Playback error in new HD-PVR install

[timg11]

I just added the HD-PVR to my SageTV system. SageTV 6.5.4 is running on a 3GHz E8400 CPU, Windows XP, and already has an HDHomerun tuner for OTA reception. The HD-PVR is connected to my Time Warner Sci Atl 8300HDC cable box.

When configuring the new video source in SageTV, I came to the setup wizard page that says "please select the input on the Hauppage HD PVR Capture Device". I selected Component + SPDIF since that is how I have it hooked up.

I got the error "There was a Playback Error in playback. Details: sage.PlaybackException: Error (-4.0x80040217): There was a problem rendering the video portion of the content for playback."

What does this mean and how do I solve it?

The HD-PVR displays video without errors or problems using the Arcsoft program that installed with the HD-PVR.

Thanks!

[HelenWeathers]

Try adding these settings to your Sage properties and/or SageTV Client properties file so you are using the Arcsoft codec during playback:

videoframe/aac_audio_decoder_filter=ArcSoft Audio Decoder HD
videoframe/ac3_audio_decoder_filter=AC3Filter
videoframe/h264_video_decoder_filter=ArcSoft Video Decoder

Some of these may already esist, but if they don't, add them.

The properties files are located in the \Program Files\SageTV\SageTV folder.

[timg11]

Thanks for the tips!

I have added the lines you gave to sage.properties found in "C:\Program Files\SageTV\SageTV". There were numerous other lines starting with "videoframe/", but none of the ones you listed were there. I added them at the end of the group of lines starting with "videoframe/".

The behavior has changed, but it still doesn't work. Now when I run the new video source setup, and choose "Component+SPDIF", instead of giving the error, it just hangs at "please wait for the video preview to load" forever with the spinning circle. At this point I have to re-start SageTV.

Did I miss some setup procedure? In installed the software on the CDROM that came with the HD-PVR, but there was no mention of SageTV. I looked in SageTV for video sources and it did recognize the HD-PVR as a new source.

Is there some other process I was supposed to go through to complete the installation of the HD-PVR into the SageTV environment? Surely editing the sage.properties file is not the only way to install the HD-PVR?

[HelenWeathers]

What version of the HD PVR drivers are you using?

EDIT: Are you able to record audio through the S/PDIF connector with TME?

[timg11]

Device Manager reports HD-PVR Capture Device driver version 1.0.5.3

Video and audio both seem to work properly through the TME software. I can record video with audio, save it to a M2TS file, and play it back in VLC, with audio.

The only problem I see with the TME software is that it reports the audio as AC-3 2 channels, when it should be 5.1 channels. (the source is CBS, which shows 5.1 when played direct from HDhomerun through VLC). The optical SPDIF is routed from my cable box to the HD-PVR.

[HelenWeathers]

Originally Posted by timg11

The only problem I see with the TME software is that it reports the audio as AC-3 2 channels, when it should be 5.1 channels. (the source is CBS, which shows 5.1 when played direct from HDhomerun through VLC). The optical SPDIF is routed from my cable box to the HD-PVR.

1.0.5.3 is what I'm running. I did have to set my DirecTV receiver to output DD Bitstream.

I generally just push through the SageTV setup - after selecting Component + S/PDIF I just click on continue at the bottom instead of waiting for the preview. Then I set up the tuning method and EPG and everything seems to work when I go to the guide and select a show to watch live.

What cable box/receiver are you using with the HD PVR?

[timg11]

The cable box is a Sci Atl Explorer 8300HDC.

I clicked on the screen before the "waiting for preview" screen appeared. I got past it, and got the other error "sage.PlaybackException: Error (-4.0x80040217)". I was able to download the channel lineup, but if I go to Live TV, I also get the error "sage.PlaybackException: Error (-4.0x80040217)".

Once that error appears on Live TV, the whole UI goes blank, and I can't change channels on Live TV either. So I have to delete the source in order to use even the HDhomerun channels.

Side question - how do I enter channels into the live TV screen? I want to select 9-1, but when I enter the keys "9-1", the screen shows "9--", then changes back to the original channel. If I want to go to channel 19-1, I enter "19-1", and the screen shows "--" after entering "19-", and then changes to "-1-" after the final "1".

[HelenWeathers]

I was able to download the channel lineup, but if I go to Live TV, I also get the error "sage.PlaybackException: Error (-4.0x80040217)".

That error is a codec error, not sure if audio or video. Try scheduling a manual recording of a few minutes. Don't try to view it in Sage. If it records (check your recording directory) try to play it back with TME.

Side question - how do I enter channels into the live TV screen? I want to select 9-1, but when I enter the keys "9-1", the screen shows "9--", then changes back to the original channel. If I want to go to channel 19-1, I enter "19-1", and the screen shows "--" after entering "19-", and then changes to "-1-" after the final "1".

Someone else may chime in on this. What are you using to change the channel? IR blaster, firewire, etc.

[timg11]

Originally Posted by HelenWeathers

That error is a codec error, not sure if audio or video. Try scheduling a manual recording of a few minutes. Don't try to view it in Sage. If it records (check your recording directory) try to play it back with TME.




Someone else may chime in on this. What are you using to change the channel? IR blaster, firewire, etc.

I'm using the PC keyboard to control SageTV at the moment. Getting the remote (included with HD-PVR) to operate is next on my list....

For anyone else who is looking for this, the path is Setup / Detailed Setup / Customize, scroll down to Channel Entry Options, click on Configure. From there you can enter the maximum number of digits.

[HelenWeathers]

The reason for recording a short segment is to see if the recording part is working. If the recording records and then plays back in TME then your problem is a rendering issue.

And even if you are controlling Sage with the keyboard, how is Sage controlling the STB?

[timg11]

Since I am also working on the remote control, I wanted to make sure I had enabled the Hauppauge remote during the install process. So I uninstalled, then reinstalled the latest beta version 6.5.5.

When I went back to re-enable the HD-PVR to make the test recording as you suggested, the preview worked immediately from the HD-PVR. Live TV also works from the HD-PVR.

So if anybody is having playback problems with 6.5.4 on the HD-PVR, try 6.5.5. I'm not sure why there weren't others having problems - maybe the bug only applied to new installation of the HD-PVR while using 6.5.4.

Anyway it is now working, but I still have problems with controlling the HD-PVR from Sage.

I'm using the IR Blaster from the HD-PVR to the 8300 cable box. When I set up the HD-PVR as a video source one of the questions was what is the tuner control, and I selected the HD-PVR IR Blaster.
When SageTV says to change channels, the IR blaster (stuck to the IR sensor on the 8300) blinks, but the cable box doesn't change channels. Is there some setting in the HD-PVR software to tell it what kind of cable box I have so the Blaster will work right? Or is that configured in SageTV somewhere?

[timg11]

More on the IR Blaster configuration:

From SageTV's channel setup for the HD-PVR, I select the button labeled "Tuner Control: Hauppauge IR Blaster Stub Device". I click on Change Tuning Device, and get a dialog that says "Select your cable box from the list below". The only thing in the list below is "Cancel". There is a choice for "Test Infrared Code". Choosing it brings up a dialog that says " Select and infrared code from the list below". Again, the list is empty except for "Close". Same empty list when I try "Reprogram Infrared code"

[TallMomof2]

Did you run Blastcfg? This is a piece of software that came on the disc with the drivers and the Arcsoft software. That is where you tell the IR software what STB you want the IR blaster to control.

[timg11]

Yes, I found the BlastCfg program under the Hauppauge programs. I ran it, and it does work. From the BlastCfg program I can change channels on the cable box. But from the Live TV interface in SageTV, the channels do not change. I see the blinking of the blaster, but it must be using a different code.

[smdl]

I'm glad to hear that your HD-PVR issues are resolved, but I am experiencing the exact same symptoms as you describe, and I can't seen to find a fix.

I have been a SageTV user for about a year, and have been successfully using the HD-PVR since June, but I installed a new server today, and I can't get the HD-PVR to be recognized by SageTV. When I try to add it as a video source (Compenet), I get the same error:

There was a Playback Error in playback: Details:
sage.Playback.Exception: ERROR (-4,0x80040217): There was a problem rendering the video portion of the content for playback.

I tried updating to the newest beta and am now on 6.5.5.198.

I added the following to Sage properties:

videoframe/aac_audio_decoder_filter=ArcSoft Audio Decoder HD
videoframe/ac3_audio_decoder_filter=AC3Filter
videoframe/h264_video_decoder_filter=ArcSoft Video Decoder

I installed Arcsoft TME and am able to view, record and playback from the HD-PVR in that application.

I tried skipping the config and doing a timed record, but that function won't allow me to record from the HD-PVR. It will only let me record the PVR-500.

I tried all of the Video Rendering options, but none worked (Default crashed Sage completely).

Sorry to crash the thread, but would appreciate any thoughts about what else to try.

Thanks,
Shaun

[timg11]

Shaun,

I don't know what else to suggest - I'm new to SageTV and am trying to figure it out myself. I really appreciate the helpful suggestions from members like HelenWeathers.

Here is the order I did things. (Maybe it makes a difference)

1) Install SageTV 6.5.4
2) Install HD-PVR from CD included with HD-PVR
{problem discovered}
3) Add videoframe/ lines described previously
{did not fix problem}
4) Install SageTV 6.5.5
(I was going to stop focusing on HD-PVR until SageTV tech support replied, and start working on getting the remote to work. I wanted to be sure I had selected the Hauppauge remote option during install, so I thought re-installing the latest would let me be sure it was enabled)
{now HD-PVR works fine. But I'm now seeing poor playback of MPEG from OTA programs - jerky video and stuttering}

[smdl]

Thanks for your help. I'm a little further along (I think).

I tried the 1.0.5.2 driver that came from my new HD-PVR (no effect) and then moved onto the old driver that came with the first one I got (1.0.3.X). It now appears that I am getting video, but I get a similar failure on audio! Live TV won't recognize the HD-PVR, but I did see something on the timed record I tried. I'll keep working on it.

Shaun

[TallMomof2]

I also had to use the .ini file at the bottom of this post be sure to use the new remote ini file.

I still had a couple of problems such as play starting the screensaver but the remote works fine since going to SageMC and this setting: My Menus>Settings>SageMC>Enhancements>Multispeed FF/REW Options>Key Bindings>Skip Fwd/Bkwd.

HTH

[smdl]

Well, it appears that I finally have the problem solved.

I used the hcwclear utility to remove all of the Hauppauge drivers, removed TME from the system and then rebooted and let windows find the new hardware. I then used both the drivers and TME from my original HD-PVR disk (1.0a), and the HD-PVR was then recognized by SageTV. Suspecting that the problem might be with TME as opposed to the Hauppauge drivers, I then updated to the 1.0.5.2 driver that came with my new HD-PVR, but left the original TME install alone. I'm happy to report that the device is still working fine.

I'm going to leave it alone for tonight, but will probably go to the 1.0.5.3 driver tomorrow if everything continues to remain stable.

I'm thinking that this may be why not everyone is seeing the problem. If the person in question has a working system and only updates the HD-PVR driver, they probably wouldn't notice any change. However, if they happened to update TME at the same time...

I'll continue to provide updates if anything earth-shattering happens.

Shaun

[tater10]

Sorry to bump the thread...

I get the same error: "sage.PlaybackException: ERROR (-4,0x80040217): There was a problem rendering the video portion of the content for playback."

I can view & record in the TotalMediaEtreme program, and I can 'see' a still photo of the video in sage, but I can't play it.

I think my problem is I want to add, as suggested:
videoframe/aac_audio_decoder_filter=ArcSoft Audio Decoder HD
videoframe/ac3_audio_decoder_filter=AC3Filter
videoframe/h264_video_decoder_filter=ArcSoft Video Decoder

to the sage.properties file and/or RemoteClients.properties file. But I CANT SAVE THE FILE. I get "Access to C:\Program Files\SageTV\SageTV\RemoteClients.properties.defaults was denied."

I tried changing the Attributes of the folder, but it is still saying access denied.

any help please!
thank you