HD PVR recording quality settings

[davenlr]

I closed down sagetv (and the SERVICE as well), and added this line:
mmc/python2_encoding/HDPVRMax=videobitrate\=13500000|vbr\=0|outputstreamtype\=1

To the sage.properties file, in the section where the other mmc/whatever stuff was, and put it in alphabetical order, i.e., put the mmc/python2 after mmc/other and before mmc/query.

I then restarted sagetv, and went to setup/detailed setup/multimedia, and clicked on record quality, chose the HDPVR, and it offered a new option called HDPVRMAX, at 6.9GB/HR, so Ill assume it also is going to use the constant bitrate from that line above....Maybe changing the 0 to 1 would be variable? Im not going to mess with it, as it doesnt really matter to me.
Im testing it now, and it looks real good to me.

[MattHelm]

Originally Posted by davenlr

mmc/python2_encoding/HDPVRMax=videobitrate\=13500000|vbr\=0|outputstreamtype\=1

So, the following would be the same:
mmc/python2_encoding/HDPVRMax=videobitrate\=13500000|cbr\=0|outputstreamtype\=1

Except CBR would be on, not VBR, correct?

[HelenWeathers]

Originally Posted by MattHelm

So, the following would be the same:
mmc/python2_encoding/HDPVRMax=videobitrate\=13500000|cbr\=0|outputstreamtype\=1

Except CBR would be on, not VBR, correct?

Sage would need to chime in on this one. It could also be that vbr\=0 sets variable bit rate to false while vbr\=1 might set it to true.

You could try both ways and check whether you see a difference or not.

[Opus4]

Here's a FAQ talking about custom recording qualities. The HD-PVR only uses a subset of the allowable values; pretty much what was discussed above. The setting name is 'vbr' not 'cbr'; 0 is off, 1 is on.
SageTV only has a few recording qualities available, and I want to add more, is that even possible?

If the changes you make aren't getting used & aren't staying in the properties file, here's a FAQ about how to edit properties files:
How do I edit the properties file? The settings don't change when I change them.

- Andy

[Skiier__Dude]

Originally Posted by davenlr

I closed down sagetv (and the SERVICE as well), and added this line:
mmc/python2_encoding/HDPVRMax=videobitrate\=13500000|vbr\=0|outputstreamtype\=1

To the sage.properties file, in the section where the other mmc/whatever stuff was, and put it in alphabetical order, i.e., put the mmc/python2 after mmc/other and before mmc/query.

I then restarted sagetv, and went to setup/detailed setup/multimedia, and clicked on record quality, chose the HDPVR, and it offered a new option called HDPVRMAX, at 6.9GB/HR, so Ill assume it also is going to use the constant bitrate from that line above....Maybe changing the 0 to 1 would be variable? Im not going to mess with it, as it doesnt really matter to me.
Im testing it now, and it looks real good to me.

You know, this thread should be a sticky in the Hardware Support section -- and/or in one of the releases, the HDPVRMax setting should be included as one of the default options.

I just added this recording level and man-oh-man does it make a difference to the HD recordings. I watch hockey via a projector on a 100" screen and this little setting has REALLY improved quality -- I think I was using one of the "Best" or "Great" settings before.

Highly recommended update...

[madpoet]

WHen you add this recording level do you then have to go in and select it as the quality? Because I added it, but don't see it in the quality list.

[Skiier__Dude]

Yes. Make sure Sage is completely shut down -- shut down the Service if you have that running. After you edit your Sage.properties file, the new option will show up in the Multimedia tab within the Setup menu.

[wreuvers]

Originally Posted by Skiier__Dude

You know, this thread should be a sticky in the Hardware Support section -- and/or in one of the releases, the HDPVRMax setting should be included as one of the default options.

I just added this recording level and man-oh-man does it make a difference to the HD recordings. I watch hockey via a projector on a 100" screen and this little setting has REALLY improved quality -- I think I was using one of the "Best" or "Great" settings before.

Highly recommended update...

Is this still needed in SageTV7, and if so, what is the final settings?

[mdnttoker]

Has anybody compared CBR to VBR out of the HDPVR?

I'd like to switch over to VBR, because I tend to think it is more efficient (when not going max bitrate), but wondering if the HDPVR is any good at it....

[HelenWeathers]

Originally Posted by mdnttoker

Has anybody compared CBR to VBR out of the HDPVR?

I'd like to switch over to VBR, because I tend to think it is more efficient (when not going max bitrate), but wondering if the HDPVR is any good at it....

I use this setting all the time for VBR and like it.

mmc/python2_encoding/H.264\ BestVBR\ VBR=videobitrate\=13500000|vbr\=1|outputstreamtype\=1

[MattHelm]

Originally Posted by HelenWeathers

I use this setting all the time for VBR and like it.

mmc/python2_encoding/H.264\ BestVBR\ VBR=videobitrate\=13500000|vbr\=1|outputstreamtype\=1

What size files per hour do you end up with? Does it work well with high action scenes?

[HelenWeathers]

Originally Posted by MattHelm

What size files per hour do you end up with? Does it work well with high action scenes?

File sizes are reduced by about 40% on average. I couldn't personally see any video issues. No artifacts etc. But my DirecTV STB always puts out a clean signal to start with.

[BobPhoenix]

The reason I stick with CBR is so that VideoRedo can edit the files. VBR is not editable by VideoRedo but it might be by other editors. I use it to remove commercials from recordings I will be keeping.

[HelenWeathers]

Originally Posted by BobPhoenix

The reason I stick with CBR is so that VideoRedo can edit the files. VBR is not editable by VideoRedo but it might be by other editors. I use it to remove commercials from recordings I will be keeping.

I use VideoRedo H.264 (4.20.5.600) with the VBR files and it works just fine, although Add Detective is off by a little bit and requires verification before cutting.

Also, the comskip plugins for SageTV work very well on the VBR files.

Comskip and Add Detective are both very close to beginning and end of commercials as compared to CBR files.

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by HelenWeathers

I use VideoRedo H.264 (4.20.5.600) with the VBR files and it works just fine, although Add Detective is off by a little bit and requires verification before cutting.

Also, the comskip plugins for SageTV work very well on the VBR files.

Comskip and Add Detective are both very close to beginning and end of commercials as compared to CBR files.

Good to know. Now I can change my recording format. I always see them post about not working with VBR so must be a different format or their newer betas have changed to work with VBR.

[KryptoNyte]

Bump this helpful thread.

[KryptoNyte]

bump again, for the heck of it

[dvd_maniac]

I added:
mmc/python2_encoding/H.264\ BestVBR\ VBR=videobitrate\=13500000|vbr\=1|outputstreamtype\=1
And now all my recordings are 480i???

Also, none of these recordings play on my extenders...