Can I assume you are using a recent developer snapshot and not something really old that does not support the Premiere like rdian06's Windows Installer? This generally is the first issue that comes up with an old version.
PyTivo and anamorphic SD
I just started using pyTivo after using Tivo Desktop Plus for a number of years due to issues with TDT and my Premieres. I like it a lot and it seems rock solid. However, I am getting video format that is different than TDT and I want to know if there is a solution.
With TDT, if I copy a DVD video (1.85 or 2.35 OAR) and save as an mpg or vob file, I will get a full amamorphic 16X9 video which fills my screen (or has black bars top and bottom just like the DVD if 2.35) when I play it back on my tivos. However, with pytivo and the same video, I am getting a "window boxed" video with black bars at the top and bottom as well as the sides. If i zoom the Tivo, it fills the screen just like TDT but it looks noticably softer to me.
Am I doing something wrong?
With TDT, if I copy a DVD video (1.85 or 2.35 OAR) and save as an mpg or vob file, I will get a full amamorphic 16X9 video which fills my screen (or has black bars top and bottom just like the DVD if 2.35) when I play it back on my tivos. However, with pytivo and the same video, I am getting a "window boxed" video with black bars at the top and bottom as well as the sides. If i zoom the Tivo, it fills the screen just like TDT but it looks noticably softer to me.
Am I doing something wrong?
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Yeah, it sounds like a pre-Premiere version, which basically falls back to treating the Premiere as a Series 2 since it doesn't recognize it.
That may be it. Is there a proper version with a Windows installer package?Yeah, it sounds like a pre-Premiere version, which basically falls back to treating the Premiere as a Series 2 since it doesn't recognize it.
No. They were created by other users but were never maintained properly. Follow the directions on the wiki to find and use a new development snapshot.That may be it. Is there a proper version with a Windows installer package?
Thanks. I am well along into the process but I am stuck on the configuration. I can't get to the web configuration screen. I get "IE cannot display the web page".No. They were created by other users but were never maintained properly. Follow the directions on the wiki to find and use a new development snapshot.
Any thoughts?
EDIT- Found the issue, I made a mistake when renaming the pytivo.conf file. I will test further and see if it is all working. Man, the Wiki helps and thanks for the replies.
Glad to see you got it working. Need help just ask..Thanks. I am well along into the process but I am stuck on the configuration. I can't get to the web configuration screen. I get "IE cannot display the web page".
Any thoughts?
EDIT- Found the issue, I made a mistake when renaming the pytivo.conf file. I will test further and see if it is all working. Man, the Wiki helps and thanks for the replies.
Thanks. I will.Glad to see you got it working. Need help just ask..
Question number one. I haven't set up pyTivo for pushes. It seems unneeded for me. Is there some benefit from pushes over pulls from the tivo?
Potentially easier and faster. Depending on how far your computer is from your couch and what types of videos you have.Thanks. I will.
Question number one. I haven't set up pyTivo for pushes. It seems unneeded for me. Is there some benefit from pushes over pulls from the tivo?
Instead of requesting the video from your TiVo (a pull) you can use the webadmin interface of pyTivo to send the files to your TiVo that way instead (a push).
If you have a recent pyTivo build from your developer of choice you may be able to push the files to the TiVo as is without the time consuming transcode. Tivo compatible files such as .tivo or .mp4 files can typically be sent straight to the TiVo saving a great deal of time. Some files (such as MKV) that have compatible h264/(ac3 or aac) codecs will be quickly remuxed into a compatible MP4 and then sent. If you really get heavy into pushing files you should look at the different developers in what they offer, many of the extra customizations are in this area.
You only need to add your tivo.com username and password to your pyTivo.conf. Use the webadmin interface under 'Web Configuration' -> 'Global Server Settings'.
Well, a .TiVo file can always be sent without a transcode (except HD to Series 2). 
But the handling of MP4 is the key difference between "push" and "pull", aside from the interface. Pulled MP4s always have to be transcoded; pushed MP4s often don't.
But the handling of MP4 is the key difference between "push" and "pull", aside from the interface. Pulled MP4s always have to be transcoded; pushed MP4s often don't.
...ahem...yes. Not sure where my head was this morning.Well, a .TiVo file can always be sent without a transcode (except HD to Series 2).
Gotcha. I have been doing everything in mpeg2 so that wouldn't matter. I did that primarily to keep the DD5.1 audio with Tivo Desktop Plus and since I had an 8GB RAID array, size wasn't too critical.Well, a .TiVo file can always be sent without a transcode (except HD to Series 2).
With pyTivo, can I push mp4 files with 5.1 audio (either DD or another format)? That might make me rethink going forward. I have an HT Server and access to that computer in most rooms so pushing would be easy.
The TiVo supports native audio formats for MP4 video files of: AC-3 up to 5.1 640kbps (Premiere) and AAC LC up to 2 channels (not sure of akbps, but works for everything I have thrown at it). Native video format for MP4 that is supported is h.264/AVC <= Level 4.1. It also supports VC-1 type video files but I am not certain of the audio codecs that go with that file format.With pyTivo, can I push mp4 files with 5.1 audio (either DD or another format)? That might make me rethink going forward. I have an HT Server and access to that computer in most rooms so pushing would be easy.
If you have a MKV or other file that is sporting completely compatible audio and video then the wmcbrine branch will remux this to a MP4 on the fly and transfer it to your TiVo.
The size savings is significant, no two ways about it. I have an 18T RAID6 array with 4.9T free, but if I were not recoding my MPEG-II files to h.264, I would have little or no free space at all. More important for me, however, is the transfer speed, especially for 720p content. Although the Premier can usually transfer even 720p content in better than real time, the S3 cannot. Even very high bandwidth 1080i content sometimes has trouble transferring without a few pauses unless one allows a few minutes of buffering, and that is on an original S3. On a THD, it's even worse. On a THD, 720p content transfers as much as 4x faster when encoded as h.264, and even a THD should not encounter buffering issues when being pushed h.264 content.
Yes.With pyTivo, can I push mp4 files with 5.1 audio (either DD or another format)?
Using vidmgr, the question is moot, since vidmgr initiates pushes from the TiVo remote itself. Vidmgr's interface is also vastly superior to the NPL UI.That might make me rethink going forward. I have an HT Server and access to that computer in most rooms so pushing would be easy.
Okay, I know that this thread isn't about recoding, but I can't resist saying "huh?". I recently used Handbrake to convert the NFC championship from MPEG-II to h.264. My sizes were:The size savings is significant, no two ways about it. I have an 18T RAID6 array with 4.9T free, but if I were not recoding my MPEG-II files to h.264, I would have little or no free space at all.
NFC championship (Fox 720p) 28.55 GB --> 24.7 GB (high preset)
Superbowl (NBC 1080i) 27.51 GB --> about 24 GB (high preset)
It was only when I changed resolution from 1080i to 720p output on the Superbowl that I got down to 14.69 GB.
So without reducing resolution the size change from MPEG-II to h.264 was minimal.
So, when you are "recoding my MPEG-II files to h.264" are you also reducing resolution? Or are you using a better transcoder than the free Handbrake?
What are you using for the quality setting (CRF)? Seems like you are using a setting that is too high (CRF number too low).Okay, I know that this thread isn't about recoding, but I can't resist saying "huh?". I recently used Handbrake to convert the NFC championship from MPEG-II to h.264. My sizes were:
NFC championship (Fox 720p) 28.55 GB --> 24.7 GB (high preset)
Superbowl (NBC 1080i) 27.51 GB --> about 24 GB (high preset)
It was only when I changed resolution from 1080i to 720p output on the Superbowl that I got down to 14.69 GB.
So without reducing resolution the size change from MPEG-II to h.264 was minimal.
So, when you are "recoding my MPEG-II files to h.264" are you also reducing resolution? Or are you using a better transcoder than the free Handbrake?
Handbrake uses x264 as its h.264 transcoder.
I transcode all of my video with avisynth and x264. If I take a 1hr 1080i show (~4.5GB after commercial removal) and transcode to 720p24 H.264, I usually end up in the 800MB territory. I use CRF of 21 for HD shows and 19 for SD.
If you don't reduce resolution, you should still see 30-50% file size reduction.
This sounds promising. Is there a link to a download and maybe a Wiki for vidmgr? OK, I found someone's thread over in the Developer's thread and it really does look amazing- think the family would love it and it would cut my file sizes to boot. I will give installing a try. It looks as if the OP in that thread had all the questions I might have.Yes.
Using vidmgr, the question is moot, since vidmgr initiates pushes from the TiVo remote itself. Vidmgr's interface is also vastly superior to the NPL UI.
You guys willing to help an almost clueless dolt? I'll look for tips in that thread (wmcbrine, lrhorer, Iluvatar)...
I am using VideoRedo for my mpeg2 files and I get a substantially smaller file. Your settings must be off. I use 70% in VideoRedo (which is similar to Handbrake's CRF settings) and cannot tell the difference. The file is almost 50% smaller, usually.Okay, I know that this thread isn't about recoding, but I can't resist saying "huh?". I recently used Handbrake to convert the NFC championship from MPEG-II to h.264. My sizes were:
NFC championship (Fox 720p) 28.55 GB --> 24.7 GB (high preset)
Superbowl (NBC 1080i) 27.51 GB --> about 24 GB (high preset)
It was only when I changed resolution from 1080i to 720p output on the Superbowl that I got down to 14.69 GB.
So without reducing resolution the size change from MPEG-II to h.264 was minimal.
So, when you are "recoding my MPEG-II files to h.264" are you also reducing resolution? Or are you using a better transcoder than the free Handbrake?
Just to clarify, I'm using the default presets in Handbrake 0.95. E.g. for "Apple TV 2" it uses Constant quality RF: 20 (and sets max of 1280x720, so 1080i material will be downrezzed). The "Regular, High Profile" setting also uses RF:20. No doubt that if I fiddle with RF I could get smaller transcodes.What are you using for the quality setting (CRF)? Seems like you are using a setting that is too high (CRF number too low).
...
I use CRF of 21 for HD shows and 19 for SD.
I haven't tried any Handbrake nightlies. From briefly scanning their forums I gather that a new "official" release is coming soon.
I've been meaning to try VideoRedo. I think it's great when companies make available their software for free trials. Unfortunately I know it will be more hassle for me to try this than the for average guy, since I'd have to do it under VMware Fusion.
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