AFAIK, only the new Radeon x1000 cards can playback HD h.254. HD h.264 is much more mips intensive. the x1000 cards claim h.264 hardware acceleration. ATI webs site says that the x1600 is required for 720p/1080i h264 and the x1800 is required for 1080p h.264.

I'm currently in brazil, but when I get back I'll send dave an HD h.264 test clip for the web site. It does not play in realtime using the elcard player on a dual cpu dual core 3.2GHz P4. But it plays perfectly on a 2.8 P4 D w/ATI x1600 in media player with the cyberlink h.264 hardware plug in. Once it's on the web site, you can see for yourself.

BTW HDV files are mepg-2 not h.264, so they should play on most software players.

-Techtom

Thanks for the information. I know that HDV is MPEG2 and, indeed, software players have little trouble with it on my systems. When I converted some footage from HDV to Nero MPEG4, my older ATI (9600xt, 9800xt) cards handled it smoothly, too.

I hear Mac's play MPEG4 clips better than high end PCs. Anyone tried playing R5000HD MPEG4 recordings using Quicktime 10 on a high end mac?

Thanks for the information. I know that HDV is MPEG2 and, indeed, software players have little trouble with it on my systems. When I converted some footage from HDV to Nero MPEG4, my older ATI (9600xt, 9800xt) cards handled it smoothly, too.

Got it... nero MPEG4 is probably mpeg-4 part 2 (ala divx and the other mpeg 4 variants). dish is broadcasting mpeg-4 part 10 (aka h.264). h.264 Playback is much more complex. I've read estimates of 2x to 4x.


I hear Mac's play MPEG4 clips better than high end PCs. Anyone tried playing R5000HD MPEG4 recordings using Quicktime 10 on a high end mac?

I've tried it on my mac mini, but it doesn't seem to like mpeg2 transport stream files. I've got access to some faster macs if someone can tell me what software to run, I'll give it a try.


-T

This has been what zap2it.com has looked like for the past 3 days when you try to access your personalized settings or custom sort order. Bottom line is zap2it is hosed again, but out of curiosity - anyone know what the error message actually means?

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/4326/zap2iterror3zm.png (http://imageshack.us)

Just worked fine here. Firefox 1.5.0.1

Mark

This has been what zap2it.com has looked like for the past 3 days when you try to access your personalized settings or custom sort order. Bottom line is zap2it is hosed again, but out of curiosity - anyone know what the error message actually means?

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/4326/zap2iterror3zm.png (http://imageshack.us)

out of curiosity - anyone know what the error message actually means?


Ignoring all the "gobbly-gook" it just means that you tried to access a database element that wasn't available. Either it never existed or the database was temporarily offline. Usually errors like that mean that the front end web "CGI" is running, but the database server is (temporarily) down.

Ignoring all the "gobbly-gook" it just means that you tried to access a database element that wasn't available. Either it never existed or the database was temporarily offline. Usually errors like that mean that the front end web "CGI" is running, but the database server is (temporarily) down.


That's the info I was trying to figure out. THANKS!!!

As you can get the listings without the custom order stuff, I assume it means that the database with the custom settings is somehow hosed or as you say, offline.

Been that way for 3 days now though.

Clearly they have to be aware of this.


Just worked fine here. Firefox 1.5.0.1

Do you have custom sort order set up?

Every account I have with custom sort order - same issue.

Experiencing the same issue here using the pvr app. It must be an issue for the sony IEPG site only, because custom channel lists etc work fine if you log in to zap2it directly. Hopefully they get this fixed soon.

Darin

I have a custom channel list but no custom channel sort order.

Mark

...

Do you have custom sort order set up?

Every account I have with custom sort order - same issue.

I have a custom channel list but no custom channel sort order.

Mark

Mark,

Howdo you use firefox with the pvr app? Do you set your default browser to use firefox? Do you also have to select not to integrate the browser with the PVR app?

Thanks

Darin

I have a custom channel list but no custom channel sort order.



Can you even get to your custom control panel to set it up or change providers?

I was attempting to change that and it still results in the error.

IT DOES remember which system I am on - thats all.



Howdo you use firefox with the pvr app? Do you set your default browser to use firefox? Do you also have to select not to integrate the browser with the PVR app?


I supposed you need to set Firefox for your default browser in Windows and not integrate in the PVR app.

However, the database that cannot be accessed is on the server - so the client should not matter.

I received my modded Dish 211 back from Nextcom on Thursday of this past week. It was a fast turnaround - off on a Monday, received by Nextcom and back to me Thursday of the following week. I was able to install it this Saturday.

There were a couple of installation anomalies. First, I moved the position of the box (I was using an R5000 modded Dish 6000 before) from my basement computer systems to my main AV rack. This necessitated running an active USB2 extension from the basement to my AV rack. Using 2 active extensions proved too much; the system wouldn't recognize the modded 211. I was able to make a single active extension work with a USB2 hub. The 211 was recognized and the installation proceeded normally.

So far, as I expected, all the recordings I've made have been flawless. What has me a little concerned is the blue buffer bar. Before, with the 6000, the bar averaged from 5-35%. Now, all the HD channels seem to dance from 40-60%. Again, the recordings seem perfect so far, but I'm a little concerned about the increase. Could extra USB2 cabling and the hub be causing some issues that may cause problems with marginal material?

Any thoughts?

I received my modded Dish 211 back from Nextcom on Thursday of this past week. It was a fast turnaround - off on a Monday, received by Nextcom and back to me Thursday of the following week. I was able to install it this Saturday.

There were a couple of installation anomalies. First, I moved the position of the box (I was using an R5000 modded Dish 6000 before) from my basement computer systems to my main AV rack. This necessitated running an active USB2 extension from the basement to my AV rack. Using 2 active extensions proved too much; the system wouldn't recognize the modded 211. I was able to make a single active extension work with a USB2 hub. The 211 was recognized and the installation proceeded normally.

So far, as I expected, all the recordings I've made have been flawless. What has me a little concerned is the blue buffer bar. Before, with the 6000, the bar averaged from 5-35%. Now, all the HD channels seem to dance from 40-60%. Again, the recordings seem perfect so far, but I'm a little concerned about the increase. Could extra USB2 cabling and the hub be causing some issues that may cause problems with marginal material?

Any thoughts?

Just to be clear, are you using the same computer?

Just to be clear, are you using the same computer?

Yes. I did an uninstall of the old software and installed the latest version that supports the 211/411. I rebooted, then plugged in the USB cable from the 211 (see above). Nothing else changed.

This could be incorrect - and I freely state the disclaimer upfront.

Of course as you do more things on the computer, it runs higher towards "Pushing it"

It has seemed to me that the higher the bitrate on the channel, the higher the bar is pushed providing nothing is else running on your computer.

For example, a 17Mbps bitrate would run the bar in the 40%-60% range you speak of, while a 11Mbps bitrate would run the bar around 20% and a 8-10 bitrate would have the low 10% number you speak of.

Again, that is without any other cpu cycles being taken into consideration.

It would seem to make some sense as the higher the bitrate the more processing it would to process and write more data to the hard drive.

Also, i have noticed it is usually easier to overflow the buffer by doing other things when capping with,say, a 17Mbps as opposed to a 8Mbps stream.

But again, I cannot confirm that - just speculate.

My buffer generally stays in the 40-60% range when I'm not doing anything else with the PC, and it goes to 80-99% when I do anything. I've never had an overflow. That's using the Motorola mod.

It has seemed to me that the higher the bitrate on the channel, the higher the bar is pushed providing nothing is else running on your computer.

I've observed the same thing.

While recording HDNet the meter stays in the 40-50% range.

When I record HBO the meter barely hits 10%.

My buffer generally stays in the 40-60% range when I'm not doing anything else with the PC, and it goes to 80-99% when I do anything. I've never had an overflow. That's using the Motorola mod.

I'm not going to worry about it too much - just keep an eye on the captures and see if the increaase seems to have had an effect. I've never had an overflow that I'm aware of in the past.

Are overflows recorded in any of the logs? If so, how?

Are overflows recorded in any of the logs? If so, how?

Most always they result in a muxer restart and often a new file beginning.

I found a few of these in the remuxer log: WRN:TS_RC_RING_OVFL
What do they mean?

curious if any of the new 211/411 mod users with access to a hd-lil have tried this?

http://www.nero.com/enu/NVidia.php

Woke up this morning to an error message in the R5000 app which said "STB power is off. Empty recording is being made." The 211 was off and the recording had failed - Caddyshack. Can't understand why the R5000 app couldn't start the 211 if it was off. That's what it does for all the recordings.

curious if any of the new 211/411 mod users with access to a hd-lil have tried this?

http://www.nero.com/enu/NVidia.php

This is the same thing as NVidia PureVideo decoder.
You can get it separately directly from NVidia for a few bucks without any extra Nero junk. It does wonders with HD decoding on a Geforce6/7 series card, something like 15-20% CPU usage during playback of full-HD transport streams.

with all the talk of the horsepower needed for h264 stream playback, I am curious how the 211/411 streams of HD LIL using h264 look with it.

Hello all,

I am thinking of buying a 211 and hooking it up with the R5000. I currently have an HTPC set up running to my projector as well as 942 running to the projector with a DVI switch between the two.

When the stream goes to the HTPC I will not be able to watch TV - is this correct? Or could I hook up another monitor and watch both?

Thank you in advance,

Chris

The R5000 mod does not have any impact on a set top box's existing video outputs. You can hook up a TV and watch like normal. If you want to watch a recording as it's being made, you need the right kind of playback device, e.g. the MyHD.

Balazer is correct, however, as people begin to mention the 211/411 and more and more of these units are shipped, we cannot say "right kind of playback device" and then use the MyHD as an example as it cannot playback any MPEG4 HD Local Streams.

More issues - life is about to get even more interesting :(

My bad, I forgot about MPEG-4.

Thanks for the replies, my order goes in today!

Chris

Thanks for the replies, my order goes in today!

Chris

Chris:

You'll be VERY pleased. The Nextcom R5000 STB mods produce fantastic recordings and Nextcom's support is second to none.

Enjoy.

My bad, I forgot about MPEG-4.

When Dish starts actually transmitting the new channels in MPEG4, it will be time to upgrade my R5000 box with a Radeon X1900 video card, which will play back the MPEG4 streams. One of the benefits for archiving should be the ability to store even more shows on standard DL DVD recordables.

The locals HD channels are in MPEG4 now as I understand it.

The locals HD channels are in MPEG4 now as I understand it.

Do you know when this changed? My understanding was that they were not going to be doing MPEG4 for a few months at the earliest. If your info is correct, does this mean the other Voom channels and UHD are in MPEG4 already? UHD was not MPEG4 as of last week.

When Dish starts actually transmitting the new channels in MPEG4, it will be time to upgrade my R5000 box with a Radeon X1900 video card, which will play back the MPEG4 streams.

Joseph

Please explain.

I thought that the new Dish 211-R5000HD combo output an MPEG-2 stream (not an MPEG-4 stream) for PC recording as a .TS file, playable on all the old standby hardware and software players.

Am I wrong about that?

Do you know when this changed? My understanding was that they were not going to be doing MPEG4 for a few months at the earliest. If your info is correct, does this mean the other Voom channels and UHD are in MPEG4 already? UHD was not MPEG4 as of last week.

UHD, ESPN2 and the 5 additional Voom Channels ARE NOT HD Locals.

Joseph

Please explain.

I thought that the new Dish 211-R5000HD combo output an MPEG-2 stream (not an MPEG-4 stream) for PC recording as a .TS file, playable on all the old standby hardware and software players.

Am I wrong about that?

Yes and No :)

The 211-R5000HD records everything in an mpeg2 transport stream (AKA mpeg2 systems or ISO13818-1). mpeg2 transport streams can "carry" a wide variety of content. Examples: mpeg2 video, mpeg4 video, VC-1 video, ac3 audio, mpeg2 audio, AAC/DTS audio, etc.

So what you get depends on what you are recording. If you are tuned to the dish 102 barker channel, you'll get SD mpeg2 video with mpeg2 audio in a mpeg2 transport stream. If you are recording HBOHD or any of the new or old VOOM channels you'll get HD mpeg2 video with ac3 audio in an mpeg2 transport stream.

So here's the rub... Depending on your player, only some of the above examples will be playable. for example, when you record HD locals (except for LA which I think is still mpeg2), the video is mpeg4-10 (AKA h.264). The R5000-HD will record this as mpeg4-10 video (0x1b) and ac3 audio in an mpeg2 transport stream. The resulting transport stream is 100% spec compliant. But it will not play on MyHD or any other mpeg2 only players. Because it is HD mpeg4, it will not play fast enough on software based players (elecard, etc). You need some sort of h.264 hardware acceleration. ATI's X1600 or X1900 cards work nicely. Nvidia's Geforce 6/7GT also have support for hardware h.264 acceleration, but I have not tested it myself.

The bottom line is, the R5000-HD will correctly record both mpeg2 and mpeg4 (h.264) video content. The problem is your pc might not be up to the task of playing it back...

Techtom

Techtom

Will an R5000HD utility that outputs a .VOB file from an MPEG4 recorded stream be both technically and practically possible?

The ATI Radeon X1800 XT & X1900 XT run $500-600.

Has anybody enjoyed playback success with newly recorded Dish Network - R5000HD MPEG-4 files, and if so, with what hardware, running what UI for playback control?

Will an R5000HD utility that outputs a .VOB file from an MPEG4 recorded stream be both technically and practically possible?

Possibly... but it there are a lot of unknowns. As far as the standard goes, it's possible to construct a spec compliant bitstream. But until we have real hardware, it's tough to say... Once the sigma Designs E8622 is released in a dvd player (like linklplayer3?) it should be possible to mux mpeg4-10 into a vob that would play in a future player. It should also be possible to play a properly constructed .vob file on the new HD-DVD players.

I'm first on the list to get a hd-dvd player, so I'll keep you posted...


The ATI Radeon X1800 XT & X1900 XT run $500-600.

Has anybody enjoyed playback success with newly recorded Dish Network - R5000HD MPEG-4 files, and if so, with what hardware, running what UI for playback control?


Yes. I'm running a Dell 9100 2.8G dual core, single cpu with a saphire ATI x1600 ($250 pci-e card). I bought the $15 cyberlink avc (h.264) plugin for ATI hardware. I can play any HD mpeg4-10 without glitch (~40% cpu). I tried the elecard software player w/avc plugin on a 3.2GHz dual core, dual processors and it was still too slow.



Techtom

mpeg4-part10 = avc = h.264

Yes. I'm running a Dell 9100 2.8G dual core, single cpu with a saphire ATI x1600 ($250 pci-e card). I bought the $15 cyberlink avc (h.264) plugin for ATI hardware. I can play any HD mpeg4-10 without glitch (~40% cpu). I tried the elecard software player w/avc plugin on a 3.2GHz dual core, dual processors and it was still too slow.

Techtom

mpeg4-part10 = avc = h.264

Techtom

Is a 2.8G dual core, single cpu (or equivalent) a system requirement for MPEG-4 playback with an ATI x1600 (or equivalent)?

I am trying to glean what it will reasonably take to playback Mpeg-4 streams captured by a Dish 211- R500HD Combo.

I was given to understand that HD-DVD and Blu-Ray will not support anamorphic 2.35:1 transfers, so, I am looking down the road at capturing such HD transfers from any potential source in the future, including those HD channels Dish to which adds with or swithces to MPEG-4.

UHD, ESPN2 and the 5 additional Voom Channels ARE NOT HD Locals.

Condescending caps are unnecessary. I know the difference. I was unclear as to the rollout of other MPEG4 channels. Thought you might have that information. I won't bother you for clarification again.

I was given to understand that HD-DVD and Blu-Ray will not support anamorphic 2.35:1 transfers, so, I am looking down the road at capturing such HD transfers from any potential source in the futureI'm sure you will see 2.39:1 transfers of films on HD-DVD and Blu-ray in much the same way as you do now on DVD or Showtime: letterboxed within a 16:9 video frame. Did you hope for something better than that?

Well I guess I am just a few years late to look into R5000 :) Anyway, after I spent few hours to read thru this threads I think it's a better deal than 169. How do you guys feel to getting one of the R5000 today? My worry is if I get this today and I heard DirectTV will have some sort of dirdct input soon... Also, is R5000 compartiable with MCE? Thanks for your feedbacks in advance.

Condescending caps are unnecessary. I know the difference. I was unclear as to the rollout of other MPEG4 channels. Thought you might have that information. I won't bother you for clarification again.


Apparently I do have to do it with you as it was very clear what I said from the beginning - but you did not get it without the emphasis:


The locals HD channels are in MPEG4 now as I understand it.

Do you know when this changed? My understanding was that they were not going to be doing MPEG4 for a few months at the earliest. If your info is correct, does this mean the other Voom channels and UHD are in MPEG4 already? UHD was not MPEG4 as of last week.

UHD, ESPN2 and the 5 additional Voom Channels ARE NOT HD Locals.

Apparently I do have to do it with you as it was very clear what I said from the beginning - but you did not get it without the emphasis:

Condescension followed by a good, healthy dollop of insult – thanks very much. I read your very clear statement, understood it and asked a follow-up question about channels other than the HD locals that I believed were slated to be MPEG4, also. Instead of answering my question, you adopted an attitude. I got my answer from other posts. From you I got a mild psychological rash.

Condescension followed by a good, healthy dollop of insult – thanks very much. I read your very clear statement, understood it and asked a follow-up question about channels other than the HD locals that I believed were slated to be MPEG4, also. Instead of answering my question, you adopted an attitude. I got my answer from other posts. From you I got a mild psychological rash.

Just because you cannot read english, don't try to make that my problem.

Suggest you use ignore - as i will not respond to requests for info in the future and you can still live in the ignorance and misconceptions to what is happening at Dish as you did last week.

If a tree falls in the woods - and no one hears it - did it really make a sound?

Guess you will never know.

Just because you cannot read english, don't try to make that my problem.

Suggest you use ignore - as i will not respond to requests for info in the future and you can still live in the ignorance and misconceptions to what is happening at Dish as you did last week.

If a tree falls in the woods - and no one hears it - did it really make a sound?

Guess you will never know.

Ignorance, misconceptions and a promise of no information from you - I can live with that.

My apologies to this thread. I'm finished with this nasty diversion.

I received my modded Dish 211 back from Nextcom on Thursday of this past week.



.... does this mean the other Voom channels and UHD are in MPEG4 already?

You had the ability to find the answer to your original question in less than 60 seconds - less than the time it took you to compose your snappy answer - but instead of finding out the answer for yourself in 60 seconds you asked here and then got your feelings hurt because you didn't take the time to read and comprehend what was posted.

And just so we are clear, this IS AN INSULT.

This is like an SAT question:

If a channel is an HD local, then it is MPEG-4

A is not an HD local.

Which of the following is true:

1) A is MPEG-4
2) A is not MPEG-4
3) Can't tell

The answer is 3. It was a legitimate follow-on question, though the fact that local HD channels are MPEG-4 actually gives you no information to answer it.

Now if you said "Only HD locals are MPEG-4", or "The only MPEG-4 channels are all HD locals", that would be different, but that's not what you wrote.

This is like an SAT question:

If a channel is an HD local, then it is MPEG-4

A is not an HD local.

Which of the following is true:

1) A is MPEG-4
2) A is not MPEG-4
3) Can't tell

The answer is 3. It was a legitimate follow-on question, though the fact that local HD channels are MPEG-4 actually gives you no information to answer it.

Now if you said "Only HD locals are MPEG-4", or "The only MPEG-4 channels are all HD locals", that would be different, but that's not what you wrote.

Let me help you out.

He HAS a ViP 211.

He tunes to UHD. He hits record. 5 seconds later he hits stop. He pulls the clip up in TSReader or HDTVtoMPEG2 and it either shows a picture and info or it doesnt.

In less than the time it took him to ask the question, or for me to type this reply, he could have answered this himself.

I meant it when I said I was finished with this mean-spirited exchange. I've seen these on AVS before. They are always unpleasant, and they violate the spirit of this forum. I apologize for my snarky comments.

Can anyone (except, respectfully, HDTVFanAtic) point me to information as to Dish Network plans to transmit non-local HD channels such as Universal HD in MPEG4? Like some others here, I am trying to figure out if and when I will have to come up with other tools to play back, edit and archive the MPEG4 footage. I have multiple MyHD systems, so local HD is not an issue for me. HDTVtoMPEG2 is my favorite .ts tool right now.

By the way, AVS is the home page on all my computers, including my laptop. I often plug in to broadband connections at friends' homes or libraries - far away from my Dish 211.

Try this thread. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6877553&highlight=mpeg4#post6877553

Try this thread. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6877553&highlight=mpeg4#post6877553

Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.

Can anyone (except, respectfully, HDTVFanAtic) point me to information as to Dish Network plans to transmit non-local HD channels such as Universal HD in MPEG4? Like some others here, I am trying to figure out if and when I will have to come up with other tools to play back, edit and archive the MPEG4 footage. I have multiple MyHD systems, so local HD is not an issue for me. HDTVtoMPEG2 is my favorite .ts tool right now.

There's no clear cut answer to this question. The last I knew they weren't getting the gains they wanted out of the MPEG-4 realtime encoders, and as such they weren't moving wholesale over to MPEG-4. This is why they stuck with MPEG-4 labeled MPEG-2 streams on the new national HD channels.

It's somewhat contradictory to send out HD LiL as true MPEG-4, but they might be getting enough of a gain 15% or so to make it worth their while on those channels.

I would guess that the real answer is when they get enough MPEG-4 receivers out there is when they'll make the changeover, say in about another 3-4 months. In the meantime with the MPEG-4 flag, they block customers that don't have Mpeg-4 capable receivers from seeing the content.

There's no clear cut answer to this question. The last I knew they weren't getting the gains they wanted out of the MPEG-4 realtime encoders, and as such they weren't moving wholesale over to MPEG-4. This is why they stuck with MPEG-4 labeled MPEG-2 streams on the new national HD channels.

It's somewhat contradictory to send out HD LiL as true MPEG-4, but they might be getting enough of a gain 15% or so to make it worth their while on those channels.

I would guess that the real answer is when they get enough MPEG-4 receivers out there is when they'll make the changeover, say in about another 3-4 months. In the meantime with the MPEG-4 flag, they block customers that don't have Mpeg-4 capable receivers from seeing the content.

Thanks, John. I probably have time before I make a committment to buying a newer Radeon card (and mobo with PCIe, and RAM and CPU, etc.). That may mean I can wait until Vista ships, too. Last post I saw, you were considering a 211, IIRC. Did you make the plunge?

Has anyone captured one of these "MPEG-4 labeled MPEG-2" streams? Just curious as to what syntax trick they are using.

Ron

Has anyone captured one of these "MPEG-4 labeled MPEG-2" streams? Just curious as to what syntax trick they are using.

Ron,

The program PMT correctly describes the "MPEG-4 labeled MPEG-2" channels as mpeg2 video (0x02) with ac-3 audio. For true mpeg-4 channels (e.g. HD locals), the PMT describes the video as H.264 (0x1b) and ac-3 audio. (as seen from TSreader front end captures).

The difference is in the SDT tables (PID 0x0011). E* uses the service descriptor to flag the program's service type. "Regular HiDef channels ( MPEG-2 ) have ST=0x91; new REAL MPEG-4 [H.264] channels - 0xA4; but the SPECIAL channels ( like UNIHD, ES2HD, etc ) using MPEG-2 compression marked with ST=0xA6.(satFTA)"

-Techtom

Ron,

The program PMT correctly describes the "MPEG-4 labeled MPEG-2" channels as mpeg2 video (0x02) with ac-3 audio. For true mpeg-4 channels (e.g. HD locals), the PMT describes the video as H.264 (0x1b) and ac-3 audio. (as seen from TSreader front end captures).

The difference is in the SDT tables (PID 0x0011). E* uses the service descriptor to flag the program's service type. "Regular HiDef channels ( MPEG-2 ) have ST=0x91; new REAL MPEG-4 [H.264] channels - 0xA4; but the SPECIAL channels ( like UNIHD, ES2HD, etc ) using MPEG-2 compression marked with ST=0xA6.(satFTA)"

-Techtom

Techtom,

I've never used TSreader. The only utilities I've used on a regular basis with .ts files are HDTVtoMPEG2 and VideoRedo. Will TSreader allow you to view the contents (if not play them back in realtime) of MPEG4 captures?

Techtom,

I've never used TSreader. The only utilities I've used on a regular basis with .ts files are HDTVtoMPEG2 and VideoRedo. Will TSreader allow you to view the contents (if not play them back in realtime) of MPEG4 captures?

TSreader (http://www.coolstf.com/tsreader/index.html) is primarily an analysis tool not editing. It will decode mpeg4 H.264 in its thumbnail window, but it's not realtime and there is no audio. TSreader can also stream programs to an external player like the Roku or VLC. I use TSreader to analyze the mpeg2 transport streams received from satellite. TSreader can decode and parse all DVB and ATSC PSIP guide tables.

-Techtom

Ron,

The program PMT correctly describes the "MPEG-4 labeled MPEG-2" channels as mpeg2 video (0x02) with ac-3 audio. For true mpeg-4 channels (e.g. HD locals), the PMT describes the video as H.264 (0x1b) and ac-3 audio. (as seen from TSreader front end captures).

The difference is in the SDT tables (PID 0x0011). E* uses the service descriptor to flag the program's service type. "Regular HiDef channels ( MPEG-2 ) have ST=0x91; new REAL MPEG-4 [H.264] channels - 0xA4; but the SPECIAL channels ( like UNIHD, ES2HD, etc ) using MPEG-2 compression marked with ST=0xA6.(satFTA)"

-Techtom
Thanx Ttom.

Ron

Sorry to jump into the middle of a tiff :p , but I have a question for this distinguished group of R5000 users.

I am using a Hughes E8 (D*). I use a laptop to capture and a USB2 SATA2 HardDrive (16MB cache). I keep getting intermitten failed captures when I do timer recordings. The latest was this morning. I went to bed last night after setting up a timer recording between 3-5 am. When I checked this morning it showed 0 captures and like 200+ failed attempts.

I used to have failed captures when doing manual records, but I recently plugged all power outlets into the same source and that seemed to work. But the timer recording issue continues. Anyone has any insight?

Try recording to an internal hard drive.

Yep...I had to do the same thing. USB always wouldn't work. Internal drive has not ever had a problem. I actually just took the drive from the USB enclosure and put it in the PC (removed the internal floppy to make room).

Darin

He is using a laptop so he probably can't add a hard drive. Using the internal hard drive is the best bet for recording. After the recording is complete move it over to the external drive. Another posibility is a 1394 external drive. John

new to the r5000 talk. Can you set it up under media center? Basically can you take full advantage f that interface or do you have to use the titan tv guide?

guys, thanks for the suggestions above. I tried to the timer record to the internal harddrive, but this too failed after about 3 minutes of capturing. I also tried the firewire capture, but that too failed. So the only success I have is a manual hit the record button and then stop recording.

So I am not sure what is causing the problems. I am thinking there is some sort of glitch where the R5000 is sending the start and stop time and the computer processing info while being talked to. But since nobody else seems to share this poblem, I guess I will have to write it off as my system with processing the handshake with the R5000.

Maybe its time for a dedicated HTPC, but the wife would never go for it. :(

Anybody wanna buy a Hughes E8 with R5000-HD mod? :confused:

What does the remuxer log have in it after a recording failure. If it is a USB problem, a different USB card might fix the problem. John

My 6000 has stopped working. Doesn't want to power up. When you plug in/out the ac you can hear a faint squeal (capacitors??) like most receivers make but nothing will light up. I have tried a number of things like removing all modules/coax etc even pulled the cover and check all the wires to see if anything came loose. It did this a couple weeks ago but only for about an hour then it worked fine for another week. The R5000 app connects and authenticates to the box but can not control it and just reports that the box is not powered on.

Anyway... I'm just going to replace it with a 211 and was just wondering if there was any salvage value to it?

new to the r5000 talk. Can you set it up under media center? Basically can you take full advantage f that interface or do you have to use the titan tv guide?

Sounds like Sage integration is coming soon according to those on the Sage TV forum. This is very exciting. Being able to schedule recordings from something like sage with a remote will be the icing on the the cake....Also 3 simultaneous recordings, wow. Hopefully it all pans out. Quote is below from someone on the sage forum or link to thread is at the bottom.

"Ok folks, here some info. First try was to use Anders' network encoder, and it didnt work out so well. Things have no progressed into a full fledged Sage network encoder. I have yet to test this new version, however I know that its able to capture from at least 3 R5000 units simultaneously. 4 should be doable on moderate pc's (1GB ram, decent processor, say 2ghz or faster on the Intel scale). In fact the test platform they used internally was recording from a Dish 6000, Dish 411, and DirecTV DTC100, while also playing a HD stream through a MyHD card with no issues at all. Granted the myHD is hardware based on the card, but its still accessing the disc, so 4 HD streams were going on all at once.

I am not altogether sure when I will have the new version in my hands for testing, but once that happens, it should be released shortly after. Nextcom is wrapping up everything on it, and its working quite well. In case anyone knows anything about the current r5000 software, you will know that it is not able to capture 2 different R5000 mods at the same time. Its always been a pre-req that you either have a separate PC for each R5000, or you time your recordings to only do 1 at a time, with no overlap from different tuners.

I do expect that I will probably get my hands on the next version from them in the next day or two. Of course my two R5000's are just waiting to be plugged into my setup and go right into testing. It wont take me long to get testing results to them.


if you guys have any specific questions, fire them at me, and I will do my best to answer. I would have posted more earlier, but due to my constant NDA status with nextcom, I needed to wait before posting too much. I'm sure you guys can understand."

Link to thread
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16615&highlight=r5000

for people wondering about h.264, as of about a week or two ago nVidia has added h.264 decoding to purevideo as well (their DVD/MPEG2 decoder, which is bundled with TheaterTek if you have that player), but the drivers required to use it are buggy so i don't know if there has been a successful test of it yet.

either way, there will assuredly be issues with h.264 video card decoding just as there are issues with mpeg2 video card decoding. if they haven't perfected mpeg2 decoding over the years i don't know why people think mpeg4 AVC decoding will be any different.

also, dunno what codecs you've tried for playback, but if you're using FFDShow for AVC decoding/playback, that might be why you're struggling if you have a higher end pc. coreavc is much MUCH faster than FFDshow, give it a try. 720p/1080i playback in software with coreavc is very possible if you have a dual core athlon or equivalent dual core intel CPU right now.

you can still find their betas available for download, and they are releasing a final AVC codec with video card assisted decoding, multi-cpu support, and all that jazz this weekend, per a post on doom9. it will not be free, at least not the fully featured one, no doubt due to licensing issues, but it should be relatively inexpensive, definitely less expensive than buying a 300 dollar video card ;).

bottom line, i would be hesitant to rely on a video card for mpeg4 AVC playback. if you want to play back AVC stuff on a pc, then spend your money on a higher end dual-core CPU, and do it in software. software will always work, given the CPU horsepower.

guys, thanks for the suggestions above. I tried to the timer record to the internal harddrive, but this too failed after about 3 minutes of capturing. I also tried the firewire capture, but that too failed. So the only success I have is a manual hit the record button and then stop recording.

So I am not sure what is causing the problems. I am thinking there is some sort of glitch where the R5000 is sending the start and stop time and the computer processing info while being talked to. But since nobody else seems to share this poblem, I guess I will have to write it off as my system with processing the handshake with the R5000.

Maybe its time for a dedicated HTPC, but the wife would never go for it. :(

Anybody wanna buy a Hughes E8 with R5000-HD mod? :confused:

You should email R5000, I had an issue awhile ago that they promptly cleared up for me.

There seems to be a Daylight Savings Time mismatch between TitanTV and the PVR app. If I add an event to the PVR from TitanTV (for something starting tomorrow or later), the time shown in the PVR is one hour earlier than in TitanTV. As far as I can tell, the times shown in TitanTV account for Daylight Savings Time correctly. If I enter a new event manually, the time I enter is what's shown in the PVR app.

So either the PVR app is showing some times incorrectly, or the TitanTV integration is creating events with the wrong times.

Thanks for the heads up. Zap2it appeared not to have the issue (atleast the times are correct) while the TitanTV times I have had to adjust by an hour.

Now if Zap2it would get the custom order info working. It's been over 4 weeks now - and only on the IEPG custom stuff - not on the zap2it custom order stuff - which is probably why they haven't been bombared.

I have filed out the comments webform, but obviously not getting much accomplished.

Anyone know how to get in touch with these people?

I have confirmed the TitanTV integration bug. If you add a Daylight Savings Time event to the PVR from TitanTV at a time when Standard Time is in effect, the PVR event will have the wrong times. (the reverse is presumably true also)

Thanks for the heads up. Zap2it appeared not to have the issue (atleast the times are correct) while the TitanTV times I have had to adjust by an hour.

Now if Zap2it would get the custom order info working. It's been over 4 weeks now - and only on the IEPG custom stuff - not on the zap2it custom order stuff - which is probably why they haven't been bombared.

I have filed out the comments webform, but obviously not getting much accomplished.

Anyone know how to get in touch with these people?

Same issue for me too....I have Canadian and 4DTV listing which can only be done via zap2it iepg. No customizing is a real pain as I am on dialup which can take forever it seems to download all channels. I would be surprised if it ever gets addressed. I too filled out their contact/support form several times and have never heard anything.

Darin

What does the remuxer log have in it after a recording failure. If it is a USB problem, a different USB card might fix the problem. John

I didnt have eit activated, so there is no data log. I just activated it, so we shall see.

Just to update the challenege I have had with timer recordings. Found something truly weird yesterday after exchanging email with R5000HD. I did a test timer recording (1 hr) yesterday, but this time I clicked on Utilities -> Schedule Record, entered my record info and .............................drum roll.......................it recorded just as it was supposed to. It was recorded to a USB2 SATA harddrive.

Previously, I would click on "Timer" on the main dialog screen and enter the recording info and more often than not, it would not record anything or end prematurely. I will continue to test this to see if it was just a random thing. But my initial thought is that there is a bug there.

Has anyone ever had this anomoly happen to them? Thanks.

The R5000-HD is now available for the Dish Network model ViP 622 DVR. Please see website (http://www.r5000-hd.com) for details.

Capture capability includes all HD and SD content as well as DTV, basically identical to the ViP 211 MPEG-4 receiver. All current R5000-HD features are supported including TitanTV remote scheduling (Program recordings from anywhere in the world).

Extraction (capturing programs from the DVR's internal hard drive) is not available. Whereas it is possible to capture these streams, the MPEG material is encrypted, rendering them useless. Stream capture from the 622 DVR is limited to live transmissions.

-R

I've searched this and other R5000 threads for an answer to this, but no joy.

Recordings I've made (about 100) are usually either error-free or one error in last frame, but about one out of ten will have some additional errors. M2r always provides the file offset (and usually the correct timestamp) for the error. I would like to be able to quickly assess the damage by viewing the file with a .ts player like Zoom or Elecard that displays the Total and Elapsed time. Unfortunately, the R5000 .ts files don't show the correct times in these players. The Total time displayed is about one-forth the actual total time, and the Elapsed time is correct until it reaches the total time, and then it stops advancing even though the file continues to play.

I have several thousand tapes from the Panny combo days, and all of those that I have transferred to PC show the correct time in ZP and Elecard, so I know the problem is in the form of the R5000 file. I assume the problem stems from the remux of the stream. My rcvr is a DTC100. The problem occurs on all channels, sat and OTA.

Any suggestions on how to solve this...? external mux... different player...

Try using the Elecard demux filter, and set the seek mode to use time stamps instead of bit rate.

Try setting the R5000-HD DVR app to produce 19.3 Mbps streams.

Try using the Elecard demux filter, and set the seek mode to use time stamps instead of bit rate.

Try setting the R5000-HD DVR app to produce 19.3 Mbps streams.Thanks, first method (seek mode) works. I'll try the other when I get home.

Anyway to lock the seek mode? Couldn't find anything in the registry or common files that would change defaults for mpg2dmx.ax.

balazer & gridleak. Two of the more technical proficient guys around here.

Nevermind on the lock seek mode question. The "Set as Default" button was so large I didn't see it. :)

Thanks Ken, but I'm not in balazer's league.

However, I can fix old radios.

Hey, balazer, is there any chance we might see an HDTVtoMPEG2-type program for the new MPEG4 channels that Dish is broadcasting? Pardon my ignorance if this question has been asked or is simply ignorant of the issues involved.

You'd have to ask Cris.

You'd have to ask Cris.

Come on - I know you know the answer to that one :D

The version 2.4a DVR supports SageTV and running multiple instances. Can record from as many as 4 devices simultaneously on the same PC. A 30-day trial is available from the download area (http://www.nextcomwireless.com/r5000/support.htm)

Tests on a low-end Celeron 1.8G with 640MB show approx. 80% CPU usage while streaming from 4 simultaneous HD sources. A CBR stream requires approx 2.4MB/sec data rate so 4 HD recordings require a HDD to sustain nearly 10MB/sec transfer rate. Expect slower disk access and limited possibility for simultaneously playback, especially with software decoders (not recommended).

SageTV must be configured to recognize the R5000 as a networked encoder. Once configured, integration is seamless; there are no other external devices or software required. Complete instructions are available at www.r5000-hd.com (http://www.nextcomwireless.com/r5000/sagetv.htm)

The SageTV release version will be free to anyone who purchases the R5000-HD within the next 30 days (offer expires 5/15/2006). Valid serial number must be presented.

-R

The SageTV release version will be free to anyone who purchases the R5000-HD within the next 30 days (offer expires 5/15/2006). Valid serial number must be presented.
Can you clarify this please? Will you be charging an additional fee for the app for it to work with SageTV after the 30 days?

Is a C Band friendly EPG available with SageTV?

Is a C Band friendly EPG available with SageTV?
When I go into my channel setup, "C-Band USA" is listed as an option. They get their guide data from Zap2It so if they list it then it should be in SageTV. There is an option also for 4DTV in the channel setup which I think is also C-Band.

Just downloaded the sage demo and the r5000 beta which supports sage. It took about an hour or so to set up. I am surprised there haven't been any comments on this. This is huge news for me. Integrated guide for all of your sources, extremely advanced recording software, can record up to 4 sources at the same time. And the best part, it works. I have Starchoice and 4DTV and both work perfectly. For 4DTV users, yes this does include timings for changing the satellite then sending the channel numbers. This is because sage connects to the R5000 DVR software where the receiver info is already configured. Once you modify the sage.properties file, sage sees it as a tuner, set the guide data, and it just works. One thing that I was a bit confussed on at first is you have to start an instance of the DVR software for each tuner which makes sense now that I think about it. The only thing I need to look into is sage records as mpg instead of ts. Does anyone know if that reduces quality at all or where I can have it record files as .ts instead of mpg?

Great work Nextcom. Your continued work on bettering a great product is much appreciated.

Darin

The only thing I need to look into is sage records as mpg instead of ts. Does anyone know if that reduces quality at all or where I can have it record files as .ts instead of mpg?
Sage isn't doing the work, so they aren't being recorded to mpg in SageTV. That's why the R5000 app is still needed, it's doing all of the recording as normal, SageTV is just telling it what to record, so the quality settings in Sage won't affect the saved file, should be exactly the same as if you just used the R5000 app alone. There's a thread about SageTV w/ R5000 going in the Sage forums too, can probably get more detailed info there.

Just downloaded the sage demo and the r5000 beta which supports sage. It took about an hour or so to set up. I am surprised there haven't been any comments on this. This is huge news for me. Integrated guide for all of your sources, extremely advanced recording software, can record up to 4 sources at the same time. And the best part, it works. I have Starchoice and 4DTV and both work perfectly. For 4DTV users, yes this does include timings for changing the satellite then sending the channel numbers. This is because sage connects to the R5000 DVR software where the receiver info is already configured. Once you modify the sage.properties file, sage sees it as a tuner, set the guide data, and it just works. One thing that I was a bit confussed on at first is you have to start an instance of the DVR software for each tuner which makes sense now that I think about it. The only thing I need to look into is sage records as mpg instead of ts. Does anyone know if that reduces quality at all or where I can have it record files as .ts instead of mpg?

Great work Nextcom. Your continued work on bettering a great product is much appreciated.

Darin

The files are TS, just named MPG. Its writing the standard R5000 file, so however you set that up is what it does (i.e. compressed, 19mbit, etc) but it is TS, just named MPG.

Thanks for the info on that. Makes perfect sense. I just saw the files as .mpg and was wondering. That is very good to know. I am currently using a Roku for playback of the recorded files and it works very well. It of course does not take advantage of live TV. Is it very difficult to get rock solid playback through sage of recorded HD? If playback through sage could be as reliable as through the Roku Photobridge I might consider playback of recorded files directly in sage. Having an integrated guide of multiple sources is very cool. I would appreciate any comments by those that use sage to record and playback HD files....for example....
1-Video card/PC Speed
2-Was setup very difficult
3-Quality and stabilioty of playback

Thanks again for your comments.

Darin

Does SageTV support live viewing from the R5000-HD?

Does SageTV support live viewing from the R5000-HD?
It wouldn't have been worth getting it implemented if it didn't!!

Does SageTV support live viewing from the R5000-HD?

Yes. I had it working this morning. Video for me was choppy but I believe that is just a result of the on board video.

Darin

Yes. I had it working this morning. Video for me was choppy but I believe that is just a result of the on board video.
Yeah onboard isn't going to work well at all, you'll want at least something along the lines of a GeForce 6600 to view HD.

Yeah onboard isn't going to work well at all, you'll want at least something along the lines of a GeForce 6600 to view HD.

Thanks for the info. I will check that card out. I have a spare Matrox g450, do you think that would cut it? -D

I don't have one so I can't say for sure, but I would doubt it. But since you already have it it can't hurt to give it a try. I have a GeForce 6200 that can play 720P shows fine but stutters on 1080i, so I'll be upgrading myself. FYI - These shows weren't recorded with the R5000 as I don't have one YET. I'm a SageTV user that's been begging for SageTV support for the R5000 for a long time, now that it's finally here I'll be ordering one this coming week.

Has anyone used the R5000 to record a real MPEG-4 channel from DISH Network?

Does SageTV R5000 integration work with MPEG-4 channels?

Has anyone used the R5000 to record a real MPEG-4 channel from DISH Network?

Does SageTV R5000 integration work with MPEG-4 channels?
DISH netork does not offer TRUE MPEG-4 yet, it's simply MPEG-2 wrapped up in an MPEG-4 transmission, so i don't know if that would make a huge difference.

DISH netork does not offer TRUE MPEG-4 yet, it's simply MPEG-2 wrapped up in an MPEG-4 transmission, so i don't know if that would make a huge difference.

Not true.

The HD locals are h.264 MPEG4

Not true.

The HD locals are h.264 MPEG4

Correct, with the exception of NYC and LA, which are still MPEG2.

Correct, with the exception of NYC and LA, which are still MPEG2.
Must be because i'm in LA and heard from someone out here......thanks for the correction. :cool:

Must be because i'm in LA and heard from someone out here......thanks for the correction. :cool:

Yeah I "moved" to NYC to get HD locals, partly to test with the Sage addon about a month ago, and was a bit disappointed to see them in MPEG2. Didnt think I could justify another move to get Philly or Boston (or was it DC) HD locals for testing purposes.

So that means some of you guys with MPEG4 HD locals are going to have to test the sage portion with it, I'm not sure its going to work though.

Has anyone used the R5000 to record a real MPEG-4 channel from DISH Network?

Does SageTV R5000 integration work with MPEG-4 channels?
You should be able to record them at least trough SageTV, but you won't be able to play them back in Sage unless you know of a DirectShow decoder that supports the playback of MPEG4 AVC like the Elecard software.

You should be able to record them at least trough SageTV, but you won't be able to play them back in Sage unless you know of a DirectShow decoder that supports the playback of MPEG4 AVC like the Elecard software.O.k., let's say I know of such software. Does SageTV support MPEG-4 AVC?

Ok, after some testing with the MPEG4 sample clip from the R5000 website I'm going to have to say no. Not natively anyway. There are plugins to launch an external viewer, though I don't think they would work for Live TV viewing.

I did install the Elecard DirectShow filter (didn't know one existed) and I can now play back the MPEG4 file in Windows media player just fine. I'll be emailing Sage's support to see when/if support for it will be added.

About sage tv , do you need a hardware or just the software from sagetv. I just never heard of sagetv until now, just look at the website , looks like they are selling the pvr box/card tuner, i'm just lost. It would be nice if I don't have to buy another piece of hardware. If it is softwareonly where is the link?

sagetv is software.
they're probably selling some boxed solution with their software included.
sagetv is not free, i believe there's a $50 or something registration fee.

sagetv is also written in Java, so if you don't like that, then stay clear from it.

About sage tv , do you need a hardware or just the software from sagetv. I just never heard of sagetv until now, just look at the website , looks like they are selling the pvr box/card tuner, i'm just lost. It would be nice if I don't have to buy another piece of hardware. If it is softwareonly where is the link?
Unlike Windows MCE, SageTV can be made to run without an analog tv tuner. So if you're looking to just use Sage with the R5000 network encoder plugin it should work fine. So there should be no need to buy more hardware, just the SageTV software, which you can also get the demo to try it out...

As for Java, yeah it's not the best language to write an app in, but the folks at Sage managed to use it to write the best and most stable PVR app designed for Windows.

The version 2.4a DVR supports SageTV and running multiple instances. Can record from as many as 4 devices simultaneously on the same PC. A 30-day trial is available from the download area (http://www.nextcomwireless.com/r5000/support.htm)

Tests on a low-end Celeron 1.8G with 640MB show approx. 80% CPU usage while streaming from 4 simultaneous HD sources. A CBR stream requires approx 2.4MB/sec data rate so 4 HD recordings require a HDD to sustain nearly 10MB/sec transfer rate. Expect slower disk access and limited possibility for simultaneously playback, especially with software decoders (not recommended).

SageTV must be configured to recognize the R5000 as a networked encoder. Once configured, integration is seamless; there are no other external devices or software required. Complete instructions are available at www.r5000-hd.com (http://www.nextcomwireless.com/r5000/sagetv.htm)

The SageTV release version will be free to anyone who purchases the R5000-HD within the next 30 days (offer expires 5/15/2006). Valid serial number must be presented.

-R


Hoorah!

Ever since I purchased the R5000 those many moons ago, I have hoped for this day! I can't wait to get home and fire this up!

Quick question - I am assuming this will work with beta versions of SageTV as well?

Thanks!

Let us know how hard it is to get it to work, I am no programmer kind a not feeling comfortable with editing some file that looks like greek to me.

One question, could you ask sage tv to record says series of 'dog whisperer' whenever it comes on , which usually come on at different day /time of the week? :rolleyes:

Hoorah!

Ever since I purchased the R5000 those many moons ago, I have hoped for this day! I can't wait to get home and fire this up!

Quick question - I am assuming this will work with beta versions of SageTV as well?

Thanks!

I did all the testing of this on beta 4.1.11. So the answer is yes! :)

Let us know how hard it is to get it to work, I am no programmer kind a not feeling comfortable with editing some file that looks like greek to me.

Its not hard. You simply open up the sage.properties file in a program like notepad or wordpad, copy the lines from the howto page, paste them in your file, after the last mmc/encoder line listed, and save the file. Only have to verify that the device number (e.g mmc/encoder/12346) is unique and you dont have other devices with that number.

One question, could you ask sage tv to record says series of 'dog whisperer' whenever it comes on , which usually come on at different day /time of the week? :rolleyes:

Yeah, you can do that. Favorite setup allows you to record all shows, and on all channels, or specify a channel to record from.

I did all the testing of this on beta 4.1.11. So the answer is yes! :)

Thanks! I will tackle tonight. I think I will upgrade Sage first. Currently I am running .08.

So if I had the mod done to my Dish 6000, and bought a modified 211, how are different program sources managed in Sage? Is there some sort of control over which tuner tries to tune into a particular channel, for example I don’t want my 6000 trying to record any of the Voom channels because it can’t receive them?

Thanks,
Kenny

So if I had the mod done to my Dish 6000, and bought a modified 211, how are different program sources managed in Sage? Is there some sort of control over which tuner tries to tune into a particular channel, for example I don’t want my 6000 trying to record any of the Voom channels because it can’t receive them?

Thanks,
Kenny

Its rather simple. You setup the channel guide for each tuner. then sage combines all instances of say, HBO-HD, into 1 guide entry. Then as you schedule shows to record, Sage looks at the loading on the various tuners, decides what it has open, and allocates the recording to 1 tuner or the other, based on othe recording schedules and tuner merit.

Cool, thanks for the explanation.

Its not hard. You simply open up the sage.properties file in a program like notepad or wordpad, copy the lines from the howto page, paste them in your file, after the last mmc/encoder line listed, and save the file. Only have to verify that the device number (e.g mmc/encoder/12346) is unique and you dont have other devices with that number.



Yeah, you can do that. Favorite setup allows you to record all shows, and on all channels, or specify a channel to record from.


Well I set this up last night. Very cool!

I should explain that I am a long time SageTV user and I also have owned the R5000 almost from inception (I should check this thread to see how far back that is ;) ). I have always wanted these programs integrated. I am delighted this has finally occurred. Thanks to the guys at Nextcom Wireless.

I will say this, for anyone who has not used SageTV over a network before (utilizing the "network encoder" feature) the instructions provided are woefully brief.

If anyone is struggling at all getting this setup, please do not hesitate to post here or send me a PM and I am happy to help. It is not hard, but if you are like me, a computer user, not a computer programmer, the steps for setup can be confusing. Like I say, it is quite easy, but when you are not sure you are doing this the right way, it can lead to problems and frustration.

Just as a way of getting you started, here are a couple of useful links from SageTV

SageTV Faq Page (http://www.sage.tv/stvfaqs.html?sageSub=tv)

Setting up a Network Encoder (http://www.sage.tv/2_papers/NetworkEncoderSetup.txt)

Good Luck!

Unfortunately, I dont think its wise to point users to the Sage Network Encoder document. It contains information not at all pertinent to this setup and could confuse some users even more.

The whole setup process really is as easy as pasting the mmc/encoder lines from the Nextcom support page into your sage.properties file. You paste them in alphabetic order, so if you dont have other mmc/encoder lines, you stick them where they should line up. If you have other mmc/encoder lines, paste the nextcom set after your last mmc/encoder line. (Sage will re-order the file upon restart)

You have to verify the IP and port, and change it to what you are using. If the r5000 is on the same machine as the Sage server, then you leave 127 address, and specify the port number as you setup in the R5000 DVR app. Also you have to put in the device/serial name as instructed on the R5000 page.

Then its just a matter of starting the R5000 DVR with Sage network encoder started, and then start your sage server. Add a new device, the R5000 will be listed, and setup your channel guide.

Short of the guys at nextcom, I've got the most time in with the sage network encoder setup, so feel free to ask me stuff about it. I honestly dont think Nextcom could have made the instructions any more concise or simple.

Short of the guys at nextcom, I've got the most time in with the sage network encoder setup, so feel free to ask me stuff about it. I honestly dont think Nextcom could have made the instructions any more concise or simple.

How does one combine the satellite program guide (in my case, Dish Network-Tampa) with the local OTA digital program guide for the R5000 STB in Sage? The best I can determine it's either one or the other.

How does one combine the satellite program guide (in my case, Dish Network-Tampa) with the local OTA digital program guide for the R5000 STB in Sage? The best I can determine it's either one or the other.

I have to admit, I am not sure about that. I do not record OTA stuff with my set up.

For sure you can use the same source, your R5000 STB for two different channel line-ups. First setup the Dish Network. Then setup the local OTA. Both utilizing the R5000 encoder.

There may be a better solution, however.

Be sure also to go to the SageTV forum. There is discussion of the R5000 and there are a lot of helpful users there.

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=9

How does one combine the satellite program guide (in my case, Dish Network-Tampa) with the local OTA digital program guide for the R5000 STB in Sage? The best I can determine it's either one or the other.

That I am not fully sure of, since I havent tried OTA on my 411 and in sage. Might check with nextcom on that, since its going to be confusing for a dish receiver I imagine. If you were in a market with HD LiL already, and then combine the OTA locals in, I'm not sure how that is going to work out in the guide. I *think* a new Dish receiver puts the satellite HD local on say 7-0, and then populates the local OTA HD as 7-1, 7-2, etc. I cant test that though, since I "moved" and thus my real market doesnt match. I'll see if I can figure something out tonight.

Does SageTV support any clear QAM tuner cards?

Does SageTV support any clear QAM tuner cards?

Not yet. Someone is working on a network encoder for the MyHD, and there is another stand alone QAM solution coming soon. I'm also trying to get something working on a linux system but doubt it will.

Does SageTV support "intelligent" handling of aspect ratios? E.g., if I had a 4:3 monitor, would it display 4:3 content full-screen, and give me the option to letterbox or zoom 16:9 content? Could I use a 16:10 monitor and have it crop & zoom 16:9 material to fill the screen?

The only "intelligent" handling I know of is a loading STV import module. Check it out here:

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14146

Has a lot of functionality, whether it meets all your specific needs I dont know. There is also AR control inside sage.

OK - rookie r5000 user here. I got my Huges E86, got it hooked up and all is well - activated the Sage service and updated the properties file, Sage finds it - dandy!

however, when I record a show, it creates the MPG file just fine - no errors are showing up in the r5000 app and it appears to be fine. Trying to play the recording in Sage client (either on or off box) just tanks it - you see the "wait" icon and it never plays. If I stop the recording and open the file with Video Redo generally I can play it - however there's some goofy looking stuff at the begining which I suspect may be the source of the problem.

Thinking this is perhaps a USB problem ala the FAQ on the NextCom site, I turned off the sage service, switched to force it to an AV debug out, created about 30 seconds of a file and looked at it with a hex editor. I don't see any blocks of FF out there (certainly nothing that looks like the sample bad file they post).

So then I just had the R5000 app create it's own TS file without going through Sage - this again creates a file and no errors are reported. I open the file in PowerDVD and it plays however it pauses every couple seconds during playback. Not good.

I'm cool with going out and hunting down a USB card with the NEC chipset they like, although I'm deeply skeptical this is a USB transport issue. Aside from the fact that I'm not seeing "blank" blocks in the AV file, I've used external USB hard drives and I tested the througput extensively - I'd be pretty suprised if that was it. I'll call around today anyway since a good USB card s pretty cheap and I don't know what else to check next.

Anyone have any suggestions on what to try next?

You might recording OK at least with the R5000 application, but getting a problem with your playback software. It takes a fast CPU and possibly some assistance from the video card to get good software decoding of HD video. I have never been totally happy with it here. If you can try a hardware decoder such as a MYHD card or JVC DVHS machine you might get better results. John

yeah - my clients can all handle HD video no problem - however this is just SD recording off the satalite right now so that's not the issue.

Can the R5000HD handle SD on Directv? Last I saw on their website it did not.


Edit - never mind - I see that was changed in version 2.0.

It can.

Shows how much attention I pay to SD features :D

yeah - my clients can all handle HD video no problem - however this is just SD recording off the satalite right now so that's not the issue.


IIRC Directv SD was added about this time last year. The catch is that Directv uses a variable GOP structures which some players might not like... But I find it hard to believe that a player wouldn't play a variable GOP clip because it's still standard compliant.

-Techtom


BTW variable GOP selects frame type (I,P,B) base on actual motion rather than a fixed cadence (IBBPBBPBBPBBP)

Well, the NextCom guys are looking at some files I uploaded for them now.

But interestingly the .MPG files that I created via the r5000 wont play in Sage but if I run them through the quick stream fix function in VideoRedo they all play dandy. I've tried all 3 bitrate options in the r5000 configuration - same results.

Seems to indicate that something's in the stream jacking things up for sage. Hopefully the support folks will have some answers.

And yes - the plan is to go to HD programming in a month or two - but since most of the stuff comng across the dish is SD, I gotta make sure this works properly before pulling the trigger.

Anybody have problems with the click to record links giving an error?
Lately I have to do a "save as" from the web guide, and create program.tpi files, then launch those program.tpi files from Windows Explorerer to get them to show up as scheduled to record. It turns everything into a two step process instead of click-and-open to schedule like it used to do.

Anybody have problems with the click to record links giving an error?
Lately I have to do a "save as" from the web guide, and create program.tpi files, then launch those program.tpi files from Windows Explorerer to get them to show up as scheduled to record. It turns everything into a two step process instead of click-and-open to schedule like it used to do.

I do know that is a Windows issue as I had it happen with something else, but don't remember the exact solution.

Are they associated with the R5000HD in the Windows files types?

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/4106/tvpi5gy.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

And could you have IE block/asking what to do with that type of file?

Those 2 things could make what you say happen.

Just a follow up on my issues from earlier today.

Upgrading all clients and the server to 4.1 beta build 14 (release candidate according to Sage) solved the playback issues. All files regarldess of bitrate or if they have "garbage" at the front/back of them play back fine. This makes things much easier to use.

There are still bugs with it working as a network encoder, however - live TV is still awkward as you get a "no signal" notice (probalby due to a delay in the time you request a record and the time things spin up) and with the mix of recording devices (OTA HD card, Hauppauge 250, r5000) it's tossing up bogus "conflict" reports - but when you say "do nothing" it records anyway. Kind of odd... looks like some flawed error handling in Sage's stuff to me but that's just a guess.

Anyway - it's not pretty or silky smooth but it works without having to process the files with VideoRedo so it's certainly better than it was...

I have to say my experience has been pretty good. I do get the "no signal" warning on Live TV, but then the picture comes up and all is good. As far as recording programming, HD or SD, everything is working smoothly. Very happy to have all of this integrated. As I gain confidence with this, I will disconnect the s-video cable and rely solely on the R5000 connection.

Currently, I am running SageTV 4.13, but will probably upgrade this week.

Hey Ralph.

Do you have other capture devices in your rig at the same time you're running the r5000? Just curious if you're also seeing the bogus "confict" dialogs when you go to record a show and another device is active...

Hey Ralph.

Do you have other capture devices in your rig at the same time you're running the r5000? Just curious if you're also seeing the bogus "confict" dialogs when you go to record a show and another device is active...


I do. I have two PC's configured to record programming. One PC has two Hauppauge PVR-250 cards, each configured to record analog cable. The other PC has a PVR-500, configured to record analog cable and also from the DTC-100 DirecTV receiver, which also was modded by Nextcom. I have not had any "conflict" dialogs.

What is your setup?

I have an AverMedia OTA HD capture card, a Hauppauge 250 and the r5000 on one server - if I'm recording on the 250 and I go to record another show or watch it live on the r5000 then it reports that there is a conflict. It does the recording anyway, but it's a little odd and it throws my wife off big time. The OTA card doesn't seem to cause a problem since t has it's own set of channels.

The other way doesn't have a problem - if I'm recording with the r5000 resource and the 250 is not in use you can start up a recording no problem. Maybe I'll go in and set the merit values such that the r5000 is used first when possible to minimize having to deal with this...

JLindborg,

If you have not already, I would definitely post on the Sage forum site. Under the "Hardware" section there is discussion of the R5000. You may get some help there. I have found Sage users very willing to help others.

Ok so im a pretty noob user when it comes to pc's. I have experience with command line and can work my way around windows ok, but my main concern is, how good is Sage tv in comparison to WMC. Does sage tv give you the same options as far as hardware and what not. Right now i have a HP Z555. This pc s solely for use with my tv. It has two ntsc and one atsc tuners built in. Currently i have no problems capturing two standard tv shows off my dish network recievers and 1 off the OTA antenna. I am considering buying the R-5000hd but want to maintain the ease of use i currently enjoy. (Mainly fo the others in the home). So i guess what i am wondering is, does sage tv utilize the ir blasters built into many media center pc's, will it allow me to use the OTA antenna. How many tuner card does it simultaneously control? From screen shots i have seen it looks to be pretty good, but i want to know how well it works over all from people who have used it.

I have both MCE and sage tv, problem is MCE does not give you directv HD, other than that I think MCE is better written software, more stable, the sage TV tends to crash a lot.

I have both MCE and sage tv, problem is MCE does not give you directv HD, other than that I think MCE is better written software, more stable, the sage TV tends to crash a lot.


Don't use MCE so can not comment on it, but regarding SageTV, it is extremely stable. I've got two PC's running Sage programs 24/7. Those PC's run without problem for weeks on end. Only time I shut down Sage is when I am loading new software or messing with the PC settings.

Not sure what you mean by directhd. Do you mean it doessn't pull the guide listings for it or do you mean something else. So far i have played with the free version and the major problem i am having is getting the software to detect my ir blasters that are built into the pc. If i could get the program to play nice with the blasters and my dish network receivers i would probly go with sage hands down. Another problem, i guess more of a difference i came across, Sage will not allow me to fast forward or even progress in my encoded avi's. I have used ac3 audio and an h.264 codec, media center skips about 45 seconds at a time but sage will not. On the other hand the ts files i have will fast forward through sage and not MC. Iguess their will be some sacrifices either way but until i get my r-500(If i get it, prety steep at 9 bills) MC will be ok. However sage tv has some great features and i may buy it either way. Sage tv has done a good job with this product and i would recommen it to anyone who does not have a mcpc.

One last question. If i got the r5000 would it be pretty easy to make it work with sage so that the program guide is all done through sage, but when i wanna watch the shows i can still use MC. All i would have to do is make sage save files in a directory that media center has a link to. And if so could i fast forward, or would i have to use 45 second skip. Maybe this questind should go in the pc section, but its worth a shot.

One last question. If i got the r5000 would it be pretty easy to make it work with sage so that the program guide is all done through sage, but when i wanna watch the shows i can still use MC. All i would have to do is make sage save files in a directory that media center has a link to. And if so could i fast forward, or would i have to use 45 second skip. Maybe this questind should go in the pc section, but its worth a shot.
MCE should still be able to see the shows if you set the directories to do so, but it will not see the program data like episode name or cast or anything other then the file name SageTV saves it as. MCE and SageTV both use a proprietary way of saving that data, MCE embeds it into the MPEG2 file, thus creating a dvrms file, SageTV saves all the data in it's own file so they aren't attached to the show recording itself.

Ok so it sounds like if i got the r5000 the sage would be a valuable add on. Also sage tv doesnt make the files ridiculously stupid big like media center does, does it. I know media center has a tendency to make its files gigantic. Is this because of the mpg2 compression or is this microsoft just doing what it does to restrict user sharing features. I have noticed non h shows and hd shows are the same size some times. Am i imagining things or is this valid?

An updated PVR is available for download (http://www.nextcomwireless.com/r5000/support.htm). This version (2.4a) takes advantage of the "Multi-Instance DVR" to schedule simultaneous recordings from different receivers. Automatically senses if the DVR is a multi-instance build (use 2.4c DVR and above) and allows for overlapped recordings to be scheduled from different sources. Note: PVR cannot properly auto-launch the trial version DVR because of the 30-day notification dialog. Make sure the DVR(s) are running first.

Disk2Tape has been updated to handle more entries (max 100) and to work properly with multi-instance DVR builds.

-R

Can anyone tell me how big a movie captured in hd by the r5000 hd would be (In gb please.)

Can anyone tell me how big a movie captured in hd by the r5000 hd would be (In gb please.)

My movie captures average from 14 to 25GB, depending on running time, give or take. Figure 9GB/hour, although it's not quite that much.

Can anyone tell me how big a movie captured in hd by the r5000 hd would be (In gb please.)

You can strip the nullpackets to get the above figure down lower to 8GB - 15GB average.

You will find if you have a random assortment of movie channels, you can fit 23 on a 250GB Hard Drive.

If you record JFK or have a high number of HDNET Movies, that number will drop by 1 or 2, but 10GB is the number that I always use as an average for storage needs.

I have only once gotten 18 Movies on a 250GB Hard Drive and only 3 Drives with 19 Movies. That is less than 2%.

That's a good point. I forgot to mention the null stripping feature of programs like HDTVtoMPEG2 (free). The R5000 (and MyHD) pad out all HD files to roughly 19.3 mbps. The null stipping feature gets rid of those null packets, without impacting video or audio quality. It saves a lot of hard drive space.

The R5000HD DVR has the ability to record without the nullpackets from the beginning removing the need to strip them later.

so does the MyHD

HDTVFanAtic and balazer,

Thanks. I thought you might be interested in this thread on HD DVD authoring if you haven't seen it:

HD DVD Authoring Using Regular DVD Recordable Media (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=667462&page=1&pp=30)

Maybe this is a stupid question because I know very little about SageTV. When SageTV is using the R5000 DVR as a network encoder, why does the DVR app record to the hard disk? I thought that a network encoder would send the video over the network, and the SageTV app would do the recording.

Hello all,

Has anyone uses xbox 360 to play back the mpeg files created by sagetv, I could get the 360 to play back .ts files generated by r-5000 just fine but when I am usiing the files generated by sagetv it's a hit and miss, some play some don't, nextcom said just rename the file to .ts, they are the same, I don't think so, the end result is still the same. Sagetv client will however play just fine but I want the xbox hardware to decode the stream on to my big screen HDTV, not on the PC screen.

Maybe this is a stupid question because I know very little about SageTV. When SageTV is using the R5000 DVR as a network encoder, why does the DVR app record to the hard disk? I thought that a network encoder would send the video over the network, and the SageTV app would do the recording.

It all depends on what you setup for your recording directories. I have had mine write to a PC that had the R5000's connected, a PC running Sage Server, as well as pushing them to a standalone storage server.

...nextcom said just rename the file to .ts, they are the same, I don't think so...

They are the same. They are a TS file renamed by SageTV as .MPG.

[QUOTE=Kirby Baker]They are the same. They are a TS file renamed by SageTV as .MPG.[/QUOTE
No, they are not, the xbox could read .ts files but not the file that was renamed :confused:

I tried the SageTV beta, and I was very disappointed with the experience. I got a GeForce 6800 Ultra in the hopes that I could get smooth playback at high resolutions. Playback was only smooth when I was not doing anything else with the machine. (Pentium 4 2.8 GHz) If the R5000 DVR app was recording in the background, playback was not smooth, even though CPU usage stayed around 30%. Using SageTV, playback was very jerky. (CPU usage still below 40% or so) This was using the NVidia decoder. Also, channel changes were excruciatingly slow.

And I couldn't figure out how to do with SageTV what I do very frequently with TitanTV right now: get a list of all the upcoming HD programming on a particular channel.


For now I'll be sticking with the R5000 PVR, which works very well.

SageTV is OK if you want to watch it on PC ie on the Sage TV server, left a lot to be desired if you want to stream it on to the big screen especially for HDTV, my set up is MCE 2005 connected to xbox 360, the HDTV pump software was installed on the MCE 2005 so the MCE could recognize the .ts files, then stream it on to the xbox 360, the xbox could play .ts files perfect 100 % but not the .MPG files that were generated by SAGETV, rename them to .ts from within DOS prompt no luck, they either turn in to a black screen, or jerky video or disconnected the MCE from the XBOX altogether, not to mention some files will also play perfectly, puzzledddd.

But again, sagetv does not promise anyone that it will work with XBOX :-)

An updated PVR is available for download (http://www.nextcomwireless.com/r5000/support.htm). This version (2.4a) takes advantage of the "Multi-Instance DVR" to schedule simultaneous recordings from different receivers. Automatically senses if the DVR is a multi-instance build (use 2.4c DVR and above) and allows for overlapped recordings to be scheduled from different sources. Note: PVR cannot properly auto-launch the trial version DVR because of the 30-day notification dialog. Make sure the DVR(s) are running first.

Disk2Tape has been updated to handle more entries (max 100) and to work properly with multi-instance DVR builds.

-R

For those of us that already own a R5000HD and SageTV v5, when will a non-trial version of the R5000HD App that has the built-in SageTV support be available?

I trust there would not be an additional fee for the version with Sage support and one without? Just curious why you released a "trial version" with time limitation for your existing customers to use.

I would speculate there is a trial version for existing customers so they can decide if it is worth it to pay for the sage dvr version.

Darin

I would speculate there is a trial version for existing customers so they can decide if it is worth it to pay for the sage dvr version.

Darin

Personally, I think that would be pretty shady, charging for SAGE Network Encoder support, that is. They didn't even write the original encoder. Reminds me of Dish's nickel and diming for existing customers vs. free stuff for new customers

IMHO

Personally, I think that would be pretty shady, charging for SAGE Network Encoder support, that is. They didn't even write the original encoder.What do you mean? Nextcom weren't the ones who did the work of making the R5000 work as a network encoder?

What do you mean? Nextcom weren't the ones who did the work of making the R5000 work as a network encoder?

meant they did not write the original Network Encoder Code for Sage TV.

not looking to argue, I just simply stated my opinion

Who wrote it then? Nextcom is using someone else's code?

:rolleyes:

At first, I too was hoping it would be included. But then realized that it offers a new functionality and is not a required upgrade. If one is satisfied with the zap2it/titantv pvr functionality then there is no need to upgrade. For me the sage tv is well worth purchasing sage and the new dvr from Nextcom. It seems fair to me to offer new functionality which has taken a great deal of time/testing and charge for it. Whether or not it is worth it will be up to each individual, but to me it definately is.

Darin

meant they did not write the original Network Encoder Code for Sage TV.

not looking to argue, I just simply stated my opinion

I don't think legally they could include someone else's code without either paying for it acknowledging it in some way. And if they paid for it then that's a legitimate expense they could to pass along just the same as if they put the time in and wrote it themselves.

What is "original Network Encoder Code"? I thought that the Sage network encoder is a protocol but I maybe I'm wrong...

TW

At first, I too was hoping it would be included. But then realized that it offers a new functionality and is not a required upgrade. If one is satisfied with the zap2it/titantv pvr functionality then there is no need to upgrade. For me the sage tv is well worth purchasing sage and the new dvr from Nextcom. It seems fair to me to offer new functionality which has taken a great deal of time/testing and charge for it. Whether or not it is worth it will be up to each individual, but to me it definately is.

Darin

That is a very fair and reasonable way to look at it.

I don't think legally they could include someone else's code without either paying for it acknowledging it in some way. And if they paid for it then that's a legitimate expense they could to pass along just the same as if they put the time in and wrote it themselves.

What is "original Network Encoder Code"? I thought that the Sage network encoder is a protocol but I maybe I'm wrong...

TW

Correct. And I have no knowldge if anything realted to the actual cde they are using.

What I meant to say, and should have said, was that the ability to "hook into" or talk to SAGE was already provided by SAGE. I will eat my crow now for my mis-speak

Regardless, this doesn;t make the R5000HD any less of any awesome device, nor will it decrease my use of it. I simply had an opinion and stated it. Nothing more nothing less.

Has anybody tried this with cband yet? I've got it set up and working on my system, and while it has potential it's a real PITA to use. Everytime you change channels, it tries to move the dish. Even if you make the timeout on moving the dish 1 second, it still takes forever to change as it's reselecting the satellite on the 4dtv receiver each time you change channels. The end result is you wind up with a minimum of 20 or 30 seconds delay going between channels. I'd love to be able to use Sage with live TV but it's basically unusable when you have to wait that long. Has anybody figured out how to make this work more smoothly?

It sure would be nice if the r5000 mod would be smart enough to not go through the satellite selection/dish moving logic if the channel requested was on the same sat as the channel currently being viewed.

Personally, I think that would be pretty shady, charging for SAGE Network Encoder support, that is. They didn't even write the original encoder. Reminds me of Dish's nickel and diming for existing customers vs. free stuff for new customers

IMHO

At first I did not realize the full potential since I had been away from SAGE for awhile. But, I jumped back in with v5, and got the R5000 working with it very easily. I soon also realized that $50 was a small price to pay for the ease of use when compared to how things worked with MCE coupled with the R5000 and tims workaround

So, to hopefully celebrate a Sabres victory tonight, I will be eaiting a nice serving of CROW.


p.s. And ordering the SAGE version when it becomes available.

Nice job Nextcom:-)

My only problem before the sage version was scheduling recordings. It worked OK by was time consuming to log in, etc (on dialup). Zap2it also stopped saving customized channels so I had to load all channels. I was stuck with zapt2it since titantv does not have cband or starchoice listings. I have a sage client installed on my laptop and now my cband and starchoice guide is integrated and now I just click on it in the sage guide and it is scheduled. Definatley aggree on how well it works. Nice to hear you like the sage/r5000 setup.

Darin

My only problem before the sage version was scheduling recordings. It worked OK by was time consuming to log in, etc (on dialup). Zap2it also stopped saving customized channels so I had to load all channels. I was stuck with zapt2it since titantv does not have cband or starchoice listings. I have a sage client installed on my laptop and now my cband and starchoice guide is integrated and now I just click on it in the sage guide and it is scheduled. Definatley aggree on how well it works. Nice to hear you like the sage/r5000 setup.

Darin

The old/current PVR app wasn't bad for me to use, but was not a real PVR option for family members who were usee to a sat DVR or cable DVR. I think the SAGE integration might actually make if WAF acceptable. I have a couple of months to transition her off of a cable SA8300HD and a Dish 942. basically, once the world cup is over, I lose my 3 providers (I bumped them up for hockey playoffs and worldcup). Then, it is going ot be just Dish HD via R5000HD and OTA HD.

I would like to make a (completely unsolicited) comment on the truly excellent customer service and general business practice of the people at Nextcom.

I purchased my first R5000 installation (on a DTC100) a few months ago. The whole process took less than a week and it worked perfectly.

I then ordered a Dish 211 with the R5000 mod. I got it in less than a week, but found that it failed to record (probably damaged in shipping). David responded quickly to my email and authorized return. They repaired it and shipped it back to me the same day they received it. Less than a week altogether, and now it works perfectly as well.

The "special version" DVRs are now available in full release form. Download. (http://www.nextcomwireless.com/r5000/support_download.htm#Special%20versions)

The first version supports the SageTV network encoder option. The multi-instance DVR supports running up to 4 DVRs and simultaneous recordings. The newset PVR (version 2.4a) must be used to properly handle conflict resolutions with multiple tuner setups. This PVR automatically senses the DVR version (single or multi-instance) and adjusts its operation accordingly.

The Multi-Instance DVR also supports SageTV.

Instructions: (Additional fees apply) Download the desired version. After purchasing, please e-mail the serial numbers of all owned* R5000-HD devices to technical support so the appropriate key(s) can then be issued.

*Multiple keys only issued to original owner. Note that while only one device/key combination is required to use the software, it must be connected to the PC while the DVR is in operation. For example, if you own 2 devices with serial numbers 100123X and 100456Y and a key is only requested for 100123X, then 100123X MUST be connected in order for the software to operate.

-R

Ive just upgraded to the simultaneous recording package. Works flawless.
I along with others have always said the R5000HD is the best but it keeps getting better. Thanks Nextcom. :)

Just a reminder. Anyone contemplating the purchase of a HD disc format recorder should remember that Blu-ray Disc is TS based, HD-DVD is PS based. Therefore you should be able to use a Blu-ray recorder just like you use a D-VHS machine. To use TS files with HD-DVD recorders will be more involved.

Wendell,

that's good info,

Thanks

Just a reminder. Anyone contemplating the purchase of a HD disc format recorder should remember that Blu-ray Disc is TS based, HD-DVD is PS based. Therefore you should be able to use a Blu-ray recorder just like you use a D-VHS machine. To use TS files with HD-DVD recorders will be more involved.

We're just beginning to see how easy it's going to be to author HD discs. Since neither Blu-ray nor HD DVD recorders have been released yet, we can't know for certain how easy they will be to use. However, there are already tools for HD authoring. A few days after the first HD DVD players were released, someone was authoring HD DVD to standard DVD recordable discs. I found the thread here on AVS and it prompted me to buy an HD DVD player. After a couple of weeks, I've authored over 50 HD DVDs, including my own work shot on HDV, transport stream files captured with MyHD and transport stream files captured with a Dish 211 with the R5000 mod. The authoring process is quite simple, every bit as simple as authoring a regular DVD.

If you're interested, here's a link to the thread for authoring your own HD DVD discs. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=667462&page=1&pp=30)

If the tools to author HD discs had come out on Blu-ray, I would have done that, but HD DVD authoring materialized first. It is true that the transport stream files must be converted to mpeg program stream before authoring, but that's extremely simple. It also involves no hit in quality, since it's just a different wrapper for the same video and audio information. An hour long program takes just a few minutes to convert. We are limited at this point to the capacity of double layer DVD discs, until true HD discs arrive, but even single layer DVD recordables can hold an entire episode of Battlestar Galactica aired on Universal HD by Dish Network. (Those are some of my 50 titles.)

Since neither Blu-ray nor HD DVD recorders have been released yet, we can't know for certain how easy they will be to use.Actually Blu-ray Disc recorders have been available in Japan for quite some time. I copy TS files to DVD's, then play them back with MyHD (MDP-120). No authoring needed.

HD-DVD uses program streams (just like DVD), while BD uses transport streams. To support TS requires appropriate software and perhaps some hardware for PID/section filtering, etc. Using TS enabled BD to easily support recording/playback of all the broadcast standards (ATSC, DVB, ARIB, etc.), along with DV for recording home videos. Also makes streaming content around the home much easier.
__________________
Keith Jack
Director Product Marketing
Sigma Designs
BD and HD-DVD decoder supplier

Actually Blu-ray Disc recorders have been available in Japan for quite some time. I copy TS files to DVD's, then play them back with MyHD (MDP-120). No authoring needed.

I know that Blu-ray has been available in Japan for some time, but those units are not compatible with the ones that are going to be released in this country.
Also, I understand what you're saying about how easy it is copy standard transport stream files to DVD. I do it, too (although I have yet to get clean playback consistently doing it that way, especially with double layer discs). Authoring using the technique I linked to above is pretty painless, though.

Are you saying that Blu-ray recorders will allow you to plug into a computer and record transport stream files just as we do today with D-VHS? If so, then that would be great convenience feature, especially if those discs would play back like commercial Blu-ray discs (i.e. with the same file structure). If that's the case, I'd appreciate a link to your source for that information. But, if that's so, I don't see why it would be difficult to do the same thing with HD DVD. After all, the conversion from transport stream to program stream is far faster than real time.

I'm not interested in starting a Blu-ray/HD DVD merit discussion. I'm just saying that I don't see the difference in any practical sense between Blu-ray and HD DVD here. If there is information to clarify this, I'd like to read it.

Are you saying that Blu-ray recorders will allow you to plug into a computer and record transport stream files just as we do today with D-VHS?Should be since both are TS based.

If so, then that would be great convenience feature, especially if those discs would play back like commercial Blu-ray discs (i.e. with the same file structure). If that's the case, I'd appreciate a link to your source for that information.You can download the Blu-ray Disc white papers here (http://www.blu-raydisc.com/Section-13470/Section-13628/Index.html)

But, if that's so, I don't see why it would be difficult to do the same thing with HD DVD. After all, the conversion from transport stream to program stream is far faster than real time.For Blu-ray: TS files recorded from OTA (ATSC), DVB-S (i.e. PBS ATSC satellite feeds), R5000, etc., you should be able to record the files direct to Blu-ray. No authoring needed. You can not do that with HD-DVD, it will require a process to extract the PS from the TS to make them into a compatible PS file(s). If you have a media player (IOData's LinkPlayer, Buffalo's LinkTheater, JVC's SRDVD-100U, and Zensonic's Z500) you should be able to stream the TS to those devices for playback from your Blu-ray recorder. (Please note: should has been used in the place of will in several places. I should not have to explain)

PS - Keith Jack of Sigma Designs is a insider. He could explain in more detail if the info is not restricted because of NDA's.

Should be since both are TS based.

You can download the Blu-ray Disc white papers here (http://www.blu-raydisc.com/Section-13470/Section-13628/Index.html)

For Blu-ray: TS files recorded from OTA (ATSC), DVB-S (i.e. PBS ATSC satellite feeds), R5000, etc., you should be able to record the files direct to Blu-ray. No authoring needed. You can not do that with HD-DVD, it will require a process to extract the PS from the TS to make them into a compatible PS file(s). If you have a media player (IOData's LinkPlayer, Buffalo's LinkTheater, JVC's SRDVD-100U, and Zensonic's Z500) you should be able to stream the TS to those devices for playback from your Blu-ray recorder. (Please note: should has been used in the place of will in several places. I should not have to explain)

PS - Keith Jack of Sigma Designs is a insider. He could explain in more detail if the info is not restricted because of NDA's.

Thanks for the link. Should be an interesting read.

On the issue of playing back .ts files from regular DVD recordables, I've never been able to get consistent playback, especially with double layer discs. (That's one of the reasons I was excited to find that the Toshiba A1 would play back my home brew HD DVDs without issue - both single and double layer.) I may get a disc to play back all the way through, especially single layer, but it's really hit or miss. I get odd digital artifacts or funky playback ("repeat play" where the video will just get stuck in an a/b playback loop). I've tried a variety of disc brands, different computer systems and different brands of DVD recorders (Sony, Toshiba, Pioneer, Mad Dog, Plextor) and I can't get .ts files to play back with any consistency. Have you found a combination that gives consistent playback results?

Have you found a combination that gives consistent playback results?Have not tried double layer DVD disc. LG DVD recorder will not playback without problems, Plextor will most/some/part of the time. With rebates/sales I have moved to hard drives and away from DVD's/D-VHS.

I have a HTPC and office PC, both have MDP-120's and mobile racks. Added USB external cases to the mix, a AMS Venus DS3 external drive is used for temp/weekly stuff. A AMS Venus DS5 external case was modified to accept Lian Li's RH-322 mobile rack (hard drives are mounted in trays that slip into RH-322 racks). This allows me to hot swap hard drives when desired with either PC. But 25GB (50GB DL) [Blu-ray] disc still seems to be the best option when available.

Have not tried double layer DVD disc. LG DVD recorder will not playback without problems, Plextor will most/some/part of the time. With rebates/sales I have moved to hard drives and away from DVD's/D-VHS.

I have a HTPC and office PC, both have MDP-120's and mobile racks. Added USB external cases to the mix, a AMS Venus DS3 external drive is used for temp/weekly stuff. A AMS Venus DS5 external case was modified to accept Lian Li's RH-322 mobile rack (hard drives are mounted in trays that slip into RH-322 racks). This allows me to hot swap hard drives when desired with either PC. But 25GB (50GB DL) [Blu-ray] disc still seems to be the best option when available.

I've given up on D-VHS, too. It's too prone to dropouts.

Has anyone here found a consistent way of playing back from DVD recordables? I think they're still the best bet until affordable Blu-ray/HD DVD recordables come along, in terms of backing up material. If only they'd play back well. It's funny, since the red laser in the Toshiba A1 HD DVD player has no problem playing them cleanly. That leads me to believe it's not simply a media problem (i.e. the recordable media themselves don't seem to be the limiting factor to having sufficient playback speeds).

I've given up on D-VHS, too. It's too prone to dropouts.Joe, I have JVC's HM-DH30000U & HM-DH5U machines. With the exception of one D-Theater tape have no playback problems. I use only JVC DF300 tapes for recording.

That leads me to believe it's not simply a media problem (i.e. the recordable media themselves don't seem to be the limiting factor to having sufficient playback speeds)What is surprising to me is the amount time it takes to copy the TS file(s) back to the hard drive from the DVD+/-R. The transfer rate is not very fast at all.

I am still using DDS tape to archive my R5000 recordings. DVHS tapes are too bulky for my taste and I hate spanning multiple DVD-R's to archive one movie. For those archiving on DVD-R's, if there are problems playing back from the DVD-R's directly, it may make more sense to restore the TS files to hard disk before or during playback. That's what I do with DDS tape.

Joe, I have JVC's HM-DH30000U & HM-DH5U machines. With the exception of one D-Theater tape have no playback problems. I use only JVC DF300 tapes for recording.

What is surprising to me is the amount time it takes to copy the TS file(s) back to the hard drive from the DVD+/-R. The transfer rate is not very fast at all.

The playback from DVD recordables is really slow. I know playback is harder than recording (that seems backwards, but it's the case), but it seems as though the drives are crippled for playback. After all, they can write at 16x, but playback of most HD I've recorded is usually not even 19mbps, *much* less than their rated playback speed (typically 10x to 16x, though that's for the pressed discs).

As I said, the Toshiba A1's red playback laser has no trouble playing back single and double layer media without a single hiccup. It's the same media, so it must be the drives causing the slowdown.

The playback from DVD recordables is really slow. I know playback is harder than recording (that seems backwards, but it's the case), but it seems as though the drives are crippled for playback.Have looked into this? I have not since two different PC with different brands of DVD players had similar results I figured it must be the norm. Sometimes I can get the Plextor to play the disc, by doing a Stop, Rewind, Play but it can be a pain. So for now I play from D-VHS or hard drive and use DVD's for stuff I want to keep long term.

Have looked into this? I have not since two different PC with different brands of DVD players had similar results I figured it must be the norm. Sometimes I can get the Plextor to play the disc, by doing a Stop, Rewind, Play but it can be a pain. So for now I play from D-VHS or hard drive and use DVD's for stuff I want to keep long term.

I've gotten the same results with 5 different computers and numerous burners. I also have been able to get some discs to play back, but it's hit or miss. And there's nothing that takes you out of a show faster than having to do the old stop, rewind, play suffle. That's why I was so excited to learn about the HD DVD authoring. So far, not every type of file works for this process, but when it does, the resulting discs all play without issue. And I've had a lot more successes than failures. The biggest drawback so far is that 720p shows have to be converted to 1080i. Fortunately, most of what I have is 1080i. I expect 720p support will come one of these days. Meanwhile, I have more than enough files to keep me busy for some time.

I purchased the Sage program and also the r5000 program but I can't get the two to work together. R5000 asks me for a port number, which I don't know and then waits for a response which it does not receive. I contacted r5000 and they said that I have to contact sage which is not easy. This is the first time that I am unhappy with r5000 response. Any help would be appreciated

You might try re-reading the instructions here: http://www.nextcomwireless.com/r5000/sagetv.htm

YOU pick the port number, and put it in the R5000 program and your sage.properties file, as is detailed in the instructions on the link above. If you have a firewall enabled on your PC, you will probably have to make changes to that as well.

I purchased the Sage program and also the r5000 program but I can't get the two to work together. R5000 asks me for a port number, which I don't know and then waits for a response which it does not receive. I contacted r5000 and they said that I have to contact sage which is not easy. This is the first time that I am unhappy with r5000 response. Any help would be appreciated


In addition to the Nextcom info, you might go to these two pages on SageTV:

http://www.sage.tv/stvfaqs.html?sageSub=tv

http://www.sage.tv/2_papers/NetworkEncoderSetup.txt

They will provide more information on the Sage program. Sage treats the R5000 as a "network encoder" which it communicates with over a "network" connection. Even though the software may be in the same machine, that is how the two programs work together. The "port number" is completely arbitrary. You can make it any number you want. Mine, for instance, is 7070.

Hope that helps.

The port number is not completely arbitrary. You need to choose a port number that does not conflict with any listening process on your PC.

The port number is not completely arbitrary. You need to choose a port number that does not conflict with any listening process on your PC.

Right. Thanks for clarifying

Does netstat -a provide the answer?

Pretty much, though Microsoft's netstat indicates some ports with a shorthand instead of a number. Use something over 1024 to be safer.

The sage software works perfectly with my plextor 716 and I just purchased the 402u Converter which may eliminate the need for the nextcom software. What don't I understand?

I discovered that my machine will not restart from Windows if the R5000 is attached to the Intel motherboard's on-board USB controller. The machine freezes during the BIOS boot screen. Cold booting works fine.

The problem goes away if I use the R5000 with an add-in USB controller.

Motherboards usually come with a set of drivers. Maybe you missed installing one.

I discovered that my machine will not restart from Windows if the R5000 is attached to the Intel motherboard's on-board USB controller. The machine freezes during the BIOS boot screen. Cold booting works fine.

The problem goes away if I use the R5000 with an add-in USB controller.

Sounds like the issue I have with External USB drives connected to my motherboards - they won't boot and lock at bios.

I also have a Dell that exhibts the same lock up on boot with an R5000HD attached. You must plug it in after it is past the POST.

Motherboards usually come with a set of drivers. Maybe you missed installing one.No, I got all the drivers.

Motherboards usually come with a set of drivers. Maybe you missed installing one.

Drivers load after the POST and as the O/S loads....not when the bios is booting.

Drivers load after the POST and as the O/S loads....not when the bios is booting.There is a difference between cold and warm boot, mostly having to do the state of devices during the boot process. A wrong driver could leave the device in an incorrect state during a warm boot. I've seen this happen with SCSI devices.

Again, this is happening BEFORE THE BOOT PROCESS - AT THE BIOS LEVEL/POST LEVEL.

I can show you a Dell that will do it cold boot or warm boot with the R5000HD (and we are not talking a cheap Dell either).

It happens on some of the most expensive Gigabyte motherboards out there - especially with External USB Drives.

So its not a matter of cheap units either.

I installed the SageTV software with my HDD200/R5000. The R5000 PVR application works with zap2it scheduling as it should with no problems.

However the SageTV software with the HDD200 is a not ready for prime-time deal. The communication between the HDD200 and Sage is horrible. It does not change channels consistently, scheduled recordings don't record; and if it goes to a stream that does not tune correctly the R5000 application just quits. In fact the application just quits quite often for no apparent reason.

I have disabled all programs running in the background. I have tried it on a variety of ports; all with the same results.

I am generally very disappointed. I could install it on another computer, but of course that has a via chipset, so the R5000 USB 2.0 implementation will not work on it with out an add-in USB card.

To sum up. The Sage for the R5000 was a waste of my money. I hope it is better for Dish users, because I suspect there are not very many HDD200 users to begin with.

Willie

FanAtic -- you missed my point. Perhaps I should have used capital letters.

SageTV did not work with the R5000 Motorola digital cable box mod very well either: it would fail to change the channel correctly much of the time. (that was using the beta)

FanAtic -- you missed my point. Perhaps I should have used capital letters.You're both right. The problem happens at the BIOS boot stage. But it only happens for warm boots, so no doubt the problem has something to do with the state that certain hardware is left in following a restart. I have all of the right drivers. I fault the motherboard and/or BIOS. I don't think the PC should freeze just because the BIOS saw something it didn't expect on a USB port. I did try changing all of the BIOS settings related to USB, including disabling booting from USB, but it didn't help. Anyway I didn't mean to make a big issue out of this. I just wanted to alert other people in case they had this problem and didn't know it, or see if anyone had a solution.

As I prepare for a 2nd helping of crow I decided to pick up a modded 211 from nextcom along with the multi-instance software and sage support to go with my current 6000.

I realize that there are some slow channel change issues but SAGE is the only software I have found to tie EVERYTHING together. I realize that SAG alose leaves something to be desired in the non-pvr areas. But, all in all, what else will bring it all together in one UI?

Stored Videos
Stored Music
DVD Libraries
Multi-Room viewing via Client or MVP
OTA receivers
SD Cable
HD cable via firewire
and DISH HD and SD (thanks to Nextcomm (still wish software was free ;-), but it is worth the money)

balaser -- my other suggestion was going to be to turn off usb emulation in the bios, but it looks like you've tried that. What problem are you trying to fix when you reboot?

No problem, sometimes I just need to reboot, to install applications or to do a disk check.

Another topic.

I've just started using the R5000/211 on 110 and I note that a fairly high percentage of the files have one or two small errors, usually in a single video frame. Hardly noticable on playback but it's annoying, and very different from my experience with the DTC100 on D*. These problems with Dish were discussed here a few months ago. Are these small errors still typical on Dish? Would I improve the situation by moving to 148?

No problem, sometimes I just need to reboot, to install applications or to do a disk check.

I have sometimes had systems fail to boot at all with a USB flash drive or some other external USB device attached to an onboard USB controller. I never did figure out how to get around it. I had to turn off the device or disconnect it to get the systems to boot. This happened on a system where I used to teach and it's happened on a couple of my systems at home. Didn't matter if I disabled the boot option in the BIOS. If anyone comes up with a solution, I'd like to know about it.

As a follow-up on the HDD200 setup, I un-installed SageTV version 5.00 and installed version 4.00. It appears that the latest release, version 5 was my problem. Version 4 is working quite nicely.

Also, when I was using my R5000 in my Dish 6000 there were glitches form time to time on the signals from 110. I chalked it up to poor aim on my part. I also had a dedicated dish aimed at 61.5. Thoses recordings were perfect; so far my C-band stuff has been perfect, even the StarzHD.

Willie

Thanks Willie. I don't have a good view of 61.5 from my location, but I can fry eggs with the signal from 148. I guess I could try that if it's just a matter signal strength.

Any chance that there would be an option to run the multi-instance Sage version DVR app as a service. I would love to not have to have a session logged in on my sage server. I could even handle having to manually install it as a service using ResourceKit tools, if I knew a way to get it to work doing that. Any help or insight or update would be greatly appreciated.

I don't think using 148 will help. I used to get both HBOHD and SHOHD from 148 and had the glitches, sometimes not so small, especially on SHOHD. One time I compared the log file from a SHOHD recording I did from 148 with a log file from a recording a fellow AVSer made from the other satelite (110?). Both log files showed errors in exactly the same place.

If you do get rid of the problems with 148, please let me know. My aim with 148 is not that great but I'm too lazy to fix it. Also, you probably should use 148 if you can because the bit rate has been shown to be a little higher, at least for SHOHD and HBOHD.

Mark


Thanks Willie. I don't have a good view of 61.5 from my location, but I can fry eggs with the signal from 148. I guess I could try that if it's just a matter signal strength.

From the fwiw department.

The bitrates on 148 have continued to come down over the past 2 months (especially HBO). There have been a few standout SHO as of late, but overall items capped months ago have a higher bitrate.

Compare things like Sunrise Earth from when it began airing to 6 month later and then today - you'll find dramatic decreases in bitrate.

Showtime was actually very reliable for the last 2 months on 110 and 148. In fact, HBO started having a minor glitch in each movie. Oh how times have changed. That hasn't been the case in the last 7-10 days, but I very much suspect that we are about to see the end of the high bitrate mpeg2 feeds on 148 - especially if one looks closely at the 148 lygnsat chart :(

Also remember, that higher the bitrate the more chances there are for errors (as there is more data...duh).

HDNET proves it can be done right, but even they are prone to errors- especially at their high bitrates.

Can't say I've seen any difference between HBO and SHO. The only completely error free capture I've gotten on Dish was Peacemaker on HBO last Saturday. Everything else has two or three single-frame glitches, almost always a short single scan line streak in the upper half of the image. They're hardly noticable. Sometimes I have to play thru the bad spot several times to see the flaw, but the 2k m2r files make me crazy.

I am now routinely recording everything twice, just so I can patch together a clean version. Maybe I'm expecting too much.

Can't say I've seen any difference between HBO and SHO. The only completely error free capture I've gotten on Dish was Peacemaker on HBO last Saturday. Everything else has two or three single-frame glitches, almost always a short single scan line streak in the upper half of the image. They're hardly noticable. Sometimes I have to play thru the bad spot several times to see the flaw, but the 2k m2r files make me crazy.

I am now routinely recording everything twice, just so I can patch together a clean version. Maybe I'm expecting too much.

I assure you there was a and is a major difference.

HBO was error free for 2 years.

HDNET was getting better and better...when Glen started on E* about some other issues, they cleaned up HDNET induced errors about 8 weeks ago.....to where it was flawless - literally no errors.

However, in the same time, HBO started having problems...which it never did....and SHO, which you were lucky ever to get a clean copy of anything, went error free.

I had somewhat thought they had possibly swapped the HBO-HD and SHO-HD mpeg2encoders - however SHO-HD had much more serious errors than HBO was now having - including huge time lapses - which was not happening on HBO-HD.

In the last 7-10 days, SHO has developed errors again - as has HDNET. The errors are also still there in HBO.

To top it off, comparison of same caps between the newer 211/411 mod and the older 6000 mods, it appears from what people are reporting on syncronized caps that the 211/411 mod inducing many more errors in the transport streams then the older 6000s.

Now, if E* would just learn how to transmit a signal like D?* does....which has virtually 0 errors in the transport stream in most every channel.....one can only dream :( And of course D* is now HDLITE.......and it doesnt appear the H20 is ever going to get modified.

...
In the last 7-10 days, SHO has developed errors again - as has HDNET. The errors are also still there in HBO.

To top it off, comparison of same caps between the newer 211/411 mod and the older 6000 mods, it appears from what people are reporting on syncronized caps that the 211/411 mod inducing many more errors in the transport streams then the older 6000s....I've only been recording on Dish for a week, and I'm using a 211 so I guess that's why I'm seeing errors on both. I'll try for more signal strength to see if it helps.

Hopefully Nextcom can bring the 211 up to the 6000 performance levels with a software update.

To top it off, comparison of same caps between the newer 211/411 mod and the older 6000 mods, it appears from what people are reporting on syncronized caps that the 211/411 mod inducing many more errors in the transport streams then the older 6000s.



I've noticed on the 211 that the signal indicator in the R5000 software ("excellent" to "pushing it") stays a lot closer to "pushing it" than the 6000 used to. Most of my 6000 captures were 15-30%. Almost everything on the 211 is 50-60% or more.

99% percent of my capture on D* is almost always error free. On E* however using the 211 modified STB every capture have errors (according to MR2 log).

Im confident that Nextcom can fix this thru software update.

Hopefully. Soon. :)

I've noticed on the 211 that the signal indicator in the R5000 software ("excellent" to "pushing it") stays a lot closer to "pushing it" than the 6000 used to. Most of my 6000 captures were 15-30%. Almost everything on the 211 is 50-60% or more.I see the same high processing levels with the 211 -- always above half way to "pushing it". The DTC100 on D* sits down near the bottom ("Excellent"?). I figured it was the difference in bit rate. I don't have experience with the 6000 to compare.

99% percent of my capture on D* is almost always error free. On E* however using the 211 modified STB every capture have errors (according to MR2 log).

Im confident that Nextcom can fix this thru software update.

Hopefully. Soon. :)My experience as well. I agree that it can be fixed with an upgrade.

I've made about a million separate captures of Batman Begins in an effort to get one good one. I've messed around with three of these and have found to my surprise that they have IDENTICAL I,B,P frame patterns, starting at the movie itself (not the E* stuff that precedes the movie). I have 999,997 more to check but my preliminary conclusion is that the rebroadcast are not recompressed. The ts packets are all different. Could this be the source of these small errors?

This stuff is not my area of expertise, so I fully expect (and hope) to get pounded by the experts.

I have just experienced audio dropout at exactly the same place on two different recordings of "The Man Who Would Be King". Seems like some key dialog too :(

This is from HDNETMV on E* using an R5000 modified 6000. Anyone have any idea what might be going on?

Mark

I have just experienced audio dropout at exactly the same place on two different recordings of "The Man Who Would Be King". Seems like some key dialog too :(

This is from HDNETMV on E* using an R5000 modified 6000. Anyone have any idea what might be going on?



Yep, I have an idea.....but first run the 2 through Mpeg2Repair and see if it reports an AC3 error at that point.

Secondly, what are you using for playback.

I won't be able to run them through mpeg2repair until tomorrow. I'm playing them back with a MyHD card.

[edit] here is the pertinent part of the remuxer.log file:

Wrote 01:26:51.5
Wrote 01:27:22.2
VPESBHNDBY: 7052 AT: 01:27:34.3
APESDELTWARN: 01:27:37.3: Audio pts 5101220951, next_pts 7093724545, delta=1992503594, pcr 5101202745, forcing send...
Using APTS 2550607739
WARN: 01:27:37.3, APESLEN 3080 != ACT 1108.
APESDELTWARN: 01:27:37.3: Audio pts 7093724545, next_pts 5101226711, delta=-1992497834, pcr 5101205830, forcing send...
Using APTS 2550610619
WARN: 01:27:37.3, APESLEN 41229 != ACT 1966.
Wrote 01:27:53.5
Wrote 01:28:24.2

Mark

So a while back (April) someone asked what it took to play back authentic E* H.264 streams (locals) recorded with the R5000. In searching through this thread I haven't seen a definative answer; it does look like a dual core processor and CoreAVC are needed for smooth playback based on everything I have read.

Is that accurate?

Willie

As a follow-up I tried the Elecard Player. It almost could play the clips smoothly on my A64 3200+. In fact it was better than MPC with CoreAVC 1.0. That would indicate the added horsepower of an A64 dual core might do it.

Willie

In all honesty, the reason you don't have an answer is because there is not a great solution at the moment.

The playback requirement is actually being tested as you and I type.

For example, CoreAVC 1.1 will be released tomorrow. In the 1.1 beta testers are reporting 55%- 65% loads on X2 systems using software only (for the 20Mbps interlaced BBC streams).

With hardware acceleration that figure should be much lower, but quite honestly, no one knows when hardware acceleration will be added to CoreAVC. It could be weeks....it could be months....it is planned though.

As of this second (and note I said things are subject to change) the new Nvidia cards (7600GT, 7800 and up) should be be able to play h264 will less problems on the processor side, but you will need a decoder with hardware decoding support - i.e. Cyberlink.

Balazer or dr1394 might have some other ideas - although i am not sure ron visits this thread often.

Again, its really a work in progress and can only be thought of part of a total system.

So a while back (April) someone asked what it took to play back authentic E* H.264 streams (locals) recorded with the R5000. In searching through this thread I haven't seen a definative answer; it does look like a dual core processor and CoreAVC are needed for smooth playback based on everything I have read.


I got an 2.0GHz Core Duo iMac at work w/2GB RAM to play around with at work.

It plays 1920x1080p H.264 movie trailers from the Apple's Quicktime web site very smoothly. CPU usage ranged from 65% to a peak of 145%, with an average of about 90%. This is running MacOS X and the Quicktime 7 player - I haven't set the machine up to dual-boot Win XP and MacOS X yet.

For example, CoreAVC 1.1 will be released tomorrow. In the 1.1 beta testers are reporting 55%- 65% loads on X2 systems using software only (for the 20Mbps interlaced BBC streams).



The CoreAVC developers swear by the dramatic increase in performance gained with a dual core cpu. I have an A8V 939 motherboard that will take an X2 chip, so today I ordered a 3800 from Newegg. Guess I'll find out for myself.

Willie

Do you think that the mac mini with boot camp(software) would work with the r5000 modification?

I would guess yes. We're only talking USB app after all.

Mark

Is my best bet is to go to the local store and try it if I can establish that I can return it if it does not work?

Recordings from a R5000HD-211 on Dish from StarzHD and NFLHD, using the build 24c SAGE and Multi-instance, seem to be audio only.

Installed coreavc pro. I get audio but no video

Tried dropping the files that i recorded into graphedit and they only show an audio out pin.

Any ideas?

Try playing with VLC.

Try playing with VLC.

Same deal. They will only seem to play within the elecard plater with it's AVC plugin. But, even with a decent system, they seem to stutter in there.

Pentium D
2Gb ram
nvidia 7600GT
SATA drive

This thing should be able to play these files in elecard without stuttering

Same deal. They will only seem to play within the elecard plater with it's AVC plugin. But, even with a decent system, they seem to stutter in there.

Pentium D
2Gb ram
nvidia 7600GT
SATA drive

This thing should be able to play these files in elecard without stuttering

Played using MPC and CoreAVC. Making progress. no more stutter, but system with nvida card plays it upside down. System with ATi plays it AOK.