Hauppauge HD-PVR 1212 recording problem at CBR

[rds11]

I noticed that recording at constant bit rate (CBR), using the Total Media Extreme software (with the latest drivers) that came with the PVR, the file is always missing a few seconds. For example, if I set the recording for 3 hours, the file will be around 2 hours, 59 minutes and 30 seconds. This problem doesn't happen when using variable bit rate.

So I did a compare of the same program (which I have recorded my cable box DVR) recorded at constant and variable bit rates (using the maximum bitrates available on the software, which are 13.5 mbps). I noticed that the problem (the missing part) is mostly happening when the network is coming back from commercials. But it also seems that the file is missing a few frames here and there at CBR.

Any idea what the problem could be ?
I have tried mulitple time to contact Hauppuage customer support, but the only advice I received was to update the software to the latest drivers, which I had already done but re-did anyways. Now they are ignoring my emails.

Thanks !

[yoda313]

Well I know this isn't really an answer and won't fix the problem but why not throw in a buffer time? If you know generally how much it runs short why not manually add an extra minute or two to ensure you get the full recording?

If you are capping at 13.5mbps you are definitely not concerned about conserving disk space at this point in your recording and/or conversion stage.

However are you planning on doing multiple captures one after the other and don't have the time to add the extra buffer of a minute or two? But as far as I know you can't do planned recordings with the arcsoft software that came with it (in other words you can't schedule it to record from 1:00am-2:00am and then 2:00am-3:00am).

So my suggestion is simply to add another minute or two to the record duration to ensure you get it.

[jman98]

I have an older PCI based Hauppauge card and I have a favorable opinion of their stuff, but yeah, they aren't known for their great technical support. You might be able to get some help on some kind of unofficial forum if one exists.

Capture software often has bugs. I remember the old Dazzle DVC-II card, which in its day was a great card, but it had a big problem with VBR capture. I wouldn't hold my breath on this kind of problem being fixed so adding an extra minute or two to your captures as yoda313 suggests is probably your only solution.

[rds11]

Adding an extra minute won't help. It is not that the card is missing the last few seconds, but part of the video just won't be recorded at CBR. It almost looks like a few seconds are copyright protected, and the card just won't record that part (but I know this is not a copyright problem, as it will record without problem at VBR, but it looks that way). In other words, if I add an extra minutes or two, I will still be missing the same part and my file will be a minute or two longer.

[yoda313]

@rds11 - I don't know if this part of the problem but I know on my dvr I have to set the recording an extra minute before after to get all of a show sometimes. I get it clipped off because my dvr clock is like 30 seconds off the network clocks.

Do you actually have the full recording on the dvr itself? If not you may need to adjust that. Just add a minute before or after the show is scheduled and you'll have the whole show on the dvr for transferring.

As for a copyright problem I've yet to encounter one with the hd-pvr. I can capture via component in hd and 16:9 from my motorola comcast hd pvr, my xbox360 and my ps3 with no problems whatsoever. I can even dub in realtime my hd-dvds from my xbox 360 add on drive and even bluray movies off my ps3 as long as they have a dolby digital track (it won't record dts obviously ).

I'm sorry if I misread your problem but that would be my suggestion if the actual dubbing isn't the problem.

[jagabo]

Do you actually have the full recording on the dvr itself? If not you may need to adjust that. Just add a minute before or after the show is scheduled and you'll have the whole show on the dvr for transferring..

He said he gets the full recording when he uses VBR so his dvr must have the full program. From his description the missing parts aren't at the end, they're in the middle. Like it's dropping frames on return from commercials or something.

I'll see if I can reproduce the problem. I always record in VBR mode so I haven't seen it.

[rds11]

He said he gets the full recording when he uses VBR so his dvr must have the full program. From his description the missing parts aren't at the end, they're in the middle. Like it's dropping frames on return from commercials or something.

I'll see if I can reproduce the problem. I always record in VBR mode so I haven't seen it.

Yes, that's exactly the problem I'm having. But usually it's not 1 or 2 dropped frames, but more like 5 to 10 seconds each time. And it's only happening in CBR (no problem whatsoever in VBR).

I wouldn't say it happens 100% of the time, as I've been able to capture correctly in CBR a few times, but for some reason sports recording are giving me more problems.

[rds11]

I'm re-opening an old thread, because I never found a solution. But also, with the release of the newest patch (HD PVR driver version 1.6.29277) this problem that I was only noticing with CBR capturing is also happening with VBR now.

I recorded an NFL game and a whole segment of 10 seconds is missing from the recording. I set the recorder for 3 hours, and sure enough the file shows that the length is 2 hours 59 minutes and 50 seconds. I also recorded the game using WMC, so I was able to check both captures, and the problem is definitively coming from the HD-PVR software.

[yoda313]

What is your source of the nfl game? Is it component off a hd ota converter or is it from a cable/sat/fios box?

The reason I'm asking is its possible you might have had a digital hiccup during recording that might throw off the hd pvr. It should record the screen no matter what happens to the actual broadcast source.

However that said it might not keep a recording lock if the actual input to the hdpvr is interrupted. Reason I mention this is I have cable hd with comcast and i will occasionally (though rarely) have digital garbage breakup a broadcast. If that were happening to you while you were recording that might mess things up on your recording.

Samething if this was component off an aerial hd ota converter box. Unless you have a 100% perfect signal 100% off the time you might get some digital garbage (static) in your broadcast. I'm not sure how that might affect the hdpvr.

If you are not present while recording the whole three hours you might not notice it if it happens. Or it might happen during a commercial break where you fast forward.

Just thought I'd mention this as a possible source for your issue. I don't know if I mentioned it earlier in the thread or not.

Also like I said the hdpvr SHOULD record regardless of what the picture is like. It should continue recording even if it only gets digital snow but you never know how it might react to a blank or interrupted signal.

[rds11]

Thanks for replying Yoda313.

I recorded the game that was on my cable box DVR. There's no hiccup on the file on the DVR. I set the HD-PVR for a 3 hours recording, and the capture file is missing 10 seconds, which ''disappeared'' from the original file.

Anyways, I contacted Hauppauge regarding this issue. I was given instructions to remove the existing drivers, using a file from the original CD, and install their newest drivers (which are not yet available on Hauppauge's website, version 1.6.29333). I tried to capture the same game from my cable box DVR, and instead of missing 10 seconds it was missing only 4 seconds, but strangely enough the 'edit' is at the exact same location as last time.

So I removed again to remove the latest drivers, and re-installed 1.5.7.0 again. Re-captured the same program again, this time without issues, no missing time.

With both drivers I was recording Variable Bit rate, at a max of 13.5 Mpbs. Using drivers from version 1.6.29333 (the one missing 4 seconds), the average bitrate was 12.5 Mpbs. Using drivers from version 1.5.7.0 (the one without issues), the average bitrate was 12.2 Mpbs. I don't know if the problem could be when the HD-PVR is trying to allocate more bits to the capture, as the problem is also happening with drivers 1.5.7.0 when capturing at Constant bitrate of 13.5 Mpbs (which produces bigger file by about 5% at CBR compared to VBR from what I've experienced).

Since I had no issues with drivers from version 1.5.7.0 at VBR, I think I will keep that version for now...