How much CPU to transcode HD-PVR files?

[wayner]

I am still running 6.4.8 but I will shortly be moving up to 6.5.3. I have an HD-PVR and it is likely that I will be using Placeshifter to display HD-PVR files over the net. I am also looking to move my Sage server to a new WHS machine and I am trying to spec out what to buy.

Would an Intel E8400 be enough CPU to transcode HD-PVR recordings on Sage for WHS? Would it be too much horsepower - if so what is the minimum Intel 45nm CPU?

[vividweb]

Have you tried playing those files on Placeshifter with 6.4.8? I am able to playback HD-PVR recordings using placeshifter (using 6.4.8), it does not even start a SageTranscode process on the server, all the video processing is being done on the PC running placeshifter.

[wayner]

Originally Posted by vividweb

Have you tried playing those files on Placeshifter with 6.4.8? I am able to playback HD-PVR recordings using placeshifter (using 6.4.8), it does not even start a SageTranscode process on the server, all the video processing is being done on the PC running placeshifter.

I thought that transcoding of HD-PVR files was not supported until we got to the 6.5 versions of Sage. From the sounds of it you are using Placeshifter on your LAN and are telling Sage not to transcode the file. This would not work using Placeshifter over the internet where my upload speed is about 800kbps (at best) which is a fraction of the bitrate of an HD-PVR file.

[vividweb]

I have 6.4.8 and it works on my LAN which is run through a gigabit switch. Have not tried it outside of the LAN though, which would definitely change things.

[mayamaniac]

He said "I will be using Placeshifter to display HD-PVR files over the net". So anything over LAN doesn't pertain to his question.

Wayner, I hae 6.5.3 installed and HD-PVR transcoding is still not working for me.

[vividweb]

Originally Posted by mayamaniac

He said "I will be using Placeshifter to display HD-PVR files over the net". So anything over LAN doesn't pertain to his question.

Wayner, I hae 6.5.3 installed and HD-PVR transcoding is still not working for me.

Sorry I attempted to help. I'll keep the problem solving to the experts.

[mayamaniac]

does it work well over LAN? Last time I tried (6.5.1) it plays but really slow.

[vividweb]

It was watchable over the LAN, I don't have the best PC for watching HD and it maxes out my CPU, which is what I had attributed any of the playback problems I was having. I don't use placeshifter for watching a whole lot and only was using it to test some other problems I'm having.

I didn't realize that there was a setting to have the placeshifter PC process the video vs having the server transcode it, which is why I was not getting the Transcode process starting on the server.