HD PVR Poll: Stable or not?

[Tomahawk51]

I've seen so much commentary over the HD PVR over the year(s?), and I wanted to ask:

Is the HD PVR a stable, recommended solution for SageTV?

That is to say, does a newly purchased unit with up to date Sage software require maintanence overhead? Does it run properly as part of a rig for weeks/months without issues?

I'm just trying to get up to speed on the state of the art prior to going HD. Thanks!

[sleonard]

For some it runs without issue, for others hardly a day goes by without a problem. You will not know how it will run for you until after you are using it.

S

[Apap]

I am one of the lucky fools. My Rev.C1 unit has been pretty damn solid from day 1.

I have the STB locked to 720p and am using analog stereo.

[Brent]

Works for me. The latest SageTV software and the latest Hauppauge Drivers along with firewire tuning make it a perfect device. The only weak link is the cable box that on a rare occasion decides to shut off on its own.

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by Apap

I am one of the lucky fools. My Rev.C1 unit has been pretty damn solid from day 1.

I have the STB locked to 720p and am using analog stereo.

Same here. A C1 unit that just worked. I don't have the STB locked to any resolution and I am using the SPDIF for 5.1 DD sound. Also using USB-UIRT for channel changing. Running the latest drivers. 1.5.6.

Gerry

[simonen]

My C1 is rock solid too. Running variable resolution with S/PDIF, I am still on an earlier beta driver (can't remember which), as the latest official release caused issues for me. I have my system in the garage where it can get up to 95+ degrees in the summer and heat problems have not been an issue.

[jarredduq]

I have a D2 unit that was locking up on a nearly daily basis. Last week I installed a USB-UIRT, and took out the blaster that came with the unit. Since then, I have not had a single HD-PVR lock-up.

[mayamaniac]

If you just use analog audio and serial/firewire/usb-uirt for channel changing, then your changes of stability will be very high. If you do need/want digital audio/spdif and the built-in IR blaster, then your mileage will vary.

[gibsonpa]

I have a D2 unit, using USB-UIRT, STB at 720p, and analog audio....dare I say it has not locked up ever...and I have had it 2-3 months...recording 3-6 hours a day....it has been great. I was on the fence forever, scared by some of the issues people reported.

It has been completely painless...and the HD video streamed to my Sage Extenders looks fantastic!

[Clift]

Another nod for stable. I have very few lockups. Rev C2, with analog audio (AAC, not AC3), locked 1080i output and Firewire channel change.

[sic0048]

I honestly don't recall my version number - either D1 or D2. I use the built in blaster and analog sound. I don't have any stability problems.

(I did have to remove and reinstall SageTV after installing the Hauppauge IR blaster software. Sage support suggested the fix and said the SageTV software really needed to be installed after the hauppauge software. Since that fix which was done early on, I haven't had any problems).

[Tomahawk51]

Thanks to all for the advice on this. I've just been pushed over the edge...and I've pulled the trigger on a new HD PVR !

I was scared about all the reports I had read over time...but now I'm joining the club and happy to get some more non-QAM HD flowing!

FYI:

Newegg's got it for 175 after rebate till July 24th. Pretty good deal as far as I can tell.

[Rico66]

Another stable version. Early on I had tons of lock-ups, but after covering the IR receiver months ago (some people call this vodoo, but it's just a design flaw) I get hardly any lock-ups anymore. It's a C2, using variable inputs and an MCE IR blaster.
BTW, I never had any problems (lock-ups) related to channel changing. It can take a few seconds until I get a stable picture if I'm switching e.g. from 720p to 480p input, but it doesn't lock-up.

[SWKerr]

I have two of these running on a WHS. I had some issues early on but everything is rock solid now.

I think the biggest change for me was putting them out in an open area as opposed to in the cabinet with the Computer. It was not real hot in there but it was warm. Since putting them out in the open with good ventilation I have not had one single lock up. I think they are still a little heat sensitive.

[Chriscic]

I suffered mightily for 9 months. But now my fourth unit seems to be stable; only rare lockups.

[Brent]

Originally Posted by Chriscic

I suffered mightily for 9 months. But now my fourth unit seems to be stable; only rare lockups.

Congrats. I know you in particular had many issues with the HD-PVR during that time - so its good to see things are better for you now.

[darcilicious]

Originally Posted by Tomahawk51

Thanks to all for the advice on this. I've just been pushed over the edge...and I've pulled the trigger on a new HD PVR !

Mine just arrived yesterday , version E1. I wasn't expecting it to be so lightweight! ;-)

I've got it working on my HP m8400f (quadcore), FiOS HD set-top box (QIP6200), optical audio, and hauppauge remote. So far, so good. No a/v sync issues, no remote issues (yet), etc. Now I'm just trying to get the SageTV client software working on my primary desktop (can't playback the video I recorded last night?)

So far, so good, but I'm sure I just jinxed the entire thing ;-)

[loomdog32]

Ive had nothing but problems with both of mine.. Origionally got A1 and B2, sent both back, got 2 C1... If I use them outside Sage, I can get them both to record for 48+ hrs, but inside Sage they both would lockup every few hrs and usually at a change in audio or video output (my STBs at the time DID NOT have any options to lock output video or audio - gotta love ComCast)...

I no longer have any STB so I no longer have any need for them......

[jm987]

Nothing but problems with a spdif connection but haven't had an issue in months with stereo sound. Got 2 of them with 2 HD boxes.

Tried all the drivers, they all caused problems.

If you want 5.1 sound, I say keep waiting!

[ScubaMedic]

Mine is about 75%.

It's much more stable if I leave the computer on 24/7. I don't see any need to waste that much electricity when I'm only home about 2 hours a day. I have my computer on a smart strip so when the computer goes to sleep and wakes up everything turns off and turns on.

The HD-PVR does not like this at all. I have to leave the pvr 24/7 to be 75% stable. If I have it turn on/off with the computer it's 0% stable.

Sage has no problem with going to sleep it will go for weeks on/off with my usb pvr2.

It's still better than the alternative.