Hauppauge WinTV HD PVR (H.264) screenshot - Page 97

Out of curiosity, which audio and video encoders are you using after the Arcsoft Mpeg-2 Demuxer? I never had much luck with anything other than the Arcsoft Video Decoder when using the Arcsoft Mpeg-2 Demuxer?

Edit: It's also known that the Arcsoft Mpeg-2 demuxer won't keep the mapping of the pins, you have to do it manually every time you open the graph, or so far no one that I know of has been able to do it. There is a post by vladd, don't know the exact link, he uploaded a program that uses a different mpeg-demuxer and will actually play the hauppauge feed on the PC, you could try it out.

I used the Arcsoft audio and video decoders. I forgot to mention I copied and regsvr32'd those as well.

I will have to find that post.

An update for those with the same situation I have been experiencing with distorted audio ( when viewing high def content ), using Moto 6416 Fios box as input.

They confirmed there is an issue with the Moto boxes, and they are swapping out my unit for a newer version released this week. There is no driver or firmware fix available to make my existing unit work correctly with the moto box.

Hopefully by the end of next week I'll be back up and running and get a chance to really use this thing!

I would very much appreciate it if you'd post again after you've received the new unit to confirm whether it works correctly or not. Thanks for all the info!

I basically only use the optical jack for AC3/5.1 capture now, however I'm a bit leery of this since the Arcsoft software doesn't burn AVCHD 5.1 disks yet so I can't verify that there are no issues with lip sync etc.

I have found that the AC3 files are very finicky about maintaining proper lip sync on playback. The files seem correct on the computer most of the time, but if I burn them using the current Arcsoft software (downmixing to 2.0) I have never gotten proper lip sync - even if the source file is 2.0 AC3. So what I do when I capture a program that is only recorded on the DVR in 2.0, or if there is a show that I don't really care about 5.1 on and want the space back on the DVR, I'll capture using analog/AAC so that I can burn properly with the current Arcsoft software and verify that the disks are correct and then can delete the recordings on the DVR.

Using Tsmuxer / Imgburn to create AVCHD disks with 5.1 works and does seem to maintain lip sync, but there is no Top Menu on the disk and that is something that I want on my disks.

I understand the theory behind dhnj's method of using the Arcsoft software to write an AVCHD to the hard drive (with menus and downmixed 2.0 audio), and then substituting a 5.1 file from tsmuxer into the file structure created by Arcsoft, but I haven't been able to get it to work. When I play back the disk on my PS3, the correct duration time shows up, but it just plays back a black screen.

I'm just hoping that the updated Arcsoft software is released soon and works as well and the current 2.0 AAC version has been working for me these past 3 months.

Michael

Good point. The only thing I have digitized of length in 5.1 is the motion picture "Ship of Fools." Based upon your comments I just started to transcode it to AppleTV specs, which will take about 24 hours.

I will then play it on my AppleTV and see how well the audio stays in sync as the movie progresses.

I'm set to digitize the motion picture "Chicago" in HD/5.1 tomorrow. I am really looking forward to that one to show off my surround sound system and HDTV!

I am having exactly the opposite experience. I have used tsmuxer and imgburn to create about a dozen avchd discs and every single one of them was plagued with audio synch issues. I found that the first hour or so is synched but anything over that is like watching an old kung fu movie. I am not sure if it is the tsmuxer/imgburn that is causing it or the beta driver with 5.1.

On another note, I emailed hauppauge about whether or not it is necessary to disconnect the composite audio cable when using the optical jacks. This is what they said:

Regarding having the RCA's connected, this really depends on the set top box, but in those cases, the settop box would disable the SPDIF output when the RCA's are connected (also like some set top boxes disable component if HDMI is connected).


Aemeeich, Have you created any avchd discs that were at least 2 hours long and have you checked the entire disc for audio synch?

atabea

In WinTV Scheduler, the list is alphabetically listed. I would like it to be listed in time order of recording, so that I can immediately see what is up next to record. Anyone know how to change this?

All my disks are only 1 hr long or less. I use single layer TY DVD-R. I capture 720p only (had lots of issues with 1080i) constant bit rate, 9.0 average, 13.5 peak. This results in files that are right around 4GB/hr.

I do capture all content as a single long file and then split that down into 1 hr blocks using H.264tscutter. This process was very stable and easy to do using stereo AAC, but now I'm seeing that AC3 (2.0 or 5.1) is somewhat touchy about lip sync.

The main thing I've noticed is that if there are glitches that are part of the source DVR program, this usually throws off the lip sync of the encoded file following the glitch. I can cut out just the glitch using H.264tscutter, and then it plays fine.

Also, the source program should be playing the audio format of the show when you start capturing - meaning if the show is 5.1, make sure that the DVR is playing something that is in 5.1 when you start. The capture module does not like switching from 2.0 to 5.1 (or 5.1 to 2.0) while it is actively capturing. I also then use H.264tscutter to trim the file down to just the last few frames of black before the show starts. This has eliminated alot of the problems.

Thanks for your response aemeeich,

I am using dual layer +r dvds primarily to record feature length movies (typically more than 90 minutes) from my HD satellite receiver. It appears that any file over one hour long will be affected by audio synch issues. As I said previously, I had created a dozen avchd discs before I discovered the problem. Unfortunately the only disc I can keep is the last episode of true blood which is only about 50 minutes and is on a single layer dvd. Perhaps the problem is in the writing of the second layer?!.

I can't wait for the acrsoft TME update promised by hauppauge which I hope will eliminate these issues. Prior to the new beta driver, I had zero issues with the device (even with 1080i captures) but that was with 2 channel recordings. 5.1 is crucial for me.

You mentioned being able to cut out the "glitches" that may be causing the synch issues using h264ts cutter, do you think it is possible for me to use this technique to get rid of the kinks in my recordings?? Also, how do you recognize these "glitches." I don't think I have ever seen one on my captures.



Thanks

atabea

Perhaps, but I posted a question there back in July and got 0 replies and now I note page after page of comments about the new beta driver. Quite honestly, I only have so much time for resource and research...

Better to be posted where I saw it: on the Hauppauge Support Beta page.

for some reason, my computer while on for 10 minutes, would then not recognize the HDPVR... is this a common problem?

Had no luck with the drivers on the CD, so went ahead and updated to the 5.1 beta drivers. Before, Arcsoft would crash repeatedly or just stop displaying video, assuming it recognized input in the first place. Now its not crashing and will let me capture video with no problems. One issue, however: I get sound during capture, but there is no sound on the playback. Looking at the info in MPC, there appears to be no audio stream at all. Ive tried rcTVcap and get the exact same result. Im using SPDIF in, and Ive did everything at the rcTVcap blog to set this up for optical in. Any suggestions on what Im missing?

have you tried enabling the ac3 decoder in tme?

You'll probably have to change the audio input on the graph, if you used it before and haven't changed it, it was using the analog inputs. Open up the graph and in the crossbar filter, change to Audio and then select spdif as the input and save the graph with those settings.

Probably in the capture program where you preview, you'll have to do the same, the preview probably finds something that works, but doesn't necessarily record with those settings. I'm not in front of mine, so can't be more specific, but I suspect that your settings are stuck on the analog inputs for audio, it appears you have to actually change that input in the graph and also in the record program settings.

I was never able to get files with AC3 audio to play with Media Player Classic, but I did find that Media Player Classic Home Cinema will play it with the AC3Filter codec installed. (Actually if I remember correctly, MPC Home Cinema will play AC3 audio natively but I never got 5.1 output to my speakers. As soon as I installed AC3Filter, I got proper 5.1 audio output.)
Download from http://sourceforge.net/project/showf...roup_id=170561

Also the included Arcsoft player will play AC3 audio.

Wow...Ive watched stuff in 5.1 with MPC before with no problem, so I assumed I had that working. I did load up MPC-HC and my recordings played fine with sound. Really surprised everything is in sync (so far)...that always seems to be an issue when I try to capture video. It looks great so far...I know its not perfect, but I really cant complain considering I had to capture HD in SD before if I wanted to archive it. Only thing Ive got to figure out now is the best way to get a 2.5 hour football game to fit 4.35GB . Thanks for the help!

I wouldn't suggest trying to fit 2.5 hrs down to 4.35GB. You'd have to encode at around 3.75 Mb/s. I've never tried a setting that low, but I'm sure it won't look that great. I use 9.0 which gives about 1 hr for 4GB. The quality is almost the same as the source, if I look closely I can see some very minor artifacts - but it is more than acceptable. I just use multiple disks for longer programs.

This guy is using CBR for recording. Use variable average at between 5.5 and 6.0. You can fit a 2 1/2 hour football game on a single layer DVDR just fine.

Several people have requested this so here is a graph that contains the MPEG2 Demux with the appropriate pins. This graph only contains the demuxer.

 

Mpg2Demux.zip 0.7080078125k . file

Hauppauge has posted an updated, non-beta driver (version 1.0.5.1) for the HD PVR on their HD PVR support page:

http://hauppauge.lightpath.net/softw...hdpvr_v1.1.zip

This version properly installs on Vista x64 and, through several brief test recordings, AC-3 5.1 recordings appear to work as well.

Time to give it a workout...

Kevin

After I installed the beta 5.1 I started noticing 2-3 second video freezes in the preview window. It would accur ramdomly. Maybe once in an hour period or a few times or none at all. Those freezes affect the recording, missing video.

I will probably give this new one a shot but since I don't record anything with 5.1 audio does it really matter between acc or ac3?

Anyone get this to work? I still get sound only... starting to think I need to install Arcsoft software instead of just registering the .ax files.

I've never tested without the Arcsoft software installed but if you just have the .ax files, I'm pretty sure it won't work. There are several .dll files that are needed as well. There are also registry entries that are probably not created with just registering the .ax files. If you have another H.264 and AAC decoder, you can try those.

OK: Here are my results working with the beta 5.1 driver:

I recorded Ship of Fools from the HDNet Movie Channel at 720p with the default settings in TME. I took the resulting .TS file (which I confirmed had an AC3 audio file) and converted it a 720p29.97 at about 3.6 Mpbs, which results in a 4Gig H.264 MOV file with both the AC3 file and a compatible 2 channel AAC file using VisualHub (ffmpegX)

I played the resulting MOV file on my AppleTV. I watched the first 12.5 minutes, then skipped ahead approx. every 10 mins and watched the last scene before the credits. All of these scenes had audio in sync.

I will note that although MediaInfo Mac and my Panny Home Theater recognize that there is an AC3/5.1 track available, the source seems to only present 2.0 stereo. I have to assume that either the original movie or HDNet only has the two channels.

I digitized Chicago today and am currently transcoding it for my AppleTV, so I will know those results in about 24 hours. But so far, so good!

http://www.hauppauge.com/site/suppor...ort_hdpvr.html

New fw 1.1 with m2ts + 5.1 audio support !!!

I recently started getting BSOD's and its starting to look more and more like the beta/new, non-beta drivers are the culprit.

Has anyone else started experiencing BSOD's lately?

It happens with mine but not after only 10 minutes. Sometimes if I leave the computer and HD PVR on overnight. I believe it is a heat issue with the HD PVR. Once I turn the box off and it cools down, it starts working again. I thought about sending it in but have just been turning it on when I want to record something. I really should contact technical support to see what they say, but I am getting lazy in my old age.

As my system is located in the guest bedroom (and I control it using VNC), I leave it on 24/7 with no freeze ups. I shut off the HD-PVR manually and turn it back on about once a month.

Kilyin, I'll try and build the preview graph again when I get home. It's been a while since I ran that graph since I don't normally use it. BTW, which files are required to get just the arcsoft mpeg4 decoder to work? I know it's more than just the .ax file (other dependencies?).

I just installed the non-beta 5.1 drivers this morning. I ran a few quick tests and things seem ok. It's been recording for a few hours now and so far so good. I hope stability goes back to pre beta driver days. With the beta I was getting around 5-7 days of 24/7 operation before it would become non-responsive and require a power cycle. Again, it might just be because I have an early rev C1.