Is OTA playable on MVP

[jbyram2]

I am trying to play HDTV content on my MVPs.
I've got a Dvico Fusion5 Lite, which plays on GBPVR ok on the local machine, but when I try to view recorded shows or live TV on the MVP, it reverts to the menu, or replays the same 1/2 second clip over and over...

Is it possible to transcode an HDTV stream into something an MVP can use?

[sub]

Sorry, the MVP wont be able to play any HDTV content.

[Pioneer4x4]

Is it possible to transcode an HDTV stream into something an MVP can use?

you can use
http://www.svcd2dvd.com/HDTV2DVD/default.aspx
to convert hdtv directly to a DVD, then dvd2mpg for the simplest. Nothing automatic (yet)

[jbyram2]

I'm already using VLC to convert DVDs into something the MVP can use; I'm sure it could downsize the HDTV content for me.

Now, if there was a way to capture the VLC stream back into GBPVR, that would be slick...

[Pioneer4x4]

Now, if there was a way to capture the VLC stream back into GBPVR, that would be slick...

Great idea, how about keeping the .mpg, then running the
http://gbpvr.com/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Utility/MpegImport
on the remaining file. I wonder if sixgun can make it command line friendly.

[jbyram2]

I'm sure that would work.

But what I was thinking of was using VLC as a GBPVR capture source, and using the .exe channel changer to control it. The transcoding would happen on the front end, before GBPVR gets the stream.

VLC is very command line driven; all their GUI does is construct a huge command line for you and then execute it when you hit OK.

Then, I'd have VLC capture the video from the HDTV source, transcode it down into SD, and stream it to GBPVR. All the normal GBPVR functions would then behave as normal. I'd get a cleaner picture, and also get the content on the subchannels. File size would be smaller, and since I don't have an HDTV display I won't miss the loss of resolution.

[zed]

...Then, I'd have VLC capture the video from the HDTV source, transcode it down into SD, and stream it to GBPVR. All the normal GBPVR functions would then behave as normal. I'd get a cleaner picture, and also get the content on the subchannels. File size would be smaller, and since I don't have an HDTV display I won't miss the loss of resolution.

Another approach is to use an HDTV tuner that will down-convert to SD. Feed it into the s-video of your capture card and you'll get standard, MVP-compatible mpeg2 files, probably with considerably better picture quality than analog OTA or cable. Plus, if you do eventually buy a HDTV monitor you'll already have the tuner. It works for me with an RCA ATSC-11 that I got off eBay for about the price of a Fusion 5 Lite. There are others by Samsung, etc. Only problem is getting the channel changer set up. I use HIP with an MCE 2005 IR blaster and it works pretty well. Getting it to select the sub-channels might be a bit of a problem depending on the tuner. You can also feed it into your computer monitor for some real HD. Another toy to play with...

[Pioneer4x4]

Another approach is to use an HDTV tuner that will down-convert to SD. Feed it into the s-video of your capture card and you'll get standard, MVP-compatible mpeg2 files, probably with considerably better picture quality than analog OTA or cable.

I have 2 Cable boxs from Comcast, one is the HD box, even through I do not have a HD tv. I have the box set to 480i, and 4/3. I can watch the HD channels, and they do look REAL good. I thought about using that on my GBPVR setup, but I would have to get a IR blaster working for channel changer.
I like the idea of using VLC to 'downconvert' HD to say DVD spec. I did it over 3-4 steps manually, and played them over the MVP. It looked real nice, but took forever, and ate up GIGs of drive space. HD captures are 8 gig/hr. I was capturing from the FireWire port straight to the HD.

[jbyram2]

Another approach is to use an HDTV tuner that will down-convert to SD..... Only problem is getting the channel changer set up. I use HIP with an MCE 2005 IR blaster and it works pretty well. Getting it to select the sub-channels might be a bit of a problem depending on the tuner. ...

I tried that first, and the channel changer was the big killer for the deal. GBPVR does not support Girder 4, and I needed Girders functionality to control both the External Tuner and the antenna rotator. My WAF includes getting the best picture, and if the next "stable release" of my home video system looks worse than the current one, or has Block drop outs or stutters, it won't work.

Worse news yet is that VLC apparently has no "on the fly" capability to resize video. All request for how to do it were dismissed as impossible, or unanswered.