Video Configuration problems

[gplasky]

Make sure the file directories are shared. Make sure the same user name and password exists on the client and on the WHS server. Share the directories out as a UNC path and not as a mapped drive. \\Server\Share\Directory.

Gerry

[crarbo1]

Polypro,
Thanks for the info. I'm not at home right now to answer some of the questions but I do have some more questions for you if you don't mind.

If I don't plan on using my server, in my case a WHS PC, for video playback and only plan on using clients and/or extenders for view, I only have to install the MPEG2 and Audio decoders on the clients? Extenders and the WHS does not need them, correct?
When you say "set Sage to VMR9/3D Accel + "Default" for decoder choice", what do you mean by that. I know it would be in the detailed setup page under the video and DVD settings but what should be set to "Default"?

So if I understand your setup procedure correctly, here is what I would have to do for my WHS only system after I uninstall everything:
Install NVIDIa and AC3Filter decoders; Question: Is this just on the WHS, just on the client, or both?
Set the to "preferred" with DSFM.
Reboot
Install latest Java and Direct X; Question: Is this just on the WHS, just on the client, or both?
Install SageTV WHS add in using the WHS console to set it up in service mode.
Install SageTV Client on my desktop PC that I'm using for a client to test.
Configure SageTV using the set up wizard; Question: Is this just on the WHS, just on the client, or both?
I don't have any analog tuners yet in my WHS, so that step would be skipped.
Shut down SageTV Client and the service; Question: I think I can stop the service via the WHS console, is this all that I need to do to stop the service on my WHS?
Install the HDHR software
Configure per the current HDHR instructions
Start SageTV service
Start SageTV client application
Configure the HDHR; Question: Is this just on the WHS, just on the client, or both?
Set up Video and DVD settings to use VMR9/3D Accel + "Default"; Question: Is this just on the WHS, just on the client, or both?
Then everything should work.

I'm using WHS for the storage of my TV recording from SageTV. It is on a hard drive that is not on the storage pool as recommended. My music, photos, and ripped DVD's are on a shared drive that is in the storage pool for WHS to manage.

Are there any settings that I need to peform on these folders to make it work?

Sorry about the long post but I'm really eager to get this problem resolved and hope that this info can clarify some questions I had.

Thanks,
Chuck

Originally Posted by Polypro

What MPEG2 and Audio decoders are you using? I have never had any problem with the NVIDIA and AC3Filter decoders...and their tray icons let you know they're working. I set them as "Preferred" with DSFM http://www.softella.com/dsfm/index.en.htm and after a re-boot I set Sage to VMR9/3D Accel + "Default" for decoder choice.

As far as everything else, I just decided to do a fresh install for 6.4.8. I first installed the latest Java & DirectX. Then I installed and ran SageTV in Service Mode, going through the set up Wizard. I configured my PVR500's, but did nothing for my HDHomeRun. I then shut down the Sage Interface (the "Client") AND the Service. I then installed the latest HDHR software (with Sage completely closed) and just followed the currrent HDHR Instructions. Started Sage back up (Service then Client/Interface) and configured the HDHR. Note: I NEVER get any video preview when setting up tuners...just click through when the spinning arrows disappear...this is a set up quirk that's been around for ever. Everything runs fine.

I record locally to the Server/Client next to the TV with my PVR500's and HDHR, but have Music, Photos, and Videos on my WHS box...can you get .wmv or .avi to play?

I have one Fusion OTA card in the WHS box...it works fine as a network encoder (Fusion WDM HDTV on WHS:6969) is what it shows up as.

Rambling over, hope something above helps. Gear is in my Sig.

P

[crarbo1]

Gerry,
Thanks for that heads up. I'm not sure what or how I need to do about that though. I think that the file directories are shared since I can view my photos and listen to music. I can't view the ripped DVD's from the share but that is likely due to a video setting issue. I'm not sure how to share them out as a UNC path. Can you elaborate on that?

Thanks,
Chuck

Originally Posted by gplasky

Make sure the file directories are shared. Make sure the same user name and password exists on the client and on the WHS server. Share the directories out as a UNC path and not as a mapped drive. \\Server\Share\Directory.

Gerry

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by crarbo1

Gerry,
Thanks for that heads up. I'm not sure what or how I need to do about that though. I think that the file directories are shared since I can view my photos and listen to music. I can't view the ripped DVD's from the share but that is likely due to a video setting issue. I'm not sure how to share them out as a UNC path. Can you elaborate on that?

Thanks,
Chuck

If the recording directories or ripped dvd directories aren't part of the pool then you would need to share the directories out. I have the same user ID on the WHS server as I do on my XP and Vista clients. The WHS server name is MAIN. I have a drive F: on the WHS server. I have a Videos 1 directory and under that directories SageTV and DVD. I shared the Videos 1 directory and called that share Videos 1.

SO now my import directory for Sage is:
\\MAIN\Videos 1\DVD

My recording directory for Sage is:
\\MAIN\Videos 1\SageTV


Does that make sense? On your client make sure you choose you video decoder (PowerDVD) and audio decoder. Don't leave it at default. And choose VMR9 on your clients.

Gerry

[crarbo1]

Gerry,
Thanks for the explanation. I have a few things to try tonight. Hopefully one of them will be the fix.

Thanks,
Chuck

Originally Posted by gplasky

If the recording directories or ripped dvd directories aren't part of the pool then you would need to share the directories out. I have the same user ID on the WHS server as I do on my XP and Vista clients. The WHS server name is MAIN. I have a drive F: on the WHS server. I have a Videos 1 directory and under that directories SageTV and DVD. I shared the Videos 1 directory and called that share Videos 1.

SO now my import directory for Sage is:
\\MAIN\Videos 1\DVD

My recording directory for Sage is:
\\MAIN\Videos 1\SageTV


Does that make sense? On your client make sure you choose you video decoder (PowerDVD) and audio decoder. Don't leave it at default. And choose VMR9 on your clients.

Gerry

[crarbo1]

I'm getting a little closer but did run into more issues and still the ripped DVD playback doesn't work. I ran through the setup that listed on post #22 and when I tried to tune a channel it had no signal. At least at first. I let it go for a while and then it appeared after a few minutes. Everything worked, including sound. I then tried to play a ripped DVD from a share and it gave me an error, which I have attached a screenshot of, and then tuned into the last tv channel that I was watching, with no sound. I then closed SageTV and restarted it and still no sound, even in live TV. I still had video but no sound. I then rebooted the client PC but still no sound. I have also attached the settings for my video/audio setup and my DVD setup. At least I'm getting a little closer.

If I was to use an extender, instead of a client PC, I wouldn't have to worry about codecs or setting it up correctly since it should be set already. Is that correct?

Update: I just realized that I didn't setup the DVD directory using the format that Gerry said to use above (\\MAIN\Videos 1\DVD) and when I changed it to that, I could view my DVD's. My sound issue was that it was turned all the way down in SageTV and I didn't realize it. I have no idea why it changed like that when it was playing fine. All I know is it changed when I tried to play my DVD's the wrong way and got the error I have a picture of. I want to thank everyone that contributed to my questions and I think that I'm all set and ready to tinker some.

Thanks,
Chuck

[tylert]

Chuck,

So what exactly did you do which fixed your problem. I'm having the exact same problem (no video, but photos and music are ok) right now using my HP mediasmart as my server. I've tried both the client and placeshifter software on my client PCs with no success.

I've read that others have fixed this going to older revisions of the Sage software but I would like to use 6.4 since it is supoosed to support HDHomerun better and you seem to have gotten it to work finally.

Thanks,
Tyler

[crarbo1]

I'm not sure what the real problem was but I peformed the setup as I outlined in post #22 and the video started working correctly. It didnt' immediatly start the video but I waited for a few minutes and then it started working. I hope that procedure helps you get yours setup and working right.

Good Luck,
Chuck

Originally Posted by tylert

Chuck,

So what exactly did you do which fixed your problem. I'm having the exact same problem (no video, but photos and music are ok) right now using my HP mediasmart as my server. I've tried both the client and placeshifter software on my client PCs with no success.

I've read that others have fixed this going to older revisions of the Sage software but I would like to use 6.4 since it is supoosed to support HDHomerun better and you seem to have gotten it to work finally.

Thanks,
Tyler

[tylert]

Thanks Chuck,

I noticed in post #22 that you were not sure about what to install on the client vs the server for many items. Did you just do both for every step?

-Tyler

[crarbo1]

Tyler,
Sorry that I didn't clarify. I did do it on both, but I would guess you wouldn't have to do it on the server, unless you were planning on watching TV from the server. I did those steps on the server first and then the client. The worked on both.

Chuck

Originally Posted by tylert

Thanks Chuck,

I noticed in post #22 that you were not sure about what to install on the client vs the server for many items. Did you just do both for every step?

-Tyler