PVR150 component input playback problem- not GBPVR related - happens in MCE too

[rcs914]

playback of an mpg made through GBPVR is exactly the same. Played it in media center and vlc. Previous to me plopping the computer next to the cable box, component out was being sent from the STB to the television with no issues. That same cable was plugged into the pvr150 initially, and then last night switched to svideo, with the same results. It is definitely a puzzle.

I installed VLC on the computer last night, but it did not show up in the list of decoders within GB PVR. I haven't read enough yet, but do new decoders show automatically, or do they need to be added to an ini file?

Thanks!

Chris

[Graham]

I suspect that VLC does not use directshow filters so they can't be used by GBPVR.

[rcs914]

I suspect that VLC does not use directshow filters so they can't be used by GBPVR.

Ahh, ok that makes sense.

[stustunz]

the reason we want you to play it back in vlc is to see if the file is ok
the other reason i want you to play it back on a monitor NOT the tv is to see if the connection to the tv is at fault (tv not liking signal)
the reason we want you to do a recording and then either play it back on a laptop or another pc is to see if the pvr150 is working ok and producing a playable file

forget live tv when setting up to begin with and stick to doing small recordings you will get your problems sorted alot faster

[rcs914]

the reason we want you to play it back in vlc is to see if the file is ok
the other reason i want you to play it back on a monitor NOT the tv is to see if the connection to the tv is at fault (tv not liking signal)
the reason we want you to do a recording and then either play it back on a laptop or another pc is to see if the pvr150 is working ok and producing a playable file

forget live tv when setting up to begin with and stick to doing small recordings you will get your problems sorted alot faster

The file plays just fine in VLC and media center, on a different computer - except it has the same problem as my demo in the youtube video. So the output is recognized, and recorded to a file, but the output has the same flashing of video to black.

Thank you all for trying to assist.

Chris

[mvallevand]

As I don't currently have an s-video cable I used the component out from my comcast STB into the component in on the pvr150, and then 9-pin video out from the computer to the TV.

Just in case this isn't a typo you want to use composite out (yellow) not component on your STB.

Martin

[stustunz]

A few things to try

turn the brightness and contrast up on the set top box to increase signal strength(for testing)
try a different cable
try a different driver
make sure you have selected USA in settings

[rcs914]

Just in case this isn't a typo you want to use composite out (yellow) not component on your STB.

Martin

Yep, that was a typo. I was using the yellow cable and then the red and white audio cables.


However I think I may have resolved the problem. I unplugged the Coax out of the back of the box and plugged it directly into the card. This worked perfectly! Now comes the "forehead smacking" part - I wasn't thinking about the fact that the current STB is a (crappy) DVR. I'm guessing it is some form of copy protection, although I really don't understand how it could know I was outputting to a capture card instead of a TV.

Also after using Boxee I've re-evaluated my needs for a PVR. I'm going to drop digital cable and go with the ultra basic that you get with having Comcast internet. Then I'm going to get a HD tuner card to do OTA capture, and then keep the PVR-150 to tap off of the coax too. I haven't worked out all the details in my head, but I watch about 5 shows off of cable, and all of those are available to watch via Boxee.

Thanks for all of your help! My next step is getting a MCE remote to work with GBPVR, but if all goes well I won't need to use IR blasters at all.

Chris

[JonnyCam]

I'm guessing it is some form of copy protection, although I really don't understand how it could know I was outputting to a capture card instead of a TV.

It could be macrovision.
It doesn't know that it's not a TV, but I think there are some parts of the recording circuit / tuner which do automatic sigal processing.

The macovision thing makes some white or black parts outside of the normal recording range, which can't be handled, so usually you get a rolling line on B/W or super-coloure image, but I suspect your TV doesn't see the signal as valid, so keeps blanking each time it gets these pulses. (where a CRT would display the distorted image)

Same as trying to record a DVD to a VCR.

[martint123]

I'm fairly sure the PVR150 and it's drivers are not affected by macrovision.