Hauppauge PVR-350 tv out; switching to MVP

[szirger]

Hauppauge PVR-350
SageTV V10.6.3.10.166
XP Home

When TV Out is enabled under setup (Multimedia-both buttons), SageTV will crash when fast forwarding and I have to reboot to start Sage again. I have just been informed by SageTV support that "There are issues with the PVR-350 output and Sage". I am instructed to keep both buttons disabled for now. Needless to say, I am a bit upset. I don't watch me recorded shows on my pc. Any suggestions? I have Sage files back to V4. Thanks!

[davephan]

Szirger,

I've been using a PVR-350 for a few years. I started the same way, using the TV out from the PVR-350. I also experienced some lockup problems. The problems would occur when I skipped 30 seconds over and over too fast. I think that the problems were reduced with as SageTV evolved from version 1.4 to more current versions. The PVR-350 "color bars" are annoying too, but they can be disabled.

My solution was to buy MVP units. I have a wired and wireless. I would recommend the wired version, if you decide to buy MVP unit(s). The wireless MVP either needs to have an open wireless network, or WEP, which is broken in less than one minute. WPA is not an option with the MVP. Many people have marginal success using wireless, although it does work for some people. I refused to use it because it is not secure wireless.

Probably a better option is to buy the more expensive HD extender when it is back in stock. If you watch non-MPEG2 files, such as AVI files with the MVP, your computer will have to transcode the AVI files on the fly to MPEG2. This can load down the CPU. My old Althlon XP 2800 was barely enough CPU. An older Althlon XP 2100 was not enough CPU to playback the videos without severe stuttering.

The HD extender can playback various non-MPEG2 formats without loading down your SageTV computer's CPU.


Dave

[szirger]

Dave,

I have taken your advice and ordered a wired MVP unit. I'll post an update when I have it up and running. I appreciate your input.

Scott

[szirger]

Well, this has been a very frustrating weekend. I received the MVP "wired" and was able to connect it to my PC. The problem is I cannot get SageTV to work with it. I bought the MVP license and enabled it in the setup screen and the TV still shows the MVP main screen. I really want the TV screen to show the Sage interface just like it did when I just was using the PVR-350. The PC is connected to my network by a wireless connection, but that should not make a difference. The MVP unit is connected to my PC with a crossover cable. When I get the MVP unit to connect to my PC, then the wireless connection to my network does not work. I tried connecting my PC to a Linksys wireless router and the MVP unit to the router and my computer to the router and that did not work. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Scott

[matt91]

Often times there is a firewall getting in the way. There are threads here (someplace) that lists the ports that need to be opened. Search around and you'll find them.

I would start with getting this setup in a completely wired environment (e.g., PC wired to router, and MVP wired to router). This means that you have two potential firewalls getting in the way - PC firewall (microsoft or 3rd party) and the router firewall. Turn them both off for testing.

You should check to ensure that the MVP is getting a IP address. Your linksys router www page will have a list of current connections. Ensure that there is one in there that isn't your PC.

Also, make sure that you don't have the original hauppauge software installed. It conflicts with Sage.

Start with this, and let us know how it goes.

Matt

[gplasky]

If you're using a cross over cable then your MVP is not getting a IP address from DHCP. Your DHCP server is probably your Linksys. Plug your MVP into one of the ports on your router or get yourself a switch. Or get the MVP to use a static IP.

Gerry

[davephan]

The MVP only has the option to get an IP address from DHCP. You need to hook up your MVP to your router that is setup for DHCP. Or, you need to install a DHCP server software on your computer. You cannot set the MVP for a static address, it is not an option. Some routers allow you to assign 'reserved' addresses to a MAC address - creating effectively a static unchanging IP address, which would be an advantage with an MVP.

You need to license the MVP:
Programs
SageTV
SageTV Media Extender or Placeshifter License
Enter the key

Make sure you SageTV media server is on:
Setup
Detailed Setup
Server
SageTV Server: Enabled
Media Extender or Placeshifter: Enabled

Find out what IP address the Media Extender was assigned by looking at your LAN client table in your router.

Open up the following ports for that IP address in your router configuration:

31100 UDP
31099 TCP
16867 UDP
16869 UDP
16881 UDP

If you have a software firewall, disable the software firewall at the beginning, to make sure that is not the problem. Then power up the MVP and hit enter on the MVP remote to go through the MVP setup. Your SageTV media server name should be displayed. Select the SageTV server name and the MVP will save it as your media server.

When you start up the MVP, you should see five scroll boxes. After the fifth box displays, the screen should go dark, replaced with another screen that says the application is starting. There will be about three scroll bars displayed, then you will see the screen on the MVP that looks the same as your PVR-350 video TV out.

If this does not work, you could try shutting down SageTV, both the application and service. Then try using the Hauppauge software to test the MVP. The Hauppauge software is very crude compared to SageTV, but it may help isolate the problem between the MVP or the SageTV configuration.

Once you have the MVP working, then turn on the software firewall if you have one, and troubleshoot the software firewall if it stops the network traffic to and from the MVP.

I hope this helps. I left a few of the details. But I think this should help you get your MVP going. It took me some tinkering to get mine working the first time. Please let me know if you are still having trouble, or have further questions.


Dave