Help: Pixelation with HD Home Run

[Ralphjb]

I bought an HD Homerun and at first I thought it was working just fine. But there seems to be an issue when recording to with it and also have something else recording on the network. I have a Gigabit network and have never had an issue quite like this. I am hoping there is some simple setting I am missing.

I don't think it is the network bandwith, as I can record simultaneously with a modded VIP211 and also with and Hauppauge HD-PVR (or even 2).

Thanks!

[Fuzzy]

If you are getting blocky pixellation then it is most likely a signal quality issue. What is your source?

[Ralphjb]

Thanks for your reply. It is over the air. The thing is I have no issues, until two programs are recorded at the same time. The program shows a very high signal strength (some even 100%) and if I use the view app for the HD Homerun, the pixelization is not there. That's why I am thinking it is something related to Sagetv and how it handles the Homerun feed.

[Fuzzy]

Well, pixelation is a symptom of inconsistent quality in the stream, so I suppose if your harddrive isn't up to the task of writing both streams and reading one back, that MIGHT be a cause of issues. However, I have never seen a problem with this on any relatively modern harddrive.

Are you using the latest version of the HDHomeRun drivers/firmware? there were issues with previous version where it would send the entire multi-cast over the network, instead of just the selected program. however, ATSC is still not THAT much data, so that also shouldn't be a problem.

[Ralphjb]

I will double check the drivers, but I just installed from their web site, so I am thinking it is they are the latest. Again, I am able to stream record from 2, even 3 HD sources simultaneously without problem. Whatever the issue is, it revolves around the HD Homerun.

[jasonl]

1) Please run HDHomeRun Setup, enable Send diagnostic information... on the Advanced tab and click Apply

2) Click Rescan on the Tuners tab

3) Click Scan on the Channels tab

4) Reproduce the issue in SageTV

Reply back with the device ID for your HDHomeRun and I'll check the logs.

Jason
Silicondust

[Ralphjb]

Thanks. I shall do so. May not get a chance to until the weekend.

I appreciate your reply.

[jasonl]

For fastest response, you may want to post on our (Silicondust's) forums, or submit a trouble ticket once you have gone through the steps.

[Ralphjb]

I have followed the directions supplied above. I have scheduled a recording for early tomorrow. I have selected the strongest over air source (100% signal strength). For the first 1.5 hours, it will be the HD Homerun recording alone. Beginning at 7:30am EST, a second program will be recording via the VIP211.

The tuner id is 1020860F-0

Thanks!

[Ralphjb]

This was done this morning. I recorded two programs, both on Local 4, which is consistently the most powerful signal (always 100%). The first show originated locally. The first 1.5 hours it was the only thing on the network. Then another recorder kicked in (VIP211). Watching this to the end, there was no pixelation. However, the next show, originating from the Network, was highly pixelated.

Just now I use the signal utility and checked channels. Things are coming in very strongly. Also, I was able to watch with SageTV without issue. There is another program being recorded on the VIP211.

Not sure any of this info helps you, but those are my observations.

Thanks!

[Ralphjb]

Well I am watching right now. Nothing else is being recorded. I am getting pixelization. Not a total wash out, but way too much to be watchable. I have the HD Homerun Config window open and the signal meters show all green. Not 100%, but very strong.

Just not sure if there some setting in SageTV I could make, or something else, to address this.

[Ralphjb]

I am getting pixelization with signal strength at 97, symbol signal at 100 and signal quality jumping around between 75 and 95. Mbps is going from 6 and 19

[Ralphjb]

Is it possible that the Mbps is the key stats indicating problems? When hit high numbers, there seems like there are more issues.

[Ralphjb]

I have been getting help over on the Silicondust forum and am glad to report success! Turned out it was simple network card setting on my SageTV server PC.

For the details, here is a link to the thread:
http://www.silicondust.com/forum/vie...?p=43943#43943

Thanks to all that helped and tried to help.