hauppauge hdpvr 1212 and graphedit

[vhelp]

i spent the weekend to no avail getting the the hdpvr to display video. i must be missing something. the arcsoft suite, totalmedia, etc are awlful and all hang while trying to set *any* capture device that i have plugged in let alone the hdpvr.

however, i struck luck a few minutes ago and managed to have it write a video file. not sure which to set it to since i never got any of the software to display or save a video, but i save as video.ts and they play in vlc and smplayer, but kmplayer won't.

anyway, i connected through composite because the svideo is horible on my equipment.

ok, so i need help connecting to the right filter that displays video. i've tried all the rendere's i could find but none will connect. anyway, here is what i have that works for me in saving videos only:

[Brad]

I guess split the H.264 Out from the Encoder filter and connect one of the pins to a transport stream demuxer and then a H.264/AVC decoder, preferably hardware-based.

[gll99]

I've moved on to the HDPVR2 but here's my old sample:

[gll99]

In case someone looks here later for the PVR2 version:

[Brad]

That's a weird audio setup in your HD PVR 2 graph.

[gll99]

That's a weird audio setup in your HD PVR 2 graph.

Agreed it must have been an earlier version or one that ouputs aac. I'm not sure and can't recall why it forced ffdshow twice. The latest one I use has HDMI video and audio source and outputs AC3. The Cyberlink filters come from previously installed software.

[vhelp]

thanks guys.. i can't wait to get back home and try again. but i suspect that when i return to this problem, it will not be such. that is, i always have this issue with new installations, and then the next day, usually some 8 or more hours later, the system magically performs as expected, and when i start connecting things, they will work the first time. well, lets hope they work at all

[vhelp]

i am unable to get a video preview in graph edit. plus, it keeps crashing.

also, i can't seem to find that [ArcSoft MPEG Demux] that you have. i mean, i installed everything that came from the cd disc. i wanted to be sure i would find what i needed.

all i can do is record video blindly. i must be missing something in my system spec that is not mentioned in hauppage. i'm running xp sp2

[gll99]

i am unable to get a video preview in graph edit. plus, it keeps crashing.

also, i can't seem to find that [ArcSoft MPEG Demux] that you have. i mean, i installed everything that came from the cd disc. i wanted to be sure i would find what i needed.

all i can do is record video blindly. i must be missing something in my system spec that is not mentioned in hauppage. i'm running xp sp2

Search for a file called ArcDemux.ax and register it. There may be more than one version on your system. I have at least 3. It should have been installed with the TotalMedia Extreme software that came with the PVR. When the program closes it might de-register the filters but you can do it manually. ie... regsvr32.exe "C:\Location of the file\filter.ax“ Another thing you need to know is when you finally get the filter installed the video and audio output pins have to be set in the graph by setting the filter's properties.

The crash is often caused when you are sending the wrong data type to a filter or when the filter is wrong for the chain. In one of my early builds trying to play the audio / video when I would tell it to render the graph and it had missing filters it would add a mpeg2 filter when I needed an ac3 filter instead and it would crash until I corrected it. I figured it out by removing the part dealing with the audio and the video worked. You have to remove the offending filter and replace it with the right one. It is a bit trial and error.

If you post a copy of your latest graph I can try to help.

[vhelp]

thanks for the tips.. just read them. i was able to get a video window, however it is black. everything still records to a .ts file. so i'm getting closer. i will try your suggestion next if my filesearch finds the file. thanks again.

i have my own file search/lister program i created.. anyway, i found these, but they each have different date/time stamps, strange.

  610.5 KB, 11/18/2009,  7:55:20 PM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\Codec\ArcDemux.ax
618.563 KB, 11/23/2010,  8:24:02 PM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\Digital Theatre\Codec\ArcDemux.ax
    612 KB,  10/9/2010,  5:34:14 PM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\MediaConverter\Mpeg_Engine\ArcDemux.ax
    600 KB,  4/16/2009,  9:41:48 AM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\TotalMedia Studio MV\MVCodec\ArcDemux.ax

[vhelp]

its still not working. i tried all four .ax files. all it gives me in one Input. it won't give me the Audio and Vid pins on the right side. i only see one selection in the filter list box under Directshow Filters, called ArcSoft MPEG Demux. it will only record the video/audio to a .ts file. it plays fine in any player, video and audio.

i searched for all .ax files starting with arc*.ax, in case it helps.

  610.5 KB, 11/18/2009,  7:55:20 PM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\Codec\ArcDemux.ax
  122.5 KB, 11/18/2009,  7:55:20 PM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\Codec\ArcWmvSpl.ax
618.563 KB, 11/23/2010,  8:24:02 PM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\Digital Theatre\Codec\ArcDemux.ax
     68 KB,  9/26/2008,  9:30:34 AM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\Digital Theatre\Codec\ArcGetDataSample.ax
     48 KB,  9/26/2008,  9:30:32 AM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\Digital Theatre\Codec\ArcPutDataSample.ax
    108 KB,  6/20/2007, 10:42:10 AM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\Digital Theatre\Codec\ArcSnap.ax
    716 KB,  2/19/2009,  4:32:08 PM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\Digital Theatre\Codec\ArcText.ax
    116 KB, 12/11/2008, 10:38:54 AM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\Digital Theatre\Codec\ArcWmvSpl.ax
    612 KB,  10/9/2010,  5:34:14 PM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\MediaConverter\Mpeg_Engine\ArcDemux.ax
  110.5 KB, 11/18/2009,  7:57:20 PM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\TotalMedia Studio MV\MVCodec\ArcCaptureEncoder.ax
    600 KB,  4/16/2009,  9:41:48 AM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\TotalMedia Studio MV\MVCodec\ArcDemux.ax
   74.5 KB, 11/18/2009,  7:57:20 PM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\TotalMedia Studio MV\MVCodec\ArcGetDataSample.ax
  142.5 KB, 11/30/2009, 10:00:34 AM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\TotalMedia Studio MV\MVCodec\ArcL3Decoder.ax
  106.5 KB,   7/4/2008,  5:07:22 PM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\TotalMedia Studio MV\MVCodec\ArcL3Encoder.ax
  70.75 KB,  4/13/2007,  9:48:50 AM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\TotalMedia Studio MV\MVCodec\ArcMCEMux.ax
    256 KB,   8/3/2007,  9:56:14 AM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\TotalMedia Studio MV\MVCodec\ArcMP3enc.ax
 134.75 KB,  4/13/2007,  9:48:56 AM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\TotalMedia Studio MV\MVCodec\ArcMpegCodec.ax
  74.75 KB,  4/13/2007,  9:49:00 AM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\TotalMedia Studio MV\MVCodec\ArcMplexFilter.ax
   54.5 KB, 11/18/2009,  7:57:20 PM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\TotalMedia Studio MV\MVCodec\ArcPutDataSample.ax
   58.5 KB, 11/18/2009,  7:57:20 PM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\TotalMedia Studio MV\MVCodec\ArcRead.ax
 154.75 KB,  4/13/2007,  9:49:06 AM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\TotalMedia Studio MV\MVCodec\ArcResizer.ax
  410.5 KB, 11/18/2009,  7:57:32 PM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\TotalMedia Studio MV\MVCodec\ArcScaling.ax
    144 KB,   9/6/2010, 10:39:38 AM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\TotalMedia Studio MV\MVCodec\ArcSnap.ax
  722.5 KB, 11/18/2009,  7:57:32 PM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\TotalMedia Studio MV\MVCodec\ArcText.ax
  258.5 KB, 11/28/2008,  1:14:14 PM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\TotalMedia Studio MV\MVCodec\ArcVEncoder.ax
  90.75 KB,  4/13/2007,  9:49:22 AM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\TotalMedia Studio MV\MVCodec\ArcVideoEffect.ax
  122.5 KB, 11/18/2009,  7:57:32 PM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\TotalMedia Studio MV\MVCodec\ArcWmvSpl.ax
618.563 KB, 11/23/2010,  8:24:02 PM, c:\Program Files\ArcSoft\TotalMedia Extreme\TotalMedia Studio MV\MVCodec\__ArcDemux.ax

[gll99]

You have to add the audio and video pins in the graph. Right click on the demux filter in the graph window and edit the properties. Add a video and audio pin by selecting them in the properties window and click apply each time. After that the pins still won't show so detach the arrow going into the smart Tee and then reconnect it. The output pins should now appear. Attach the rest of the graph filters as shown.

[vhelp]

yeah, i kind of figured that out on my own. anyway, its finally working, but the video is very chirpy or chopping, and the audio also..cpu is below 10%

[gll99]

In case it's a resource issue disconnect the file output pin from the smart tee and see how the preview looks without capturing.

[vhelp]

i have a bigger problem. when i close down the graphedit, and i reopen it, i loose the ArcSoft MPEG demux pin settings. i have to recreate them each time. this won't work for me. i guess i will have to looke elsewhere. does graphstudio loose these settings also ? saving the graph is useless in this case.

also, i have not been able to get it to work inside virtualdub, i would prefer that route anyway. but all i see is the devise. anyway, thanks for all the help.

[gll99]

i have a bigger problem. when i close down the graphedit, and i reopen it, i loose the ArcSoft MPEG demux pin settings. i have to recreate them each time. this won't work for me. i guess i will have to looke elsewhere. does graphstudio loose these settings also ? saving the graph is useless in this case.

also, i have not been able to get it to work inside virtualdub, i would prefer that route anyway. but all i see is the devise. anyway, thanks for all
the help.

Unfortunately Virtualdub won't work with the device. As far as the graph it should save the pins. I have re-used the graphs without issue. The demux pins would probably disappear if you remove or change the input source (ie composite vs component) before loading the graph.

[vhelp]

saving the graph is no problem, but the real-time pin creations, those seem to vanish once graphedit is closed, all the previous connections are severed.

[gll99]

saving the graph is no problem, but the real-time pin creations, those seem to vanish once graphedit is closed, all the previous connections are severed.

I know what you are saying but that doesn't happen to me when I close and re-open graphedt. All the connections stay. The only way to loose the settings is if you change something that the graph expects to find. For example if it can't find the input device because it is not plugged in the usb port or something else has changed in your connections like you have nothing plugged in the composite or component inputs, Some filters won't even show up in the list if a device they are referencing is not connected.

Do you have "connect intelligent" ticked on? ( I don't know if that matters but mine is on)

[vhelp]

that's new to me, i didn't know about that. let me try that.. by the way, this device rocks! the hdpvr..

edit: nope, the new pins are gone on the ArcSoft MPEG Demux filter. everything else is still in tact.

i'm using the DirectX 10.0 - build 090714, version 9 of graphedit.

[gll99]

I'm working a bit blind here since I've shelved my 1212 and I'm using the 1512 HDPVR2 so I can't exactly replicate your setup. It would also help if you posted your graph to see if something else is different.

That said... 2 things you might try.

1) Since you have multiple versions of the Arcsoft demux filter on your system check in the "Insert filters" drop down list to see the path of the active one and then manually register another version. I believe the one I used before was in the TotalMedia Extreme/Codec folder but today because I'm using the PVR2 the current registered version is the one that came with WINTV7.
.
2) Look for a different HD demuxtiplexer filter that you might already have on your system from another software install. You'll notice in my other graph for the PVR2 I use the Cyberlink one. Mine came with my BD drive and a feature limited version of PowerProducer.

btw) The signal I used with the HDPVR graph was a 1080i signal from an HD cable box via component so it always supplied a constant signal to the graph. In my experience, filter pins are live in the sense that they try to recreate the connections when they load into graphedt and not just when they run.

What source material and which connector on the PVR are you using to test graph? If your signal varies from 480i, 480p, 720p to 1080i it could change what the demuxer expects to see and cause it to disconnect.

[vhelp]

i am using composite connection from the front: directv->vcr->dr430->hdpvr the connections are svideo from receiver to toshiba dr430, then i use the composite output to the hdpvr

i will try your suggestion when i get home, and post some screenshots of graphs, thanks.

[vhelp]

hi guys. i still haven't been able to get a preview window working and still operating in blind mode. at least i have a tv behind me to gauge, and if i have a space usb, i connect one of my usb capture cards to and open in virtualdub or AMCap. also, its too bad there is no telecine restorer ffeature since the this device makes very good h264 captures. i am actually usally 5Mbps for my SD directv programs. they come out great though even in my xvid encodes after i ivtc the sources. i am surprised at this hardware h264 performance..i never expected it. anyway.

[vhelp]

i have another question and hope someone might know an answer.

is there a way to get the frame number as the hdpvr records, either in graphedit or someother (cmd-line) tool ?
i would like to use my twitter app to set bookmarks that i can feed into an avisynth script via dgavc, so later, i can jump to the scenes that i want to ivtc and reencode to xvid.

[jagabo]

If you use ffdshow as the decoder you can enable its on-screen-display option to see frame numbers. Be careful though -- frame numbers may vary depending on what decoder you use.

[vhelp]

i can do with approx numbers, if i can get it to work, i'll look into it..thank you!

[vhelp]

oh, but wait, this won't work, because i am not able to see a video, still. well, i will keep it in mind if i ever get that straightened out. thanks again.

[jagabo]

Start -> All Programs -> ffdshow -> Video Decoder Configuration (or VFW Configuration, depending on which the application is using):

[vhelp]

i need a new h264 (ax) codec because the one that came with TMC (total media) (the ones mentioned in the above posts) do not save the settings of the pins i create for the preview and audio. i have to re-create them every time. i'm google'ing around for a new one if i can find one for the hdpvr.

[jagabo]

i need a new h264 (ax) codec because the one that came with TMC (total media) (the ones mentioned in the above posts) do not save the settings of the pins i create for the preview and audio. i have to re-create them every time. i'm google'ing around for a new one if i can find one for the hdpvr.

You can't get a new codec for the 1212 -- it's a hardware encoder built into the device.

[vhelp]

SUCCESS !!
i now have video. and the current frame is posted on the frame. actaully. what i was looking for was to be able to capture that actual frame number (textually) so i can post that into my twitter. i can't to an ocr extract. is there another way ?