About to GIVE UP on HDPVR!

[Chriscic]

I suffered tremendously with locking HD-PVRs for about 8 months. Now they both work flawlessly; unfortunately I can't say for sure what fixed it.

But, in order here is what I would try:

- Make sure you have the latest Beta Hauppauge drivers and latest Sage server and client software.

- Different USB ports, just in case (this didn't help me, but what the heck it's easy)

- RMA both HD-PVRs

When I was having problems it was on any of three very different machines, so I really doubt it was anything other than the units themselves. Once I RMAed my flaky D2 to an E1, everything was smooth sailing. The only thing that still confuses me a bit is that my other D2 used to lock up as well, but now it seems fine as part of the pair.

I doubt voodoo like covering the IR ports is going to do anything, but it seems simple enough to try.

[myoung84]

Originally Posted by stanger89

Ah, I see, I've got a similar shaped desk, but nothing above it. You should be able to get some high quality USB cables from monoprice that are 15' long.

Or, I've got my PC off to the side of the keyboard, which would make the run shorter if you did that. Mines there because it's more convenient than on the other side, and it won't fit under the desk the way my desk is designed.

I got some 15' monoprice cables and they didn't seem to pit right in the HDPVR, that's why I went back to the USB hub. Whenever you moved the cables around behind the HDPVR the USB connection would seem to drop in and out. I do not have that problem with the original cables.

[bhyman1]

A good quality 15' cable is no problem.

[myoung84]

I am at a loss. I am still having lockups. I can tune in channels just fine, but I cannot watch a 30 minute sitcom without "There was a Capture Error in Playback: There was a problem using the capture device. Please be sure you have the latest drivers installed for your capture device, and that they are installed correctly" message.

[Peter_h]

What version of sage are you running?

Did you install both or just one?

[myoung84]

Originally Posted by Peter_h

What version of sage are you running?

Did you install both or just one?

I am running the latest version of sage, 6.6.2.

I insralled both HD PVRs with latest drivers.

[Peter_h]

You should install just one to isolate the problem device. I doubt both are the issue.

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by myoung84

I got some 15' monoprice cables and they didn't seem to pit right in the HDPVR, that's why I went back to the USB hub. Whenever you moved the cables around behind the HDPVR the USB connection would seem to drop in and out. I do not have that problem with the original cables.

This alone sounds like a hardware issue. You may have some loose USB ports on one or both of the HD-PVRs, which would require an RMA. I had this with an SPDIF port and the power button. You may also have an issue with the USB ports on the computer.

Also, ensure you've run HCWCLEAR before installing the drivers again.

If you look in my sig, you'll see a link to my server blog, which contains a very thorough writeup of everything I did to get my HD-PVRs stable.

[HuMan321]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

Also, ensure you've run HCWCLEAR before installing the drivers again.

This point is key in my experience...

[myoung84]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

This alone sounds like a hardware issue. You may have some loose USB ports on one or both of the HD-PVRs, which would require an RMA. I had this with an SPDIF port and the power button. You may also have an issue with the USB ports on the computer.

Also, ensure you've run HCWCLEAR before installing the drivers again.

If you look in my sig, you'll see a link to my server blog, which contains a very thorough writeup of everything I did to get my HD-PVRs stable.

That was an excellent writeup! If I am reading everything correctly, you have better reliability when using DD through an optical cable? I have 2 brand new optical cables but I have not tried them yet.

I also use the HCWCLEAR before installing new drivers.

Everything actually seems to be working ok for now. [KNOCKS ON WOOD]. I watched a lot of live TV last night while recording some other random stuff with the other tuner. I also recorded a few long movies throughout the night and woke up this morning with no errors. I am going to give it a few days and see how things work out before I start moving equipment around again.

[Savage1701]

Your going to love this story - I actually got mine to be stable by NOT updating anything. When I let H and Arc update drivers and software, all of a sudden I had tiling on everything from 480i to 1080i. Never had it before. Thought the box was flaky, so I exchanged it. I installed the version of TME and drivers that came with the replacement box. I did NOT let H update the HD-PVR drivers when I installed other H products. I did NOT let TME update itself when it wanted to. Was it a TME encoder? Was it a TME decoder? I'm not skilled enough with GSpot and DSFM and such to do anything but make a mess of trying to sort through a situation like that. I've also heard Arcsoft is "hiding" their filters in later versions of TME so you can't get at them to change merit and such. I think that is true, as it also is of PowerDVD.

In short, for whatever reason, I keep the HD-PVR matching the CD that came with it. Weirdly enough, the version of TME on this replacement box says I can crank my bitrate up to 20Mbps. Never seen that on any version of TME.

Also, I took a Molex/fan header PCI bracket and sent power out of the back of my computer. I took a 120mm fan, and put 1" soft rubber feet above and below it to minimize dead spots. I set the HD-PVR on it and it has a constant flow of cool air into it. Since the feet are rubber, neither the HD-PVR or the fan itself "walk" on the metal shelf.

I am seriously going to get a USB-UIRT. I have a 2250 white box, and I think it is trying to duke it out with the HD-PVR for the single Hauppauge IR blaster channel available. I'm tired of fighting that battle, and have heard nothing but great things about the USB-UIRT.

Also, I have encountered issues where my PVR-USB2's can't coexist on certain port combinations (the P5Q premium has 8 or 10 on the back plus internal headers).

Just an FWIW, and best wishes to you on achieving a stable setup.

Just a FWIW. I also am trying to make a lot of disparate hardware work. Best of luck to you.

[stanger89]

I've never even installed the arcsoft software on my server.

[myoung84]

I would highly recommend USBUIRT, I have had it from the start of my Sage experience a couple years ago and have never had any major problems.

All is still working ok. Watching Price is Right recording now and it looks perfect.

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by myoung84

That was an excellent writeup!

Thanks. Very much appreciated.

If I am reading everything correctly, you have better reliability when using DD through an optical cable? I have 2 brand new optical cables but I have not tried them yet.

Technically, yes. However, everything I've done throughout that process has led to the eventual goal of getting DD through optical. Once I obtained that, I didn't go back and test anything else. The issues I had with stereo over analog were hardware issues with the HD-PVR itself and required RMAs. With everything I've done, I firmly believe that I could use any combination of connectors and audio and would still have my current stability. I have not missed a single recording due to an HD-PVR issue since I wrote that and have not had any lockups either. The HD-PVR does still restart when the audio changes in the signal, which is a known "issue" inherent to the chip in the device.

[Taddeusz]

I'm thinking about going back to my USB-UIRT and then playing with the delay setting. I'm currently using Firewire channel changing but have the inability to send preceding zeros. This leads to long channel changes due to the fact that my STB waits for further input before changing if three digits aren't received. The USB-UIRT allowed me to send those zeros.

But, most of the issues I've had with my HDPVR have actually been problems with my STB getting messed up and needing to be hard power cycled. I miss more recordings because of that. But I'd have to say that I my HDPVR requires a reset about every two to three weeks. And many, if not most, of those times are due to it receiving a bad or no signal from my STB after it really messes up.

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by Taddeusz

I'm thinking about going back to my USB-UIRT and then playing with the delay setting. I'm currently using Firewire channel changing but have the inability to send preceding zeros. This leads to long channel changes due to the fact that my STB waits for further input before changing if three digits aren't received. The USB-UIRT allowed me to send those zeros.

But, most of the issues I've had with my HDPVR have actually been problems with my STB getting messed up and needing to be hard power cycled. I miss more recordings because of that. But I'd have to say that I my HDPVR requires a reset about every two to three weeks. And many, if not most, of those times are due to it receiving a bad or no signal from my STB after it really messes up.

Can't you do two digits and an "enter" to your STB. Or isn't there a menu option on your STB to allow you to do that?

Gerry

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by gplasky

Can't you do two digits and an "enter" to your STB. Or isn't there a menu option on your STB to allow you to do that?

Gerry

Nope, the firmware Cox bought their SA boxes with seems to refuse any panel commands other than digits. It's entirely possible I'm using the raw commands improperly as they were never documented before Tim Moore disappeared without a trace. But I've thrown all kinds of commands at the box and only ever been able to get it to receive digits. Many commands just plain lock it up.

So my current frustrating predicament certainly isn't without lack of trying.

[myoung84]

I was still getting random lockups, so I changed Sage servers today. I am using my AMD 64X2 4200+ PC with 2GB of ram and Foxconn MB running Vista Ultimate. I just finished moving everything over, still waiting to see if this setup is any more reliable.

[Chriscic]

When I was having lockups it was on three different PCs all running different op systems (XP, Vista, WHS).

Good luck. I predict you will have to RMA your units, but hope I'm wrong.

You might also try one at a time before adding the two. Maybe only one of the two units is causing the lockups or a lockup in one causes problems with the other or something.

When I was having lockups it was on three different PCs all running different op systems (XP, Vista, WHS).

Good luck. I predict you will have to RMA your units, but hope I'm wrong.

You might also try one at a time before adding the two.

[myoung84]

I hope I am not speaking too soon, but I think my old PC was the issue. Since swapping everything over yesterday I have recorded a ton of random stuff and not had one lockup yet. Looks like I am going to have to build me a new PC.