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Hauppauge HDPVR-1212 Owner's Thread - Page 100

post #2971 of 3646
4/19/12 at 2:37am
Hello All....Ive been considering adding the PVR to upgrade from my DVD recorder. I was hoping to get some clarity as far as terminology and process so I can really picture what and where I would be adding to my HT. Does this sound right?
Component video and Optical from STB to PVR.
From PVR to PC. Now, after using my STB as a DVR to record something, i now want to burn it to dvd. Can I play the content on my STB DVR and, while watching on tv, it will be recording (or i guess the term is "being captured"?) on the PC for burning later? I know my STB is capable of sending the program by HDMI to my TV and also to PVR at the same time. Just trying to picture how I would be setting it all up. Also, what cable options are there from PVR to PC? When i look at a pic of the unit, i see component out, but i also saw someone mention usb ? Thanks !
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post #2972 of 3646
4/19/12 at 9:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by RCD7210 View Post

Hello All....Ive been considering adding the PVR to upgrade from my DVD recorder. I was hoping to get some clarity as far as terminology and process so I can really picture what and where I would be adding to my HT. Does this sound right?
Component video and Optical from STB to PVR.
From PVR to PC. Now, after using my STB as a DVR to record something, i now want to burn it to dvd. Can I play the content on my STB DVR and, while watching on tv, it will be recording (or i guess the term is "being captured"?) on the PC for burning later? I know my STB is capable of sending the program by HDMI to my TV and also to PVR at the same time. Just trying to picture how I would be setting it all up. Also, what cable options are there from PVR to PC? When i look at a pic of the unit, i see component out, but i also saw someone mention usb ? Thanks !

Well, I'm just on 1st cup of coffee but your setup looks correct to me.
Component/optical from dvr to pvr.
USB to PC.
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post #2973 of 3646
4/19/12 at 10:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark_Venture View Post

Hi, I just got a PVR-1212, I'm getting started trying to capture TV shows from my comcast box and have a few questions that I'm hoping someone can help with...
1. Is a laptop with a Core 2 Duo T9300 2.5ghz cpu, 4gig ram, Win7 Ultimate (32bit), and WD black (7200rpm) 320gig hard drive fast enough to capture?
2. Is the bundled TotalMedia Extreme 2 (v2.0.45.11) the best to capture with? and is the version I have the latest? (i've seen posts that said 2.4 or 2.5 in this thead, but when I try to update, it appears nothing newer is available).
3. If there is anything better to capture with for my purpose, what do you suggest, and why?
My goal... capture the 1080i programs at the best quality possible, and ultimately play them back via network with my LG BD390 and BD570 bluray players (they play .m2ts, .mkv, .mp4 and divx). I've used BD-Rebuilder to re-encode many bluray discs to MKV files that are x.264 videos with bit rates around 9-10Kbps that look great playing this way, and I'm hoping that I can get similar quality with these captured recordings. And I would like to keep the 5 channel audio on those programs that have it.
Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

I was hoping somebody else who knew more would take this but no luck.

My laptop is AMD dual core 2.0ghz, 2gb ram, 256gb graphics. It does not have a problem capturing. I dont know the rpms on my HDD but pretty sure it's not 7200.

I use TME ver 1.0.9.9. Works for me. Don't have any experience with ver 2.x
I think somebody mentioned that ver 2 has a problem creating avchd discs over 100min.

I think the 1212 does a great job but i've never used anything else..
I keep the bitrates for 1080i at more than 9kb...usually 11-13kb.
You'll have to test it yourself tho, come up with your own quality thresholds.
(I've never rebuilt a BD)
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post #2974 of 3646
4/19/12 at 1:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark_Venture View Post

Hi, I just got a PVR-1212, I'm getting started trying to capture TV shows from my comcast box and have a few questions that I'm hoping someone can help with...

1. Is a laptop with a Core 2 Duo T9300 2.5ghz cpu, 4gig ram, Win7 Ultimate (32bit), and WD black (7200rpm) 320gig hard drive fast enough to capture?

2. Is the bundled TotalMedia Extreme 2 (v2.0.45.11) the best to capture with? and is the version I have the latest? (i've seen posts that said 2.4 or 2.5 in this thead, but when I try to update, it appears nothing newer is available).

3. If there is anything better to capture with for my purpose, what do you suggest, and why?

My goal... capture the 1080i programs at the best quality possible, and ultimately play them back via network with my LG BD390 and BD570 bluray players (they play .m2ts, .mkv, .mp4 and divx). I've used BD-Rebuilder to re-encode many bluray discs to MKV files that are x.264 videos with bit rates around 9-10Kbps that look great playing this way, and I'm hoping that I can get similar quality with these captured recordings. And I would like to keep the 5 channel audio on those programs that have it.

Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

Mark I'm new to all this also, so what I've been doing without any major issues.

Capture on a Laptop 2 GHz - Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T580 USB externally connected 320 HD - 4mb Ram. Win7 64 bit.

I've done it this way due to a more powerful Desktop to far away (about 20 feet away), So all I'm doing is using provided capture software, then disconnect Ext. HD, transfer captured file to a 1.5TB external HD @ Desktop for post-production. I'm also using same version of TME as you.

The only issue I've had was in Post #2694, I have through exchange of emails with Hauppauge that they are aware of this issue and is working with ArcSoft to resolve .

There is a way to keep 5.1 audio, you might have to search this thread for more accurate information. I remember reading some views on it. I haven't started using 5.1 yet till I get more familiar with the basics.... A lot of what I've captured is mostly old movies which usually don't take advantage of 5.1 audio.

I've been capturing mostly movies at 8 -13.5 mbps ,variable BR, 1280 x 720 input from source (Dish DVR). File size based on my notes range from 2.9gb to 3.9gb based on 8 captures that I've kept record of.

Steve
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post #2975 of 3646
4/19/12 at 3:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark_Venture View Post

Hi, I just got a PVR-1212, I'm getting started trying to capture TV shows from my comcast box and have a few questions that I'm hoping someone can help with...

1. Is a laptop with a Core 2 Duo T9300 2.5ghz cpu, 4gig ram, Win7 Ultimate (32bit), and WD black (7200rpm) 320gig hard drive fast enough to capture?

2. Is the bundled TotalMedia Extreme 2 (v2.0.45.11) the best to capture with? and is the version I have the latest? (i've seen posts that said 2.4 or 2.5 in this thead, but when I try to update, it appears nothing newer is available).

3. If there is anything better to capture with for my purpose, what do you suggest, and why?

My goal... capture the 1080i programs at the best quality possible, and ultimately play them back via network with my LG BD390 and BD570 bluray players (they play .m2ts, .mkv, .mp4 and divx). I've used BD-Rebuilder to re-encode many bluray discs to MKV files that are x.264 videos with bit rates around 9-10Kbps that look great playing this way, and I'm hoping that I can get similar quality with these captured recordings. And I would like to keep the 5 channel audio on those programs that have it.

Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome and appreciated.


1. Yes it is ok.
2. Standard software that comes with it works fine for me - using win 7
3. I haven't used or tried anything else as, the software works ok for my needs - I record to an external usb Hard drive and play back on my Samsung bluray player.

4. DO NOT CAPTURE USING .mp4 - audio sync issues.
Use NTFS format if possible - I think your player accepts NTFS hard drives.
Keeping 5.1 is not a problem if you feed the 1212 5.1 DD - IT WILL NOT ACCEPT HD AUDIO OR DTS AUDIO. If those are your audio sources you must, set the output of your source to pcm.

There might be other software that will accept the other audio sources and capture but I haven't used any SO IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANY SPEAK UP

LOL
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post #2976 of 3646
4/19/12 at 4:29pm
Thanks for the replies.

I did my first few captures... While I set TME2 as CONSTANT BIT RATE set to 9K bps, its making them as "Overall bit rate: 9 190 Kbps Maximum Overall bit rate: 18.0 Mbps" which is too much for my player. They are also getting header compression?? and I Have to run them through MKVMerge GUI and on the extra options tab, set compression NO (it takes about 3 min to fix).

They look great on the PC.

I've tried using handbrake to get them to constant, they play, but the quality then suffers.

I'm also going to want to look at trying to cut out the commercials.
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post #2977 of 3646
4/20/12 at 1:04pm
On my samsung bdc-5500 player, I can capture at the highest rate and constant and it will play them perfectly.
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post #2978 of 3646
4/22/12 at 7:20pm
Hello.......I am In the planning stages of adding a HTPC and Hauppauge to my set-up. Im asking this question here because I am thinking this could be a common challenge when adding the Hauppauge unit ?
My current set-up has Directv HD DVR (HR21-100)....HDMI to TV......and optical to AVR. This config so I can have TV only when wanted. Problem im forseeing is that im using the optical and wont have it for the Hauppauge. I do have the DTV's Coax available, but im not sure if the box will send through both at the same time? So does anyone have that answer and/or if an optical audio splitter would be my solution? Again, im thinking my STB set-up isnt uncommon and someone may have had the same challenge when adding a H-box. Thanks !
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post #2979 of 3646
4/22/12 at 8:04pm
^As long as you are willing to leave it turned on, the HDPVR has pass-through outputs for both the component video and optical digital ins, so there's no need for you to get splitters. You simply run it "in-line" to your current setup.

I'm not keen on leaving it on all the time due to heat in my non-AC room, electricity use, and possible premature death from being hot/warm all the time, however the company says it is OK to do so, others in the thread report doing so, and none (that I can recall) have reported any issues attributed to leaving it constantly on.

Of course if it blows up in 3 years and there are no replacements available because they become, let's say, "quasi-illegal" in 2016, according to the DRM police, don't say I didn't warn ya!
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post #2980 of 3646
4/22/12 at 9:56pm
Thanks M Zillch..... Yea....im not liking the "constantly on" scenerio either and for the same reasons you mentioned. I will have to research a bit to see if the STB sends audio from both optical and coax simultaniously. I know it does for video outputs. Thanks again.
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post #2981 of 3646
4/23/12 at 11:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by RCD7210 View Post

Thanks M Zillch..... Yea....im not liking the "constantly on" scenerio either and for the same reasons you mentioned. I will have to research a bit to see if the STB sends audio from both optical and coax simultaniously. I know it does for video outputs. Thanks again.

I think it would depend on the STB of your company. I have RCN and have optical out to receiver, HDMI to TV, and composite audio to DVDR. My "GUESS" is that your STB shouldn't be any different.
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post #2982 of 3646
4/23/12 at 2:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by combatsambo View Post


I think it would depend on the STB of your company. I have RCN and have optical out to receiver, HDMI to TV, and composite audio to DVDR. My "GUESS" is that your STB shouldn't be any different.

Yea.....I have everything the same as you, but am hoping to use the other digital audio output instead of the composite.
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post #2983 of 3646
4/23/12 at 3:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RCD7210 View Post

Hello.......I am In the planning stages of adding a HTPC and Hauppauge to my set-up. Im asking this question here because I am thinking this could be a common challenge when adding the Hauppauge unit ?
My current set-up has Directv HD DVR (HR21-100)....HDMI to TV......and optical to AVR. This config so I can have TV only when wanted. Problem im forseeing is that im using the optical and wont have it for the Hauppauge. I do have the DTV's Coax available, but im not sure if the box will send through both at the same time? So does anyone have that answer and/or if an optical audio splitter would be my solution? Again, im thinking my STB set-up isnt uncommon and someone may have had the same challenge when adding a H-box. Thanks !

I currently have two HR21-700s and also use HDMI to TV and optical to AVR and Hauppauge 1212 through this audio splitter from monoprice:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2
Everything works great, and I turn off the 1212 when not in use. I use an optical connection from one of the HR21-700s and red/white audio cables from the other HR21-700. Then I switch the component cables to whichever HR21-700 I want to record from. The HDMI and component outputs are always on for DirectTV HR2x DVRs.
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post #2984 of 3646
4/23/12 at 3:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bpratt View Post

I currently have two HR21-700s and also use HDMI to TV and optical to AVR and Hauppauge 1212 through this audio splitter from monoprice:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2
Everything works great, and I turn off the 1212 when not in use. I use an optical connection from one of the HR21-700s and red/white audio cables from the other HR21-700. Then I switch the component cables to whichever HR21-700 I want to record from. The HDMI and component outputs are always on for DirectTV HR2x DVRs.

Thanks bpratt......not sure I understand your setup, but im thinking I dont want to use any composite audio red/white. I have considered an optical audio splitter, but only if my first thought of simultaneous output is a no go. Thanks again!
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post #2985 of 3646
4/23/12 at 5:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RCD7210 View Post


Thanks bpratt......not sure I understand your setup, but im thinking I dont want to use any composite audio red/white. I have considered an optical audio splitter, but only if my first thought of simultaneous output is a no go. Thanks again!

Another thought.....the splitter you mentioned is the optical splitter? Your using it as 1 input and then 2 outputs? I have looked at them and wondered if all the bad reviews are mostly user error. Seems that they would be simple enough and if they really work ill be fine.
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post #2986 of 3646
4/23/12 at 6:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RCD7210 View Post

Thanks bpratt......not sure I understand your setup, but im thinking I dont want to use any composite audio red/white. I have considered an optical audio splitter, but only if my first thought of simultaneous output is a no go. Thanks again!

The Hauppauge 1212 has 2 composite audio red/white connectors in front. I don't use those. I use the 2 component audio red/white connectors in back next to the 3 component video plugs. The 1212 will support composite, but if you want to record HD, you use the video component connectors and either the component red/white audio connectors or the optical connection. I assume you want to use optical so you can record 5.1 surround sound.
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post #2987 of 3646
4/23/12 at 6:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RCD7210 View Post

Another thought.....the splitter you mentioned is the optical splitter? Your using it as 1 input and then 2 outputs? I have looked at them and wondered if all the bad reviews are mostly user error. Seems that they would be simple enough and if they really work ill be fine.

I've had no audio problems with the optical splitter. I have a 1.5 foot optical cable from the HR21-700 to the splitter. On the output side of the splitter I have a 25 foot optical cable to the AVR and a 15 foot optical cable to the Hauppauge. I purchased the splitter and optical cables from Monoprice.
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post #2988 of 3646
4/23/12 at 6:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RCD7210 View Post

Another thought.....the splitter you mentioned is the optical splitter? Your using it as 1 input and then 2 outputs? I have looked at them and wondered if all the bad reviews are mostly user error. Seems that they would be simple enough and if they really work ill be fine.

I haven't used one personally, but a passive design (i.e. no electronics to boost the output) like this one must take the light beam and split it in half for each of the two outputs. That means each light path output has half the brightness. Probably not a problem when working with really beefy optical cords (inner core, the jacket means nothing) going short distances, however thinner cords or ones going large distances might get iffy. This may account for why some people have issues.

Optical cords don't have perfect throughput such that 100% of the light makes it through, but systems are expecting this so they work even if the light is greatly dimmed. They can only go so far though.
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post #2989 of 3646
4/23/12 at 7:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by m. zillch View Post


I haven't used one personally, but a passive design (i.e. no electronics to boost the output) like this one must take the light beam and split it in half for each of the two outputs. That means each light path output has half the brightness. Probably not a problem when working with really beefy optical cords (inner core, the jacket means nothing) going short distances, however thinner cords or ones going large distances might get iffy. This may account for why some people have issues.

Optical cords don't have perfect throughput such that 100% of the light makes it through, but systems are expecting this so they work even if the light is greatly dimmed. They can only go so far though.

Thanks for the info......Bpratt replied in the previous post with a set-up that includes a 15' and 25' output. Maybe the fact that it begins with a 1.5' input helps. Anycase, very similar to what im anticipating. Thanks again!
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post #2990 of 3646
4/23/12 at 7:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bpratt View Post


The Hauppauge 1212 has 2 composite audio red/white connectors in front. I don't use those. I use the 2 component audio red/white connectors in back next to the 3 component video plugs. The 1212 will support composite, but if you want to record HD, you use the video component connectors and either the component red/white audio connectors or the optical connection. I assume you want to use optical so you can record 5.1 surround sound.

Red/white component? Thats new information to me. I havnt heard of digital audio being color coded in that way, but thats cool to know. I will be using the optical anyway.....maybe with the splitter your using. Actually, my cable runs are the same lengths you mentioned. Did you select a specific optical cable quality? Like gold, premium, diamond-coated platinum, or some other catching name? Haha ! I will go through Monoprice as you did to make sure im replicating tried and true. Thanks for your help.
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post #2991 of 3646
4/23/12 at 7:38pm
So if you guys are using the Hauppauge unit you must be using a HTPC ? Just wondering if you followed the builders guide that "Assassin" has listed in another forum.
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post #2992 of 3646
4/23/12 at 8:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MozartMan View Post

If somebody need more information there is huge thread for MultiAVCHD on Doom9 forum with over 7,000 posts.
Here is the link: http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=143744

Mozartman, I've been trying to get multiavchd to add audio gain to a file with ac3 5.1 384kb specs.
It's not re-encoding the audio. Do you know what setting might need adjusted? I tried searching the doom9 forum but didn't have any luck.
I have the 'use eac3to' feature selected under subtitles & audio.
Thanks.
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post #2993 of 3646
4/24/12 at 8:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by RCD7210 View Post

So if you guys are using the Hauppauge unit you must be using a HTPC ? Just wondering if you followed the builders guide that "Assassin" has listed in another forum.

I don't. I just use regular load of Windows 7 to just capture the video.
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post #2994 of 3646
4/24/12 at 8:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nikknightt View Post

Mozartman, I've been trying to get multiavchd to add audio gain to a file with ac3 5.1 384kb specs.
It's not re-encoding the audio. Do you know what setting might need adjusted? I tried searching the doom9 forum but didn't have any luck.
I have the 'use eac3to' feature selected under subtitles & audio.
Thanks.

nikknightt,

That section in MultiAVCHD is for audio conversion, not re-encoding.
If I need to adjust audio volume (gain) of captured file I use Vegas and/or Sound Forge and encode new AC3 audio track. This works like a charm when audio is 2.0 stereo. I never tried this with 5.1 surround, but I am sure it will work, but it will definitely require more manipulation with audio channels.
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post #2995 of 3646
4/24/12 at 9:10am
Quote:


Did you select a specific optical cable quality? Like gold, premium, diamond-coated platinum, or some other catching name?

I used the 8mm cables from this group:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/su...&cs_id=1022904
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post #2996 of 3646
4/24/12 at 11:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MozartMan View Post

nikknightt,
That section in MultiAVCHD is for audio conversion, not re-encoding.
If I need to adjust audio volume (gain) of captured file I use Vegas and/or Sound Forge and encode new AC3 audio track. This works like a charm when audio is 2.0 stereo. I never tried this with 5.1 surround, but I am sure it will work, but it will definitely require more manipulation with audio channels.

It's supposed to add gain to the audio if you choose.
if you go to properties of the media file, select the audio track and you can change the 'gain' of the audio. it's not working for me.. trying to figure out why.

I'll post my question on the doom board.
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post #2997 of 3646
4/24/12 at 12:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MozartMan View Post


I don't. I just use regular load of Windows 7 to just capture the video.

Cool. Ive actually built a couple desktop PCs, so I was thinking about building one for the HTPC but now im wondering if I could make do with my laptop (vista, though) at least to play around with and learn a little bit. im new to the whole video capture thing. Thanks for replying
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post #2998 of 3646
4/24/12 at 12:35pm
Hello All ! First... Just want to thank all who took the time to answer my questions. Realize they are amateur and i appreciate the patience. Im anxious to get a Hauppauge box so I can start learning how to use it, but I was under the impression that I would have wait until I could get a PC set-up first. Mozartman has me wondering now if i could make do with media center on my laptop ? (running vista however) Would that and the PVR work out for me for now? Just to say capture a HD movie with 5.1 and burn to a DVD.
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post #2999 of 3646
4/24/12 at 2:02pm
I've use a laptop, have used both xp and now win 7. vista "should" work, just try it.

Why use media center for capture, why not just use the supplied software?
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post #3000 of 3646
4/24/12 at 2:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pacofortacos View Post

I've use a laptop, have used both xp and now win 7. vista "should" work, just try it.

Why use media center for capture, why not just use the supplied software?

Yes...I suppose that would make sense. Wasnt thinking about supplied software. Thanks
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