5.1 audio recording configuration - HDPVR

[peptide]

Hi -

Despite numerous searches, I can't for the life of me find out how to get SageTV to record Dolby Digital 5.1 from my HD-PVR. I can record 5.1 in other applications, but not SageTV.

The only audio options that I can find in setup seem to be related to playback. Is there a configuration option within SageTV that I am somehow overlooking?

Thanks in advance, and apologies if this has been covered before - I simply can't find the answer.

[korben_dallas]

Are you using the digital optical audio port for capture? If so, it should be automatic. Unless the channels you are recording are standard definition channels and have no DD content.

[peptide]

Originally Posted by korben_dallas

Are you using the digital optical audio port for capture? If so, it should be automatic. Unless the channels you are recording are standard definition channels and have no DD content.

Thanks for the reply.

I am using the optical ports. I can record, on the same channels and the same shows, in DD 5.1 using ArcSoft TotalMedia Extreme. SageTV only seems to record 2.0, and did so on two systems, one WinXP32-SPIII and the other Win7-64.

Mike

[Rico66]

Originally Posted by peptide

Thanks for the reply.

I am using the optical ports. I can record, on the same channels and the same shows, in DD 5.1 using ArcSoft TotalMedia Extreme. SageTV only seems to record 2.0, and did so on two systems, one WinXP32-SPIII and the other Win7-64.

Mike

That's definetly not the case. Sage doesn't really do anything with the recordings, the hd pvr does this solely. Can you double check whether your recordings are indeed 2.0, or whether this might be a playback problem?

[sleonard]

You must have chosen the Hauppauge HD PVR Capture Device + SPDIF under Setup Video sources so that Sage knows the audio is coming from the optical ports. If you were already using it with the analog stereo then you will need to delete it and then re-add it with the SPDIF option.

S

[peptide]

Thanks for the replies...

The TME recordings are definitely 5.1, according to my receivers, several video players and my ears. Conversely, the STV recordings show and sound as stereo.

I confirmed that the source setting was HD-PVR + SPDIF. I have nothing attached to the analog ports on the HD-PVR and have never fed an analog signal to STV.

This is why I am stumped...

[korben_dallas]

Try playing a SageTV recording outside of SageTV? Like with Windows Media Player?

[peptide]

Originally Posted by korben_dallas

Try playing a SageTV recording outside of SageTV? Like with Windows Media Player?

I have done that as well. All DD5.1 capable players react the same: TME = 5.1, STV = 2.0. Players include:

• Sage TV
• Windows Media Player
• Nero Showtime

[AJ Bertelson]

the source may be 2.0, I have had this come up a couple of times

[peptide]

Originally Posted by AJ Bertelson

the source may be 2.0, I have had this come up a couple of times

Good point, but I performed a quick comparison using DVR recordings from my Comcast cable box. With the HD-PVR connected in the loop between the cable box and my receiver(s) (via component video and optical SPDIF), programs listed as DD played from my cable box as such through my receiver. The signal display on my receiver (e.g. Denon AVR-4806) shows a 5.1 input, and the sound is definitely 5.1.

Capturing the same recording with the HD-PVR, I find that capture with TME results in a recording that matches the source, thus a 5.1 program is recorded (and replays) in 5.1. Capture with STV always results in 2.0, regardless of program encoding or any other effort that I have made.

[AJ Bertelson]

Do you have Ac3 filter installed with sagetv? If so try uninstall re-install

[peptide]

Originally Posted by AJ Bertelson

Do you have Ac3 filter installed with sagetv? If so try uninstall re-install

I read, while searching this forum, that people had encountered problems with the Sage-installed AC3 filter. I un-installed and re-installed the entire program. I also looked at the GUI for the AC3 filter. Is there a preferred configuration for the GUI that's different than the installation default?

[AJ Bertelson]

Originally Posted by peptide

I read, while searching this forum, that people had encountered problems with the Sage-installed AC3 filter. I un-installed and re-installed the entire program. I also looked at the GUI for the AC3 filter. Is there a preferred configuration for the GUI that's different than the installation default?

I set mine to 5.1 and leave the PCM settings alone. Since I use analog out I can't help you with the spidf.


Test and try is one solution.

[korben_dallas]

Originally Posted by peptide

I have done that as well. All DD5.1 capable players react the same: TME = 5.1, STV = 2.0. Players include:

• Sage TV
• Windows Media Player
• Nero Showtime

I'm confused when you say "all react the same". They all played 5.1 or all played 2.0?

AC3filter can be disabled. Play a file that has DD content in WMP, go to Tools > Options > DVD > Advanced > Prefer other...

[peptide]

Originally Posted by korben_dallas

I'm confused when you say "all react the same". They all played 5.1 or all played 2.0?

AC3filter can be disabled. Play a file that has DD content in WMP, go to Tools > Options > DVD > Advanced > Prefer other...

Recordings made with TME were successfully recorded in 5.1, and played back in 5.1 in my 5.1-capable players. The STV recordings all replayed in 2.0.

I am going to try the suggestions made this afternoon. Thanks everyone for the suggestions so-far.