Multiple HDHR's Problem with 6.4.8

[jrockow]

Be advised, there appears to be a problem with the latest versions of SAGE if you try to use more than 1 HDHR.
I got this response at the Silicondust website.

Hi,
The latest release of SageTV adds native QAM support but does not yet include PID filtering support.
This means you need a gigabit switch and a gigabit network interface on the PC to run multiple HDHR units with this version of SageTV.
We are pushing SageTV to address the issue.
Nick

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by jrockow

Be advised, there appears to be a problem with the latest versions of SAGE if you try to use more than 1 HDHR.
I got this response at the Silicondust website.

Hi,
The latest release of SageTV adds native QAM support but does not yet include PID filtering support.
This means you need a gigabit switch and a gigabit network interface on the PC to run multiple HDHR units with this version of SageTV.
We are pushing SageTV to address the issue.
Nick

It's not a no-go. What he is saying for this to work you need to make sure you have a gigabit switch and a gigabit network card in your server. A lot of people do so it will work for them. But a 10/100 NIC or switch will have issues. And yes-the HDHR is only a 100mb interface. But it needs a bigger pipe for multiple streams from the switch to the server.

Gerry

[paulbeers]

Yeah, if multiple HDHR didn't work at all, there would be a big uprising on these forums. Most of the users on this forum who have switched to HDHomeruns and Clients already made the switch to GB simply because each HD stream can use upto 20mb/s (40mb/s total for the HDHR) which means with two HDHRs would almost max out a 100mb ethernet connection.

[jrockow]

Sounds like you guys don't mind throwing money at the problem to solve it.

As far as "if multiple HDHR didn't work at all" I never said that. In fact, just the opposite, as I described earlier.

Let me repeat this for those who don't seem to get it; right now I'm running 6.4.3 without any problems, recording 4 channels at the same time, without the need for GB.

This post was meant to share the info I learned from Silicondust for those hoping for a true solution to the problem.

I'd still like to hear from those people who actually run 2 HDHR's, and how they do it.

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by jrockow

Sounds like you guys don't mind throwing money at the problem to solve it.

As far as "if multiple HDHR didn't work at all" I never said that. In fact, just the opposite, as I described earlier.

Let me repeat this for those who don't seem to get it; right now I'm running 6.4.3 without any problems, recording 4 channels at the same time, without the need for GB.

This post was meant to share the info I learned from Silicondust for those hoping for a true solution to the problem.

I'd still like to hear from those people who actually run 2 HDHR's, and how they do it.

The problem is your thread title, as it DOES imply that the dual HDHR's do not work. This is untrue, and is just going to end up flamebait. I'd edit if I were you, so save the confusion.

[jrockow]

Thanx for your constructive advise.
Now if only I knew how to edit my thread title I would.

[paulbeers]

Originally Posted by jrockow

Sounds like you guys don't mind throwing money at the problem to solve it.

As far as "if multiple HDHR didn't work at all" I never said that. In fact, just the opposite, as I described earlier.

First off, I didn't say "I don't mind throwing money at it", what I said is that most of us are running client/server setups and therefore have already switched to GB. But, I should also point out that last I checked you can pick up a pretty cheap GB network card from many online retailers for less than 20 bucks which in my opinion is well worth it and 5 port GB switches for less than 40.

I assume you aren't using a client/server setup.....otherwise you would be hitting some serious network bottlenecks....

Secondly as Fuzzy stated your title states its "No-Go", which is completely different than "limited to certain hardware setups"....

[Conejo]

Originally Posted by jrockow

Be advised, there appears to be a problem with the latest versions of SAGE if you try to use more than 1 HDHR. [...]

This has been a KNOWN issue since SageTV and SiliconDust published the first round of Beta Software for direct QAM access. Several members mentioned it on BOTH FORUMS.

The HDHR has THREE main modes: REMAP, NATIVE and FILTER.
When SageTV users were using REMAP mode the HDHR used the ability to tune a Transport Stream (TS) and then filter out everything but the desired Program Streams (PS) before sending it over Ethernet. The Beta drivers are sending the entire NATIVE Transport Stream per tuner.

So, yea, having multiple Transport Streams of 19.39Mb/s (8vsb ATSC), 27.7Mb/s (64QAM) or 38.8Mb/s (256QAM) will load a 100Mb/s pipe.

Jafa, from the SiliconDust forum, posted on Aug 03 that, "The 6.4.(x) SageTV beta does not filter so the full 40Mbps (per tuner) is streamed. Filtering support is in development"

HOPEFULLY we'll get an update from SiliconDust and SageTV on their progress.

[jrockow]

I was looking at GB switches in the $50 range. One of them, D-Link, apparantly slows down to the slowest speed device that is attached. In most cases 100MB.
What are you guys using for a GB switch?

[carlgar]

I use a netgear GS608 and have 3 HDHRs (only 5 turners active, 1 spare) with no issues.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...etgear%20gs608 currently $34.99 after $15 rebate.

[onlydarksets]

Originally Posted by carlgar

I use a netgear GS608 and have 3 HDHRs (only 5 turners active, 1 spare) with no issues.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...etgear%20gs608 currently $34.99 after $15 rebate.

Are the HDHR networked directly to your Sage server, or is everything on the general network? I have a single HDHR on the general network right now, but I'm contemplating adding a second NIC to the server and connecting the HDHR (plus a second HDHR) directly. Thanks!

[QueOnda]

I tried recording 3 recordings last night on my hdhr and my HD100 locked up.

I hope they fix this. Spending money on new hardware is not an option. I don't know how it worked before 6.4 because I just installed my 2nd unit. But from past post, you should be able to record 4 recordings on a 100mb network with no problem. I hope there is a fast and easy fix.

[carlgar]

Originally Posted by onlydarksets

Are the HDHR networked directly to your Sage server, or is everything on the general network? I have a single HDHR on the general network right now, but I'm contemplating adding a second NIC to the server and connecting the HDHR (plus a second HDHR) directly. Thanks!

All of my devices are connected to the switch. My Server has 1 gig addon network card. I do not use the 1 gig NIC biult-in the motherboard because it loses packets. The lights on the switch shown green (1 gig) for the server connection. All other connections are orange (10/100).
The addon NIC that I use is a Rosewill Gigabit Lan PCI-E RC-401.

[onlydarksets]

Good info, thanks!

[skyeclad]

So if I'm exclusively OTA ATSC then should I have a a problem with 2 HDHR's? How about if I then engage a HD-100?

[QueOnda]

Has anyone before the 6.4 had 2 hdhr working and now dont?

[CarlR]

Originally Posted by onlydarksets

Are the HDHR networked directly to your Sage server, or is everything on the general network? I have a single HDHR on the general network right now, but I'm contemplating adding a second NIC to the server and connecting the HDHR (plus a second HDHR) directly. Thanks!

I had problems trying to record 4 HD (2 HDHRs) channels through a Gbit switch that also carried other network traffic (Sage version 6.3.10). The problems went away when I put the HDHRs on their own Gbit switch, directly connected to the 2nd motherboard Gbit NIC. I haven't upgraded to 6.4 yet, and probably won't until they work this out.

[hemicuda]

I'm using one of the 8-port D-Link "green" gig-e switches and it seems to switch the ports to whatever is connected to them.

[jrockow]

Since I started this thread, I thought I might as well end it.
I ordered the NetGear GS608 that CARLGAR recommended. Newegg had a free shipping deal, so with the rebate I paid a total of $45 for an 8-port switch plus gigabit NIC card for the PC.
I really thought it was going to be a lot more expensive.
I upgraded to 6.4.8 and now record 4 HD recordings at the same time without any problems.
Thanx to all who helped me along!

[CarlR]

That is definitely good news - thanks for the update. I feel a little better about upgrading now.