Many Problems

[carlgar]

Does the skipping and studdering occur if using VLC with the HDHR software or only when using Sage?

[pvr599]

Just using VLC. I play it through the HDHR software.

[carlgar]

Try looking into these suggestions from the HDHR trouble shooting guide.
Symptom: Network packet loss
Check for any third party firewall or security software that might affect network communication.
● ZoneAlarm has problems keeping up with the video data rate and drops packets. Disabling
ZoneAlarm is not sufficient to fix the problem - it must be unistalled to remove it from the
packet path. A reboot will be required after uninstalling ZoneAlarm. We are working with
ZoneAlarm to help the resolve this issue.
Symptom: Network packet loss
Check the speed and brand of the Ethernet interface:
Right click on My Network Places and choose properties.
Double click on the Local Area Connection icon to bring up the status page.
Check that the “Speed” is reported as 100Mbps or 1Gbps.
Click Properties. Check the brand/model of the network interface:
● nForce based interface: Click Configure and switch to the Advanced tab. Disable checksum
offloading features.
● Intel based interface: Click Configure and switch to the Advanced tab. Set the Interrupt
Mitigation option to Extreme.
● Other chipsets: Click Configure are switch to the Advanced tab.
○ Increase the Receive Buffer size (if this option is present).
○ Test with the Interrupt Mitigation/Moderation setting both On and Off (if this option is
present).

[pvr599]

Thanks Carlgar, I 'll try of that. I don't have any firewall software, so that's out. I just don't know where they are talking about this:
● nForce based interface: Click Configure and switch to the Advanced tab. Disable checksum offloading features.
Where are they talking about this? Where did you find this info? I'll see what else I can find.

[carlgar]

Here is the guide http://www.silicondust.com/wiki/hdhomerun/instructions, the info I posted is from the last page.
Look at your network connections, find the connection for the HDHR network and then select properties.

[hemicuda]

I had to go into Device Manager to find my onboard 3com settings. Increased my buffers by 50% and turned off Moderation. We'll see what happens.

They'll have to work things out w/ ZA; I'm not losing it just for the HDHR.

[pvr599]

Sorry to bug you Carlgar I'm sure you couldn't possibly know this, but I went looking for Disable checksum offloading features by following the instructions and I don't even have that as an option. The instructions do say to open your Local Area Connection > Properties > Configure > Advanced. This would be my nForce controller card, not the HDHR settings. Also, checking in My Network Places, I don't see the HDHR in there. Would be someplace else?

While I was waiting for you I've been searching all over for a description of the settings for the NIC in the Advanced properties. I haven't come up with anything yet.

[carlgar]

I doubt if you would see HDHR in there. You probably just want your local area connection. Some people like me have multiple networks connected to their system. I was trying to be as generic as possible for you to choose the NIC the HDHR is connected to.
The settings that the guide referred are very hardware specific and not supported by all hardware. Most of the settings do not exist on my notebook NIC or my add on NIC on my Vista server. They do exist on the build in NIC on my Vista server motherboard and that is where I have my HDHR network connected.
BTW: What does the Windows Task Manager show for your network useage when recording?

[pvr599]

That's what I thought about the HDHR not showing in local connections.
UHHHGG, the CPU usage is bouncing around between 95 & 99%
Hmmmm, that's interesting and something I haven't checked before. What do you think about that?

[carlgar]

I think that is the next issue to resolve. What process is using the most CPU? If it is SageTV.exe, then how many threads does it have running? I am not familar with AMD processors but I would expect it has plenty of power to run Sage.

[hemicuda]

My 3200+ usually runs around 25% recording; split between HDHR manager and Sage. Network runs near 14%. I am concerned though that I need a separate NIC if I get much more going on than recording 2 and watching one. I've never been able to attain more than 50% utilization on the interface.

100% cpu on a 3000+ seems very odd to me. I would definitely check the Processes tab in Task Manager to see what's hogging resources.

[carlgar]

After reading Hemicuda's comments I think your CPU may be underpowered if the high usage is occurring during the viewing of a HD show. HD viewing does require a lot of CPU power. You may not be able to view HD without getting an HD extender or upgrading your system. You have MVP's that would have to transcode HD shows to be viewed which also require a lot of CPU.

[pvr599]

You know what is funny about that, is my first post asks if I should upgrade. I was thinking that was a problem, but I'm glad we are pretty sure now.

Now, I have a couple of questions about an extender. Should I be looking at getting the one from Sage? Is it similar to the MVP, but is just able to record and play HD? Will I still be able to use the 3 tuners &video card I have or do I have to look into different cards?

[DFranch]

It sounded like hemicuda was saying that a 3000+ should have enough power to run ok, and he thought it was odd that it was pegged at 100%. It seems like the 8600GT should be able to do most of the processing for HD video. I manage with an 8500GT and I'm using VMR9. I was using a single core 3200+ until my system died and I replaced it with a dual core.

[carlgar]

The one from Sage is the only one that I know about. I don't really understand your question about is it similar to the MVP. It preforms the same purpose of the MVP to allow to play Sage recordings on your TV. I am not sure how your TV is currently connected to the Sage server. If you are using the MVP then it would be a simple exchange. If you are using something like DVI from your video card to the TV then that would no longer me needed. I could not live with the 16 foot limit of a DVI cable.
I think if you have the requirement that you must be able to play HD videos on your server then you will have to upgrade. I think your current system can hande 3 tuners and a HD extender. I don't think your network can handle much more the a HDHR (2 tuners) and a HD extender. You need to look at what resources are currently used when recording. I think you could use all 5 tuners, but you are probably lite on disk space for that.
BTW: the current java is 1.6.0_05.

[carlgar]

Originally Posted by DFranch

It sounded like hemicuda was saying that a 3000+ should have enough power to run ok, and he thought it was odd that it was pegged at 100%. It seems like the 8600GT should be able to do most of the processing for HD video. I manage with an 8500GT and I'm using VMR9. I was using a single core 3200+ until my system died and I replaced it with a dual core.

He said it was enough for recording which I agree with. However, I do not believe it is enough for playing HD shows.

[pvr599]

Well, I'm always excited about getting new toys as long as I know that it will help. I think an extender is in the cards for me. I am assuming that everyone thinks that is a place to start and go from there, I guess that's more of a question.

Carlgar - What I meant by just like the MVP is that I will still be able to watch SD shows through it. I thought about it and realized I just wasn't thinking about how it would be connected (over the network). I pretty much answered my own question.

I guess the last question for now is what I asked above. Would the externder be the best place to start in all of this?

Thanks again to everyone!!

EDIT: Uhhhg, I just saw Sage is out of stock. Well, I guess the upgrade is on hold for a while. DAMN!!
Oh, I forgot, I am at Java 1.6.05 and Sage 6.13.10, I just forgot to update my sig.

[hemicuda]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that mine does NOT have the horsepower to transcode realtime to an MVP w/o lots of stuttering. It takes a good 2-3hrs to convert a 60min show to DVD Std format w/ the Autocompress STVi. I'm hoping my next box w/ either a 6400 X2 or a Q6600 OC'd will be able to handle things better.