WHS + HD Homerun + SageTV Client = poor video A/V quality?

[j0000000000e]

Long time user of the HDHR with Media Center. I have been getting beautiful audio and video just like I do when using the digital tuner inside of my Sony LCD. So when I recently decided to check out the SageTV trail software, I just installed the SageTV software directly on my PC (not the client version). I was impressed with the ease of setup and audio/video playback quality.

So I then decided to take it one step further.
I removed the software off my PC. Installed the SageTV msi on the WHS (no problem)
Installed the HDHR software on the WHS (no problem).
Installed the SageTV client version on my PC (no problem)
Ran through the setup of the tuner and was again impressed how everything seemed to "see" each other.

I was then thrown back when I begin to watch Live TV. First off I can see a whole lot of digital artifacts in the video (i.e. Motion blur, pixelation) on all channels. I also can hear the audio being so flat and non-dynamic it is like I am listening to a mono soundtrack. I can't believe what I see and hear so I flip-flop back and fourth between the HDMI input and the digital tuner on my LCD. Major reduction in A/V quality!

I am so new to SageTV I am not even sure where to start with this. I didn't find anyone else mentioning anything like this.

Anyone out there with this setup that can shed some light on my problem?

Thank you.
Joe

[Fuzzy]

Well, since the HDHomeRun doesn't do any processing of the recorded streams (just saves what is broadcast) it's most likely a problem in your client's codec's. Try out the default 'SageTV' Decoders, and see how the quality works, then work from there.

[j0000000000e]

Well I tried fooling around with the different decoders. Some seem to make some improvement, however not going to be happy with the quality loss. I had a much better picture when the HDHR was installed on the PC and I was running the server software directly on this PC. So something is different.

Any other ideas?
Anyone else notice this with thier setups?

[gplasky]

Video quality is hit or miss on WHS. It's not designed for video playback. It's a headless media server. Use the SageTV PC lcient from another PC or get a HD200. (Which I recommend.) WHS is Windows 2003 server so you'll have better luck with 2003 server drivers. XP may work for you also. It all depends on your video card, driver and installation of multimedia components such as DirectX.

Gerry

[chrisc983]

were you able to sole the quality issue? I am thinking about purchasing an HD homerun for m WHS set up.

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by chrisc983

were you able to sole the quality issue? I am thinking about purchasing an HD homerun for m WHS set up.

As long as you are viewing your recordings from a HD200 or client there is no quality issues with the HDHR. OP was trying to watch recordings ON the WHS.

Gerry

[sic0048]

I can confirm no quality issues running a HDHR on WHS when using an extender to view material. I use a HD-100, but it should work the same. No real problems getting the HDHR set up on the WHS either. Just make sure you've downloaded the most recent HDHR firmware/driver version and follow the directions found on the forums. This includes updating the STV to the most recent version. Otherwise you may see the "No Signal" screen instead of the channels.