"skipping" issue playing HD-PVR content on the STX-HD100

[jelwood]

I had a problem where the video will "skip" (another forum member described it as video frames being dropped) while the STX-HD100 is playing HD-PVR content (this is with Sage 6.4.3 Beta and "20080604 0" Beta firmware in the STX-HD100). I've tried playing these files on the PC using VLC and they play perfectly, so I don't think it's an issue with the HD-PVR.

If I record 480p or 720p content, I see the "skip" every few seconds. However, when I set it up to record 1080i content the "skip" went away. So, my temporary fix is to record every in 1080i and it's working great!.

I think this must be some type of problem with the .TS container. I tested some H.264 content outlined below and it all played perfectly on the HD100 with the Beta firmware.

720p H.264 video with AAC audio in a MP4 container
1080p H.264 video with AC3 audio in a MKV container
720p H.264 video with AAC audio in a MOV container

I contacted support with my initial problem, so as soon as they respond to me, I'll update them with the information above (I don't know how to update my support ticket without them responding to my initial request). While we wait for a fix, hopefully this will help others eliminate their "skip" as well.

[jlindborg]

I'm having this issue as well - didn't think of cranking it up to 1080i - tried that this afternoon and the playback is nice and smooth. I'd rather capture most of my content on this encoder in 480p myself but for now this will at least make it less annoying to watch.

[paulbeers]

Originally Posted by jlindborg

I'm having this issue as well - didn't think of cranking it up to 1080i - tried that this afternoon and the playback is nice and smooth. I'd rather capture most of my content on this encoder in 480p myself but for now this will at least make it less annoying to watch.

What resolution are you two capturing the video with on the HD-PVR and what resolution do you have the HD100 set to? Could this be an issue with the HD100 not being powerful enough to handle the conversion of the video (i.e capturing at 720P but playback @ 1080i)?

I don't own an HD-PVR (yet).

[jelwood]

Originally Posted by paulbeers

What resolution are you two capturing the video with on the HD-PVR and what resolution do you have the HD100 set to? Could this be an issue with the HD100 not being powerful enough to handle the conversion of the video (i.e capturing at 720P but playback @ 1080i)?

I don't own an HD-PVR (yet).

I have multiple HD100s and they are set to either 1080p or 480i depending on the TV they are connected to. The HD100 played the 720p files from the HD-PVR exactly the same on both the 1080p and 480i settings. Just to see if it made a difference, I changed the settings on one HD100 to output 720p and the "skip" was still there. When I have the HD-PVR record the shows in 1080i, it plays back perfectly on the HD100 with a resolution of 480i, 720p, or 1080p. However, thanks for the advice, it was a really good thought.

I've given all of this information to Support (and I uploaded a 720p file for them to look at). Hopefully, this will be something they can address in the next firmware revision.

[paulbeers]

Originally Posted by jelwood

I have multiple HD100s and they are set to either 1080p or 480i depending on the TV they are connected to. The HD100 played the 720p files from the HD-PVR exactly the same on both the 1080p and 480i settings. Just to see if it made a difference, I changed the settings on one HD100 to output 720p and the "skip" was still there. When I have the HD-PVR record the shows in 1080i, it plays back perfectly on the HD100 with a resolution of 480i, 720p, or 1080p. However, thanks for the advice, it was a really good thought.

I've given all of this information to Support (and I uploaded a 720p file for them to look at). Hopefully, this will be something they can address in the next firmware revision.

Thank you for filing a bug report. I appreciate all of you "early adopters". Actually, I will be ordering my HD-PVR any day now. My USB-UIRT is on the way, and I just need to call and get the dish installed!

[jlindborg]

Originally Posted by paulbeers

What resolution are you two capturing the video with on the HD-PVR and what resolution do you have the HD100 set to? Could this be an issue with the HD100 not being powerful enough to handle the conversion of the video (i.e capturing at 720P but playback @ 1080i)?

I don't own an HD-PVR (yet).

I was recording in 480p and playing back in 480p upstairs (on my old 480p plasma) and 720 on my projector downstairs - both showed the "skip" during playback unless I capture at 1080i.

[sagestuff]

I am having the same issue. I have the video skip when capturing at less than 1080i. When I capture at 1080i however my video becomes pixelated generally during action or quick movement in the scene. Makes watching sports very difficult. I wish my 1080i playback was smooth as a workaround but for now I don't have a good solution.

[Addict]

How are you guys changing your settings to 1080i on your HD-PVR? I made changes within TME recorder, and even when SageTV sees a recording as 1080i...I get the same stutter. I've seen the stutter in TME playback as well, which leads me to believe it's not a SageTV issue but a recording one. But, I could be wrong...

Anyway, please let me know how you've changed your settings as I may not be doing it right.

[sagestuff]

Originally Posted by Addict

How are you guys changing your settings to 1080i on your HD-PVR? I made changes within TME recorder, and even when SageTV sees a recording as 1080i...I get the same stutter. I've seen the stutter in TME playback as well, which leads me to believe it's not a SageTV issue but a recording one. But, I could be wrong...

Anyway, please let me know how you've changed your settings as I may not be doing it right.

I actually changed the output coming from my cable STB through its settings menu.

[bcjenkins]

From what I understand the issue is with progressive content (p) Change all to interlaced to avoid. I'll be changing my cable box to record in 1080i and 480i until this is resolved and then will switch back to 720p.

B

[Addict]

Originally Posted by sagestuff

I actually changed the output coming from my cable STB through its settings menu.

My cable box outputs 1080i or 480i depending on the channel...either will skip the same.

[sagestuff]

Set to 1080i I have the pixelation which is worse than the stutter and at 480i my cable STB only puts out a 4:3. I don't have a 720i option.

[jasongrimme]

Hello,

I have the Hauppauge HD-PVR connected to my Motorola STB, configured in Sage and using firewire to change channels - looking to replaced DVR from Cable Company w/ 3 HD-PVR/STB combos and HD100's on all TVs.

Everything is running great, but before I can go for WAF, I need to resolve an issue I have with watching live TV and recordings. They all appear to have stuttering video. The audio appears fine (I'm using 2 channel stereo, as it appears my STB's Optical audio is not supported at this time), but every few seconds, it is like a video frame is missed. It isn't on a consistent interval, sometimes it will be 5s, then 1s, then 2s, then 1s, then 5s, then 10s, etc. If I rewind, or start over, it is always in the same spot. However, playing back the file w/ the software that came w/ the HD-PVR, it isn't evident to me that the stuttering is occuring (of course, my PC monitor/video card isn't the best for video playback). However, if I playback a file I recorded with that software in Sage on the HD100, the stutter is there.

I'm recording to an external, USB drive formatted w/ NTFS and 64K clusters. My server is XP Pro w/ an Intel Quad Core CPU (6600?). 4GB RAM. CPU and RAM never appear to be taxed. Installed Version 1.0b of the drivers tonight. Latest Beta Sage (6.4.4) and latest HD100 beta firmware (20080604?). I have the STBs configured for 720p on the Component outputs. I run placeshifter on occasion, mainly to mess w/ configuration while watching TV (since I can't connect a keyboard to the HD100 - sorry, different topic )

I also have a pair of PVR-500's in the box that are not configured in Sage, but do have the drivers installed in XP.

So, while channel flipping isn't the absolute best (a small delay, can't disable the STB's OSD, etc), I think it is usable, especially vs. the Cable Company's DVR, but the stutter thing is just to much to ask for. And, as we all know, 1 failed attempt for WAF can prove fatal.

Any insight would be great - I can see the finish line, looking forward to the day where I can drive up to the Charter Cable office and hand over my DVR!!!

* merged *

[jasongrimme]

Any solutions besided trying different input/recording resolutions? Any sage parameters to look at? Anything coming in the next Beta to help?

[jasongrimme]

It appears a firmware update is needed for the HD-PVR, but is not available at this time.

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...4&postcount=14

[sagestuff]

Can someone that is using 1080i from their STB tell me what bitrate you have set in the Arcsoft preferences? I set my STB to output 1080i vs 720p and now the playback is smooth (no more "skips") bit I do get some pixelation on sporting events or scene transitions. I am set to 9mbts and wondering if anyone is leveraging a higher bitrate to get completely smooth playback at 1080i. I did not have the pixelation at 720p but did of course have the skipping.

Let's just hope Hauppauge gets a firmware upgrade out soon - maybe including 5.1 as a bonus!

Thanks!