multiple encoders - single source (STB)?

[sage.cast.NH]

This is probably a duplicate post, but I just couldn't find anything after searching for more than an hour, so here goes...

I want to record using Firewire for the 80+ channels that are SD and the 7 channels that are HD. The remaining channels are 5C encrypted, so I'm using the HD-PVR.

This means that I have one source (the STB - set top box), and two encoders using that single source.

I don't want both encoders trying to use the STB at the same time.

Is there a way to do this with the "mmc/encoders/..." magic in Sage.properties?

I have already accomplished this by using a hacked up network encoder that samples the Firewire stream for 20 secs or so and then if mpginfo doesn't detect a valid stream assumes it is encrypted and goes off to the HD-PVR. It works and it's a huge hack.

I'd like to use the new digital audio support that the native SageTV HD-PVR driver now has, so I'm thinking of coming back into the "supported" realm.

I'm not willing to give up Firewire capture to do that, though...

Any help ?

What have others done to solve this multiple encoders per source issue?

[stanger89]

If you make sure none of the channels overlap between the two configurations, then yes, you should be able to do that. Sage won't be able to tell they're using the same STB.

[Opus4]

As far as I know, there is no way for SageTV to know that the same STB is used by 2 tuning sources, so you can't set up those 2 sources & expect SageTV to treat them as coming from a single tuner for scheduling purposes.

- Andy

[stanger89]

Oh, duh, don't know what I was thinking

[CollinR]

Just quit using the firewire side or get a second box.

[sage.cast.NH]

Thanks for the replies. That was helpful - at least now I know I wasn't missing something basic.

The advantage of the firewire recordings is that they are 20%-30% smaller than the same recording done by the HD-PVR. The quality is better because there is no Digital->Analog->Digital step.

Actually, I do have two cable boxes, two HD-PVRs, and two HVR-1800 for clear-QAM. I was hoping not to go to three boxes, or to limit my boxes' ability to record a certain subset of the channels.

These are all good suggestions, thank you.

I think I will write my own network encoder for real this time instead of a hack. It will allow you to bundle as many encoders as you want and assign channels to each. It can then go back on "localhost" to two or more "real" encoders in Sage to do the dirty work.

It will be nothing more than a "encoder switch based on channel number". A.K.A. Multiplexer (but wait - that would confuse people). Better not use the word Multiplexer (Mux/DeMux).

So most of the stuff is pass-through to the "real" encoders underneath. All the channels on the "real" encoders will be marked as "unavailable", and the "encoder switch" will have all the channels marked as "available". If I am successful and it is useful - I'll certainly share.

I've been using wireshark to reverse engineer the network encoder protocol. It doesn't seem very complicated - a sure sign that I'm missing something. Is there any chance that SageTV would share the protocol specification? Any clue on who to ask at SageTV?

Should I try to write this as a native encoder for SageTV? Are there API specs that can be shared for that? There's probably a thread for this - sorry, my enthusiasm is getting the best of me.

Oh, and if there is any secret stuff coming down for version 7 of SageTV that teaches SageTV the concept of a "Source" instead of just the "encoder" concept, then please send me a personal message so I don't bother to waste my time on this.

Should I make a formal feature request for this? Compared to the other advanced abilities that SageTV has, this seems like pretty basic stuff.

[bcjenkins]

I would send your questions via email as this is a user forum.

B

[Endymion]

Originally Posted by Opus4

As far as I know, there is no way for SageTV to know that the same STB is used by 2 tuning sources, so you can't set up those 2 sources & expect SageTV to treat them as coming from a single tuner for scheduling purposes.

- Andy

Andy,

Do you know if there is any thought to changing this in the future? Is there any way at all to tell sage that if tuner A is recording anything, don't use tuner B at all?

[dynamix]

I'm in a similar fix.

One stb from my cable company, split off via S-VIDEO to my hvr-1600 to record all SDTV, and split off via COMPONENT to my HD-PVR to record all HDTV.

That would be all fine and dandy, until sage tries to record programs at the same time on both devices. I don't want to give up my hvr-1600 because it does such a better job of recording SDTV.

Could such a feature be added into a future version of sage?