How does the SageTV HD Extender actually work to playback HD video files?

[mkerdman]

Does the SageTV HD Extender exclusively use it's own internal hardware and firmware decoding code/circuitry to playback video files (MPEG2, MPEG4-H.264, DVD, .mkv, etc.), or, is it in any way interdependant on the resources, capabilities and codecs installed on the SageTV Server such that any limitations in your SageTV Server also limit your SageTV HD Extender's capabilities?

I ask because I have read about lockups and other playback problems in the HD Extender when viewing MPEG2, MPEG4-H.264, DVD, .mkv files.

Since the HD Extender is an atttractive cost-effective alternative to a SageTV Client PC, I want to know if a fully/properly configured SageTV Client PC would have more or less issues/glitches and equal or better PQ than a SageTV HD Extender.

[Addict]

1) The server does nothing but serve up navigation. The Extender does ALL the heavy HD lifting.

2) Clients are a PITA in my opinion. Fought with mine, as many others have, for a long time...trying to get just the right combination of hardware, software, and drivers to make it work. I plugged my HD Extender in and voila. Done. $199 WELL spent.

[paulbeers]

Originally Posted by Addict

1) The server does nothing but serve up navigation. The Extender does ALL the heavy HD lifting.

2) Clients are a PITA in my opinion. Fought with mine, as many others have, for a long time...trying to get just the right combination of hardware, software, and drivers to make it work. I plugged my HD Extender in and voila. Done. $199 WELL spent.

1. Agreed.

2. Fully agreed. Took me forever to get my PC clients to work as I wanted them to. And then anytime I upgraded something (aka video drivers) it pretty much meant start all over. The HD extender isn't as flexible (doesn't have a DVD drive, etc...), it just works. As stated Plugged it in too, upgraded firmware and it was done. Half an hour later I was enjoying true HD (not the transcoded HD on the extender) from the STX-100.

[mkerdman]

(3) Three SageTV - HD Extender questions:

1. I am especially interested in integrating SageTV and multiple HD Extenders to REC & PLAY R5000-HD Dish
H.264 HDTV. Does this work "end-to-end" without issue "out-of-the-box"?

2. I am also interested in integrating SageTV and multiple HD Extenders to REC & PLAY HDHomeRun Clar QAM
HDTV. Does this work "end-to-end" without issue "out-of-the-box"?

3. Separately, does the HD Extender play Blu-Ray H.264 .TS files and/or HD-DVD .TS files offf networked hard drives? Do either, both or neither of these types of files work with the HD Extender?


Thanks!

[paulbeers]

Originally Posted by mkerdman

(3) Three SageTV - HD Extender questions:

1. I am especially interested in integrating SageTV and multiple HD Extenders to REC & PLAY R5000-HD Dish
H.264 HDTV. Does this work "end-to-end" without issue "out-of-the-box"?

2. I am also interested in integrating SageTV and multiple HD Extenders to REC & PLAY HDHomeRun Clar QAM
HDTV. Does this work "end-to-end" without issue "out-of-the-box"?

3. Separately, does the HD Extender play Blu-Ray H.264 .TS files and/or HD-DVD .TS files offf networked hard drives? Do either, both or neither of these types of files work with the HD Extender?


Thanks!

1. My understanding is that it is able to play R5000-HD dish recordings, but someone else will have to give their opinions or do a search as I know this has been discussed numerous times.

2. Yes it works with the HDHomeRun as that is how I record all my HD content. I am not sure eactly what you mean "end to end" and "out of the box", but there is some configuration that needs to be done in order for the Clear-QAM channels to match up with their respective channels in your EPG, but after spending the half hour or so to get it setup, it works as expected.

3. Please do a search for Blu-Ray and the difficulties associated with it (encryptions and the like). If you can pull all the encryption maybe....but once again a search should give you all the info you need (check the general forums as there is an active thread currently).

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by mkerdman

3. Separately, does the HD Extender play Blu-Ray H.264 .TS files and/or HD-DVD .TS files offf networked hard drives? Do either, both or neither of these types of files work with the HD Extender?

I haven't got either of these to work flawlessly yet, but I'm needing to solve my storage issues (namely that I'm out ) first before I dig into that.

[mkerdman]

Originally Posted by stanger89

I haven't got either of these to work flawlessly yet, but I'm needing to solve my storage issues (namely that I'm out ) first before I dig into that.

Sounds familiar.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by mkerdman

Sounds familiar.

FWIW, I do have one EVO I remuxed to MKV that plays fine, actually that's the only HD DVD I've tried, but it's just the Universal logo from the beginning of King Kong.

[mkerdman]

Originally Posted by stanger89

FWIW, I do have one EVO I remuxed to MKV that plays fine, actually that's the only HD DVD I've tried, but it's just the Universal logo from the beginning of King Kong.

Exactly what software and steps did you use to take an .EVO file and remux it to .MKV?

Was the original .EVO file ripped with AnyDVD-HD?

[stanger89]

I started a thread with how to remux an EVO.
http://forums.sage.tv/forums/showthr...ight=remux+evo

As for how I got the EVO, we're not allowed to discuss that, suffice to say there are better options now.

[dadams]

Originally Posted by stanger89

I started a thread with how to remux an EVO.
http://forums.sage.tv/forums/showthr...ight=remux+evo

As for how I got the EVO, we're not allowed to discuss that, suffice to say there are better options now.

Stanger, your thread helped me a lot. I never could get the MKVmerge to take the timecode file correctly, though. I had to use vc1conv to convert the vc1 file to 23.976, then use vc12avi like you had. I also ended up using eac3to for the ac3 file(it has a gui now). Anyway, thanks a lot. I have successfully converted 3 movies that I own (The Thing, Pitch Black, and The Hulk). The Thing plays fine. Pitch Black plays well, but every once in a while there will be a slight stutter or hang, but not bad. I haven't tried 'The Hulk" yet. I can't really do anymore until I get my storage in next week. Each of the HD movies are 14-20Gb. I ended up ordering an external E-Sata storage box.

[HawgGuy]

The r5000 plays fine with the extender. There's a little hiccup about 15 seconds into playback, which lasts for around 15 seconds, but then all is well.