How to record via IEEE 1394 (Firewire) to Windows XP [Text View] - Page 18

meowth

11-11-07, 05:20 PM

With the Motorola and SA boxes, there are three different flags -- CCI, DRM, and the RC -- that will prevent you from copying recorded content to your computer:

CCI

A CCI bit of of 0x00 means "copy freely" (unprotected). A CCI bit of 0x02 means "copy one generation" -- this content cannot be copied to a computer. A CCI bit of 0x01 means "copy no more" -- this bit is used for 0x02 content recorded to a DVR; it cannot be copied to a computer.

DRM

Channels with a DRM bit other than 0x00 are encrypted. This encrypted content content cannot be copied to a computer with the Motorola or SA DVRs. Encrypted content is saved with a CCI bit of 0x01 (see above) when it is recorded.

RC (also known as broadcast flag)

FOX and some CBS affiliates use the RC flag, also known as the broadcast flag. Motorola and SA DVRs apply a CCI bit of 0x01 (see above) to recordings with this flag, hence eliminating the ability to copy it to a computer.

With the Motorola and SA DVRs, you can only record programs to your computer that have all three -- CCI, DRM, and RF -- flags set to 0x00. If the CCI, DRM, or RF bits are set to anything else, you cannot copy that recorded program to your computer.

Motorola and Scientific Atlanta observe all three flags because they cater to broadcast and cable interests that want to keep as much content protected as possible. However, the CableLabs' DFAST licensing agreement only requires that protection using the CCI flag be observed. All those other flags and bits can be legally ignored. That's exactly what TiVo does -- they ignore items #2 and #3 above -- and it is the reason why they are able to transfer content to the PC that you cannot with Motorola and SA DVRs.

The two appended screenshots are a good example. With the Motorola DVR, I can copy recordings from ABC, NBC, PBS, and the music channels using IEEE1394, but nothing from other channels. With the TiVo, I can download any and all recordings -- from any channel -- to my PC and Mac using a web browser. That's because my cable provider only uses DRM and RC to protect content, and TiVo ignores those flags.

I have a motorola DCT6412iii thru comcast and I have been encountering the issue with the fox hd broadcast not working over firewire for the last month. The diagnostics page of the moto box list the CCI as 0x02 and the RC flag as 0x01. My question is this, would the HDHomeRun device by SiliconDust, or a TivoHD have troubles recording the fox hd signal as well? I'm trying to make sure that these devices will allow me to transfer to a pc even though my local fox channel/comcast are sending the content flagged before I spend the money buying one of them.

Drunia

11-11-07, 05:26 PM

I used the drivers on the first page and can reliably play the steam in WinXP with VLC. Is there some way of using another capture program? Currently I am going through this bizarre process of playing the video on screen and using a screen capture software that pretends to be a normal capture device to feed into another program.

I realize the question is unusual, but I need to have this working a particular way to make some other people in the house happy.

bfdtv

11-11-07, 06:10 PM

I have a motorola DCT6412iii thru comcast and I have been encountering the issue with the fox hd broadcast not working over firewire for the last month. The diagnostics page of the moto box list the CCI as 0x02 and the RC flag as 0x01. My question is this, would the HDHomeRun device by SiliconDust, or a TivoHD have troubles recording the fox hd signal as well? I'm trying to make sure that these devices will allow me to transfer to a pc even though my local fox channel/comcast are sending the content flagged before I spend the money buying one of them. If the content is actually flagged as CCI 0x02, then you will not be able to transfer the record the program to your computer.

If the Motorola sets 0x02 on its own when it sees the RC flag of 0x01, then you will be able to transfer the program to your computer.

I no longer have my Motorola box so that is not something that I can check. Perhaps someone else could verify that. Does the Motorola box report CCI 0x02 on CCI 0x00 content when the RC flag is used?

I can tell you that my FOX has the RC flag, and FOX recordings on my Motorola DVR were flagged as CCI 0x01, making them ineligible for transfer using IEEE1394. However, I had no problems downloading those high-def shows with the TiVo. The TiVo ignores the RC flag and reports those shows as CCI 0x00.

Fonceur

11-11-07, 09:45 PM

I used the drivers on the first page and can reliably play the steam in WinXP with VLC. Is there some way of using another capture program?
Most of the PVR software (MCE, SageTV, etc.) have either native or third party support for Firewire recording...

meowth

11-12-07, 04:23 PM

If the content is actually flagged as CCI 0x02, then you will not be able to transfer the record the program to your computer.

If the Motorola sets 0x02 on its own when it sees the RC flag of 0x01, then you will be able to transfer the program to your computer.

I no longer have my Motorola box so that is not something that I can check. Perhaps someone else could verify that. Does the Motorola box report CCI 0x02 on CCI 0x00 content when the RC flag is used?

I can tell you that my FOX has the RC flag, and FOX recordings on my Motorola DVR were flagged as CCI 0x01, making them ineligible for transfer using IEEE1394. However, I had no problems downloading those high-def shows with the TiVo. The TiVo ignores the RC flag and reports those shows as CCI 0x00.

Ok. Thanks for the info. I don't really know how to tell if its the moto box setting the CCI 0x02 on its own or not. I guess its worth a try.
If nothing else I would rather pay a montly fee to tivo instead of comcast for a better dvr. I already have 3 sd tivos but wasnt willing to pay out 600-800 dollars on a s3. Now that the tivohd is out guess its time to make the switch.

cdnbandit

11-13-07, 01:53 PM

tangoalpha

11-13-07, 09:19 PM

Hey everybody,

This summer I traded in my Moto DVR with Com**** for the DCH3200. Prior to the trade, i was able to record with firewirestb. After the initial trade, there was no driver support, however, thanks to this thread, I was able to update and have it recognized in Vista Ultimate Device Manager.

I am able to record and watch the recording on my PC using CapDVHS.

PROBLEM: There are no tuners listed in MyTray.

Has anyone had this problem and if so, how I might fix it? Thanks!

markm75

11-13-07, 11:24 PM

tangoalpha

11-14-07, 10:56 AM

What did you do to get the drivers to install in Vista? Is this x64 or x86.. does this trick work on either version?

No real trick involved that I'm aware of. It is Vista Ultimate x86 version. I did have to browse to the driver folder for it to install the DCH3200 driver.

I suppose a solution to my problem would be use CapDVHS and then add those folders to my WMC watched folders. I'll have to try it out.

markm75

11-14-07, 11:05 AM

No real trick involved that I'm aware of. It is Vista Ultimate x86 version. I did have to browse to the driver folder for it to install the DCH3200 driver.

I suppose a solution to my problem would be use CapDVHS and then add those folders to my WMC watched folders. I'll have to try it out.

Are these drivers somewhere in this thread i'm assuming?

JediFonger

11-14-07, 01:18 PM

yesh, ultimate x86 is 32-bit OS and you can install xp drivers onto it. so it's virtually identical process.

x64-bit is the version that doesn't budge on anything less than 64-bit only drivers.

tangoalpha

11-14-07, 03:54 PM

Are these drivers somewhere in this thread i'm assuming?

Post #4236 (page 142 on my PC) has the drivers as posted by ExDeus.

ENDContra

11-14-07, 09:55 PM

ExDeus

11-15-07, 01:11 AM

ExDeus

11-15-07, 01:15 AM

Ok, using the method in the OP, Im having some issues getting my SA3250 to show up in Windows. I actually got this to work somewhat a couple of weeks ago (I could capture once, but then I would get errors on the second try), but I needed to do a reformat and install, so Im having to do it all over again. I installed the drivers, but even still, Windows doesnt recognize that anything is connected. Ive cut it on, cut if off...tried different firewire ports on both the STB and my PC...still nothing. Any solutions?
What drivers did you install? Are your Firewire ports working since reinstalling (have you installed drivers for them)? You should have at least one IEEE 1394 Bus host controller listed in Device Mgr. You should also have a 1394 Net Adapter listed under Network Adapters.

When you plug in the Firewire connection, you don't get an AV/C Tuner? Have you tried a different Firewire cable?

keith.clausen

11-17-07, 06:17 PM

isamu

11-18-07, 04:46 AM

ExDeus

11-18-07, 05:35 AM

I've got a DCT3416 and I'm using Vista 64. I tried installing "stb_firewire_drivers_2007-10-25" but no luck. I got as far as step 10 but Vista could not find drivers. The security warning never popped up "warning cannot verify the publisher of this driver software" Vista never gave me the option to install anyway. HELP!
I have worked with people trying to get the drivers to install in Vista x64, but it hasn't worked. I don't have a solution. Even using the F8 menu option during boot to allow unsigned drivers, the 32-bit driver couldn't be forced to install. AFAIK, there is no 64-bit driver around.

ExDeus

11-18-07, 05:41 AM

Hi guys. I have a very noobie question so bare with me.

I will be getting Dish Network soon. I have a pretty powerful notebook running XP and I am wondering if I can hook it up to my notebook via a TV-tuner card, and bypass the DVR/PVR box altogether? With the right software and a TV card, can my laptop function the same way as a DVR box? Please let me know :)
The TV tuner cards in the U.S. are for NTSC (analog broadcast or cable), ATSC (digital broadcast), or QAM (digital cable). You won't be able to bypass your satellite box, as you need it to tune the channels. You can connect the s-video and audio ports to a capture card, and use an IR blaster that changes the channel on your satellite box to record a program, but you can't really replace the DVR functions of a satellite box because you can't do the tuning with a tuner card. At least, not in any way we can discuss here. (And I don't have any expertise, so that's not a solicitation to ask.)

gsr

11-18-07, 10:03 AM

You can connect the s-video and audio ports to a capture card, and use an IR blaster that changes the channel on your satellite box to record a program, but you can't really replace the DVR functions of a satellite box because you can't do the tuning with a tuner card. At least, not in any way we can discuss here. (And I don't have any expertise, so that's not a solicitation to ask.)

By using S-Video / Audio connections and an IR blaster in conjunction with a video capture card and appropriate DVR software (such as BeyondTV or SageTV), you definitely can replace the DVR functions of a satellite box. But HD programming from the satellite is another matter - there's no practical way to accomplish this, at least not in ways that can be discussed here (I too don't have expertise in this area, especially for Dish).

ENDContra

11-18-07, 02:27 PM

ExDeus

11-18-07, 04:36 PM

I resolved my previously problem by apparently rebooting the STB...no idea why that worked, but it did. I manage to install the drivers, but I now get the message "Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged. (Code 19)". Ive seen this error sprinkled throughout this thread, but no one seems to have posted a solution to it (that Ive found). Im going to try the reverting to SP1 drivers, although it seems most of the posts where I saw this error had done the same already and still got the error...is there a definitive solution to this problem, or at least something I should try? :)
Try this: Right-click on each of the Tuner, Panel and Unknown devices in Device Mgr and select Uninstall. Reboot. Follow the installation process, and when selecting a driver, select Have Disk to force a new copy of the driver.

The only difference b/w the SP1 and SP2 drivers is the mstapeo.sys driver, which is only used by the AV/C Panel device to change channels --- not by the AV/C Tuner to record. If you're using my driver package, the avcstrm.sys driver isn't included with the driver package because it is a default Windows driver, so it uses whatever your current version is. If you're using the original, untouched Panasonic driver package, then the same version of meistrm.sys is always used instead of avcstrm.sys.

Therefore, there's no reason to try the SP1 drivers.

ENDContra

11-18-07, 05:03 PM

keith.clausen

11-18-07, 10:42 PM

I have worked with people trying to get the drivers to install in Vista x64, but it hasn't worked. I don't have a solution. Even using the F8 menu option during boot to allow unsigned drivers, the 32-bit driver couldn't be forced to install. AFAIK, there is no 64-bit driver around.
Thanks, I'm going to give it a go with my laptop using Vista 32 Ultimate....if that works then I geuss I'm back to 32 bit on the HTPC. I know or at least have heard that Vista 64 will not except unsigned drivers at all, this is more than likely the cause for it not installing in the 64 bit OS. That blows. Thanks for your hepl!

ExDeus

11-19-07, 03:02 AM

Thanks, I'm going to give it a go with my laptop using Vista 32 Ultimate....if that works then I geuss I'm back to 32 bit on the HTPC. I know or at least have heard that Vista 64 will not except unsigned drivers at all, this is more than likely the cause for it not installing in the 64 bit OS. That blows. Thanks for your hepl!
Going with Vista x86 is probably a good idea for compatibility with the variety of HTPC software you have to get running, but you can force unsigned drivers to load in x64 by pressing F8 during boot (immediately after POST, when the Windows logo would normally come up) and selecting the "Disable Driver Signature Enforcement" option to allow unsigned drivers. The setting will only apply for that Windows session, that is, until you reboot. Alternatively, you can turn off driver signature checking permanently by using the Group Policy Object or downloading VistaBootPRO (http://www.vistabootpro.org/), which use Windows' bcedit to do it for you.

To use GPO:

Start > Run > gpedit.msc
Check for the following two settings:
Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options > Devices: Unsigned driver installation behavior. Double-click and select "Silently succeed".
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Driver Installation > Code signing for drivers. Double-click and select "Enabled" and then set "When Windows detects a driver file without a digital signature": "Ignore".

ExDeus

11-19-07, 03:06 AM

I did that actually, and I just did it again after uninstalling all the related devices...did have disc, found the file meistb.inf file under Timmmoore\MCE 2005 STB Controller\Drivers, but it still gave me the same error.

Ok, I went ahead and installed the panel device this time as well (before, it didnt work when I did this). Its working fine apparently, although the tuner device still has the error. CapDVHS recognizes my STB. When I attempt to record though, I do get the "Error 80040217: Cannot connect to SampleGrabber" error.
1) Just out of curiosity, have you tried my driver package and had the same results?

2) The Tuner device still has the driver error in Device Mgr (Code 19), or now you just have the SampleGrabber error?

If it just the SampleGrabber error, then see this post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11316169#post11316169). In short, you need to run CapDVHS with admin privileges, and you also may need to turn off UAC.

isamu

11-19-07, 03:22 AM

By using S-Video / Audio connections and an IR blaster in conjunction with a video capture card and appropriate DVR software (such as BeyondTV or SageTV), you definitely can replace the DVR functions of a satellite box. But HD programming from the satellite is another matter - there's no practical way to accomplish this, at least not in ways that can be discussed here (I too don't have expertise in this area, especially for Dish).

Thanks for the reply. You mentioned S-Video/Audio connections. But what about an all digital connection between the box and my laptop? Are there any digital TV-tuner/Capture cards with a DVI or HDMI input connector? And since dish(and all other cable providers) use a standard coax cable that connects to their boxes, what would happen if I connect the main coax line to my tv-tuner card? Would I be able to receive the channels?

ExDeus

11-19-07, 03:35 AM

Thanks for the reply. You mentioned S-Video/Audio connections. But what about an all digital connection between the box and my laptop? Are there any digital TV-tuner/Capture cards with a DVI or HDMI input connector? And since dish(and all other cable providers) use a standard coax cable that connects to their boxes, what would happen if I connect the main coax line to my tv-tuner card? Would I be able to receive the channels?
No on the DVI/HDMI inputs. I have read about some "professional" equipment with HDMI inputs, but surely not with HDCP, which would be required by the satellite box output. As I recall, that equipment was $10k or something like that.

No on the satellite coax plugged into your TV tuner card. As I mentioned, TV tuner cards are for analog OTA/cable or digital OTA/cable, not satellite. Cable/OTA broadcasts and satellite broadcasts use different parts of the frequency spectrum, they are encoded differently, they use different modulation schemes, and satellite broadcasts from Dish Network are encrypted. There are other options out there, but as two of us mentioned, those options are not to be discussed in these forums.

ENDContra

11-19-07, 01:16 PM

1) Just out of curiosity, have you tried my driver package and had the same results?

2) The Tuner device still has the driver error in Device Mgr (Code 19), or now you just have the SampleGrabber error?

If it just the SampleGrabber error, then see this post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11316169#post11316169). In short, you need to run CapDVHS with admin privileges, and you also may need to turn off UAC.

Ok, so before I was unaware you had different drivers than the ones in the OP...guess I just missed that. I just uninstalled the old ones, rebooted, then followed the steps in your instructions with your drivers, no problems on the install. Just curious, why havent they been linked in the OP?

I then started CapDVHS, the first time it appeared to start, but I got the "program has crashed" popup as soon as I hit record. Closed it out, restarted CapDVHS, and then I get "Error 800705AA: Cannot start capture" on any following attempts to record. Im going to attempt to find the solution for my self for a change, but if you have any ideas, please :)

Ok, so I reinstalled the Windows hotfix, and it appears I can record from local channels with no problem. When I tried either TNT or Discovery, however, it crashes, so it sounds like these channels are 5c encrypted most likely? I feel like HBO, Showtime, the HDNets maybe, sure, they should be 5c encrypted...but not these channels, if thats the case.

ExDeus

11-19-07, 08:15 PM

Ok, so before I was unaware you had different drivers than the ones in the OP...guess I just missed that. ... Just curious, why havent they been linked in the OP?
I asked. I will ask again.

Ok, so I reinstalled the Windows hotfix, and it appears I can record from local channels with no problem. When I tried either TNT or Discovery, however, it crashes, so it sounds like these channels are 5c encrypted most likely? I feel like HBO, Showtime, the HDNets maybe, sure, they should be 5c encrypted...but not these channels, if thats the case.
It all depends on your local cable provider. Channels like TNT or Discovery may be encrypted. But normally, I wouldn't expect CapDVHS to crash, it should just capture the encrypted file, or a 0-byte file, with no info populated on the "Data Info" tab. It is running with admin privileges?

pjpjpj

11-20-07, 01:34 AM

I just signed up with Comcast here in 85750. only the Locals are ClearQAM so FireSTB was my only other option for getting high def TV.

Everything installed fine, I had to do a hack for channel changing since MyTray would mess up on channels like 223, 322, etc (it would repeat digits too many times, or not enough times). I changed it to simply call channel.exe -m 2 %C for every channel change.

Everything is working fine, BUT, I get a BSOD every 12-24 hours. It doesn't occur necessarily while recording, or on any other action. It seems like something is corrupting kernel memory. This box was stable for 3 months prior to this with 2 VBox ATSC tuners.

My questions: Anyone else experience periodic BSOD's when using FireSTB with Vista Media Center? Secondly, I have a Moto DCT-6200, and it appears to work fine with just the driver from firestb_vistarc1.msi, but would the drivers here: http://home.comcast.net/~exdeus/stbfirewire/#_Toc175236572
be any different/better? I realize they include support for many new STB's, but would the DCT-6200 drivers in there help fix this problem?

PS. My system config is Vista Ultimate 32-bit, Q6600, 4G Ram, nVidia 8600GT, intel P35DP motherboard.

thanks.

dreed

11-20-07, 05:18 PM

Trying to get this to work.

I went through instructions provided with the Tim Moore package and detected my STB just fine. Can even change channels in MCE using mytray.

When i try and record via CAPDVHS or view the stream via VLC i get nothing. Capdvhs records 0 kb files.

I've reinstalled a number of times and followed directions from start to finish with no luck. I did searc the thread but the few posts I found regarding the same issue didn't seem to include a solution.

I'm using a SA 3250 with passport via time warner cable. My HTPC is Vista 32 Home Premium.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

EDIT:

Oh and I was able to get in to the service menu of the 3250 and confirm that the channels I am attempting to record are NOT 5c protected.

EDIT #2: Just forced the use of the newer driver package i found in this thread, no go there either same problem.

ExDeus

11-21-07, 03:17 AM

Secondly, I have a Moto DCT-6200, and it appears to work fine with just the driver from firestb_vistarc1.msi, but would the drivers here: http://home.comcast.net/~exdeus/stbfirewire/#_Toc175236572
be any different/better? I realize they include support for many new STB's, but would the DCT-6200 drivers in there help fix this problem?
Possibly, but not likely in your situation.

My driver package loads the Microsoft AVC stream filter driver for all STBs across the board, and doesn't include the Panasonic AVC stream filter driver.

Tim M. Moore's firestb driver package uses the Microsoft driver for the Motorola boxes, and the Panasonic driver for the Scientific Atlanta boxes. But, the Panasonic driver is still loaded into memory for the Motorola boxes because it is included in the package.

If, perchance, the Panasonic AVC stream filter were the source of your BSODs, then uninstalling those drivers and installing mine might resolve your problem. More likely, it would be an issue with the Panasonic DVHS tape driver, meistb.sys/meitape.sys, which is used by all driver packages.

ExDeus

11-21-07, 03:21 AM

EDIT:

Oh and I was able to get in to the service menu of the 3250 and confirm that the channels I am attempting to record are NOT 5c protected.

EDIT #2: Just forced the use of the newer driver package i found in this thread, no go there either same problem.
1)Per the instructions here (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Configuration#How_To_Check_If_5C_DTCP_is_Enabled) you checked the 5C IMPLEMENTATION, CCI, DRM and RC Flag values?

2) When you attempted to record a stream with CapDVHS, did any data populate the fields on the "Data Info" tab? No data there is a tell-tale sign 5C DTCP is being used.

dreed

11-21-07, 05:49 PM

pjpjpj

11-21-07, 08:15 PM

I just wanted to update on my troubles. I think the firewire panel/tuner device drivers are probably not to blame.

I finally got memtest86 to work on my system (memtest86 hangs on ICH9 chipset motherboards). I very quickly racked up > 1700 memory errors in 0-575MB.. .removing 2GB of memory (now down to just 2GB) allowed me to run all night memtest.

So I'm back to running again in windows, I am hopeful that solves the problem. I had a hard time believing it was system stability because I had been running fine for 3 months before the firewire stuff, but that range of memory is going to be mostly used by DMA space so I figure using it shifted things around.

Thanks.

ExDeus

11-22-07, 07:11 AM

I had to use a different method for my SA3250 with passport but yes I confirmed there is no 5c. All 3 fields say "Copy Freely" on the network stations.

In CapDVHS none of the fields are populated at all on the Data info tab.

Again any help appreciated. I get pretty good OTA signal here i guess I could just buy an ATSC tuner but I figured I'd try this first since I have all the necessary parts.
Most of the left-hand column fields should populate. The right-hand column is for MPEG1-LayerII audio (not Dolby Digital / AC3). If no fields populate, that's a tell-tale sign 5C DTCP encryption is being used. Try another channel / recording. It's possible none may work in your area with your box.

Mike_Stuewe

11-26-07, 08:32 PM

im having an issue with stuttering audio when playing live TV via the digital cable box in VLC.

info:

win xp
ati 2600xt
latest vlc version
scientific atlanta 3250hd box

everything records fine in capdvhs
cpu % is less than 10%
im not losing any video frames
not all channels have stuttering audio, but most do

anyone else experience a smiliar problem, or know of some settings i can play around with?

dreed

11-27-07, 02:12 PM

I was able to confirm that there is no 5c, it says Copy Freely on all 3 fields for the network stations. If I swtich to some other digital stations it doesn't.

After messing with this though my vista media center started to lock up on occasion so I had to roll it back.

I guess I'll just have to buy a good OTA card.

CapnJack

11-27-07, 03:54 PM

hello everyone, Out all of my troubles to try to get my 6412 motorola dct to work on my 64 bit vista has come to a halt..... In my travels into USA last week i had some time to look around in Best Buy and circuit city and I found whats called a slingo.
Slingo is a device that can use a dvr system from prerecorded programs and delivered useing eithernet to your pc or internet far away check it out its about 150- 200 us bucks yes it works with vista 32 and 64 and xp later guys

A few weeks back cdnbandit commented that using a "slingo" might be a way to allow us Vista X64 users to overcome the problem we have with no X64 drivers available for the tools discussed in this thread. I believe cdnbandit was in fact referring to a "slingbox" discussed at the slingmedia web site. In following up on his comment I discovered a related product: HAVA which in fact is discussed today on the home page of this AVS Forum: HAVA Titanium HD from Monsoon Multimedia. Given previous problems I've had with X64 compatibility I wrote to HAVA support asking if their product is truly compatible with Vista X64. Here is their reply:"Support for Vista 64 is in the testing phase, most likely it would be fully supported with our next software release". I guess we X64 users will have to wait a little longer to know for sure that this box will allow us to record HD programs on our PCs. Would be interested if anyone else has had experience with either the HAVA or Slingbox products. Since these boxes don't use Firewire, they are a bit off topic for this thread. Does anyone know of other threads where they are discussed? (My search of the entire AVS Forum site didn't turn up much.)

davidk21770

11-28-07, 07:00 PM

Mike_Stuewe

11-29-07, 12:28 PM

well the only thing we have in common is the latest version of vlc. perhaps an older version might work?

JediFonger

11-30-07, 10:45 AM

VLC is horrible for playing back pretty much everything. it's cluttered with codex, use MPC or PowerDVD.

davidk21770

12-01-07, 07:14 AM

VLC is horrible for playing back pretty much everything. it's cluttered with codex, use MPC or PowerDVD.MPC won't play the stream. Complains about there being no video capture pins.

rtbond

12-01-07, 07:49 AM

I have a SA 4250 STB. I installed the 1394 STB drivers found here http://exdeus.home.comcast.net/~exdeus/stbfirewire/ and followed the installation instructions. All seemed to go well, however "CapDVHS" crashes within seconds after a capture begins. The capture file has good video in it (i.e., it plays back fine in Windows Media Player), it just stops as the result of the application crashing.

Has any one seen this behavior? I have Windows XP Pro SP2.

Are there other capture alternatives to CapDVHS?

Thanks

davidk21770

12-01-07, 08:12 AM

rtbond

12-01-07, 09:38 AM

I occasionally get something on the Cable DVR that won't capture in CapDVHS -- for me, it's a corrupted stream. I can usually fall back on VLC to get it (Wizard -- <ctrl>W or File/Wizard)

I tried VLC, but I get no audio with the capture, plus I see occasion packet loss/pixelation in the captured video.

Here is how I setup VLC:

(1) File=>Wizard, (2) Transcode/Save to File, (3) Select a Stream (Choose), (4) DirectShow tab (5)Video Device Name <Refresh List> then selected SA 4250 AV/C Tuner (6) Audio device Name =>Default (7) OK (8) Next 3 times (9) Choose output file name (10) Finished <capture begins>

Any thoughts on the missing audio and the pixelation issue?

--Rob

davidk21770

12-01-07, 10:52 AM

I tried VLC, but I get no audio with the capture, plus I see occasion packet loss/pixelation in the captured video.

Here is how I setup VLC:

(1) File=>Wizard, (2) Transcode/Save to File, (3) Select a Stream (Choose), (4) DirectShow tab (5)Video Device Name <Refresh List> then selected SA 4250 AV/C Tuner (6) Audio device Name =>Default (7) OK (8) Next 3 times (9) Choose output file name (10) Finished <capture begins>

Any thoughts on the missing audio and the pixelation issue?

--RobI usually select the Cable Box first and watch real-time to make sure that I'm getting a good picture before starting the capture. If I'm not, I can usually change the channel and try again or unplug and replug the firewire.

Even with that, I do occasionally get pixelization -- but about as often as I get it on my cable box so I'm not sure if it's the capture or the source.

You may not be getting audio because of the Encapsulation format. I choose MPEG TS (what I'm getting-in).

rtbond

12-02-07, 08:12 PM

I usually select the Cable Box first and watch real-time to make sure that I'm getting a good picture before starting the capture. If I'm not, I can usually change the channel and try again or unplug and replug the firewire.

Even with that, I do occasionally get pixelization -- but about as often as I get it on my cable box so I'm not sure if it's the capture or the source.

You may not be getting audio because of the Encapsulation format. I choose MPEG TS (what I'm getting-in).

Yes, that was the trick to get the audio captured, select the "MPEG TS" encapsulation option. I still, however, see occasional pixelation, even after defragmenting my HDD. This pixelization is a bit disappointing.

From Video LAN Client (VLC): (1) File=>Wizard, (2) Transcode/Save to File, Next, (3) <Input Dialog box> Select a Stream (then, Choose), (4) <"Open" dialog box> DirectShow tab (5)Video Device Name <Refresh List> then select STB AV/C Tuner (6) Audio device Name =>Default (7) OK (8) Next twice (9) Encapsulation Format => MPEG TS, Next, (10) Choose output file name (11) Finished <capture begins>

Fonceur

12-02-07, 10:44 PM

Are there other capture alternatives to CapDVHS?
Use GraphEdit to create a simple graph (tuner --> dump filter), then run the file through VideoReDo's quick stream fix... In principle you should be able play the resulting file through your favorite player...

BigWorm2005GT

12-03-07, 12:02 AM

Well, I figured out what my problem is, but I have no clue what to do about it. I, like many others here, have the problem of the MyTray app showing no tuners, so FireWire recording doesn't occur, although MCE performs it's "standard" recording perfectly.

Referencing the FireSTB readme file, it talks about going (in MCE) to "Other Programs > Firewire/USB STB Settings" to finalize your settings, such as channel changing over FireWire. This app DOES NOT EXIST in my "Other Programs." Therefore, I conclude that not everything in FireSTB is getting installed.

I have uninstalled and reinstalled FireSTB several times, and have wiped and reloaded my HTPC once. These symptoms have me stumped.

I have read many posts in this thread with others experiencing this problem, so I know that this info would be beneficial to many. I can play LiveTV with VLC, and can record perfectly with CapDVHS. The MCE integration that MyTray provides is the last step for me.

So. Where is the "Firewire/USB STB Settings" that is supposed to be in MCE's "Other Programs"? I believe that once I figure this out (or one of you nice people points me in the right direction :) ) then this problem will fall away.

Please help? Thanks!

BW

davidk21770

12-03-07, 12:22 PM

Use GraphEdit to create a simple graph (tuner --> dump filter), then run the file through VideoReDo's quick stream fix... In principle you should be able play the resulting file through your favorite player...I find that GraphEdit and CapDVHS are equally reliable/unreliable -- ie., they perform about the same. If one's not working, the other won't work either. I think that they need a stream with few or no errors. OR, there's just something about my system...

markm75

12-03-07, 12:26 PM

Knowing that x64 vista cant connect to the one motorola box that does have drivers that work.. has anyone found a way to get a VMware virtual pc or MS virtual pc session to recognize the dvr under an x86 Winxp instance? (i'm thinking this wont even work with Vmware, as it just does pass through on USB, not firewire)..

Bigfish6

12-05-07, 03:30 AM

Recoreded the Victoria Secret Fashion show tonight on my Motorola HD pvr. I played it back and recoreded the .ts file to my labtop computer. It won't play in VLC player?? and crashed my computer... tried another computer.. same thing just locks up... I have done this many times with other HD .ts files and also recorded "Shrek the Halls" tonight and the .ts file plays great on VLC player.. I know my capturing .ts files is ok. For some reason.. Victoria Secrete fashion show .ts file will not play back...??? Previous years had no problems with the .ts of the Victoria Sec. fashion show... could it be encrypted this year???

Fonceur

12-05-07, 10:23 AM

Previous years had no problems with the .ts of the Victoria Sec. fashion show... could it be encrypted this year???
They can enable the copy protection on a per show basis... Try running the file through VideoReDo's quick stream fix just in case...

Star56

12-05-07, 03:54 PM

I was able to make a DVHS copy from my DVR...BUT my local CBS affiliate activated some sort of 5c encryp that blocks making .TS files with puter.

Bigfish6

12-06-07, 12:12 AM

Bigfish6

12-06-07, 12:42 AM

On a different note.. I have a Sonic View 8000 HD PVR Free to air reciever and a 500 gig. usb hard drive attached to it... It works great.. I can record and play back to and from great.. I tried hooking up the hard drive to my computer.. each show is a folder and in each folder there are 5 files; idx file, 001 file, text doc, nero show time file, and the mpeg file... I tried several players and non will open and play the mpeg file... ????

Never done this before off of the Free to air reciever/hard drive... is it possible? and what do I need ? Highly appreciate any suggestions.. !

davidk21770

12-07-07, 04:16 PM

I was able to make a .ts file... nothing will open it though.. I tried that Video Re Do program you sugested... It won't open the Victoria Secret .ts file.. the program locks up like all the other once I tried... must be encrypted ? is there any way around it to make a DVD disk for it.. or even get the .ts file to play on a player??Try project-X. It's a very complex program, but you may be able to just drop the video on it; select an output directory; click prepare; select to-ts and then process.

If anyone has more experience with this program and a better suggestion, I'd be interested!

sixstorm

12-07-07, 10:38 PM

Nevermind, I finally got it to work.

JediFonger

12-09-07, 12:26 AM

that and mpeg2repair to fix bugs.

ricodued

12-09-07, 12:14 PM

BigWorm2005GT

12-09-07, 01:02 PM

I've got the exact same problem you've described, but on clean Vista MCE (retail edition, not RC1). I've made absolutely no headway in solving this :(

I'm using a DCT6416 if that matters at all. Help anyone?

I made a little progress, but nothing that is of practical help. If you look in the FireSTB installation directory, you will find the .mcl file that is supposed to create the "Other Programs" applet. I dropped it in the "Media Center Accessories" directory, but it did not show up. Looking at that file, and other .mcl files, I figured out that the FireSTB .mcl file is not formatted properly, so Media Center won't read it.

I modified the FireSTB file with proper tags to pull up the right executable (actually web page), default directory, icon image, etc. This made the "Firewire/USB STB Settings" visible in Media Center. (Yay!)

However, it didn't help much. When you go to the applet, the only tuners available are the NewSky (I think) and the R5000. No Motorola tuners are available for selection, so they still can't be made available in MyTray. Anyone else got this far, or hopefully farther?

ricodued

12-10-07, 12:02 AM

I made a little progress

Brilliant. How hadn't I thought of looking there? Haha. I have no idea where to put the mytray.mcl file. I tried to register it using C:\Windows\ehome\RegisterMCEApp.exe but it said the application (I'm assuming default.html, the one the .mcl file points to) isn't registered or something.

So close to sweet, sweet MCE goodness.. I can taste it.

After some looking around the internet, it seems some people have actually gotten live TV etc. working with Vista MCE and firestb, just apparently not a Motorola box so far as I can see. Yet.

What changes did you make to the existing .mcl to get it to run? I have no idea what the proper format is.

EDIT: Wait, wait. FireSTB.mcl? I don't have that, just mytray.mcl in the Program Files\...\MCE 2005 STB Controller\ directory.

guho

12-10-07, 12:54 AM

I uploaded a new version of SageTVFirewireNetworkEncoder. I was experiencing glitches on many recordings and narrowed it down to the code that writes the recording and made it more efficient. All my HD glitches gone. I get flawless HD on all channels! Also added a .command file that you can drag to login items to make sure it runs upon boot. And added some Leopard instructions to set up mounts via command line.

See http://hugolyppens.com/SageTVFirewireNetworkEncoder.html.

niceguy321

12-10-07, 11:16 PM

Does anyone have a recommendation on how to record shows at a certain time? The timer feature in capdvhs stopped working, even after I have attempted many times. Is there some other, better software to record over firewire for windows? This is getting pretty frustrating.

Fonceur

12-11-07, 01:23 AM

Is there some other, better software to record over firewire for windows?
SageTV + its network encoder, BTV + BTV-Externinator, and so on...

BigWorm2005GT

12-12-07, 08:39 PM

Brilliant. How hadn't I thought of looking there? Haha. I have no idea where to put the mytray.mcl file. I tried to register it using C:\Windows\ehome\RegisterMCEApp.exe but it said the application (I'm assuming default.html, the one the .mcl file points to) isn't registered or something.

So close to sweet, sweet MCE goodness.. I can taste it.

After some looking around the internet, it seems some people have actually gotten live TV etc. working with Vista MCE and firestb, just apparently not a Motorola box so far as I can see. Yet.

What changes did you make to the existing .mcl to get it to run? I have no idea what the proper format is.

EDIT: Wait, wait. FireSTB.mcl? I don't have that, just mytray.mcl in the Program Files\...\MCE 2005 STB Controller\ directory.

That's the right file. There's a space in my post between "FireSTB" and ".mcl", guess I should have been more clear in my post. I'll send you the "mytray.mcl" that I worked up via PM later tonight.

ricodued

12-12-07, 11:41 PM

That's the right file. There's a space in my post between "FireSTB" and ".mcl", guess I should have been more clear in my post. I'll send you the "mytray.mcl" that I worked up via PM later tonight.

Ah, much thanks.

golddave

12-16-07, 09:09 PM

Arvy

12-16-07, 09:48 PM

Record everything you want to save to a PC with CapDVHS live rather than taking it from the disk drive. CapDVHS has a time set feature. Compared to me, that's a godsend. I get squat with TimeWarner's Motorola 6416 III HD-DVR.

phenderson

12-16-07, 10:14 PM

I'm using CapDVHS but cannot record from my DVR. Regular TV records fine but when I switch ove to something I recorded on the DVR nothing is being captured. My box is a Motorola DCT6412. Any suggestions?

Make sure you are not trying to record "encrytped" channels...
If the content on your DVR is from HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, Stars, Encore, ESPN, then it is encrypted (Most premium channels and the sports ones are). But if it is from CBS, ABC, NBC, or FOX, then it isn't. Remember, TNT, TBS, and USA are encrypted also. But some of the HD channels like HDNET and HDNET Movies, are not.

JediFonger

12-17-07, 10:28 AM

there are some people who get lucky and their box isn't 5c encrypted... yet.

golddave

12-17-07, 03:50 PM

Make sure you are not trying to record "encrytped" channels...
If the content on your DVR is from HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, Stars, Encore, ESPN, then it is encrypted (Most premium channels and the sports ones are). But if it is from CBS, ABC, NBC, or FOX, then it isn't. Remember, TNT, TBS, and USA are encrypted also. But some of the HD channels like HDNET and HDNET Movies, are not.

The content is from Turner Classic Movies (TCM). According to the diagnostics screen of the box 5c is not enabled. About a year ago I was able to download content from there with CapDVHS. Any odeas?

Jason Pastore

12-17-07, 11:05 PM

Thanks for the great post! I'm having trouble installing my 3416 in Vista. I cancel the two install driver boxes that appear and under device manager disabled "Unknown Device" and updated the driver for MOTOROLA DCT-3416 AV/C Panel. When i try to update driver for "Tuner AV/C device" Windows says the driver is up to date and doesn't update with th new driver and therefore no device shows up in CapDVHS or the Firewire/USB Tray program. Any ideas what is wrong? Thanks a lot.

ExDeus

12-18-07, 01:28 AM

ExDeus

12-18-07, 02:25 AM

One other thing, for those that may be having similar issues.

I used to have the Moto 6412 & 3416. With them, I had no issues recording from live TV or from the DVR, and if the stream was 5C-DTCP-encrypted, then I simply got an unplayable file, or a 0-byte file.

Now I have the Sci Atl 8300HDC --- the HD DVR model with a CableCard ("separable security") and support for SDV. I have it hooked up to my TV thru an HDMI switch, which my PC also uses to connect to the TV. I've found if I switch inputs on the HDMI switch, the Sci Atl box detects the HDCP display has ceased communications, and locks down the outputs. If I'm playing anything from the DVR, it pauses. If I'm watching anything live, it displays a message that the HDCP connection was lost.

It's doing something to the Firewire output at the same time, in order to lock it down. So I've found I can't switch inputs while capturing the Firewire stream; CapDVHS crashes as soon as I do. I have to get the recording set up in CapDVHS, and hit Tab until focus is on the "Rec" button. I switch over to the input for the STB and play what I want to capture, then hit the space bar on my keyboard to start the recording, without switching back to the PC display. I hit Tab again, which moves focus to the "Stop" button. When I'm ready to stop the capture I can hit the space bar again before switching to the display for the PC, or I can just wait for the timer to stop.

Also, lots of stuff is encrypted that shouldn't be, including local channels, and I can only capture from the DVR, not live TV.

Lastly, if I do anything that causes CapDVHS to crash, I have to disconnect and reconnect the Firewire cable before anything will work again.

ak3883

12-18-07, 12:59 PM

there are some people who get lucky and their box isn't 5c encrypted... yet.

or people who had it for awhile, then they turned it off:D I think it was messing with TiVO units not being able to record or something.

This very application is one of the big reasons I won't upgrade to Vista, capturing via firewire can actually work.

Jason Pastore

12-18-07, 02:01 PM

FYI -

I released a new version of my Firewire driver package (http://home.comcast.net/~exdeus/stbfirewire/). It supports the 'Unknown' devices, in addition to the usual AV/C Tuner and AV/C Panel devices. This makes for a somewhat simplified installation process for the newcomers, also detailed on my site. Others can just install the driver for the Unknown devices.

Version 2007-12-17 includes the following updates:

- A 'null' driver is installed for the "Unknown" devices, so no need to cancel the New Hardware wizards or disable any devices. This should also allow your PC to go to sleep mode, which is prevented in some situations when there are devices present without drivers installed. The Sci Atl boxes have two 'Unknowns', while most others have only one 'Unknown' device. The driver supports both devices.

- The driver version is properly reported in the device properties page.

- Added support for the Samsung SMT-H3050.

- Made the naming conventions uniform, i.e., "AV/C Tuner" and "AV/C Panel" instead of "Tuner AV/C" and "AV/C Panel".

I'm also working on another version that will only use Microsoft drivers, so no Panasonic drivers are required. This would allow all drivers to be signed, and therefore install for x64 versions of Windows. It should also eliminate BSODs caused by having the STB connected, as the Panasonic driver is at the root. I don't yet know that it's feasible, but I'm working on it.

Thanks a bunch!!! Your new drivers worked wonderfully with my DCH3416 (just picked it up from Comcast today). I was able to watch TV thru VLC, and record some Discovery HD with CapDVHS. I just had a few questions:

Is there anyway for VLC to make the screen smaller? As of now when streaming 1920x1080 it takes up my entire 1920x1200 (16:10) monitor, but I want just a window. EDIT: Figured it out with "Zoom" function.

Also, the MPEGs from CapDVHS aren't very smooth on my PC (Athlon 64 X2, 2GB DDR2 RAM, Vista x86, but only a GeForce 7300LE since I don't game) in both WMP and VLC. Perhaps my video card?

Lastly, is there a way to change channels from my PC or is there a program where I can record what I'm watching since CapDVHS has no preview screen?

Thanks again for all of your help!!

kobe4rings

12-19-07, 05:43 PM

meatheadmike

12-19-07, 07:07 PM

Has *ANYONE* succeeded in running mytray.exe/firestb on Vista's MCE? I managed to get dropdowns showing up in mytray.exe, and I managed to get the MCE app registered by doing some hacking to the mcl file. But so far the only way to record and change channels is through the command line apps :(

GregAnnapolis

12-19-07, 11:25 PM

I'm also working on another version that will only use Microsoft drivers, so no Panasonic drivers are required. This would allow all drivers to be signed, and therefore install for x64 versions of Windows.

Any estimates as to when this work is likely to be completed? I would really appreciate x64 drivers! Is there any way I could help?

coyoteaz

12-20-07, 02:34 AM

JediFonger

12-20-07, 11:49 AM

THANK YOU ExDeus! glad som1 is working on that solution. i haven't been able to cap anything HD since 32-bit days =)

ExDeus

12-21-07, 07:21 PM

I have a Scientific Atlanta Explorer 3250HD box and my operating system is Vista Home Premium. I have used ExDeus Latest Firewire package followed ExDeus's Steps on how to install the drivers. I have successfully installed the drivers and it recognizes the 3250, but for some reason the unencrypted channels I can see on VLC are extremely choppy and a large portion of the video goes green. Plus, everytime i try to cap on CapDVHS it says the program has stopped functioning and closing it. I know i am not the only user here that has this problem, does anybody know why both of my problems occur ? Any help would be appreciated.

Same thing happens here in XP. The only explanation I can find is that the SA firmware is crap and doesn't play nice with Windows, since this happened on multiple 3250HD boxes, and happens now on my newer 4240HDC.
Choppy playback and green screen is usually a decoder issue, meaning VLC itself, or a driver issue. Updating your graphics driver may help.

If VLC can display content that CapDVHS can't capture, I don't have an explanation for that. I haven't gotten VLC to work.

My experience is that CapDVHS only works for playback from the DVR (not live TV) and only if the content is unencrypted. Also, I can't switch from the display input on my TV for the DVR. See my experience here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12521141#post12521141). Since you have no DVR with the 3250HD, I don't know what the situation is.

ExDeus

12-21-07, 07:24 PM

Any estimates as to when this work is likely to be completed? I would really appreciate x64 drivers! Is there any way I could help?
Don't have an estimate as of yet. I'm having some difficulty working with the MS AV/C Tape driver. That's the key to replacing the Panasonic AV/C Tape / DVHS driver. If/when it comes time to test the x64 installation, I'll give a shout.

warnockm

12-23-07, 12:30 AM

I'm having trouble capturing using capdvhs. I start recording and see resolution information, and after a few seconds, sometimes a whole minute, capdvhs.exe crashes. The error is in AppName: capdvhs.exe, AppVer 0.3.0.6. I've tried different versions firestb.msi, and even tried a fresh install of Windows XP, but it still crashes. I am able to capture w/ TSReader lite just fine. Does anyone have any ideas? are there old versions of capdvhs or other programs i can use?

kobe4rings

12-23-07, 12:30 PM

@ Exdeus, coyoteaz - I'll get the latest version of VLC and updating the graphics drivers. I'll give a shout if anything happens.Thanks for the help, I appreciate it.

Fonceur

12-23-07, 03:06 PM

are there old versions of capdvhs or other programs i can use?
You could try through VLC or GrafCorder (http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/showthread.php?t=40076), but they are likely to have the same problems that CapDVHS is having...

warnockm

12-23-07, 03:48 PM

You could try through VLC or GrafCorder (http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/showthread.php?t=40076), but they are likely to have the same problems that CapDVHS is having...

Hmm... vlc works fine, at least for playback. No crashes.... I don't think you can record w/ it though

davidk21770

12-24-07, 06:12 AM

VLC will record by selecting the wizard from the file menu or ^W from the keyboard. I start by selecting the stream and getting it playing, then choose to record an existing stream. I also select to record to .ts format to get the full stream contents. Others may have alternative approaches :).

Fonceur

12-24-07, 10:12 AM

vlc works fine, at least for playback. No crashes.... I don't think you can record w/ it though
A command line like:

C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe dshow:// :dshow-vdev="Motorola AV/C Tuner Device" :dshow-adev="" :dshow-size="" :sout=#duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ts,url="D :\BeyondTV\Work From Home-2007-12-15-1.tp"}}

will do it... You need to replace the "Motorola" part by the actual name of your tuner.

warnockm

12-24-07, 10:31 AM

jabloomf1230

12-24-07, 05:35 PM

Don't have an estimate as of yet. I'm having some difficulty working with the MS AV/C Tape driver. That's the key to replacing the Panasonic AV/C Tape / DVHS driver. If/when it comes time to test the x64 installation, I'll give a shout.

I'm happy to test under Vista x64 Ultimate also and even pay for the privilege.:D

warnockm

12-28-07, 05:46 PM

Does anyone know how to make a Graph Edit Filter Graph file for a firewire device? I'm able to render from a media file, and open a .ts file recorded in capdvhs. it shows the MPEG2 decoder, but i don't know how to add the capture device.

davidk21770

12-28-07, 08:03 PM

junebug1701

12-28-07, 09:55 PM

I have a Toshiba Satellite laptop with firewire built in. I'm trying to connect it to a Moto DCH-3416 DVR. Problem is, I can't get the drivers to install. I'm using the drivers from here:

http://home.comcast.net/%7Eexdeus/stbfirewire/stb_firewire_drivers_2007-12-17.zip

When I plug the cable from the DVR box to the laptop, I get the New Hardware Wizard and it wants to install drivers for "Other". Following the instructions, the wizard finishes with Unknown IEEE 1394/5068 device installed, and I click finished. According to the instructions, another hardware wizard is supposed to pop up, but it doesn't. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks,
James

Fonceur

12-28-07, 10:56 PM

Does anyone know how to make a Graph Edit Filter Graph file for a firewire device?
It is in "Capture video devices", the "...AV/C Tuner Device" one... Just connect it to a dump filter and you're set.

Problem is, I can't get the drivers to install.
If it has 2 firewire ports, try the other one...

Sci_Fi_Nut

12-30-07, 08:54 PM

I still can't get clean video from the 1394 port on the 6412 from Comcast. I get random garbled video with small blocks over portions of the screen on the SciFi channel.

I haven't checked into this thread for about a year, and I implemented countermeasures to this by connecting a USB video converter which convert the s-video and audio outputs to a mpg file. It works OK, but the picture isn't as clean as I was originally getting from capdvhs and the 1394 connection.

Is anybody getting clean files from their Comcast boxes through the 1394 connection?

Sci_Fi_Nut

12-30-07, 09:19 PM

I just tried a little experiment. I seem to get clean video and audio from live shows, but when I rewound the show a little bit the video was garbled. It seems like something coming off the DVR is corrupted, but not if it is live. But I thought even live shows were recorded to the DVR and played off the DVR.

davidk21770

12-31-07, 04:36 AM

About 1/2 of the time, I need to restart the playback to get a clean recording. What I do is to start in VLC and see if it's playing ok (no blocking or breakup). If not, I restart the playback until it is (usually once is enough and I use the restart, not rewind -- I don't know if rewind will work -- I also sometimes need to pause VLC and restart it). Then I close VLC and go to CapDVHS for the recording -- without stopping or pausing the playback. I find that having the recordings start a minute early is a good thing here since some shows start right at their specified time (no lead-in, etc.) and this way I don't miss anything.

ExDeus

01-01-08, 04:03 AM

cgcmgr

01-01-08, 08:25 PM

FYI -

I released a new version of. It supports the 'Unknown' devices, in addition to the usual AV/C Tuner and AV/C Panel devices. This makes for a somewhat simplified installation process for the newcomers, also detailed on my site. Others can just install the driver for the Unknown devices.

Version 2007-12-17 includes the following updates:

- A 'null' driver is installed for the "Unknown" devices, so no need to cancel the New Hardware wizards or disable any devices. This should also allow your PC to go to sleep mode, which is prevented in some situations when there are devices present without drivers installed. The Sci Atl boxes have two 'Unknowns', while most others have only one 'Unknown' device. The driver supports both devices.

- The driver version is properly reported in the device properties page.

- Added support for the Samsung SMT-H3050.

- Made the naming conventions uniform, i.e., "AV/C Tuner" and "AV/C Panel" instead of "Tuner AV/C" and "AV/C Panel".

I'm also working on another version that will only use Microsoft drivers, so no Panasonic drivers are required. This would allow all drivers to be signed, and therefore install for x64 versions of Windows. It should also eliminate BSODs caused by having the STB connected, as the Panasonic driver is at the root. I don't yet know that it's feasible, but I'm working on it.

A while back I downloaded and installed firestb.msi on my XP machine but never hooked up a cable box to test it for various reasons. A while passed and the whole idea of firewire recording slipped my mind. Recently I found some printouts I had regarding the issue and visited the forum again only to see new drivers as of 12-12-2007. I downloaded these drivers, but they do not include an installer. how do I install them? Do I just need to copy these drivers to a folder on my hard drive? If so, what folder?

Big Jim Slade

01-04-08, 11:02 AM

Is it only possible now to record 5c=1 (or any of the other flags whose names I can't remember at the moment = 1) over firewire to a D-VHS?

Perhaps a better way to phrase the question is: Are D-VHS decks the only 5c compatible devices out there, or are there any, say, DVD recorders that accept firewire input and are 5c compatible?

I'm getting a Samsung DVD-R160 along with a new TV. I believe it has a firewire input on it, and I was wondering if I would be able to archive DVR'd content (copy-once) to it off of my Motorola DCT-6412 box.

Thanks for any insight you can provide!

Fonceur

01-04-08, 11:43 AM

Are D-VHS decks the only 5c compatible devices out there, or are there any, say, DVD recorders that accept firewire input and are 5c compatible?
Most likely, the D-VHS decks are the only ones that will work with the "copy once" flag. I doubt that a DVD recorder would be approved by the 5c group, considering how easy it is to make extra copies of DVD's... I guess if they were to encrypt those DVD's so that they can only be played back on the same DVD recorder, they might get the approval, but I doubt a manufacturer would jump through such hoops...

Big Jim Slade

01-04-08, 01:40 PM

So that leads to this question:

What is the best way to get copy-once material off of a DVR and onto a PC? Is it best to just use a video capture card and connect the DVR that way, or is it best to archive to D-VHS and then video capture from that to the PC?

In my case, none of the material I'm talking about is HD. It's all SD and the bulk of that is from ESPN Classic, and these classic games weren't shot in all that great quality in the first place.

coyoteaz

01-04-08, 09:34 PM

Honestly, the best way to transfer copy-restricted programming on cable is to dump your cable service and get satellite and a receiver with an R5000 modification. This will allow transfer of the digital stream directly to the PC without any analog step. Failing that, you are probably best off getting a Hauppage WinTV PVR250 or another card with a good analog tuner and recording the S-Video out from your set-top box.

Specineff

01-05-08, 11:03 PM

I'm not sure if this would be allowed here, guys.

I have followed this steps to the letter, and I'm perfectly able to capture to both my laptop and desktop. The only problem I'm facing is that I'm using Womble MPEG wizard to cut and convert the .ts streams to DVD. The audio is always, invariably out of sync (it's ahead about 1-3 seconds) when I burn it to DVD or when I check the .vob file. The captured .ts file is just fine. It's Womble MPEG video wizard screwing up the audio sync. Any suggestions? Please? Any other programs besides this... broken software?

Thanks.

Fonceur

01-05-08, 11:35 PM

The captured .ts file is just fine. It's Womble MPEG video wizard screwing up the audio sync. Any suggestions? Please? Any other programs besides this... broken software?
Try VideoReDo, it can edit most files just fine...

njusr139

01-06-08, 10:53 AM

Try VideoReDo, it can edit most files just fine...

I have a similar problem. I am able to capture the output from
6412 III firewire using a Notebook PC. When I play that captured file
using nero showtime, audio and video are perfect.

Then I used NeroVision Make Blu Ray Disc option and add the captured
file and compile a Blu Ray disc and burn it on a blank DVD.
Put the DVD in PS3. Go to the "Stream" dir, and click on the xxxxx.m2ts file.

It plays on PS3. First 2 tries I thought I got the audio and video perfectly.

Now I see very big audio delay. Video and Audio are out of sinc.
I then tried "HDTV2Mpeg2" first before I used Nero Vision. I still see the same
issue with audio out of sync completely. Seems that audio is faster.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

Lee Bailey

01-07-08, 12:45 PM

Thought I ask a question here...
I'm running MCE2005, have a Moto 6412 working just fine with CAPDVHS. I have a working NTSC tuner (ATI X800 AIW Video Card) in MCE. The problem is I show no tuners in MyTray, nor do I see MyTray as an app I can add to MCE. Any advise on how to proceed?

Thanks in advance!

xnelsonn

01-07-08, 10:33 PM

Hi, I need help....I'm trying my first recording using CapDVHS but I get an error as soon as I hit record, Error Cannot open output file?
I'm using Vista.....TIA.

davidk21770

01-08-08, 08:24 AM

I have a similar problem. I am able to capture the output from
6412 III firewire using a Notebook PC. When I play that captured file
using nero showtime, audio and video are perfect.

Then I used NeroVision Make Blu Ray Disc option and add the captured
file and compile a Blu Ray disc and burn it on a blank DVD.
Put the DVD in PS3. Go to the "Stream" dir, and click on the xxxxx.m2ts file.

It plays on PS3. First 2 tries I thought I got the audio and video perfectly.

Now I see very big audio delay. Video and Audio are out of sinc.
I then tried "HDTV2Mpeg2" first before I used Nero Vision. I still see the same
issue with audio out of sync completely. Seems that audio is faster.
Any suggestions?
ThanksWhen I've had that problem it's been a codec issue. I believe that Nero uses direct show for what it can't handle internally and HDTV2Mpeg2 uses ffdshow (not the best choice to convert in the 1st place unless all you care about is conversion speed). I'd look for another tool that doesn't use ffdshow. To go to normal DVD (not HD/Blue), I use TMPGEnc to convert the .TS -> DVD compatible MPG, then I use ULead Movie Factory to create the DVD structure (but once you have a compatible MPG, any MPG->DVD program should work). (Note that my old TMPGEnc can't handle AC3 audio, but I can use it to mux the original audio to back in and get 5.1 or better if that's what's in the broadcast -- look in MPEG tools under the files menu). TMPGEnxXP4 can handle stereo AC3 and is faster on encode, but not as good on quality.

Lee Bailey

01-08-08, 10:39 AM

Hi, I need help....I'm trying my first recording using CapDVHS but I get an error as soon as I hit record, Error Cannot open output file?
I'm using Vista.....TIA.

I ran into this, then realized it was because I was entering the file path, like D:\filename. I just had to change it to the name only without the drive path designation(which you set up in the SETTINGS tab).

warnockm

01-08-08, 10:14 PM

Got a question for the SA 8300HD/HDC users. I had a 8300HD and asked for a new box w/ firewire ports enabled. I received an 8300HDC. While I am able to capture over the firewire, this box has many problems such as audio cutouts, and slow menus. I'm curious if the 8300HD should be able to capture just he same (since firewire ports have to be turned on) or if it is the 8300HDC that allows me to capture.

cazzo

01-09-08, 03:25 PM

I'm happy to test under Vista x64 Ultimate also and even pay for the privilege.:D

ExDeus,
Would the STB firewire driver install on an x64 vista system in driver signing is manually disabled? (as vista 64 requires all drivers to be signed)

-Caz

hzemall

01-13-08, 01:57 PM

I read thru a bunch of the posts and didn't find the answers I was looking for so please excuse me if it's somewhere among those 140 + pages.

Almost everything I have read talks about people recording onto their hard drive (PC) thru their PVR.

I have a Motorola DCT6416 and I just want to be able to transfer some stuff I have already recorded onto my PC for safe storage.

Is this the same issue as trying to capture ?

If not, is there a way to do it ? I have read that the USB port is disabled but the Firewire port isn't, my laptop doesn't have a Firewire port on it, what can I do about that ?

Thanks for your help, and again I'm sorry if it's already been addressed.......

Fonceur

01-14-08, 12:58 AM

I have a Motorola DCT6416 and I just want to be able to transfer some stuff I have already recorded onto my PC for safe storage.

Is this the same issue as trying to capture ?
Pretty much, yes. You can't simply transfer the file, you basically have to capture the playback from your STB.

my laptop doesn't have a Firewire port on it, what can I do about that?
You can easily add a Firewire card to a regular PC, but I would assume that on a laptop you could get some kind of PCMCIA card for that or such...

MJCS

01-14-08, 06:01 PM

No, the drivers do not support x64 systems yet. A driver set is being created but I do not know when it will be released.

markm75

01-15-08, 12:24 PM

I havent done capture in while.. returning to the scene.. can anyone tell me:

Is CapDVHS still the best tool for capturing the stream.. or can I even use a tool like Studio 11 via its capture option to do the capturing?

Finally.. I'm guessing the answer is still no here.. but.. is there still no way to realistically capture the dolby digital output from hidef stations using software on the PC?

Thanks

Fonceur

01-15-08, 03:49 PM

Is CapDVHS still the best tool for capturing the stream..
Most PVR applications can handle that natively or though third party support...

is there still no way to realistically capture the dolby digital output from hidef stations using software on the PC?
With Firewire recordings, you are saving the original audio stream (AC3), not sure what more you want... The newer Hauppauge HD capture card (to be release soon?) can capture through spdif, but that's a different subject and thread...

hollywoodjoe

01-15-08, 09:07 PM

markm75

01-15-08, 11:10 PM

Most PVR applications can handle that natively or though third party support...

With Firewire recordings, you are saving the original audio stream (AC3), not sure what more you want... The newer Hauppauge HD capture card (to be release soon?) can capture through spdif, but that's a different subject and thread...

Well in this one test.. i took an HD station which was sending out dolby digital to my receiver.. had the firwire cable hooked up...

Captured using CapDVHS to mpg format.. I then tried to use VLCplayer to play it back, setting the modes for dolby and 5.1 etc.. but it came out prologic based, no AC3/Dolby Digital...

Fonceur

01-16-08, 10:53 AM

Captured using CapDVHS to mpg format.. I then tried to use VLCplayer to play it back, setting the modes for dolby and 5.1 etc.. but it came out prologic based, no AC3/Dolby Digital...
You might need to install the AC3Filter or configure it differently if you already have it... Or maybe try to use ZoomPlayer for playback?

dcoulombe

01-16-08, 11:29 AM

I installed the stb_firewire_drivers_2007-12-17.zip drivers on WindowsXP and am using VLC to watch the video stream over FireWire. However, I have horrible pixelation and can barely see or hear the show. Am I doing something wrong?

Very same problem here with the SA 4250 on Windows. Cannot record without getting an instant error (crash).

Recording works perfectly on Apple iBook (PPC 1.33GHz / 1.5GB RAM)... but playback is impossible due to limited ressources.

Any hints ?? :confused:

Specs :
AMD X2 3800+
2GB Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800
Asus M2NPV-VM, using onboard graphics
Chaintech AV-710 audio
Windows XP MCE 2005

markm75

01-16-08, 11:30 AM

You might need to install the AC3Filter or configure it differently if you already have it... Or maybe try to use ZoomPlayer for playback?

I could try a different player.. but is it certain that using capDVHS truly sticks the Dolby Digital portion of the playback in the resulting mpg file itself?

I always thought these would be two seperate files if it was really working like that..

coyoteaz

01-16-08, 12:56 PM

Very same problem here with the SA 4250 on Windows. Cannot record without getting an instant error (crash).

Recording works perfectly on Apple iBook (PPC 1.33GHz / 1.5GB RAM)... but playback is impossible due to limited ressources.

Any hints ?? :confused:
This has been reported numerous times with the SA boxes. There is no fix I have found or read about, but I'm glad that you can confirm it works on a Mac since now I can buy one and know I'm not wasting my money on something that won't work :). You might try using VLC's built-in streaming capabilities on the Mac to send it to your PC.

dcoulombe

01-16-08, 01:24 PM

[...] I'm glad that you can confirm it works on a Mac since now I can buy one and know I'm not wasting my money on something that won't work :) [...]

I did only 2 or 3 recordings using the Mac using an external HDD, but every time, it worked perfectly.

Fonceur

01-16-08, 11:24 PM

I could try a different player..
Or to put it an other way, are you able to playback other files that you know have that audio type through VLC?

but is it certain that using capDVHS truly sticks the Dolby Digital portion of the playback in the resulting mpg file itself?
CapDVHS simply dumps the whole stream to a file, how it will be played back on your PC depends on the codecs/filters installed and how they are supported by the video player...

I always thought these would be two seperate files if it was really working like that..
If you were to demux the whole stream you could split the video and audio part, but why would you want that?

markm75

01-17-08, 11:08 AM

Or to put it an other way, are you able to playback other files that you know have that audio type through VLC?

CapDVHS simply dumps the whole stream to a file, how it will be played back on your PC depends on the codecs/filters installed and how they are supported by the video player...

If you were to demux the whole stream you could split the video and audio part, but why would you want that?

Ill give playing back say a vob file a try later on and see if i get dolby digital output from that player..

Are we certain, as a for instance... that if you had, say HBO or local programming on, and a 5.1 dolby digital movie was being shown, that if i record this hdtv station, the resulting file would be encoded for 5.1 dolby digital ac3.. and that with the proper player on the pc, i could play it back, just like as if i was sitting in the room with the dvr hooked up to my dolby digital receiver via the optical port?

IE: i have my pc output to my other dolby digital receiver.. so when i play back the file under the right circumstances, it would switch from pro logic to dolby digital on the display?

Cheers

markm75

01-17-08, 11:09 AM

Had another question... i'm running x86 vista.. capture with capdvhs works.. but there is no preview ability.. in fact, none of my video capture software will show a preview of what is about to be capture.. you simply hit record and when done there is video visible..

Is this normal with these drivers, or is this a limitation of Vista (x86).?

markm75

01-17-08, 03:26 PM

Ill give playing back say a vob file a try later on and see if i get dolby digital output from that player..

Are we certain, as a for instance... that if you had, say HBO or local programming on, and a 5.1 dolby digital movie was being shown, that if i record this hdtv station, the resulting file would be encoded for 5.1 dolby digital ac3.. and that with the proper player on the pc, i could play it back, just like as if i was sitting in the room with the dvr hooked up to my dolby digital receiver via the optical port?

IE: i have my pc output to my other dolby digital receiver.. so when i play back the file under the right circumstances, it would switch from pro logic to dolby digital on the display?

Cheers

I tried playing a dvd vob through vlc.. it did not output dolby digital through the spdif.. i checked its settings, it appears to be set ok, i think. I also tried the same vob through powerdvd and the dolby digital kicks in just fine.

I'm not sure if there is a missing codec for VLC or some other setting perhaps.

**Can anyone say for certain, that they have recorded an HD station outputting 5.1 dolby digital.. then recorded this via capdvhs, and replayed the content on a player on a PC and had dobly digital on their receiver?

davidk21770

01-18-08, 03:11 PM

**Can anyone say for certain, that they have recorded an HD station outputting 5.1 dolby digital.. then recorded this via capdvhs, and replayed the content on a player on a PC and had dobly digital on their receiver?Yes. What is put out by the HD station (in my case cable company) is captured by CapDVHS. Check the file with GSpot or ProjectX. I have; it's there.

pulsation

01-18-08, 11:49 PM

Hey guys,

I am a relative no0b when it comes to firewire recording. I have the Comcast Motorola DCT-3416 and the I have followed all the instructions for installing the firewire drivers and CapDVHS software. I try recording in CapDVHS and all I get are .TS files that can't be opened...I get messages like "File cannot be rendered" in Media Player Classic. Under the "Data Info" tab on CapDVHS, nothing shows up like I believe it should when I hit Record. I have looked at the diagnostic menu and under 5C Implementation it reads "= NO" but under the Current Channel status it always reads "CC1=0x02", which I believe means copy protection is enabled...and it seems to be enabled on every channel I tune to on my lineup. Am I out of luck??? Is there any way I can get my pre-recorded movies off of my DVR at this point?

markm75

01-19-08, 12:38 AM

Yes. What is put out by the HD station (in my case cable company) is captured by CapDVHS. Check the file with GSpot or ProjectX. I have; it's there.

I tried Gpsot 2.70a.. opened the mpg file.. For container i get:
File type: Mpeg-2 Transport stream ; mime type: video/mp2t;
Video shows 327 codecs loaded on the right, but under audio, there are No codecs listed, its greyed out..

All i've done is load the file into the program, is this all that is needed to reveal audio codecs?

Not sure if matters that i'm on Vista x86 or not either...

Thanks

markm75

01-19-08, 09:03 AM

I tried Gpsot 2.70a.. opened the mpg file.. For container i get:
File type: Mpeg-2 Transport stream ; mime type: video/mp2t;
Video shows 327 codecs loaded on the right, but under audio, there are No codecs listed, its greyed out..

All i've done is load the file into the program, is this all that is needed to reveal audio codecs?

Not sure if matters that i'm on Vista x86 or not either...

Thanks

Update.. i realized at the bottom it says proposed codec solutions and tests.. one of them has src--a--ac3filter---b--default waveout device

This of course indicates ac3 is present, but AC3 can be mono, stereo, 5.1 etc.. this doesnt tell me if its 5.1.. playback is only 2.0 (stereo)..

If i do the same test on a DVD 5.1 VOB file.. i get more highlighted buttons in the lower left.. things like mpeg-2 demultiplexer.. pinnacle ac3, pinnacle audio codec, cyberlink audio decoder appear.. and default directsound device (where i know this file is 5.1 DD). And here, if i play it.. i see the audio codec info just above this.. showing 6 channels, when i did this with the resulting capdvhs mpg file.. the area below the preview, called audiio, was blank/grey, no channel info.

Fonceur

01-19-08, 11:11 AM

Update.. i realized at the bottom it says proposed codec solutions and tests.. one of them has src--a--ac3filter---b--default waveout device
So it is basically telling you to install the AC3 filter/codec, as your PC is not properly setup to handle that... Now where did I hear that before... <evil grin>

markm75

01-19-08, 09:17 PM

So it is basically telling you to install the AC3 filter/codec, as your PC is not properly setup to handle that... Now where did I hear that before... <evil grin>

The ac3filter is installed, but when i play a vob through this analyzer, it shows that it has 6 channels and is not greyed out like it is with the resultant mpg from capdvhs.

I'm guessing that for some reason, it is just unable to get all the channels.. it simply recorded it in stereo, as i can hear the audio fine, its just not 5.1

davidk21770

01-20-08, 07:53 AM

davidk21770

01-20-08, 09:59 AM

The ac3filter is installed, but when i play a vob through this analyzer, it shows that it has 6 channels and is not greyed out like it is with the resultant mpg from capdvhs.

I'm guessing that for some reason, it is just unable to get all the channels.. it simply recorded it in stereo, as i can hear the audio fine, its just not 5.1Just checking... You said "mpg" from CapDVHS. You should be configured for .TS (transport stream) output. (Can CapDVHS output mpeg?).

markm75

01-20-08, 04:48 PM

Just checking... You said "mpg" from CapDVHS. You should be configured for .TS (transport stream) output. (Can CapDVHS output mpeg?).

I'm running CapDVHS v0.3.0.6.. i dont really see an option for TS output.. it just seems to default to mpg..

I havent tried VideoRedo.. does that just re-do an mpg file in some way?

Are you saying perhaps my codecs are incorrect, in that as a result, when i capture, the codecs aren't being embedded into the mpg file, thus when i look at it in Gspot, I dont see 6 channels?

If this is the case, VideoRedo may not help..

I have tried uninstalling the codec pack i had installed and installed a different one this time, the Vista Codec pack.. i dont notice a change thus far though.

Again, this is all on Vista x86..

**Does anyone have a small mpg file, which they have captured 6 channel hidef with certainty, out in the wild here, I could download and check out via Gspot and my player to see if i can at least get that to pump out the dolby digital 5.1?

JediFonger

01-21-08, 12:31 PM

u can use mpeg2repair to fix errors or videoredo, which has a built in fixer upper.

davidk21770

01-21-08, 04:03 PM

I'm running CapDVHS v0.3.0.6.. i dont really see an option for TS output.. it just seems to default to mpg..

I havent tried VideoRedo.. does that just re-do an mpg file in some way?

Are you saying perhaps my codecs are incorrect, in that as a result, when i capture, the codecs aren't being embedded into the mpg file, thus when i look at it in Gspot, I dont see 6 channels?

If this is the case, VideoRedo may not help..

I have tried uninstalling the codec pack i had installed and installed a different one this time, the Vista Codec pack.. i dont notice a change thus far though.

Again, this is all on Vista x86..

**Does anyone have a small mpg file, which they have captured 6 channel hidef with certainty, out in the wild here, I could download and check out via Gspot and my player to see if i can at least get that to pump out the dolby digital 5.1?On the setup page, set the file extensions to .TS.

The codecs are not embedded in the file. The file is simply what was in the stream (packets of video, sound, and sometimes captions). I'm pretty sure that the .TS format is almost just the stream in a file with very little or no repackaging.

VideoRedo is a great mpg editor (and the transport streams here are a form of mpeg). I started using it because it was the only program that could handle (and repair) the time code errors that my old Hauppauge TV card put in the files. I use it to remove commercials and to trim the extraneous stuff off the front and back. All it does with a .TS stream is to change the container -- the actual content (video & audio) / encoding is unchanged (well, errors are fixed and the stuff that I told it to cut is removed -- but there are other alternatives to do that).

Your codecs may be fine. It may be that your computer can't play back the 6 channel AC3 content. But, codecs are not something to just play around with. You can really make life miserable for yourself if you get some bad ones in there. I'd go to doom-9 and check the codec threads.

If you want to see what's in your file, I'd grab a demo copy of VideoReDo; load the file into it and tell it to do a quick stream repair. Then look at the resulting file in GSpot. (GSpot won't tell you the contents of a transport stream file -- my mistake -- but it will tell you the contents of a true mpg file which video redo will create).

Also, I've been surprised at the number of cable movies that I expected to have 6 channel sound and only had 2. But, prime-time shows (like CSI and Bones, etc.) are almost all in 6 channel sound.

GotHDTV?

01-22-08, 12:24 AM

I posted this in the Comcast 3412/3416 thread but it's not clear that was the best place, so I'm posting it again here (please excuse the duplication):

I finally had Comcast replace my misbehaving first-generation DCT6412 which, three or four times, had spontaneously reset itself and cleared all recordings and all metadata, exactly as if I had performed a Master Reset (which I had not).

When I put in the request I told the CSR that I wanted a box with an HDMI output but I also asked them to note specifically that I wanted a box with a 160GB hard drive (not knowing whether Comcast was even deploying them yet in my area).

To my surprise, the tech showed up with a DCT3416.

So far, so good, though it's certainly too early to tell. It's only been a few hours.

The problem I'm having now is that I can't capture data from the 3416 on the XP system that I had been using for captures from the 6412. I re-downloaded the drivers from http://http://replayguide.sourceforge.net/dct6412/ and installed them as described on that page (though the installation messages differed a little from what's described there).

CapDVHS sees the device ("Digital A/V Tuner Device") but the captures aren't usable--it never detects the resolution of the data and populates the data info. The streams I tried to capture were network broadcasts, which aren't encrypted, so there should be no issue there.

Is there another set of drivers I should be using rather than the ones I downloaded from the above-mentioned page, something that's known to work better with the 3416? Or are there some additional tweaks I need to apply, or something obvious that I might have overlooked? (I think I still have the original drivers that I used with the 6412 available, though what I just downloaded is supposed to be newer.)

Thanks.

Does anyone have an answer for rrg post? I know it was over a year ago, but the search feature doesn’t show an answer.

I just realized this today. I bought a Quad core PC and Nero8 with HD plug-in to do some transcoding of my DVHS tapes to HD DVD (all my friends and family have HD DVD, so no why no Blu-Ray questions). I was able to burn a HD-DVD (after using CapDVHS) of an old tape of “Two and a Half Men” with Megan Fox because I wanted to show my Brother-in-Law this episode again before he watches Transformers (she looked better in that episode). This was record years ago with a dct-6412. I then tried to record my Pushing Daisies tape and I could not do it. I had replaced my DCT-6412 months ago because it died and I got a DCT3416.

I realized that it has to be some kind of 5C rights (tried Star Wars that was record with my dct-6412 +5c same result). I also tested DVHS (DH5U) to DVHS (30k) and it would not record my Pushing Daisies tape or anything OTA broadcast when I was testing. I looked on my DCT3416 box and it says copy free on broadcast channels and 5c no. What is going on? Any news from Comcast? Are there new boxes that don’t do that? I’m so angry because I wanted to just burn HDDVD instead of having to loan out my DVHSes. Plus I won't be able to dump Pushing Daisies unless they re-run it.

markm75

01-22-08, 09:57 PM

On the setup page, set the file extensions to .TS.

The codecs are not embedded in the file. The file is simply what was in the stream (packets of video, sound, and sometimes captions). I'm pretty sure that the .TS format is almost just the stream in a file with very little or no repackaging.

VideoRedo is a great mpg editor (and the transport streams here are a form of mpeg). I started using it because it was the only program that could handle (and repair) the time code errors that my old Hauppauge TV card put in the files. I use it to remove commercials and to trim the extraneous stuff off the front and back. All it does with a .TS stream is to change the container -- the actual content (video & audio) / encoding is unchanged (well, errors are fixed and the stuff that I told it to cut is removed -- but there are other alternatives to do that).

Your codecs may be fine. It may be that your computer can't play back the 6 channel AC3 content. But, codecs are not something to just play around with. You can really make life miserable for yourself if you get some bad ones in there. I'd go to doom-9 and check the codec threads.

If you want to see what's in your file, I'd grab a demo copy of VideoReDo; load the file into it and tell it to do a quick stream repair. Then look at the resulting file in GSpot. (GSpot won't tell you the contents of a transport stream file -- my mistake -- but it will tell you the contents of a true mpg file which video redo will create).

Also, I've been surprised at the number of cable movies that I expected to have 6 channel sound and only had 2. But, prime-time shows (like CSI and Bones, etc.) are almost all in 6 channel sound.

Thanks a billion for the tips so far..

I've made slight progress...

I switched to the .TS extension.. I then used VideoRedo to do the mpg file.

Low and behold, in Gspot.. it now indicates 6 channels AC3.. although if i play the file back with VLC it still coming out pro logic (of course with VLC i cant even get DVD vobs to output dolby digital, only PowerDVD will work, perhaps this is a Vista x86 limitation.. has anyone gotten a videoredo mpg file to output dolby digital under Vista x86.. if so which codecs are installed)??

In Gspot i see the following (fyi):

I first open the mpg file.. under audio i see 6 chnls (3/2.1).. codec ac3.. stat.. Codec Installed.

Under proposed codecs solutions and tests, i have 3 purple 1's in the first row (2 for Gspot video audio and 1 for ms a/v).. clicking the ms av results in it listing ac3filter.. default waveout device.. it then plays it back, but pro logic..

If i click the gspot 1 for Aud.. I get a listing on the right such as ac3filter, ffdshow audio decorder, pinnacle ac3 decoder, nero audio decoder, cyberlink audio decoder, pinnacle audio codec.. all tied to the default direct sound device.. clicking 2 to render results in this:
Ac3 filter.. ok to play.. ffdshow.. failed to connect output pin 0x0cd4ed2c ("AC-3") on MPEG-2 demultiplexer to input pin 0x09769a24 ("in") on filter 0x51b854e (FFdshow audio decoder) Connectdirect failed.. err: 0x800440207 unknown.

A similar failure was listed with diff. hex values for nero audio .. while pinnacle ac3 and cyberlink and pinnacle audio all say audio render OK.. use 3 to play...

Clicking 3 results in the cue bar moving, but there is just a target symbol where the video would be.. and no audio present.

I found out i can try playing these MPGs in PowerDVD 7.3.. i tried to play this file.. thinking it would probably kick the dolby digital but it didnt.. the video was fine, but there was no audio, it was on spdif as well...
Update.. I went back to PDVD and tried the mpg file from capDVHS.. before i tried using .ts files.. this file DID output dolby digital (despite gspot saying it wasn't 5.1 audio).. a bit confused now..

markm75

01-22-08, 10:38 PM

Thanks a billion for the tips so far..

In Gspot i see the following (fyi):

I first open the mpg file.. under audio i see 6 chnls (3/2.1).. codec ac3.. stat.. Codec Installed.

Under proposed codecs solutions and tests, i have 3 purple 1's in the first row (2 for Gspot video audio and 1 for ms a/v).. clicking the ms av results in it listing ac3filter.. default waveout device.. it then plays it back, but pro logic..

If i click the gspot 1 for Aud.. I get a listing on the right such as ac3filter, ffdshow audio decorder, pinnacle ac3 decoder, nero audio decoder, cyberlink audio decoder, pinnacle audio codec.. all tied to the default direct sound device.. clicking 2 to render results in this:
Ac3 filter.. ok to play.. ffdshow.. failed to connect output pin 0x0cd4ed2c ("AC-3") on MPEG-2 demultiplexer to input pin 0x09769a24 ("in") on filter 0x51b854e (FFdshow audio decoder) Connectdirect failed.. err: 0x800440207 unknown.

A similar failure was listed with diff. hex values for nero audio .. while pinnacle ac3 and cyberlink and pinnacle audio all say audio render OK.. use 3 to play...

Clicking 3 results in the cue bar moving, but there is just a target symbol where the video would be.. and no audio present.

I found out i can try playing these MPGs in PowerDVD 7.3.. i tried to play this file.. thinking it would probably kick the dolby digital but it didnt.. the video was fine, but there was no audio, it was on spdif as well...
Update.. I went back to PDVD and tried the mpg file from capDVHS.. before i tried using .ts files.. this file DID output dolby digital (despite gspot saying it wasn't 5.1 audio).. a bit confused now..

Just updating again.. sumarizing:

PowerDVD can play back mpg files created directly from capDVHS, with full dolby digital sound working great.

PowerDVD cannot play back the audio from mpg files created from the ts files from capdvhs which were converted to an mpg file using VideoRedo. **xbox 360 media extender CAN play back both the DD and video here, but the xbox 360 wont play back the mpg files generated directly from capdvhs though**

VLC wont play dolby digital for any of my files or vobs on my vista x86 machine.

Now the question would be.. how to author these files into DVD content?

Pinnacle 11 will not accept any of the capDVHS mpg files.. Only the one created from VideoRedo seems to be importable, but of course there is no audio..

How are most authoring this into DVD or VIDEO_TS type outputs?

Is there a way to make it work with Pinnacle and maintain the dolby digital audio? I'm guessing that if i want to put this on DVD, any HD content needs to be downsized from 1920x1080 but if i wanted to maintain the HD, but put HD on a DVD disc, playable by say a blu ray player.. not sure if this is possible yet either?

GotHDTV?

01-22-08, 11:31 PM

Does anyone have an answer for rrg post? I know it was over a year ago, but the search feature doesn’t show an answer.

I just realized this today. I bought a Quad core PC and Nero8 with HD plug-in to do some transcoding of my DVHS tapes to HD DVD (all my friends and family have HD DVD, so no why no Blu-Ray questions). I was able to burn a HD-DVD (after using CapDVHS) of an old tape of “Two and a Half Men” with Megan Fox because I wanted to show my Brother-in-Law this episode again before he watches Transformers (she looked better in that episode). This was record years ago with a dct-6412. I then tried to record my Pushing Daisies tape and I could not do it. I had replaced my DCT-6412 months ago because it died and I got a DCT3416.

I realized that it has to be some kind of 5C rights (tried Star Wars that was record with my dct-6412 +5c same result). I also tested DVHS (DH5U) to DVHS (30k) and it would not record my Pushing Daisies tape or anything OTA broadcast when I was testing. I looked on my DCT3416 box and it says copy free on broadcast channels and 5c no. What is going on? Any news from Comcast? Are there new boxes that don’t do that? I’m so angry because I wanted to just burn HDDVD instead of having to loan out my DVHSes. Plus I won't be able to dump Pushing Daisies unless they re-run it.

Update on my status. I tried with my XP system (that did the original 2 1/2 Men pull down with) directly to my DCT3416 and I could not capture anything with CapDVHS. Is this normal (like I said my real DVHS works with it)? Is this more 5C interference? Is this at the cableco end or is it the box? Thanks in advance.

teague

01-23-08, 12:07 AM

Just updating again.. sumarizing:

PowerDVD can play back mpg files created directly from capDVHS, with full dolby digital sound working great.

PowerDVD cannot play back the audio from mpg files created from the ts files from capdvhs which were converted to an mpg file using VideoRedo. **xbox 360 media extender CAN play back both the DD and video here, but the xbox 360 wont play back the mpg files generated directly from capdvhs though**

VLC wont play dolby digital for any of my files or vobs on my vista x86 machine.

Now the question would be.. how to author these files into DVD content?

Pinnacle 11 will not accept any of the capDVHS mpg files.. Only the one created from VideoRedo seems to be importable, but of course there is no audio..

How are most authoring this into DVD or VIDEO_TS type outputs?

Is there a way to make it work with Pinnacle and maintain the dolby digital audio? I'm guessing that if i want to put this on DVD, any HD content needs to be downsized from 1920x1080 but if i wanted to maintain the HD, but put HD on a DVD disc, playable by say a blu ray player.. not sure if this is possible yet either?

I use SVCD2DVD, and it converts to DVD just great.

davidk21770

01-23-08, 03:46 AM

GotHDTV?

01-23-08, 11:25 AM

I have a DCT6412. It's a bit balky about connecting. It only connects about 1/3 of the time or less. What I do is to start the movie playing then connect with VLC. I keep restarting the movie and VLC until I get a clean picture (your sound may be choppy -- this is just VLC). Then, I close VLC and start CapDVHS. I record an extra minute at the beginning of each show so that I can do this little dance with the components <sigh>. But -- it works (for me)!

Also, be prepared to repair the occasional stream with Project-X. VLC is an alternative repair, but not nearly as good. Others have mentioned other repair utils if you check back through the posts.

Thanks, I'll give it a shot. The only reason why I'm asking for direct to computer is possible copy once 5C restriction.

I wish I still had my DCT6412 (besides having programs that I had on there I wanted to save). As I said I'm not sure it is at the cableco level or not, but everything I had with my DCT6412 recorded fine on my physical DVHS to my computer (which I just tried recently). My "new" DCT3416 does not. I even has issues recording to DVHS from DCT3416 and I have to reset it or the picture and sound lags/studders.

markm75

01-23-08, 04:45 PM

Just updating again.. sumarizing:

PowerDVD can play back mpg files created directly from capDVHS, with full dolby digital sound working great, but files resulting from VideoRedo do not play with dolby digital..

Xbox 360 plays back the mpg files created by Capdvhs with full 5.1 sound..

Pinnacle 11 will not accept any of the capDVHS mpg files.. Only the one created from VideoRedo seems to be importable, but of course there is no 5.1 audio..

Does anyone have any thoughts as to why i'm having mpg issues as above?

Is there perhaps another setting i need to adjust in VideoRedo, to get the full 5.1 sound on its resulting files, though capdvhs mpg files seem ok, but i cant import them into Pinnacle.

Also.. Is this correct that there is no preview ability with the firewire drivers? Or is this a Vista limitation?

Thanks again...

coyoteaz

01-23-08, 06:39 PM

VideoRedo does not modify the audio format when outputting. I've edited hundreds of shows with it and the audio format going out is the exact same as the audio format going in, whether 1.0, 2.0, 5.1, or something else.

AC3 audio is capable of changing formats on the fly between 2.0, 5.1, and various others. However, tools such as GSpot will only show the format of the first frame, so if your file happens to start with a commercial with 2.0 audio, you will see 2.0 listed in said tools even if the second frame through the end of the recording are all 5.1. The easiest way to tell what format you have is to demux with ProjectX. The log it provides will show you the audio format as well as list every change in that format through the entire file. You could also demux the TS or MPG using DGIndex and then run the resulting AC3 file through AC3 Cutter or another tool which will give you the same information.

ak3883

01-25-08, 12:56 PM

Update on my status. I tried with my XP system (that did the original 2 1/2 Men pull down with) directly to my DCT3416 and I could not capture anything with CapDVHS. Is this normal (like I said my real DVHS works with it)? Is this more 5C interference? Is this at the cableco end or is it the box? Thanks in advance.

These boxes can be a hit or miss... FWIW I used to capture with a 6412PII, and got a 3416PI, and it still worked fine. Now I have it easy since my TV has a firewire input(Samsung DLP) I can just plug the cable box into it and it will tell me in plain text if it is copy-free for copy-one, so I don't have to go check the flags in the diagnostic screens. In short a 3416 CAN still let you capture properly. I guess you could try to go swap it if you haven't hopefully filled it up with recordings yet.

I've also found that a reboot of the box usually clears up problems for me. Sometimes when I capture, the files won't play back with sound in VLC, but they play back fine when I use WMP10(paired with Nvideo Purevideo decoder). A reboot of the cable box and the audio works fine again in VLC. Not sure what it is. I tend to use WMP10 for playback because Purevideo decoder uses hardware acceleration, and VLC doesn't(or at least i haven't figured out how to make it). Also Purevideo does a good job with interlacing however it's set up by default. I need to offload as much work to the vid card as I can since the HTPC system is borderline for HD video playback(Athlon XP 2500, 1GB, Radeon 9500PRO).

Cynagen

01-27-08, 09:21 PM

I'm having similar problems to a lot of people reporting here, about the CapDVHS just not working at all. You say this is a hit-or-miss, but is that more to do with the box, or bad programming on CapDVHS, because I've managed to get 30 seconds of a recorded HBO movie from my box without a single messed up frame, but just suddenly crashes for no reason. CapDVHS seems to work perfectly fine for the DVHS users out there, but we're applying it to something that EMULATES DVHS, and is not truly so. Maybe it's time we find somebody who has some experience programming and with these boxes to write a new capture program? Maybe Tim Moore if he comes out of hiding?

I can't do anything for this project besides be a test subject unfortunately, as I have no programming experience, and no idea how the data is suppost to be formed.

Fonceur

01-28-08, 10:36 AM

You say this is a hit-or-miss, but is that more to do with the box,
Yes that's the main issue, firmware upgrades of those STB have crippled many setup which used to work...

or bad programming on CapDVHS,
The signal can be really bad, so it might be hard for the capture software to cope with it. For example, when I run VideoReDo on the Firewire recordings of my Pace 551 HD, there's at least 10 errors per minutes in addition to all the null packets padding, and VLC simply chokes on it. If you want to go down to the basic, using GraphEdit (or GrafCorder (http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/showthread.php?t=40076)) with a simple tuner -> dump filter graph, is as basic as you can go...

Maybe it's time we find somebody who has some experience programming and with these boxes to write a new capture program?
ExDeus is looking into using MS' firewire drivers instead of the Panasonic tape driver, but I guess he is having more problems than he expected...

hdtvguy

01-28-08, 02:53 PM

With the Motorola and SA boxes, there are three different flags -- CCI, DRM, and the RC -- that will prevent you from copying recorded content to your computer:

DRM

Channels with a DRM bit other than 0x00 are encrypted. This encrypted content content cannot be copied to a computer with the Motorola or SA DVRs. Encrypted content is saved with a CCI bit of 0x01 (see above) when it is recorded.

Motorola boxes are strange indeed! This is a chart I made last fall of what was recordable or not off of Cogeco cable using a Moto 6416 PIII:

ANALOGUE CHANNELS
RECORDABLE CLEAR

DIGITAL, NETWORK HD & LOCAL HD CHANNELS
NO REC 5C=NO
CCI=0x02 APS=0x00 RC FLAG= 0x00
CIT=0x00 DRM=0x00

288 DISCHD
RECORDABLE 5C=NO
CCI=0x00 APS=0x00 RC FLAG= 0x00
CIT=0x00 DRM=0x00

295 TMNHD
RECORDABLE 5C=NO
CCI=0x00 APS=0x00 RC FLAG= 0x00
CIT=0x00 DRM=0x01

298 MHD
RECORDABLE 5C=NO
CCI=0x00 APS=0x00 RC FLAG= 0x00
CIT=0x00 DRM=0x01

299 VideoOnDemand -TMNHD
NO REC 5C=NO
CCI=0x00 APS=0x00 RC FLAG= 0x00
CIT=0x00 DRM=0x01

You can see that #298 MHD and # 299 TMNHD have exactly the same flags, yet movies are recordable by CAP-DHVS on #298 but not #299.

Cynagen

01-28-08, 08:25 PM

Yes that's the main issue, firmware upgrades of those STB have crippled many setup which used to work...

The signal can be really bad, so it might be hard for the capture software to cope with it. For example, when I run VideoReDo on the Firewire recordings of my Pace 551 HD, there's at least 10 errors per minutes in addition to all the null packets padding, and VLC simply chokes on it. If you want to go down to the basic, using GraphEdit (or GrafCorder (http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/showthread.php?t=40076)) with a simple tuner -> dump filter graph, is as basic as you can go...

ExDeus is looking into using MS' firewire drivers instead of the Panasonic tape driver, but I guess he is having more problems than he expected...

Here's the thing tho, whenever I'm running with VLC, it works fine, it only chokes up and drops information once it presses past 21mbit worth of data, it's a limitation i've known about from watching HD content on my laptop, but I wasn't sure it'd be a problem capping, so I can watch what i've recorded, and dump what i've recorded with VLC as long as the data doesn't push past that limit, but doing capture with CapDVHS i don't get those hiccups, just flat out crashes of the app. I guess I might have a winning setup here, but I need a really long firewire to make use of it here on my main desktop, cause I don't wanna move the DVR back and forth between the living room and the bedroom. Or I could just trade in my SD box I have back here for another HD DVR and move the working one from the living room back here. I unno.

markm75

01-28-08, 11:10 PM

Does anyone have any thoughts as to why i'm having mpg issues as above?

Is there perhaps another setting i need to adjust in VideoRedo, to get the full 5.1 sound on its resulting files, though capdvhs mpg files seem ok, but i cant import them into Pinnacle.

Also.. Is this correct that there is no preview ability with the firewire drivers? Or is this a Vista limitation?

Thanks again...

Well.. a reinstallation of my Vista x86 has cleared things up.. I installed the klite codecs and all is well.. I can capture just with capdvhs to mpg files and they play back fine in PowerDVD 7.3 with full dolby digital, no need for VideoRedo etc..

VLC player and other players still dont output dolby digital, but i'm happy with PowerDVD for now.

Noone has commented though: Is there no ability for a "preview" window in CapDVHS and is CapDVHS the only tool that can actually do the capturing? IE: cant use pinnacle etc...

Fonceur

01-28-08, 11:41 PM

they play back fine in PowerDVD 7.3 with full dolby digital, no need for VideoRedo etc..
The other suggestions were mostly to prove to you that the firewire contains the stream as is, the actual playback depending on your pc's configuration...

Is there no ability for a "preview" window in CapDVHS
Nope, it's only to capture...

CapDVHS the only tool that can actually do the capturing?
As mentioned multiple times in the thread, there are options for MCE (http://home.comcast.net/~timmmoore/firewire/readme.htm), SageTV (SGraphRecorder (http://www.nolberger.se/Sage/GraphRecorder/Default.htm)), BeyondTV (GrafCorder (http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/showthread.php?t=40076)), GBPVR (GraphRecorder (http://gbpvr.com/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Plugin/GraphRecorder)), directly through GraphEdit or VLC... There are probably a few more possibilities...

Eugene157

02-06-08, 12:05 AM

MJCS

02-06-08, 02:27 AM

ok new computer could mean anything...please be specific

Fonceur

02-06-08, 10:34 AM

I need the driver file that contains "JVC TAPE DEVICE" In fact JVC is not listed any more.
Try the driver in the first post. Almost everyone is using the Panasonic tape device for Firewire recordings on a PC, it doesn't matter if your specific model is not listed in the .inf file...

Eugene157

02-06-08, 07:04 PM

Compaq running XP home and XP media in dual boot configeration, neither has JVC tape device.
I tried the Panasonic driver and have problems with it, makes the cmputer freeze up so I had to take it out.
Do either of you have the JVC tape device file among your drivers?
Gene

captainDLP

02-06-08, 10:20 PM

I've been skimming this thread and similar topics for a while now. Has anybody discovered if these (or any other) drivers can be used with a samsung hlr5067 tv? Thanks

Eugene157

02-08-08, 01:28 PM

MJCS,
The drivers are located in Windows/system32/drivers and most likely start with jvc.
Eugene

MJCS

02-08-08, 11:46 PM

I was asking for more info on your computer not where drivers are located. Is it Vista 32, Vista 64, XP 32, XP 64?

It it is a x64 system, there might not be a driver available for it

Eugene157

02-09-08, 12:47 AM

XP home and xp pro system32 , as mentioned.

ExDeus

02-10-08, 08:32 PM

I am trying to get my JVC DVHS hooked up to my new computer. It worked with an older computer that I do not have any more. I need the driver file that contains "JVC TAPE DEVICE" In fact JVC is not listed any more. Tried MS and over 100 other places, no go. Looked in my other computers too, not there.

Would be great if someone could check their computer and email me that file.

THANKS
Eugene
I've never been aware of any PC drivers written by JVC, but perhaps what you're looking for is the Panasonic drivers with the original installation files? The original .inf file has support listed for Panasonic, JVC, and Toshiba devices, and has the added benefit of being the only driver package I know of existing:

http://home.comcast.net/~exdeus/stbfirewire/meidvhs.zip

Eugene157

02-10-08, 08:49 PM

ExDeus, thanks for the reply and more for the effort you have been putting into re writing etc of those drivers.

The Panasonic drivers are working fine, can now backup to HD DVD the DVHS tapes I had.

We have TW here in SO CA , using a SA 8300 HD Passport Echo. Tried to connect to the XP but no luck.
This is from the 8300.

All copy once, copy freely and 2nd copy once are all turned off
1394 port: Enable 1394 port always
Sata: authorized
Passport Echo 2.6.002

Can anybody shed light on this?

Eugene

djdanska

02-14-08, 12:42 AM

There are no x64 bit vista drivers for the motorola dct-3416 is there? I looked all over google and couldn't find any. I tried this forum too but could not find anything obvious.
Thanks in advance.

taeboguy

02-17-08, 04:21 PM

Anybody here doing this with Vista and connected to a Verizon Fios Motorolla 6000 series HD STB?

jazyjeff

02-18-08, 06:46 AM

please help, ok i have installed the drivers and have eveything working. i am getting a firewire recording along with the standard dvr-ms file on my windows 2005 mce. the problem is the firewire recording is choppy and garbled. its the sameway when i play it through VLC Player as a live tv window. I am using a SA 4250 HDC top box. Are there any special codecs or hot fixes i need. Or just what is it that may be causing this? Is there any other info i need to provide before this can be answered.

Thanks in advance, Jeff

Fonceur

02-18-08, 04:23 PM

the problem is the firewire recording is choppy and garbled.
Try running the file through VideoReDo's quickstream fix and maybe to play it back though something else like ZoomPlayer, making sure your CPU isn't maxed at 100% due to an under powered PC...

taeboguy

02-18-08, 09:07 PM

Anybody here doing this with Vista and connected to a Verizon Fios Motorolla 6000 series HD STB?

Okay, so I got the latest drivers from the Link posted in the main page.

I run the CapDHVS and when I use the instructions to capture video it tells me it can't find an output file (or something like that).

So I take it that with Vista I can use the Windows Media Center interface at all to control this Moto box from Verizon? Is anyone out there using this combo together?

Thanks!

GotHDTV?

02-18-08, 11:03 PM

These boxes can be a hit or miss... FWIW I used to capture with a 6412PII, and got a 3416PI, and it still worked fine. Now I have it easy since my TV has a firewire input(Samsung DLP) I can just plug the cable box into it and it will tell me in plain text if it is copy-free for copy-one, so I don't have to go check the flags in the diagnostic screens. In short a 3416 CAN still let you capture properly. I guess you could try to go swap it if you haven't hopefully filled it up with recordings yet.

I've also found that a reboot of the box usually clears up problems for me. Sometimes when I capture, the files won't play back with sound in VLC, but they play back fine when I use WMP10(paired with Nvideo Purevideo decoder). A reboot of the cable box and the audio works fine again in VLC. Not sure what it is. I tend to use WMP10 for playback because Purevideo decoder uses hardware acceleration, and VLC doesn't(or at least i haven't figured out how to make it). Also Purevideo does a good job with interlacing however it's set up by default. I need to offload as much work to the vid card as I can since the HTPC system is borderline for HD video playback(Athlon XP 2500, 1GB, Radeon 9500PRO).

I tried VLC couple of weeks ago, but my computer crashed when I hooked it up to my DCT3416 and run VLC. Like I said before CapDVHS didn't work directly hooked in either.

Today I swapped out my DCT3416 with a DCH3416, but it was the same result. I could not use CapDVHS from a 20 sec clip I recorded with the DCH3416 from my real DVHS (30K). When I hook my computer directly to the DCH3416, it crashed when I ran VLC. Anyways, I think either it is this all Digital boxes (the DC*341* models) are enabling 5c on all channels or it my area for Comcast (Montgomery County, MD). But like I said before, I don't think it is my area because my old DVHS tapes with my DCT6412 worked up until 6 months ago when it died. I tried talking to Customer support but they had no idea what I was talking about and said they don't support any devices attached to their unit (they had no idea what 5C was). I wonder if they will give me an old converter box.

I'm going to try on my sister's FIOS motorola box next week.

darwin838

02-19-08, 09:53 PM

I know this thread is about recording, but I am more interested in controlling my SA 8300HD STB via firewire. I have tried channel.exe, but the only thing I can get to work is changing the channels. I cannot get any of the button commands to work as mentioned in Tim Moore's readme: http://home.comcast.net/~timmmoore/firewire/readme.htm
When I put Channel –v –d 2 32 on a command prompt, it still changes the channel to 32 instead of sending 0 to the box. I have tried both Tim's drivers as well as ExDeus, and both do the same thing. Any ideas on what I can use to be able to send other commands to the STB?

Jay

Bosskaggs

02-24-08, 11:34 PM

Wondering if anyone has tried to pull the HD out of any of these puppy's!? I am seeking a way to gather some of my fav recordings off my DHC3416. it has plenty of type A USB, 2 normal firewire, esata, hdmi, and a few others i can't even describe. I see everyone attempting to capture using firewire, but I am wondering what type of OS it's running, and if the drive is pulled could it be cloned using acronis or ghost. If so, the files are there somewhere in some format type. I am gonna guess it's a linux/Unix based and could it be made into a VHD or VMware type of file so you could boot it over top of another OS.
The fact it has type A USB and Esata has got to mean there is hard drive expansion externally. If thats the case has anyone tried plugging in an X drive of any type and getting it to record to it, then maybe just take your x drive and plug into mac/windows/linux or whaterever and get the files and or watch them on a pc. I tried a PC t PC USB cable but seems the cable i have is too old no drivers for xp or vista ultimate 32.
I know this thread is all about captureing live feed, but is everyone overthinking this method? Is there a better or different way that any one has tried or suggested, this is one long thread and everyone is doing the same thing for the most part.
Just wondering if anyone has done any of his already and failed. I am not about to move my whole pc to the dvr in the bedroom, thought about laptop but what cables to use, mini firewire on laptop gona need mini to reg firewire.

Also on the note on captureing live feed, anyone tap into the TV instead of the CC box using what ever connectors available on both ends. Treat it like a DVD player/VHS player and use pinacle or whatever to capture?

enjoyed the reading on this post I think most of you who are having choppy playback is the result of the PC during recording, too many services and proccess running, turn off everything but what's needed.

Just some thoughts.
Bos

Huskerfan

02-25-08, 12:12 AM

I've never tried it but I know you can upgrade these hd's. I've added hd's to Replay TV units several times and they're just normal hd's modified to work in the dvr's. I'm sure there's something out there that will pull the info off......

coyoteaz

02-25-08, 01:52 AM

Recordings on the hard drive(s) are encrypted. Firewire is unfortunately the only option.

Lucid504

02-28-08, 10:57 AM

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to convert the ts to mkv?

coyoteaz

02-28-08, 02:58 PM

MeGUI

nonissan

02-29-08, 11:58 AM

can these programs from tim or exdeus be used to watch tv from my stb on my computer, or only to record and change channels? i have been searching quite a bit to find a solution to no avail: i want to watch tv on my computer.... (without having to add a tv tuner)

Fonceur

02-29-08, 02:19 PM

can these programs from tim or exdeus be used to watch tv from my stb on my computer, or only to record and change channels?
Technically those are just the drivers, they don't record anything... ;) It depends which recording software you will use with them... Some are only for recording (CapDVHS/*corder), others (VLC/MCE/SageTV/GBPvr/etc.) will also work for Live TV.

nonissan

02-29-08, 03:23 PM

Technically those are just the drivers, they don't record anything... ;) It depends which recording software you will use with them... Some are only for recording (CapDVHS/*corder), others (VLC/MCE/SageTV/GBPvr/etc.) will also work for Live TV.

thanks, so, could somebody possibly point me in the direction to learn how to watch tv via firewire on my laptop using mce (after i installed the drivers and plugged the firewire to my laptop, mce says it does not detect a tv tuner)?

erniegiro

02-29-08, 10:26 PM

Hi folks, I siwtched out my Comcast DCT-3412 for a DCH-3416 a few days ago. The DCT-3412 worked flawlessly via firewire recording and channel changing using the timmmore Mytray.exe channel changer program. I have many excellent HD recordings from that pairing! However the DCH-3416 does not work the same way: neither the mytray.exe program run from the tray icon recognize the DCH-3416, nor does the program appear in the More Programs selection in MCE 2005. Both the mytray.exe and the MCE 2005 configured themselves automatically with the DCT-3412. I've installed and reinstalled the timmmoore program, and installed ExDeus's new set of drivers for the DCH-3416. I can even channel change the DCH-3416 via the CMD window, though only using the -f command to force the channel change. So I beleive I have the DCH-3416 drivers abd the STB working properly. It is recognized by the CAP-DVHS window, although I have not used CAP-DVHS to record video, reinforcing my assumption that the DCH-3416 is correctly installed on my system.

Has anyone out there found a way to make the DCH-3416 work with the timmmoore program, or or is it simply not supported?

brownleeb

03-01-08, 09:49 AM

I'm going to try on my sister's FIOS motorola box next week.

Got HD, I'd be interested in your results from the FIOS box. We have a QIP-6416-2 and have some success. I find different types of trouble, it seems, everywhere I turn.

Recently, I tried going through the TS to AVI conversion (for playback on computers that dont have DVD s/w). I found a stream that would play in WinDVD just fine, but would not pick the right audio channel. I guess it was encoded in the stream as 0x12 but I get no audio after conversion using HDTVtoMPEG2 app.

I am still playing with it, but since the FIOS boxes storage is so small, we are recording most 'day to day' stuff off the NTSC channels (which I assume still converts to digital something or other) and pull them off for storage on the computer. I think ABC was the only broadcast network that wasnt copy-protected, none of the others would allow captures. Most anything catured from the NTSC channels plays just fine with WinDVD and most of the time with VLC. Biggest problem seems to be the random nature of the audio track. Sometimes there, sometimes not...

All very weird and I cant seem to nail down what is causing it.

MJCS

03-02-08, 02:14 AM

could be something to do with 5.1 vs 2.0 audio or multiple languages

GotHDTV?

03-02-08, 05:36 PM

Got HD, I'd be interested in your results from the FIOS box. We have a QIP-6416-2 and have some success. I find different types of trouble, it seems, everywhere I turn.

I finally got have to venture over to my parents house and try out FIOS to my DVHS. First shot was on the QIP6200-2 (non-DVR). My DVHS recognized the Motorola Box as QIP6200 and was pass the video and sound through. I had College Basketball on from CBS and when I hit the record on my DVHS it gave me this error (note: all caps because the message was all caps):

"CAN NOT REC DIGITAL INPUT BY S-VHS/VHS. CHOOSE ANALOG INPUT (105)"

I tried it again on Fox with Nascar, but I got the same message. These are supposed to be in the clear, unencrypted, and copy free (5c turned off). In fact I went into the motorola menu (like their Comcast boxes) and saw that the setting was copy free.

I then tried on my sister's QIP6416-2 (DVR) and I got the same result from a straight record to my DVHS. I then tried to record a few minutes on the DVR and then pass that through on a replay, but as soon as I hit record on my DVHS, I get the message.

The only thing that I saw that someone mentioned here that I didn't see with my old comcast box, but I see now with my new one and these FIOS ones are the 1394 port (firewire) are enable, but not active. I swear that my old box (before it died months ago) was active when I turned my DVHS on (but no more). Unfortunately, it's worse with FIOS because at least I can copy once from my Comcast DVR to my DVHS where FIOS won't let me at all. Man, I was excitedly waiting for FIOS to come to my area (still not here), but not really anymore.

brownleeb, I hope that answers your question. If it can't write to a real DVHS, I don't see how it can write to a computer with CapDVHS or VLC running.

davidk21770

03-03-08, 12:15 PM

Recovering from stream errors?

My comcast stream has gotten worse lately and I often have a bad second or 2 in the middle of my recordings. CapDVHS usually will not resynch to the stream -- it gives me bad pixelization from that point on. My TV just gives me the bad second and recovers quickly (ie., the DVR recovers quickly). Is this a problem with CapDVHS or a problem with firestb? Ie., is it worth trying other PC recording programs or am I wasting my time...

Thanks.

Fonceur

03-03-08, 03:59 PM

CapDVHS usually will not resynch to the stream -- it gives me bad pixelization from that point on.
Even after running the file through VideoReDo's quickstream fix?

Lucid504

03-03-08, 04:48 PM

This is working out great, right now im recording with capDVHS, then i edit with VIdeo Redo and then i convert it to Xvid HD with AutoGK turns out great.After that i watch it on my ps3 this is great.

nonissan

03-03-08, 10:10 PM

thanks, so, could somebody possibly point me in the direction to learn how to watch tv via firewire on my laptop using mce (after i installed the drivers and plugged the firewire to my laptop, mce says it does not detect a tv tuner)?

so how do you watch live tv w/o an additional tuner (via firewire)?

mrandtx

03-04-08, 07:19 PM

I finally got have to venture over to my parents house and try out FIOS to my DVHS. First shot was on the QIP6200-2 (non-DVR). My DVHS recognized the Motorola Box as QIP6200 and was pass the video and sound through. I had College Basketball on from CBS and when I hit the record on my DVHS it gave me this error (note: all caps because the message was all caps):

I looked through your past posts and don't see... what DVHS unit do you have? Not that it will change your situation - just wondering.

Marc

markm75

03-04-08, 08:55 PM

Does anyone know which DVRs will definitely work via firewire with Vista x86/XP on a PC.. on the Comcast side?

IE: Thus far i know the DCT6412 and the DCH3416 do.. i'm still having big time hdcp/green screen issues with the DCH3416.. they are coming to replace the box on saturday.. i've expressed the desire to go back to the 6412, however, i'm betting they will just bring out another 3416 unit.. or maybe another model unable to be used via firewire...

Thanks

davidk21770

03-06-08, 03:51 PM

Recovering from stream errors?
My comcast stream has gotten worse lately and I often have a bad second or 2 in the middle of my recordings. CapDVHS usually will not resynch to the stream -- it gives me bad pixelization from that point on. My TV just gives me the bad second and recovers quickly (ie., the DVR recovers quickly). Is this a problem with CapDVHS or a problem with firestb? Ie., is it worth trying other PC recording programs or am I wasting my time...

Even after running the file through VideoReDo's quickstream fix?
VideoReDo will only fix timing errors, not video errors.

GotHDTV?

03-06-08, 11:17 PM

I looked through your past posts and don't see... what DVHS unit do you have? Not that it will change your situation - just wondering.

Marc

I think I posted my DVHS setup before, but I'll list it again. I have a JVC HM-DH30000U (or 30K for short) to do my main recording from Comcast. Also have a JVC HM-DH5U as my spare and loaner (which I tested FIOS with).

THEIGL3

03-08-08, 09:09 AM

I have a motorola stb 6416 III. How can I transfer recordings on the hard drive to a flash drive (how many gigs) or an external hard drive or to my dvd recorder? The latest advice on AVS was from 2003 and said you can't transfer from dvr hard drive. I currently have RCN cable. I'm considering switching to direct tv. Is their stb more compatible with transfering recordings? Also: anybody regret switching from cable to satallite?

nonissan

03-12-08, 02:09 PM

so how do you watch live tv w/o an additional tuner (via firewire)?

freakin' please?

Fonceur

03-12-08, 02:51 PM

freakin' please?
Post 4417 has links to many applications to do that...

JediFonger

03-12-08, 11:02 PM

whatif u installed 32-bit WXPP inside of vmware under Vista x64? will it work then?

isamu

03-13-08, 01:25 AM

still no luck on ebing able to decrypt motorola boxes for digital file transfers?

smmihggb

03-23-08, 07:25 PM

JALsnipe

03-23-08, 11:13 PM

I followed the instructions, and everything is working ok with my Moto QIP6416-2. However, it seems like I can only cap shows from the basic (broadcast) channels (ie: Fox, ABC, NBC, CBS, etc.). I get this error when I try to play recorded video from any other channel:
Unrecognized format for 'C:\caps\080323231139.ts'

Are these channels scrambled? Is there a way to decrypt these channels?

Thanks,

-JALsnipe

SK8_MD

03-24-08, 07:29 AM

So, my question is, does anyone know why the system will not recognize the tuner or the panel for the STB? Any help would be appreciated.

I suspect the device is hidden. If the device was set to not show again during a previous installation, it would be hidden. To find a hidden device:
In Windows device manager,
goto <View>, <Show Hidden Devices>.
Delete the device(s) and start over.

deathboy76

03-24-08, 10:52 AM

ExDeus

03-25-08, 12:25 AM

I'm trying to capture from a SA 4200 HD to a pc running win xp sp2 (also tried non sp2 xp, same problem) capdvhs will record non hd channels perfectly fine, but, on an HD channel, i get a message saying the program has encoutnered a problem and has to quit after about 30 seconds of capturing. those 30 seconds seem to capture perfectly fine.

i've read ina few places about an sp2 firewire patch. i'm currently unable to try this and see if it works, but, i also dont have firewire 800 and i did try to capture in pre sp2 xp and it didnt work. what other things should i try besides installing the patch, which i cant get.
I don't think there is a remedy. If you find one, let me know.

That's been my experience with the SA 8300HDC. All encrypted channels crash CapDVHS, and all HD channels (locals included) are encrypted. When I contacted my local Comcast office, they told me that the Firewire ports were no longer supported. When I informed them that the functionality is mandated by the FCC and the locals are required not to be encrypted, they gave me the same response: Firewire is not supported, and it is no longer an FCC requirement. I'm taking it up with my local franchise authority.

ExDeus

03-25-08, 12:32 AM

deathboy76

03-25-08, 06:53 AM

smmihggb

03-25-08, 03:14 PM

I'm assuming you contacted me by email. I'd prefer to keep the support issues here, for anyone else to benefit.

If you double-click on the Unknown device in Device Mgr, go to the Details tab, select Hardware Ids from the drop-down, what values do you get?

Copy (Ctrl+C) each value and paste it here.

When you say you tried to manually install the driver, you tried the 'Have Disk' option and unchecking the compatible hardware only box?

Also a possibility.

SK8_MD and ExDeus: Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. As for the device being hidden, it's a no go. As for the Hadware ID of the Unknown, it's: 1394\A02D&10001. By manual install, ExDeus, I mean what you said. I navigate to the unknown device properties, which is listed under "Other Devices in the Hardware Manager, select update driver, select "no, not this time", select "install from a list or specific location", select "Don't search. I will choose the driver to install" followed by "Show All Devices", followed by "Have Disk" followed by locating the firestb.inf file. The message I receive is: The specified location does not contain information about your hardware. I uninstalled the unknown device and the 5068 to see what would happen if I repeated the process, but I arrived at the same point. The 5068 is installed perfectly as an imaging device, but I never get the option to install a panel or tuner. The unknown device returns to its place in "Other Devices". Alas!

ExDeus

03-26-08, 07:17 PM

thanks for the reply- i'm actually able to record to a jvc dvhs deck without a problem using the 4200, so i wouldnt think copy protection is the issue. i also have an 8300 and frankly the firewire on it has always been garbage for some reason. i've tried more than 1 box, its never worked right. i have cablevision, not comcast, but i've experienced similar ignorance from them trying to get firewire issues with certain channels worked out.
A DVHS deck is capable of using 5C DTCP copy protection, so I still surmise it is the copy protection that is the problem.

Generally, I have seen most cable programs marked with 'Copy One Generation' permissions that would allow copying to a DVHS deck.

ExDeus

03-26-08, 07:29 PM

As for the Hadware ID of the Unknown, it's: 1394\A02D&10001.
That is not the panel or the tuner device, and it is not one of the 'unknown' devices supported by the drivers.

If you have no other devices, then I would try a couple things, i.e., switching Firewire ports, once on the PC and once on the DVR, and switching cables.

If that doesn't do it, then there is some other reason the proper devices are not being offered up. Perhaps the Firewire output is not enabled on your 4200.

deathboy76

03-28-08, 11:13 PM

A DVHS deck is capable of using 5C DTCP copy protection, so I still surmise it is the copy protection that is the problem.

Generally, I have seen most cable programs marked with 'Copy One Generation' permissions that would allow copying to a DVHS deck.

been doing some more playing around with this. i can record to my d-vhs deck from the 4200, and then playback on the d-vhs deck what i just recorded and capture it on the computer. straight from the 4200 to the comptuer still doesn't work. any other ideas? still think its a 5C problem?

ExDeus

03-29-08, 12:01 AM

been doing some more playing around with this. i can record to my d-vhs deck from the 4200, and then playback on the d-vhs deck what i just recorded and capture it on the computer. straight from the 4200 to the comptuer still doesn't work. any other ideas? still think its a 5C problem?
Without 5C DTCP, I haven't seen that behavior from CapDVHS.

It also depends on the content you copied and how the CCI flag was set. It's entirely possible that the STB is requiring a DTCP handshake for authentication and key exchange (AKE) even for content marked copy-freely. That would break compatibility with CapDVHS, but still work to copy the content to a DVHS deck (using AKE), then to a PC (which wouldn't artificially require AKE, because the content is marked copy-freely).

My overall experience has been that providers of consumer electronics available in the open market (i.e., a DVHS deck) at least make an effort to comply with standards for the sake of interoperability. On the other hand, companies whose devices are leased and controlled by the company push standards to the limits, and beyond, in order to take the position that is most advantageous to the company.

In this situation, a DVHS deck might see copy-freely content, and because the DTCP spec doesn't require AKE, it doesn't use encryption on the output. An STB might see copy-freely content and, because the cable company has taken a position to protect content at all costs, use Encryption Plus Non-assertion (EPN) mode to encrypt the content without asserting a specific copy protection requirement. This wouldn't violate the spec, either.

The spec outlines EPN, then defers to the DTLA license agreement for its "definition and usage".

In the adopter license agreement (http://www.dtcp.com/data/AA06302007.pdf), if you search for "EPN", you'll find this on pg B-5:

2.18 “EPN Field” shall mean the field or bits, described in the Specification, used to indicate that Commercial Audiovisual Content is to be protected using DTCP but that copy control restrictions are not being asserted over such content.

Translation: The output can be encrypted even if copy protection isn't required.

coyoteaz

03-29-08, 04:08 AM

Firewire compatibility with PCs on SA boxes is, frankly, crap. Most of us get garbage when trying to watch or record in Windows. Some have better luck in OS X, but my 4240HDC doesn't even appear to any of the programs on my Mac. Motorola boxes are really the only game in town for PC capture at this time, but hopefully we'll get some sort of reprieve once tru2way devices hit the market.

deathboy76

03-29-08, 08:18 AM

Without 5C DTCP, I haven't seen that behavior from CapDVHS.

It also depends on the content you copied and how the CCI flag was set. It's entirely possible that the STB is requiring a DTCP handshake for authentication and key exchange (AKE) even for content marked copy-freely. That would break compatibility with CapDVHS, but still work to copy the content to a DVHS deck (using AKE), then to a PC (which wouldn't artificially require AKE, because the content is marked copy-freely).

My overall experience has been that providers of consumer electronics available in the open market (i.e., a DVHS deck) at least make an effort to comply with standards for the sake of interoperability. On the other hand, companies whose devices are leased and controlled by the company push standards to the limits, and beyond, in order to take the position that is most advantageous to the company.

In this situation, a DVHS deck might see copy-freely content, and because the DTCP spec doesn't require AKE, it doesn't use encryption on the output. An STB might see copy-freely content and, because the cable company has taken a position to protect content at all costs, use Encryption Plus Non-assertion (EPN) mode to encrypt the content without asserting a specific copy protection requirement. This wouldn't violate the spec, either.

The spec outlines EPN, then defers to the DTLA license agreement for its "definition and usage".

In the adopter license agreement (http://www.dtcp.com/data/AA06302007.pdf), if you search for "EPN", you'll find this on pg B-5:

Translation: The output can be encrypted even if copy protection isn't required.

so then, theoretically, shouldnt another piece of software like capdvhs (but obviously not capdvhs) be able to act in the same manner as my jvc dvhs deck and be able to properly capture the stream from the 4200? what are the alternatives to capdvhs? are there any? i was under the impression that d vhs decks when fed a firewire signal just printed that signal straight to tape unaltered and then spit it back out again on playback unaltered. is that not the case? wouldnt whats coming out of the d vhs deck carry the same encryption thats coming out of the cable box?

ExDeus

03-29-08, 06:44 PM

so then, theoretically, shouldnt another piece of software like capdvhs (but obviously not capdvhs) be able to act in the same manner as my jvc dvhs deck and be able to properly capture the stream from the 4200?
No, that's the entire problem here. The STB is encrypting the output, so you have to use a DTCP-compliant device to capture it. A DVHS deck is DTCP-compliant. A PC is not DTCP-compliant. What makes a device DTCP-compliant is not the software, but the hardware that is licensed by the DTLA and given its own individual key for encryption/decryption. If a device's key is compromised, then there is a system supported by the STB for revoking that specific key, called System Renewability Messages (SRM).

Because building a DTCP-compliant device requires a DTLA license, we don't have PC hardware/software for DTCP. Because of SRM, any time a key is compromised it can be easily revoked, so we continue to not have any PC hardware/software for DTCP.

what are the alternatives to capdvhs? are there any?
This thread has many mentions of them, though none are as easy or straight-forward as CapDVHS. VLC, DCTRecord, TSReader (not free), graphedit. While they might not all crash, if encryption is definitely the problem, then none of them will work.

i was under the impression that d vhs decks when fed a firewire signal just printed that signal straight to tape unaltered and then spit it back out again on playback unaltered. is that not the case? wouldnt whats coming out of the d vhs deck carry the same encryption thats coming out of the cable box?
No, that's not at all how it works. The MPEG-TS stream is written to tape bit-for-bit, but not without a series of encryption/decryption sequences.

When transferring from the STB to the DVHS deck, the content is encrypted to the DVHS deck's key, and a content key is used and changed every 30 or 90 seconds (I forget the exact frequency the key is cycled). That way, only one specific device at one point in time can decrypt the content. Capturing the encrypted content and saving it on a PC is useless, as no device will ever know the content keys to decrypt the content stream. They are negotiated between the two devices at the time of the transfer, so if no device is able to negotiate them and decrypt the content immediately, no device ever will.

To simplify the process: When the DVHS deck receives the encrypted stream, it uses its device key to decrypt the overall stream, and it uses the content keys to decrypt the content stream. The deck then writes the MPEG-TS stream to tape (I believe re-encrypted again with its own key, if required by the copy protection).

When the DVHS deck sends the stream out to another device, it decrypts the stream from tape, then encrypts it again if required by the copy protection (using the key of the new device on the other end, plus rotating content keys), and sends the output to the new device. Here is where it is important that the content is marked copy-freely, as it wouldn't need to be encrypted.

Exactly what keys are used how and when would better be answered by dr1394, but if you don't understand encryption, the above summary is basically it.

deathboy76

03-29-08, 10:30 PM

No, that's the entire problem here. The STB is encrypting the output, so you have to use a DTCP-compliant device to capture it. A DVHS deck is DTCP-compliant. A PC is not DTCP-compliant. What makes a device DTCP-compliant is not the software, but the hardware that is licensed by the DTLA and given its own individual key for encryption/decryption. If a device's key is compromised, then there is a system supported by the STB for revoking that specific key, called System Renewability Messages (SRM).

Because building a DTCP-compliant device requires a DTLA license, we don't have PC hardware/software for DTCP. Because of SRM, any time a key is compromised it can be easily revoked, so we continue to not have any PC hardware/software for DTCP.

This thread has many mentions of them, though none are as easy or straight-forward as CapDVHS. VLC, DCTRecord, TSReader (not free), graphedit. While they might not all crash, if encryption is definitely the problem, then none of them will work.

No, that's not at all how it works. The MPEG-TS stream is written to tape bit-for-bit, but not without a series of encryption/decryption sequences.

When transferring from the STB to the DVHS deck, the content is encrypted to the DVHS deck's key, and a content key is used and changed every 30 or 90 seconds (I forget the exact frequency the key is cycled). That way, only one specific device at one point in time can decrypt the content. Capturing the encrypted content and saving it on a PC is useless, as no device will ever know the content keys to decrypt the content stream. They are negotiated between the two devices at the time of the transfer, so if no device is able to negotiate them and decrypt the content immediately, no device ever will.

To simplify the process: When the DVHS deck receives the encrypted stream, it uses its device key to decrypt the overall stream, and it uses the content keys to decrypt the content stream. The deck then writes the MPEG-TS stream to tape (I believe re-encrypted again with its own key, if required by the copy protection).

When the DVHS deck sends the stream out to another device, it decrypts the stream from tape, then encrypts it again if required by the copy protection (using the key of the new device on the other end, plus rotating content keys), and sends the output to the new device. Here is where it is important that the content is marked copy-freely, as it wouldn't need to be encrypted.

Exactly what keys are used how and when would better be answered by dr1394, but if you don't understand encryption, the above summary is basically it.

thanks for the info. it is getting rather over my head and all seems a little silly but i guess i'll have to live with it. i wouldnt be surprised if ti was something the cable company was doing accidentally without even being aware of it. maybe one day i'll get up the patience to try and ask them about it.

thanks

GalileoHD1

03-30-08, 02:22 PM

I have a perpetual nightmare with my 3416 boxes. We are in a Comcast SE PA region. We can record live from an HD feed OK. We can't record a DVR HD program without the sound being 1- 1.5 seconds delayed from the video. The picture is generally OK but has some occasional freezing and pixelation. Some times the sound doesn't come on at all.
Any ideas?

MJCS

03-30-08, 04:22 PM

In vlc you can play back the video and add a delay in the preferences to fix the sound

smmihggb

03-31-08, 03:51 PM

That is not the panel or the tuner device, and it is not one of the 'unknown' devices supported by the drivers.

If you have no other devices, then I would try a couple things, i.e., switching Firewire ports, once on the PC and once on the DVR, and switching cables.

If that doesn't do it, then there is some other reason the proper devices are not being offered up. Perhaps the Firewire output is not enabled on your 4200.

Thanks again for the continued feedback. I tried using alternate firewire ports, but experienced the same difficulty. I checked the service menu on the 4200 and the output is enabled, but not active. What's most peculiar to me is that the 5068 driver installs without a glitch. Why would the panel and tuner be so problematic?

tobe2be

03-31-08, 11:07 PM

Ive tried to read the whole thread but its way to much. I just want to know if its possible transfer my old recording from my dvr to my pc and view them on my pc. so i got the drivers from the first page but now im stuck. so can we have one post to list it all. thanks in advance. Also when i plug up my firewire from my pc and the dvr i get no "new hardware found" screen. thanks in advance for your help

ssterb1

04-02-08, 06:21 PM

I'm a relative noobie to the world of STB Firewire, so my apologies if this question has a simple answer. I've searched through the forum for a solution, but haven't found anything that has helped. In fact, this question was asked by junebug a few months ago, but no answers were given, so I'm hoping someone may have uncovered a solution since then. I've followed ExDeus' instructions for installing STB Firewire drivers on my XP SP2 Pro box for use with a Motorola DCH3200 using the 12/17 driver package. The first part of the installation proceeds as described (up to Step #7) and my device manager correctly shows an Unknown IEEE 1394\5068. Unfortunately, the installation breaks down at this point and does not prompt me to install an A/VC Tuner device or an A/VC Panel device. The Hardware Wizard does attempt to install an 'Unknown' device as noed, but that's it. When I attempt to manually update the unknown device driver by directing it towards the ExDeus' inf file (in the hopes that it will install the tuner or panel) XP informs me that it cannot install the software for this device. This is somewhat expected since the 'Unknown' device is likely not the tuner or the panel. So, my question is, does anyone know why the system will not recognize the tuner or the panel for the STB? Any help would be appreciated.

I also wanted to thank the members of the forum for making this installation possible. I'm sure a lot of hard work went into creating the drivers, installation guides, etc. and I just wanted to express my appreciation. This is good stuff.

I posted this solution that worked for me at thegreenbutton.com and many people seem to have had success. Here's the solution I posted:

This is what worked for me (Motorola DCH-3200). I’m running MCE 2005 so I’m not sure if this will work for Vista, but I guess it’s worth a shot.

If the driver for your stb was attained from ExDeus’s “stb_firewire_drivers_2007-12-17.zip” file, which can be found here, (or other) instead of timmoore’s “firestb.msi” setup file, and mytray is having trouble, try this:

- Uninstall FireSTB / MyTray (don’t restart yet)
- Go to Device Manager and delete the stb drivers and unplug the firewire cable(s)
- Restart
- Reinstall FireSTB / MyTray (restart)
- If you haven’t already done so, extract all the files from ExDeus’s zip file to a folder on your desktop
- Copy the following files from the new desktop folder to your desktop:
firestb.inf, miestb.sys, miestrm.sys, mstapeo.sys
**Note: If you don’t have any or all of the last 3 files, it should be okay. The .inf file is the most important.**
- Open the drivers folder in the C:\Program Files\Timmoore folder. You should see files similar to the four files copied to the desktop.
- Rename the fierstb.inf on the desktop to whatever the .inf file name is in the drivers folder.
- Cut the four files from the desktop to the drivers folder.
- It will ask you if you want to replace existing files. Click yes to all.
- Plug in the firewire cable(s). the Found New Hardware wizard should come up.

- Install the stb devices specifying the drivers’ location as the drivers folder in C:\Program Files\Timmoore folder.

When the hardware wizards are complete, you should now see the tuners in MyTray. (May require another restart.)

Good Luck.

ThurstonX

04-05-08, 05:54 PM

Hi all.
First, many thanks to ExDeus for the drivers and helpful posts.

My setup:
Comcast
Scientific-Atlanta 8300HD
ExDeus drivers
Win XP Pro SP 2; P-4 2.66 GHz; 1 GB RAM; IEEE 1394 port on SB Audigy 2

I've been able to playback and capture one recording from the DVR (approx. 1-hour long). Others are causing CapDVHS to crash; e.g., 'Alien' recorded from Fox Movie Channel crashes it at exactly the same spots. I can start playback from just after that spot (I swear I see a video glitch when watching it on the TV) and avoid the crash, but of course it crashes again a few minutes later. 'Alien' is a 15 Mbps stream, according to CapDVHS, though I'm guessing that's not significant, as a different show (from the same channel as the one successful capture) is a 2.3036 Mbps stream which crashes the app after 50+ minutes.

Is CapDVHS sensitive to flaws in the stream? My Comcast signal is less-than-perfect, so I wouldn't be surprised. Would another app not be so sensitive that it crashes? I gather DCTRecord is for Motorola STBs only.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

***** EDIT *****

After more research I tried VLC and GrafCorder. While VLC captured it all, as ExDeus and others have noted it just couldn't seem to keep up with the stream (too much pixelation in the final file). GrafCorder also captued it all and the only glitches were what are in the original recording (such as the spot where CapDVHS crashed). While those are annoying, I can't see anyway around them. I guess it takes pro-grade MPEG decoders to gloss over such things, as they are barely visible when the original is played back.

So, for those with a Sci-Atl 8300HD who want to dump recordings to a PC, GrafCorder seems a good bet.

Joatm0n1

04-06-08, 07:24 AM

davidk21770

04-06-08, 12:48 PM

I have a Comcast DCT3416, firmware 16.35. I can capture from STB to PC using CapDVHS with no problems. When I play the file I get a lot of pixelization.
When playing the recording and watching on the TV, there is no pixelization at all.

Anyone having this problem? Any advice on how to fix this would be helpful

TIAI have that problem. My computer and my cable box only talk cleanly some of the time. What I do is to open the stream in VLC. I keep restarting the stream playback (and sometimes VLC) until I get a good picture in VLC. Then I can close VLC and open it in anything that I want (usually CapDVHS). I record an extra minute at the beginning of my programs to let me do this...

Edit... VLC audio is sometimes choppy in HD stream direct play, so ignore the audio and just look for a clean picture.

Libdawg

04-06-08, 11:53 PM

Hello there everyone,
Is anyone recording via firewire with a Charter Cable Motorola DCT6416 Phase III hd box? I plugged the box into my XP machine and nothing came up that XP found new hardware. I plugged the computer into both firewire ports on the back of the box and nothing. :(

Thanks for the help,
Liberty

pidru

04-07-08, 01:08 AM

I have a Motorola DCT-3416 and when I tried to install the drivers from this file stb_firewire_drivers_2007-12-17.zip, I get a yellow exclamation point on AV/C Tuner and AV/C Panel. I tried doing the Update Driver but it gives me an error that "The class installer denied the request to install or update the device." I followed the instructions in this link "http://home.comcast.net/~exdeus/stbfirewire/" By the way, when I try to install the drivers, it is defaulting to 3412. Maybe I have a 3412 although it says in front it is a 3416. Help please.

Fonceur

04-07-08, 02:06 AM

GrafCorder also captued it all and the only glitches were what are in the original recording (such as the spot where CapDVHS crashed). While those are annoying, I can't see anyway around them.
You could try running the file through VideoReDo's quickstream fix, with some luck it might smooth up the issues...

ThurstonX

04-07-08, 03:20 AM

You could try running the file through VideoReDo's quickstream fix, with some luck it might smooth up the issues...
Thanks, I'll give that a shot. If it can, that oughta allow for a proper trimming of the lead-in and -out so it's just movie. Does the trialware version of VideoReDo allow for that, or is it crippled in some way? I tried MPEG Video Wizard, which does a fine job on analog dumps (via S-Vid) and recordings originating from my Hauppage, but because the source MPEG here has problems, my trimmed edit has sync issues (wasn't surprised). But I can always time the firewire capture better to eliminate the need to trim.

Thanks for the tip, and for your excellent hack. I don't suppose there's a way to do a manual capture with it, is there? Or will simply killing the capture before the timer runs out (so, sorta manual) result in a viewable file? If it weren't 3 AM I'd try now ;-)

kmfdm515

04-07-08, 03:21 PM

still no luck on ebing able to decrypt motorola boxes for digital file transfers?

I have a motorola stb 6416 III. How can I transfer recordings on the hard drive to a flash drive (how many gigs) or an external hard drive or to my dvd recorder? The latest advice on AVS was from 2003 and said you can't transfer from dvr hard drive. I currently have RCN cable. I'm considering switching to direct tv. Is their stb more compatible with transfering recordings? Also: anybody regret switching from cable to satallite?

i'd like to know this, too. there's still no way to get a DVR'd file off of a 64xx?

holl_ands

04-07-08, 04:15 PM

What part of EN-CRYPT-ED don't you understand????

You'll need a new VISTA PC with CableCARD enabled & certified motherboard
to watch/record encrypted cable channels...subject to "5C" copy Freely/Once/Never rules.

Fonceur

04-07-08, 09:18 PM

Does the trialware version of VideoReDo allow for that, or is it crippled in some way?
Pretty sure it won't be a problem.

I don't suppose there's a way to do a manual capture with it, is there?
Sure, the first message in the GrafCorder (http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/showthread.php?t=40076) thread has the command line parameter to do that.

Or will simply killing the capture before the timer runs out (so, sorta manual) result in a viewable file?
There is an exit option, but killing it probably is fine too.

ThurstonX

04-07-08, 10:34 PM

Pretty sure it won't be a problem.

Had to get the free code, but it didn't fix the problems in the orig stream; kinda made 'em worse. e.g., where there was a slight video blurble and a very slight audio glitch, after QuickStream fix the video prob was still apparent and more audio was lost. While I haven't deleted the cap I made with GrafCorder, I did an analog recording via S-Vid using my Hauppage and those problems were smoothed over; and I was able to trim the beginning and end in MPEG Video Wizard without losing the synch. Guess that'll have to do for problem files.

Sure, the first message in the GrafCorder (http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/showthread.php?t=40076) thread has the command line parameter to do that.

There is an exit option, but killing it probably is fine too.

Ah, thanks for the link back to that thread. By "manual" I meant something like a Start and Stop button, like with WinTVCap. No biggie though.

Fonceur

04-08-08, 09:28 AM

By "manual" I meant something like a Start and Stop button, like with WinTVCap.
Oh, I see. It wasn't really meant to be used as a stand alone application, so that functionality is not in there, but I could look into adding it (or if you are in a hurry and can program in C#, I could send you the source code).

ThurstonX

04-08-08, 01:09 PM

Oh, I see. It wasn't really meant to be used as a stand alone application, so that functionality is not in there, but I could look into adding it (or if you are in a hurry and can program in C#, I could send you the source code).

Works pretty well as one. I just made a batch file to execute the commandline, so parameters (timing and output file name) are easily altered. But yeah, a Start/Stop function would be great. I'm not a programmer, but thanks for the offer. I'll keep an eye on the SnapStream thread.

ynotmsee

04-10-08, 10:19 PM

ThurstonX

04-10-08, 11:05 PM

Hello, i have a SA 8300HD DVR STB from Time Warner of North Carolina. I have heavily searched all over the net to find out how to hook it up to my pc so i can record my movies and such to my hard drive or Dvds. No success yet, but here are some things i have determined. I read about a program called FireSTB, im using windows xp sp2, so i followed command line instructions for installing. Success with that. I shutdown, plugged in firewire to both STB and my PC and then started back up. What happens next seems to be according to plan from everything i read on net. Windows device thing comes up saying it found devices. So, i continue to follow instructions, the guide says cancel 1st and 2nd "unknown" devices, and proceed to install the AV/C tuners. Well heres where the problem is..after the 1st two "unknown" devices found, nothing else comes up. I never see anything about installing some kinda tuners. Did i miss something, do something wrong? Here's some additional info that may help in determining my problem--- My box uses the SARA software. My box is the newer version with HDMI, Sata, and 2x firewire. Also considering i just got the box less than a year ago/and the fact that windows recognizes something when i plug it in, leads me to believe that my firewire ports "ARE" active, but i dont know a way to confirm this. Finally, i no longer have any service through Time Warner and switched to satellite, and I am just trying to get my recordings off before i turn box back in to them :P
Thank you for your time, and hope to get some helpful input from someone.
I have the same STB with Comcast in VA (SARA). I used the instructions here:
http://home.comcast.net/~exdeus/stbfirewire/

which explicitly state and show with screenshots to INSTALL the unknown devices. As I recall there were four devices to install, two unknown and two Sci-Atl's (tuner and panel, I reckon). So, try again with those instructions (may want to grab his driver pkg, too). I bet that'll get you going.

One thing I've noticed is that when dumping recordings to the PC, if the signal isn't totally clean CapDVHS will crash. I've used Fonceur's GrafCorder method with success, but any glitches in the stream (i.e., from your cable co.) will be visible. This then seems to affect A/V sync issues after editing (even if it's just trimming the beginning and end of a dumped movie so just the movie remains). No sync issues if no edits are performed, just glitches.

For those problem recordings I use the 8300HD's Copy To VCR function, dumping out via S-Vid to a Hauppauge PVR-350. That smooths out the glitches, though obviously the quality isn't quite what the original was, and the AC3 audio is not preserved (the biggest loss, IMO). But they are still quite watchable, even when converted to AVI using AutoGK.

Anyway, hope that link/those instructions get you going, and may all your signals be clean ;-)

arnymars

04-13-08, 01:02 PM

I'm also working on another driver version that will only use Microsoft drivers, so no Panasonic drivers are required.
Any success on replacing Panasonic 2003 drivers to improve HD capture quality? MAC and Linux boxes are capturing HD Shows via same STB FW ports without any glitches & pixelation, as stated in many sources, due to updated FW drivers. Does any STB manufacturer or Cable company offer updated FW drivers? They are expected to by law, otherwise how to use FW ports on their devices? Can recent FW drivers from Panasonic (if any) be adapted for STB again?

Any other suggestions to improve choppy pixelated FW HD Playback & Capture from an STB? What are recommended min PC Hardware Reqs for that?

Also, when selecting Codecs - building Watch & Record Graphs in GraphEdit, what Codecs & sequence to choose (assuming any MPEG2 Codecs available, DirectShow and a given Media Center Application default Codec priorities changeable) for the best HD Capture & Playback experience in WMC or another MC, like SageTV, etc.?