R5000-HD capture via USB2 & SageTV

[Kirby]

E* = echostar, dishnetwork
D* = directv

[dbfresh23]

Originally Posted by R5000-HD

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

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

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

Posted in the AVS Forum - Looks like they are going to be charging for the SageTV software for the R5000??

[gplasky]

No-it sounds like after 30 days they will charge for the software THEY provide for the R5000 that lets your copy of Sage TV see an R5000 as a network encoder. See the installation instructions on their sight. Without their software Sage can't do anything with the R5000. For the next 30 days if you purchase a R5000 and give them the serial number to the R5000 they will give you the release version. Current version posted is a beta.

Gerry

[dbfresh23]

Originally Posted by gplasky

No-it sounds like after 30 days they will charge for the software THEY provide for the R5000 that lets your copy of Sage TV see an R5000 as a network encoder.

That's what I meant, I guess I used poor wording...

This software has historically been a free download. It is after all just an additional option inside their normal app. Either way doesn't matter to me since they'll have my STB inside 2 weeks.

[Stealth1971]

No wonder they were so against me creating the software option!

[Kirby]

Right, its free for anyone that purchases a unit in the next 30 days. After that, its sold at either $49.95 for Sage enabled version, or $99.95 for the multi-source version (which includes Sage support).

I know David spent a lot of time and moey developing this software. And while it is an "addon" to a previously free version of their software, keep in mind that its their DVR software that makes this all possible. Sort of the holy grail, if you will. The remuxing done in the software is what makes the software valuable, and I would assume that previously, the "free" software had a price that was just not broken out of the modification charge.

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by dbfresh23

That's what I meant, I guess I used poor wording...

This software has historically been a free download. It is after all just an additional option inside their normal app. Either way doesn't matter to me since they'll have my STB inside 2 weeks.

Or poor reading. I see what you're saying. Looks intersting-I'll have to read up on the product/service.

Gerry

[dbfresh23]

Originally Posted by Stealth1971

No wonder they were so against me creating the software option!

You've got me interested in your possible QAM option though!!

[Kirby]

Originally Posted by dbfresh23

You've got me interested in your possible QAM option though!!

Me too

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Kirby

Me too

Make me three

[Stealth1971]

It may be a few weeks before I have something to announce - believe me, I want to use it too!

[dbfresh23]

Someone brought up a really good question in the R5000 thread at AVSForum.

"Does SageTV support MPEG-4 AVC?"

I think this will be rather important for all of you that plan on using Dish Network's MPEG4 boxes to capture HD streams.

I downloaded the Elecard trial and can now view the sample MPEG4 capture from the R5000 site in WMP, but not in SageTV.

[Kirby]

ok folks, question time. I'm encountering an issue with live playback on my r5000 captures. This only is affecting my client license on my desktop PC. If I view from the sage server (my main htpc) everything is fine.

If I watch a live show as its recorded, the client will start stuttering after about 2 minutes of playback, on HD channels only. I'm running 4.1.11 server and client. If I pause the playback, and resume, stutter re-appears after 15 seconds or so.

I have checked my firewire stb recordings, and OTA hd and they dont do this. I thought maybe it was the drive being written to, so I swapped it out, no change.

I then tried to record a show, without watching it. Let get about 4 minutes in, and started playback, and still after 2 minutes, I got stuttering.

But once the show finishes, I can play it without issue. So, is this purely an issue with 4.1.11 client? The firewire stb is done through Anders' UNE, and the OTA HD tuner is not a network encoder. Maybe its something to do with true network encoders on this version of sage? I'm lost on this one, and from the info that David told me, it doesnt appear like its a buffer I/O issue on the network encoder, especially since I get the stuttering being many minutes delayed on playback as well.

Or maybe its just an issue with the desktop pc's hardware or codecs or filters? Open for suggestions.

[stanger89]

Sounds like you're catching up to the live recording (playing slightly faster than it's recording) so it will (after a time) run out of buffer and pause.

If I had to guess, it's not due to it being a client, but probably some combination of different decoders, and most likely different soundcards. If your soundcard on the client runs slightly faster than the one on your server (playback clock is derived from the soundcard) then that could be a problem

"Out-there" fix you could try, you could try Reclock, which will slave your playback clock to the video card instead.

[Kirby]

they are different audio cards. HTPC has a X-Mystique 7.1, and desktop has a SB Audigy 2 zs. But I would have figured the other 2 HD sources I have (Fusion and DCT-6200 firewire STB) would experience the same issue.

also, what about where i scheduled a recording, and then started playback on it after it had recorded 5 minutes? after 2 minute of playback in that case, it still stuttered? is it possible for the client to be reading too far ahead on the audio portion of the stream and cause the problem, even though there is plenty still written on disk.

I will check out reclock. been a while since I used that (used when i was encoding to wmv). another thing I can easily do is try the built in audio on my motherboard, and see how that plays.

*edit* Nvidia onboard spdif output produced the same results. I guess its time to try reclock and look at other options. after the storms that is!

[Kimper]

Someone a bit back asked about leased boxes. Here is what Nextcom had to say..
Also a clarification on their Sage TV software promotion.

Yes, we will modify leased units but make sure that it is clearly
labeled as leased when we receive it. We perform the modification in
such a way as to not drill any holes in the chassis. The SageTV software
is normally $49.95 but free to anybody who purchases an R5000 in the
next 30-days. You can get the software anytime, just so long as you
present your serial number that was purchased during this time period.
Thanks,

David

Kirby's problem is giving me cold feet though. If I pay $550 for the box mod I want that thing to work perfectly.

[stanger89]

So how does the mod work on a leased box? Do you have to send it in to Nextcomm to have it removed before you give the box back? I'd definitely love to save the $400 on the box+dish.

[dbfresh23]

Yes, they say they will remove it free of charge.

Leased Boxes Just about all cable boxes today are owned by the cable provider and leased to the customer. You may or may not be able to convince your cable company to activate a customer owned STB, although recent laws may force them to do so. When installed in the DTC2000, the R5000-HD modification is performed in a manner which allows it to be removed without a trace (e.g. no holes are made in the chassis). It is highly recommended that you first return your modified box to us in order to remove the R5000-HD before turning it in to your cable operator. There is no charge for this removal.

[stanger89]

OK, but have to send it back in.

[dbfresh23]

Yeah, and this is just for Digital Cable boxes, not Dish boxes.