Which software can record HDTV as 1080i? - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

lunear · 2007-09-16, 01:40 PM

I am using Hauppauge WinTV HVR-950 hybrid NTSC/ATSC USB TV Tuner and Zenith Silver HDTV antenna to watch HDTV on Media Center. It's amazing! However, I tried to record the HDTV programs by using Media Center. What I got is only 720P format files. So I wonder which software can record HDTV in 1080i or 1080P format? Thanks.

PPL4GOLF · 2007-09-16, 02:34 PM

I think it all depends on the channel you recording from...some are 1080i and some are 720p...these HD cards don't recode anything.

lunear · 2007-09-16, 04:40 PM

I know that different channels have different resolution programs. What I want is to record 1080i TV programs as Full HD. I tried WatchHDTV which claims that it can record Full HD programs, but it doesn't work on Vista.

jvincent · 2007-09-16, 04:42 PM

What channels are you recording and how do you know that they are 720p?

All of the programs that I am aware of simply record the HD transport stream so you will get whatever is sent.

None of the apps have enough speed to re-encode the MPEG stream on the fly.

57 · 2007-09-16, 05:17 PM

As an FYI, see the following regarding HDTV Formats:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=17721

lunear · 2007-09-16, 11:47 PM

I tried to record "Resident Evil" from CityTV on Friday, but the resolution is 1024*578 only, so it is about 720P. I can tell the different between the original and the recording. I am using VGA port to connect computer with monitor. Is it the reason?

jvincent · 2007-09-17, 08:42 AM

Where are you seeing the resolution reported at 1024x578?

Jake · 2007-09-17, 09:42 AM

What model monitor do you have? Does the monitor support 1920x1080? If not MC is most likely sending the highest supported resolution which happens to be 1024x578.

PS: 1024x578 was popular when using a 4:3 aspect ratio projector for widescreen material.

lunear · 2007-09-17, 10:21 AM

I used Media Player to see the properities of recorded program. There are the video size and sound format.

My monitor is Dell 2407WFP, it support 1920x1200. However, my computer only has VGA output.

Jake · 2007-09-17, 10:34 AM

I don't think WMP can play transport streams. Somebody correct me if I am wrong. That could mean you are looking at a re-encoded (and resampled) version. Not the original.

que3jxp · 2007-09-17, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake

I don't think WMP can play transport streams. Somebody correct me if I am wrong.

I regularly run TS files in WMP without any trouble.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lunear

I used Media Player to see the properities of recorded program.

I would strongly suggest you download AVICodec and check the file properties with that instead of WMP.

Also, it is irrelevant if you have the 720p or 1080i source "saved" to 1080p as when you play the "lesser" formats, your PC will upscale them to fit whatever resolution that you have your video card set to.

Oh, and VGA as a connector is irrelevant. DVI would give you nothing more except for HDCP support when playing BD or HD-DVD.

Jake · 2007-09-17, 04:31 PM

Quote:

I regularly run TS files in WMP without any trouble

Yes I do too. I should have said "without an additional decoder installed". The stock configuration of WMP (the last time I used it) did not play these files.

PPL4GOLF · 2007-09-17, 05:02 PM

FWIW, the MS Recorded TV files with the Emmy Award (don't laugh) yesterday showed up as 704x480 on the Window Media Player. It uses MPV codec and it seems to work fine. I recorded from CFTO which is 1080i.

The only thing different here is I didn't get tripped to think the video quality is any less :~) It is indeed HD and the file is >20GB for 3 hrs.

jlet · 2007-09-17, 05:15 PM

My OnAir GT HDTV tuner product came with the appropriate Software to record HDTV signals and playback TS files. It also shows the resolution.

que3jxp · 2007-09-17, 05:48 PM

What does it say the resolutions are?

Sometimes, a show is not broadcast in HD so it is possible that even though you were recording an HD channel, the video content was simply up sampled SD quality.

Either way, there is no purpose in trying to reencode into a higher resolution. Your PC will always reformat/upscale on the fly and any interlaced content (1080i) is always shown in a progressive format. Fixed pixel displays cannot show interlaced content as they are all progressive displays. That is where the quality of the electronics in the TV or in your case, the video card and its drivers, comes into play. They resample the video into the native progressive resolution of your monitor/TV.

2007-09-16, 01:40 PM	#1
lunear Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 128	Which software can record HDTV as 1080i? I am using Hauppauge WinTV HVR-950 hybrid NTSC/ATSC USB TV Tuner and Zenith Silver HDTV antenna to watch HDTV on Media Center. It's amazing! However, I tried to record the HDTV programs by using Media Center. What I got is only 720P format files. So I wonder which software can record HDTV in 1080i or 1080P format? Thanks.

2007-09-16, 05:17 PM	#5
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,300	As an FYI, see the following regarding HDTV Formats: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=17721 __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

2007-09-17, 09:42 AM	#8
Jake Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Gatineau and Ottawa Posts: 10,183	What model monitor do you have? Does the monitor support 1920x1080? If not MC is most likely sending the highest supported resolution which happens to be 1024x578. PS: 1024x578 was popular when using a 4:3 aspect ratio projector for widescreen material. __________________ Tip: See an offending post? Don't reply, report it by clicking on the 'Report Post' icon.

2007-09-17, 10:34 AM	#10
Jake Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Gatineau and Ottawa Posts: 10,183	I don't think WMP can play transport streams. Somebody correct me if I am wrong. That could mean you are looking at a re-encoded (and resampled) version. Not the original. __________________ Tip: See an offending post? Don't reply, report it by clicking on the 'Report Post' icon.

2007-09-17, 05:02 PM	#13
PPL4GOLF Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 904	FWIW, the MS Recorded TV files with the Emmy Award (don't laugh) yesterday showed up as 704x480 on the Window Media Player. It uses MPV codec and it seems to work fine. I recorded from CFTO which is 1080i. The only thing different here is I didn't get tripped to think the video quality is any less :~) It is indeed HD and the file is >20GB for 3 hrs. Last edited by PPL4GOLF; 2007-09-17 at 05:09 PM.

2007-09-16, 02:34 PM	#2
PPL4GOLF Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 904	I think it all depends on the channel you recording from...some are 1080i and some are 720p...these HD cards don't recode anything.

2007-09-16, 04:40 PM	#3
lunear Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 128	I know that different channels have different resolution programs. What I want is to record 1080i TV programs as Full HD. I tried WatchHDTV which claims that it can record Full HD programs, but it doesn't work on Vista.

2007-09-16, 04:42 PM	#4
jvincent Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ottawa Posts: 5,369	What channels are you recording and how do you know that they are 720p? All of the programs that I am aware of simply record the HD transport stream so you will get whatever is sent. None of the apps have enough speed to re-encode the MPEG stream on the fly.

2007-09-16, 11:47 PM	#6
lunear Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 128	I tried to record "Resident Evil" from CityTV on Friday, but the resolution is 1024*578 only, so it is about 720P. I can tell the different between the original and the recording. I am using VGA port to connect computer with monitor. Is it the reason?

2007-09-17, 08:42 AM	#7
jvincent Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ottawa Posts: 5,369	Where are you seeing the resolution reported at 1024x578?

2007-09-17, 10:21 AM	#9
lunear Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 128	I used Media Player to see the properities of recorded program. There are the video size and sound format. My monitor is Dell 2407WFP, it support 1920x1200. However, my computer only has VGA output.

2007-09-17, 05:15 PM	#14
jlet Veteran Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario, Rogers Cable Posts: 1,733	My OnAir GT HDTV tuner product came with the appropriate Software to record HDTV signals and playback TS files. It also shows the resolution. __________________ SA8300HD; Panasonic TH-50PZ850; Sony STR-DA5ES; Tannoy: Arden, S8C, S8LR; SVS 16-46PC+; Oppo 971; Harmony 659/680

2007-09-17, 05:48 PM	#15
que3jxp Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Fredericton, NB Posts: 3,174	What does it say the resolutions are? Sometimes, a show is not broadcast in HD so it is possible that even though you were recording an HD channel, the video content was simply up sampled SD quality. Either way, there is no purpose in trying to reencode into a higher resolution. Your PC will always reformat/upscale on the fly and any interlaced content (1080i) is always shown in a progressive format. Fixed pixel displays cannot show interlaced content as they are all progressive displays. That is where the quality of the electronics in the TV or in your case, the video card and its drivers, comes into play. They resample the video into the native progressive resolution of your monitor/TV.

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