File format for DVR recordings

[sirlou]

Hiya, considering switching to the SD DVR service and was wondering what file format the recording software uses. MP4?
Can I play them with other applications or only the DVR application?

Currently I use NextPVR and Schedules Direct for my EPG. My recordings are save to local storage and transcoded to MP4 so I can play anywhere.

Any info much appreciated!

Lou

[signcarver]

Its a ts with a .mpg extension (some software may required it be renamed with .ts to play in it but SD's software requires .mpg. Codecs are whatever your station broadcasts unless you happen to have one of the old extends in us that is usually mpeg2 and ac3 for atsc1 and hevc and ac4 for atsc3, others may use h.264 and even aac.

The first 64 ts packets also contain the metadata (has to be there for the dvr to pick it up if you wish to import).

[sirlou]

Its a ts with a .mpg extension (some software may required it be renamed with .ts to play in it but SD's software requires .mpg. Codecs are whatever your station broadcasts unless you happen to have one of the old extends in us that is usually mpeg2 and ac3 for atsc1 and hevc and ac4 for atsc3, others may use h.264 and even aac.

The first 64 ts packets also contain the metadata (has to be there for the dvr to pick it up if you wish to import).

OK, and converting the TS to MP4 is non-problematic? I'm assuming folx use VLC's built in transcoder, or some similar program.

Any advice/experience on doing so is much appreciated. My current system OK well but I think the SD DVR software will be more reliable than my freeware version.

thanks in advance,
Lou

[Cabal]

Changing the container without transcoding is trivial and fast. However, most reasonably sophisticated players should have no problem handling a TS, even if it's mislabeled as .mpg.

[techpro2004]

fyi, mcebuddy can convert media files from other sources to hdhomerun dvr compatible with the correct metadata structure.