Delay on HDMI (Hauppauge HD PVR 2)

[robmorren2]

Hi, 

Quick form of this question: Is there a device or any setting alterations that will cut down on the 3-4 second delay that I'm experiencing with an HDMI source fed through NPVR via a HD PVR 2 (connected via USB 3.0) from my Windows PC to clients throughout my home (Kodi running on Ras Pi 5's).

Long form info:

I purchased a used HD PVR 2 from eBay to test this setup. I already had a setup established that's been working for years with QAM Cable and PCI 918 Tuners as well as IPTV sources. I want to add a Fire Cube that feeds through NPVR. The reason is to have sports games ran throughout my house that broadcast on apps that I can't get (at least I don't think I can) through Kodi, such as Peacock. 

I set up the device with no issues. Made a channel and called it "HDMI" on my channel list. I can play it fine with no issues, other than a delay of about 3-4 seconds. When I watch the feed and press the remote, it takes about 3-4 secs to see the button press move on the screen. Now that I know the setup is achievable, is there a different device or different settings that might cut down that delay? I wouldn't have an issue paying for something more expensive than what I currently have, if it would help. 

Windows PC
Device shows as "HD PVR 2 Gaming Edition" on WinTV10
Device shows as  HDPVR "Local Recorder (Siena Crossbar)" on NPVR Devices page
Using most current version of NPVR
Sending to Kodi on RasPi5's (everything hardwired with cat5e throughout the home)

Thanks in advance!

[sub]

Quick form of this question: Is there a device or any setting alterations that will cut down on the 3-4 second delay that I'm experiencing with an HDMI source fed through NPVR via a HD PVR 2 (connected via USB 3.0) from my Windows PC to clients throughout my home (Kodi running on Ras Pi 5's).

No.

That's fairly normal. It's not a low latency device, and it takes time go through the hardware encoder. NextPVR and Kodi will both add some small delays as well.

[mvallevand]

Not really assuming you are using a blaster or tuning script but some STB's are faster at responding to the remote buttons. If your blaster script can OK you can save time on the timeout after all the digits are set.

Often networked grabbers are faster than the HDPVR though since they are always capturing and don't have to sync on a signal.

I also adjusted my tuning script to not return a channel that was last tuned and it is almost as fast as a digital device. I made this video last month and the black screen I get is not that bad and the 3rd test is to the same channel. You might be able see the STB OSD come up before the video showing NextPVR is capturing but there still is no source.

Martin

[robmorren2]

Quick form of this question: Is there a device or any setting alterations that will cut down on the 3-4 second delay that I'm experiencing with an HDMI source fed through NPVR via a HD PVR 2 (connected via USB 3.0) from my Windows PC to clients throughout my home (Kodi running on Ras Pi 5's).

No.

That's fairly normal. It's not a low latency device, and it takes time go through the hardware encoder. NextPVR and Kodi will both add some small delays as well.

Just curious, is the HDMI slower b/c of the higher quality, or b/c it's fed through USB? The reason I ask, is that my QAM cable feed through the Haup PCI 918 tuner card goes through my same system with less than a 1 sec delay (I've had TVs with the cable feed side by side with the NPVR/Kodi feed to compare). I didn't know if getting something like the Colossus 2 connected via PCI might reduce the delay (cutting USB out of the equation) -- or if it's just a matter of QAM being lower quality and quicker to move through the system. 

Thanks again!

[robmorren2]

Not really assuming you are using a blaster or tuning script but some STB's are faster at responding to the remote buttons.  If your blaster script can OK you can save time on the timeout after all the digits are set. 

Often networked grabbers are faster than the HDPVR though since they are always capturing and don't have to sync on a signal.

I also adjusted my tuning script to not return a channel that was last tuned and it is almost as fast as a digital device.  I made this video last month and the black screen I get is not that bad and the 3rd test is to the same channel.  You might be able see the STB OSD come up before the video showing NextPVR is capturing but there still is no source.

Martin

I'm actually not needing any IR / blaster or anything, b/c I can control my source (Fire Cube), via the Fire App on my phone through my network. I tested the feasibility of this HDMI addition on my system by buying a cheap HD PVR 2 on eBay. It worked well (aside from the delay). I already had WinTV10 and other Hauppauge tuners installed, so that's why I landed on that specific grabber. It showed up on my NPVR devices list as soon as I installed the drivers and reset my PC. If you think there's a different style of grabber that would work with less delay, I'd love to hear more. Something from Amazon would be best, so I can return it if needed. I really appreciate the help!

[sub]

Just curious, is the HDMI slower b/c of the higher quality, or b/c it's fed through USB? The reason I ask, is that my QAM cable feed through the Haup PCI 918 tuner card goes through my same system with less than a 1 sec delay (I've had TVs with the cable feed side by side with the NPVR/Kodi feed to compare). I didn't know if getting something like the Colossus 2 connected via PCI might reduce the delay (cutting USB out of the equation) -- or if it's just a matter of QAM being lower quality and quicker to move through the system. 

No, it's not because of USB. The Colossus2 will have approximately the same delay.

These hardware encoders basically have a running buffer of a couple of seconds of frames, which it's encoded as it goes.

Digital TV tuners, and old analog cards, and not doing the equivalent video encoding, so are don't have these extra delays.

[robmorren2]

Just curious, is the HDMI slower b/c of the higher quality, or b/c it's fed through USB? The reason I ask, is that my QAM cable feed through the Haup PCI 918 tuner card goes through my same system with less than a 1 sec delay (I've had TVs with the cable feed side by side with the NPVR/Kodi feed to compare). I didn't know if getting something like the Colossus 2 connected via PCI might reduce the delay (cutting USB out of the equation) -- or if it's just a matter of QAM being lower quality and quicker to move through the system. 

No, it's not because of USB. The Colossus2 will have approximately the same delay.

These hardware encoders basically have a running buffer of a couple of seconds of frames, which it's encoded as it goes.

Digital TV tuners, and old analog cards, and not doing the equivalent video encoding, so are don't have these extra delays.

Thanks for the info!