STB Firewire (IEEE-1394) Support

[topperdude]

Hi,

I am working on getting firewire recording (for non-encrypted channels) and channel changing working on my SageTV server (using 1 Motorola DCH3200 STB) using these steps summarized by evilpenguin and this graph by reggie14 (& recommended by nyplayer in subsequent posts).

I have attached my sgraphrecorder.ini file for reference. Note that I have tried specifying the filepaths with and without quotes to see if it made any difference (it didnt).

The channel I am trying to tune to is not encrypted and the graph actually works well in capturing the firewire stream when tested using GraphEdit and manually switching to that channel on the STB.

I am able to successfully change channels using SageTV with this source but the file it creates is a 0kb mp2dump(?) file (whereas GraphEdit creates a .ts file that plays fine in VLC and other apps ).

Here is the code I added in sage.properties (per the instructions):

mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/last_channel=82-10-1
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/tuning_mode=Cable
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/video_crossbar_type=10
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/tuning_mode=Cable
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/video_crossbar_type=2
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/device_name=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/tuning_mode=Cable
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/video_crossbar_index=1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/video_crossbar_type=2
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/tuning_mode=Cable
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/video_crossbar_type=3
mmc/encoders/12346/audio_capture_device_name=
mmc/encoders/12346/audio_capture_device_num=0
mmc/encoders/12346/broadcast_standard=
mmc/encoders/12346/capture_config=2058
mmc/encoders/12346/default_device_quality=
mmc/encoders/12346/delay_to_wait_after_tuning=0
mmc/encoders/12346/device_class=
mmc/encoders/12346/encoder_merit=0
mmc/encoders/12346/encoding_host=127.0.0.1\:6969
mmc/encoders/12346/encoding_host_login_md5=
mmc/encoders/12346/last_cross_index=0
mmc/encoders/12346/last_cross_type=10
mmc/encoders/12346/live_audio_input=
mmc/encoders/12346/multicast_host=
mmc/encoders/12346/never_stop_encoding=false
mmc/encoders/12346/video_capture_device_name=Firewire Tuner1
mmc/encoders/12346/video_capture_device_num=0
mmc/encoders/12346/video_compressor=
mmc/encoders/12346/video_encoding_params=Best

Note that I edited sage.properties as follows: Close SageTV app, then use SageTVServiceControl.exe to stop and then disable the SageTV service, making the changes, saving sage.properties and then enabling + starting service and then restarting the SageTV app.

Also, I have tried to use both "Firewire Tuner1" (per example in the instruction pdf) and "SGR1" (to match the SGraphRecorder folder and graph file name since instruction pdf keeps mentioning the names need to be consistent) in the mmc/encoders/12346/video_capture_device_name= property.

Would appreciate any input to help resolve this issue.

Thanks much,
-Topper

[jbuszkie]

Dumb question.. Are you running sgraphrecorder.exe
Sometimes when I messing around I forget to start that.

Did you check the log file to see if anything is suspect there?

oh.. and I don't need the middle block in my graph.. I just connect the tuner to the dump.

[topperdude]

Originally Posted by jbuszkie

Dumb question.. Are you running sgraphrecorder.exe
Sometimes when I messing around I forget to start that.

Did you check the log file to see if anything is suspect there?

Yes - I do start sgraphrecorder.exe before starting sagetv (service and app) - sorry forgot to mention that. I checked the debug option in sgraphrecorder debug window (opened by right-clicking in tray and selecting debug option) and IIRC it kept saying something like GETFILESIZE every few seconds.

Thanks,

-Topper

[jbuszkie]

last dumb question.. Does the ts file from the graph show up in your recordings directory? As in do you have the directory setup right in the graph file.

[topperdude]

Originally Posted by jbuszkie

last dumb question.. Does the ts file from the graph show up in your recordings directory? As in do you have the directory setup right in the graph file.

Yes, the ts file is created in the SageTV recordings directory. Dont worry about the "dumb questions" - I am also thinking there must be something minor/dumb that I may be missing

Thanks,
-Topper

[jbuszkie]

Then I got nothing except for trying to take the middle block out of your graph and trying that..

good luck!

Jim

[topperdude]

Originally Posted by jbuszkie

Then I got nothing except for trying to take the middle block out of your graph and trying that..

good luck!

Jim

Hmmm... ok... As mentioned in my original post in this thread, I did try removing the middle block but maybe missed a step while testing (so it might have been using the older graph with the middle block?). Will try it again and see if that helps. I noticed someone else using the same STB was able to successfully using reggie14's graph (recommended by nyplayer).

I also noticed some other folks succesfully using this have slightly different settings in the sgraphrecorder.ini, specifically, their TuningDelay is greater than 0 (I am using the default of 0 per the original pdf) and the UnloadGraphonSwitch parameter is 1 (for me its the default of 0). Wonder if these might make any difference?

Also I noticed in several posts nyplayer mentioning "make sure you register the dump.ax that came with Sgraphrecorder and use SBDAGraphRecorder and not mpeg2dump". As far as I can tell, I did this correctly too (ran the register.bat that came with sgraphrecorder to successfully register the file, inserted SBDAGraphRecorder in graphedit and connected the pins as shown in the graphs and set the directory to sage recording directory). So close, yet....

-Topper

[jbuszkie]

definitely try the tuning delay..

[jbuszkie]

On my 3200 I have my tuning delay set to 7000. It's a little excessive... but I was having issues with corrupted recordings and I thought that was it. I'd try 3000 first

[Graph]
FileName=c:\GetHD\SGR_1\sgr_1.grf
TuningDelay=7000
UnloadGraphOnStop=1
UnloadGraphOnSwitch=0

[topperdude]

Originally Posted by jbuszkie

On my 3200 I have my tuning delay set to 7000. It's a little excessive... but I was having issues with corrupted recordings and I thought that was it. I'd try 3000 first

Aha... cool... didnt know you also had a 3200... so all the more reason to try the graph without the middle block... Will also try adding/playing around with the tuner delay paramter.

Thanks for your help in narrowing down things to try. Will try when I get a chance and report back.

-Topper

[topperdude]

Originally Posted by jbuszkie

On my 3200 I have my tuning delay set to 7000. It's a little excessive... but I was having issues with corrupted recordings and I thought that was it. I'd try 3000 first

Glad to report that adding the tuning delay seems to have helped the issue .

IIRC, I changed the delay and tried watching/recording a show. Although I was able to record, I noticed there was a lot of stuttering and pixelation when playing back the recording on my (underpowered?) server as well as my faster PC (faster PC can usually playback many of the 1080p content).

I then repeated the test but this time removed the middle block (SageTV 1 to n splitter?) and this time the recording/playback was much smoother/cleaner. Havent done much thorough testing yet, since I ran into another problem (see below).

I called Charter to report that the STB was not displaying any analog channels in the guide nor could I tune to them by entering the channel number. They tried to troubleshoot over the phone by sending a signal, having me unplug the STB for ~1min and then restarting and also by sending another signal/command after I restarted the STB but apparently the box was not responding to their commands. So I was told to take the box in to their local office and have it swapped out.

Which brings me to the next qs - When I get the new box, should I manually remove the Tuner and A/v panel entries for the old box from the "Device Manager" before hooking up the new box??

Would doing so ensure that the new STB will be assigned the same device ID as the old one - so that I dont need to make too many changes in SageTV setup, specifically for the channel change command? Reason I am not sure is because of the other tuning devices installed on the PC and the order they were installed. Order of installation:
1. HVR-1600
2. Timmmore's firewire STB drivers to install the DCH-3200 STB
3. HD-PVR

Not sure if "channel -v" command lists all these devices or just the DCH-3200? If it lists ALL of them, wonder if the replacement DCH-3200 might be listed after the HD-PVR or would it get the same device number as the old/current DCH-3200 box? Would appreciate thoughts from anyone more knowledgeable and using multiple devices.

Hopefully, I can get these things sorted out soon so the wife and I can finally watch a movie this weekend on the premium channels that we subscribed to few weeks ago. Should go a long way with the WAF

Thanks,
-Topper

[jbuszkie]

It's really not that bad to change the sagerecoder ini file to a different device number for channel changing.. You will have to redo the graph, most likely.

I just added a second box and was really not looking forward to setting it up.. but it was easier that I thought it would be!

Glad to see that the tuning delay worked.

Jim

[topperdude]

Originally Posted by jbuszkie

It's really not that bad to change the sagerecoder ini file to a different device number for channel changing.. You will have to redo the graph, most likely.

I just added a second box and was really not looking forward to setting it up.. but it was easier that I thought it would be!

Glad to see that the tuning delay worked.

Jim

Thanks for pointing out that I would have to redo the graph as well - I hadnt thought about it but it makes sense since the filter in the graph for the other settop box uses the filter that was created for it.

I just exchanged the box and looks like they stopped carrying the DCH3200. I was given the DCX3200. It does have the firewire port on the back but I wonder if this would still work with the existing FireSTB drivers or whether the drivers would need to be updated before it works? I've read in atleast one place that this box is a newer version of the DCT???? boxes (cant find the link now). Thoughts?

Thanks,
-Topper

[scoful]

I don't know if you can get it to report the current channel back, but if you don't use the '-f' switch it seems to keep trying if it can't get to the channel you want.

On my setup this would cause it to get stuck if I selected a channel that wasn't available (or an ondemand channel)

[srothwell]

Anybody had any sucess getting the Motorola QIP-7100 for FIOS to work with the timmore drivers for channel changing via Firewire?

Heck I'd even use USB to change channels! Anything but IR!

I've installed all the latest drivers I can find but none make the AV/C Panel part work for the QIP-7100, specifically. I have heard some people on another forum had edited the .inf file for the drivers, but didn't feel inclined to actually share the file or the method with the rest of us :-)

Thanks for any help!

Stacy

[jbuszkie]

Originally Posted by scoful

I don't know if you can get it to report the current channel back, but if you don't use the '-f' switch it seems to keep trying if it can't get to the channel you want.

On my setup this would cause it to get stuck if I selected a channel that wasn't available (or an ondemand channel)

Bummer.. I noticed there was some command line arguments to pass into channel.exe One of them was some sort of command. I wonder what those are for and who would have a list!

Jim

[robk]

Please excuse me if this is a dumb question. I have skimmed (will go back and study) the HD STB / 1394 setup. Presently, I use a HVR-1600 and an outdoor antenna to receive OTA HDTV, displayed on a DVI connected monitor.
Does this mean I can get a STB like a SA 4250HD (I have a 3250 SD now fed to the HVR-1600 thru SVideo) and connect it to SageTV through the firewire output and get HD channels from cable? Without a HD capture device?
Or am I totally misunderstanding this thread?

Thanks much-
Rob

[wayner]

Maybe - it depends on the 5C encryption settings that your cable company uses. Most people find that premium channels are encrypted so that you cannot use firewire to capture them. Often your local channels will not be encrypted but then you likely already get them via OTA. Generally you can get channel changing to work via firewire but to capture the video signal for all channels in HD you will need the Hauppauge HD-PVR.

[robk]

Well, it's Bright House, Central FL. If it's any indication, I can get about 9 Clear Qam channels off the cable, not even the locals that I thought they were required to carry. I was just down at the office - no charge for swapping out this box for a Cisco 4650HDC, so I'll try it I guess.
Thanks for the info-
Rob

[cowboyway]

I just built a new dedicated sage server and setup my comcast stb to work on vista. I followed the well documented instructions with great success initially, but after a couple of days it stopped playing back recordings on my extenders. I also have a hdhomerun integrated and that plays just fine on the extender. So it appears to be isolated to the STB stuff. When i try to watch the recorded files sage created, they play just fine on the server. I get no errors on the extender, just a blank screen.

I did reopen my filter file i created and noted that it no longer maintains the connection between the receiver and the dump.ts part. When i try to re-establish the connection i get an error indicating no compatible interface?! Any ideas?