Newb question : recording of 1 channel only

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › Newb question : recording of 1 channel only

nzboi

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#113246 10-Jan-2013 16:55

I'm interested in recording just NBA games on the Maori channel.

From what I understand: NZ broadcast in h.264 format, I have a 9800gt video card which does the h.264 decode. I'm thinking of an PCI-e card solution.

My question is :
1 . Does that means that I probably don't need the "mpeg2" recording feature ? Can the tuner just record in the native broadcast format so it doesn't have to re-encode stuff ?
2. I just want to record NBA games for now. Is the recommended tuner still the haupauge 2200/2210 ? I believe this can record 2 channels while you watch 1 more. Seems overkill for my needs.
3. Should I bother with the USB solution ?

sbiddle

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#742933 10-Jan-2013 17:21

Virtually all TV software simply dumps the MPEG Transport Stream, so you end up with recordings in the natiive broadcast format. MPEG2 encoding is only used when you're recording analogue content which needs to be encoded first.

RunningMan

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#742938 10-Jan-2013 17:31

sbiddle: MPEG2 encoding is only used when you're recording analogue content which needs to be encoded first.

Or from DVB-S - Freeview Satellite.

Although the tuner card the OP talks about is DVB-T, so presumably looking at Freeview|HD as the source.

mm1352000

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#742941 10-Jan-2013 17:35

Bother! Lost my reply. The login timeout on GZ can be a real pain!

Brief comments:
1. "MPEG 2" is ambiguous.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPEG-2
Part 1 specifies transport and program stream formats.
Part 2 is video.
Part 3 is audio.
Part 7 is AAC audio.

2. Freeview satellite uses MPEG 2 video; Freeview HD (aerial) uses h.264 video. Both use MPEG 2 part 1 (transport stream) as the "container" for the video and audio streams. Software may change the container but it usually doesn't re-encode the video or audio when recording digital (analog is a completely different story). For example, the recording file may end up as .MPEG (MPEG program stream), .TS (MPEG transport stream) or maybe .MKV but the video and audio content is not substantially altered. There is no quality loss.

3. The HVR-22x0 can record/view at least 2 channels. WMC is almost the only widespread software that limits you to one channel per tuner. Other software allows recording all channels broadcast on a given frequency with one tuner. For example, with N-PVR, MediaPortal or other software you could record Maori TV, Choice TV, Prime and all the other channels in the Kordia "multiplex" with one tuner.

4. You could go with a cheaper PCIe option with 2 tuners:
http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?e=456589
...or go with a single tuner option which is cheaper again:
http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=370806
Up to you. Personally I'd get a dual tuner for future proofing, but if you can't imagine extending what you record in future then there is absolutely no need.

5. USB tuners can have driver issues but I wouldn't let that prevent you from buying one.

mm1352000

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#742948 10-Jan-2013 17:43

RunningMan:
sbiddle: MPEG2 encoding is only used when you're recording analogue content which needs to be encoded first.

Or from DVB-S - Freeview Satellite.

That is different again.
The Freeview Satellite video is indeed MPEG 2 video, however the tuner/PC does not have to encode it as such when recording. It is encoded by the broadcaster.
Analog TV and FM must be encoded in some format or other by the receiving PC when recording. Any format can be used, assuming the PC is powerful enough to encode with the given format and quality in real time.

Although the tuner card the OP talks about is DVB-T, so presumably looking at Freeview|HD as the source.

That is the other thing I meant to say...
@OP - I take it you are in a Freeview HD coverage area and have (or can get) a UHF aerial?

MyFriendAutism

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#742962 10-Jan-2013 18:21

I bought a cheap "mini USB DVB-T TV receiver Freeview" off Trade Me last month for $24.50 & it does the job perfectly recording Freeview HD in H.264 TS format which i then use Handbrake to encode to MKV. The Blaze HDTV Software that came with it is rubbish so simply google for freeware HDTV software & you'll be right.

mm1352000

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#742969 10-Jan-2013 18:37

mrbbi: ...recording Freeview HD in H.264 TS format which i then use Handbrake to encode to MKV.

To be clear and try to avoid confusion with the term "encode": MKV is a container format like TS and MPG and M2TS. You can convert from TS to MKV without re-encoding the h.264 video or audio (AC3/DD or HE-AAC). In other words, it is possible to convert to MKV without quality loss. You only need to re-encode if you want to change the format or quality of the audio or video. Handbrake can be used to re-encode; I'm not sure if it can be used to "repackage" (change the container) but I guess it probably can.

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MyFriendAutism

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#743038 10-Jan-2013 20:58

mm1352000:
mrbbi: ...recording Freeview HD in H.264 TS format which i then use Handbrake to encode to MKV.

To be clear and try to avoid confusion with the term "encode": MKV is a container format like TS and MPG and M2TS. You can convert from TS to MKV without re-encoding the h.264 video or audio (AC3/DD or HE-AAC). In other words, it is possible to convert to MKV without quality loss. You only need to re-encode if you want to change the format or quality of the audio or video. Handbrake can be used to re-encode; I'm not sure if it can be used to "repackage" (change the container) but I guess it probably can.

Yeah. If you just want change the container then avidemux is the way to go.