Downsizing: Either On-The-Fly or After-The-Fact?

[PeteCress]

Seems like, when Sage records a TV show, it is more-or-less just copying the bits to disc.

Is there any way to make it copy HD at, say, 480 rez?

My guess is "No"....

The issue is watching recorded TV shows over WiFi or via PlaceShifter from remote locations. 480 works a-ok in both cases, but 1080 is not watchable because of frequent halts.

Maybe some add-on integrated into Sage where one can specify transcoding after-the-fact for a given "Favorite"? i.e. show gets recorded at HD as usual, then gets transcoded to 480 and the HD copy gets deleted?

[nyplayer]

Originally Posted by PeteCress

Seems like, when Sage records a TV show, it is more-or-less just copying the bits to disc.

Is there any way to make it copy HD at, say, 480 rez?

My guess is "No"....

The issue is watching recorded TV shows over WiFi or via PlaceShifter from remote locations. 480 works a-ok in both cases, but 1080 is not watchable because of frequent halts.

Maybe some add-on integrated into Sage where one can specify transcoding after-the-fact for a given "Favorite"? i.e. show gets recorded at HD as usual, then gets transcoded to 480 and the HD copy gets deleted?

Use the SagetV built in transcoder it can be set by favorite and will delete the original.

[Dargason]

I think you can also just change the recording quality. I believe there are default settings for each tuner that can be overridden by a setting in you favorites.

I know this works for HD-PVR systems, but it won't work for cablecard tuners.

[nyplayer]

Originally Posted by Dargason

I think you can also just change the recording quality. I believe there are default settings for each tuner that can be overridden by a setting in you favorites.

I know this works for HD-PVR systems, but it won't work for cablecard tuners.

You cannot do that with HD Homeruns what you see is what you get.

[Taddeusz]

I have a 2.33Ghz dual core C2D on my server and have zero issues watching 1080i on Placeshifter when it's being transcoded in real time. Can't do HDPVR recordings but HDHR recordings work just fine. I don't understand why you would be having such issues.

[Tiki]

Originally Posted by Taddeusz

I have a 2.33Ghz dual core C2D on my server and have zero issues watching 1080i on Placeshifter when it's being transcoded in real time. Can't do HDPVR recordings but HDHR recordings work just fine. I don't understand why you would be having such issues.

Video playback over WiFi tends to be very finicky. For SD content, you can sometimes get away with 802.11b, but you really need 802.11g for consistent playback. For HD channels you can sometimes get by with 802.11g, but 802.11n is preferred. Even with a fast "n" connection, you need to be close enough to your router to get a strong signal and far enough away from sources of interference (like microwave ovens, other people's routers, and some cordless phones and other wireless equipment). Also, you can't have too many obstructions between you and the router (walls, floors, heavy metal objects, etc.). Then, even if you get all those conditions right, you can sometimes have problems with the wifi equipment (slight incompatibilities between different manufacturers, buggy drivers, etc.).

Even if the wifi has no problems and keeps up, the playback device may be under-powered and have trouble decoding and displaying HD content.