SageTV recording

[JonSS]

On the website it says that SageTv records in MPEG2 but can also record in MPEG4 or divx but you need additional hardware? Is this the case? I am looking at using it with OTA (HD Homerun) but thought that the software does all the encoding when it records. I checked the manual but could not find anything on MPEG4 or divx.

Thanks

[Djc208]

Sage doesn't natively provide software encoding. I think it still supports some cards which perform software encoding through their drivers, but for the most part it only controls the capture cards and manages their output, not the raw analog TV signals.

Most hardware cards encode to MPEG2, the new HD-PVR does H.264 files, an R5000 box will dump whatever format the provider transmitts in, so the only way to get a native MPEG4 or Divx recording is for the card to record it that way. Sage and some of the plug-ins can transcode the MPEG2 files to MPEG4/divx after the file has been recorded.

[JonSS]

Thanks. So if i want to record MPEG4 or divx i need to install a capture card, but if I want to record in MPEG2 do I still need a capture card? Just want to make sure that when I buy a new computer I get everything that I need!

Thanks again.

[Opus4]

You need a capture device to record in any format.

For analog recording sources, the format of the file depends on the formats supported by the tuner.

For recording digital TV, there is no choice for recording format; the digital broadcast is saved to disk in the same format used for the airing.

- Andy

[JonSS]

stupid question: does the HD Homerun tuner act as a capture device as well?

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by JonSS

does the HD Homerun tuner act as a capture device as well?

Yes. It captures digital TV from OTA or QAM (cable) sources.

- Andy

[JonSS]

Thanks!