SageTV and Windows 7 Decoders (H.264 in particular)

[reggie14]

I just installed Windows 7 on my workstation. I occasionally run SageTV client on this box. I'd like to use the Windows 7 video decoders, since I've heard good things about them. But, I'm running into some problems.

After installing the STV update, I did start to see the option for the Microsoft DTV-DVD Video Decoder under the "H.264 Video Decoder Filter", but I don't see it under the "MPEG2 Video Decoder Filter". For now, I have the MPEG2 decoder set to Default. When I play an mpeg2 file back with logging enabled, it looks like Sage is using the Microsoft DTV-DVD Video Decoder, since that's what's called according to the log. Is that the best way to verify that?

H.264 is another issue. I think Sage is correctly configured to use the Microsoft decoder. For better or worse (better, I think), I set always_use_dshow_player to true in the properties file. It looks like Sage uses the Microsoft DTV-DVD Video Decoder when it plays back H.264 imported video (judging by the log file). But, I get a playback error anytime I try to play back an HD-PVR recording.

Windows is set up to use the Microsoft decoder for HD-PVR recordings. When I open a recording in Graph Studio, the graph shows the Microsoft DTV-DVD Video Decoder being used. And, the recordings play back fine in Windows Media Player.

I'm not sure if this is relevant or not, but I also have PowerDVD 9 installed. And, I installed Andy's antipack (although I unselected the H.264 decoders). I also installed ffdshow, but almost everything video related is disabled. And, Haali Media Splitter is installed, but I did not enable mpeg-ts support with it.

Is anyone using the Microsoft decoder to play back HD-PVR files?

[Rico66]

You may want to look into this thread: http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43579. Using these beta filters/splitters enables the native decoder. Works great for me.

[reggie14]

Originally Posted by Rico66

You may want to look into this thread: http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43579. Using these beta filters/splitters enables the native decoder. Works great for me.

Thanks! That mostly worked. I'm now having a problem with that patch, but hopefully that can get resolved. Basically, my computer freezes for a couple seconds when I try to play anything back. My mouse will stop responding for a while, then suddenly it will recover and playback will start.

[mdnttoker]

Originally Posted by reggie14

Thanks! That mostly worked. I'm now having a problem with that patch, but hopefully that can get resolved. Basically, my computer freezes for a couple seconds when I try to play anything back. My mouse will stop responding for a while, then suddenly it will recover and playback will start.

I had the same problem for a bit...think I fixed it though...check the thread.