STB Firewire (IEEE-1394) Support

[travisbell]

OK, I was just wondering. I would tend to agree, for the ability to record HD (in a decent GUI no less) it is most likely a trade off I am willing to live with as well.

Regards,

[spaceghost]

Wow, can't wait to get home and try this. I am already successful capturing thru the firewire on my Mot6412...just a painful process, or should I say time consuming.

Has anyone consolidated all the necessary steps yet? If not, I'll be going thru 8 pages again tonight.

Hopefully, I will be as successful. I have doubts though, my cable provider uses some strange combination of PIDs. I was just trying to get .ts files to play with Sage and ran into this bonus thread. Will following the steps necessary in this thread affect playback in Sage? If not, then I may be in for some sad nights...(until I can get Sage to play what I've already got)

Thanks again!!!! This is kick a$$.

[DFA]

Spaceghost:

First, any chance you can provide me with your Moto's 6412 enumerated ID? You can find it in the registry. I will look something like this which is example of the Moto 6200: "AVC\MOTOROLA&DCT-6200&TYP_5&ID_0".
Try a search in the registry for "AVC\MOTOROLA".
I would like to add it to the driver INF file. In post #74, there is a customized INF that installs the cpature driver properly and w/o any hassle which is not the case for the AVSForum method.

As far as consolidation of instructions, Naylia has indicated a willingness to do this after going through the process. Hopefully, someone will gather up the pertinent verbage, links and downloads and make something concise. A lot of the stuff in this thread deals with "floundering".

The "TS Info Parser" used in the graph should handle the PID issue. As long as it is a single program stream which for the STB FW should always be TS-SP.

The only caveat to this "recipe" is locating an independent EPG with the same lineup as you use for the PVR-250 (or equivalent). I was able to assign one from a neighboring town that had the same provider and same lineup; everyone may not be this lucky. This is necessary so that you can assign what channels you want to the UNE / SGR and what channels you want to remain with the PVR-250. If all else fails I think that the XMLTV plugin could be used to gain an independent EPG to the one(s) already in use by PVR-250. Keep this in mind.

There is still some refinement to the SGR graph and filter choices in my opinion but is a matter of time I think.

DFA

[jvheitz]

Hello all,
My first post here - I must say I am very impressed!
I have a 6412 (DFA - enumID is AVC\MOTOROLA&DCT-6412&TYP_5&ID_0
AVC\MOTOROLA&DCT-6412&TYP_5)
and have succesfully recorded via firewire. My problem is with creating the graph for TstoPS. I tried to replicate the one from DFA posted eariler in this thread, but my MPEG2 Demultiplexer is not showing any outputs. Any help would be appreciated.
DFA - thanks for the new INF - i updated my driver with the new one.
Thanks,
James

[sleonard]

I'm making progress! Cox d/l the FW update to my SA3250HD (I now have the full 19 info pages that you listed earlier. I'm at work so I don't have the update numbers) BUT my system still does not recognize any new HW when I plug in the FW cable. I'm using a FW connector built in to the MB (Abit IC7-G). It is supposed to be OHCI compliant and use a TI chipset (from Device Manager) but still a big nothing. I might be able to try a PCI FW card. Any recomendations? Any other suggestions for troubleshooting? I'd love to spend the weekend working on this but I have to get the computer to recognize the FW connection to the STB before I can do anything.

[DFA]

jvheitz:

You are off to a start but need a "TS Info Parser" ahead of the DeMux and after the AVC capture device. The DeMux will expose its output pins when it is a happy camper. Without the "TS Info Parser", you have to configure the DeMux manually which is no good because the TS PID's change with different channels. When you "right-click" on any filter, you can open its properties and configuration params (providing it has a property sheet; not all do if not needed). I am using the nVidia TS Info Parser. There are others out there but have not confirmed graph operation with anything but NVidia's.

Since you previously installed the STB capture driver by the AVSForum method, do not "right click" on the "AVC Capture" device and attempt to open its property sheet. It will cause your PC to BSOD. There are some registry entries that need to be cleaned out manually; about 3 or 4 items as I recall having to do with a "TimecodeReader" plugin installed by the old INF that does not remove with an update or even an uninstall.

To get rid of TimecodeReader stuff, search and delete items (keys) that are found with these references:
{9B496CE1-811B-11cf-8C77-00AA006B6814}
WDM Streaming IAMTimecodeReader Interface Handler

Do NOT do this if not comfortable in the registry. Copy and paste items above in Registry "Find" feature in order to delete.

Thanks for the info on Moto 6412. I will add it to the INF.

DFA

[jvheitz]

DFA,
Thanks for the info - I had already removed the registry entries and do not get the BSOD. I also do not get any properties (The requested property page could not be displayed - dont know why).
I am now trying to locate the TS info parser.
Thanks,
James

[DFA]

Sleonard:

Good news for you.

I am aware that some people have had problems with integrated MB FW ports but I don't know with who's and what's. Not very common, I don't think.

Before going with a PCI card, cold boot the STB. Turn it off at the front then unplug the power cord for a minute. Replug power and leave alone for about 5 minutes (even longer if you see it still doing "things" on the front display; don't disturb this process) before trying to turn on the power at the keypad. The STB may need a cold boot after the SW install. Cold booting is not a problem, it's just that for one particular case when they gave me a new one out of the box once, it was reading all the network info (almost like a BIOS flash) and I got impatient and unplugged it after about 10 minutes thinking it was "hung". It never worked again and went back to CableCo. So a word to the wise.

DFA

[DFA]

jvheitz:

Check your PM's.

DFA

[sleonard]

I've already tried coldbooting the STB. Didn't work. I did notice on one of the info pages that there were 3 software anomolies and one of them had 1394 in the hex string. I think I'll try calling Cox one more time to see if that is a real problem. Otherwise I guess I'll be getting FW card. (I only have 1 PCI slot left, hope it plays nice. Else I have to wait till I replace the 4 PATA drives connected to the raid card w/ SATA drives connected to the currently unused SATA controllers on the MB)

[DFA]

These STB boxes often show "anomolies" it seems, but I can't say I recall one for the 1394 in my box. I would think even if there was trouble with you PC FW port, you would still get recognition which is fundamental.

I had bought a PCI FW card early on when I was scratching my head. It's in a drawer now. Maybe you have to have one of these cards in a desk drawer for things to work.

DFA

[DFA]

Sleonard:

Should not make a hoot but put the STB on a channel above say 100 to be sure the port is active. My port gives no stream for channels below 30.

DFA

[jvheitz]

OK, so now I have my graph (attached), and everything seems to work out OK - thanks DFA.
Now heres my problem - in Sage, I can watch the stream, but cannot hear it.
Strange thing, when I run my graph I can play back the "show.mpg" in sage and hear it, but no audio when viewing live tv???
DFA - I did not try the alternatives yet - will do so tomorrow . Thanks again.

[briands]

DFA,

Got around to looking at the pc. The ID for my moto 6208 is (big suprise)

MOTOROLA&DCT-6208&TYP_5&ID_0

I hope to get a chance to try this out on the weekend.

Is anyone else actually using a remote PC for this?

[DFA]

Briands:

To my knowledge, no one has actually used it remotley yet. Actually, the only other person I know who has had it running at all is travisbell. He has not yet set up channel change control. Others might be doing this but are not the posting type. jvheitz is just getting going but having an audio problem.

No one has yet asked any details or asked I post my Girder GML yet so don't think many have actually delved in. Perhaps waiting for the dust to settle.

Thanks for the Moto 6208 ID; I see a trend as well. The INF/driver pack has been updated accordingly.

jvheitz:
One would think that when you make a test clip using Graphedit and place in the Sage "Library" and play it back successfully, it would be fine when using for Live TV. One caution though: a lot of the HD channels are AC3-5chan DD (Dolby Digital) where as the SD channels are AC3-2chan. nVidia audio codec, for example, can not decode DD as I recall. I am using a Sonic audio codec right now for audio which can decode DD.
I am using nVidia for video codec. Anyway, something to consider there.

I am having a look at Moonlight / Elecard DeMux, Mux, and Dump. Mux looks quite promising because of inclusion of adjustable buffers. This may help a great deal for initial graph start stream stability and a sensitivity to start-of-file corruption that will occur if not delaying the graph start ("TunerDelay=vaue"). I have to give up $20.00 for the player to get the filters activated but reasonable. I just wish a lot of these companys sold general purpose filter packs (not just codecs) without anything else.

DFA

[travisbell]

Thought I would jump in here...

The NVIDIA audio driver does decode Dolby Digital 5.1 but only if you bought the Gold or Platinum version. The basic, Bronze version supports 2.0.

I bought the Platinum, and it is what I am currently using.

I also have plans to look into the girder/channel issue this weekend, I have been busy for the last few days. I will probably have some questions!

Cheers,

[turak]

For people that live in Philadelphia and use comcast:

I installed the driver from the first AVSFORUM post that was referenced in the first post in this thread. I installed VLC. The firewire port on my STB was active and I hooked it up to a laptop. It looks like I can get the network HD channels (ABC,CBS,NBC,WB...), but that's it. All other HD channels must be encrypted. Alot of the SD channels are encrypted too.

[spaceghost]

DFA-jvheitz already beat me to the registry look up. Thanks for the info. Just to clarify, I installed the driver mentioned on the avsforum a month or two ago and it works fine for capdvhs. Should I keep this driver installed? I was going to try to get this to work as is.

[DFA]

spaceghost:

Will work as is. Just not as clean an install as it should be but no functional gain. A lot of the posts in the AVS thread deal with folks having trouble installing the driver. No doubt since forcing a "TYP_5" Tuner Device to go in as a "TYP_4" tape device. The OS will not refuse but resists. You have to fuss with it. The modified INF uses the same driver but installs it for what it is: a Tuner. No muss no fuss and also does not put in the "TimecodeReader" which will cause a BSOD if trying to open the property sheet for the device. The hassle part is gone with the modified INF.

DFA

[DFA]

General comments:

I do not suggest you load "Power Cinema" on your prestine HTPC just to get the filters. It is a rather large and intrusive app that probably does not uninstall cleanly. PM me with your email and I or other members that are that far along can probably "help". I installed PowerCinema on my "test" and "junk" PC. It is only used for this purpose.

I have commented in this thread that decoding HD requires some horsepower. I do not know what sort of min. requirements might be stated as of yet but there is a hardware minimum for HD.

I have an AMD 2600+ w/ 9600XT. I get some breakup on HD material for fast moving scenes. I am hitting a perfomance wall somewhere. I think it is the graphics card but need to try to confirm where I am running out of gas. Without DXVA, my CPU can't handle the decoding requirements. With DXVA, most is good but believe the GPU tops out as well for fast motion. I can not do VMR-HD where as I could do VMR-SD So a heads up on the hardware side.

Providers that are encryption happy may make this not a worthwhile thing for some. You can inventory what is and isn't encrypted through the STB diagnostics before even in investing in a FW cable (I had one so not even out that expense). Here's the way I look at it: I could spend +/-$200.00 for an OTA card (plus antenae installation hassle) to get about 4 network stations in HD or spend nothing to get them by STB FW. Anything else is just a bonus. For an AccessDTV or MyHD card, the HW decoding is a big plus and would circumvent the PC horsepower and graphics card requirements. And what you can get today they may encrypt tommorrow so there is uncertainty. But what are the alternatives for getting some HD? Not many options at this point so will take what I can get.

DFA