Hauppauge WinTV HD PVR (H.264) screenshot and pre-order link

[tmiranda]

Originally Posted by sleonard

It would make no sense to connect this directly to the extenders just as it makes no sense to connect your other tuners to the extenders. That's what the server is for.
S

I humbly disagree. I know the device is designed to plug directly into the Sage server but having the extender act as a "pass through" device would make a lot of sense. Many people (like me ) have the Sage server located nowhere near the TV so if we use the HD PVR we either need to locate it (and the STB) near the server or find a way to get the USB signal from the TV to the server.

If we locate the STB and HD PVR near the server, we no longer have the possibility to connect the TV directly to the STB. It might also be a little "awkward" asking the satellite or cable guys to install the STB in my closet next to a bunch of computer gear.

There are USB to ethernet devices available but they are expensive and add even more complexity to the Sage system. You will also need to install a switch next to the TV so you can attach the extender and the USB to ethernet device to the network. I see things getting expensive and ugly real fast.

Plugging the HD PVR directly into the extender and having the extender send the data back to the server over ethernet would solve a multitude of problems for me.

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by subhadipsas

I also think the client machine needs all the horsepower. But hopefully not a lot of horsepower!! I have a Canon AVCHD camcorder and the raw files from the camcorder is not smooth at all with 100% CPU usage when played back in my machine with XP 2400+, 7600 GS 512 mb, 1 gb RAM. One difference though - the Canon does a 1080p AVCHD at a high bit rate. May be (hopefully) 720p AVCHD will be less taxing.

AVCHD is a great algorithm for file size - but very complex for older CPUs.

Yea, my Athon XP 2800+ could barely playback 720p AVC/H.264. 1080p was definitely a no go.

If you expect to playback the media on the server you won't be able to. An Athon XP 2800+ is definitely not enough.

[paulbeers]

Originally Posted by tmiranda

I humbly disagree. I know the device is designed to plug directly into the Sage server but having the extender act as a "pass through" device would make a lot of sense. Many people (like me ) have the Sage server located nowhere near the TV so if we use the HD PVR we either need to locate it (and the STB) near the server or find a way to get the USB signal from the TV to the server.

If we locate the STB and HD PVR near the server, we no longer have the possibility to connect the TV directly to the STB. It might also be a little "awkward" asking the satellite or cable guys to install the STB in my closet next to a bunch of computer gear.

There are USB to ethernet devices available but they are expensive and add even more complexity to the Sage system. You will also need to install a switch next to the TV so you can attach the extender and the USB to ethernet device to the network. I see things getting expensive and ugly real fast.

Plugging the HD PVR directly into the extender and having the extender send the data back to the server over ethernet would solve a multitude of problems for me.

I see what you are saying on this, but this plan would lead to a lot of issues. Your STB's really should just be in the closet with your Sage Server and regulated only to Sage. The reason is, the last thing you want is for sage to change the channel to record something and someone comes along and wants to watch something else and changes the channel on your STB. This will lead to Sage recording The Food Network, when what you wanted was ESPN. The best thing to do, is to actually put it in your closet and watch everything thru Sage. This way if someone does try to watch something and the STB is tied up recording, Sage will give a warning and the recording will stay in tact.

It might seem weird to have the cable guy put it in the closet, but it is truly the only safe way to go.

[camus]

Originally Posted by paulbeers

I see what you are saying on this, but this plan would lead to a lot of issues. Your STB's really should just be in the closet with your Sage Server and regulated only to Sage. The reason is, the last thing you want is for sage to change the channel to record something and someone comes along and wants to watch something else and changes the channel on your STB. This will lead to Sage recording The Food Network, when what you wanted was ESPN. The best thing to do, is to actually put it in your closet and watch everything thru Sage. This way if someone does try to watch something and the STB is tied up recording, Sage will give a warning and the recording will stay in tact.

It might seem weird to have the cable guy put it in the closet, but it is truly the only safe way to go.

I agree with this, when I first set up sage I thought it odd to have everything go through sage but once I got comfortable with the idea I would not do it any other way. It is weird to think sometimes if the sage server crashes, no TV anywhere.


I have no qualms telling the installer to put 2 STB's right next to other on a shelf in an unfinished basement with no TV in sight.

[eopian]

Has anybody tried playing the test clip with an older CPU (p4 or athalon) and new GPU (ATI HD2600/2400)???

[sleonard]

I played the test clip on my 5 year old 2.4GHz P4 with an ATI 9600 Pro video card and it played pretty well in PowerDVD Ultra 7.3.

S

[camped69]

Could someone quickly break down what it would take to record and playback DirectTV HD content on 1 Television using the HD PVR solution in this thread? Recording and playback would not have to occur simultaneously. The server/client has me confused. I would not be looking to network. thanks

[sleonard]

Originally Posted by camped69

Could someone quickly break down what it would take to record and playback DirectTV HD content on 1 Television using the HD PVR solution in this thread? Recording and playback would not have to occur simultaneously. The server/client has me confused. I would not be looking to network. thanks

With only a single TV the client/server model is not necessary. You would need one PC connected to your TV via RGB, DVI, HDMI or component and running the full version of the SageTV SW. Your DirecTV set-top box would be connected to the Hauppage HD-PVR via component which would, in turn, be connected to the PC via USB.

In addition to this basic setup you would probably want a remote to control Sage and I would recomend the Microsoft Media Center remote/reciever combo or you could get a USB-UIRT and use the universal remote of your choice.

S

[tmiranda]

@ paulbeers & camus - OK, points taken.

[B-Figgy]

Originally Posted by sleonard

...

In addition to this basic setup you would probably want a remote to control Sage and I would recomend the Microsoft Media Center remote/reciever combo or you could get a USB-UIRT and use the universal remote of your choice.

S

Although it should be noted that the HD PVR 1212 comes with the Hauppauge IR Blaster/Receiver combo cable and their 45 button remote so you don't have to purchase another product if you don't want to. I should stress the "if you don't want to" because not everyone likes the Hauppauge remote and I'm sure other forum goers would be happy to relate their own experiences with other parties solutions.

[sleonard]

Originally Posted by B-Figgy

Although it should be noted that the HD PVR 1212 comes with the Hauppauge IR Blaster/Receiver combo cable and their 45 button remote so you don't have to purchase another product if you don't want to. I should stress the "if you don't want to" because not everyone likes the Hauppauge remote and I'm sure other forum goers would be happy to relate their own experiences with other parties solutions.

You're right. I don't know why but I didn't even think of that.

S

[frontlinegeek]

Originally Posted by sleonard

I played the test clip on my 5 year old 2.4GHz P4 with an ATI 9600 Pro video card and it played pretty well in PowerDVD Ultra 7.3.

S

That is a curious result.

I ran the latest clip that was released on an Athlon 64 3500+ and an ATI Radeon X1600 Pro. I got choppy playback and 100% cpu util. I was using PDVD 7.3 ultra as well.

[frontlinegeek]

As for client/server hardware requirements...

From what I can gather, if you have a SageTV server that only does recording then it is fine.

Playback of the content from these devices is going to require a dedicated H264 capable graphics card and possibly even a dual core CPU.

From further testing of the clip, I was getting smooth playback on an X2 4000+ installed on an AMD 690G based board. CPU % was ~90%. So, even with a dual core system, a better integrated solution, like the new AMD 780G, or a discrete card will still be needed.

With that, it may be time for some to consider moving to the Sage HD extender instead of reinvesting a lot of money into a client side HTPC. I know that if I have to or choose to get these Hauppauge boxes, I will seriously have to consider the HD extender as I have 2 clients that will just not play these H.264 files.

[sleonard]

Originally Posted by que3jxp

That is a curious result.

...

Indeed. I was very surprised at this myself. I did not expect this clip to be watchable at all but it only had 2 or 3 spots where there was some slight studdering. Go figure!

S

[mrdrbdt]

So, if I understand correctly, this is going to be the only way to get HD Channels, only available as encrypted over a cable box and not available OTA, into sage tv?

I've been following this for a while and quite frankly I've reach the point where I'm just crossing my eyes and passing out.

[gplasky]

SO I just downloaded the file and it played perfectly.

AMD Athlon 64x2 Dual Core 5200+ (2.60 GHz)
2 GB RAM
Cyberlink PowerDVD Ultra 7.3
58%-62% CPU Usage
Full screen

Beautiful picture and absolutely no stutter.

Gerry

[sleonard]

Originally Posted by mrdrbdt

So, if I understand correctly, this is going to be the only way to get HD Channels, only available as encrypted over a cable box and not available OTA, into sage tv?

I've been following this for a while and quite frankly I've reach the point where I'm just crossing my eyes and passing out.

No, a few lucky people have cable boxes that are compatible with the R5000 modification. Other than that there is nothing else for cable at this time.

S

[Chriscic]

Originally Posted by que3jxp

Playback of the content from these devices is going to require a dedicated H264 capable graphics card and possibly even a dual core CPU.

You'll need a dual-core CPU for sure, but it's not going to require decode from your vid-card; a fast CPU will do the work just fine.

[Sparhawk6]

So if a powerful CPU is going to be needed to playback the files, can't we just assume that the HD Extender will not be able to accomplish the task?

[bcjenkins]

My grand pappy once said, "Never assume 'cause it just makes an ass of u and me."

I would write support AT sagetv dot com and ask the question.

B