Poll: How many can watch HDTV via MVP successfully?

[mayamaniac]

I think Bialio is right, the key is you must have a powerful server to be able to transcode HD reliably to the MVP. My guess is a 2.4Ghz Core2Duo and above. From what I know, HD transcoding does not utilize multi-cores, only single core. Anyone having success should post their CPU spec so we have an idea what speed is needed for problem-free smooth HD transcoding to the MVP.

Here are the tests I've done:

CPU: Pentium 4 3.2Ghz Hyperthread
High quality: good picture quality, but stutters every second
Standard quality: Smooth, but pixelated picture quality and audio sync problems

CPU: Core2Duo E4300 1.8Ghz
High quality: good picture quality, but stutters every second
Standard quality: Smooth, but pixelated picture quality and audio sync problems

CPU: Core2Quad Q6600 2.4Ghz
High quality: Smooth, no problems
Standard quality: Smooth, no problems

The odd part is on the first two systems, the CPU usage is only about 70% max, it never gets to 100% during transcoding. I've been told by tech support to disable Hyperthreading on the Pentium 4 but haven't had the chance to do so yet. I'll post results when I get the chance to test it.

[Fluffdaddy]

I have a AMD 64 X2 Dual 4600 with 2 GB ram


I have a 60% no go rate for me. But I have comskip and 6 turners one of which is a R5000-HD. So maybe I have to much going on to do MVP/ HD playback

[ybrew]

I normally only record HD from 7-10PM.

I have comskip configured to NOT run from 7-10pm.

I have no problems recording two HD streams and playing back one.
this is with an e6600, 2 gig ram, on a system running winxp pro.
I have 3 recording drives - all 3 are 500gig sata 3.0 discs. I don't have each tuner going to a separate drive, but I've never had any problems.

I have a total of 6 configured tuners right now, with 10 tuners today. I plan to configure at least 3 more soon. If I'm recording something in HD, I still record a backup in SD (Just in case). Since I hooked up the external HD antenna, my recordings are much better, but still like to play it safe.

I'm very happy with my configuration.

Edit - yeah, I get chipmunk'ing occassionally. 99.9993% of the time it's during the commercials and goes away with a rewind or fast forward. If that doesn't fix it, stopping the playback and restarting the playback fixes it.

[bialio]

Originally Posted by mayamaniac

I think Bialio is right, the key is you must have a powerful server to be able to transcode HD reliably to the MVP. My guess is a 2.4Ghz Core2Duo and above.

I don't think it's just speed either - the FSB speed along with the L1 and L2 cache might play a role also. Obviously the faster the processor the better.....

My E4400 overclocked to 2.6GHZ can't quite handle the transcoding.

btl.

[95TBird]

My current setup is working just fine with only the occasional chipmunk commercial.

[BFisher]

I have a Core2Quad Q6600 2.4Ghz with 2 GB ram. No issues. I let SA (commercial skipping) run whenever it needs and have seen up to 5 simultaneous windows of it while playing. I think worst I've ever see is 45% CPU usage...