Questionable video quality

[jbanman]

Just got my HTPC going... kinda cool. Anyways as the subject suggests my video quality isnt that good. I have hauppauge 150 and geforce 4 mx 440. I am using the svideo out from my Bell express Vu receiver directly to my computer. Should it look just as good as if it was plugged directly into the TV? I found the tweak tool and i am going to try playing with that. Although it dont really see anything to adjust resolution or video output quality. Any ideas you guys may have would be appreciated.

[rampy]

There's a lot of different variables/links in the picture quality chain... this is my rough stab at an article about it :

http://www.diy-pvr-dvr-htpc.com/index.php/Picture_Quality_Problems_And_Tips_SDTV

[Avalanche]

I have the same PVR-150 and a geforce4 MX 4000. I use the composite out from the video card, and there's a lot of settings in the nvidia control panel that make a big difference. Does your desktop look okay? Does the recording look okay on a monitor?

[reboot]

The OP is referring to the PQ on the computer monitor, when piped from his STB, not the video from the PC to a TV.

I would venture a guess that the cables you're using may not be shielded well enough.
Take a basic (came with a dvd player or something) cable, and run it parallel to a power cord, to get from the STB to the PC, and you'll get nothing but crap. Get good shielded cables, and everything should improve dramatically.

If and when it comes time to pipe the PVR out to the TV, the same rule applies.

[rampy]

The OP is referring to the PQ on the computer monitor, when piped from his STB, not the video from the PC to a TV.

I would venture a guess that the cables you're using may not be shielded well enough.
Take a basic (came with a dvd player or something) cable, and run it parallel to a power cord, to get from the STB to the PC, and you'll get nothing but crap. Get good shielded cables, and everything should improve dramatically.

If and when it comes time to pipe the PVR out to the TV, the same rule applies.

there's still valid information in the FAQ I pointed them to as far as understanding the concepts involved... including interlacing and watching 480i content on a PC monitor/etc... (I hope it's mentioned in the faq/article anyways!)

We'd need to know more about what software (and what they are watching this on) to be of much more specific help.... what decoder... what rendering type... etc etc...

*shrug*  But some good advice re: the importance of good cables for analog video and possible sources of interference.

rampy

[reboot]

As I mentioned, it was a guess, based on the (lack of) information in the OP.
Too many times, I've helped troubleshoot poor video where a cable is involved, and after messing with software, decoders, and settings for days, a new (better) cable has solved the problem.
Thus my suggestion to try it first, before mucking about with software.

[jbanman]

i played with the video card settings and the hauppauge tweak tool and managed to get it a little better. I recorded CSI then played in on a different (smaller) tv it looked just like normal as if it was hooked up directly. My problem is probably then my TV. RCA 52 rear projection. Its about 6 years old. Just a basic big screen with svideo in.

[rampy]

i played with the video card settings and the hauppauge tweak tool and managed to get it a little better. I recorded CSI then played in on a different (smaller) tv it looked just like normal as if it was hooked up directly. My problem is probably then my TV. RCA 52 rear projection. Its about 6 years old. Just a basic big screen with svideo in.

It's possible that artifacts are just more noticeable when blown up to 52" projection set...  not that it's the TV's fault per say... just that it makes imperfections more obvious/noticeable due to the screen size.

A better/different video card *may* help...   you didn't mention what PVR software you are using so other tricks I can't offer without knowing that...  if you're using wintv2000 other software may render the video better or at least let you choose different mpeg decoders.

rampy

[jbanman]

WinTV 2000 and/or GB-PVR. Other suggestions welcome. Must be free to download though

[reboot]

You can't get much better than gbpvr.
Try going into the config, and on the playback tab, change the video decoder.
Try all the ones you have listed.
If you're into spending $20, the Nvidia Purevideo decoder is well worth the $.

[rampy]

You can't get much better than gbpvr.
Try going into the config, and on the playback tab, change the video decoder.
Try all the ones you have listed.
If you're into spending $20, the Nvidia Purevideo decoder is well worth the $.

you'll have trouble running gbpvr in vmr9 with that video card... so be sure to set it to overlay...

rampy

[reboot]

Nope. VMR9 works splendidly with the GF MX-440. I'm running one like that right now, on a Barton 2500.

[jbanman]

VMR9 cause it to be very choppy. it would play for like 2 or 3 secs the free for half a second. The other strange thing is GBPVR does not cover the entire TV screen like wintv does, is something not set right?

[reboot]

Go back into config, and set gbpvr to show fullscreen.
I'll bet there's options in there, you haven't even tried yet.
Any luck with the other video decoders?

[jbanman]

i am just in the process of rebuilding my HTPC. I got a case that fits in my AV Rack. I am going to try the trial of Nvidia purevideo and see how that works. I also bought some better svideo cables. I had crappy radioshack cables now I have Acoustic Research.

I was doing some testing I have the Trial of the Nvidia Purevideo Decoder. When I play a DVD i get these blue and red section above and below the actual picture (the black area of a widescreen movie) is that the trial or what going on there?  I use the Cyberlink Decoder they are not there. Gfx card is Asus GF4 MX440 if it matters with the newest drivers from nvidia down loaded a day or two ago