Tips and Tricks:442
From The Neuros Technology Wiki
[edit] Resolving Compatibility Issues
Background:
The first step in troubleshooting a compatibility issue is to isolate the problem.
Your typical AVI file will consist of:
- a FourCC header
- comments or metadata
- a video stream
- and one or more audio streams
A problem can lie with any one of the above
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Audio trouble
Signs of audio problems include:
- No audio
- Audio not syncing with video
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Video trouble
Signs of video problems include:
- It wont play
- Weird blocks or motion trails
- Green blocks
- Skipped frames or jerky playback
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[edit] where to find aftermarket accessories, etc
See Complementary_software_and_products:442
[edit] Getting the 442 to work with Tiv2go (TM)
we are currently working with TVHarmony to put together a HOWTO on getting TiVo2go to work with the 442.
Nate is also working on something, see IRC discussion
[edit] Troubleshooting
Note: There are also helpful tips at the 442 FAQ
[edit] When I try to Record, the 442 shuts itself off after a few minutes or after 1/2 hour
Answer #1 You need to make sure that the battery is well charged in order to record. Whenever possible, keep the unit connected to a power outlet using the power adaptor provided with the neuros 442.
Answer #2 30 minutes is the default setting for the recording. If you want to record for more than 30 minutes, follow these steps:
1. Select Video Recording on the menu: "PVR Press play to start" will be displayed on the screen
2. Press the menu button. From there you will be able to chose the recording resolution, the recording quality for the Video and the audio, as well as the recording time by increment of 30 minutes. Choose the appropriate recording time using the 4-button joystick, then press the BACK/EXIT button. This will send you back to the original screen.
3. Press the start button in the middle of the joystick to start recording.
[edit] Using the 442 for recording, sound was only coming out of one channel... and I heard a low garbled noise out of the other channel. I had to turn the sound all the way up on the unit to hear the sound.
Answer #1You will get the garbled sound if you plug the stereo plug into the mono jack... ex: If your vcr or tivo only has one audio out (mono) and you plug in the stereo plug (cant remember which color) instead of the mono plug, one side will be garbled. Try plugging in the opposite audio jack and see if you hear it.
Answer #2I have had this problem and found, that when I checked, my cable wasn't pushed all the way in. This happened several times...now I just make sure I double check that the cables to the 442 are pushed in all the way and since then haven't had anymore garbled sound.
Greg
Answer #3 I found this problem was related to 5.1 channel output. My DVD player has 5.1 surround outputs and normally if I just have two speakers, I plug them into the subwoofer output, but for some reason, only one channel was coming out of there, and I was getting garbled tones out of the other channel. I ultimately plugged the garbled channel plug into one of the other outputs (not the subwoofer) and everything was fine.
[edit] When trying to play a Divx file, the device reads "unsupported" or fails to play the movie and skips to the next clip.
For the time being, Using Divx Converter will solve this issue by converting to a compatible divx format. If you have trouble using Divx Converter, AVS Video converter works well also.
In addition if you would like to go the free route you can convert your video using the 442 howto simply skip the DVD ripping section and choose file input in AutoGK instead of DVD input.
If you still cannot figure out what you are doing wrong you can open up your video file in MPEG4 Modifier. Once loaded hit the the 'Video Info' button and make sure it says 'No' next to QPel, GMC, and for compatibility sake 'Packed bitstrem'. Note that most packed bitstream files will work on the 442 without problems, however a select few will not. To be on the safe side if this is disabled before encoding your file should always work. Unpacking the bitstream after encoding does not always work as well as if it was not packed to begin with. Packed bitstream has nothing to do with how compressed the video is, it is only used to order the frames in the video. Another thing to look for is the quantization type or 'Quant type:' make sure this is either H.263 or MPEG for compatibility. If any of these things are not correct then reread the 442 howto.
- If the settings are correct and you still cannot play you video then post a comment in the Neuros 442 forums. If at all possible post a link to a sample of your video that you cannot play for peer review and analysis.
[edit] I don't see anything on my TV screen after pressing the TV/LOCK button
Very few users have reported this problem. First, make sure cables are well connected. Then press the TV/Lock button on the top right corner of the screen, just above the joystick. You should see something on your TV. If there is still no TV output, look at the bottom left corner of the screen of the 442. If you see a red key, press the TV/Lock button a few times until you see something on your TV screen. In case the above did not work out, reboot the unit. This should solve your problem.
[edit] My 442 just drops the USB 2 connection after a while.
Some USB connectors don't work reliably with the Neuros. The USB extensions on my PC's case drop the connection, while the ones directly on the motherboard, accessed simply from the back of my PC, work just fine - tranferrings gigs without a hiccup. My motherboard is a A7N8X from AUSUS. --Update: This is bugzilla bug 421. It appears to be caused by using unpowered USB ports. I have the same problem with this motherboard, and the front USB slots are unpowered. Simply use powered USB to fix the problem.
