Using two PVR-USB2's (Dark Picture)

[mschoen]

Has anyone had a problem running two PVR-USB2's on the same computer? Sage recognizes them both but, on one the picture is VERY dark or showing negative colors while the other is fine.
I'm stumped.

Mark

[Opus4]

I am using 2 PVR-USB2s on one PC and I know that some others are also using more than one too.

Have you tried each one individually with the Hauppauge software to see how the recordings look? Maybe try changing the USB2 port it is connected to, or try changing the driver.

- Andy

[mschoen]

OK..here's what I've found so far:
When I shut down my computer and restart it, one of the USB2's (the older of the two) powers off and doesn't come back on until I unplug either the USB cable or the power cord and plug it back in. If the power is off I get a negative image when I watch live tv or record. If the power is on the picture image is so dark I have to boost the brightness and contrast to the maximum settings (255) to view it. I have tried switching ports and receptacles and it makes no difference. I've tried different drivers with no success. The other USB2 seems to work fine.
If I unplug either of the two units and remove the source of one of them in Sage, it works fine regardless of of the power

Also: Is there a way to switch between/choose which units plays the Live TV?

Thanks,
Mark

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by mschoen

If I unplug either of the two units and remove the source of one of them in Sage, it works fine regardless of of the power

If the problem is always with the same PVR-USB2, I would check with Hauppauge support about it.

Also: Is there a way to switch between/choose which units plays the Live TV?

Only 'sort of'. Live TV is really just a recording that you are currently watching & the first available tuner is used. You could use the mmc/encoders/####/encoder_merit property to set the order of preference for tuner usage. That will affect scheduled recordings too, not just live tv.

- Andy

[hemicuda]

on the merit issue... I've noticed that if I have a scheduled favorite recording "soon" that if I tune to Live TV Sage will use one of the lower-merit tuners for 'live.' This helps since my 350 records CBS very clear and the 500 poorly enough that comskip doesn't work on the shows.

[Deadbolt]

Originally Posted by mschoen

Has anyone had a problem running two PVR-USB2's on the same computer? Sage recognizes them both but, on one the picture is VERY dark or showing negative colors while the other is fine.
I'm stumped.

Mark

I have the same exact issue! You are the first I've heard anyone else having this problem. I have two PVR-USB2 units that work fine together. When I added a third I get negative colors with the 3rd. The 3rd unit works fine with the Hauppague software.

I also see the odd power light issue...they seem to mean nothing!

[Deadbolt]

Originally Posted by Deadbolt

I have the same exact issue! You are the first I've heard anyone else having this problem. I have two PVR-USB2 units that work fine together. When I added a third I get negative colors with the 3rd. The 3rd unit works fine with the Hauppague software.

I also see the odd power light issue...they seem to mean nothing!

Anyone ever determine the cause of this? I still have not been able to solve this problem.

Thanks in advance.

[stevech]

the red LED on my single USB2 is rarely on. I don't know but perhaps firmware controls that LED.

[GKusnick]

Have you tried a powered USB hub? USB tuners draw a fair amount of power and many on-board USB controllers don't have enough oomph to power more than one or two of them.

If you try this, be sure to get a USB 2.0 hub. Most of the cheap powered hubs you find are USB 1.1.