Hauppauge Colossus HD-PVR

[kcormier]

Originally Posted by korben_dallas

Are either / both capturing optical audio?

No - no optical audio on either.

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

I'm talking about a "jump" in the frame; almost like it skipped a frame. It might not be all that noticeable, unless it happens a lot or you're specifically looking for it. I've done one set of tests with Showbiz and believe it's happening, but I need a more action-packed movie so that it's more frequent and observable. I'll be doing that tomorrow. I'll also be testing with several versions of the Colossus drivers, to see if there's any difference.

I ran into a few issues with testing this weekend. First off, I need more memory in my server, so that's on order. Second, I did a ton of research on this, but couldn't find any way to increase the memory in an existing Windows XP VM under vSphere 5. Recording just a single stream was hammering the (admittedly small) allotment of ram I gave the XP VM. So, I'm creating a new XP VM with more memory. I'm hoping that this is the actual cause of the stuttering I was seeing.

[sacrament055]

Just out of curiosity is everone using latest java version? I just updated and will see if it makes any difference

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by sacrament055

Just out of curiosity is everone using latest java version? I just updated and will see if it makes any difference

No because it breaks SMM.

[Skirge01]

I'm now having issues with the capture device showing a driver issue. This started when I attempted to install the 29263 drivers. The encoder updated fine, but the capture device is stuck on 29291. Doing a system restore and then going to try installing the 29263 drivers again, bypassing the 29287 drivers this time.

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by SHS

I have said it 100 time before DON'T followed the official "instructions" used the ones I posted here.

Windows XP/Vista
The best to do it is manually uninstall from device manager by installing Hauppauge Colossus Capture frist then the Hauppauge Colossus Encoder
This is must user run hcwclear after doing the above way and yes it will remove any other hauppauge card still install in device manger so you have
reinstall them to.

How exactly do you install the drivers for the capture first and then the encoder? Upon boot, XP lists just a single "Multimedia controller" after you run hcwclear and power down. When the h/w wizard comes up, it tries to install the encoder first.

[heffneil]

Any updates here? I am still not using my colossus until it seems more stable.

Thanks,

Neil

[jptheripper]

Originally Posted by heffneil

Any updates here? I am still not using my colossus until it seems more stable.

Thanks,

Neil

Then you are making a mistake. I have been using mine since pre-order.

It is rock solid and stable.

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by heffneil

Any updates here? I am still not using my colossus until it seems more stable.

Thanks,

Neil

Updates on what? Mine works just fine.

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by panteragstk

Updates on what? Mine works just fine.

heffneil's query may have been directed at me.

SHS never replied, so I couldn't do it the "right" way that he described and had to do a system restore/hcwclear to get back to the drivers I wanted. Once I did that, I ran into issue installing one of the driver versions. It simply wouldn't install; failing every time with an error about missing files. I finally got some other drivers installed, but the stutter continued. I also began noticing that the HD-PVR was having issues while the Colossus was recording. I suspect the two aren't playing nice together (as others have noted).

During my next "play time", I'll be completely removing the HD-PVR's software and focusing on simply getting the Colossus working. If I can manage that, the question is whether or not to buy another Colossus or simply go back to the reliable HD-PVRs.

[SHS]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

How exactly do you install the drivers for the capture first and then the encoder? Upon boot, XP lists just a single "Multimedia controller" after you run hcwclear and power down. When the h/w wizard comes up, it tries to install the encoder first.

That for uninstalling the drivers it has nothing to do with installing them

[sacrament055]

Isnt it about time for a new beta driver? Maybe one that fkxes the need for nightly reboots?

[Slugger]

Originally Posted by sacrament055

Isnt it about time for a new beta driver? Maybe one that fkxes the need for nightly reboots?

I thought someone determined the root cause of the required reboots was a SageTV issue in how it interacts with the driver. If I'm right, I believe we'd need a fix from Sage, which, as we know, isn't going to happen.

[Wakecrash]

Skirge,
when the hardware wizard comes up you should cancel the wizard then go to device manager, then you can manually load the drivers in the order needed.

[SWKerr]

Originally Posted by Slugger

I thought someone determined the root cause of the required reboots was a SageTV issue in how it interacts with the driver. If I'm right, I believe we'd need a fix from Sage, which, as we know, isn't going to happen.

I have seen posts claiming it is a SageTV is the problem but I can tell you I have regular missing\corrupt audio problems with the one running on my test box using just Windows Media Center. Does not mean there may not be a specific problem in SageTV but the Colossus problems are not limited to SageTV.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by Slugger

I thought someone determined the root cause of the required reboots was a SageTV issue in how it interacts with the driver. If I'm right, I believe we'd need a fix from Sage, which, as we know, isn't going to happen.

Has anyone submitted a bug report to Sage? There have been updates since the purchase, some STV updates for Youtube and the Weather updates. So they're obviously still supporting Sage.

[Slugger]

Originally Posted by stanger89

Has anyone submitted a bug report to Sage? There have been updates since the purchase, some STV updates for Youtube and the Weather updates. So they're obviously still supporting Sage.

I have submitted bug reports (for other things) and if the fix requires a new build of the software then they won't do it. STV updates, infrastructure updates (plugin repo maintenance, etc.) seem to be still on the table, but new builds of the server/client packages seem to be off the table at this point.

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by SWKerr

I have seen posts claiming it is a SageTV is the problem but I can tell you I have regular missing\corrupt audio problems with the one running on my test box using just Windows Media Center. Does not mean there may not be a specific problem in SageTV but the Colossus problems are not limited to SageTV.

Who is your service provider? I'm really starting to think that the issues are the way the audio is presented to the colossus more than it being the colossus' fault that there are audio issues. I use DirecTV and have zero issues. I haven't had a bad recording in I don't know how long.

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by Wakecrash

Skirge,
when the hardware wizard comes up you should cancel the wizard then go to device manager, then you can manually load the drivers in the order needed.

I swear that's what I already tried, but I'll give it another shot this weekend. I should be able to squeeze in a few hours of "playtime" (as the wife calls it).

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by panteragstk

Who is your service provider? I'm really starting to think that the issues are the way the audio is presented to the colossus more than it being the colossus' fault that there are audio issues. I use DirecTV and have zero issues. I haven't had a bad recording in I don't know how long.

In general I would agree with you. But I've had NO problems with my HD-PVRs for 5+ months now and some problems (1 a week to 1 every 2 months) with Colossus. My neighbor's trees lost much of their leaves about a month ago. About when my Colossus problems went away. At least as long as I reboot every day anyway. My HD-PVR server has only been rebooted when I've added hardware. I think the HD-PVR is better at handling signal problems than the Colossus and doesn't require a reboot.