STX-HD100 and PAL

[PeterC]

Originally Posted by rtengvad

Thanks guys. But to cut it in stone for me, could you please help me specifying the line(s) I have to put in the properties. My tv is a standard 4.3 and I connect via composite or s-video. Most of my recordings are SD but I have a few HD-movies recorded.

I guess this should have no effects on my recordings since my tuners just grab the digital stream (in pal).

Ohh, and i final question. Will this mean that the server has to transcode all files to be viewed on the HD100?

Rasmus

I've just tried to get get my HD extender to work on my old CRT TV via composite but did not get very good results.

I tried 720X576i@50 but it did not seem to work.

You could try adding this to your client properties file and see if it works for you.

extender_resolution_extra_modes=720x576i@50|standard\=PAL_N


When you next start the extender it should give you this extra resolution.

[rtengvad]

Thanks PeterC!

I'll try but I will swab PAL_N for PAL_BG that we use here.

Rasmus

[rtengvad]

UPDATE:

It works if i set

extender_resolution_extra_modes=720x576i@50|standard\=PAL_BG

In the property file. At least I can play .mpg files. Not .ts

I have to set it manually by pressing the video output button on the remote on every HD100 restart though. So still looking forward for the real pal support.

Thanks for the help!

Rasmus

[_Demo_]

If any PAL user with a HDMI compatible monitor is able to test an experimental firmware please send me a private message.

Thanks

_Demo_

[rtengvad]

Hi Demo

Hope you've got some respons. I guess that firmware will not only work with hdmi?

Rasmus

[_Demo_]

Once PAL support is completed it will also work on the other outputs. Most of the testing currently needed is on the hdmi outputs.

_Demo_

[Bacon2002]

Hi,

It's great news that PAL support is being worked on, do we have any idea of an ETA for when we can expect a Beta firmware that includes PAL for the UK (via S-Video)?

Thanks,

David

[chrik]

Great news. I want it as soon as there are PAL support for the HDMI output! :-) woohooo

[jaminben]

Originally Posted by chrik

Great news. I want it as soon as there are PAL support for the HDMI output! :-) woohooo

If you want PAL support asap then contact demo above for the experimental firmware update. It worked a treat for me

[doc]

Originally Posted by jaminben

If you want PAL support asap then contact demo above for the experimental firmware update. It worked a treat for me

I'm using HDMI to connect to my LCD TV and am having a few problems with the new firmware.

When it comes out of standby the TV seems to set itself to 720x576. The output resolution in detailed setup is set to 'null' and I have to manually change it back to 1280x760P@50.

So far my most reliable settings have been to use the original firmware, and add the line to the properties file for the extender as shown in one of my previous posts. During the extenders boot up, go to the settings and tell it only to use 760P. Then change the output resolution in setup-detailed setup-multimedia to 1280x760P@50, and then turn off the auto resolution switching setting (which is the one below the output resolution, but I can't remember its proper name off the top of my head)

Once thats done, it works great.

I've mailed the problems back to demo already.

[jaminben]

Originally Posted by doc

When it comes out of standby the TV seems to set itself to 720x576. The output resolution in detailed setup is set to 'null' and I have to manually change it back to 1280x760P@50.

Bummer, mine doesnt do that.

Edit:

Originally Posted by doc

When it comes out of standby the TV seems to set itself to 720x576. The output resolution in detailed setup is set to 'null' and I have to manually change it back to 1280x760P@50.

Are you sure you have the experimantal firmware installed? I've just looked at my extender and I dont have any settings to change the output resolution within detailed setup. It maybe that becuase I have mine set to 1080i exclusively from the initial setup that those settings are unavailable.

I also removed the line "extender_resolution_extra_modes=1920x1080i@50|standard\=HDMI_1080i50" from the extender properties file before using the experimental firmware.

[doc]

Originally Posted by jaminben

Are you sure you have the experimantal firmware installed?

I downloaded it and did the recovery procedure, but I haven't physically checked anywhere that its the right one. I can't check now though until Friday... damn I wish I lived at home, this weekly commuting is a right pain...

Originally Posted by jaminben

I've just looked at my extender and I dont have any settings to change the output resolution within detailed setup. It maybe that becuase I have mine set to 1080i exclusively from the initial setup that those settings are unavailable.

It was under detailed setup-multimedia-output resolution.

Originally Posted by jaminben

I also removed the line "extender_resolution_extra_modes=1920x1080i@50|standard\=HDMI_1080i50" from the extender properties file before using the experimental firmware.

Snap, I did the same too.

Your TV sounds a lot better than mine. Mine was a freebie from a friend for mending his PC. Its from 'Next' and is a rebadged cheapy 19", but who am I too complain

I used to get paid in alcohol for mending PC's, but once the house was full of beer/wine/port & gin I changed to bangers and beans. I'm tempted though to go back to cash so I can buy another sage license, LCD TV and HD extender for down here.

[jaminben]

Originally Posted by doc

It was under detailed setup-multimedia-output resolution.

I've just checked again and I defiantly dont have any resolution output settings.

Originally Posted by doc

I can't check now though until Friday... damn I wish I lived at home.

I hate working away from home. I've got three weeks away next month and we dont have no internet, a small tv in the B&B with only 4 channels maybe 5 if we're lucky & to top it off I've got to share a room with a big hairy arsed electrician. Its not all bad though as we do get plenty of free beer on the business account.

[_Demo_]

PAL support has been integrated into the latest beta firmware. To turn the device into PAL mode you need to reset the device into initial state (only needed if you have used it previously) then enable PAL outputs.

To reset the device you must hold both the Menu and Up button on the front panel while turning on the power. You should see both the ACTIVE and IR led light up shortly. Once the device is done with reset you need to restart it a second time holding the Menu and Down button on the front panel until the ACTIVE led stays on. At this point the PAL mode should be applied. If you still don't see anything on the screen you might need to switch the video output mode with the remote.

Please let me know if it works or not.

Thanks

_Demo_

[voidpt]

I've got good news to report, and two minor complaints / feature request

Ok. I've done all the instructions that Demo have written. Updated to firmware '20080604 0 beta'. Then I reset with 'MENU+UP'. And then with 'MENU+DOWN' (which, as Demo says, sets Extender to PAL mode). I could see this effect at once since my TV on startup then went from reporting 480 to 576p.

I have now tried several of my channels and the HD Extender do now output my 576i channels in native resolution. Looks perfect. I have also tried the few HD channels I have, one in 720p, the rest in 1080i (all at @50). They work. And the very good news for me is THEY WORK It looks like this firmware fixes both the pixelation and stuttering I've had until now on HD channels. The pixelation got fixed in the 20080523 beta firmware (that was pulled because of sound problems). Now both the pixelation and stuttering seems gone, and the sound is working. I'm pretty sure of this. The HD Extender now works perfect for all my live TV channels, HD or not

But I wouldn't be a good SageTV user if I didn't have some problems

First problem is the resolution switching. As my signature shows I've got a TV that supports every single NTSC/PAL resolution up to 1080p, and inbetween. It looks now that you have to choose between having the HD Extender into PAL or NTSC mode. But I've got lots of material that is in NTSC 480i (DVDs region 1). If I play them now ripped through the HD Extender in PAL mode, 576i mode is output'ed from the HD Extender. I would like to have the HD Extender support both PAL and NTSC modes, my TV can handle it. Most TV's, at least at some price level, in Europe handles both NTSC and PAL modes. It's not the end of the world, but the internal scaler in HD Extender from 480i to 576i seems to make the picture 'jump' a little up and down. And with native 480i output it wouldn't be a problem.

Second problem is also resolution switching, although in another context. I have the problem of choosing between going for native output resolution from the HD Extender, and then letting the internal scaler in my TV do the job as best it can. Or force the HD Extender to 1080p resolution and telling it to not output native resolution and always scale to 1080p. There are two elements to this. One is, who does the best job? As of now, with this firmware. I've got to give my TV the honors. And it bloody well should, it cost me a small fortune The second element is that when the HD Extender switches its output between resolutions my TV has a little 'blackout delay' while its brain comprehends the fact (all this is over HDMI cabel). Not very anoying, but a little. So here is how I would like to have it. Set the following two options in menu:
- Output Resolution: 720x576i@50
- Native Output Resolution Switching: Enabled
Meaning. 95% of my material/channels is in 576i. Resulting in no switching of output mode. And I can live with the SageTV interface in 576i, although 1080p is prettier. But heres the bug/feature. Even though I set the options above, it reverts the first option 'Output Resolution' to 1920x1080p@50. Probably because of some logic combined with the fact that HD Extender has been set up with all modes supported over HDMI. But I want 576i as default, and then go to the other modes, if material requires it.

Much text. But belive it, I'm happy with this firmware, very happy. Even though I have these last two observation. Thanks for the good work SageTV

[Lucas]

I am flashing my extenders to test this. Sounds good.

Voipt, what I am planning to do is to set the extender in PAL mode and then define the NTSC modes in the .properties file and then switch to them whenever I show NTSC or 30/60fps videos.

[rtengvad]

Originally Posted by _Demo_

PAL support has been integrated into the latest beta firmware.

Hi Demo

Does this include composite and S-video output?

Rasmus

[jaminben]

Updated my extender and pal support seems to be working ok (hdmi), not had enough time to play with it fully yet though.
I have noticed that some .mkv films which didnt work before now work, however the one .wmv film I tried doesnt have audio anymore.

Anyway its still a nice update.

Cheers

[stux]

thanks for the new firmware.

Installed perfectly, set my resolution and now straight into my desired resolution and it looks fantastic.

[_Demo_]

Originally Posted by rtengvad

Hi Demo

Does this include composite and S-video output?

Rasmus

The PAL resolutions should work for composite, s-video, component and hdmi.

_Demo_