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

[m1abrams]

Originally Posted by jrog

well, the iPhone, and 3G version for that matter, are just evolutionary devices. I have an iPhone, and love it, so don't get me wrong, but it's just the same thing we've had for a long time, but better.

IMO, the HD-PVR is much more revolutionary, as people have talked for years about being able to build a Tivo or DVR or whatever that can record Component HD Video, easily and at a price that's reachable for the masses, and it simply hasn't existed. This is the first of it's kind, and hopefully other companies will produce similar products as well.

Agreed. If someone told me 6 months ago we would have a device that for under $300 encode in near realtime HD quality h.264 from a component input I would have laughed in their face. In fact I still find it hard to believe and want to actually see this thing work.

[Chriscic]

Originally Posted by BFisher

They are doing their best to meet both expectations, and as long as they feel it's something that can be fixed in field, it doesn't surprise me they opted for a "get it out there and we'll update everyone in a couple weeks" approach.

I don't disagree with what you are saying. But it could be a couple of weeks to support 5.1 (doubtful), it could be a couple of months, it could be 6 months, it could be 6 months with some significant limitation, it could (worst case) be never. 5.1 sound is half the fun of the HD experience... or at least 25% for me. HD with two-channel sound is not really HD.

[jrog]

Originally Posted by Chriscic

I don't disagree with what you are saying. But it could be a couple of weeks to support 5.1 (doubtful), it could be a couple of months, it could be 6 months, it could be 6 months with some significant limitation, it could (worst case) be never. 5.1 sound is half the fun of the HD experience... or at least 25% for me. HD with two-channel sound is not really HD.

Sure, I love when the receiver says 5.1 instead of 2.0, but I don't really notice a huge difference once I'm interested in the show I'm watching. Then, my attention is to the Picture Quality. To say it's not a good enough product yet without 5.1, to me, is splitting hairs. In fact, only one of my 3 extenders is even hooked up to a 5.1 system where it will take advantage of it.

Of course, I will also only be recording in 720p, as all 3 of my HD displays are only 720p capable, but to each his own.

[Brent]

Well, to be clear this device IS an early adopter type of device for now. It's relatively unproven, won't do 5.1 initially, will probably have several bugs in the driver/firmware initially and will probably have some stumbling blocks to deal with on the software end (BTV, SageTV etc) as well.

Now that we know that, if you're uncomfortable with the above and have a pre-order in, go cancel your order - nobody's been charged yet since none have shipped yet. If you're like me and want what it offers and are willing to run it with a few possible bumps in the road then you're in luck very soon.

I'm getting one for the following reasons:
* Concept is exactly what I need to get non-DRM'd, HD TV content and not be forced into Windows VMC mess
* I'm an HTPC enthusiast and want to see how it does
* I'm planning to do a review on the unit for my blog and for SageTV and BTV users
* I can afford it
* I'm a glutton for punishment
* Hauppauge has been around for quite a while and I trust they will continue to be - I trust them with HTPC equip and I know they have SageTV running for testing

[Taddeusz]

I like being an early adopter and would order one but lack of 5.1 surround is a biggie for me. Other than for the obvious ability to record encrypted HD channels that's the only other reason I'd be getting one.

On a side note it really irritates me how Cox Cable manages... err micromanages the audio on their digital channels. Probably the reason I've decided to go back to OTA on my HDHR is that much of the time programs that are available in 5.1 surround are being retransmitted by Cox in stereo. Rather irritating to me.

[morikaweb]

Lack of 5.1 is a real disappointment for me. I just went out and plunked down $600 for a pre-orderd Onkyo TX-SR606. I was hoping I could connect the cable box right to the HD-PVR and pass the audio through my Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 to the receiver. Now I have $800 (not including the HD-PVR's $250) worth of equipment that wont work right till the HD-PVR issue is sorted

[Chriscic]

Certainly Hauppauge has the right to ship with whatever functionality they want. However, it irks me their product page still says the below:

"Audio is recorded using AAC or Dolby Digital. " Is this blatantly incorrect or does dolby digital somehow not inherently equal multi-channel sound?

Also, Hauppauge, do you really still think the product will ship on May 1 per your webpage? Do you have a time machine?

Ok, ok, I know it's not a perfect world, but really how hard is it to update a webpage on an important new product?

[mayamaniac]

Originally Posted by Brent

mayamaniac,
those two clips are working fine for me on the HD100 extender. What firmware and SageTV versions are you using?

I'm using SageTV 6.4.3.171 Windows Version
STX100 firmware 20080519 0(although the test files worked in the previous beta version as well)

My client PC has trouble with the audio, but video works well.

Yes, I'm using the exact beta version and beta firmware you are using, but for some reason, the video is black. I can see the thumbnail, so it is able to generate a thumbnail of the video, but not play it. It's kinda strange.

Originally Posted by Taddeusz

This just kind of rubs me the wrong way. I don't mind beta testing a work-in-progress product like SageTV. But it really irritates me when a company releases a product essentially unfinished. Pass-thru 5.1 AC3 audio should be supported right from product release. Not when they feel like it's ready. The product should be released when the drivers are fully functional.

Based on what I've gathered from the test clips that have been passed around the audio is actually converted to 2 channel AAC and not AC3 as is indicated in that post. Maybe that is configurable in the driver or maybe that was another unfinished thing they were working on.

Nonetheless, I get the distinct impression that this is an unfinished product being rushed to market. This makes me glad that I didn't order one and will wait till it is feature complete before doing so.

For people who don't care about 5.1 audio at the moment, they can order now and be an early adopter and not wait for a feature that they aren't going to use anyway. For people like you, like you said, you should wait. Although from the hauppauge email, it seems like they are working on it.

At about $300, it's a bit out of my price range for early-adopting. So for different reason, but I'm also waiting to make sure everything works before ordering.

[Brent]

For those of you worried about the 5.1 issue. Here's a response from Haupauge addressing the concern:

Originally Posted by From Dorothy at Hauppauge

"The initial release won’t accept Dolby Digital 5.1 but we expect to have a downloadable software patch within the next 4 weeks or so that will fix this issue."

Not as good as a promise and you never know if they'll be able to meet that "within the next 4 weeks", but nice to know it's something they're working on for soon after release.

[jakep_82]

I was pretty disappointed about this news, but I just received an email from Dorothy at Hauppauge that clarifies:

The initial release won’t accept Dolby Digital 5.1 but we expect to have a downloadable software patch within the next 4 weeks or so that will fix this issue.

I've already waited 6 weeks from my pre-order to ship, I guess I can wait 4 more for surround sound.

EDIT: You beat me to it Brent!!

[Brent]

Originally Posted by jakep_82

EDIT: You beat me to it Brent!!

Didn't realize you were a SS Forum follower. The masses on these forums are very interested in this stuff so I'm trying to share as soon as I know stuff.

[Chriscic]

Originally Posted by Brent

For those of you worried about the 5.1 issue. Here's a response from Haupauge addressing the concern:



Not as good as a promise and you never know if they'll be able to meet that "within the next 4 weeks", but nice to know it's something they're working on for soon after release.

Doh! I was so close to a clear conviction for canceling my preorder. 4 weeks... well that means between 8 and 12 probably but looks like I won't cancel. Thanks for the info!

[jakep_82]

I just registered today after buying SageTV and the HD extender a couple days ago. I'm a long time MythTV user (3 years) but the HD extender and HD PVR support won me over.

[Fluffdaddy]

Lack of DD 5.1 sound is Huge for me. Maybe I will have to reconsider not getting another R5000 mod done months back

[sleonard]

I've been waiting for this device for years and I could care less about the delay in 5.1 support. Probably because I don't have any way to use it yet but even if I did a few weeks or even months is nothing compared to how long I've already waited. That it will exist at all and I have three on order is the best thing to happen to my Sage addiction since I first purchased SageTV.

S

[IVB]

Originally Posted by Fluffdaddy

Lack of DD 5.1 sound is Huge for me. Maybe I will have to reconsider not getting another R5000 mod done months back

We're doomed. It will never work.

(just giving you a hard time; i've been waiting months to use that line on fluffdaddy...)

[mistergq]

while the lack of 5.1 right out of the gate is disappointing, I too have been waiting for this product for a long time. As long as they have it by the start of next season...all will be good.

[SHS]

Keep in mind that they need get a license for AC-3 audio for Dolby Digital 5.1.
I belive it dose have a AC-3 audio hardware encoding which I belive is Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo only.

[Fluffdaddy]

Originally Posted by IVB

We're doomed. It will never work.

(just giving you a hard time; i've been waiting months to use that line on fluffdaddy...)

Yep, I'm a born pessimist.
You got me

Edit to add: But I'm also a penny pincher. $550 for the R-5000-HD mod and another $99 for the "Multi-Instance version" sagetv add-on.................humm I better keep my pre-order in

[PosterBoy]

How well is it working with Sage?

I am suprised I havent seen any people commenting on it now that it is available and there is beta support in Sage for it. This thing should be huge for us!!

Thanks

Kent

* merged *