Uray encoders?

[wayner9]

How many people are using Uray or similar network encoders that capture and HDMI signal? Can you comment on the quality of the file created? Do you see much quality loss vs live TV? What model Uray do you have? There are some that do H.264, some that do H.265 and some that can capture 4K as well.

How do you play back the captured file? SageTV client? SageTV Placeshifter? SageTV extenders?

[JustFred51]

I've been using a pair of the Uray-like clones for almost 3 years now. They're set to encode H.264, since Sage doesn't handle H.265. To my eyes, video quality has been excellent; every bit as good as OTA TV. My playback is primarily via Sage extenders, with occasional Placeshifter use.
A year ago, I discovered that there are some reduced-cost encoders being sold that won't handle an interlaced input signal, so it's important to carefully read the seller's description before buying.

[wayner9]

Thanks. I think that SageTV should be able to handle playback of H.265 if you are using SageTV client or the AndroidTV client. Possibly also Placeshifter.

But, like you, I also use extenders so that isn't an option with extenders unless you are able to transcode.

[trk2]

Yes, H.265 playback works fine on the windows and android client. I use it all the time. No experience with Placeshifter.

FYI, H.265 live transcoding to extenders was working with the limitation that by default the best resolution Sage allowed to transcode to was 720p. However, one of the later updates Josh did broke H.265 transcoding to extenders. I've been meaning to investigate that, but it wasn't an issue for me to run an old sage.jar until the schedules direct problem came along.

[TGsell1]

I’m similar situation.   But using URays (single input).   Quality is excellent almost OTA and is highly configurable through the web interface.    Open DCT recognizes them.  I feed them with the output of my cable provider’s Android box which I tune manually and as mentioned previously will try and develop a program to tune via Sage.   I believe this would be priceless for those Sage users that have similar boxes essentially replacing CableCards. Sent from my iPhoneOn Mar 16, 2026, at 11:29 AM, Keith Fischer ***@***.***> wrote: I've been using a pair of the Uray-like clones for almost 3 years now. They're set to encode H.264, since Sage doesn't handle H.265. To my eyes, video quality has been excellent; every bit as good as OTA TV. My playback is primarily via Sage extenders, with occasional Placeshifter use. A year ago, I discovered that there are some reduced-cost encoders being sold that won't handle an interlaced input signal, so it's important to carefully read the seller's description before buying. —Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe.You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[wayner9]

Thanks for the feedback. Do you have a unit that does up to 1080p and encodes to H.264? What do you use for playback? Extender? PC?

[TGsell1]

Yes both 1080 and 264.  I use mostly HD300s but lots of Firesticks (Android client). Occasional glitches with the Firestick which I haven’t really investigated but perhaps I’m pushing the framerate or resolution too far but the HD300 handles it perfectly.  Sent from my iPhoneOn Mar 16, 2026, at 12:34 PM, wayner9 ***@***.***> wrote: Thanks for the feedback. Do you have a unit that does up to 1080p and encodes to H.264? What do you use for playback? Extender? PC? —Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe.You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[tiki-2]

I use a LinkPi enc1-v3 encoder. It is a network encoder (similar to URAY) that supports 4k (and lower resolutions like 1080p). I switched to this when a Windows 11 update caused my Colossus to stop working a year or two ago. I bought mine on Amazon from a company called WayponDev - they are also made by Youuyeetoo and you can get them on eBay or AliExpress too.

I have it set to record from a Comcast/Xfinity X10 cable box (using USBUIRT to change channels). I run Sage as a service on a Windows 11 PC and run the Sage Client on the same PC. I record everything at 1080p, h.264. It has a web interface for configuration. I use OpenDCT to allow SageTV to control it (I'm also using OpenDCT for by HDHR Prime cable card tuners).

I haven't had any failed or corrupted recordings since I started using it.

[KryptoNyte-Sage]

I've been using a Uray 4 channel encoder for about 5 years now, still going strong. Just received a new firmware for it this week (okay, there was no firmware update as it turns out). It's pretty much identical to this unit (only 2 of the ports are 4k, but I run all 4 ports at 1080p of course):
https://www.szuray.com/h-pd-250.html
Except my older unit can't do 120 frames per second (and I'm not sure that unit actually can either). All of my Hauppauge stuff, internal, external, was all a much softer picture. The Uray encoders produce a picture that's exceptionally sharp, fairly smooth, and there is a fair amount of control in the webUI for the unit (see that web page link). Every port has 4 streams - a main stream and 3 sub-streams. We aren't streaming to Youtube, so all the sub-streams can be disabled. Being able to broadcast video over my LAN has been priceless, most pieces of software can now access these units in some fashion, although I'm not sure what options there are in Sage right now to actually use it.

Stereo audio only, no support for anything over 2 audio channels.

I use HD300's, Firesticks occasionally, and PC client.