HD PVR and SA 8300HD

[mozerd]

I have the Hauppauge HD PVR connected to my SA8300HD [Rogers] using the component cables [provided by Hauppauge] for Video and sound and my SA8300HD is connected to my Samsung 50 inch Plasma via HDMI -- My HTPC is connected to the Samsung 50 inch Plasma via HDMI for video and sound -- my problem is as follows:

I get a black screen in the ArcSoft capture window when using the component input. Apparently the Hauppauge FAQ for the HD PVR states "Some set top boxes will disable or turn off the component output if the HDMI or DVI output is being used."

I've only had the HD PVR for 3 weeks and on 3 different occasion's [for short periods of time] when I have actually used my HTPC + HD PVR I was getting live TV using ArcSoft or SageTV 6.6.2.x and was able to make recordings. But after shutting down the HTPC and the HD PVR and on the following day turning the stuff back on all I would get is the black screen in the ArcSoft capture window or SageTV would present a black screen with a No Signal.

So I am wondering if others using the SA 8300HD and HDMI similar to my hookup are experiencing the same behavior? And how was this type of issue solved?

Hardware Configuration
Server: Windows 7 64bit; ASUS M4A78-E motherboard; AMD Athlon X2 240 AM3; 2GB RAM; 500GB HD; ANTEC FUSION MAX Case; SageTV 6.6.2; HD-PVR
Client: SageTV HD THeater

[jerryt]

Try leaving the TV (HDMI) switched off when turning on the SA 8300HD.

Then see if the preview window and sage are getting video.

If that works, the problem is because the SA 8300HD is seeing the HDMI TV when it starts.

[wayner]

I am pretty sure that you cannot use both HDMI and component at the same time. I would highly recommend getting a separate HD box to be used solely by Sage. In my setup I do have an 8300 but it is only hooked up to the TV (and/or AVR). I have two SA3250HDs in a separate room that are only connected to HD-PVRs that are tied to my Sage/WHS server.

The good news is that you can often buy the Rogers SA4250HD for a really good price on Boxing Day sales. Last year FS and BB had it for $99. Or look for used SA3250HDs.

[sic0048]

Or use the component cable pass though on the HD-PVR to connect to your TV instead of the HDMI from the cable box.

Better yet, don't connect the cable box to the TV at all and watch it all your TV through Sage using your HTPC which is connected via HDMI.

[wayner]

Good points - I have learned with experience to not share a cable box between a PVR and TV viewing. Sooner or later you will screw up your recordings.

[mozerd]

Originally Posted by jerryt

Try leaving the TV (HDMI) switched off when turning on the SA 8300HD. If that works, the problem is because the SA 8300HD is seeing the HDMI TV when it starts.

Your suggestion worked! Once I disconnected the HDMI cable leading from the SA8300HD to the Samsung Plasma SageTV worked as did the ArcSoft Capture. Thank You very much.

Now I need to figure out how to get the Harmony One to work with the Sage stuff.

[mozerd]

Originally Posted by sic0048

Better yet, don't connect the cable box to the TV at all and watch it all your TV through Sage using your HTPC which is connected via HDMI.

Thanks -- your suggestion is the way that I now plan on doing it once I have everything working so that my wife can use it without problems.

[sic0048]

I think that is the best solution and as others have mentioned, that will also prevent recording accidents. If you are using SageTV to watch "Live TV" it will warn you if you try to change channels when the tuner is being use to record something.

So if you want to watch Discovery Channel, and the HD-PVR is currently recording something on Food Network, it will give a popup that says something like "The system is currently recording Blah - do you want to cancel the recording and tune to the New Blah, or continue recording Blah"

If you used the output of the STB and didn't view it in SageTV, you would miss those types of warnings and change the channel even when it was being recorded by Sage.