file.

My Questions are
1, In MPEG StreamClip, what settings are people using to save their HD content. The 720p recordings I have are 59.94fps could I make that 29.97fps and not notice a lack of quality?

2. Should I adjust the quality slider or leave it at the default middle setting?(does it even do anything on H.264?)

3.My powerbook, even with the 1.67 G4 cannot play this H.264 file smoothly (my iMac G5 can just handle it if nothing else is running at the time) Is there a setting that I will be able to make a high quality H.264 file for future transfer to HD DVD that is also playable on a PowerBook G4?

I did search these forums and couldn't find anything on recommended settings. If I have to, I'll just save the files at the best quality on an external HD for future burning and make a second copy at a lower quality that should play on my powerbook and still look OK for the time being.
If thats the answer what would the best setting and the low quality be? (maybe the above settings for Hi, and 720x480 for low??)

Thanks in advance,
Ray
I've discovered that when MPEG StreamClip says it doesn't recognize the file, it's due to the recording being 5C protected. I can still transfer content using my ADS Pyro-AV-Link from the S-Video/Analog Audio connections to create a DV format file, but the quality is obviously not as good at transferring the mpeg-ts stream.

I once spoke to the author of MPEG StreamClip and he recommended using H.264 with 2-pass encoding and "use B frames" for the best quality and smallest size.As far as I can tell, you're the expert on this thread for recording in H.264. I can't offer any help except to say that I tried recording in H.264 once, and my iMac G5 also had a tough time with it.

I'm using VirtualDVHS2 to playback some TS streams. Mostly, this works out as expected.

But there's two recorded streams I have (both of which were null-stripped, unfortunately) that exhibit chunky playback (both work fine in VLC). In hopes of repairing, I've run both through TStoATSC (on Win) and MPEG2Repair (also on Win) to no avail.

When they skip/stall during playback, I've noticed VirtualDVHS shows a bitrate of 100,000 (??) and that the time index jumps ahead some some arbitrary looking time. I though this may be a timecode mismatch, but am only guessing.

Anybody have similar issues or know of tools I can use to assess or repair this problem?

Thx.

open the disk utility and do a disk permissions repair on the disk that Tiger is installed on.

:)

also someone on this forum also made a modified version of V-Dvhs2 , PM me your email addy and I can send it to you.

open the disk utility and do a disk permissions repair on the disk that Tiger is installed on.


I do that often enough as is. Pretty sure that's not the cause though. I'm fairly certain it's timecode issues but I don't know how to go about detecting or repairing them.

...But there's two recorded streams I have (both of which were null-stripped, unfortunately) that exhibit chunky playback (both work fine in VLC). ...Anybody have similar issues or know of tools I can use to assess or repair this problem?

Thx.

Try this, if you haven't....I'm going from memory, so I might have the sequence of buttons to press off a little....Open VLC and using the file menu, browse to the file. But don't hit OK yet, instead there's a check box (I think it is a "transcode file box", then click "Advanced options". This takes you into another window. Click "Brwose" and chose a name and new location for the file and make sure the ".ts" extension is there, and make sure "MPEG TS" is selected as the "encapsulation method". Then chose OK to close the two windows.

This creates a new file, about the same file size as before, so you obviously need that much free space before you start. I don't, however, know if this re-adds the null packets. But if you claim that VLC can play it fine, I suspect this will fix your problem.

Try this, if you haven't....I'm going from memory, so I might have the sequence of buttons to press off a little....Open VLC and using the file menu, browse to the file. But don't hit OK yet, instead there's a check box (I think it is a "transcode file box", then click "Advanced options". This takes you into another window. Click "Brwose" and chose a name and new location for the file and make sure the ".ts" extension is there, and make sure "MPEG TS" is selected as the "encapsulation method". Then chose OK to close the two windows.


I found the options you speak of. They were under "streaming" from the open file dialog. It was the best idea yet. Alas, it did not work. :(

Another solution that might be worth a try is ProjectX. I've used it a few times successfully when VLC's advanced output failed. ProjectX is not the most intuitive software to use. Drag your source file into ProjectX's upper left corner then select the output directory using the boxes in the upper right. Make sure the drop-down list under "out MB" on the left side of the window is set "to TS." Realize, however, this solution demultiplexes your original audio and video. You will need to take ProjectX's output file and pass it through VLC's advanced options to remultiplex the A-V.

This two step solution works *most* of the time when VLC alone has trouble fixing a stream. Good luck.

I wanted to save a SD show from my Motorola 6412. After some trial and error I got it to work. Here's what you'll need:
iMovie HD
iDVD 5
VLC 0.8.4
AVCVideoCap (from the FireWire SDK20 Applications)
FireWire cable from the 6412 to the Mac

1. Create a project in iMovie. Set the type of file as MPEG-4
2. Start AVCVideoCap set the time of the recording (add a minute or two to be sure to get the whole thing). Click the Capture button.
3. Start the recorded program on the 6412.
4. At the end you will have a file with a .m2t suffix. Open this file in VLC and then close it.
5. In VLC open the Streaming/Exporting Wizard, select Transcode/Save to File, then Next, select Existing Playlist Item and click on the ts file, then Next, select Transcode Video and choose MPEG-4 and 1024 bitrate from the pulldown menu, then select transcode Audio and choose MPEG-4 audio with 192 kbs bitrate, select Next, MPEG-4 should show as the Encapsulation format, select Next, give the file a name and location, then select Finish. The m2t file will be transcoded to mp4. It may take some time depending on the size of the file and the speed of your Mac.
6. Open your iMovie project and drag the mp4 file into the clip box. The clip will be imported into iMovie and can take some time to import.
7. After editing the clip to your wishes, select Create iDVD project and create a DVD as you would normally.

I have not tried this with a HD program. It obviously would not be HD but it would be nice to create an anamorphic DVD. Can it be done? Stay tuned.

Although it may not have been clear in my post above (#1180), transferring HD content from your DVR to a DVD is possible. Reviewing the DVD after the fact makes it quite clear how much better HD is than DVD.
However, the last time I transferred HD content to DVD, the audio came across as 2 channel, not 5.1. I don't mess with any settings in MPEG Streamclip, so I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but I'll have to look into it.

Has anyone gotten had success using the firewire link between either of these Pioneer displays and a Mac?

I'm running 10.4.3 on a Dual 2.7 G5. I downloaded the SDK version 2.0
I've scanned this thread, and had no joy so far. I downloaded the 2.0 version of the Firewire SDK. I played around with AVCBrowser, AVCVideoCap, DVHSCap, VirtualDVHS and VirtualDVHS2, but have so far not gotten the right combination.

Thanks for any clues,
Drew

Seriously confused newbie here. I have the motorola 6412 box and a mac aluminum powerbook. I downloaded the firewire sdk 20. Great. I ran the AVCBrowser, under AV/C devices the box shows up, it's "Type-5, GUID is shown, in speed 400, out speed 400, #in is 0, # out is 1, out base 63. If I change the channel in the device controller the outbase will change. If I hit connect is looks successful. I hit output signal button on the device controller and I get this:
=============== Sent AVC Command ===============
cType: Status
subUnit: 0xFF
opCode: Output Plug Signal Format (0x18)
FCP Command Frame:
01 FF 18 00 FF FF FF FF

=============== Received AVC Response ===============
response: Implemented/Stable
subUnit: 0xFF
opCode: Output Plug Signal Format (0x18)
FCP Response Frame:
0C FF 18 00 20 00 00 00

Then I go to AVCVideoCap (v1.04b) and the device shows as DCT-6412, Stream format is Other/unknown, Attached is Yes, Device is other. but all the buttons, like "capture from device" are inactive.

I have a full HD on the cable box. so I can I access the hard drive and copy the files to my fire wire drives that are connected to my powerbook?

Shouldn't I be able to do this now? Or am I missing something?

Marc

Then I go to AVCVideoCap (v1.04b) and the device shows as DCT-6412, Stream format is Other/unknown, Attached is Yes, Device is other. but all the buttons, like "capture from device" are inactive.
I have a full HD on the cable box. so I can I access the hard drive and copy the files to my fire wire drives that are connected to my powerbook?
Shouldn't I be able to do this now? Or am I missing something?

Did you change the channel back to the default in AVCBrowser? I've never actually looked at the settings in AVCBrowser before. Did you click on the line that showed the 6412 in AVCVideoCap? You cannot "copy files" from the 6412; you need to play them and capture them real time. You appear to be on the right track. I posted instructions for capturing recordings in posts 1162 and 1180, above. Hopefully they will help you.

Then I go to AVCVideoCap (v1.04b) and the device shows as DCT-6412, Stream format is Other/unknown, Attached is Yes, Device is other. but all the buttons, like "capture from device" are inactive.


You shouldn't need AVCBrowser to record from your 6412. The reason AVCVideoCap shows the stream format as "other/unknow" for the 6412, is because the 6412 has a "minor" bug in it's firmware's response to the "Output plug signal format command.

The response you're getting is:

FCP Response Frame:
0C FF 18 00 20 00 00 00

whereas the "correct" response for a MPEG2-TS device should be:

FCP Response Frame:
0C FF 18 00 A0 00 00 00

Even with this "bug" in the 6412, AVCVideoCap can work successfully (when AVCVideoCap doesn't recognize the signal format for a device, it defaults to MPEG for recording). You mentioned that the "capture from device" button is inactive. If you select the device (click on it to highlight it) the "capture from device" button should become active, and it can start a MPEGReceive operation

If you want to record a stream that is on the 6412 hard-drive, first start playback from the 6412, then start recording with AVCVideoCap.

Hope that all works for you. Good luck.

I just stumbled across this information last week, so I was very excited about finally being able to put my late brother's PowerMac G4 AGP graphics (400MHz G4, 512MB ram) to use. I did have Yellow Dog Linux installed on it using it as my web server for a few years, but as of late it was sitting neglected in a dark corner of the house.

So, I have OS X 10.4.something installed on it now (I can never remember what flavor feline each revision of software is called... Puma maybe? How about Manx? :rolleyes: ), as a brand new fresh install. All I installed on it was the FireWire SDK20, and of course all the updates from Apple to put it at version .something (whatever is currently available).

I have a Mitsubishi HDTV, and a Mitsubishi DVHS deck. I can record to and play from the DVHS no problem. I'm doing this with ATSC over the air broadcast stations.

When I start the recording to the Virtual DVHS program, things go fine, for a few minutes. Then the recording fails, with no errors indicated on the VDVHS program, except something about it disconnecting. The TV also tells me that the recording failed because the Mac disconnected. I can then immediately start the recording back up, and it will work fine again for a few minutes, then bail again. It doesn't fail at the same point on every recording, but is somewhere between 2 and 6 GB into the file. One time I got 8 GB.

I swapped the conenctions around, and was able to get even more time, but then failed. Aha... maybe I have a bad cable I'm thinking....

Then I go ahead and download SDK19. When I run that version of VirtualDVHS, I can record about 25 minutes until it bails. Aha... a software issue I'm thinking....

VirtualDVHS2 from SDK20 seemed to allow me to record longer too (file would reach about 10GB before bailing).

I will be trying a new cable this evening.

Anyone know what's going on here?

As a side note, for now, I'm recording to the system drive, which is a newer 80GB 7200RPM Maxtor. I'm thinking the Maxtor can handle the 19.392658 Mbit/sec ATSC stream with no problems (2.42408225 MBytes/sec). If it were a disc drive bandwidth issue, wouldn't I get some error other than what I'm seeing, and why would it fail much later in the game with SDK19?

-Matt

10.0 - Cheetah
10.1 - Puma
10.2 - Jaguar
10.3 - Panther
10.4 - Tiger

When I start the recording to the Virtual DVHS program, things go fine, for a few minutes. Then the recording fails...
-Matt

I had similary problems with VirtualDVHS from SDK 19, but when I downloaded SDK20 with VirtualDVHS2, all my problems went away. I am extracting DVHS streams form an LG DVR with ATSC receiver. However, I don't know if I have ever tried a stream larger than ~6GB.

What are your recording problems from? Apperently, TV => DVHS deck works fine. But are you trying now to go from TV=>mac or from DVHS deck=>mac? Or both and neither works?

Also, for streaming live HDTV to the mac, try the free program "iRecord (http://www.ammesset.com/software/irecord/)". The interface is much easier to use than VirtualDVHS, and you can schedule events. It works great with my set top box. Looks like a new version is out. I have the previous version that I currently use.

Does the VirtualDVHS software or the AVCCapture application allow you to capture off a moto DCT-6300 (or is it a DCT6200?) via firewire for the "premium" channels? I got a big (but useless file when I tried one of the HBO channels, but it worked on the local feed of Fox.

Actually the AVCcapture one is the one I used - I couldn't get anything with the virtualDVHS app...

Thanks

Josh,
Yes, I have problems recording from the ATSC tuner, as well as dubbing from the Mits DVHS deck to VDVHS. Same effect either way... No matter what I try recording to the VDVHS program from, it bails out a few gigs into it.

I don't know that iRecord would work good for me; I'll have to check it out, because I don't need a scheduler... The TV does the recording scheduling for me, and that's the way I need to keep it; it's much simpler. It's bad enough that I have to VNC into the mac to select which program I want to watch... I'd rather keep the mac interface as much hidden as possible. This is why VDVHS works so well for me; I don't need an interface to it. It could be a command line only program for all I care ;)

I think I misplaced a decimal point somewhere... My recordings only seem to last 3-4 minutes, which would put the filesize at 600MB, not 6GB. I haven't been able to get anywhere close to 6GB in fact. At the ATSC data rate, we suck up 145.444935 MBytes in one minute., meaning we could just fit a 1/2 hour show on a single sided DVD. 6GB would put me at the 45 minute mark or so, and that would be so much better than what I'm getting now!

Also, does anyone know how to change the protocol in VDVHS to AVC Disc (hard drive) mode? Why is it there if it's going to be greyed out all the time? I'm thinking that if I can get it to disc mode it should actually send it's playlist to my TV, letting me choose programs from my TV instead of having to do that from the VDVHS program.

imlucid,
That's great! Thanks for that.... Not that I'll remember that anytime into the future, but thanks! It seems so much easier for me to remember numbers than names of cute little carnivores! Then again, I think most mac users are a little more left brained than me, so maybe this explains the cute little carnivore names, while I'm more apt to remember hard scientific data that means a little more, like the data rate of the ATSC transport stream. I still remember laughing so hard the first time I had a color mac, and the bit-depth choice was "thousands" or "millions"... I figured the software engineers just couldn't count, or do math. Pepsi came out of my nose on that one. :D

Thanks for the ideas, keep 'em coming!

Does the VirtualDVHS software or the AVCCapture application allow you to capture off a moto DCT-6300 (or is it a DCT6200?) via firewire for the "premium" channels?If 5C encryption is enabled in your area (and it most likely is for these channels), then the answer is NO.

Josh,
Yes, I have problems recording from the ATSC tuner, as well as dubbing from the Mits DVHS deck to VDVHS. Same effect either way... No matter what I try recording to the VDVHS program from, it bails out a few gigs into it.
I have not used VDVHS since I upgraded to 10.4. I record from my Moto 6412 using AVCCapture with no problems (as long as I set the recording time correctly). In fact, is there such a setting in VDVHS that records for a certain period of time? Maybe you need to look for that setting.

No, there is no such setting. If so, it would bail out at the exact same time every time; it doesn't. Also, the nice thing about my setup as well is that the scheduling is done in the TV, not the computer.
I hope these other programs you all are talking about can be "dumb" recorders like VirtualDVHS... it will be nice to try once I get home this evening.

I would try repairing disk permissions using Disk Utility.

There is no code for AV HDD and that is why it is greyed out in VDVHS and not present in VDVHS2.

Can someone tell me if iRecord can record two seperate shows, from two seperate STB, at the same time? I mean if I schedule CSI on a 3250HD at 8pm and then Lost on the T-165 also at 8pm. Thanks.

Allrighty, then. At first glance, it looks like my firewire cable was flakey. After putting a new one on, I was able to record one full hour of CSI last night using VDVHS from SDK19. I haven't tried anything else for any amount of time, so it might have been a fluke. With SDK19, I was able to record for longer periods of time, getting up to the longest recording the other day of 23 minutes. I'll do some more experamenting this evening hopefully, and report back with the findings.
I'm sure someone will run across a bad cable at some point in the future, and hopefully my experience will help someone out.

Maybe FriarWyer can answer this. Is there a universal binary version of VirtualDVHS or any of the other firewire demos? Is a download site available? FirewireSDK21?

-Fredd

Maybe FriarWyer can answer this. Is there a universal binary version of VirtualDVHS or any of the other firewire demos? Is a download site available? FirewireSDK21?

-FreddI think there's a general understanding that everything Apple is doing now is universal so I would be surprised if the sample apps with SDK 21 were not universal. Then again who knows and but I seriuosly doubt Andy will comment on unreleased Apple software here.

There's some discussion about the universal SDK on the firewire developer mailing list. The release appears to be coming next week

http://lists.apple.com/archives/Firewire/2006/Jan/index.html

I confirmed the problem. It was the firewire cable. I'm successfully recording all I need now.
So, if anyone is having problems with recordings stopping unexpectedly, check the cable.
Thanks for all the suggestions.

I've been able to capture a program from my Motorola 6412 cable box to my Mac following the directions in this thread. Now I don't know what choice to make. How should I convert the file to prepare it for use with iMovie (for editing out commercials) and preparing for iDVD? Should I export to DV? Convert to MPEG? Convert to TS?

Also, does the new iLife 06 add any new features for handling HD transport stream files captured in this manner?

I've been able to capture a program from my Motorola 6412 cable box to my Mac following the directions in this thread. Now I don't know what choice to make. How should I convert the file to prepare it for use with iMovie (for editing out commercials) and preparing for iDVD? Should I export to DV? Convert to MPEG? Convert to TS?


1. Create a project in iMovie. Set the type of file as MPEG-4
2. Start AVCVideoCap set the time of the recording (add a minute or two to be sure to get the whole thing). Click the Capture button.
3. Start the recorded program on the 6412.
4. At the end you will have a file with a .m2t suffix. Open this file in VLC and then close it.
5. In VLC open the Streaming/Exporting Wizard, select Transcode/Save to File, then Next, select Existing Playlist Item and click on the ts file, then Next, select Transcode Video and choose MPEG-4 and 1024 bitrate from the pulldown menu, then select transcode Audio and choose MPEG-4 audio with 192 kbs bitrate, select Next, MPEG-4 should show as the Encapsulation format, select Next, give the file a name and location, then select Finish. The m2t file will be transcoded to mp4. It may take some time depending on the size of the file and the speed of your Mac.
6. Open your iMovie project and drag the mp4 file into the clip box. The clip will be imported into iMovie and can take some time to import.
7. After editing the clip to your wishes, select Create iDVD project and create a DVD as you would normally.

BrentHD, thanks for the step-by-step instructions for converting to MPEG-4. Those are really helpful.

I'm curious though, what are the pro's and con's of the different choices? Would it produce better quality video to convert to MPEG first (aren't .m2t and .ts just MPEG files in a different wrapper?) to retain the original video and then convert to MPEG-4 later when you want to produce a smaller file?

I'm curious though, what are the pro's and con's of the different choices? Would it produce better quality video to convert to MPEG first (aren't .m2t and .ts just MPEG files in a different wrapper?) to retain the original video and then convert to MPEG-4 later when you want to produce a smaller file?

I don't know if there are pros or cons. The transcoding is due the limits of the described programs. There is no other choice I have found with free software.

Another option would be to use MPEG Streamclip: http://www.alfanet.it/squared5/mpegstreamclip.html

Output to "Apple Intermediate Codec". and import into imovieHD...

But the question is why go through all the trouble to archive to such low quality as DVD video? I hate to toss out so many pixels... For me, anything worth saving is worth saving in HD...

Z

Output to "Apple Intermediate Codec". and import into imovieHD...

But the question is why go through all the trouble to archive to such low quality as DVD video? I hate to toss out so many pixels... For me, anything worth saving is worth saving in HD...
I actually started with MPEG Streamclip, but I don't see an option for "Apple Intermediate Codec" in the <file> menu. I just decided to try and "convert to MPEG" because I assume that this will essentially leave the video unchanged and simply rewrite the file without the .m2t transport stream headers. I'm trying to retain the best quality video (original quality?) when importing into iMovie.

I'll report back with my results later, but I thought I would post my assumptions in the event someone could correct any mistakes.

Also, to answer your last question, zamtzkin, I am archiving an SD show using the same process. I will create a DVD so I can play it back on any TV (with a DVD player). The show is an educational program that I would like to show in my classroom (I teach High School).

I actually started with MPEG Streamclip, but I don't see an option for "Apple Intermediate Codec" in the <file> menu.Posts 1162 and 1180 might provide some help with this. I did upgrade mpeg streamclip to gain more functionality, but you should have the ability to export (or save as) DV, which iMovie can then open. If this selection is grayed out, then you need to upgrade it. I found that, for $20, it was worth it. I recorded an HD program from my 6412 and converted it to DVD. While it looked pretty good on the DVD, it also highlighted the difference between DVD quality and HD quality.

I actually started with MPEG Streamclip, but I don't see an option for "Apple Intermediate Codec" in the <file> menu.

I had this problem too initially. I think you need iLife '05 minimum to get this codec, because it showed up after I updated from the old free iLife. Or you could possibly download it from apple, but I haven't checked.

I have iLife '05 and just installed '06 last night. I still don't show AIC as an export option in MPEG Streamclip (or in Quicktime Player for that matter). Curious.

The MPEG clip that I exported from MPEG Streamclip is playing back very jerkily. I need to figure out if it's a playback issue or a problem with the original capture to .m2t or the export to an MPEG file.

I have iLife '05 and just installed '06 last night. I still don't show AIC as an export option in MPEG Streamclip (or in Quicktime Player for that matter). Curious.

What version of Quicktime do you have? According to this (http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/appleintermediatecodec101.html) you need Quicktime 7.0 and iLife 05. If you have these and still no AIC, then I have no idea.

What version of Quicktime do you have? According to this (http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/appleintermediatecodec101.html) you need Quicktime 7.0 and iLife 05. If you have these and still no AIC, then I have no idea.
Quicktime 7.0.4 installed. I included a screenshot of the menu to show what I'm looking at.

Quicktime 7.0.4 installed. I included a screenshot of the menu to show what I'm looking at.

I see your problem. Click "Export to Quicktime", then chose where to save the file, then you get the screen for Quality slider, cropping, etc...There is a pull down menu of the lists of Quicktime codecs, that is where you pick "Apple Intermediate Codec"...

Just downloaded the new FireWire SDK 21kit from the Apple Developer site.

http://developer.apple.com/

Be carefull when installing the new version, it deleted parts of the SDK 20c kit that was installed in a separate folder and I then had to reinstall the SDK 20c kit.

I see your problem. Click "Export to Quicktime", then chose where to save the file, then you get the screen for Quality slider, cropping, etc...There is a pull down menu of the lists of Quicktime codecs, that is where you pick "Apple Intermediate Codec"...
Cool. I guess I should've spent some more time exploring those options on my own. I'll try that and see if it makes any difference when importing into iMovie HD.

If anyone with an Intel Mac uses iRecord and would like to try a Universal Binary send me a PM with an address and I'll send it.

I have downloaded and installed FireWireSDk 21 and have successfully acquired some content from my Comcast DVR to my Powerbook G4.

However, when I play the video with VLC, there is a line at the top of the video that is scrambled/distorted. Any ideas why this would occur?

I have downloaded and installed FireWireSDk 21 and have successfully acquired some content from my Comcast DVR to my Powerbook G4.

However, when I play the video with VLC, there is a line at the top of the video that is scrambled/distorted. Any ideas why this would occur?
That stuff seems to frequently be there. It is cut off when shown on a TV but the DVR is sending the entire picture to the Mac.

Good to know

Good to know.

Little hungry.

I recently purchased a Shard LC45GD7U, which has firewire ports on the back. I have recorded several programs from my Comcast box to my computer, and with my new TV, want to try playing some of it back :)

When I attempt playback, I get numerous pauses in the video. In DVHS2, I see that playback has 'paused' briefly and my TV screen goes black until playback starts again.

Any ideas what this could be? The whole reason for buying the sharp tv was a playback mechanism for all my recordings.

Thanks,
David.

When I attempt playback, I get numerous pauses in the video. In DVHS2, I see that playback has 'paused' briefly and my TV screen goes black until playback starts again.

Have you tried the latest VDVHS2 from the recently released FireWire SDK 21?

I found that _any_ disruption or communication on the FireWire chain led to those black pauses... it takes the stream awhile to 'reassemble' and present coherent video to your screen if it encounters any weird headers.

I don't record with FW at all anymore because of this, but I have found that mpeg2repair nicely cleans up streams and I can them pull them into MPEGStreamclip for editing - and I don't see those black pauses anymore.

Has anyone been using VirtualDVHS on the new Intel iMacs?
Are univeral binaries available from SDK21?
Any word on when a universal binary VLC will be available?

I just downloaded SDK21 and it contains Universal binaries for everything. I haven't tried recording on my Intel iMac yet, though.

Another newbie...I have a powerbook G4 that I'm trying to use as a VDVHS on my LG 37" LCD. After hooking up the firewire, I can see the TV in System Profiler. When I push the IEEE button for the TV, the DVHS window comes up and says "Apple Computer Inc." for the brand and all of the controls seem to function. My problem is that whenever I push record on VirtualDVHS, I get 0KB files. This is what I've tried:

I have downloaded about every version of SDK...18,19 and 20. I opened AV/C and found my TV. I opened it. Then opened VirtualDVHS with the Drag and Drop method. Went back to AV/C and clicked connect, then went back to VDVHS and tried to record. 0KB files. Then I tried to change the recorder input channel on VDVHS only. I've tried every channel. Each time trying to record with 0KB files.

Questions:

I have not been diligent about turning my computer off each time I connect the firewire. I've seen some posts that say you have to, others don't stress this. Each time I plug in the firewire, whether the computer was on or off, I can see the TV and have never had trouble in this area.

When changing channels on VDVHS, do I additionally have to change the AV/C channel?

Do I even need to use AV/CBrowser?

My LG's manual says that it is compatible with the following DVHS's:
JVC
Mitsubishi
Panasonic

Thanks

Which channels are you trying to record?

Analog, SD, HD, anything right now. I've tried all of them. Each time I press the record button on VirtualDVHS, a filename is given, the timer starts, but the bitrate and stream boxes stay at zero. No matther how long I let it record, the files are always 0KB (empty).

Unfortunately, my only experience is recording via firewire from my Motorola 6412, not directly from a TV. I don't use VDVHS any more, just AVCVideoCap. If you haven't already, I (and others) have posted instructions for capturing files from the 6412 - they might be of some help to you. I don't have the references handy, but they're just a few pages back.

Yes, I've looked at them. One said that if recording does not work on the channel that AV/CBrowser comes up with, you must go through the pain staking process of changing the channel to find out which one works. However, it does not specify what channel to change. More specifically, do you have to go through the whole AV/CBrowser, then VDVHS, then connect....process while changing the channels on both applications. I am still not sure that I have to use AV/CBrowser.

It seems that most people just have to plug in their firewire to the MAC and start VirtualDVHS and they're off. Since my TV recognizes the mac as a DVHS, I can use that for playback. I must be missing something fundamental that is required to stream the signal to my mac.

If you are trying to record off cable rather than OTA, your problem could be that the TV is outputting the entire subchannel group over firewire, and this exceeds the allowable bandwidth. I think it is a bug, actually. They need to fix it so it outputs just the one subchannel stream...

My mitsubishi TV has this problem, and I can't record cable channels, but I can record OTA with the Virtual DVHS.

I just tried to use AVCVideoCap and it recognized the tv, however, the stream/format said: other/unknown.

Concerning the "entire subchannel group", how could a standard DVHS deck record this? My tv's owner's manual does say that the TV is compatable with JVC, Mit, and Pani DVHS decks. I am not trying to be argumental, just a question.

I assume that I need an HD antenna to get an OTA signal?

Yes, OTA HD-signals require an antenna. You may be able to use rabbit-ears if your stations aren't very far away, but rooftop is the preferred method.

If you are trying to record off cable rather than OTA, your problem could be that the TV is outputting the entire subchannel group over firewire, and this exceeds the allowable bandwidth. I think it is a bug, actually. They need to fix it so it outputs just the one subchannel stream...

My mitsubishi TV has this problem, and I can't record cable channels, but I can record OTA with the Virtual DVHS.
Is there any way to verify that this is happening? Would the message log in VirtualDVHS say something about format or data rate?

I just tried to use AVCVideoCap and it recognized the tv, however, the stream/format said: other/unknown.

Did you try initiating a recording from the TV using AVCVideoCap? A stream format of "other/unknown" just means the device didn't respond to OUTPUT_PLUG_SIGNAL_FORMAT command (or responded wrong). You still may be able to select the device and start recording, even with this unknown stream format (the app defaults to assume mpeg for capture)

Also when you tried recording with VDVHS2, did the "IN" indicator light up green (on the app's main window)? If not, the TV didn't make a connection for its output, and therefore probably didn't start streaming. Does the TV have a way to initiate recordings using it's on-screen controls? Many do.

AVCVideoCap makes a connection to a device's output plug (which tells it to start outputting). VirtualDVHS expects the device to make a connection to the Mac's virtual input plug (to tell VDVHS to start listening). That's the main difference between the two application's recording models.

What program for mac allows me to schedule recordings and records a .ts file?

I just tried to use AVCVideoCap and it recognized the tv, however, the stream/format said: other/unknown.

Concerning the "entire subchannel group", how could a standard DVHS deck record this? My tv's owner's manual does say that the TV is compatable with JVC, Mit, and Pani DVHS decks. I am not trying to be argumental, just a question.

I assume that I need an HD antenna to get an OTA signal?

I can't say for sure that this is the issue...

All I am saying is that it has been seen on Mitsubishi TV's.

Is your TV equipped with a cablecard? If not, you might try looking for a channel that has a limited number of subchannels, and try to record that one?

Here is a link to a short thread about our problems with the Mits TV's:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=610752

Notice the part about recording the weather channel in that thread...