Record Saorview/TG4 on one PVR - Play on another PVR

brianeanna

Say I want to record TG4 on Saorview using a typical saorview box+External Hard Drive setup, but I want to play the recordings elsewhere. Will there be problems?

I suspect that the video files on the External Drive will be encoded, so won't play on a computer without a lot of fiddling. That is, they'll only play back through the saorview box.

If I have a second identical saorview box, however, will the video files play on that, or will they only play on the first box?

pat.folan

I suspect it would depend on the box. Some might encrypt while others do not.

Since you are talking about using a second box for playback I am assuming that you are not based in Ireland. Ohterwise you could just record the material on the second box in the first place.

There might be issues using a saorview box outside Ireland. America for example does not use PAL as we do. The question now becomes would a recording made in Ireland using PAL onto an external hard drive play on a saorview box which outputs an NTSC signal (assuming they can output NTSC)?

My guess is that the PAL v NTSC does not matter since the recordings on a USB drive are most likely encoded as MPeg4s or some such.

I'm assuming you are using a transformer of some sort to allow for the different voltage.

If I were you I would ask a relative to record a few minutes of something onto a small USB key. Then try to play the file on a laptop. It might just work.

Be aware of any relevent copyright issues and avoid breaking any laws!

brianeanna

Good guess there, Pat Folan! I indeed want to record kids programmes on TG4 for my kids who live in the United States.

Video compatibility is the least of my issues. Back in the VCR days, I simply bought an international player which converted PAL to NTSC. In the more recent DVD days, I simply bought a portable DVD player (with a built-in screen), and hacked it for a "0" region code. As a massive bonus, it also had an RCA video output, so would play on any TV with RCA input jacks.

Now, things are a smidge more problematic. Since it seems that virtually all Irish Saorview PVRs, regardless of brand, are actually the same unit (just reskinned with more or fewer features), we can probably assume that if one encrypts the files, then they all do. The question is then:

will files encrypted on one Saorview player then play on another?

Regarding copyright, I actually called TG4 and they said that there would be no legal difficulties. I guess the broadcasters really only care about people selling the programmes on (or showing them publicly).

Johnboy1951

None of the files recorded by the Ariva 120 are encrypted.

I very much doubt that any of the Saorview boxes encrypt files.

There would be no requirement for a second STB.

The files will play back on any equipment capable of playing video files. For instance the Ariva records TS files IIRC.

evilivor

brianeanna wrote: »

Good guess there, Pat Folan! I indeed want to record kids programmes on TG4 for my kids who live in the United States.

Video compatibility is the least of my issues. Back in the VCR days, I simply bought an international player which converted PAL to NTSC. In the more recent DVD days, I simply bought a portable DVD player (with a built-in screen), and hacked it for a "0" region code. As a massive bonus, it also had an RCA video output, so would play on any TV with RCA input jacks.

Now, things are a smidge more problematic. Since it seems that virtually all Irish Saorview PVRs, regardless of brand, are actually the same unit (just reskinned with more or fewer features), we can probably assume that if one encrypts the files, then they all do. The question is then:

will files encrypted on one Saorview player then play on another?

Regarding copyright, I actually called TG4 and they said that there would be no legal difficulties. I guess the broadcasters really only care about people selling the programmes on (or showing them publicly).

You could possibly use a computer based system - I have an Elgato EyeTv device connected to my Mac that records all the Saorview channels and then converts the recordings so they can be viewed on any computer; iPhone, put on a usb stick etc. you can then compress and even email the files if needed.

I find it great, EPG is ace, it's never missed a recording - it does a series record as such - and I can just edit out ads etc.

brianeanna

Thank you, JohnBoy! I'm assuming you have an Ariva 120 yourself. I noted in other posts on related topics that some people playing ts files from their External Hard Drives found that they didn't play fullscreen, but only with a postage-stamp sized picture.

Have you found that yourself, and what software would you use to play it? VLC?

brianeanna

Thanks for the tip, EvilIvor.

I just looked at the Elgato setup and it makes my mouth water, but it's an expensive piece of kit. I'd have to get a mac and the Elgato and then leave them on in a friend's or a relative's house for weeks and maybe months.

I'm trying to stay away from desktop- or laptop-based solutions at the moment (for the recording end of things, anyway).

Johnboy1951

brianeanna wrote: »

Thank you, JohnBoy! I'm assuming you have an Ariva 120 yourself. I noted in other posts on related topics that some people playing ts files from their External Hard Drives found that they didn't play fullscreen, but only with a postage-stamp sized picture.

Have you found that yourself, and what software would you use to play it? VLC?

Yes I have an Ariva 120 ..... but I have not been recording much lately.

I haven't seen the posts about small display on playback, so I don't know what the circumstances were. I suspect it had nothing to do with the files saved.


Yes VLC has no problems playing TS files.
There are other players available also such as SMplayer
http://smplayer.sourceforge.net/downloads.php

Sam Russell

brianeanna wrote: »

Thank you, JohnBoy! I'm assuming you have an Ariva 120 yourself. I noted in other posts on related topics that some people playing ts files from their External Hard Drives found that they didn't play fullscreen, but only with a postage-stamp sized picture.

Have you found that yourself, and what software would you use to play it? VLC?

I have tried plaing back .ts files directly on mt LGxxLD490 and they played back OK but were postage stamp size. No controls on the TV made any improvements. [I managed to make it worse but not better].

Johnboy1951

Sam Russell wrote: »

I have tried plaing back .ts files directly on mt LGxxLD490 and they played back OK but were postage stamp size. No controls on the TV made any improvements. [I managed to make it worse but not better].

Thanks Sam ...... it is the player in the TV so it seems ....

STB

brianeanna wrote: »

Good guess there, Pat Folan! I indeed want to record kids programmes on TG4 for my kids who live in the United States.

Video compatibility is the least of my issues. Back in the VCR days, I simply bought an international player which converted PAL to NTSC. In the more recent DVD days, I simply bought a portable DVD player (with a built-in screen), and hacked it for a "0" region code. As a massive bonus, it also had an RCA video output, so would play on any TV with RCA input jacks.

Now, things are a smidge more problematic. Since it seems that virtually all Irish Saorview PVRs, regardless of brand, are actually the same unit (just reskinned with more or fewer features), we can probably assume that if one encrypts the files, then they all do. The question is then:

will files encrypted on one Saorview player then play on another?

Regarding copyright, I actually called TG4 and they said that there would be no legal difficulties. I guess the broadcasters really only care about people selling the programmes on (or showing them publicly).

There are no issues.

There is no encryption. The files recorded are raw transport streams. Within that TS file is the video codec used - in this case MPEG4 H264 Pt 10 AVC and the audio is MPEG. High Quality and large files. They are drag and drop onto a PC, no problem and will play with VLC player which has the x264 codec built in to play these files.

RTE 2HD is 1440x1080 resolution. The others channels are 533x576.

I dont know how people are having issues with TS files being postage stamp size. It must be a limitation of the playback on the TVs own in built media player.

For sure the receiving end would need a device that can play TS files container and the format within (MPEG4 AVC). If the receiving end hasnt a device that can play TS files, then re-encode them to AVI or MKV or whatever the receiving end can play - it will make the file size smaller, thats all. Format Factory is such a program and is free. And if you are encoding them for DVD - you can pick PAL or NTSC if region is an issue. Most DVD players dont have that limitation these days. But again if the just want to play them on a computer, VLC works fine and is free.

The sum up your question, its simple to do.

STB

Sam Russell wrote: »

I have tried plaing back .ts files directly on mt LGxxLD490 and they played back OK but were postage stamp size. No controls on the TV made any improvements. [I managed to make it worse but not better].

Aspect Ratio. There must be an option to change it on the LGs. They do 1920 x 1080p afterall. So you must have something turned on or off that is downscaling rather than upscaling.

Sam Russell

STB wrote: »

Aspect Ratio. There must be an option to change it on the LGs. They do 1920 x 1080p afterall. So you must have something turned on or off that is downscaling rather than upscaling.

The only change, trying everything on the menu, was to get it as a long thin picture. Nothing changed thw width. I tried recoding but no difference. Then I gave up - life is too short.