Raspberry Pi 4 Hardware Transcoding Issues

Channels DVR Server Troubleshooting
#1

I installed channels-dvr on another pi4 to experiment with streaming outside the home and different setups. I installed your pi4 image to usb harddrive.
System Version : 2020.1210.2157
Server Version : 2021.01.15.1649
Everything runs great except hardware transcoding does not seen to work. I have tried it with both a hdhomerun connect and my original hdhomerun dual. Results are the same. Hardware transcoding either local or remote at any resolution other than original creates stream like this

Pic1
Pic11080×2520 362 KB
Software transcoding or Original looks perfect like Pic 2
Pic2
Pic21080×2520 286 KB

I thought I read somewhere that hardware transcoding was working. Is this correct? I was using my android phone with the channels app on it.
I tried using the different transcoding options at the bottom of the settings page. Also I noticed it doesn't seem to matter how you have transcoding set in the server only on the client app. Let me know if you need any additional information. I travel during the week but i can look at it on the weekends.

#2

This is a bug with certain types of feeds. Which channels is it happening on? Probably 1080i or 480i? I think 720p is probably fine?

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#3

It does appear to be the lower quality secondary channels that I see it on. Probably is 480. Is there an easy way to see what the stream quality is coming in at?
Is this an issue on the Pi or all hardware/software transcoding. The new job has me away from home all week and I would like to come up with a solution that works for me on the road. I don't mind buying something else if needed... preferably something that costs less than a few hundred dollars and is low power...
If I try any transcoding (hardware or software) I also appear to get stuttering video even on hd channels even when I am attatched to local network and speed test shows over 50 Mbit on channels app. This is throughout stream...not just at beginning when it is starting. I know it is not a network through put issue since there is no stuttering at original quality with no transcoding...
Also I just remembered on this 2nd test server i am using a smaller solid state drive currently. I have ordered a larger usb3 hard drive. I am going to experiment with a different usb3 to sata powered cable i have and see if that makes a diffence either.

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#4

i cant get channelsdvr to load i just get flickering screen