Plextor Convertx PX-TV402U not seen

[Verlager]

OK, I downloaded the Sage TV Recorder. About says it is V.1.5.5.

It doesn't recognize my Plextor Convertx PX-TV402U.

I have looked at competitive software, and now I just want something that works well enough to use. In other words, I'll buy this Sage just as soon as I can get it to work with my Plextor Convertx PX-TV402U.

Is there a special version I need to download?

[Opus4]

I don't believe SageTVRecorder has been updated to use the Plextor ConvertX. SageTV v2.1 can make use of it, though.

Edit: And before you ask , no I don't know when/if SageTVRecorder might be updated for this device.

- Andy

[mls]

If I recall correctly, the Sage Recorder is a modified version of software from Hauppauge. As such I wouldn't expect it to work with anything other than Hauppauge's own hardware. I could be wrong about that though.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by mls

If I recall correctly, the Sage Recorder is a modified version of software from Hauppauge. As such I wouldn't expect it to work with anything other than Hauppauge's own hardware. I could be wrong about that though.

Yes to that last sentence.

See the SageTVRecorder System Requirements for a list of supported encoders.

- Andy

[mls]

Also, isn't the current version of SageRecorder 1.5.6 and not 1.5.5 ? Maybe that's why it's not working with his Plextor? Again, not sure about any of the Recorder stuff since the only one I ever tried was back with SageTV v1.4.

[Verlager]

Yup! I downloaded the SageTV and it works nicely with the Plextor unit. My other comp has SnapStream BTV and a Hauppage 250 PCI card in it. The capture quality varied depending on the location of the card on the PCI bus. I'm opposed to the idea of putting a sensitive device inside a computer. I think the Plextor external USB unit is a much sounder approach.

What will probably really suck is that I used Videoredo with the SS BTV output which automagically marked the commercials, -not sure if Sage will do anything similar, would sure be nice if it did.

[Opus4]

Currently, I've got a 250, pvr-usb2, and a Plextor ConvertX installed on one system & they all have been working perfectly together. BTW: There are a few Plextor-related threads already -- just do a search for that device.

Commercial skipping is not part of SageTV, but if you check the SageTV Customizations forum, you will find information on user-provided commercial skipping support. However, I believe that only works with mpeg-2 files.

Edit: Instead of wading through some of the comskip threads, you may want to go directly to the SageTV Community site and check out its details there.

- Andy

[Cayars]

I haven't tried Com Skip on an AVI file because I normally cut the commercials out before converting my MPGs.

However, I have tried playing around and did a Com Skip of the MPG file. Then converted it to AVI. Deleted the MPG file. When you play the AVI file it will still use the Com Skip generated file and skip the commercials.

[Opus4]

But, what I meant was that the Plextor can record in DivX or MPEG-4 format to begin with (even if it is wrapped as an MPEG-2 file for live playback), so it may not work to process those files for commercial detection. I'll leave confirmation of that to others who know more about it.

- Andy

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by mls

Also, isn't the current version of SageRecorder 1.5.6 and not 1.5.5 ? Maybe that's why it's not working with his Plextor? Again, not sure about any of the Recorder stuff since the only one I ever tried was back with SageTV v1.4.

The current version says that it is 1.5.5 in the splash screen even though the file and help say 1.5.6 if I remember correctly - maybe that is where he was looking.

BobP.

Edit well that was wrong the splash only says 1.5.

[naln]

Originally Posted by Verlager

OK, I downloaded the Sage TV Recorder. About says it is V.1.5.5.

It doesn't recognize my Plextor Convertx PX-TV402U.

I have looked at competitive software, and now I just want something that works well enough to use. In other words, I'll buy this Sage just as soon as I can get it to work with my Plextor Convertx PX-TV402U.

Is there a special version I need to download?

I had the same issues- bought the Plextor to run on the client with sage recorder- but unfortunately no support from sage recorder. I did write to Sage to check if anything was in the offing- but no luck . They do not seem to have plans at this point to release a new version with Plextor support.

Simple solution- Move Plextor to the server and some other card to the client for network encoding. Sage works flawlessly with my Plextor on the server now- though I am a little sore about various plugin issues. But on the whole really happy with Sage+Hauppauge+Plextor for now. Although one wonders why Plextor "forgot" or decided to omit a remote controller on a unit designed to be used as a PVR....beats me!!

[korben_dallas]

Can you clarify what you mean by that last sentence ".. 'forgot' or decide to omit a remote controller.." ?

I purchased my Sage+Plextor+SnapStream Remote bundle from the Sage store. The SnapStream remote works fabulously (though I wish it had more configurable buttons) in Sage. Not all pvr/capture cards come with a remote control, and remotes only do you good if it is supported by the host application.

[Opus4]

You mean the StreamZap remote was in that bundle?

And, I believe that naln was referring to the fact that the Plextor doesn't come with its own remote, thus your need to buy one to go with it.

- Andy

[naln]

Originally Posted by korben_dallas

Can you clarify what you mean by that last sentence ".. 'forgot' or decide to omit a remote controller.." ?

I purchased my Sage+Plextor+SnapStream Remote bundle from the Sage store. The SnapStream remote works fabulously (though I wish it had more configurable buttons) in Sage. Not all pvr/capture cards come with a remote control, and remotes only do you good if it is supported by the host application.

I was referring to only the Plextor- I run my client using Streamzap as well - it might be a good idea to move over to one of the JP1 remotes at this point using the codes from Streamzap as a starting point- specially if you find that you need more customizable buttons- planning to do that myself.

And again- I do realize that a lot of capture cards do not come with a remote, but consider the retail price of a Plextor Unit- so I was just wondering what the logical reasoning might be to decide to not include a remote in such a PVR device- not that we have any particular use for it- but just a question

[korben_dallas]

SnapStream lol. That's heresy on this forum hehe. Yeah, it's the StreamZap remote.

Actually, I was wondering why the Plextor unit didn't come with a little standalone configuration app. I am at the mercy of WinDVD or NeroExpress to just get to the device options. And GoCap works only with WinDVD grrrrrrrrrrr.

I guess I see your point, though the StreamZap remote didn't add much $ to my purchase. In retrospect, I would probably like something more configurable, but then you get into a whole new level of complexity.. whereas right now, anyone in my family can punch a few obvious buttons on my StreamZap remote and watch whatever they want.