How to record via IEEE 1394 (Firewire) to Windows XP - Page 107

I've got my SA 3250HD box setup to MCE 2005 via Firewire and everything appears to be working. Recording a show is working (HD captured via Firewire and labeled correctly in MCE). However, on playback I get severe stuttering and lost audio/video.

I've tried everything to resolve the problem:

• Verified the Firewire adapter is not sharing an IRQ.
• Verified that my Codec (Purevideo - latest version) can playback MPEG-2 content.
• Verified that I don't have a performance issue (CPU load ~13%) on playback or recording (CPU load ~10%).
• Changed the Cable Box output to 720p instead of 1080i.
• Downloaded from MicroSoft a 720p sample HD video which playsback fine.

It appears that the problem is during the capture process, but I haven't been able to determine why or how to tweak it. Any help would be appreciated!!

HDC, until you have an active 1394 port on your STB, you can't install any drivers for it. The found new hardware wizard must appear in order to install drivers.

jskyler, are you using capdvhs? And labeling the file as .dvr-ms?

If so, that's the problem. Your file is a mpeg2 transport stream (.ts). A rose by any other name ....

You use tsconvert to change the file from .ts to .dvr-ms.

Thanks for the response. I should have mentioned that I am using timmmore's Media Center Edition package w/drivers that integrates everything together. So no I'm not using CAPDVHS and I believe the package does the ts conversion.

I did try to use CAPDVHS to ensure I'm capturing a stream from the box and getting info and sure enough that is indeed working. I didn't try to watch a stream though capdvhs (if this is even possible) which I suppose I can do to see if that results in stuttering as well.

I don't think naming the captured stream to ts, tp, mov, or dvr-ms makes any difference during the capture phase. In fact, you can simply name it 2006-11-15 without an extension.

Later, when you play the stream through various software players like WMA, PowerDVD, or VLC, you will need to rename to TS of MPG.

As for 3250HD and 8300HD working or not. If you are in New York city and Time Warner cable, those 1394 outputs are active on the 3250HD and you can capture using both CAPDVHS and VLC with no problems with no encypted channels. With most HD premium channels like HBO, SHO, and MAX, you cannot record anything longer than a few seconds at a time. I think this is due to something in the stream that kills the CAPDVHS or VLC capturing program once initiated. I have had HD 1080i recordings that were as long as 5 seconds before termination.

As such, it's a big waste of time trying this firewire recording and recording with the HD-DVR is the only way to go until they have recordable Blu-Ray or HD-DVD machines.

Paul

jskyler

Looking at the MCE extender, which I never installed, it appears to essentially (for HD) do the same thing as using capdvhs to file transfer the .ts from the STB plus also reformat it to the .dvr-ms standard like tsconvert does.

Perhaps you could manually do the capdvhs/tsconvert thing and see if you get better results. I don't see any difference in playing back my HD captures from whatever source. Approx 30% cpu on a X2-3800 with integrated nvidia 6150 graphics.

I have tried to use this on a Mitsubishi HDTV integrated tuner Tv WD-62527 however when pluggin in the firewire cable I get option to install drivers for a "AC/V Monitor" but nothing that says AC/V tuner or anything close. WHen trying to install drivers for the AC/V Monitor it says THe hardware is not installed because the wizard cannot find the necessary software. ANyone know how to help me situation? BTW, I am trying to do the Over the Air HDTV recordings straight from my tv to the pc.

Windows has recognized your televisions tuner, but it needs a driver to do anything with it.
Hmmmm....does Mitsubishi have a driver available? I'd start googling Mitsubishi Firewire Driver and see where that gets you (sorry I can't be of more help).

Again, has anyone been able to get the sa8300hd to work? I have something I need to get off of there.

Newbie here. I was successfully able to capture (with no errors- as .mpg's) off my 6412 with CAPDVHS for the last two days- and today my captures are filled with audio and video errors (when played through Windows Media Player). As a test I encoded one of these clips with errors to Divx using my DivX Converter application- and the resulting file came out perfect (no audio or video errors). So maybe the captured files from CAPDVHS aren't actually damaged- just that something has happened in the ability of the computer to play them back properly??

I have googled the hell out of this... and have never found anything close to helping with Mitsubishi firewire drivers. I even called mitsubishi tv service center and asked for access to the firewire drivers and they told me its out of the question. Bungholes! I could have sworn I should have the right to drivers for the firewire on my friggin tv that I paid for. There have to be some drivers for it somewhere. BTW, wth is this right above my IEEE 1394 firewire ports on the back of the tv?

Sounds like a wmp problem. Try playing it with mpc or vlc.

I ask again, any Canadians having any luck with this? At All? Please help!!!

Hopefully, someone can lend a hand here... My firewire port on a Moto6416 seems to be fried but I'm not sure. With all the drivers installed, I could capture video and audio onto either of 2 PCs up until a week ago leading me to believe the STB is at fault. But, I have no way to check it. Is there a diagnostic in Setup that can confirm it? I have a tech from TWC on the way out tomorrow but that doesn't hold much promise to me. I expect him/her not to be acquainted with the FW ports and how to run them. TIA

A lot of the Moto boxes got recently upgraded to firmware v16.20 which has been reported to break firewire capture. Check your version under Main Menu, Setup, Cable Box Setup, Configuration.

I'm at firmware 12.35, software 71.44 and sorta pissed about the firewire. Is it possible the FW ports fried? I have no other way to explain it to the tech tomorrow beside a demand to replace the box. Since neither of my PCs see the cable box and they used to, I'm at wit's end about what to do.

I'm grateful for this thread. Works great for me. Just moved into Comcast (Motorola 6412) territory from Cablevision (SARA SA8300HD). And although the SA box was nicer overall, the Moto's saving grace is I can now record to the PC.

Here's my HD lineup and how it works for me (Mountain View, CA)

702 KTVUD FOX 1280x720 60fps 38.81 Mbps
703 DKNTV NBC 1920x1080 29.97fps 38.81 Mbps
704 KROND 1280x720 60fps 13.95 Mbps
705 KPIXD CBS (5c currently set)
707 KGOHD ABC 1280x720 60fps 38.81 Mbps
709 KQEDH PBS 1920x1080 29.97fps 38.81 Mbps
719 INHD (5c flag set)
720 FSNHD (5c flag set, but currenly no programming yet)
722 DHDTV (5c flag set)
723 ESPND (5c currently set)
724 ESPN2 1280x720 60fps 38.81 Mbps
725 HD-SE (5c set , but no programming yet)
726 TNTHD 1920x1080 29.97 fps 38.81 Mbps
727 UniversalHD 1920x1080 29.97fps 38.81Mbps
728 MHD 1920x1080 29.97fps 38.81Mbps

i don't know if you guys know that you can record with VLC player. but not all programs. like discovery hd show protected and unprotected stuff.

D-VHS Tape Recorders: There are a couple of D-VHS HD Recorders by JVC and Mitsubishi. The JVC recorder can receive signals from a firewire-equipped STB or TV and record allowable programming. The Mits HD recorder must be connected to an appropriate Mitsubishi integrated HDTV, with firewire out. I'm not sure if the Mits D-VHS works on any other equipment.

I'm having the same problem with my Moto3412. My PC used to record from it, however it has stopped being able to (with the exception of 2 channels that I have noticed 706 and 712). I confirm I have firmware 16.20.

Has anyone found a workaround? Does anyone know if Comcast is working on a future update that will fix the problem?

I have also started seeing a black rectangle that blocks the center of my screen on many non-HD channels. Not sure if it is related to this firmware update. Has anyone else started seeing this as well?

Jeff

Hey HighDefCowboy, I'm in Surrey using shaw 6412 box & am having no problems with recording over firewire cable. A few tips I have found are get a good heavy duty firewire cable cause the ipod style thin ones don't work. Also try another firewire port on you pc if you have the option & also I found the fw port closest to the optical output seems to work for me. If you need some more help or tips let me know & I'll try an help you out.
Mach3

I've looked everywhere. Is there a working driver for PowerKey (not Motorola) Moxi MP-12? If and when I find it, can I follow the exact rules on page one to capture?

then how is this info transmitted to the PC from the D-VHS? I want these on my computer not a Tape. Forgive me for my ignorance on this subject. I just want to be able to get the HDTV signals recorded onto my hard drive not a VHS tape.

Well, I got my firewire cable this afternoon, and the instructions on the first page worked flawlessly for my Motorola 6412 III. Absolutely no problems, although I had to install the drivers in a different method than was listed. Thanks everyone for this thread.

trufolks, once you get the signal converted to firewire and sent into the computer, you probably just follow the directions on the first page.

You are dealing with a different subject here. This thread is about transferring a file from a STB to a PC by having the PC emulate a DVHS deck.

Apparently the Mits TV can only transfer to a "real" DVHS deck. I don't know how to transfer from deck to PC. Look for a thread about DVHS tape decks.

hi

I have followed the above steps and it all worked, however now my DVR is having issues. I can no longer fast forward or rewind. The arrows come up, but it just jerks forward slowly at the same speed as normal.

also I am wondering if there is any way to just pull files off the DVR and not have to record them in 'real time'. I was hoping whhen i started looking into this i would find a way to get my DVR to just show up like a device...like an mp3 player or a camera or a hard drive

I've spent the last couple of days searching for info on the IEC 63881 spec and didn't really find too much. I think the prices they want for these specs are exhorbitant for hobbyist purposes. $150 for a 45-page pdf is highway robbery IMO. Regarding 63881-1, can anyone tell me if the information in Microsoft's DDK along with the samples is enough to figure out FCP? I'm having a devil of a time with this device driver. Is there enough in the DDK to also deduce the contents of 61883-2, 3 and 4? Ultimately I'll be using AV/C but I'm trying to pull myself up by the bootstraps here and would like to have as much of the relevant information as possible for all the layers involved. I already have access to 1394, 1394a and the AVC specs for the camera, digital camera and tape subunits, as well as the command set general description. I got my hands on a lot of patents that, combined, you can read between the lines and extract useful information from. 61883 is very elusive.

FWIW my project is not a virtual tape deck, and I apologize if that makes this post off topic for this thread. It's for a virtual camcorder. I have a DVDR that will record from firewire DV, but only if it comes from a camcorder. That's what I want to emulate. I want the DVDR to think it's talking to a DV camcorder over the 1394 connection. If anybody has any information or links or pointers to places that I might have missed I would really appreciate them.