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Official Ceton Echo Extender Info Thread - Page 146

post #4351 of 7593
12/13/12 at 12:34pm
Should I get 2012.1213.1022 or just stick with 2012.1212.1449?
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post #4352 of 7593
12/13/12 at 12:35pm
Hi- newb here.

I am quite happy with my Echo- running the 1202 FW at the moment. Quality is good enough for us for standard HDTV. But there are a few issues that are absolutely killing the WAF:

1. HD-PVR (H.264) playback:
We have about 500GB of recordings taken with Mythtv and a Hauppauge HD-PVR. The recordings play OK with some jitter, but you can't pause, forward or reverse. The Echo will crash every single time. If you just let the recording run, it's OK. Tried to repackage into an MKV container and that plays fine on the WMC PC, but on the Echo I get only sound. And it still crashes when trying to forward, reverse or pause.

2. IR extender:
We have our equipment on the other side of the wall in a cabinet. An IR extender is controlling everything. Everything else works perfectly, just the Echo doesn't.
Symptoms:
- STB, Receiver, Roku, MYTHTV-PC, DVD Player all work with the extender
- The MYTHTV-PC actually uses a Microsoft MC remote that is 100% compatible with the Echo and it works perfectly!
- Pointing any of our 4 compatible remotes directly at the Echo works no problem
- The same 4 remotes can all control the MYTHTV PC via the IR extender
- The same 4 remotes fired at the Echo via the IR extender work in maybe 1 in 20 commands
- When I reflect the remote off something (for example my glasses) before it hits the IR receiver, I get more than 50% success rate, independent of the remote used

My best guess is there must be some signal distortion going on, that the Echo is particularly susceptible to. But why would it get better when reflected first? Is the signal too strong?

I tried reprogramming the Echo to only listen to one of the 8 frequencies and not all simultaneously, but had no success using the instructions somebody posted here earlier. Did anybody try if that actually works?

Sorry for the long post....
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post #4353 of 7593
12/13/12 at 12:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

Should I get 2012.1213.1022 or just stick with 2012.1212.1449?
Get 2012.1213.1022. It made a big difference.
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post #4354 of 7593
12/13/12 at 12:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by xnappo View Post

What splitter are you using? Also - sometimes the issue seems like a network problem. That doesn't make much sense to me, because the volume of data in the TV streams is much higher than the MKVs that give me trouble - but perhaps there is something with the large peaks of data in MKVs that is a strain on the network?
xnappo

I'm using DIVX MF right now. No splitter or codec packs.

Networking strain doesn't seem to be the issue. I'm actually using powerline networking streaming across two levels of my house.

HBR MKV works fine but the m2ts file I generated from the same mkv file doesn't work well.
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post #4355 of 7593
12/13/12 at 12:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken.F View Post

Get 2012.1213.1022. It made a big difference.

Details?
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post #4356 of 7593
12/13/12 at 12:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Foxbat121 View Post

I'm using DIVX MF right now. No splitter or codec packs.
Networking strain doesn't seem to be the issue. I'm actually using powerline networking streaming across two levels of my house.
HBR MKV works fine but the m2ts file I generated from the same mkv file doesn't work well.

How does this work for you on your HTPC directly connected? Or have you not tried that?

You are doing HBR mkv's, no?
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post #4357 of 7593
12/13/12 at 12:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by stst View Post

Hi- newb here.
I am quite happy with my Echo- running the 1202 FW at the moment. Quality is good enough for us for standard HDTV. But there are a few issues that are absolutely killing the WAF:
1. HD-PVR (H.264) playback:
We have about 500GB of recordings taken with Mythtv and a Hauppauge HD-PVR. The recordings play OK with some jitter, but you can't pause, forward or reverse. The Echo will crash every single time. If you just let the recording run, it's OK. Tried to repackage into an MKV container and that plays fine on the WMC PC, but on the Echo I get only sound. And it still crashes when trying to forward, reverse or pause.
2. IR extender:
We have our equipment on the other side of the wall in a cabinet. An IR extender is controlling everything. Everything else works perfectly, just the Echo doesn't.
Symptoms:
- STB, Receiver, Roku, MYTHTV-PC, DVD Player all work with the extender
- The MYTHTV-PC actually uses a Microsoft MC remote that is 100% compatible with the Echo and it works perfectly!
- Pointing any of our 4 compatible remotes directly at the Echo works no problem
- The same 4 remotes can all control the MYTHTV PC via the IR extender
- The same 4 remotes fired at the Echo via the IR extender work in maybe 1 in 20 commands
- When I reflect the remote off something (for example my glasses) before it hits the IR receiver, I get more than 50% success rate, independent of the remote used
My best guess is there must be some signal distortion going on, that the Echo is particularly susceptible to. But why would it get better when reflected first? Is the signal too strong?
I tried reprogramming the Echo to only listen to one of the 8 frequencies and not all simultaneously, but had no success using the instructions somebody posted here earlier. Did anybody try if that actually works?
Sorry for the long post....

Try updating to the latest beta f/w.

Are those recordings in m2ts? Playback of that filetype is still a work in progress. YOu need to have the right splitter(s) instaled for mkv playback. See foxbat121"s post above.

Is the extender using a IR repeater aimed at the echo? The sensitivity of the IR receiver on the echo is being worked out still but it seems better on the later f/w's. I use a repeater from my H 900 and it works very well.
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post #4358 of 7593
12/13/12 at 12:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

Details?

If 2012.1212.1449 works without issue for you then no need to update to later 2012.1213.1022. Just wait for next smile.gif
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post #4359 of 7593
12/13/12 at 12:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

How does this work for you on your HTPC directly connected? Or have you not tried that?
You are doing HBR mkv's, no?

No problem playing on my PC. As I mentioned before, these mkvs are > 30mbps average.
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post #4360 of 7593
12/13/12 at 1:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Foxbat121 View Post

No problem playing on my PC. As I mentioned before, these mkvs are > 30mbps average.

So now I am starting to wonder if I even have Divx MF - does that come with Shark007 codec pack? I have the box unchecked to use it, but not positive I have it installed?

xnappo
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post #4361 of 7593
12/13/12 at 1:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

Details?
I was still getting judder pretty bad on most channels with 1449 but I only noticed it on my pay premium channels after doing the update again. NFL Network had some horrible interlacing lines with 1449 but it looks great now.
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post #4362 of 7593
12/13/12 at 1:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken.F View Post

I was still getting judder pretty bad on most channels with 1449 but I only noticed it on my pay premium channels after doing the update again. NFL Network had some horrible interlacing lines with 1449 but it looks great now.

Okay. I'm reporting the opposite and michael says don't bother and wait for the next big update unless you have issues. If I was having issues I'd do it. If I have issues later I will do it. Right now, I'll stick with it. I am glad that the later f/w fixed some things for you, though!
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post #4363 of 7593
12/13/12 at 1:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by xnappo View Post

So now I am starting to wonder if I even have Divx MF - does that come with Shark007 codec pack? I have the box unchecked to use it, but not positive I have it installed?
xnappo

Me too. There is a utility in Shark007 to write all your installed codecs to a *.txt file.

I'm going to back up or make a restore point and unintstall Shark007. Where do I get Divx MF alone? Can I have LAV only load for use with MPC-HC on my HTPC but not have it in the registry? I like the configurability of LAV in that application.
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post #4364 of 7593
12/13/12 at 1:19pm
Thankfully my Echo is still Mint In Box. I am enjoying the thread though. I'm off Xmas week so I'll probably make a run at it then if the new firmware makes it past Beta by then.
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post #4365 of 7593
12/13/12 at 1:23pm
You might as well just do it now. It works pretty darn well for Live/Recorded TV now as it is.
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post #4366 of 7593
12/13/12 at 1:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Foxbat121 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by xnappo View Post

What splitter are you using? Also - sometimes the issue seems like a network problem. That doesn't make much sense to me, because the volume of data in the TV streams is much higher than the MKVs that give me trouble - but perhaps there is something with the large peaks of data in MKVs that is a strain on the network?
xnappo

I'm using DIVX MF right now. No splitter or codec packs.

Networking strain doesn't seem to be the issue. I'm actually using powerline networking streaming across two levels of my house.

HBR MKV works fine but the m2ts file I generated from the same mkv file doesn't work well.

Isn't DIVX MF a splitter?
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post #4367 of 7593
12/13/12 at 1:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mariob33 View Post

Isn't DIVX MF a splitter?

It is a Media Foundation plug-in. Ppl typically don't relate this plug-in as splitters.
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post #4368 of 7593
12/13/12 at 1:29pm
I wouldn't invest too much time mucking with codecs and spliters just to get them to play on the Echo. It'll all be in vein if Ceton releases a proper solution. And why wouldn't they?
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post #4369 of 7593
12/13/12 at 1:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

Should I get 2012.1213.1022 or just stick with 2012.1212.1449?

Play with 1449 is my plan at least tonite. I didn't see major differences between the two release notes
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post #4370 of 7593
12/13/12 at 1:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by xnappo View Post

So now I am starting to wonder if I even have Divx MF - does that come with Shark007 codec pack? I have the box unchecked to use it, but not positive I have it installed?
xnappo

I'm not sure either. Depending on the version of Shark007, it has different versions of DIVX MF used.

I downloaded directly from Divx Labs site (install codec only). So far, that is all I need (and AC3Filter for AC3 playback on the PC).
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post #4371 of 7593
12/13/12 at 1:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by stst View Post

- When I reflect the remote off something (for example my glasses) before it hits the IR receiver, I get more than 50% success rate, independent of the remote used
My best guess is there must be some signal distortion going on, that the Echo is particularly susceptible to. But why would it get better when reflected first? Is the signal too strong?

This is actually a common problem with IR extenders, the signal is too strong. You can try a few things, like maybe a different emitter (some aren't as strong as others, some sit in front of the device instead of attached to it). If you only have one type of emitter and it is the stick on type, then I'd try attaching it to one side or another of the IR sensor. Or you can try putting some tape between the emitter and the sensor, might have to try a few layers to get it right.
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post #4372 of 7593
12/13/12 at 1:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Foxbat121 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by mariob33 View Post

Isn't DIVX MF a splitter?

It is a Media Foundation plug-in. Ppl typically don't relate this plug-in as splitters.

I could be completely misunderstanding these details but they mention MKV splitter several times here http://labs.divx.com/mkvwin7preview
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post #4373 of 7593
12/13/12 at 1:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by xnappo View Post

So now I am starting to wonder if I even have Divx MF - does that come with Shark007 codec pack? I have the box unchecked to use it, but not positive I have it installed?
xnappo

Me too. There is a utility in Shark007 to write all your installed codecs to a *.txt file.

I'm going to back up or make a restore point and unintstall Shark007. Where do I get Divx MF alone? Can I have LAV only load for use with MPC-HC on my HTPC but not have it in the registry? I like the configurability of LAV in that application.

Sharks install includes divixmf.
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post #4374 of 7593
12/13/12 at 1:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bdraw View Post

I wouldn't invest too much time mucking with codecs and spliters just to get them to play on the Echo. It'll all be in vein if Ceton releases a proper solution. And why wouldn't they?

Without codec or plug-ins, Windows PC won't be able to stream mkv file out at all. So, even if Echo supports everything, you still won't be able to see any of your mkv files.

I agree mucking with codecs and splitters is no fun at all and most of the time doesn't make sense at all.
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post #4375 of 7593
12/13/12 at 1:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bdraw View Post

I wouldn't invest too much time mucking with codecs and spliters just to get them to play on the Echo. It'll all be in vein if Ceton releases a proper solution. And why wouldn't they?

I hope that they do.. maybe as part of the settings application for the echo so it loads independently of any other splitters etc on your HTPC and only works in the echo session. That would be pristine!


Quote:
Originally Posted by mariob33 View Post

Isn't DIVX MF a splitter?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Foxbat121 View Post

It is a Media Foundation plug-in. Ppl typically don't relate this plug-in as splitters.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Foxbat121 View Post

I'm not sure either. Depending on the version of Shark007, it has different versions of DIVX MF used.
I downloaded directly from Divx Labs site (install codec only). So far, that is all I need (and AC3Filter for AC3 playback on the PC).

Do you get HD Audio bitstreaming with this set up on your HTPC/AVR?
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post #4376 of 7593
12/13/12 at 1:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bdraw View Post

I wouldn't invest too much time mucking with codecs and spliters just to get them to play on the Echo. It'll all be in vein if Ceton releases a proper solution. And why wouldn't they?

+1

Leave it to Ceton. Hardware support for MKV must be in the roadmap.
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post #4377 of 7593
12/13/12 at 1:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Foxbat121 View Post

Without codec or plug-ins, Windows PC won't be able to stream mkv file out at all. So, even if Echo supports everything, you still won't be able to see any of your mkv files.
I agree mucking with codecs and splitters is no fun at all and most of the time doesn't make sense at all.

Ok, pretend you are a brilliant Windows Media Developer with a vast knowledge and understanding of codecs and containers and have intimate knowledge of the Echo. Would you use the Divx spliter and sharky codec pack to satisfy your (and your customer's) desire to play various media files on on your Echo? Or perhaps something different?
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post #4378 of 7593
12/13/12 at 1:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mariob33 View Post

Leave it to Ceton. Hardware support for MKV must be in the roadmap.

Based on my conversations with them, it is safe to assume that if you can think of a container and codec you'd like to play, it is on the roadmap. These guys are geeks that want the same thing all of us have wanted for years; one box that plays everything we might want to play. The only thing that they won't support is things that they can't support -- or would take too much effort to support.
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post #4379 of 7593
12/13/12 at 1:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Foxbat121 View Post

It is a Media Foundation plug-in. Ppl typically don't relate this plug-in as splitters.

I don't think there is a general purpose label for MF components (the literature usually referrers to them as sources, sinks, renderers and transforms) like there is for DS (filter).

The Divx MF MKV spliter is probably a MF Source (+ Splitter). Whatever its exact place is in the topology, the primary function is as a splitter so I think that's probably a better label than "plug-in".
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post #4380 of 7593
12/13/12 at 1:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Foxbat121 View Post

Without codec or plug-ins, Windows PC won't be able to stream mkv file out at all. So, even if Echo supports everything, you still won't be able to see any of your mkv files.
I agree mucking with codecs and splitters is no fun at all and most of the time doesn't make sense at all.

Container support on the Echo is mostly dependent on the existence of proper MF source(+splitter) components. You shouldn't have to muck w/ CODECs (transforms) to make things play (non-4:2:0 formats and some oddball CODECs are the exception) once that exists.

I understand the urge to get it done now, but some patience would be a lot smarter.
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