HD-PVR Cable Box Audio SPDIF Survey

[WellThen]

Hello All,

I've recently moved my Sage server to a different WHSv1, so I got to set the HD-PVR up all over again. I was hopeful that the problems I had with SPDIF recording (some recordings have a crackling sound at the beginning, and then no sound) would be addressed by the fresh install and the newer HD-PVR drivers. However, these problems persist with the new setup.

This made me wonder if it's a problem with the Comcast Motorola cable box I have. Could folks reply with which cable box they have, and whether SPDIF recording is working for them? I know that many folks report that SPDIF is now working for them, so maybe we can see a pattern.

I'll start it off.

Cable Provider: Comcast
Box Brand: Motorola
Box Model: RNG150N
Change change method: Hauppauge IR Blaster (rock solid)
SPDIF Audio Recording Reliably: No

[korben_dallas]

Cable Provider: Time Warner
Box Brand: Sci Atlanta
Box Model: 4250HDC, 3250HD
Change change method: USB-UIRT 2 Zone
SPDIF Audio Recording Reliably: on both yes

I just replaced my Colossus with a 2nd HD PVR because the Colossus couldn't handle optical audio.

[JerryB]

Cable Provider: Verizon FIOS
Box Brand: Motorola
Box Model: QIP 7216 1
Change change method: Firewire
SPDIF Audio Recording Reliably: Yes

[darcilicious]

Cable Provider: Frontier (formerly Verizon) FiOS
Box Brand: Motorola
Box Model: QIP 6200
Change change method: Hauppauge IR Blaster (99% rock solid)
SPDIF Audio Recording Reliably: Yes

(I haven't updated the drivers in years though)

[SteveD]

Cable Provider: Directv
Box Brand: Directv
Box Model: H20-600 and H23-600
Change change method: Serial Tuning paterson devices
SPDIF Audio Recording Reliably: Solid

[tvmaster2]

cox cable Motorola 6200 series I think. 1394 channel changing, and spdif audio, both working fine with a HD PVR with the drivers previous to the current drivers, on W7 32 bit

[WellThen]

Thanks to everyone who responded so far.

I'm happy to hear so many people getting SPDIF audio to work well. To try to get a picture of what might be different, hopefully we'll also hear from some of the folks who have problems with SPDIF - if I'm not the only one left!

[thomaszoo]

Cable Provider: Comcast
Box Brand: Motorola
Box Model: DCT-6200
Change change method: Firewire
SPDIF Audio Recording Reliably: Yes

The only recent problem I had with it was the power supply died. Prior to that I was having no problems with it and now that it is fixed, it appears to be just as reliable.

Wayne

[wayner]

Cable Provider: Rogers
Box Brand: SA
Box Model: SA3250HD and SA4250HD
Change change method: Firewire
SPDIF Audio Recording Reliably: Yes

I waited a longtime before using SPDIF to do the problems what others were having but since I have gone to it, which is abotu 1-2 years ago on two HD-PVRs, all has been well.

My HD-PVRs are also very reliable - except for the fact that both power supplies died. I wonder if bad power supplies were the root of many problems that people have had with the HD-PVR over the years.

[Wirenut]

Cable Provider: Time Warner
Box Brand: SA/Cisco
Box Model: 2-SA4650HD's
Change change method: Firewire
SPDIF Audio Recording Reliably: Yes / Very stabile

[DRB]

Cable Provider: Time Warner
Box Brand: Sci Atlanta
Box Model: 4250HDC
Change change method: IR Blaster
SPDIF Audio Recording Reliably: never had a problem.

DRB

[WellThen]

Originally Posted by thomaszoo

Cable Provider: Comcast
Box Brand: Motorola
Box Model: DCT-6200
Change change method: Firewire
SPDIF Audio Recording Reliably: Yes

Wayne

Wayne,

What version of the HD-PVR drivers are you using?

[thomaszoo]

I am using 1.0.5 (I know, it is getting a little bit old). Didn't want to mess with something that was working, and it didn't seem that I would be getting anything new that I wanted.

Wayne

[equalize]

Have you tried to take the cable box back to Comcast and get another one? The levels might be borderline causing the issue.

[vividweb]

Just so you don't feel left out.

Cable Provider: Bell
Box Brand: Bell
Box Model: 6131/6141
Change change method: USB-UIRT
SPDIF Audio Recording Reliably: NO (on all three boxes, with various revisions of HD-PVRs)

I need to try again with the latest (or possibly older) drivers. But have tried setting it up various times and eventually I get lock ups, without SPDIF I have ZERO lock ups.

[mangriotis]

Elgin, IL

Cable Provider: Comcast
Box Brand: Motorola
Box Model: DCH-3200
Change change method: Firewire
SPDIF Audio Recording Reliably: Yes

HD-PVR
Hardware Revision: E1
Driver Version: 1.5.7.0 (dated 6/23/2010)
Windows WHSv1

[gdippel]

Cable Provider: Time Warner Cable
Box Brand:Cisco
Box Model: Explorer 4640HDC
Channel Changing: Firewire
SPDIF Audio Recording Reliable: Yes

I'm using the latest beta drivers, 1.6.29353

[WellThen]

Originally Posted by equalize

Have you tried to take the cable box back to Comcast and get another one? The levels might be borderline causing the issue.

Yes, I'm on my second RNG150N. I may go back and ask for a different model of box. I actually did ask when I went to exchange the box, but all they had (for non DVR, with HD) was the RNG150N.