SageTV Client Choppy HD - Need a Codec Expert!

[bond00]

Here's my problem. It's kind of in-depth, but I'll do my best to explain. I'm using DVB Dream (DVB-S software) as a network encoder to SageTV on my server. I stream the video to a client PC in my living room. I can watch/record h264 HD just fine on the server. The problem is the client. Playback is very choppy. I'm using PowerDVD 7 as my mpeg4 codec on the client and server. Here's what i don't get. If I record the h264 content in DVB Dream and then transfer it to the client pc, I can watch the video just fine using PowerDVD...no problems. If I record the h264 video using SageTV and then transfer to the client, it won't display video in PowereDVD, only audio. When I try to watch live or recorded h264 TV from the client, playback is very choppy. Basically if I recording using DVB Dream, the client will playback the h264 video, but with sagetv, the h264 (.ts file) won't display video in PowerDVD and playback is choppy within the SageTV client software.

I currently have the client configured to use Directshow, but it's almost like its still using the built in sage mpeg4 decoder. I added the following line to my sageclient.properties file., but it didn't do anything.

videoframe/h264_video_decoder_filter=CyberLink H.264/AVC Decoder (PDVD7.x)

At this point, I am totally stumped. I just really want this work! I'm thinking it has something to do with codecs, but I don't know. please let me know of your ideas. Thanks!

Here are my specs:

Server
AMD X2 3.0 Ghz
2 GB RAM
Sage 6.3.10 RC
DVB Dream 1.4i
ATI 2600 Pro - 512 MB

Client
AMD Athlon 2.2 Ghz
1 GB RAM
Nvidia 6200 - 256 MB
Sage Client 6.3.10 RC
Windows XP

[friken]

I have a similar setup with slightly differing issue:

I have dvbdream/network encoder setup and working. I use cyberlink 8.x which I have the following issue with:

dvbdream, or through livetv sage mpeg4 is viewable. Both are similar and almost ok. The issue with live sage or dvbdream is the rendering seems like 15-20 FPS and pans/fast motion is really hard to follow. There is also some tearing of the image similar to what you would see in an FPS game with v-sync turned off.

Now for the really crappy part of my problem, recorded mpeg4/h264 channels playback through sage or mplayer both pause out, jerk and get out of sync audio. I have tried other h264 codecs and cyberlink so far is the best I have found. CoreAVC is really bad and crashes at times. Arcsoft, shows first frame and then no video, audio only.

looking at the saved files, they are saved as .mpeg. I expected the h.264 files to be saved in raw stream format (.ts)? I'm wondering if Sagetv is decoding and then mpeg2 encoding them? Anyway to have it not do that assuming that theory is even true?

[jerryt]

There is a DeMux buffer hack that is needed for any H.264 codec on a client except Arcsoft Video Decoder.

This line needs to read the exact "Friendly name" of your H.264 codec;
videoframe/h264_video_decoder_filter=CyberLink H.264/AVC Decoder (PDVD7.x)

Verify the 7.x part of the name with a program like DirectShow Filter manager

[redondo_se]

Originally Posted by jerryt

There is a DeMux buffer hack that is needed for any H.264 codec on a client except Arcsoft Video Decoder.

The hack you're referring to is a registy setting for the SageTV demux filter:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\FreyTechnologies\Common\DSFilters\MpegDeMux\NumBuffers

It's default value is 40 (hex). I use 80 (hex). Others have reported that 60 works ...

[Taddeusz]

I'm afraid your client machine probably isn't powerful enough to playback 1080 H.264. It may be able to do 720p but doubtful if it can do 1080i/p well, if at all.

Your processor isn't powerful enough for software decoding and your video card doesn't have acceleration for H.264 video.

[CollinR]

Originally Posted by Taddeusz

I'm afraid your client machine probably isn't powerful enough to playback 1080 H.264. It may be able to do 720p but doubtful if it can do 1080i/p well, if at all.

Your processor isn't powerful enough for software decoding and your video card doesn't have acceleration for H.264 video.

Thats kinda what I'm thinking, 85/8600 GT is rather inexpensive and has h.264 hardware support.

[friken]

Hmm.. I wouldn't think that my issue is hardware due to <60% cpu usage.

I have several machines, the sagetv server is
My machine CPU core 2 duo 2.2GHz
video is GF 8800GTS

and I have three clients running
AMD X2 5000+ w/ 780G video (~3200HD equiv)

both video cards have hardware accel w/ the cyberlink driver. Avivo for the AMD/ATI and purevideoHD for the 8800GTS (I think)

cpu usage is 60-70% on the server w/ client and 50-60% on the client only amd machines.

[ghostlobster]

Don't overlook the processor. I tried h.264 content on a single core AMD 3000+ and saw some bad stutter. I then put the same video card in a dual core 4600+ and it was perfect. The dual core requirement for h.264 playback is legit.

Also, the 8500GT and 8600GT cards are OK, but they are pretty much the minimum and you still might see some issues. The HD2400 Pro is ok, I've got one on one of my clients, but again, it's minimal. I'd recommend an HD2600XT. Im using that card on my main client, and it performs very very nicely.

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by friken

Hmm.. I wouldn't think that my issue is hardware due to <60% cpu usage.

I have several machines, the sagetv server is
My machine CPU core 2 duo 2.2GHz
video is GF 8800GTS

and I have three clients running
AMD X2 5000+ w/ 780G video (~3200HD equiv)

both video cards have hardware accel w/ the cyberlink driver. Avivo for the AMD/ATI and purevideoHD for the 8800GTS (I think)

cpu usage is 60-70% on the server w/ client and 50-60% on the client only amd machines.

The 8800GTS does not have the advanced H.264 acceleration that the later 8000 series cards have.

[CollinR]

8800is a gaming card, 85/8600 are multimedia focused. Oddly it seems to only be an issue with h.264.

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by CollinR

8800is a gaming card, 85/8600 are multimedia focused. Oddly it seems to only be an issue with h.264.

Well, yes, but the 8800gts came out first and as such did not have the more advanced features included. However it does have full MPEG2 acceleration. It doesn't always help to get the latest and greatest card when one of their goals is to get product to market. Features are generally left out in favor of it hitting the shelves.