SageTV & HDHomeRun & .TS files

[jlmdxtv]

I've been using SageTV and Basic cable for years without a single issue over thousands of recordings. I finally broke down and purchased an HDHomeRun (from www.9thTee.com) to pick up local HD QAM. The HDHomeRun writes its streams to ".TS" files that are playable in SageTV.

Problem is, I use WINDVD7 to play shows because the FF works better for me (like playing a show at double-speed and still hearing clear audio). There are many times I also don't want to see the SageTV program timeline at the bottom of screen when I'm skipping over commericals, pausing, etc, so I don't end up anticipating a show's ending.

Outside of using SageTV's "convert" feature on these large ".TS" files, does anyone know how to view them properly in a program like WINDVD. Simply renaming them to .MPG makes them playable but WINDVD doesn't allow for FF or show a timebar (even if I want one).

BTW: The HDHomeRun is a fantastic device. Easy to install and setup and it works like a champ!

Thanks, john

[Polypro]

The HDHR streams .TS, but Sage can write them to disk as either .mpg or .TS

The property that changes this is: encode_digital_tv_as_program_stream= true/false.

I don't know if this will help your situation.

P

[BBCritical]

Originally Posted by Polypro

The HDHR streams .TS, but Sage can write them to disk as either .mpg or .TS

The property that changes this is: encode_digital_tv_as_program_stream= true/false.

P

Would changing this property to false allow the playback of the HD file to work better using an MVP?

[fidget]

Originally Posted by BBCritical

Would changing this property to false allow the playback of the HD file to work better using an MVP?

No, there is still too much data for the server to transcode it for the MVP (unless you have a very powerful server). All that flag does is change the wrapper.

[soulprops77]

Just curious as to whether or not Sage has an easier time with either wrapper. I am having a stuttering problem with HD playback and it does not seem to be the same as the one that all the other folks are having as I'm not using FSE or VMR9.

I'm on the verge of totally re-installing everything and/or buying a new video card (my current card is an ATI with only 128mb of memory).

Thanks,
Chris

[Goodspike]

Originally Posted by soulprops77

Just curious as to whether or not Sage has an easier time with either wrapper. I am having a stuttering problem with HD playback and it does not seem to be the same as the one that all the other folks are having as I'm not using FSE or VMR9.

I found it was worse the TS (or is is TP) files than WMP files.

[jlmdxtv]

Yes, the advice above from Polypro now created mpg files but those too aren't playable outside of SageTV. Thank you for that tip though.

Problem is, WinDVD7 will play them but without any navigational controls (eg FF/REW). WindowsMediaPlayer can't play them at all. But SageTV can.

I've tried using the Transcode fix that EvilPenguin mentioned in a different thread:
SageTVTranscoder.exe -i "input.mpg" -acodec copy -vcodec copy -f mpegts "output.mpg"
but that really mangled the videos. I also tried the "quickfix" function of VideoRedo, neither could make the files playable (outside of SageTV) or editable in VideoRedo.

I'm beginning to think that SageTV and/or the HDHomeRun are having problems beginning a new recording (that's where the transcoding errors appeared in the SageTranscoder and that's where I saw a few seconds of corruption while playing the video).

I'm curious if others have been using files coming off of the HDHOMERUN with VIDEOREDO? If so, I'll contact the makers of the HDHOMERUN and see if they are aware of this issue. I've also used the ATI HD WONDER for a few weeks without any of these issues.

thanks in advance, john

[ToxMox]

jlmdxtv..just curious...you are running the latest firmware and software for the HDHR from SiliconDust correct? The original beta of it had problems at the beginning of the stream. I'll check when I'm home if my .TS files play in other apps or not.

[zoso]

Originally Posted by fidget

No, there is still too much data for the server to transcode it for the MVP (unless you have a very powerful server). All that flag does is change the wrapper.

A Core2 at 2.66 (maybe even lower than that, but the core on mine handling the transcode hits 80+% often) or better should be able to handle it.

[jlmdxtv]

ToxMox,

I'll make sure I'm running the lastest firmware. I downloaded it Tuesday (1/23) but I see they have a new version dated 1/23. Maybe I ended up getting my version moments too soon. I'll know tonight.

-----------

Looking forward to the results of your test.

john

[ToxMox]

Nah...don't bother. It was much earlier than 1/23 that the problem was fixed. Was around late November.