HD200 microstutter

[kmp14]

Originally Posted by sagetv5150

btw..I don't seem to see any stuttering from tuner recorded content with SageTV (via extender mode obviously). Just my own encodes in both standalone and extender mode seem to stutter. Also worth noting that since recorded HDTV plays stutter-free (bitrate in the 15 Mbps range), and the fact that I tried my 10 minute clip on a USB stick plugged directly into the HD-200 and it still stuttered (bitrate ~ 3 Mbps), I do not think the network (router, etc) has anything to do with this (my issue anyway).

Darn, my stutter is happening on recorded TV and is not repeatable. Sounds like we are having different problems. I am going to try the older firmwares (2-18 and 5-05) to see my results.

I guess it must be something in my network, but I have tried every different config I can think of. I think I might have to really start isolating just the sage environment.

Keep us updated! I will also.

[paulbeers]

Originally Posted by kmp14

Paul, can you tell us what kind of routers/switches you are using on your network? Also, what firmware are you running?

Current firmware is the 20090814 and Sage 6.6.1 (haven't upgraded to .2 yet).

I am using a trendnet 26 port switch (24 ports of 10/100mb and 2 10/100/1000). I am not sure what model (bought it about 3 years ago). GB ethernet from my AMD 780G chipset mother board (Realtek 81XX I believe). This way my server has a GB connection to feed all my clients (even if they are only 10/100). My router is an Asus WL-500 running DD-RTW firmware. My router is ONLY used for DHCP and sharing internet and wireless. There are no devices hooked to my router (other than one ethernet cable to my main Switch). I am not using wireless for anything other than internet sharing. Whole house is wired with Cat5 (not 5e, but can do GB in all but a few of the distant ports).

I am not saying that it is a network issue, but it seems if it was completely a firmware issue that all HD200's would be exhibiting these issues. I am wondering if maybe some of the switches/routers don't handle QoS well or maybe some of the switches being used are better for burst data transfers rather than constant data transfers.

Also, if anyone is using the ports on their router and having problems, throwing in a switch would be my first recommendation (not saying that is anyone's problem, just stating that has been an issue in the past).

[sagetv5150]

Originally Posted by paulbeers

I am not saying that it is a network issue, but it seems if it was completely a firmware issue that all HD200's would be exhibiting these issues.

It's worth repeating that I see my stutter when played direct from a USB stick on the HD-200. No network between media and HD-200.

And being fair, my stuttering isn't hugely obvious (except for fw 505). For example, it didn't seem to bother my wife. Maybe I just have a critical eye. It is literally like the picture skips a couple frames or something. Maybe not every HD-200 owner is catching this. Or maybe there are a whole lot of owners (as I was) that never felt compelled to upgrade to a beta fw beyond that installed out of the box.

[kmp14]

I am running a Linksys WRT600N router for DHCP and Internet only. I am also running DD-WRT firmware.

My switch is a Netgear GS24x Gigabit Switch.

I have also tried pulling out the Netgear switch and just using a cheapo TRENDNet 8 port 100MB switch as the switch with the same results.

I have tried Realtek, Marvell and Intel chipset based network cards. I have tried different PCs with totally different motherboards.

It seems that no matter how drastically I change my config, I see the same problem.

I am at my wits end! But I will continue to try. I love SageTV (coming from MCE and Linksys extenders) and if I get this problem solved sage will be selling more software and hardware!

[kmp14]

Originally Posted by sagetv5150

It's worth repeating that I see my stutter when played direct from a USB stick on the HD-200. No network between media and HD-200.

And being fair, my stuttering isn't hugely obvious (except for fw 505). For example, it didn't seem to bother my wife. Maybe I just have a critical eye. It is literally like the picture skips a couple frames or something. Maybe not every HD-200 owner is catching this. Or maybe there are a whole lot of owners (as I was) that never felt compelled to upgrade to a beta fw beyond that installed out of the box.

You might be right that others don't notice, don't care, or have old firmware that does not have the problem (assuming there is something wrong in the newer firmwares).

I keep thinking my problem is network, but I am hoping it is firmware fixable, since I have tried about 50 different network configs, including borrowed hardware!

[sagetv5150]

So after I sent in a sample clip and my debug logs, here's what Sage Support sent me:

"I heard back from one of the developers concerning this. The file doesn't
have a good structure. You could download MPEG4Modifier from
http://www.moitah.net/.

You would have to select Pack then resave your avi file to another file. Let
me know if he still has issues after that."

I've only done a small amount of research to understand what this utility does. But I can say this. I run my avi files thru this utility, and then play with the HD200 with latest firmware (0814), and the stuttering is gone. Sounds like maybe it has something to do with the HD200's sensitivity to the way my original avi was encoded (used DVD Decrypter and Auto Gordian Knot to get my XviD AVI file). These original files played fine on my Popcorn Hour. But sounds like the HD200 needs this utility to be run against any of my encodes resulting from AGK. Curious now if mkv files will suffer the same stutter...more testing reqd.

[Clift]

Originally Posted by sagetv5150

It's worth repeating that I see my stutter when played direct from a USB stick on the HD-200. No network between media and HD-200.

And being fair, my stuttering isn't hugely obvious (except for fw 505). For example, it didn't seem to bother my wife. Maybe I just have a critical eye. It is literally like the picture skips a couple frames or something. Maybe not every HD-200 owner is catching this. Or maybe there are a whole lot of owners (as I was) that never felt compelled to upgrade to a beta fw beyond that installed out of the box.

I have the same thing. Never felt compelled enough to record it. And it seems to happen a bit more with HD PVR recordings than with HDHomerun recordings. Also I never see it in videos. I wonder if it's not a deinterlacing issue?