MPEG-TS Errors - Debugging

[NumberFive]

Hello,

I've mentioned in a few other threads that I'm having issues with glitches when recording using a Hauppauge quadHD in particular configurations.  I'm 99.9% sure this is not a signal issue, but I don't intent to cast doubt on the Hauppauge when it might be other elements of the system.

I've tried two builds, one an ASRock J5005-ITX, and I have seen regular MPEG-TS continuity errors.

Using an old Dell Optiplex, and otherwise the same Hauppauge quadHD and aerial, I recorded 10s of hours error free and thought all was well.  Until I got a recording with several MPEG-TS continuity errors.  Drat!

I've been using this tool to check the MPEG-TS continuity - https://github.com/daniep01/MPEG-2-Trans...t-Analyser  It appears pretty good at what it does, and I've been able to confirm its output using DVB Inspector - https://sourceforge.net/projects/dvbinspector/   (packet numbers are sometimes out by 1, but other than that the info from both tools is the same).

The weird thing is, in this recent file captured on the Dell, it throws several errors such as "Expected 14, found 8", which means packets 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 are missing, and both tools confirm this...  however the file appears to play absolutely fine at the packet time indicated by DVB Inspector.  I've tried a minute either side in case I've missed something, but I can't spot a single error.  I would have thought 5 packets (188 bytes each) in a row would have thrown a significant visible error. Whereas with the problem files from the ASRock, there were obvious problems as you could see visible glitches in the video.

I know that analysing TS files and determining position isn't trivial, so maybe I'm doing something completely wrong.  :S

Does anyone have any advice?

Many thanks

[mvallevand]

Divide your file size by 188 5 packets is not really that significant likely microseconds. OTA this is to be expected and most players deal with it ok

Mrtin

[NumberFive]

Indeed, I guess that is likely. I did find a case of 1 packet of audio missing, and if you know when to listen for it you can hear it, but I bet if I wasn't aware of it I'd have missed it.

Out of curiosity, have you (or anyone reading) a feel for how many TS errors are "normal" OTA? I've lots of recordings that show zero errors, but I guess that some are to be expected over a long enough time.

[Graham]

[quote pid="551201" dateline="1609185212"]
Out of curiosity, have you (or anyone reading) a feel for how many TS errors are "normal" OTA?  I've lots of recordings that show zero errors, but I guess that some are to be expected over a long enough time.
[/quote]

Is it raining?  Are there leaves on the trees?  Is the wind moving the aerial?  And so on and so and so on ... In short ... How long is a piece of coax?

[NumberFive]

Point taken.

I'm just getting so frustrated at a 2008 ish card working flawlessly and much newer models throwing errors. Will get there!!

[Graham]

Point taken. 

I'm just getting so frustrated at a 2008 ish card working flawlessly and much newer models throwing errors.  Will get there!!

I had a Hauppauge quad and I was happy with it and now I have two of them ... I suspect that you are chasing your tail.

[NumberFive]

Point taken. 

I'm just getting so frustrated at a 2008 ish card working flawlessly and much newer models throwing errors.  Will get there!!

I had a Hauppauge quad and I was happy with it and now I have two of them ... I suspect that you are chasing your tail.

I might well be.  I'm learning a few things along the way though. 

Do you use the Hauppauge IR on the quadHD?  I found that it works as expected for a while, but then after a while it will stop responding until I restart IR.exe.  I think it might be related to if a recording is in progress, but not sure.  It's certainly not consistent.

[Graham]

Point taken. 

I'm just getting so frustrated at a 2008 ish card working flawlessly and much newer models throwing errors.  Will get there!!

I had a Hauppauge quad and I was happy with it and now I have two of them ... I suspect that you are chasing your tail.

I might well be.  I'm learning a few things along the way though. 

Do you use the Hauppauge IR on the quadHD?  I found that it works as expected for a while, but then after a while it will stop responding until I restart IR.exe.  I think it might be related to if a recording is in progress, but not sure.  It's certainly not consistent.

No. I am using a Harmony remote with a. Harmony hub. Works a treat ... But ain't cheap.

[NumberFive]

Point taken. 

I'm just getting so frustrated at a 2008 ish card working flawlessly and much newer models throwing errors.  Will get there!!

I had a Hauppauge quad and I was happy with it and now I have two of them ... I suspect that you are chasing your tail.

Hi Graham,

I've been trying to get my quadHD to work reliably, but it just keeps dropping TS packets.  I can see this in VLC with it's 'Statistics', when I stream from the quadHD I get "Dropped (discontinued)" quite regularly (roughly every 10 to 15 mins, sometimes more, sometimes less).  When I stream from an old Nova-T-500, it can go for hours/days with zero drops.  Same with some cheapo USB sticks.

I'm wondering, do your quadHD's exhibit this?  Mine also seems to get quite hot.  I measured it, it's 50+ degrees C.

Thanks for any advice.

[Graham]

... it just keeps dropping TS packets.  I can see this in VLC with it's 'Statistics', when I stream from the quadHD I get "Dropped (discontinued)" quite regularly (roughly every 10 to 15 mins, sometimes more, sometimes less).  When I stream from an old Nova-T-500, it can go for hours/days with zero drops.  Same with some cheapo USB sticks.

I'm wondering, do your quadHD's exhibit this?  Mine also seems to get quite hot.  I measured it, it's 50+ degrees C.

My recordings made with a Hauppauge Quad HD sometimes have pixellation ... I have alsways assumed that it is a reception problem.  I have tried with and without a booster on the aerial input but I have never been able to get a signal that is good all of the time.  I haven't tried the sort of device comparison that you describe.

My guess is that the Quad HD is differently sensitive to the other devices that you have tried ... My only suggestion (if you want to go the extra mile and spend the extra money) ... get a signal quality meter and a variable booster so that you can adjust the signal input strength to a value that suits the Quad HD ... but that is only my best guess ... it's probably cheaper to stop using the Quad HD and buy a different tuner.

I have never noticed a heat problem but I have never investigated the heat of the tuners.

Edit: I have now seen your other post ... You have already been round the houses with signal quality and boosters and all that so I have nothing to tell you.