HD200 FW "20090429 0" Causing Jerky HD Playback

[Narflex]

If you want to just submit a bug report we can get you a debug version that'll get us some quick answers on the problem.

[HelenWeathers]

Here are the log files from the HD200 (fwver 20090505) and the Vista server (swver 6.5.15). Also included are the properties file and system info file from the Server.

In the log file each time you see HDMI 1 (change 0) Count is 0 the video freezes for a bit then resumes at radid speed then the next freeze etc.

I already have a ticket open with George from a few days ago with 6.5.14 and fw 20090429.

I will file a new bug report as well if you wish, but have been unable to attach logs to the bug reports in the past so thought this post and an email to George might be faster.

[Narflex]

If one of you could get an Ethereal/Wireshark capture from when this happens and send that in; that'd be very helpful. Thanks

[voidpt]

Originally Posted by Narflex

miniclient/debug_push=true

Going to try to get logs now. And I'll do a Wireshark too. But one short question. I know about normal debug on server, also native. But were do I find info about your entry above? Tried searching. But couldn't find any. Please point me in the right direction (and make me look like a fool)

[Opus4]

I believe that property setting is the pointer in the direction to go. (I'm not sure what else you wanted to know; not trying to be sarcastic.)

- Andy

[voidpt]

I do guess it lies in the name. But I just want to be sure. Are all the information from the HD200 pushed to the server log. Or are there other 'stuff' being pushed somewhere else. That I would need to include in a report. It does take time generating these, and I just want to be sure I don't have to repeat it, because of some missed 'miniextenderlog' cached someplace

[Narflex]

It just does logging for all the media data pushed from the server to the HD200.

[HelenWeathers]

OK, off to download and learn to use WireShark. Where do I install WireShark? On any computer on the Network or on the SageTV server.

Keep in mind my learning curve has square corners.

[reggie14]

Originally Posted by HelenWeathers

OK, off to download and learn to use WireShark. Where do I install WireShark? On any computer on the Network or on the SageTV server.

Wireshark is pretty easy to use, as long as you're not trying to capture off a wireless network adapter.

You'll have to install wireshark on your server, as that's the only other machine that will see the traffic between your server and your extender. Alternatively, if you have an old hub laying around, you could use that in place of your switch/router, and then install wireshark on any computer connected to the hub. But if you do that then you'll have to be sure to capture packets in promiscuous mode.

You'll probably just capture things on the server anyway though.

[voidpt]

Originally Posted by Narflex

It just does logging for all the media data pushed from the server to the HD200.

Thanks. Uploading server logs and wireshark captures now. Between 1-2h upload time. Will push submit on bug report when it is finished.

[HelenWeathers]

Thanks reggie14!
I now have pcap file and log file from a session exibiting problem.
The pcap file is to big for me to send via my email account (almost 1GB).
Narflex, PM me with a way to send it if you still need it after looking at voidpt's files.

[SteveW]

I was just going to post about jerky playback with 6.5.14 and 6.5.15 and any HD200 firmware after 20090403 but I see it's already being talked about. My playback is flawless with 20090403. With anything later, I get stuttering at random times on my HD200s playing ripped BDs, especially if I jump to the next chapter. I have switched back to 20090403 on them for now, and they're working great.

Narflex: If I can be of any help log-wise, please let me know!

-Steve

[Narflex]

If the problem was with VC1 then we just figured it out. (for voidpt and Helen it was I know)

[HelenWeathers]

It was voidpt that seemed to only see the problem with VC-1 encodes.

I am having the problem with VC-1 and H.264 Blu-rays. But my problems are only when in Extender mode attached to my Vista SageTV server. When in Extender mode attached to my XP SageTV server I don't see this problem with Blu-ray playback.

All of the Blu-rays play fine from both servers in Media Player mode.

[scanner95]

I have similar or same problem with some h.264 mkv rips. Pause in playback, then tries to catch up with speed increase, some normal playback, and then it returns.
I've opened a case and even uploaded a sample, but later on the problem did not return on me with this movie, so its kind of intermittent with me.
Anyhow, I can also upload some logs and traces if needed (when I hit the problem again); just let me know what and how.

[voidpt]

Originally Posted by HelenWeathers

But my problems are only when in Extender mode attached to my Vista SageTV server. When in Extender mode attached to my XP SageTV server I don't see this problem with Blu-ray playback.

All of the Blu-rays play fine from both servers in Media Player mode.

As Narflex said. My problems was solved with a new Sage.jar. I could skip however much I wanted. No problems. Instant sync of video / audio. Was another unintended side-effect, but I think they've got that covered.

But my problems was only with VC-1. Have not experienced any problems with H.264 in all of this. My server runs plain WinXP Pro though, so I might not be able to see it. By the looks of it, your problem seems to be connected to something in Vista. Might be some of the new network logic. Sorry I can't help. Only thing I can think of is trying to disable any possible stuff that meddles with network on your Vista server (firewalls and so on). Just to see if it has any impact.

[HelenWeathers]

Originally Posted by voidpt

My server runs plain WinXP Pro though, so I might not be able to see it. By the looks of it, your problem seems to be connected to something in Vista.

The other difference between the two computers is that the Vista server is tunerless and the XP server has my TV tuners in it. So I guess it's possible that Sage may not be loading something or setting some property on the Vista PC because of the lack of tuners.

The two servers are twins hardware wise, with the exception of the CPU. The XP machine has a Quad core and the Vista machine is Dual core, both Intel. Firewall is turned off entirely on this network.

This weekend I may try installing XP on a seperate drive in the Vista PC and see what effect that has.

[HelenWeathers]

Just to bring everyone up to date. A new jar file and some changes to settings in the properties file on the Vista SageTV server have my Blu-rays playing beautifully again on the HD200 in Media Extender mode with SageTV 6.5.15 beta and HD200 firware 20090505.

Thanks to Narflex, George, reggie14 and voidpt for their debugging help and tips on telnet and wireshark.

[veger69]

there are a lot of people experiancing these problems. Helen could you explain what you did to fix them?

[HelenWeathers]

Originally Posted by veger69

there are a lot of people experiancing these problems. Helen could you explain what you did to fix them?

I received a test jar file from SageTV to replace the one that came with 6.5.15. There's also a setting in properties I had to change after the new jar was there.

Have you submitted a bug report?

I think (don't know for sure) that the jars are to test specific things on specific installs.