Hauppauge Colossus HD-PVR

[SHS]

Originally Posted by jalyst

implementing 8ch PCM over HDMI encoded w/"HD" DD/DTS formats?

This still not possable due to the onboard Hardware Audio Encoder only support Stereo as in 2 channel PCM and the only way that is possable with "HD" DD/DTS is in bitstream mode meaning it all ready in compression form like AC-3 or AAC where it just copy the all ready encode audio format and far I know of the only deivce that support 8-channel LPCM over HDMI are PC graphics card becuases they didn't support bitstream mode.

[bits]

I am troubleshooting some of the early issues I had with Colossus. For those that are not having issues I am seeking the following information:

1. Are you using a Sage exteneder?
2. What is your typical java heap size when using your extenders?
3. Do you run Sage server as a Service only?
4. How often do you stop/start the Sager server software?
5. Cable or dish?
6. USBUIRT?
7. How many shows do you record per day using the Colosuss?
8. How many hours per day do you view live tv using the Colosuss?
9. Do you channel surf live tv using the Colosuss?
10. OS?

My Colosus has been running without issue for 10 days now but that is only after I switched from running the Sage server in desktop mode to service and implementing a scheduled stop/start.

Thank you.

[Clift]

Originally Posted by bits

I am troubleshooting some of the early issues I had with Colossus. For those that are not having issues I am seeking the following information:

1. Are you using a Sage extender?
HD100 and HD200

2. What is your typical java heap size when using your extenders?
Don't remember

3. Do you run Sage server as a Service only?
Service mode. Headless Server

4. How often do you stop/start the Sager server software?
Sleep late night, and restart early morning, with Scripts to reboot the extenders.

5. Cable or dish?
Cable

6. USBUIRT?
Firewire

7. How many shows do you record per day using the Colosuss?
Depends on the season. Sometimes none, sometimes 3-4, not including LiveTV

8. How many hours per day do you view live tv using the Colosuss?
Rough guess? 2, maybe 3.

9. Do you channel surf live tv using the Colosuss?
Nope. We mostly use the guide.

10. OS?
Vista Ultimate 32-bit

[jptheripper]

1. Are you using a Sage extender?
HTPC and HD100
2. What is your typical java heap size when using your extenders?
Around 800 (I use SMM also), max at 400 (1024)
3. Do you run Sage server as a Service only?
Service mode, with viewing via Sagetv.exe
4. How often do you stop/start the Sager server software?
Almost never except as required for plugins. I do not sleep the server.
5. Cable or dish?
Cable - USBUIRT blasting Cisco RNG150 and Pace DTA50Xu
6. USBUIRT?
Yes with beta drivers for recieve (Hauppauge 45 button remote) and transmit
7. How many shows do you record per day using the Colosuss?
4-5
8. How many hours per day do you view live tv using the Colosuss?
3-4, sometimes 12 if i tune a music channel
9. Do you channel surf live tv using the Colosuss?
Yes
10. OS?
Vista 32bit, 4gb RAM

-Also have 2x1600, 1x2250, 1x1250 cards in server. Nvidia video card.
-Additional Plugins of note
-Playon
-SMM

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by Clift

1. Are you using a Sage extender?
HD100 and HD200

2. What is your typical java heap size when using your extenders?
Don't remember

3. Do you run Sage server as a Service only?
Service mode. Headless Server

4. How often do you stop/start the Sager server software?
Sleep late night, and restart early morning, with Scripts to reboot the extenders.

5. Cable or dish?
Cable

6. USBUIRT?
Firewire

7. How many shows do you record per day using the Colosuss?
Depends on the season. Sometimes none, sometimes 3-4, not including LiveTV

8. How many hours per day do you view live tv using the Colosuss?
Rough guess? 2, maybe 3.

9. Do you channel surf live tv using the Colosuss?
Nope. We mostly use the guide.

10. OS?
Vista Ultimate 32-bit

I noticed your running HD3200 ATI - is that integrated on motherboard? I am having nothing but problems, freezing, crashing from my Colossus, and I use an ATI intergrated HD4200. I was thinking it may be the problem, since I've tried everything else, but it yours is working, then it shouldn't be a problem for a 4200. thoughts?

[Clift]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

I noticed your running HD3200 ATI - is that integrated on motherboard? I am having nothing but problems, freezing, crashing from my Colossus, and I use an ATI intergrated HD4200. I was thinking it may be the problem, since I've tried everything else, but it yours is working, then it shouldn't be a problem for a 4200. thoughts?

I don't use the 3200 anymore. But when I did, I remember some stuff was a bit choppy until I tweaked the living what out of it. I also ran it at 720P resolution on account of that's what the TV is. And, I had to make sure that DXVA was being used for EVR. I didn't have any stability issues though. A 4200 should be able to much better handle it. How much memory do you have allocated? My mainboard has 128MB sideport memory (meaning it has onboard memory for the integrated video) but I allocated another 128MB system memory, for a total of 256MB. If my memory (see what I did there?) serves me correctly, that was really the trick. 128MB wasn't anough, but 256 somehow was. And I ran Aero, not basic.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by Clift

I don't use the 3200 anymore. But when I did, I remember some stuff was a bit choppy until I tweaked the living what out of it. I also ran it at 720P resolution on account of that's what the TV is. And, I had to make sure that DXVA was being used for EVR. I didn't have any stability issues though. A 4200 should be able to much better handle it. How much memory do you have allocated? My mainboard has 128MB sideport memory (meaning it has onboard memory for the integrated video) but I allocated another 128MB system memory, for a total of 256MB. If my memory (see what I did there?) serves me correctly, that was really the trick. 128MB wasn't anough, but 256 somehow was. And I ran Aero, not basic.

I haven't tried the memory thing. I know my MB has the sideport ram, but how do you allot more?
Also, did you remember if you installed the entire ATI Catalyst suite, or just the video drivers?

[Wrx4me]

I''ll say it again Colossus+HDPVR = problems
Colossus and no HDPVR = Ok.
Lets hear from those with a mix of the 2 who have it stable (IE recording, live Tv and channel surfing.)

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by Wrx4me

I''ll say it again Colossus+HDPVR = problems
Colossus and no HDPVR = Ok.
Lets hear from those with a mix of the 2 who have it stable (IE recording, live Tv and channel surfing.)

not me, yet. Although Colossus still froze up in Sage without the HD-PVR

[Clift]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

I haven't tried the memory thing. I know my MB has the sideport ram, but how do you allot more?
Also, did you remember if you installed the entire ATI Catalyst suite, or just the video drivers?

It's in the BIOS. enable sideport, and also (at least my MB has the option) allocate how much system memory to use.
I don't think I 'm using CCC.

Originally Posted by Wrx4me

I''ll say it again Colossus+HDPVR = problems
Colossus and no HDPVR = Ok.
Lets hear from those with a mix of the 2 who have it stable (IE recording, live Tv and channel surfing.)

IMHO it must be the hdpvr_magic property that's screwing up hybrid HD PVR USB and HD PVR Colossus installs.

Looks at this one from the 7.1.3 Beta release:
1. Ignore the 'mmc/hdpvr_magic' flag if using a Colossus card (it acts like its set to false for the Colossus card now).
(http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54508)

[Rico66]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

I haven't tried the memory thing. I know my MB has the sideport ram, but how do you allot more?
Also, did you remember if you installed the entire ATI Catalyst suite, or just the video drivers?

You definitely have to assign more memory than just the 128 MB sideport. I'd recommend using 512 MB (which is typically the maximum that you can assign). You will need to adjust this within the BIOS.

I'm currently using a HD4200 IGP as well (though that's only temporary as I want to move to a Sandy Bridge based system). Previously I had a Nvidia GT240 in that very same system. Plain video playback is no worse using onboard. The differences that I seen are related to slightly longer boot times (sounds weird, but it's true), and a bit of stuttering in the Sage UI, when video is running (e.g. browsing the guide overlay during live tv).

As I'd mentioned a couple of times already, I don't have any problems recording HD using the Colossus (1080i), but I do see problems with SD recordings (in 480p), which do stutter at times and the javaheap goes up dramatically. HD is obviously more important, and I could switch to HD only as a workaround, but still...

My question to anybody who says that they don't have any problems is whether you also record in SD formats, or whether it's HD only?

[Slugger]

Originally Posted by Wrx4me

I''ll say it again Colossus+HDPVR = problems
Colossus and no HDPVR = Ok.
Lets hear from those with a mix of the 2 who have it stable (IE recording, live Tv and channel surfing.)

I'm using this combo, "just worked" since day 1. 1 x HDPVR, 1 x Colossus, 2 x PVR-250. Both 250s disabled in Sage due to lack of sat receivers to feed them.

1. Are you using a Sage exteneder?

Yes, HD200 mostly. Use Placeshifter and a SageClient periodically while developing plugins, testing, etc. I also have an HD100 that is rarely used, if ever, anymore. When I watch tv, it's on an HD200 in the living room.

2. What is your typical java heap size when using your extenders?

I have a max of 768 and depending if I'm using Diamond or not I'll usually be floating up around 400 used w/Diamond or 230 used on stock STV. Recording doesn't seem to influence this number, but viewing recordings from the HD200 appears to.

3. Do you run Sage server as a Service only?

Yes.

4. How often do you stop/start the Sager server software?

Typical usage is once ever couple weeks, but if there are plugin updates then this could be much more often (updates seem to come in waves). I'll also update my dev build plugins from my test server to this production server when I'm ready to stress test my plugin code, so if I'm heavy into dev on something then I may restart Sage service multiple times a day over a few days. When I'm not developing anything, I can go 2-3 weeks or longer without restarting Sage.

5. Cable or dish?

Dish. Shaw Direct (Canada sat). HDPVR & Colossus both fed with DSR505 HD receivers via component + stereo. PVR-250s fed with basic SD receivers (model # escapes me).

6. USBUIRT?

Yes.

7. How many shows do you record per day using the Colosuss?

3-6 most days (for 4-5 hrs of total recording time).

8. How many hours per day do you view live tv using the Colosuss?

Zero. Not because I couldn't (I don't think), but because I just never watch live tv. Never did before the Colossus. Just not my usage pattern.

9. Do you channel surf live tv using the Colosuss?

Never.

10. OS?

WinXP Home SP3 32bit

[GKusnick]

1. Are you using a Sage extender?

HD300. But I also watch the recordings on SageTV Client.

2. What is your typical java heap size when using your extenders?

Don't usually pay much attention to it. Right now it's at 253/347/389. These are probably shockingly low numbers for those of you who use all the fanart/metadata/movie wall plugins. I don't use any of those; I like my UI simple and clean. So there probably ought to be a separate question in your survey about memory-intensive plugins.

3. Do you run Sage server as a Service only?

Yes, as a service. In my opinion there's no good reason (other than newbie ignorance) to run it any other way.

4. How often do you stop/start the Sager server software?

Only when installing software updates.

5. Cable or dish?

DirecTV. There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

6. USBUIRT?

I use HTTP tuning, if that's the point of this question.

7. How many shows do you record per day using the Colosuss?

Two or three perhaps.

8. How many hours per day do you view live tv using the Colosuss?

I don't watch live TV. But it's worked fine for live TV in my tests.

9. Do you channel surf live tv using the Colosuss?

No.

10. OS?

WinXP Pro SP3.

[metzz71]

1. Are you using a Sage exteneder?
(2) HD200 (1) HD300
2. What is your typical java heap size when using your extenders?
Set the size to 900 in reg
3. Do you run Sage server as a Service only?
Desktop mode
4. How often do you stop/start the Sager server software?
A lot until last night with my sound issue, been up since .3 install
5. Cable or dish?
att uverse IPTV
6. USBUIRT?
Yes, 2 zones - 1 for each box
7. How many shows do you record per day using the Colosuss?
minimal today
8. How many hours per day do you view live tv using the Colosuss?
5+
9. Do you channel surf live tv using the Colosuss?
mainly thru guide
10. OS?
Win7 x64

My only issue right now is when tuning channel. Some times it does not sync and plays 1 sec, pauses 1 sec, plays 1 sec, pause 1 sec. Can fix it by tuning a different channel and then going back.

I tried service mode some time ago. It was not a good solution for me. It seemed to lock the UIRT and thus my schedule job to keep alive my STB's would not work.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by Clift

It's in the BIOS. enable sideport, and also (at least my MB has the option) allocate how much system memory to use.
I don't think I 'm using CCC.


IMHO it must be the hdpvr_magic property that's screwing up hybrid HD PVR USB and HD PVR Colossus installs.

Looks at this one from the 7.1.3 Beta release:
1. Ignore the 'mmc/hdpvr_magic' flag if using a Colossus card (it acts like its set to false for the Colossus card now).
(http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54508)

Not sure I understand the "magic" bit - are we supposed to go into Sage properties and change something if we have Colossus and HDPVR together?

[tvmaster2]

just found another possible Colossus/HD-PVR combo problem:

Output to LCD TV is via HDMI from MB of HTPC (AMD 785 chipset).

If I watch the output of the Colossus "live" through Sage on the server, when a HD-PVR recording starts in the background, the Colossus audio dissappears.
The same DOES NOT happen when reversed, aka when watching the HD-PVR live and a Colossus recording starts in the background.
Further more, it's possible the Colossus recording is done MINUS audio.

hmmm.

anyone find that yet, or a solution to it?
Sage 7.3 software Windows 7 32 bit

[jptheripper]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

Not sure I understand the "magic" bit - are we supposed to go into Sage properties and change something if we have Colossus and HDPVR together?

if you are running 7.1.3, it has been taken care of for you.

[rstone]

The only problem with audio that I am still having is when using the Colossus with SPDIF. When I watch Live TV and attempt to switch channels via the program guide, while viewing Live TV, the audio disappears. However, when I switch my settings to NOT use SPDIF, it works fine. I've tried this both on my server and client and they both experience that same issue.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by jptheripper

if you are running 7.1.3, it has been taken care of for you.

yes, running 7.1.3 as of now. The stolen audio problem is still prevalent, however. Is it possible this is an ATI - Realtek audio driver problem, i.e. it gets confused and can't figure out what to send where?
One things for sure - the Colossus loses audio during recording if an HD-PVR recording starts anytime during the Colossus recording.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by rstone

The only problem with audio that I am still having is when using the Colossus with SPDIF. When I watch Live TV and attempt to switch channels via the program guide, while viewing Live TV, the audio disappears. However, when I switch my settings to NOT use SPDIF, it works fine. I've tried this both on my server and client and they both experience that same issue.

do you mean your changing the settings but STILL using SPDIF?