Sage stability: Frustration

[DCipher]

First off, let me say that I really like Sage 2.0. I like being able to make small tweaks and customize (somewhat) the UI. I'm really looking forward to Studio when it's released!

But one thing i am completely frustrated with is Sage's stability. I get a lockup nearly every day. I specifically bought a PVR-250 MCE b/c people said it was quite stable.

The lockups seem to occur while FFing and/or RWing through a show. What's worse, it's tough to repeat (i.e. i can hang sage while FFing thru a show, then go back to the same show and FF all the way thru without a problem).

I am using the Sonic Cineplayer decoders that came with TT 1.5. I started with a fresh install of XP Pro.
I thought my problems were coming from old DVD decoders, so i uninstalled everything and reinstalled and it seemed to get better (i.e. not locking up nearly as frequently), but it still locks up.

Can someone please recommend a stable configuration for Video and Audio settings? I really would rather avoid the "restart sageTV" button on my remote! Until sage is as stable as my TiVo, it won't be able to replace it!

My hardware is listed in my Sig...

[salsbst]

Are you relatively up to date with the Radeon and sound card drivers? And you have Directex 9.0b?

[DCipher]

Hi,

I have the Catalyst 4.7 drivers installed, DirectX 9.0B and the m-audio 1004 drivers.
(and all the latest hotfixes for XP - post SP1)

J

[salsbst]

It might be worth trying the Intervideo Non-CSS Video Decoder and the Microsoft audio decoder (I think it's labelled MPEG Audio Decoder in the SageTV list). I believe that is the most stable combination.

[mlbdude]

Have you tried using a completely different decoder? The Hauppauge Intervideo one is pretty stable. What renderes are you using for video and for audio?

[DCipher]

Video Settings:

Renderer: Overlay
MPEG2 Video Decoder Fileter: Sonic Cinemaster@DS Video Decoder
DXVA MPEG Mode: Default
DXVA Deinterlacing: Default
DScaler Deinterlacing Filter: Disabled


Audio:

Audio Renderer: M-Audio Delita DiO S/PDIF
MPEG2 Audio Decoder Filter: MPEG Audio Decoder
Audio Playback Delay (ms): 0


Do i need WinTV2000 to install the Hauppage decoders?

Thanks,
Jeff

[mlbdude]

Just the Hauppauge decoders. I would also experiment with changing those audio settings first. Any reason you are not using the Sonic audio decoders? Have you tried the Default renderer?

[DCipher]

So, i just changed the Audio settings to:

Default
Sonic Cinemaster
0

And went to view live tv, but now it won't play back
"Default rendering of output pin on selected MPEG2 audio decoder filter failed"
ErrCode = 0x80040218

Hmmm, that seems strange.

I guess that's why i had changed it!!!

Thanks,
Jeff

[mlbdude]

Have you tried reinstalling the Sonic decoders? That is not a good error to get . They are working in TT? Leave the Sonic audio in Sage but try different renderer's.

[DCipher]

Doh!

OK, i went into the control panel for sounds and the default Sound playback device was set for M-Audio Delta Dio Multi.
I changed it to M-Audio Delta Dio S/PDIF and now it works.

I'll try to run like this for awhile and see if my stability improves. If not, i'll try the Hauppage decoders...

Thanks for the help,
Jeff

[stanger89]

The other suggestion I'd make is to try the Sonic Cinemaster DS Audio Decoder instead of the MPEG Audio Decoder. I run:

Video :
Overlay (or VMR9)
Sonic Cinemaster DS Video Decoder
Default (but DXVA is enabled in the filter)
Default
Disabled

Audio:
M-Audio Revolution (1024 drivers if it matters)
Sonic Cinemaster DS Audio Decoder
0

On my Radeon 9500, M-Audio Revolution, and I have no stability problems. Actually I lied, I just remembered I'm running AC3 filter for the audio decoder currently, but I haven't had problems with either.

[DCipher]

stranger89,

How do you enable DXVA in the filter? Is there a registry key somewhere?

Thanks,
Jeff

[kny3twalker]

in the control panel
there is a sonic icon
click it and you will see it
there is a check box

[DCipher]

Actually, there is no control panel for my sonic decodersl b/c the decoders were installed as part of TT 1.5 (full install) and they don't include it!

Jeff

[mlbdude]

You can use TT to enable DXVA. That is how I did it at least .

[DCipher]

OK, I wasn't sure if that was a system-wide setting or a TT specific setting. I have DXVA enabled in TT.

Thanks,
J

[DFranch]

I used to get the same hang up when I was using the Sonic decoders. When I switched to the NVDVD 2.55 decoder the ff/rw did not always work. I am using NVDVD 3 now and my system has not crashed or hung up since.

[DCipher]

Well, going on 1 day without a crash now since changing to the Sonic Audio decoders and using the default renderer.

DFranch - where's the best place to get the NVDVD 3 decoders?

Thanks,
Jeff

[kny3twalker]

a friend
for now
they are private beta

[DFranch]

I heard that the NVDVD3 codec was accidently released by an nvidia partner. I don't know if that is true.