Streamable formats

[DangerMouse]

Hi,

I'm utterly new to all this PVR stuff so please bear with me

I've been led to believe that under a standard configuration the MediaMVP is only capable of playing certain formats. When integrated with GBPVR does this limitation remain? Or put a different way, what video/audio formats is GBPVR capable of streaming to other PCs or the MediaMVP?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

DM

[bluesxman]

The MVP is only capable of playing MPEG2 video and MP3 audio. Any other format requires transcoding by the PC before being sent to the MVP as MPEG2/MP3. This is how playing DIVX video works.

As there are a number of variables when performing transcoding, you may have varying degrees of success. For a simple life it is always best to stick with the MVPs native format.

[DangerMouse]

Transcoding refers to an on the fly conversion process? Is this done via GBPVR plug-ins? What kinda spec PC would be required for this process?

Thnx

DM

[bluesxman]

Transcoding refers to an on the fly conversion process?

Yes

Is this done via GBPVR plug-ins?

GB-PVR itself has support for DIVX playback as do some other plugins. xDVD for example, will allow DVD playback.

What kinda spec PC would be required for this process?

Don't know off the top of my head. The Hauppauge web site gives a minimum spec for DIVX playback which would be a good guide

[DangerMouse]

After the conversion 'transcode process' are all mpeg files automatically deleted? Would you suggest that this prevents the PC from being used ...as a PC... while this activity is occuring?

What other formats can be played back in this way? i.e. xvid, wmv etc.

Thanks once again for the replies

[sub]

Yes, the files are automatically deleted. It'll use a hell of a lot of CPU, so its probably not a great idea to use the computer for other things at the same time.

In theory you should be able to play xvid/divx/wmv, maybe some others if you're lucky.

[DangerMouse]

Ah thats good to know, thanks.

Currently using a P4 3.0ghz so with a decent chunk of RAM and a fast HD I'm hoping I'm going to be ok for performance, although its certainly something ill remember when looking for things to blame when the inevitable problems arise

One last question before I stop plaguing your forum with n00b questions and get on with some practical setting up - whats the score with power saving features? Can an MVP wake the computer up sufficiently to allow it to start 'streaming'? Or does GB-PVR only support shutting the monitor off?

Thanks once again

[sub]

Can an MVP wake the computer up sufficiently to allow it to start 'streaming'?

No. If you want the MVP to always be available, then you'll need to leave you PC on.

Or does GB-PVR only support shutting the monitor off?

GB-PVR doesnt have any power saving features, but it can request you machine wake up at a certain time. You can still configure windows to do stuff like auto hibernate, or turn of the monitor etc