MPEG Streams SageTV vs NextPVR

[Taddeusz]

For a while I've struggled with stream errors from my HDHR's. For the most part that was fixed with a move from the onboard Intel PHY to an Intel PCIe adapter but every once in a while I get a recording that has an inordinate number of errors. I had believed this to be the result of reception errors, and some of it still may be, but now I'm not so sure.

Recently I've been playing around with NextPVR for possible replacement of SageTV. I've noticed that there is a difference between the MPEG streams that each saves. NextPVR recordings appear to be identical to those that I can create manually using the hdhomerun_config.exe utility. SageTV recordings on the other hand, even when recorded as ts files, seem to be highly modified. The stream addresses are changed and certain information like audio languages have been completely removed in the resulting file.

I've noticed that my SageTV recordings always have a handful of errors when run through VideoRedo (usually under 10). I had originally attributed this to the metadata that SageTV tags onto files. After some experimentation with disabling that option I've discovered this is not the case.

The last few days I've recorded the same show using both SageTV and NextPVR. I always get zero errors for the NextPVR recordings but a handful of errors from SageTV.

Is there any setting to disable SageTV's mangling of the input stream and just have it output the raw stream that is received?

I guess this is not a huge issue but something that concerns me since the resulting recordings seem to have SageTV induced errors.

[stanger89]

Hm, I was thinking there was a setting to cause Sage to record the raw transport stream instead of extracting the desired program, but I can't seem to find it at the moment.

I'm curious about this too, I notice "glitches" often in my recordings, if NextPVR doesn't do that, it's certainly enough to get me to investigate switching.

Does NextPVR pull out just the channel you want?

-edit

Well here's one reference:
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23907

Although looking around some more it seems setting encode as program stream to false is not recommended.

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by stanger89

Hm, I was thinking there was a setting to cause Sage to record the raw transport stream instead of extracting the desired program, but I can't seem to find it at the moment.

I'm curious about this too, I notice "glitches" often in my recordings, if NextPVR doesn't do that, it's certainly enough to get me to investigate switching.

Does NextPVR pull out just the channel you want?

Yes, it only records the streams for a given program.

[stanger89]

Maybe I'll have to experiment.

[Taddeusz]

Viewing the full raw ATSC transport stream from hdhomerun_config with MediaInfo is interesting.

[routerunner]

Originally Posted by Taddeusz

I've noticed that my SageTV recordings always have a handful of errors when run through VideoRedo (usually under 10). I had originally attributed this to the metadata that SageTV tags onto files.

The SageTV's TSSplitter DirectShow filter does a hell of a job to keep the input TS in sync and fix time-stamp errors which are inevitable due to the nature of stream. You can play with a hidden TSSplitter setting in the registry which disable the algorithm altogether and see whether it does make a difference.

Please find in attachment a zip file containing two registry files (x32/x64 to execute as appropriate) that disable the PTS fix algorithm. Restart STV after the change.

Hope it helps
Eddy

[Taddeusz]

I'll try that out for the errors but it's not quite what I would like. SageTV is still modifying the incoming stream. The stream ID's are different and there's still no languages on the audio streams. See the attached screenshots to see what I mean.

BTW, I know those are different recordings. They are the same channel and should have the same stream ID's and languages.

[Taddeusz]

That didn't fix it. Still got a few audio frame errors.

[Taddeusz]

I think the only thing that's really stopping us from moving away from SageTV is our existing investment in SageTV hardware. Replacing that infrastructure would just be too costly for us right now. I've experimented with using a Raspberry Pi and RasPlex but while it works ok for most stuff the VideoCore IV doesn't have the capability to play full Blu-Ray video.

So while I'm experimenting I probably won't do any kind of switch until I know we can afford to upgrade the client side hardware.

[valnar]

Originally Posted by Taddeusz

I think the only thing that's really stopping us from moving away from SageTV is our existing investment in SageTV hardware. Replacing that infrastructure would just be too costly for us right now. I've experimented with using a Raspberry Pi and RasPlex but while it works ok for most stuff the VideoCore IV doesn't have the capability to play full Blu-Ray video.

So while I'm experimenting I probably won't do any kind of switch until I know we can afford to upgrade the client side hardware.

The client side is the least of my worries. I can't find anything on the backend that works as nicely with recording TV shows, EPG, HDHomeRuns and something (like the HD-PVR) for encrypted stuff. Even if HD200's and HD300's dry up, we can make (Windows) Sage Clients out of anything.

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by valnar

The client side is the least of my worries. I can't find anything on the backend that works as nicely with recording TV shows, EPG, HDHomeRuns and something (like the HD-PVR) for encrypted stuff. Even if HD200's and HD300's dry up, we can make (Windows) Sage Clients out of anything.

I hear ya there. For OTA NextPVR pulls EPG from the signal. Otherwise it looks like you have to roll your own via XMLTV or pay for Schedules Direct. As far as clients just need the licenses.

[emveepee]

PVR users in the US and Canada who complain about paying for Schedules Direct tend to piss me off. I am grateful to those people who are keeping SD going. Their time is provided free and the monthly fee should be worth every penny that goes to support for anyone who want to be using their own personal PVR for many years to come.

The clock is on the wall. SageTV was never free but it is dead, WMC development died even before STV and the status of the not-free WMC addon in W10 is not guaranteed.

Martin

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by emveepee

PVR users in the US and Canada who complain about paying for Schedules Direct tend to piss me off. I am grateful to those people who are keeping SD going. Their time is provided free and the monthly fee should be worth every penny that goes to support for anyone who want to be using their own personal PVR for many years to come.

The clock is on the wall. SageTV was never free but it is dead, WMC development died even before STV and the status of the not-free WMC addon in W10 is not guaranteed.

Martin

I certainly wasn't complaining. Just the options are different on NextPVR. We are lucky to get EPG at no additional charge with SageTV.

[emveepee]

You're right you weren't, but the typical focus seems to be on paying for Schedules Direct versus using it.

Martin