Alan could I ask you a favor??, Record yourself a Showtime HD movie from Dish Network thru the new direct to d-vhs r5000 and let us know how it turns out??

maybe "Paycheck" or "Out Of Time" today

I am looking to purchase the r5000-hd, if someone can report to me good results with the new direct to d-vhs feature and Dish Network Showtime HD then I will be purchasing the r5000-hd in the coming week or so

Thanks Alan, if you need tapes or anything I can send you some to test, I would love to hear results from Hdnet Movies, HBO HD and Showtime HD on Dish using the new direct to d-vhs feature

-Gary

Gary

I only have the Voom channels from dish. Im using one dish pointed to 61.5

I have Direct for my HBO/Sho/HDNet ect

Well shoot, Thanks for your reply Alan

-Gary

I tried out the new DVR using two DVHS recorders on the 1394 bus (Mits and JVC 30000) and two R5000's in a Dish receiver and HDD200 connected to a Starchoice receiver. I made short recordings from HBO and CNN from Dish and NBC from SC using each recorder. The DVR can select either recorder and the recordings looked perfect when played back through the JVC decoder or the one in my TV. The JVC decoder could not get the audio from NBC, but the when played through the decoder in the TV the audio is OK, even using the JVC transport. This is the same thing I had seen when I had made a recording of Wealth TV from C Band previously. When recording CNN on the MIts the tape runs at the standard speed vs. high speed for HD channels.
The file preview is incompatible with my system and crashes the hardware accelerator in my ATI video card. I can live with this.
I plan on making a full length movie recording from HBO from Dish and Showtime from C Band and will report latter. John

CTdish how is Starchoice working out for you, is there much ovie content on there ?

yes please do report back trying to record a whole movie from HBO or even better showtime if you have it??

I currently have adedicated 30k for recording and 5u for playback, 169time is good when it works, but here lately it is giving me fits, and I can never rid myself of pain in the ass reysncs usually twice per movie and you always have the risk of hosed recordings with 169time and like Chris Ger. says it always happen's to stuff that is rare and never shows again

I would also like to start putting my stuff on tape and dvd-r for back for future use, so that record to Hard drive and tape at once sounds really sweet, for having my tape to view and a perfect set of DVD-R's as backup

will the r5000-hd software put out 4400MB sized files??

-Gary

Right now you get one large file per recording. The DVR has a place to select file size but it is grayed out.
StarChoice has two HD movie channels but you are only allowed one. Which one is dependent on where they think you live. I do not subscribe to either though. I have HBO and HDnet movies through Dish and Showtime from C Band. John

<snip>I made short recordings from HBO and CNN from Dish and NBC from SC using each recorder. <snip>. John
John, I assume the CNN channel was a SD channel. Is the R5000 able to record SD as well as HD digital? I've not been able to record SD digital from my HDD-200 / 169time AVX-1. I think I read a FAQ on the 169time website that justifies this shortcoming by claiming that other methods are available for recording SD but, after capturing many digital SD programs directly from my moto 6200 cable STB, I would advise them that direct digital capture of SD results in significantly better quality than analog capture! Wish I could do the same with my HDD-200 / AVX-1!

Update: Sure enough! I somehow missed the announcement of the SD recording feature (to hard drive only) in the 2.0 beta software announcement. This IS a significant R5000 exclusive but it only works with a single D* provider. (SD capture currently doesn't work with the HDD-200 but the website says the feature may be developed.)

Okay 169time--when's your software update coming? :) I think SD capture is an important feature. There are many digital SD programs that still look pretty good--especially on 4DTV!

CNN was recorded using the R5000 in a Dish 6000 receiver. I think NEXTCOM just added the ability to capture SD from Direct TV. Dish SD capture has been available for a long time. To get SD fromn a 4DTV receiver the mod needs to go into the 920 or 921 receiver. John

Update: Sure enough! I somehow missed the announcement of the SD recording feature in the 2.0 beta software announcement. This IS a significant R5000 exclusive but it only works with a single D* provider.

I have Dish6000 w/ R5000-HD and it can record both HD and SD,including dolby digital and non dolby channels. IIRC, the R5000-HD has always been able to record both HD and SD on E*.

What's new in this release is SD recordings on Directv. AFAIK, this has never been done before and I think a long time ago h20fun or one of the 169time inner circle said that it was impossible???

I don't have D*, so can anyone report on D* R5000-HD SD recordings?


TW

The video outputs don't work on the receiver (they're not supposed to), well, the component out doesn't, svideo does, but svideo doesn't do HD.
I have an extra receiver that I use to watch TV (plus my HDTV Wonder card for locals), so I can't complain. It would just be easier if I could watch the stuff being streamed to my computer LIVE.
I'm just picky. hehe

Yeah, I agree. It would be nice if it just ouputed the stream through a coax.
The myHD can already decode and record the transport streams. The only reason I need the R5000 is because the SAT receiver does not output a signal the myHD can use. Although I can use the media player to view the live stream, the quality isnt as good as what I get via my DVI passthru.

... To get SD fromn a 4DTV receiver the mod needs to go into the 920 or 921 receiver. John
Although the HDD-200 is merely a scan doubler for 4DTV analog SD signals, I'm not sure a mod would be required within the 920/921/922 4DTV receiver for SD digital capture. When I tune a digital SD channel on my DSR-922, my JVC 30000 IS receiving a digital stream from the AVX-1 and it "tries" to decode it. The result is a recognizable picture that correlates to the picture produced on the HDD-200 component outputs, but the AVX-1/JVC30000 picture is very blocky and it also exhibits a "split screen" defect. Nevertheless, this observation indicates to me that the HDD-200 is receiving a digital SD stream from the 922 for digital SD channels.

Perhaps, the 169time AVX-1/HDVR only needs to understand this stream, in addition to the HD streams it was designed to handle. This would be a tremendous feature for a 169time HDVR because the digital SD streams available on C and Ku band 4DTV are, in general, superior in quality to the SD digital channels available on cable or a pizza dish! (The 4DTV streams are typically at a higher bitrate!)

If you don't mind me asking, what bit rate does HBO send out on C-Band?

I don't yet subscribe to HBO on C-band because I still have an HBO cable subscription. I'll subscribe and do an "apples to apple" comparison when my cable subscription is close to expiring.

I currently, however, subscribe to Showtime on C-band and the feed is about 18.5 mbps. Not quite the 19.3 we'd like to see but closer to it than the marginal 15.1 mbps HBO bitrate I get on Comcast cable!

I'll update you with more precise comparisons as I gain some experience and additional subscriptions.

HBO only sends out in the 15 mbps range

A software update from 169time, HA HA :(

-Gary

HBO only sends out in the 15 mbps range
-GaryI know some providers are recompressing digital programming to lower bitrates. My C-band digital SD channels sure look better from C-band than any other provider I've tried!

Is that 15 mbps HBO for C-band, Gary? (Which I assume is the HBO "source.") What's your Showtime provider and bitrate?

HBO only sends out in the 15 mbps range

-Gary


I've seen a lot of contradicting information about that. They clearly have more bandwidth on the C-Band than that.

It would be very interesting for someone with a R5000HD unit to use TSReader to check several of their captures and give us title/multiplex bitrate of the individual movies to settle that question.

The movie movies the better to get an average rate as it clearly varies.

Ditto Showtime HD.

[QUOTE=HDTVFanAtic]It would be very interesting for someone with a R5000HD unit to use TSReader to check several of their captures and give us title/multiplex bitrate of the individual movies to settle that question.[QUOTE]

I've got E*. Here's what I can report:

In the last 2 days I recorded three movies off hbo. Mystic River hovers around 9.7Mbps, A Time To Kill around 11Mbps and Ricochet around 10.2Mbps.

I didn't have anything recent from showtime so I did a quick 60 second cap and it hovered around 9.7Mbps.

I use to have a dish pointed at 148 which has sho and hbo on a transponder with nothing else (unlike 110 which has 3 channels per transponder) and I think I had been getting higher rates from there. I will have to hook it back up and do a couple comparisons.

I have recordings of Showtime and Starz made from C band. Which one of the boxes on TSreader are you using to get the bit rate? John

open the file in tsreader and tell us what the 0x0011 bitrate is for the entire movie, let the file run thru to the end and it will list a final average bitrate

-Gary

Not sure if the PID would be 0x0011 on the CBand, but the largest line on the graph would most likely be the video PID and thus the video bitrate.

The box close to the bottom with Total Multiplex is the Total, inlcuding Video/Audio and nulls. You have to insert the decimal point.

Clearly, if you use the R5000 with the option set to a constant 19.2Mbps, you will have null packets that will inflate the total multiplex number so it comes out close to 19.2Mbps.

If that is the case, you can either 1) run the file through mpeg2repair to strip down the null bits that are excess or 2) choose to strip the nulls in the R5000HD when it records.

Someone told my brother, who's STB it is installed in, that the unit worked better when it was first released if you set it at the constant bitrate.

After 9 months and several software updates, that may not be the case any longer. I don't think anything's been mentioned about it this year.

I have not been to his house since beta 2.0 was released. I do not know if you can choose to not record null packets to Hard Drive and while recording to DVHS - or what the current best thinking is on that.

Just as a side note, I have been recording with the r5000 for C-Band. I have been recording using the null stripped option and it has worked perfectly. I am very grateful for the option because it does save the space!

Would someone mind explaining, or pointing me to an article that explains, exactly what "null bits" are, why they are there, what are the practical implications of them, and what, if anything, should be done with them?

I've done a search but return close to 3 zillion hits! :)

TIA!

Paul

A transport stream multiplex is constant bit rate by definition, though the video inside is generally variable bit rate. Null packets are inserted as necessary to pad the stream out to a constant bit rate. You can remove the null packets from a transport stream recording, yielding a variable bit rate transport stream, which is not fully compliant with the transport stream specification. This is what most PVRs do, including the MyHD when you tell it to record single sub-channels. The MyHD and software players generally have no problem playing streams with the null packets removed.

A transport stream multiplex is constant bit rate by definition, though the video inside is generally variable bit rate. Null packets are inserted as necessary to pad the stream out to a constant bit rate. You can remove the null packets from a transport stream recording, yielding a variable bit rate transport stream, which is not fully compliant with the transport stream specification. This is what most PVRs do, including the MyHD when you tell it to record single sub-channels. The MyHD and software players generally have no problem playing streams with the null packets removed.

Thanks for the reply.

Can I assume then that:

1) One can remove null packets with a tool if you already have saved .ts files

2) The R-5000 software allows one to save a .ts file with null packets already removed

3) Removing null packets will reduce the file size by some material amount.

Thanks,

Wazoo

Yes. Try NullPacketStripper or the most recent version of HDTVtoMPEG2.

Here are some results of the video PIDS rate from TSreader:
C Band R5000
Starz LOTR rtn of the king 13 Mbs
Starz LOTR two towers 13Mbs
Showtime (I think) Laura Croft cradle of life 9 Mbs

Dish 6000 R5000
HBO Last Samuri 10 Mbs

StarChoice R5000
CBS 10.7 Mbs
NBC 11.7 Mbs

Network feeds Twinhan card TSreader
#1 31 Mbs
#2 33.5 Mbs
#3 40.5 Mbs
#4 19 Mbs

Network feeds Twinhan card TSreader
#1 31 Mbs
#2 33.5 Mbs
#3 40.5 Mbs
#4 19 Mbs

Wow! I would like to see some of those streams. Might have to find a big dish to play with.

Yes. Try NullPacketStripper or the most recent version of HDTVtoMPEG2.

I assume that is a "yes" to all of the above... ;)

Paul

We are using an R5000 to capture HD material from a Dish Model 6000. HBO recordings typically have zero errors as reported by MPEG2Repair. At the other extreme, TNT and ShowTime recordings have dozens of errors and several major time-stamp gaps. Worse, the pixellation and skips happen during the most action-packed scenes, using the Elecard MPEG player.

Can anyone knowledgeable offer an explanation?

Have other people experienced this phenomenon?

Cheriek, how is HDNet movies doing error wise??

-Gary

Regarding HDNet movies, we get a couple of pixellation errors per movie, but no time-stamp gaps. And this has been pretty consistent.

In most every case, the errors you are seeing are not caused because of a problem in the 169time or R5000HD system, but are associated with something E* is doing.

You are correct, HBO is usually error free.

I am somewhat puzzled by the Showtime and TNT-HD reference. Though I haven't seen anything recorded in a month from TNT-HD (and that has proven to be an eternity in changes for E*), most times I never see errors on TNT-HD. They have so few true HD movies, that not many record from them often though.

ShowtimeHD is a different issue. The problem is happening in 169time, R5000HD and even on the E* DVRs, though I am confused by your reference to several times per movie.

Usually there is an issue that causes a time gap once per movie - and on rare occassion twice per movie. If you are very diligent and a fanatic, you can try to cap the movie every time it is shown on Showtime HD and usually 1 out of 4 you will get lucky without a time gap. Yes, its ridiculous that one has to do that, but that's reality.

Quite frankly, most don't know the movie well enough to realize there is a time gap. What is happening are errors coming for E* usually causing the remuxer to start or enough to cause issues in R5000HD, 169time and even the E* DVRs. Again, this is directly related to something E* is transmitting, and as the E* DVRs are doing the same thing, it's hard to blame 169time or R5000HD.

HDNET Movies is a different issue. E* is recompressing HDNET movies at a constant of around 18.25Mbps and around 17.00Mbps in the video. Their encoder was causing anywhere from 8-12 frames with errors per movies. Several months ago, this increased to 12-18 frames with error per movie. These are usually very small errors of only a few hundred bits that MPEG2Repair does a great job of repairing as so little of the frame is damaged. In most cases, you will never even notice these errors.

However, 4 weeks ago HDNET Movies went for 2 days without a single error. Then they came back. It was almost like they were experimenting with something. Last week the errors disappeared again for several days again. This week on average there has been 2 frames per movies with errors - again - very small in nature.

Though that gives me real hope, I have learned over and over that E* will continue to change on HDNET.

ShowtimeHD really frustrates you - especially when Showtime shows something only once or twice (such as The Band's Last Waltz) and you get an error each time. But that's the deal.

Here are some results of the video PIDS rate from TSreader:
C Band R5000
Starz LOTR rtn of the king 13 Mbs
Starz LOTR two towers 13Mbs
Showtime (I think) Laura Croft cradle of life 9 Mbs


When StarzHD aired LOTR, the R5000HD did not exist and nothing could cap from C Band.

As others have caps of Laura Croft with bitrates higher than that, clearly this wasn't from the original C Band Sats either.

I find it interesting the 3 you listed were available off the internet sometime ago from a newsgroup with the same bitrate you listed. From what I have been told - and those files did not list capture method - but I it is pretty well known they came from a cable STB.

If someone like Darrin or another user that actually has a R5000HD C Band with multiple HBO and ShowtimeHD caps can run TSReader and give us the rates, it would be great instead of having mis-information floating around.

HDTVFanAtic,
If you can find an old Starz schedule look at 2/27/05 my recordings of the two LOTR movies finished at 8:30AM and 12:01PM. These were recorded on the West coast feed so a schedule with east coast listings would show them ending three hours later.
I was surprised at the low bit rate for Showtime but that what I measured. It was also from the West coast feed as that is the only one available from C band.
I received the R5000/HDD200 on the 28 of Dec. last year according to my old E-Mail.
Your attack was unpleasant and incorrect.
John

I have downloaded TSreader lite and have opened up LOTR Return of the King with it....not sure what to look at. When I click on ES PID 0x0011 in the window to the right it says the following. Is this the correct place to look? Let me know if there is someplace else to look in TSReader.

Elementary Stream PID 17 (0x0011) MPEG-2 Video
MPEG Video: Bitrate 14.800 Mb"ps Resolution 1920 x 1080i"

Whe I tried clicking on the 0011 PID I got 15 Mb/s. The rapidly updating green horizontal bar also shows the 'real time' rate for the PID. The largest bar below that info is the video PID 0011 and mine reads around 13.7 at the same time I got the 15 reading Bitrate by clicking on the PID. John

HDTVFanAtic,
If you can find an old Starz schedule look at 2/27/05 my recordings of the two LOTR movies finished at 8:30AM and 12:01PM. These were recorded on the West coast feed so a schedule with east coast listings would show them ending three hours later.
I was surprised at the low bit rate for Showtime but that what I measured. It was also from the West coast feed as that is the only one available from C band.
I received the R5000/HDD200 on the 28 of Dec. last year according to my old E-Mail.
Your attack was unpleasant and incorrect.
John

Interesting, you might want to find out where the other LOTR came from.

Again, I was told that Starz has not reshown it this year, but as I don't get Starz, I just rely on what I believe to be accurate info - including the schedule.

http://img88.echo.cx/img88/3847/starzfeb277nj.th.png (http://img88.echo.cx/my.php?image=starzfeb277nj.png)

I think they were both on on the same day or at least the same weekend. I made my Starz recording when it was in a free preview mode. Maybe I did the time zone conversion backwards. If you can get the schedule for the rest of the day take a look. They appeared to run one after another. John

A transport stream multiplex is constant bit rate by definition, though the video inside is generally variable bit rate. Null packets are inserted as necessary to pad the stream out to a constant bit rate.Ok, now tell me why the TS is fixed when the actual video is variable? IOW's why aren't both variable since there is only wasted space in the transport stream?
That would be about the same as renting a semi to move a small apartments worth of furniture. What am I missing here?:confused:

Transport streams are constant bit rate because the transport mechanisms are constant bit rate, e.g. D-VHS, satellite, terrestrial, and cable transmissions.

They can't be variable?
If so, then why vary the video bit rate??

Now that I digested (sort of) both of these threads, has anyone opened one of these receivers and look at the mod and better yet tried to reverse engineer this??

Any pics?

It's expensive to make a tape transport that supports varying the bit rate; the tape mechanism would need to run at different speeds. Channel-based broadcast RF transmission systems practically need to be constant bit rate, because the bandwidth allocations are constant.

The video is variable bit rate because that way you can make more efficient use of the transmission channel by doing statistical multiplexing.

Why would you want to reverse engineer the mod? Nextcom has already forward engineered it for us in fine fashion.

$750.................DIY

Can anyone who had gotten this to work please describe exactly how you got it working and what DVHS recorder that you are using?

I hooked my PC up to the firewire input on the back of the JVC-HMDH5U.

I "tuned" my DVHD deck to input "I-1" which is the PC.

I was able to use DVHSTool to record an HD file to the deck.

I tried to schedule a recording using the NextCom PVR software to record to the hard drive AND the deck. The show was recorded to the drive but not to the deck. Instead, an error message was displayed.

I can't remember the error message but I will try again.

Thanks for any help.

There is no one here that has opened up the receiver and tried to see if the mod could be duplicated?

There is no one here that has opened up the receiver and tried to see if the mod could be duplicated?

I have. Many times. What do you want to know?

-R

Do you have any pics of this and just how much is there to this mod?

Why would you want to reverse engineer the mod? Nextcom has already forward engineered it for us in fine fashion.

That is a good point. I guess it is always inevitable that someone wants to have something for free that someone else has invested quite a lot of time and money into. I just have to say the product is as advertised and worth every penny to record to PC/Network Drive. And now that the software also can record directly to DVHS, PC, or both makes it even that much better. Just my two cents...

Darin

Anyone got direct recording to a DVHS deck working?

If so which model of deck?

If I can get dvhs recording to work then I can put my 169time solution on the back burner.

Gary

I just recorded a full movie to the Mits from Dish/voom and it played back perfect on my JVC 40k. No glitches.

From this thread a few pages back Alan has as well as a few others got perfect recordings to DVHS. I haven't yet decided if I want to go this route or not....but it is very tempting.

Darin

I have a JVC 30k and the Mits deck. I have only used the Mits so far with good results but I will try the 30k over the next few days as well.

Alan, can you please detail how you got it to work.

I hooked my r5000 / E86 unit to my PC via USB.

Then I hooked my PC up to the JVC (HMDH5U) deck using Firewire.

I "tuned" my JVC deck to "I-1" which was the connection to the PC.

I set up a show to be recorded to disk and to the deck.

The show was recorded to the disk but I noticed that the JVC deck had been turned on by the PC but that nothing had been recorded onto the tape.

My PC had an alert box that something like, "the dvhs deck is not responding", or something like that.

Maybe it does not work with a newer deck like the HMDH5U?

I'll see if I can get it to work with a 30K.

Bwooster,
When you say the deck was turned on, do you mean the power was off prior to the PVR starting the recording or did the transport start turning? I have a 30000 and leave the power on befor making a recording. John

Well I tuned my HMDH5U to the "I-1" channel (my PC) and then turned it off.

I set the r5000 PC software to record to disk and tape.

I came back later and noticed that the deck was now on (turned on by the r5000 PC software) but that nothing was recorded to tape. Instead there was some sort of error message on the PC saying that the deck wasn't responding.

I will try hooking a 30k deck up to the PC and seeing if recording to tape works with it (instead of the HMDH5U).

I am using the 2.0.0.a version of the PVR. I hooked my PC up to my HMDH5U DVHS deck.

I started the system up and noted that the PC turned on my DVHS deck and that the deck was "tuned" to "I-1" (the PC).

I tried to make recordings using the PVR software using "tape only" and "tape and disk" modes. Neither one made a recording onto the DVHS tape.

Both of them created disk recordings though, even the "tape only" event that I set up!

You also need to be using the latest version of the R5000 DVR software which I believe is version 2.0 beta. Sounds like you have 1.5 or earlier. John

Hi,


What is AVS Forum's policy of members sharing HD recordings?

Can someone post a request for a program that he cannot record because it is not broadcast in the region where he lives?



It's highly frowned upon.

I am using the software on a shuttle pc. I hooked up two different firewire drives to the PC and have been able to use them to record programs. Sometimes when I come home from work and look at the windows desktop I see an error message saying something about a "Write failure" to the firewire drives.

Has anyone else had these problems? Does anyone know of a work around?

Thanks for any help.

It could be a bad cable or bad FireWire hard disk adapter. Some of them are notoriously unreliable. Try recording to an internal drive, if at all possible. It sounds like your problem is not specific to the R5000.

I have a R5000 modded Dish6000. When I record a high def channel, it works flawlessly. When I record a low def channel, the video has pid=11 and audio is pid 0x0. When I try to play the file, I get video only. Does anyone know a fix for this?

Thanks,
Paul

I have a R5000 modded Dish6000. When I record a high def channel, it works flawlessly. When I record a low def channel, the video has pid=11 and audio is pid 0x0. When I try to play the file, I get video only. Does anyone know a fix for this?

Thanks,
Paul

What channel? What does TSReader (http://www.coolstf.com/tsreader/index.html) show in the PID pages? I don't do much SD recording, but last time I recoreded HBO-E on channel 300 it worked fine...


-Techtom

Most of the standard def channels on E* and D* use Mpeg Audio, not Dolby Digital for sound (HBO-E is an exception). You must use a decoder that can handle Mpeg Audio.

Most of the standard def channels on E* and D* use Mpeg Audio, not Dolby Digital for sound (HBO-E is an exception). You must use a decoder that can handle Mpeg Audio.


VideoLan's vlc player will play MPEG2-TS files with mpeg or AC-3 audio.

-T

Well I've tried two different drives and different cables and I still get problems with Windows having "Write failures". I think it might have something to do with the drives spinning down or going offline after hours of non-use.

I was hoping to hook up a laptop to my r5000 and use firedrives to store the shows on.

I may investigate the use of USB2 drives.

Well I've tried two different drives and different cables and I still get problems with Windows having "Write failures". I think it might have something to do with the drives spinning down or going offline after hours of non-use.

I was hoping to hook up a laptop to my r5000 and use firedrives to store the shows on.

I may investigate the use of USB2 drives.

Is it a "Write Failure" or "Delayed Write Failed"? The "Delayed Write Failed" message is a particularly tough one. If that's your message, lots of people have had the issue, especially with FireWire drives, but even with internals. Do a Google search for some possible solutions. There are lots of suggestions out there.

Joe Clark

Well I've tried two different drives and different cables and I still get problems with Windows having "Write failures". I think it might have something to do with the drives spinning down or going offline after hours of non-use.

I was hoping to hook up a laptop to my r5000 and use firedrives to store the shows on.

I may investigate the use of USB2 drives.

Another thought. Did you set your drives not to spin down? (Right click the desktop. Click the "Screen Saver" tab, then the "Power" button. Select "Turn Off Hard Disks - Never".)

Joe Clark

Thanks for the tip about keeping the hard drives spinning. I'll try it sometime.

Has anyone used the r5000 system with a laptop / note book? Right now I am using a shuttle pc + a 15 inch monitor + external firewire drives with the r5000. With the laptop it could just be the laptop and the drive(s). A laptop in the HT room should also be much quieter and less obtrusive.

- Ajay

Thanks for the replies. It'll still be a couple of days before I'm home again to try these things.

Thanks

I am using the software on a shuttle pc. I hooked up two different firewire drives to the PC and have been able to use them to record programs. Sometimes when I come home from work and look at the windows desktop I see an error message saying something about a "Write failure" to the firewire drives.

Has anyone else had these problems? Does anyone know of a work around?

Thanks for any help.

I have played around A LOT with External Hard Drives over USB2 and Firewire.

I have units from Seagate, Maxtor and Western Digital. I also have about a dozen external 3rd party drive enclosures for USB2 and/or Firewire.

All of them have been problematic in Shuttles and other Computers of different makes. It does not matter if the IEEE1394 or USB2 Connection is on the motherboard or on a plug in card.

There are major crosslink errors when copying/moving files as big as HDTV caps to External Hard Drives over Firewire or USB2.

A worst problem that happens (and I know of multiple people across USA and Europe who have all experienced it) is that after failures such as you describe, in many instances the hard drive is then marked unformatted. Even on another system, it's hosed. All caps are gone and thus far no recovery program has been able to salvage the caps at all.

As for myself and others, we have totally abandoned External Firewire and USB2 drives for this reason. If you feel lucky and want to buy some enclosures (as I said I have about a dozen) message me. But for now I hang an ATA cable out of several computers (even a shuttle). It doesn't look nice - but I no longer loose drives or have serious crosslinked files either.

For anyone wishing to avoid the troubles of USB and FireWire enclosures, I'd suggest an external SATA enclosure, using either SATA or eSATA connectors.

The error that I have been getting with my firewire drives is: "Window Delayed Write Failure". Does anyone know what that means?

I have used Seagate and Western Digital drives, the WDs seem to have less problems that the Seagate.

The really annoying thing is that the system works fine about 90% of the time. Its just that when I am trying to get that crucial recording that Murphys law kicks in and there is a drive problem.

I may just switch to an old PC that I have lying around and load it up with hard drives.

The external firewire drives were useful because I could hook them up to my Mac and then copy over HD files to it.

I have played around A LOT with External Hard Drives over USB2 and Firewire.

I have units from Seagate, Maxtor and Western Digital. I also have about a dozen external 3rd party drive enclosures for USB2 and/or Firewire.

All of them have been problematic in Shuttles and other Computers of different makes. It does not matter if the IEEE1394 or USB2 Connection is on the motherboard or on a plug in card.

There are major crosslink errors when copying/moving files as big as HDTV caps to External Hard Drives over Firewire or USB2.

A worst problem that happens (and I know of multiple people across USA and Europe who have all experienced it) is that after failures such as you describe, in many instances the hard drive is then marked unformatted. Even on another system, it's hosed. All caps are gone and thus far no recovery program has been able to salvage the caps at all.

As for myself and others, we have totally abandoned External Firewire and USB2 drives for this reason. If you feel lucky and want to buy some enclosures (as I said I have about a dozen) message me. But for now I hang an ATA cable out of several computers (even a shuttle). It doesn't look nice - but I no longer loose drives or have serious crosslinked files either.


That explains what happened to me. I have 3 external USB drives and dump HD movies from one PC to another. I had a 250gig HD full of movies. Next thing I know it said it needed to be formatted. I could no longer access the drive and all my movies were gone. I thought I was doing something wrong because I knew the drive was full of movies.
Thanks for pointing this out.

That explains what happened to me. I have 3 external USB drives and dump HD movies from one PC to another. I had a 250gig HD full of movies. Next thing I know it said it needed to be formatted. I could no longer access the drive and all my movies were gone. I thought I was doing something wrong because I knew the drive was full of movies.
Thanks for pointing this out.

I too originally thought it was me....until it happened about 10 times. Then when talking with others, they had the same thing happen.

This seems to be a deep dark bug in Windows (both XP and 2000) that no one has yet addressed - but it real.

The error that I have been getting with my firewire drives is: "Window Delayed Write Failure". Does anyone know what that means?

I have used Seagate and Western Digital drives, the WDs seem to have less problems that the Seagate.

The really annoying thing is that the system works fine about 90% of the time. Its just that when I am trying to get that crucial recording that Murphys law kicks in and there is a drive problem.

I may just switch to an old PC that I have lying around and load it up with hard drives.

The external firewire drives were useful because I could hook them up to my Mac and then copy over HD files to it.

This is the error message I got several times. It is far too common. If you do a Google search on "Delayed Write Failed" you will come across a file on possible solutions that should be near the top of the list. You can try that. My problem was that it was with internal drives, striped into a software raid 0 in Win XP. Nothing that I found helped the problem. (There was no way for me to disable Write Back Caching, as some of the solutions indicated. The option was grayed out.) The way I eventually solved it was to add a dedicated raid card to the system. This allowed me to stripe the two offending software striped drives (2x 250gig WD's) in hardware. Since then, no problems.

Joe Clark

I've never been able to get my r5000 to record to my JVC HM-DH5U deck so I have been using DVHSTool to back up shows to my DH5U.

I have a JVC HM-DH30000 hooked up to my home theater projector.

Today I used my PC + DH5U to make a tape of "The Day After Tomorrow". Then I played it back from the DH5U to a Sony HDTV and the playback seemed to be flawless.

Later on I decided to watch the movie on my DH30000 and was horrified to find multiple audio and video glitches on the tape. The glitches manifested as follows:

The video would slow down and then stop with some block patches and the audio would drop out. My AV receiver displayed a loss of the Dolby Digital signal from the DH30000.

After a few seconds the movie would resume and the audio would also come back.

I played the same tape several times on my DH5U and it plays perfectly.

I then played the same tape several times on my DH30000 and the glitches always occur in the same places.

My conclusion is that the DH30000 does not perfectly playback recordings that are made from the r5000 to the DH5U.

I do not know why this is happening but I will try more experiments to find out what is going on.

Has anyone else had these problems?

I've never been able to get my r5000 to record to my JVC HM-DH5U deck so I have been using DVHSTool to back up shows to my DH5U.

I have a JVC HM-DH30000 hooked up to my home theater projector.

Today I used my PC + DH5U to make a tape of "The Day After Tomorrow". Then I played it back from the DH5U to a Sony HDTV and the playback seemed to be flawless.

Later on I decided to watch the movie on my DH30000 and was horrified to find multiple audio and video glitches on the tape. The glitches manifested as follows:

The video would slow down and then stop with some block patches and the audio would drop out. My AV receiver displayed a loss of the Dolby Digital signal from the DH30000.

After a few seconds the movie would resume and the audio would also come back.

I played the same tape several times on my DH5U and it plays perfectly.

I then played the same tape several times on my DH30000 and the glitches always occur in the same places.

My conclusion is that the DH30000 does not perfectly playback recordings that are made from the r5000 to the DH5U.

I do not know why this is happening but I will try more experiments to find out what is going on.

Has anyone else had these problems?


If you search through several years, there are multiple threads and posts about problems playing DVHS tapes recorded on one model DVHS back on another DVHS model. This most likely has nothing to do with the R5000HD.

Your deck is out of alignment sir, one of them anyways, no way to know, if a tape only plays great on the deck it was recorded on it could very well be recorded misaligned, then again the recording deck could be perfect and the playback deck misaligned

try the manual tracking feature

-Gary

What exactly is the "manual tracking feature"?

I figured that since the difference in the playback is at the EXACT same point using different machines that it might be some difference in the encoders / decoders used in the different machines.

Thanks for any help.

I recorded a movie using my r5000. I played it via DVHSTool to my HM-DH5U and then out to my HDTV with no glitches.

I then recorded the movie to tape using the deck with DVHSTool and there are numerous glitches in playback of the tape from the HM-DHU and my 30000.

Just to prove that it wasn't the PC / DVHSTool that was the problem I copied the ts file from my hard drive to my Mac and used Mac based tools to make a tape from the file using a 30000 deck. The tape had the same glitches in the same spots.

There must be some error in the recorded data that is causing this problem,

Right now my old 169time recordings (1 - 2 tiny glitches per movie) are looking better than the r5000 ones!

perfect live viewing of stuff on the 5u deck is one thing, playing the tape back is another, this is very common, the problem is the crap firewire usage in dvhstool and windows xp

r5000-hd wrote their own filter because of this and it is used for d-vhs recording and they say they will add it to their program soon so that one can send their recordings from Hard drive to d-vhs using their custom filter, can't wait for that

-Gary

Note that I transferred the ts file to a Mac and used mac tools to make a dvhs tape of the show and the same glitches were in that recording as the one from the PC. That means that the glitch is likely to be in the ts file itself and has nothing to do with Windows XP / DVHSTool / Mac OS X VirtualDVHS.

This is the error message I got several times. It is far too common. If you do a Google search on "Delayed Write Failed" you will come across a file on possible solutions that should be near the top of the list. You can try that. My problem was that it was with internal drives, striped into a software raid 0 in Win XP. Nothing that I found helped the problem. (There was no way for me to disable Write Back Caching, as some of the solutions indicated. The option was grayed out.) The way I eventually solved it was to add a dedicated raid card to the system. This allowed me to stripe the two offending software striped drves (2x 250gig WD's) in hardware. Since then, no problems.

Joe Clark

Yep, saw lots of this with my external firewire enclosures. After lots of data loss and more anoyance than value I decided to scrap the enclosures. But before I did, I hooked them up to another computer to get the data off. After, 2 months now, not a single delayed write error.
Different chipsets make a difference. Finding the right combo is probably not worth it. I would definitely go with external sata if possible. Also, I did dedicate a firewire card for EACH enclosure. That might have helped. Have fun

I am using a Shuttle SB51G XPC for my home theater / R5000 rig.

It worked well with external firewire drives but sometimes I would get "Windows Write Failure Errors". The r5000 software was never able to record to a DVHS tape.

I also had a few recordings that had glitches.

So now I installed two 300 gig hard drives into the Shuttle XPC (it was a tight fit) and we'll see what happens with the internal drive setup.

I am using a Shuttle SB51G XPC for my home theater / R5000 rig.

It worked well with external firewire drives but sometimes I would get "Windows Write Failure Errors". The r5000 software was never able to record to a DVHS tape.

I also had a few recordings that had glitches.

So now I installed two 300 gig hard drives into the Shuttle XPC (it was a tight fit) and we'll see what happens with the internal drive setup.

I have 3 drives in all my network SB52Gs. 2 drives are a breeze.

That explains what happened to me. I have 3 external USB drives and dump HD movies from one PC to another. I had a 250gig HD full of movies. Next thing I know it said it needed to be formatted. I could no longer access the drive and all my movies were gone. I thought I was doing something wrong because I knew the drive was full of movies.
Thanks for pointing this out.

Alan, HDTVFanAtic,

I have about a dozen PCs and 1 Mac mini. My Linux Server has over 1.3TB of RAID space and I have countless IDE drives in various USB and Firewire enclosures totaling around another 1 TB of storage or so (mostly 5yrs warrantee Seagates). My Firewire PCI cards are mostly the VIA chipset types that Fry's has on sale for $9-$10 occasionally. I move large HD files (often 30GB+) around all the time and I've had very few problems. On one particular laptop, I've seen a very occasional delayed write failure, but no data loss.

I always use NTFS with defaults and never use extended partitions, logical disks, or dynamic volumes. The biggest problem I've encountered is Windows failure to detect new firewire drives, occasionally. Once a new drive is detected, Windows seems to be okay for future hot swaps, but that first time can be a pain. XP SP2 1394 drivers are known to be problematic. I prefer SP1 level or Server 2003 firewire drivers. And finally, my Mac mini has windows beat in this department--particularly on firewire. HPFS+ works flawlessly every time I plug in a drive! Actually, it seems to read (only) NTFS drives okay too, but I don't have much experience with this feature on the Mac.

My Powerbook can read my PC NTFS Firewire drives without any problems. I use it to playback stuff to my DVHS deck and record to my DVHS deck.

The Powerbook sees the NTFS drives as read only though, maybe this has something to do with the drives permissions?

The version 2.0 software is now available as an official release. Download from the support area at: www.r5000-hd.com (http://www.nextcomwireless.com/r5000/support.htm)

There are only minor tweaks made to the release versions. They are differentiated mainly by the replacement of many modal alerts & notification dialogs with self-destroying yellow balloons. The firmware version increments to 1.6 due to a change made for development purposes only.

-R

Alan, HDTVFanAtic,

I have about a dozen PCs and 1 Mac mini. My Linux Server has over 1.3TB of RAID space and I have countless IDE drives in various USB and Firewire enclosures totaling around another 1 TB of storage or so (mostly 5yrs warrantee Seagates).

As I was walking with 3 Seagate 400GB drives in a Shuttle HD Chassis enclosure through the parking lot of Home Depot last night to try and find a proper screw I need, I was thinking "I've got 1.2TB in my right hand which is more than most business servers even dream of".

You have "countless IDE drives in various USB and Firewire enclosures totaling 1TB" and have not lost a drive as Alan and I describe.

Yet the 2 of us have.

Get back to use when you reach 10TB-40TB.

The odds are against you.

But whatever works for you.

You have "countless IDE drives in various USB and Firewire enclosures totaling 1TB" and have not lost a drive as Alan and I describe.

Yet the 2 of us have.
.Yup--go figure! Actually, I said my firewire and USB drives total "around" 1TB. Turns out that estimate was a bit low when I started to add it up. I also have many more drives permanently installed in systems--probably totaling closer to the 10TB number that you seem to feel is a representative sample size. I've never purchased a drive over 250GB in size. I prefer the GB/$ value of the mature products. My current price point is around $0.25 / GB (after rebate, of course :)) The 400s are still way above that! I suspect there may be some reliability benefits to my strategy too. I have a couple of 10,000 rpm Raptors mirrored in my server but all my other drives are cheap IDE drives.

I have lost a few drives (more Maxtors than Seagates or WDs), but never in the manner you described (delayed write failure). Most of the drives failed S.M.A.R.T checks or factory diagnostics before data loss occurred. I always remove a drive and test it with the latest factory diagnostics before the warrantee expires. If it fails the diagnostics, I clone the drive and RMA it to the manufacturer.

Your frequent problems with delayed write failures are puzzling. I find such events to be very rare. Maybe the el' cheapo $9-$10 VIA-based firewire PCI cards I get on sale at Fry's are responsible for my success ;)

Well my new IDE drives in my Shuttle XPC seem to be working great. No write failures so far at all. I also tried out the packet filtering option in the r5000 HD application and was surprised to find what a HUGE space savings results from this.

I had taped a two hour movie and then loaded it up in DVHSTool for backup. DVHSTool took a look at the file size and reported that it was only an hour long. I checked the file using VLC and the whole movie seemed to be there. The file size seemed much smaller than usual. I went ahead and taped the movie and it was taped perfectly by my JVC 30000.

Using the packet filtering option seems to result in great savings of hard drive space.

Your frequent problems with delayed write failures are puzzling. I find such events to be very rare. Maybe the el' cheapo $9-$10 VIA-based firewire PCI cards I get on sale at Fry's are responsible for my success ;)

I don't have frequent delayed write failures. I did see serious crosslinking on firewire/USB2 drives. I and others...not just Alan have seen too many drives disappear with content on them.

It's not a chip issue.

Wait long enough. The odds are against you.

Wait long enough. The odds are against you.Okay, I'll respond to your taunts, HDTVFanAtic. Despite being off-topic, I don't want less experienced readers to think removable media will necessarily result in the problems that you've experienced with large media files. Obviously, everyone's mileage may vary, but I have extensive experience and expertise and I've not had the problems you are reporting.

I don't know how long I'll have to wait. I've been recording HD streams with PCs and a Mac from both satellite and cable STBs for nearly a couple of years now. I purchased one of the first Fusion ATSC/QAM capture cards. I've had HTPCs before anyone even knew the term "Home Theater PC" and I captured analog video as soon as the first consumer capture cards came to market. I have one of the first ReplayTV models (2000) which, upon purchase, oh...mabe seven or eight years ago, I immediately hacked for a removable drive bay so I could easily copy countless GB of programs with my Linux and Windows machines. Some of these files found their way onto removable USB or firewire media, where they still reside. My "first computer language" was Fortran IV (using cards or, occasionally, teletype) and the first computer I ever purchased for myself was a CPM machine--the Big Board I. I'm an old-fart computer geek. Need I say more??? Okay, I'll say more; computers aren't just my hobby, I'm also a Computer Engineer for a very large computer company.

Now for some specific testimony to get back on topic: My favorite firewire recorder is, currently, my Mac mini. I've recorded to both the internal drive and an external USB HPFS+ drive with the mini. The external USB drive, attached to the mini, works the best. (I will only very rarely experience an overrun at the very beginning of a file, which is a don't care!) Sorry you've experienced data loss with removable drives. I can relate, but I haven't experienced data loss that's related to failures in USB or firewire drives on my Mac, Linux, or Windows machines.

Will tape back ups last longer than hard drives?

My impression is that tapes last longer than drives.

Okay, I'll respond to your taunts, HDTVFanAtic. Despite being off-topic, I don't want less experienced readers to think removable media will necessarily result in the problems that you've experienced with large media files. Obviously, everyone's mileage may vary, but I have extensive experience and expertise and I've not had the problems you are reporting.

I don't know how long I'll have to wait. I've been recording HD streams with PCs and a Mac from both satellite and cable STBs for nearly a couple of years now. I purchased one of the first Fusion ATSC/QAM capture cards. I've had HTPCs before anyone even knew the term "Home Theater PC" and I captured analog video as soon as the first consumer capture cards came to market. I have one of the first ReplayTV models (2000) which, upon purchase, oh...mabe seven or eight years ago, I immediately hacked for a removable drive bay so I could easily copy countless GB of programs with my Linux and Windows machines. Some of these files found their way onto removable USB or firewire media, where they still reside. My "first computer language" was Fortran IV (using cards or, occasionally, teletype) and the first computer I ever purchased for myself was a CPM machine--the Big Board I. I'm an old-fart computer geek. Need I say more??? Okay, I'll say more; computers aren't just my hobby, I'm also a Computer Engineer for a very large computer company.

Now for some specific testimony to get back on topic: My favorite firewire recorder is, currently, my Mac mini. I've recorded to both the internal drive and an external USB HPFS+ drive with the mini. The external USB drive, attached to the mini, works the best. (I will only very rarely experience an overrun at the very beginning of a file, which is a don't care!) Sorry you've experienced data loss with removable drives. I can relate, but I haven't experienced data loss that's related to failures in USB or firewire drives on my Mac, Linux, or Windows machines.

Again, I know over 20 HDTV collectors in the US and Europe that have had this happen. 2 have posted here.

All mine happened with 250GB Maxtor Drives and 200GB/160GB Seagate Drives.

The failure rate was once every 6 weeks - but I go through about 10 HD's a month anyway.

6 months ago I gave up external USB/Firewire.

No such disks suddently becoming unformatted.

Same with all the others who experienced the problem.

Coincidence? I think not.

Coincidence? I think not.Agreed! It's simply evidence that you, and the others who are experiencing a large number of failures, must be doing something different from what I'm doing. I have no more problems with IDE drives installed in USB and firewire enclosures than I have from drives connected to motherboard or PCI controllers within PC cases--except for the frequent reluctance of Windows to detect a firewire drive the first time it's connected. However, that's not a data integrity issue.

I've had good luck with the 7200 rpm / 8MB Seagates you mentioned and I figure the 5 year warranty places them above the other 7200 rpm IDE drives in value. However, the 250GB Maxtors are not my favorite drives. Despite top to bottom front panel fans, two out of six of the 250GB Maxtors in my Linux RAID array failed last summer. Both failures (not simultaneous) resulted in a S.M.A.R.T. message in the administrator email account, warning of possible impending failure. When I ran the Maxtor factory diagnostics, sure enough, the drives had failed, but no data loss occurred. In each case, I simply cloned the drive with dd and didn't even have to recover the RAID array.

I have my HTPC recording shows in a separate room from my HT.

I am thinking of moving the r5000 modded sat box & HTPC into my HT room.

I don't want to hook the HTPC to my projector since it would take a few minutes for me to fire up the projector to schedule recordings.

I don't want to lug a PC monitor into the corner of my HT room and I don't want the PC on a network.

Does anyone have know of a small monitor or screen, maybe an LCD that I could hook up to the HTPC? It does not need to have a high resolution.

Why not just use VNC or Dameware to remote in to the machine to schedule them? That's what I do with all my other HTPC apps.

I don't want the PC on a network.
bwooster, Can you explain your motivation for not wanting a networked HTPC? The best solutions are network solutions and options other than TCP/IP, ethernet, and 802.11 wireless, exist.

The PC would be the only one on the network. My other computers are Macs (a Dual G5 and a Powerbook) and a linux machine that acts as an MP3 server.

To use the r5000 software in client / server mode I would have to add another Windows machine to the network and it would cost more to do that then just get a small monitor and tuck it into a corner with the Shuttle HTPC in my HT room.

Could I run VNC on my Mac and then target the PC? I guess that would still leave the HTPC on the network.

I don't think much good will come of leaving the HTPC connected to the internet. I feel certain that it will quickly be filled with viruses and other spyware.

I have a similar background to calinb.

I have recorded to a wide range of IDE drives over the years, with the primarily failures being a "clunk-pop" mode that some Maxtors got into as soon as you filled the drive. I think it was some sort of firmware bug related to bad sector remapping. Kindof sucks that you don't hit it until the drive gets full!!! Maxtor replaced those drives under warantee, but couldn't/wouldn't do anything about my lost data. So far no failures with IBM, Seagate, Western-Digital.

I have recently started using USB adapters as I switched my primary recording machines from a tower PC hooked to a 169time AVX1 to a Dell Laptop hooked to USB R5000HD product. So far, I have filled a few drives using a USB adapter and "in-close" trays hanging off the laptop. No "delayed-write" failures, and no lost data. These problem reports scare me as I was planning to switch to USB going forwards, and I would hate to find that I am heading for disaster.

I have heard that the USB chipset used on the PC can have a big factor here. Maybe some of us have a "better" chipset for this kind of thing?

<snip>
Could I run VNC on my Mac and then target the PC? I guess that would still leave the HTPC on the network.
<snip>
I don't think much good will come of leaving the HTPC connected to the internet. I feel certain that it will quickly be filled with viruses and other spyware.I have PCs, Macs, and a Linux server on my network. The Linux server is my NAT router and internet gateway (behind a hardware router and firewall). I'm running the Shorewall firewall on the Linux server. If you're not using your PC for internet and email, it's very unlikely you'd get a PC virus.

One nifty thing I do is play a play a file across the network while it's being recorded on the Mac. VLC on the PC can do this and it provides pause HDTV!

Yes, you could run the VNC viewer on your Mac and remotely control the PC (or Linux machine). I use a VNC viewer on a PC to access my Mac and my Linux computer.

My HTPC and my Mac mini connected to my DLP TV via DVI and VGA inputs but, with the Synergy software, they share a single wireless Gyration keyboard and mouse. Synergy is a cross platform TCP/IP ap that allows you to share one keyboard and mouse among multiple screens. I just switch the TV inputs with my remote and move the mouse right or left to control the appropriate computer.

Like I said, networking is highly worthwhile!

The official cutoff date for purchasing discounted R5000-HD modifications and receivers has been extended to August 10. It has been pointed out (rightfully) that we were late in advertising this special and it did not run for a full month as intended. This will give those of you who missed the July 31 cutoff or need more time to look for a receiver a chance to take advantage of this special. We look forward to serving your needs. Thank you.

-R

Great Deal, thats why I ordered one :) and just love it

get the pre-modded receivers and be done with it, especially with the Dish 6000, those are always used and abused and impossible to find new, so it was a no brainer

my pre-modded 6000 was received perfect and no problems whatsoever

-Gary

Great Deal, thats why I ordered one :) and just love it

get the pre-modded receivers and be done with it, especially with the Dish 6000, those are always used and abused and impossible to find new, so it was a no brainer

my pre-modded 6000 was received perfect and no problems whatsoever

-Gary

Gary,

I knew you'd love it. I have a second 6000, which I'm thinking of having modded.

Joe Clark

Hop to it, I Think I will get a second setup going also :)
I am going to get my brother to buy it :D

-Gary

r5000-HD:

Can your mod be put into my DTC-100 modified 169time box?

Nope they cannot co-exist with each other

dump that 16:9 time!!
I sold mine for a much cheaper price to get rid of it, at the price I sold it for it is worth it(to the buyer) but not the prices on their site

-Gary

r5000-HD:

Can your mod be put into my DTC-100 modified 169time box?


Gary is right in that they can't co-exist but we will remove it for you. There is usually an extra charge involved for doing that especially with the DTC-100s. However, anyone who takes advantage of the extended sale will have the conversion fee waived!

We have already converted over a number of 169time units. Depending on what your investment is in it, you may want to try to sell the modded STB and recoupe some of that loss.

-R

Haven't read this whole long thread, but a few questions. I currently have a Comcast DVR, but I'm frustrated by glitches I'm getting. Not a DVR issue, but a local transmission issue.

How easy is it to use the R5000-HD for a non-techie? Hook-up the modded STB via Firewire to computer, use 2.0 software, then Firewire out to DVHS to record directly? Is it possible to capture to hard-drive first, then dump to DVHS? Can commercials/segments be edited out? Does the mod work just as well w/DirecTV & Dish? Finally, can DVHS recordings be played back directly to the display? Thanks.

I have a 1.8GHz Celeron PC w/512MB of RAM. I'm assuming that's enough?

All your questions can be answered on the www.r5000-hd.com website Brajesh

-Gary

I took delivery on my R5000 modded Dish 6000 about 3 weeks ago. I have been so busy recording that I have not gotten around to this post:

THIS ROCKS!

Why would anyone not buy this? Totally glitch free HD recording. No 169time voodoo.

Awesome product!!!

Willie
Cheesehead

Once I switched to using internal hard drives in my HTPC I have been getting glitch free recordings too.

My 169time rig is now going to be given away to my cousin. He is a tinkerer and will enjoy playing with it. Me, I just need something that works consistently and relatively easily.

I've had mine since May and have been enjoying glitch free recordings. I just wished BEV wouldn't screw around with Movie Central's HD offering. Kudos to David and his crew at Nextcom for their ongoing support and development of this product. I just hope 8PSK stays around for a while in Canada :)

I did have a problem when I installed ffdshow to view a WMVHD of BladeRunner, but I believe that it had nothing to do with the R5000-HD since it worked fine after I removed ffdshow. Would appreciate it if someone could tell me what I did wrong and whether or not ffdshow is incompatible with the R5000-HD.

TIA

I love the fact that I can ditch recordings that show glitches in the logs, this product Kick's Ass!!, I keep only recording's that show perfection in the remuxer log :)

sometimes it takes 3 or 4 try's to get a perfect cap(Bulletproof Monk for example) but the product allows for that and is why it kicks so much Ass!!

of course this is 100% Dish Networks fault and there errors caused on their end, I have tried 4 times to get "The Conversation" on HDnet and it has had a error exactly in the same time position all 4 times

to hell with 169time, that product literally gave me ulcers :mad:

Right now I am archiving to dvd-r until I decide what to do with my stuff, having a perfect glitch free copy on dvd-r's is not a a bad thing to have it it cost only 1.25$ or so and is a no brainer, for anyone interested I use:

http://www.martinstoeckli.ch/splitter/splitter.html

for simple file splitting to 4 dvd-r per movie

-Gary

FFDShow would have no effect at all on the r5000 app, only if you tried the live viewing in the program could it have a effect

-Gary

Right now I am archiving to dvd-r until I decide what to do with my stuff, having a perfect glitch free copy on dvd-r's is not a a bad thing to have it it cost only 1.25$ or so and is a no brainer, for anyone interested I use:

http://www.martinstoeckli.ch/splitter/splitter.html

for simple file splitting to 4 dvd-r per movie

-Gary

Yeah, Gary, I'm going to start doing the same thing. My original idea was to do a D-VHS collection and eventually move everything to BluRay or whatever. After a hundred or so movies and imperfect transfers to D-VHS (not the R5000's fault), I've changed my mind. I see this growing bulky D-VHS collection and it gives me the willies - shades of 1985!!! I'll split them now and put them to next gen DVD when that becomes available and affordable. At $4 to $5 for an S-VHS tape versus the cost of 4 or 5 DVD's, it's just not worth it. And the files are much more likely to be good on DVD than the recordings are on the S-VHS tapes I've been using.

The R5000 is the best product to come along in a long time. And, since I'm a big collector of travel and arts programs, they fit quite well on regular DVD. Even the hour long network shows fit nicely on a double layer disc, and the price is almost affordable. Best buy had some recently for just over $3 a disc. Shouldn't be long before they are down to a buck or so. At that price point, collecting a full season of an hour long series in HD will cost less than the DVD set.

Yep I am full force DVD-R right now, deciding what to put them on down the road is the issue :(

I cannot wait for dual layer DVD-R to be .75$, those will be killer for stuff like Smart Travels, Biniki Destinations etc.

right now I am getting top notch bulk 8x Pro-Disc DVD-R for under .30$ a piece, at 4/5 per movie you can't beat that

I have 4 Nec nd-3520a drives going, 2 in one pc and 2 in another :D
I just picked up 3 of those for 90$ at newegg a few weeks back, best 90$ I ever spent

the nextcom folks are going to release a D-VHS utility using their perfect source packet filter, I may go that route or wait for Blu-Ray( for one disc per film storage )

or build a huge 5TB media server, here in just a few years storage solutions will be so much better, and I am going to need alot
I have recorded 36 movies in 20 days or so since I received the r5000-hd

-Gary

Right now I am archiving to dvd-r until I decide what to do with my stuff, having a perfect glitch free copy on dvd-r's is not a a bad thing to have it it cost only 1.25$ or so and is a no brainer, for anyone interested I use:

http://www.martinstoeckli.ch/splitter/splitter.html

for simple file splitting to 4 dvd-r per movie

-Gary Do files that are split by Splitter Light 4.0 play smoothly (without pauses) when played in sequence by the MyHD card? I've been using the HDTVtoMPEG2 1.09 beta to split my R5000 files, and the files play smoothly, but it doesn't hurt to have a backup program.

That program does not split TS files like hdtvtompeg2, it is a file splitter

the resulting files from the splitter lite must use that program to recombine them into the original large file before playback

the files generated for example are:

The_Conversation.TS.001
The_Conversation.TS.002
The_Conversation.TS.003
The_Conversation.TS.004
The_Conversation.TS.index
The_Conversation.TS.bat
splitter.exe

place those on DVD-R's, then put all the files back on Hard Drive in one folder and use the .bat to recombine

so with the above I am using DVD-r as a storage medium only, not a playback medium

no worries at all, the original files are untouched and have not been ran thru hdtv2mpeg2, which can produce errors

this would not be needed if the nextcom guys would activate the max file size feature in the app :( , set to 4300 MB in the app and forget
It would be so simple

-Gary

I have never known HDTVtoMPEG2 to introduce errors. Wouldn't it be easier if you could play your recordings straight off the DVD-Rs?

AFAIK, I have not observed errors or glitches when I split or recombine TS files using the HDTVtoMpeg2 1.09 beta. I usually archive to DDS tape with one minute size files. If I want to watch a film from tape, I just restore the tape, and as soon as the first file has been written to the hard disk, I can begin playback with the MyHD card.

I would like to move to optical storage eventually, and I do occasionally archive to single sided DVD-R's, but I hate spanning disks. Like Gary, I'll just wait a few years for the Blu-Ray or HD-DVD optical technology to become cost effective.

Oh man, DDS. What a pain that was. If you have a few DVD readers, you can do the same type of thing you do with tape: start copying files from the DVD drives to your hard disk, then start playback with the MyHD and let the copying finish in the background. You can also set up a MyHD playlist that spans DVD volumes.

You can get yourself a slew of pocket USB DVD readers! I'm mad at DDS because I've lost some recordings, from tapes that deteriorated.

Spanning four or more disks during the backup process is more of a pain than using DDS tape, IMO. If I were to try restoring from 4 DVD-R's, I would still need to use one minute files to get quick access to the program, and that would make the spanning process on DVD-R even more painful.

Quick access to the program? What do you mean? You can break the program into segments of whatever size you want. Talk about quick access - DDS is linear tape! Disc is way faster and more resilient.

Gary is correct H2 can produce errors - especially in audio as it will cut a AC3 packet outside of the boundaries.

This can be seen with mpeg2repair when combining a cap cut from H2 back into the original file format and checking the AC3 frame errors in the summary.

If you check the original, you will find those specific frame errors are not there.

It won't produce an error on the cut everytime, but it will whack AC3 frames - just as it is not frame accurate for video.

This is why you sometimes get a big POP when you edit out a commercial.


fwiw, hjsplit is probably a better solution as it will cut the cap on the frame boundaries - and even though it will give them a .001 .002 etc extention, you can still rename those to .ts and play them if you want to check one without recreating the entire file as it sounds like you must do with splitter.

Quick access to the program? What do you mean? You can break the program into segments of whatever size you want. Talk about quick access - DDS is linear tape! Disc is way faster and more resilient.If I am restoring files to hard disk, I will have quicker access to a 143MB file than a 4.3GB file. The MyHD program usually requires the entire file to be restored before it can be played. While the optical disks are more resilient, I've had OK results so far with DDS. I just restored a three year old recording last week with no problems.

The question is, will I be motivated enough to transfer all these recordings to Blu-Ray once it becomes economical? I guess I'll have to see what the alternatives are. Hard disks are already getting competitive on a cost basis. If we can rent films on Blu-Ray disks from the local Blockbuster for a few dollars to play on our DTCP and HDCP enabled equipment, I might just give up the recording hobby altogether.

You can also set up a MyHD playlist that spans DVD volumes.

I have multiple DVD drives but I haven't tried spanning with MyHD playlists. Is there a discernible pause transitioning from one DVD drive to another? No matter the answer, I'm still going use the DVD-R's for archiving, just as soon as I finish recording to the last batch of tapes I ordered.

Well OF COURSE you have problems at the cuts using HDTVtoMPEG2. That's just because of the way HDTVtoMPEG2 works: it's making transport stream edits without any regard to the video and audio structure. HDTVtoMPEG2 is not introducing errors. It's simply doing what it does how it does it, subject to the limitations of the method it uses. I have never known HDTVtoMPEG2 to introduce errors.

It's completely a function of your player/decoder whether it likes the kinds of cuts that HDTVtoMPEG2 creates. The HiPix, for example, has zero problems with those cuts.

I have multiple DVD drives but I haven't tried spanning with MyHD playlists. Is there a discernible pause transitioning from one DVD drive to another? No matter the answer, I'm still going use the DVD-R's for archiving, just as soon as I finish recording to the last batch of tapes I ordered.
I haven't tried it myself. For the convenience of DVD, I'm not complaining either way.

If I am restoring files to hard disk, I will have quicker access to a 143MB file than a 4.3GB file. The MyHD program usually requires the entire file to be restored before it can be played.
You don't have to restore the files to your hard disk. The MyHD can play the files straight off the DVD media.

I know that you can play straight off the DVD media, however, as Joseph Clark asks, there is a discernable pause if you span disks using a MyHD playlist.

What happens if use DVHSTool to stream say, four files to a deck and then out to your system?

Will there be "gaps" in the playback?

FWIW: I seem to remember that (Mac based) MPEGStreamClip makes proper video cuts (on GOP boundaries) but I don't know if it looks at the audio portion.

Another way to save A LOT of space would be to convert the .ts file to an MPEG2 Program Stream (DVD format file). I have seen this reduce the file size greatly.

If there was a tool that could on the fly convert it back to MPEG Transport Stream (.ts) format then it could easily be streamed back to a DVHS deck.

Another way to save a lot of space is to use the r5000 "filter option" or whatever it is called. Instead of saving files at a constant 19.2 Mbs it discards information such as null packets that is not needed and the stream rate can vary.

I can stream these files out to my DVHS deck PERFECTLY via DVHSTool and out to tape or just for viewing. The file size can be GREATLY reduced by doing this.

I took delivery on my R5000 modded Dish 6000 about 3 weeks ago. I have been so busy recording that I have not gotten around to this post:

THIS ROCKS!

Why would anyone not buy this? Totally glitch free HD recording. No 169time voodoo.

Awesome product!!!

Willie
Cheesehead

Totally agree. I've got almost a terabyte of drives full of perfect recordings.

Another way to save A LOT of space would be to convert the .ts file to an MPEG2 Program Stream (DVD format file). I have seen this reduce the file size greatly.

Remuxing to a program stream isn't going to save you any space. You would have to re-encode the video to a lower bit rate to save space.

Well OF COURSE you have problems at the cuts using HDTVtoMPEG2. That's just because of the way HDTVtoMPEG2 works: it's making transport stream edits without any regard to the video and audio structure. HDTVtoMPEG2 is not introducing errors. It's simply doing what it does how it does it, subject to the limitations of the method it uses. I have never known HDTVtoMPEG2 to introduce errors.

It's completely a function of your player/decoder whether it likes the kinds of cuts that HDTVtoMPEG2 creates. The HiPix, for example, has zero problems with those cuts.

While I understand your response, it's not exactly correct.

H2 produces an error which can be seen when combining the files back to one.

It has nothing to do with the player/decoder.

Again, the remerged file can be seen to have errors at the cut points when you run mpeg2repair on the file.

Now, you are correct that it is hardware dependent on how the errors are handled.

But your original statement was that you had never seen H2 produce any errors
- but the errors ARE THERE and introduced by H2 as we all 3 now agree.

Please explain "combining the files back to one". HDTVtoMPEG2 can create a single output file. What are you combining?

when you rename the split files to .ts they play perfectly fine when splitting using "Splitter lite", I am guessing all these splitter programs work exactly the same

-Gary

Gary

OT: I use the MYHD card to playback all my HD and DVD content off my server. Any of these
splitter programs work with files backed up from DVD?

Thanks!!!

Alan these splitter programs will take anything you want to split, ANY SIZE (100gb for example), input must be a SINGLE file, you can set in the program:

the input
the output folder
the split size
creation of a .bat for easy combining later

-Gary

Look at this how interesting, I just processed my first recording out of 50 or so in mpeg2repair, I just set to scan and not repair problems

the file tested was Hudson_Hawk.TS recorded today from Showtime, the remuxer log was perfect, here is the reading mpeg2repair gave:

MPEG2Repair: F:\HDTV\Hudson_Hawk.TS


Sequence Frame 156362(892-P) / Time 1:46:44 :
VideoError: Invalid Huffman code in non-intra MPEG2 block. MBA=4505(1040,592)
VideoError: No start code at end of slice. MBA=4505(1040,592)
VideoError: Failed to decode macroblock at MBA=4505(1040,592)
VideoError: Missing 3656 macroblocks in picture slice(s) at MBA=4504(1024,592).
FileInfo: Last video errors span 13 bytes at file offset 15525707575

Sequence Frame 156363(892-P) / Time 1:46:44 :

Info: End of sequence: 1920 x 1080, 29.97 fps (with telecine flags), 18.00 Mbps.
Info: Found 156363 video frames since start of sequence.
Info: 1 video frames found with errors.
Info: 0 audio frames found with errors.
Info: 13 corrupted video bytes in file.
Info: 0.000000 seconds of video timestamp gaps.
Info: 0.000000 seconds of audio timestamp gaps.

End of Log


TOTALLY FRIGGIN AMAZING, a error where the recording ended only, perfectly normal

I am amazed!!
run 169time recordings thru this program and take a look at the logs, a mile long mess of errors, it's pathetic the band-aids that are needed for 169time :mad:

Good Work Nextcom Guys and maybe Gals !! ;)

-Gary

I know that you can play straight off the DVD media, however, as Joseph Clark asks, there is a discernable pause if you span disks using a MyHD playlist.
O.k., I see what you mean. But you don't have to use 1-minute files. You can use 3-minute files or 5-minute files. Remember that you can read a DVD much more quickly than you can read DDS.

I guess I can't change your mind, but just let me tell you that I was using DDS to store HDTV movies maybe a long time before you were. I switched to DVD+R, and never looked back. DVD is much easier, more reliable, and more cost effective, despite the few advantages of DDS.

O.k., I see what you mean. But you don't have to use 1-minute files. You can use 3-minute files or 5-minute files. Remember that you can read a DVD much more quickly than you can read DDS.
I might start archiving my R5000 recordings to double-layer DVD+R disks soon, because the prices of the media are coming down, and it would require spanning only one disk in most circumstances. What is the best file size for recording to those disks? I have read that if one records an 8GB file to a double-layer disk, then the MyHD application will hang at the layer transition when playing back from the DVD-R. Is there a way to ensure that an entire file is contained on a single layer, so for example, a double layer disk will have two 4.3GB files on separate layers?

Windows treats a double layer disc as a single logical volume. With the kinds of file cache prefetching that Windows does, the layer break will not be a problem.

Please explain "combining the files back to one". HDTVtoMPEG2 can create a single output file. What are you combining?

*sigh*

You make a 10GB Cap. You run this through MPEG2Repair, look at the error log and find you have no errors.

You then use H2 to split it to a 4.4GB File, a 4.4GB File and a 1.2GB file for storage on DVD.

You run these 3 smaller files through mpeg2repair to make 1 10GB File Again.

You look at the MPEG2REPAIR log and find you have AC3 frame errors at 2 points - where the files were cut by H2.

If you make 100MB files instead, you increase your chances of Audio Errors at the cut.

Even if you combine the files back together with H2, you will still find the errors in many cases (not all -depends on where the AC3 frame gets cut) when that file is reviewed with MPEG2Repair.

I figured this is a good of place as any to ask as no one seems to know in other sections.

Does Starchoice run movie central and movie network at 720p or 1080i (or some strange variation of the resolution). If one doesn't have a R5000 I doubt they would be able to answer.

Also, what bitrates do they average?

*sigh*

You make a 10GB Cap. You run this through MPEG2Repair, look at the error log and find you have no errors.

You then use H2 to split it to a 4.4GB File, a 4.4GB File and a 1.2GB file for storage on DVD.

You run these 3 smaller files through mpeg2repair to make 1 10GB File Again.

You look at the MPEG2REPAIR log and find you have AC3 frame errors at 2 points - where the files were cut by H2.

If you make 100MB files instead, you increase your chances of Audio Errors at the cut.

Even if you combine the files back together with H2, you will still find the errors in many cases (not all -depends on where the AC3 frame gets cut) when that file is reviewed with MPEG2Repair.
What versions of HDTVtoMPEG2 cause that problem?

Virtually everyone I or anyone have seen - as it does not cut on AC3 frame boundaries. Never has. Nor as it cut frame accurate as I know you know - but posted for other's reference.

The latest I have seen the problem with is 1.11.0 Beta Build 051.

Don't get me wrong, its a quick workhorse of a product which I am glad was kept alive. However, it does have it limitations. I have had some nasty pops when taking out commercials - though I even hear some nasty pops on local and network stations on my HT HDTV (via D*, E* and BEV) when they cut to commercials as well and it hits mid frame.

And now NBC has done something the second week in July (I assume concernng the I-Frame) so it does not pick up commercial breaks on a scan (at least on the local station here).

I am unable to reproduce your results. When you say you split the output into a 4.4GB File, a 4.4GB File and a 1.2GB, how do you do it? Do you include the whole movie on the edit bar (i.e. make the whole thing green), and then process the output with "Max Size" set to 4505? Or do you include just the region from 0 to 4.4 GB, process that output, then include just the region from 4.4 to 8.8 GB, process that output, etc.?

Anybody using VideoReDo on their caps? If so, how? I can't get the QuickStreamFix to work?

I am unable to reproduce your results. When you say you split the output into a 4.4GB File, a 4.4GB File and a 1.2GB, how do you do it? Do you include the whole movie on the edit bar (i.e. make the whole thing green), and then process the output with "Max Size" set to 4505? Or do you include just the region from 0 to 4.4 GB, process that output, then include just the region from 4.4 to 8.8 GB, process that output, etc.?

10GB capture with max size set at whatever - 100MB or 4400MB etc.

You haven't answered my question. Are you talking about AC3 errors being caused at the split points HDTVtoMPEG2 generates as a result of the "Max Size" setting, or at the splice points generated as a result of incude and exclude edit points that you set in the timeline?

I just confirmed with the file splitter program I use that it does not introduce errors, it is just splitting files and does it well

I just reconstructed the parts of my above mentioned Hudson_Hawk.TS, I posted the mpeg2repair log above on the original file and it was perfect

after reconstructing the parts on my dvd-r's back into the whole original file I ran mpeg2reapair again and it read perfect, identical to the original file :D :D

this is what hdtvtompeg2 will not do, it corrupts AC3 frames like mentioned in this thread

I am 100% happy with the results of this splitter program, they are perfect and cause no errors, a true Godsend

-Gary

Can someone please explain how I can get HDTVtoMPEG2 to create AC3 errors? I've done the test, and out of 52 file split points there were zero AC3 errors. Has this issue been discussed in an HDTVtoMPEG2 thread? Can someone please point me to that discussion?

I have seen no discussions of AC3 errors from the mere splitting of files, but I believe there were some posts regarding AC3 errors from the editing of file segments, which is no surprise.

As I posted before, my split and recombined TS files show no glitches using the HDTVtoMPEG2 1.09 beta. Isn't there a Windows command prompt command (or an application) that will allow you to compare the before and after results of a split and recombined file. I think that would be the ultimate test of whether there are any changes from using the various splitter programs.

Gary, what do you use?

I think I just answered my own question. I did a file comparison on an R5000 recording of "Weeds" that was split and recombined using the HDTVtoMPEG2 1.09 beta. The original file was split into 44 separate files before it was recombined. I used the "FC" command in Windows XP to do a binary comparison of the two files. The command reported "no differences encountered." I guess I'm sticking with the HDTVtoMPEG2 1.09 beta to split files, especially since it creates sequential files that play flawlessly in the TS format with the MyHD card.

Gary and HDTVFanAtic,

Steve's results seem to contradict your assertions. If there's really a problem with any version of HDTVtoMPEG2, I'd really like to know about it. Can you please tell us exactly what you did with HDTVtoMPEG2 that generated the problem?

Please also mention which versions of HDTVtoMPEG2 and mpeg2repair you're using.

Gary and HDTVFanAtic,

Steve's results seem to contradict your assertions. If there's really a problem with any version of HDTVtoMPEG2, I'd really like to know about it. Can you please tell us exactly what you did with HDTVtoMPEG2 that generated the problem?

Please also mention which versions of HDTVtoMPEG2 and mpeg2repair you're using.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6029389&&#post6029389


Its been discussed at length and documented on various irc channels as well


The split files will not show the problem. The problems only show up when you RECOMBINE THE FILES. If you play back the split files, it is the same as recombining and that is when the error occurs.

What is so hard to understand about this? Balazar you know more about this stuff than I ever will - so I don't understand why you aren't getting this.

It appears that H2 versions after 1.10.6 removed certain PIDs by design. That's why I stick with an earlier version to do my R5000 file splitting.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=4636580&&#post4636580

HDTVFanAtic,

Here's what I've tried: I opened a segmented movie in HDTVtoMPEG2 1.11 beta 3 (build 51). I set "Max Size" to 222 MB. I processed the movie - 53 output file segments were generated. I combined the output file segments into one big segment using the 'copy /b' command. I ran mpeg2repair version 1.0.1.0 on the combined output. The mpeg2repair log showed exactly the same errors that the original movie had, and no additional errors. I've tried this now with several movies.

Can you please tell me what you did that yielded errors from HDTVtoMPEG2? Pretend I'm stupid for a moment and tell me exactly what I need to do to reproduce the problem. Tell me what software versions to use and the sequence of buttons to press.

OK here goes, test this out guys

take the original r5000-hd file (untouched directly what the r5000 app spits out) , take that file and run it thru mpeg2repair
just check for errors and output the log
DO NOT REPAIR the file

when thru read the log, it should be perfect except a error at the very end of the capture from r5000-hd

next

take your file and run it thru hdtvtompeg2 (do not touch the file except set the max size to 4300MB), this will spit out 3 to 4 files depending on the movie or show length

when finished recombine the 3/4 files using hdtvtompeg2, set the max file size to 50000MB to give you one large file

so finally you have again one full length file that has been recombined into the identical file that the r5000-hd app spit out

take that file and run it thru mpeg2repair
just check for errors and output the log
DO NOT REPAIR the file

compare the log of the untouched original file from the r5000 app to the file that you cut up and recombined in hdtvtompeg2

how do the logs compare??, my bet is that the hdtvtompeg2 program caused errors when cutting up and recombining

-Gary

next

take your file and run it thru hdtvtompeg2 and cut it up however you like(do not touch the file except set the max size to 4300MB), this will spit out 3 to 4 files depending on the movie or show length
Gary,

What do you mean by "cut"? We already know that editing with HDTVtoMPEG2 will cause "errors". For this test a person should not do any editing.

You are correct, what I meant was "cut it up" in 4300MB chunks using the max file size option, thats why I said do not touch the original file, editing it Etc.

I am anxious to hear someones results

-Gary

Paul:

http://www.martinstoeckli.ch/splitter/

-Gary

Gary,

Your suggested test isn't much different from the tests I had done before, but what the heck, I did it again your way.

I don't have any R5000 recordings, so I took an old DISH 5000 modulator recording. The recording had only a couple of glitches. I started with a single large file.

I ran mpeg2repair 1.0.1.0 on that and generated a log file. I used HDTVtoMPEG2 1.11 beta 3 (build 51) to split the big file into 3 smaller files ("Max Size" set to 4300 MB), and then I used the program to combine those back into one big file. I ran mpeg2repair on that. The log files were almost identical. The only difference was that the HDTVtoMPEG2 processed file did not have any continuity errors. (HDTVtoMPEG2 incorrectly - in my opinion - "corrects" continunity errors, but that doesn't do a thing to the video or audio)

I repeated the test, this time splitting into about 500 files of size 20 MB and then combining them back into one file. Results were identical.

If HDTVtoMPEG2's got some bug in its file splitting, it sure didn't show up in any of my tests. Anyone who has reason to believe HDTVtoMPEG2 has a bug *please* tell me exactly what I need to do to reproduce the problem. That might involve cutting down a sample and sending it to me. We can do that.

Hey thats good news Balazer, I may have to look into splitting in hdtvtompeg2 again, It seemed to me and many others to be busted and I gave up on it

have you ever tested the exact same procedure above only adding in chopping some from the start and ending of files??

-Gary

Gary,

Your suggested test isn't much different from the tests I had done before, but what the heck, I did it again your way.

I don't have any R5000 recordings, so I took an old DISH 5000 modulator recording. The recording had only a couple of glitches. I started with a single large file.

I ran mpeg2repair 1.0.1.0 on that and generated a log file. I used HDTVtoMPEG2 1.11 beta 3 (build 51) to split the big file into 3 smaller files ("Max Size" set to 4300 MB), and then I used the program to combine those back into one big file. I ran mpeg2repair on that. The log files were almost identical. The only difference was that the HDTVtoMPEG2 processed file did not have any continuity errors. (HDTVtoMPEG2 incorrectly - in my opinion - "corrects" continunity errors, but that doesn't do a thing to the video or audio)

I repeated the test, this time splitting into about 500 files of size 20 MB and then combining them back into one file. Results were identical.

If HDTVtoMPEG2's got some bug in its file splitting, it sure didn't show up in any of my tests. Anyone who has reason to believe HDTVtoMPEG2 has a bug *please* tell me exactly what I need to do to reproduce the problem. That might involve cutting down a sample and sending it to me. We can do that.

As stated multiple times before, it isn't going to destory the AC3 frame EVERY TIME.

Just as H2 isnt frame accurate with the video but only to the GOP, sometimes you get an edit you can't see - other times you don't.

Same thing goes for the AC3 frame.

if you are expecting it to destroy the AC3 frame everytime, it won't - but it does introduce errors some of the time - just as it doesn't hit the exact video frame you want - all the time.

For me and HDTVtoMPEG with HD .TS files recorded with a MyHD MDP-120:

When used for deleting portions (editing) of .TS there can be transport stream discontinuities at the edit points. I have never seen an error with file splits or joined files (no editing).

The local breaks appear to be done using a MPEG "Splicer". If I look very closely and place the in-edit point before the splice and the out-edit after the splice back to the network then playback will be good over these edit points most of the time.

On the pro side it was accepted years ago that once the video was encoded to an MPEG stream nothing else could be done with it!!

08-18-2005 Edited to change "errors" to "transport stream discontinuities".

if you are expecting it to destroy the AC3 frame everytime, it won't - but it does introduce errors some of the time - just as it doesn't hit the exact video frame you want - all the time.
We're talking about HDTVtoMPEG2 possibly introducing errors when it splits files, not when you edit. We already know that HDTVtoMPEG2 can introduce "errors" when you edit.

Which one are you talking about?

As for the "errors" it introduces when you edit, they are not really errors! They are transport stream discontinuities, and they're perfectly legal by the MPEG-2 system spec. Some decoders and players like them; some don't. You've got to understand that when you edit with HDTVtoMPEG2, the program is doing little more than chopping up transport streams and concatenating the pieces. Yes, it tries to chop on I-frame boundaries. But that doesn't mean the output is continuous. It's completely a function of your player/decoder how well it likes those discontinuities. The AC3 errors that you talk about are only errors if you expect continuity and treat your recording as continuous - which of course you can't in general, because discontinuities are allowed by the spec! mpeg2repair is one such program that expects continuous input. Any kind of discontinuity will throw an error in that program.

If you want continuous output, you need a completely different class of product, like VideoReDo.

We're talking about HDTVtoMPEG2 possibly introducing errors when it splits files, not when you edit. We already know that HDTVtoMPEG2 can introduce "errors" when you edit.

Which one are you talking about?

As for the "errors" it introduces when you edit, they are not really errors! They are transport stream discontinuities, and they're perfectly legal by the MPEG-2 system spec. Some decoders and players like them; some don't. You've got to understand that when you edit with HDTVtoMPEG2, the program is doing little more than chopping up transport streams and concatenating the pieces. Yes, it tries to chop on I-frame boundaries. But that doesn't mean the output is continuous. It's completely a function of your player/decoder how well it likes those discontinuities. The AC3 errors that you talk about are only errors if you expect continuity and treat your recording as continuous - which of course you can't in general, because discontinuities are allowed by the spec! mpeg2repair is one such program that expects continuous input. Any kind of discontinuity will throw an error in that program.

If you want continuous output, you need a completely different class of product, like VideoReDo.

As first stated, the errors occur when you SPLIT A VIDEO CAPTURE. The example in the original example was a 10GB file split at 4.4GB giving 3 files output with 2 AC3 errors at each split.

We wouldn't have to be finding ways to split if they would get off their ass's and release Blu-Ray drives and media :mad:

I would more than gladly pay 5/6 bucks ea. for single layer BR-R disc at this point in time

-Gary

As first stated, the errors occur when you SPLIT A VIDEO CAPTURE. The example in the original example was a 10GB file split at 4.4GB giving 3 files output with 2 AC3 errors at each split.
I did that test. There were no errors. I split a recording into 500 output files. There were no errors.

If you could actually demonstrate a problem and tell us how to reproduce it, that would be very helpful - because then we could fix the problem. But simply repeating what you're saying about a problem that either you don't understand or have never verified or experienced yourself is not doing anyone any good.

This is really getting boring. Chinatown split to 3 DVDs with H2 - no AC3 errors in the master.

MPEG2Repair: Chinatown.Disc1.ts

Sequence Frame 76662(121-P) / Time 0:51:27 :
VideoError: Invalid Huffman code in non-intra MPEG2 block. MBA=2904(384,384)
VideoError: Failed to decode macroblock at MBA=2904(384,384)
VideoError: Missing 5257 macroblocks in picture slice(s) at MBA=2903(368,384).
FileInfo: Last video errors span 16 bytes at file offset 4697620280

Sequence Frame 76663(121-P) / Time 0:51:27 :

Info: End of sequence: 1920 x 1080, 29.97 fps (with telecine flags), 38.81 Mbps.
Info: Found 76663 video frames since start of sequence.
Info: 1 video frames found with errors.
Info: 0 audio frames found with errors.
Info: 16 corrupted video bytes in file.
Info: 0.000000 seconds of video timestamp gaps.
Info: 0.000000 seconds of audio timestamp gaps.

End of Log

----------------------------------------------

MPEG2Repair: Chinatown.Disc2.ts

Sequence Frame 80102(353-P) / Time 0:54:12 :
VideoError: Invalid motion vector code. MBA=2242(1312,288)
VideoError: Invalid motion vector code. MBA=2242(1312,288)
VideoError: No start code at end of slice. MBA=2242(1312,288)
VideoError: Failed to decode macroblock at MBA=2242(1312,288)
VideoError: Missing 5919 macroblocks in picture slice(s) at MBA=2241(1296,288).
FileInfo: Last video errors span 14 bytes at file offset 4697620282

Sequence Frame 80103(353-P) / Time 0:54:12 :

Info: End of sequence: 1920 x 1080, 29.97 fps (with telecine flags), 38.81 Mbps.
Info: Found 80103 video frames since start of sequence.
Info: 1 video frames found with errors.
Info: 0 audio frames found with errors.
Info: 14 corrupted video bytes in file.
Info: 0.000000 seconds of video timestamp gaps.
Info: 0.000000 seconds of audio timestamp gaps.

End of Log

----------------------------------------------

MPEG2Repair: Chinatown.Disc3.ts

Sequence Frame 36794(282-B) / Time 0:24:50 :

Info: End of sequence: 1920 x 1080, 29.97 fps (with telecine flags), 38.81 Mbps.
Info: Found 36794 video frames since start of sequence.
Info: 0 video frames found with errors.
Info: 0 audio frames found with errors.
Info: 0 corrupted video bytes in file.
Info: 0.000000 seconds of video timestamp gaps.
Info: 0.000000 seconds of audio timestamp gaps.

End of Log



Then the files are recombined into 1 file and guess what?
2 AC3 errors....where....at the h2 split point.



Sequence Frame 76662(121-P) / Time 0:51:27 :
VideoError: Invalid macroblock address increment. MBA=2902(352,384)
VideoError: Invalid macroblock address increment code. MBA=2903(368,384)
FileInfo: Last video errors span 21 bytes at file offset 83887457 in file Chinatown.Disc1.ts

Sequence Frame 76663(121-P) / Time 0:51:27 :

Info: End of sequence: 1920 x 1080, 29.97 fps (with telecine flags), 38.81 Mbps.
Info: Found 76663 video frames since start of sequence.
Info: 1 video frames found with errors.
Info: 0 audio frames found with errors.
Info: 21 corrupted video bytes in file.
Info: 0.000000 seconds of video timestamp gaps.
Info: 0.000000 seconds of audio timestamp gaps.


Sequence Frame 0(123-I) / Time 0:51:27 :
AudioError: Corrupted AC3 frame of 2676 payload bytes at file offset 83841973 in file Chinatown.Disc2.ts
AudioWarning: Timestamp gap of 0.096000 sec. ending at file offset 83841973 in file Chinatown.Disc2.ts

Sequence Frame 14(134-B) / Time 0:51:28 :
VideoWarning: Timestamp gap of 0.033367 sec. ending at file offset 84538831 in file Chinatown.Disc2.ts

Sequence Frame 80103(353-P) / Time 1:45:40 :

Info: End of sequence: 1920 x 1080, 29.97 fps (with telecine flags), 38.81 Mbps.
Info: Found 80103 video frames since start of sequence.
Info: 1 video frames found with errors.
Info: 1 audio frames found with errors.
Info: 21 corrupted video bytes in file.
Info: 0.033367 seconds of video timestamp gaps.
Info: 0.096000 seconds of audio timestamp gaps.


Sequence Frame 0(355-I) / Time 1:45:40 :
AudioError: Corrupted AC3 frame of 2492 payload bytes at file offset 62815993 in file Chinatown.Disc3.ts
AudioWarning: Timestamp gap of 0.096000 sec. ending at file offset 62815993 in file Chinatown.Disc3.ts

Sequence Frame 14(366-B) / Time 1:45:40 :
VideoWarning: Timestamp gap of 0.033367 sec. ending at file offset 63549039 in file Chinatown.Disc3.ts


Sequence Frame 36794(282-B) / Time 2:10:30 :

Info: End of sequence: 1920 x 1080, 29.97 fps (with telecine flags), 38.81 Mbps.
Info: Found 36794 video frames since start of sequence.
Info: 1 video frames found with errors.
Info: 2 audio frames found with errors.
Info: 21 corrupted video bytes in file.
Info: 0.066733 seconds of video timestamp gaps.
Info: 0.192000 seconds of audio timestamp gaps.

End of Log

Again, 2 AC3 errors that were not there prior to H2 splitting the file into 3 pieces - and at the split points.

Has anyone tried to do this at the same time?

I have two hard drives in my HTPC and I'd like to catch up on archiving my recordings to tape so I'd like to run DVHSTool to tape from one hard drive while the r5000 is recording to the other drive.

I have a pretty decent Athlon in the rig so I don't think that it would be a problem.

Has anyone else tried it? Did it work smoothly?

Thanks for any help.

This is really getting boring. Chinatown split to 3 DVDs with H2 - no AC3 errors in the master.

Maybe I don't know exactly how to read an mpeg2repair log, but the AC3 errors mentioned are not at the split points. The first one is 83 MB into Chinatown.Disc2.ts and the second is 62 MB into Chinatown.Disc3.ts.

Balazer bottom line is that one can run the original file thru mpeg2repair and get a perfect log, then cut it up and recombine in hdtvtompeg2 and mpeg2repair shows errors

with my file splitter method no errors are introduced, I would love to be able to use hdtvtomepg2 but the program is busted

-Gary

Balazer bottom line is that one can run the original file thru mpeg2repair and get a perfect log, then cut it up and recombine in hdtvtompeg2 and mpeg2repair shows errors

with my file splitter method no errors are introduced, I would love to be able to use hdtvtomepg2 but the program is busted

Gary,

I'm not convinced that HDTVtoMPEG2 is causing any errors when it splits files. I've done a lot of tests myself, and not yet observed HDTVtoMPEG2 causing errors. HDTVFanAtic has made a lot of noise about the problem, but he's yet to answer some very basic questions, like what versions of HDTVtoMPEG2 and mpeg2repair he used, and what procedure he used to split and join the files. If there's really a problem, I'd love for someone to give us enough information to understand and reproduce the problem.

We are not dealing with mysterious supernatural forces here. We are dealing with deterministic software systems. As soon as someone can demonstrate the problem, we can repeat it and fix it.

I retested the "Weeds" recording that I split and recombined with the HDTVtoMPEG2 1.09 beta using mpeg2repair. The two log files were identical, which is to be expected, because the "fc" command reported that the files were identical. I don't know what happened to HDTVtoMPEG2 after the 1.09 beta, but I am getting perfect results with this version.

I consider this utility to be a critical part of my R5000 recording strategy. There is nothing that I have read in this thread that would motivate me to use another application, even another version of HDTVtoMPEG2.

Maybe I don't know exactly how to read an mpeg2repair log, but the AC3 errors mentioned are not at the split points. The first one is 83 MB into Chinatown.Disc2.ts and the second is 62 MB into Chinatown.Disc3.ts.

You are right....you don't

so this discussion is mute.

Gary,

I'm not convinced that HDTVtoMPEG2 is causing any errors when it splits files. I've done a lot of tests myself, and not yet observed HDTVtoMPEG2 causing errors. HDTVFanAtic has made a lot of noise about the problem, but he's yet to answer some very basic questions, like what versions of HDTVtoMPEG2 and mpeg2repair he used, and what procedure he used to split and join the files. If there's really a problem, I'd love for someone to give us enough information to understand and reproduce the problem.

We are not dealing with mysterious supernatural forces here. We are dealing with deterministic software systems. As soon as someone can demonstrate the problem, we can repeat it and fix it.

Demonstrated.

Please take your program to your own thread where we don't have to visit and quit hijacking this one.

You posted some log files, but you didn't say what programs generated them and what actions you performed. So far your accusations about the errors that HDTVtoMPEG2 is supposedly causing seem to be baseless. You do a disservice to this community when you perpetuate myths.

If you'd like to actually help identify and solve the problem instead of just repeating what you've been saying all along, I'd be pleased to take this up in another thread.

Holy ****!! Fanatic
you need to take a chill pill on these forums and stop attacking and trashing other members, I think you missed the day in Kindergarten when basic manners were taught :rolleyes:

-Gary

Holy ****!! Fanatic
you need to take a chill pill on these forums and stop attacking and trashing other members, I think you missed the day in Kindergarten when basic manners were taught :rolleyes:

-Gary

No Gary, I am just tired of people that won't admit it when facts are presented that clearly document an issue others still want to fight the third party confirmations.

You do it as well in other threads.

You brought it up about H2 creating errors in this thread. I'll let you troubleshoot it - as it clearly has nothing to do with the R5000 I apologize for going so long on this in this thread.

People appreciate everyone's input but you need to chill a little and show some manners

It Does have a little bit to do with the R5000 though, becuase this is the only product that actually produces quality error free Captures for which we can test with all the programs ;)

-Gary

I agree, Gary. Other HDTV recording devices for the PC, such as the MyHD and Fusion cards, have methods of capturing multiple sequential files during the recording process. Since the R5000 lacks this feature, I believe it is appropriate to discuss the topic of file splitting here.

* * *

so this discussion is mute.


The discussion may be moot but you certainly are not mute!

- Phil

[I apologize for possibly extending this but I couldn't resist]

I have not visited this thread in a while. Anything new from Nextcom. It was rumored they were working on a program to allow us to split files and edit commercials ect. Did this ever take place yet.

And a app for sending out files from Hard Drive to D-VHS using their custom filter

can't wait for all these things :)

-Gary

Last night reminded me why I am with the Nextcom folks, a 100% perfect capture of Blade Runner from Dish :) :), Thanks guys for providing a working product, something the "Other Guys" can't even begin to do

-Gary

Hi, I am new to this, just placed an order for the Mod Hughes HIRD E86 + R-5000HD, I am planning to record to PC hard drive only, plan to play the .TS files using videolan on my HTPC connected via DVI to a 60 inches LCD HDTV. I don't have and don't plan to buy D-VHS deck. What is the advantage of having a D-VHS deck besides cheaper storage cost?

Am I imagining it or is this a reality? I could save $ 300 going with 169time using my sony deck, but a little bit confused about the AVX1 and afraid that it may not work at all.

Chuck

250GB Hard Drives on sale at CompUSA today for $79 with no rebate.

Figure 22 Movies per 250GB Hard Drive.

That's 3.63 per movie

Why is anyone even thinking about DVHS right now?

Chuck,

You will love the R5000. All it does is work like it is supposed to. Pretty sure you won't regret passing on the 169time solution. I store movies split on DVD-R. Splitting movies is a small hassle, but it is inexpensive.

Willie

I have just d/l the sample clip from nextcom website, directv clip appears to have black rectangle block around it, ie it does not play in full screen, is that normal? I am using videolan and moonlight elecard to play the clip. I am not planning on buying MyHD card since I already have the ATI HDTV. The mod STB is on the way from NextCom , couldn't wait:-).

Does any one has the diagram of the back panel of the mod Hughes HIRD E86 + R5000?

Thanks,

I am also very happy with the R5000.
If you downloaded the HD clip it should be possible to get full screen playback on the tv. Check the aspect ratio in the playback software and that the video card driver is set to a resolution like 1920 by 1080i. I have used several types of software including VideoLan and the software that comes the Fusion receiver card on a 3.4 Ghz P4. The playback is pretty good but not perfect and errors in the file will occasionally cause freeze ups. In the end I got the MYHD card and its MPEG hardware decoder provides perfect results.
John

John, you are right, the clip was SD up converted, hence it will look like that. Now, I have a few movies (.TS)that came off Motorola cable box /DVHS , it plays just fine , do I still need or depend on the MyHD to play back the file generated by the R5000? If so, what is the point , what if MyHD is no longer available?, what if there is no longer any JVC DVHS deck available (just to play back)!! the later seems very imminent in real life. Then would I just be stucked with .TS movies that I could not play on my PC?

I emailed David at NextCom, he also recommends that I should go out and get MyHD card to play the files, I really don't want to that.

Chuck

You'll never lose the ability to play HD transport stream recordings. TS playback is becoming more common and easier. At some point you'll be able to do it as easily in software as you can now with the MyHD. For now, the MyHD is going to be the easiest option for most people.

I already am playing TS file by software videolan and moonlight elecard, they play well without any glitch. My question is should I bother getting MyHD at all?


Chuck

If you're happy with what you have, you don't need anything more. The MyHD is great at giving very smooth playback, whereas getting smooth playback in software can be quite tricky.

Guys how is the MYHD's decoder?? I only keep 100% perfect r5000-hd captures and was wondering if that is what I would get via MYHD, 100% perfect playback

My Mitsubishi HDTV has firewire in and the best damn mpeg2 decoders I have ever seen, but man that firebus software is buggy and doesn't allow playlist's

with the MYHD card I could slap 3 or 4 DVD-roms in the PC, start a playlist and go to town

-Gary

Guys how is the MYHD's decoder??
Gary, The MyHD is discussed at length in the AVS HTPC forum. It is supported very well by Digital Connection via Cliff Watson (disregard if you know this).

I have two MDP-120 cards with the DVI daughter cards. The one in the HTPC is used to record OTA HD, PBS-HD via a Twinhan 102G satellite card and TSReader (registered version), playback the .TP files, play DVDs (must use a software utility) and non D-Theater HD tapes from the JVC HM-DH30000.

with the MYHD card I could slap 3 or 4 DVD-roms in the PC, start a playlist and go to town
My DVD drives does not do this very well, YMMV

Guys how is the MYHD's decoder?? I only keep 100% perfect r5000-hd captures and was wondering if that is what I would get via MYHD, 100% perfect playback

My Mitsubishi HDTV has firewire in and the best damn mpeg2 decoders I have ever seen, but man that firebus software is buggy and doesn't allow playlist's

with the MYHD card I could slap 3 or 4 DVD-roms in the PC, start a playlist and go to town

-Gary

This is an issue I've had, too, although it's been better with certain DVD drives. Playback can be iffy - breakup at unpredictable points. I haven't tried spreading playback across several drives and I'm not sure if the transition points would be smooth.

I think some folks here have better results and I'd appreciate some input on resolving playback inconsistencies.

That said, I'm trying to exhibit some patience with this particular issue, since I expect some alternative to regular DVD playback of these files to be available in a year or so - HD-DVD, BluRay, MVD or holographic technology. As such, the DVD's are just a temporary storage solution anyway. I'm trying to remind myself that the most important thing is to collect as much material now before these recording solutions that a few of us have are stamped out by the media conglomerates.

I finally got my dish re-aligned and working and I've started using the R5000 again.

I have a MyHD-120 but generally I'd rather just use Windows Media Player with an appropriate decoder as it scales better financially in a multi-pc environment

I'm trying to determine the best way to store the output of the R5000 to hard disk

It's easy enough to use HDTVtoMpeg2 or VideoRedo Plus to remove commercials/unwanted video. However, once I have the .ts file I have a few options.

1) Leave it
Pro's : MyHD seems to like it and I can fast forward using MyHD or Windows Media Player
Cons: Storage Size
2) Convert it to mpg with HDTVtoMpeg2
Pros: Can be almost half the size of the .ts stream
Cons: Unhappy decoders. MainConcept seems to play it (but had video glitches). NVDVD does not play it (all black). MyHD puked. The same decoders played the .ts file just fine.
3) Convert it to mpg with VideoRedo Plus
Pros: Smaller size. Happier decoders. MainConcept and NVDVD seemed to like it. I swear I've used a decoder that wouldn't allow fast forward
Cons: VideoRedo Plus costs $50 (but that's already water under the bridge and easy to justify if it saves me 40% on file sizes)

My sample size is too small and I haven't had time to comb through several movies to determine the downsides of using one method over the other. What other methods are being used? What's working best?

My Mitsubishi HDTV has firewire in and the best damn mpeg2 decoders I have ever seen, but man that firebus software is buggy and doesn't allow playlist's


Gary, I too have a mits with the firewire input. I have never used it but am curious at how difficult it is to use and set up. Would like to give it a go.

Darin

The best thing to do is leave your recordings as transport streams. You can strip the null packets after the fact, or tell the R5000 not to generate them. That will save the space you thought you gained when you converted to program streams.

If you convert to program streams, you will give up compatibility with a number of playback devices. As of yet there is no free and good transport stream multiplexer that would allow you to convert back to transport streams.

Kinda difficult and painful Darin

but after getting set-up, it is as simple as pulling up a .TS file in the Firebus software then using the transport menu on the Mitsubishi to plaback the file, including pause, FF, RW Etc.

The mitsubishi has a coaxial audio output for the sound to your receiver/pre-amp

Very nice indeed

-Gary

Thanks for the reply. You have a computer then hooked up via firewire to you mits tv? And then with the Mits software you can browse .ts files stored on the PC?

Darin

Nope that won't work Darin

you need to be able to see the firebus DTV Recorder software on the PC screen to load up and browse .TS files

the mits will do nothing but control playback of said loaded file

-Gary

The best thing to do is leave your recordings as transport streams. You can strip the null packets after the fact, or tell the R5000 not to generate them. That will save the space you thought you gained when you converted to program streams.
I normally record the full 19.3mb/sec transport stream and use lossless compression to archive my R5000 TS files. On some channels, I could probably save more space by stripping the null packets during recording, but I want to maintain maximum compatibility with available decoders.

Will the TStoATSC program be able to successfully reconstruct a CBR 19.3mb/sec stream if I don't add packets while recording with the R5000? My guess is that its safer to record at 19.3mb/sec CBR and keep it that way.

The best thing to do is leave your recordings as transport streams. You can strip the null packets after the fact, or tell the R5000 not to generate them. That will save the space you thought you gained when you converted to program streams.

If you convert to program streams, you will give up compatibility with a number of playback devices. As of yet there is no free and good transport stream multiplexer that would allow you to convert back to transport streams.

Thanks Balazer.

Totally forgot about the extra null packets and other PIDs. I upgraded to the beta for stripping. Worked fine with MyHD and WMP + NVDVD decoder. MainConcepts seemed fine too. Time info is wrong, but I believe that's to be expected.

No way I am recording without null packets, that IMHO is playing with fire, to each his own to save space though, but a man never knows what he is gonna want to play his HDTV archiving's on

-Gary

Yeah, stripped files seem a bit iffier. I liked the idea of using a compressor prior to archiving and then requiring the unarchive step. Not painless as compression takes a bit as well as uncompression. I just discovered WinXp's zip utility will compress the file (it's almost the same size as a stripped file), but I can't get it to unzip it once it's been zipped. That's not too useful.

I'm going to check some of the commercial compressors to see if they will work.

Mark

One option that I have not tried is compressing R5000 recordings on the fly to an NTFS hard disk. http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307987&sd=tech. If one is willing to archive all their R5000 recordings on hard disk, then the recording can be a one step process. The question is whether the compression might slow down the recording process so the errors are introduced.

One option that I have not tried is compressing R5000 recordings on the fly to an NTFS hard disk. http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307987&sd=tech. If one is willing to archive all their R5000 recordings on hard disk, then the recording can be a one step process. The question is whether the compression might slow down the recording process so the errors are introduced.

Recording directly to a compressed folder works quite well but obviously the additional CPU usage should be taken into account. Simultaneously playing back the stream using MyHD results in <50%CPU usage on a P4, 1.8G. A software player is going to require a lot more resources. As long as buffering stays within reasonable levels and there are no overflows the recorded stream should not be affected. Remuxing is more of a memory intensive process than requiring CPU cycles. Set up a compressed drive or folder and run some tests first. As usual YMMV.

-R

Simultaneously playing back the stream using MyHD results in <50%CPU usage on a P4, 1.8G.
-RI was not aware that the MyHD program could simultaneously play back an R5000 file as it was being recorded. I know that there were some experimental MyHD dll files that were released to enable such playback, but I did not know whether those dll's had been incorporated into the latest release of the MyHD software. I think the last time I tried to play back an R5000 file as it was being recorded (with MyHD, this spring), the playback did not work.

Steve,
On my machine simultaneously play back only works if hyperthreading is disabled. John

Recording directly to a compressed folder works quite well but obviously the additional CPU usage should be taken into account. Simultaneously playing back the stream using MyHD results in <50%CPU usage on a P4, 1.8G. A software player is going to require a lot more resources. As long as buffering stays within reasonable levels and there are no overflows the recorded stream should not be affected. Remuxing is more of a memory intensive process than requiring CPU cycles. Set up a compressed drive or folder and run some tests first. As usual YMMV.

-R

Will files recorded normally, and later copied to a compressed directory, benefit similarly in space savings and remain fully playable like those recorded to a compressed directory originally?

I've seen overflows on recording that do not show up as a failure in the record log. Do I need to be checking the remuxer log to check for errors or are overflows only an issue if they show up as a failure?

Thanks,
Mark

I've seen overflows on recording that do not show up as a failure in the record log. Do I need to be checking the remuxer log to check for errors or are overflows only an issue if they show up as a failure?

Thanks,
Mark

No, overflows can be a normal occurence at the begining of each recording. Until the data is actually being taken, the buffer is in a constant state of overflow. During a recording, overflows will be logged in the remuxer log. They're is always going to be lost data at that point. A failed transfer is different. It almost always means there was no data available (e.g. from a reception drop) whereas an overflow means you didn't grab it in time and the data was written over in the buffer.


You can take a recording made to a non-compressed folder and move it to a compressed one (and back again) without any affect on it. Look at it as kind of zipping/unzipping on the fly. The OS is doing it, the object being to make it completley transparent to the user (hopefully).

-R

Will the TStoATSC program be able to successfully reconstruct a CBR 19.3mb/sec stream if I don't add packets while recording with the R5000? My guess is that its safer to record at 19.3mb/sec CBR and keep it that way.
TStoATSC will successfully reconstruct a CBR 19.3 Mbps stream, at least in most cases. It depends on the program provider and the decoder. It might be safer to have the R5000 generate the null packets, depending on the method it uses to generate them. The R5000 has more information available to it about where it should insert the packets than TStoATSC does.

I put together the following in order to archive to DVD. The compress/decompress/split process takes some time, so it's not something one would want to do on a regular basis. I'm using it for backup to DVD-R and archival until I can get a larger disk farm together.

First - grab gzip. I selected gzip because it's opensource and generally available.

Second - I wrote a splitter (HugeSplit) and joiner (HugeJoin) application. There were a variety of split/join applications, but most of them had a limited file size. The ones I found that worked with >4GB files had adware associated with them. Also, I wanted source code in case I had to "port" to another platform. Note that I'm only testing on XP today.

My process is
1) gzip the file.
2) Run hugesplit on the resulting .gz file.
Hugesplit generates a .bat file that can be used to rejoin the files. It defaults to 4GB files but has commandline options to allow any size.
3) Save each piece, the batch file, a copy of gzip, and a copy of hugejoin.exe to DVD

To rejoin and decompress the files, copy them to one directory and run the batch file. It would be easy to also modify the batch file to allow files to be rejoined from multiple DVDs, eliminating the need to do an extra copy. The whole process isn't too painful.

Advantages : Keeps all null packets while allowing one to store at a greatly decreased size (seems like about 50 to 60%, although probably can vary significantly). Compression/decompression tools and source available in the public domain

Disadvantages: Compression/Decompression isn't exactly speedy. Compressed files can not be played directly.

Mark that is exactly what I do, but don't do any compressing of any kind

this program is freeware and does any size split you want

http://www.martinstoeckli.ch/splitter/

I have dual NEC burners going in my Recording PC and 2 NEC Burners going in another PC :)

4 DVD-R's per movie in the best media per price (Prodisc DVD-R) cost me only 1.20$ per movie

of course I have no way to view my massive collection because the files on the DVD-R's only work with the splitter program, I only keep 100% perfect captures, so as soon as cheaply priced DL media or Blu-Ray is available I have a "99% perfect" massive collection ready to transfer and start enjoying

-Gary

What do you mean the files on the DVD-Rs only work with the splitter program? Aren't there playback mechanisms that know how to play split transport streams?

As I have posted before, the R5000 TS files that I split with HDTVtoMPEG2 1.09 beta play fine in sequence with the MyHD program without any further modification.

Balazer, the program splits files and give them a unique file name used for the splitter program to see and use

-Gary

Gary, you should be able to split the files in a way that lets you play them back without re-joining them. The MyHD, as Steve mentioned, will do it if your filenames follow the right convention.

Hello, I am new to the R-5000. I got it a week now. I am using VLC player, occasionally Elecard.

1.I noticed a white line underneath the screen. How do I get rid of that. Will it disappear if I use MyHD card play back.(really hates to pay $300 for that) Or, will it disappear if I use D-VHS deck to play back, (Does not want to go there either).

2. The HDTVtoMpeg2 conversion, decrease the quality of the audio it sounds like I am recording from a cheap analog microphone. I do not noticed in any change in PQ, I also noticed that MCE2005, could not determine how long is the clip, cannot pause, FF or RW the clip.

3.Does splitting TS file by HDTVtoMPEG2 likewise cause changes in audio or video quality?I do not noticed any changes, but I would rather not doing it if it does change the PQ.

Otherwise this mod rocks.

docchak: What is the source of what you are recording? Is it from Directv?

Some directv sources like HBO put out HD MPEG-2 transport stream data that is flagged as 1280 x 1088.

If you view this material with VLC it will show the "extra" 8 vertical pixels as a greyish bar at the bottom of the video.

Yes, it is DirecTV, guess I could not remove it?

docchak: Try this experiment. Record some hd from a channel that is 1920 x 1080i such as hd.net or over-the-air CBS HD. Then use VLC to playback that recording.

These recordings should be properly flagged as 1920 x 1080 and you should NOT see a greyish band of pixels at the bottom.

If you DO see the band of pixels at the bottom then there is some other problem that you are experiencing.

HDTVtoMPEG2 cannot recode the audio. Are you using HDTVtoMPEG2 to convert to a program stream?

HDTVtoMPEG2 cannot recode the audio. Are you using HDTVtoMPEG2 to convert to a program stream?

Yes, it is HDTVtoMpeg2 v107,what version are you guy using, I think v107 is a beta, have not try other version yet.

Chuck

HDTVtoMPEG2's transport stream to program stream conversion is broken. The program is only really good for editing and stripping. You heard audio differently because your system is set up to play program streams with different software than it uses to play transport streams. There was nothing wrong with the audio in the file. Use the latest version - 1.11.51 (beta3).

I'm new to HD recording and have a question about signal split and the R5000-HD.


I just subed to D* and got the new H10. According to nextcom, they don't mod that unit. so,,,

I thinking of getting one of thier E86 boxes and dedicating a pc to it for recording.

??? After activation with D*, can I just split the dish signal prior to the STBs and feed both units off one dish cable?

Looks to be easier to me to co-locate both boxes and just dedicate a pc at that point.

thanks,

HL

thanks for your help....


found answer on search for split signal.

The new version 2.1 software package includes 2 new utilities: "Disk2Tape" and "TSCutter". The 2.1 version DVR now has complete command-line control and certain conflict resolution problems have been addressed with the PVR. Download area> (http://www.nextcomwireless.com/r5000/support.htm)

Disk2Tape is a simple to use utility for transferring disk-based transport stream files to D-VHS Tape. Many of the problems associated with this process have been eliminated by the use of the custom-designed source-packet creation filter incorporated in the R5000-HD DVR*. The stream's PCR PID is automatically sensed but can be overridden by the user. Also of particular interest is the ability to record compressed-mode (no filler packet) files to tape. VERSION 2.1 DVR IS REQUIRED.user manual> (http://www.nextcomwireless.com/r5000/utilities/disk2tape_manual.htm)

*Try it out with these transport stream clips (http://www.vasst.com/HDV/FX-1_images-Surfers.htm) from the SONY FX-1 HD Camcorder. They can sometimes be troublesome.

TSCutter is a basic transport stream editing utility that cuts at the closest packet boundary (188 bytes). It does not cut on GOP or audio packet boundaries. To be used only with ISO 13818-1compliant MPEG2 transport stream files. user manual> (http://www.nextcomwireless.com/r5000/utilities/tscutter_manual.htm)

-R

-R

Is TSCutter intended to supplement HDTVtoMPEG2? Please provide more information on its practical use.

Thanks

I was able to record compressed-mode files to tape this using DVHSTool.

I am testing out TS cutter as we speak

my first experiment was to get a perfect nice opening and ending for "The Wall" I recorded last night

you can either set the Cutter to chop up into set size files, or set it to cut the start and ending

you cannot do both at once, like cut the start of a file and chop it into pieces will doing the opening cut

there is also no user interface so one must enter the start and end times of the file in hours/mins/seconds

everthing will be run thru mpeg2repair to test after using the program

I have a feeling this is a nice simple Error free program with no bling-bling, I will prolly use it just for cutting the start and end of movies to get a nice clean movie only capture

-Gary

Guys I have a big problem with disk2tape

I just went to setup and start using it on a PC I have dedicated for this purpose, my other PC uses the r5000-hd Dish 6000 I have

THe disk2tape will not let me use it because the main app doesn't see the usb signal from the r5000-hd

I want to use this app on a PC that is not connected to the r5000-hd, I think this will be a real winner If i can do that

-Gary

Gary Murrell: You can use DVHSTool to back up transport streams to tape.

You can also use DVHSTool as a viewer by doing the following:

1) use the preferences to set things up so that you control the deck (not DVHSTool)

2) set the deck to point to the "I number" of the PC, i.e. - "I-2"

3) use DVHTool to "record" to the deck

This will cause DVHSTool to stream out to the deck via Firewire but it will NOT control the deck to make it start recording. The deck will just playback the file.

It would be good if disk2tape had an option to let you control the recording from the deck. For example, I typically set my unit to start recording one minute before the show I am interested in actually starts. When I back up the show I don't want to record that minute but disk2tape automatically starts the decks record function.

Another good option might be to control the packet filtering on a per recording basis. For example, when I tape something that I just want to watch and am not concerned about backing it up to tape then using the compressed format would be fine. When I want to record and later backup something the uncompressed format would be what I want.

Yes, but DVHSTool on a PC is glitchy and works like crap.

I have used DVHStools and JVC30000 as a viewer and to record with several PC's and never found it to introduce glitches. On some non R5000 recordings that I use for testing disk2tape did seem to behave better. John

Guys I have a big problem with disk2tape

I just went to setup and start using it on a PC I have dedicated for this purpose, my other PC uses the r5000-hd Dish 6000 I have

THe disk2tape will not let me use it because the main app doesn't see the usb signal from the r5000-hd

I want to use this app on a PC that is not connected to the r5000-hd, I think this will be a real winner If i can do that

-Gary

I am sure he did that as he should not give away his work to anyone who wants to use his app to move .ts to dvhs.

I totally understand the rationale behind it.

-R

Is TSCutter intended to supplement HDTVtoMPEG2? Please provide more information on its practical use.

Thanks

TSCutter is pretty basic at this point and its main purpose is to provide a quick and easy way to trim beginings and endings from programs. It does this by cutting at packet boundaries and not changing any of the data in between.

-R

Yes we discussed that and I totally understand their point of view and would gladly pay for them to release a all in one version

DVHSTool is glitchy as crap for me, with the 5u I Have never been able to get glitch free recordings, tried for over 8 months to get it to work and finally gave up on the XP to D-VHS route

-Gary

I have no idea if this would work but it seems feasable.

Could you run the R5000HD USB connection through a USB Hub and run it to both computers so that the DVHS computer would also see the device?

I was thinking the exact same thing, that way even if one pc was using the program to record, the other would maybe just have the signal so the app on that pc could be used for transferring to tape

would that work R5000 guys ??

-Gary

Hi guys,

I am using HDTVtoMpeg2 to convert .ts to mpeg2, occasionally I have this cubix white box dancing around the screen, any one has the same problem?