PlaybackException on eval version.

[Ske1eter]

I've been a BeyondTV user but with their last update, I've had tearing on my TV. Due to this I decided to give Sage a try.

Upon installation, it seemed like things were working fine on my computer display. I then changed my video card properties to clone mode to run the output to the TV. At this point Sage gives a PlaybackException (-4, 0x80040217) There was a problem rendering the video portion of the content for playback. The screen remains black.

FWIW, I'm running on an AMD 1700+, FX5200, and PVR-250.

[Ske1eter]

Also, the clone mode is being run at 800x600.

[nielm]

Which video renderer are you using (Setup->Detailed Setup->Video, Video Renderer)?
What happens when you switch renderers? (you need to close/reopen the video file, or 'Reload Media player' for this to take effect.
An alternative to clone mode would be to make the TV the primary monitor if possible (Some gfx cards don't like using overlay or VMR9 on the secondary monitor)

[Ske1eter]

Originally Posted by nielm

Which video renderer are you using (Setup->Detailed Setup->Video, Video Renderer)?
What happens when you switch renderers? (you need to close/reopen the video file, or 'Reload Media player' for this to take effect.
An alternative to clone mode would be to make the TV the primary monitor if possible (Some gfx cards don't like using overlay or VMR9 on the secondary monitor)

I have it set at Video Overlay Renderer. Not sure if I accidentally changed it or not.

Clone mode is what I was using with BeyondTV to display on both screens. I'd rather not force the TV to be the primary as it can be a pain to get set back.

Since I'm brand new to this, I'm open to other suggestions.

Thanks.

[nielm]

IIRC BTV uses VMR9 renderer by default --- you could try switching your renderer to VMR9, but this might re-introduce the tearing (it seems VMR9 is very prone to tearing and stuttering)

[Ske1eter]

Originally Posted by nielm

Which video renderer are you using (Setup->Detailed Setup->Video, Video Renderer)?
What happens when you switch renderers? (you need to close/reopen the video file, or 'Reload Media player' for this to take effect.
An alternative to clone mode would be to make the TV the primary monitor if possible (Some gfx cards don't like using overlay or VMR9 on the secondary monitor)

By turning the render to default or VMR9, the display now works. Also, I have to use the InterVideo NonCSS Video decoder as the default one doesn't work. I noticed that I still have a little bit of tearing of the image but not as bad as BTV.

One other question, how do I get Sage to quit saving files in the video directory? I can see how this might be useful if you want to save a show off that you happen to be watching but otherwise it looks like it'll fill up the directory. (I'm used to using BTV and it uses a circular buffer and doesn't save any files off unless told to record.)

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by Ske1eter

One other question, how do I get Sage to quit saving files in the video directory? I can see how this might be useful if you want to save a show off that you happen to be watching but otherwise it looks like it'll fill up the directory. (I'm used to using BTV and it uses a circular buffer and doesn't save any files off unless told to record.)

Using the hardware encoders, SageTV always records, as mentioned in this FAQ entry. In addition, you might want to check the v2.1 manual in your SageTV dir: SageTV Quick Start Guide: Watching Live TV (p. 24) has an overview of the subject & the last part of Appendix C on p. 188 covers Automatic Cleanup of Live TV. Live TV recordings are deleted almost immediately by default when the show is over, otherwise they are close to the first shows deleted to make room for new recordings. It won't fill the dir & end up killing any further recordings.

- Andy

[Ske1eter]

I'll take a look at the references you mentioned. Thanks for the help.

BTW, it looks like I still have some tearing using Sage. It seems that I have to use VMR9 otherwise the screen won't display on the TV. Not sure what I might need to do to fix that.

[kny3twalker]

you should probably try running dualview and making the TV primary monitor
you can still move the taskbar and have everything open on the secondary monitor

check out ultramon for making this easier

VMR9 will not playback smoothly on a secondary monitor