Hauppauge HD PVR - Model 1212

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Wed, 04/23/2008 - 1:39pm

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Joined: 27 Dec 2006

Looking forward to seeing this in the field. Personally, I'm starting to hope that this will lead to an internal card solution for the PC that has only component video in and digital audio in. I'd much prefer to have a card I can slot inside my HTPC. I'm struggling with the idea of too much external equipment, which for now is something that I am trying to avoid. I also am not a fan of paying for another remote I don't need.

Here's the localized highlights for discussion:

Features
* Built-in hardware H.264 high definition encoder, for high performance, high quality TV recordings
* Component video input from most high definition cable TV and satellite TV receivers. Optical or
stereo audio inputs.
* Record high definition video at up to 1080i resolution, 720p or VGA/D1
* Record at datarates from 1Mbs to 13.5Mbs, constant and Variable Bit Rate
* Blu-ray format AVCHD recordings, so you can burn your TV recordings onto a standard DVD disk
(up to 2 hours of video at 5MBits/sec) and playback on Blu-ray DVD players
* Includes HD software video player, so you can playback recordings to your PC screen
* Audio / Video component video loop through to allow HD recording and viewing at the same time
* High Performance Noise Reduction Function
* NTSC,PAL and SECAM Support
* IR receiver for remote control
* IR Blaster to change the TV channels in your set top box

Specifications
* Hardware encoder
o H.264 AVCHD video encoder
o Recording datarate: from 1 to 13.5 Mbits/sec (user selectable)
o Recording format: up to 1080i from component video (YCrCb)
Note: the video input format determines the recorded format. For example, 1080i input records
at 1080i, 720P records at 720P, etc. Any other format conversions needs to be done with the
MediaConverter program (supplied).
* Size: 19.8cm wide x 17.3 cm deep x 7 cm high
* Power: 5V at 2 amps
* Weight: 1 lb, 3 oz

System Requirements
* Processor Requirements (minimum):
o Dual core CPU
* Graphics with 256MB memory (or greater) Note: the playback of high definition H.264 requires a
fast CPU and at least 256MB of graphics memory
* Sound card

Included with the HD PVR
* HD PVR high definition personal video recorder, USB
* Remote Control Including batteries
* IR Blaster transmitter cable
* Component video cable set
* Audio cable set
* USB cable
* 5v power supply

Bundled software applications
* Arcsoft “TotalMediaExtreme” for video capture, preview, playback, and authoring and burning your
TV recordings onto a Blu-ray DVD compatible disc
* Arcsoft “TotalMedia Theater”, a video player so you can play back your TV recordings to your PC screen
* Arcsoft “MediaConverter” , to convert your H.264 HD recordings onto other formats
* Includes Hauppauge's WinTV scheduler for scheduled TV recordings

Input and outputs
* Component video input and loop through output
* Optical audio Input and loop through output
* Left/ Right RCA audio input and loop through output
* Composite video and S-Video inputs (on front panel)
* Left/right audio input (on front panel)
* IR Blaster output
* USB2.0 High speed Device

[img width=250 height=176]http://www.hauppauge.com/pics/hd_pvr_front_medium.jpg[/img] [img width=250 height=176]http://www.hauppauge.com/pics/hd_pvr_rear_medium.jpg[/img]

My Home Theater, XLobbyMC
To Do: Finish Re-ripping my music collection - While Playing FF XIV

Fri, 10/10/2008 - 2:18pm

Mast3rL33

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Joined: 12 Sep 2008

Anyone have experience with this device?

Sit Vis Vobiscum!

Media PC: AM2 , 1TB WD Green, HD4550 (passive), 2GB DDR2, LG BR/HDDVD, Avermedia M780, ATI Theater 650, 7MC and TMT, Logitech Dinovo Mini, Samsung LN55C650

Fri, 10/10/2008 - 2:28pm

George Schmauch

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Joined: 21 Dec 2006

Only for about 5 minutes as I ran a 1:1 comparison of a scene from X-Men to check PQ and ensure it worked. I must've liked what I saw during those 5 minutes, since it caused me to start purchasing parts for my WHS. Hopefully I'll get to start test-fitting parts this weekend.

Check over at the SageTV forums to see what others are saying. Most people say the PQ is excellent (very close to the source) and it works as advertised. Issues people HAD included the missing 5.1 audio (beta drivers now available for this) and overheating (all units w/this issue were RMA'd and a fan installed).

Server: WHS, SuperMicro dual Xeon X7DWE, 1 x Xeon L5410, Thermalright HR-01, 4GB Crucial ECC, 8 port PCI-X SATA, 4 port RocketRAID 2300, 5x1 PortMultiplier, Corsair HX1000W PSU, Lian-Li PC343B case [blog]
Storage: 2 x Addonics 5-in-3 bays, 13TB
Client: SageTV 7, Windows 7 64-bit, Foxconn G9657MA-8EKRS2H, Core2Duo E6600, Zalman CNPS7500, 2GB Corsair, 320GB, HIS ATI 4650, Antec Fusion [blog]
Tuners: 2 x HD-PVR (serial control), 2 x HDHR, USB-UIRT

Fri, 10/10/2008 - 4:50pm

Apap

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Joined: 18 Mar 2007

I have one of the original C1 version units from the first batch.
It has been up and running for months now with Sagetv and no problems at all.
The picture quality is great! My feeble old eyes can tell no difference between the recordings when compared to direct output from my Directv H20 receiver. I think the PQ is better from my STX-100 HD extender than from my HTPC but its kinda hard to compare directly as the units are in 2 different rooms connected to 2 different TVs.

Some users have had problems with some of the first production run(C1) units overheating so Hauppauge modified them with little heatsinks and fans(C2) that generally fixed the problem. The latest units(D1) apparently have vent slots in the case allowing some air flow.

I installed the latest Beta drivers last week and now have 5.1 AC3 audio working with no problems. I plan on eventually getting another unit after my new server is up and running and would recommend this product without hesitation.

increased WAF= MoonOwlsMajic.com

Sat, 10/11/2008 - 9:11am

Mast3rL33

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Joined: 12 Sep 2008

Apap wrote:

I have one of the original C1 version units from the first batch.
It has been up and running for months now with Sagetv and no problems at all.
The picture quality is great! My feeble old eyes can tell no difference between the recordings when compared to direct output from my Directv H20 receiver. I think the PQ is better from my STX-100 HD extender than from my HTPC but its kinda hard to compare directly as the units are in 2 different rooms connected to 2 different TVs.

Thanks Apap!

I am confused though, the unit lets you record directly from your cable/satellite box correct? Would this still require a tuner card of some sort? Or can you use Sage TV and this component to record everything from your cable/satellite box?

What about changing channels? Can you change channels in Sage? or just on the receiver? I suppose I am just drawing a blank on the system diagram. I apologize for my ignorance, but would someone mind explaining?

Cheers!

Sit Vis Vobiscum!

Media PC: AM2 , 1TB WD Green, HD4550 (passive), 2GB DDR2, LG BR/HDDVD, Avermedia M780, ATI Theater 650, 7MC and TMT, Logitech Dinovo Mini, Samsung LN55C650

Sat, 10/11/2008 - 9:36am

Ugadata

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Joined: 3 Mar 2007

The HD-PVR is a USB tuner, sort of. The HD-PVR uses the componet connection from the set top box. It then uses a USB connection to your HTPC. To change channels it uses an IR blaster (the blaster comes with it)

You may want to check out the set top box and see if it also has a firewire connection. If it does it may be worth the time to at least try using a firewire connection from the STB to your HTPC. If it works it would save the cost of the HD-PVR. Firewire is not without some hassle getting it setup. Some are using firewire to change channels for the HD-PVR.

For the most part I like the HD-PVR but it is a bit costly and a blue light comes on when it is recording which can be distracting in a dark room.

Unencumbered by the thought process!

Sat, 10/11/2008 - 10:03am

Apap

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Joined: 18 Mar 2007

You can use the included Arcsoft Total Media Extreme software to do your recording and playback or Sagetv, Beyondtv, GB-PVR. This unit does not work with Vista MCE or XP MCE
because it encodes the video and audio into H264 mpg4 format which MCE does not support.

In addition to what Ugadata referred to about firewire channel changing, I know that Sagetv supports the USB-UIRT for channel changing or if you have a Directv receiver you might be able to use Serial port channel changeng. There have been some users reporting problems with the Hauppauge blaster when more than one Hauppage capture device is in the mix.

Hope this helps
Apap

increased WAF= MoonOwlsMajic.com

Sat, 10/11/2008 - 4:21pm

DavidStein

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Joined: 8 Aug 2008

Ugadata wrote:

You may want to check out the set top box and see if it also has a firewire connection. If it does it may be worth the time to at least try using a firewire connection from the STB to your HTPC. If it works it would save the cost of the HD-PVR. Firewire is not without some hassle getting it setup. Some are using firewire to change channels for the HD-PVR.

Firewire is frequently not an acceptable alternative to the HD-PVR as many channels and shows are blacked out over a firewire connection. Depending on your television viewing habits it may not be a problem for you, but the biggest selling point of the HD-PVR is that it allows you to record any channel regardless of its encryption or copy-write flags. if you can view it on your television you can record it.

firewire is the superior way to change channels, however, and is worth the trouble to set up to not have to deal with an IR blaster, at least in my opinion.

Thu, 11/13/2008 - 6:18pm

Daniel Schoerner

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Joined: 27 Dec 2006

Version 2.0 drivers released! I have to say that this was unexpected.
http://www.hauppauge.com/site/support/support_hdpvr.html

My Home Theater, XLobbyMC
To Do: Finish Re-ripping my music collection - While Playing FF XIV

Hauppauge HD PVR - Model 1212

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