MVP versus long video/audio cables & remote extender ???

[sub]

I'm fairly sure thats what I used during my testing. Admittedly I dont play AVI files on my MVP, so it not very clear in my memory. Personally I stick to MPEG2, and would recommend that anyone else does the same.

[callagga]

Can I ask a dumb question:

I play AVI's perfectly on my PC now on my PC monitor. Quality is great. So obviously the underlying Windows Media Player (latest version) I guess is doing the hard work (i.e. software) and sending through to my PC video card.

So now if I buy a low cost digital TV tuner card with its own video output (S-video or RCA I'm assuming, but haven't checked on this - I was planning to try the "AV sending" 2.5GHz device to send this to the TV) then:

[1] is it not possible to route the Windows Media Player output (playing the AVI file) to the S-video output on my soon to be purchased digital TV tuner card (as opposed to have it going to the monitor output)?

[2] if this is not possible - what about using a non-primary monitor output from the normal PC card to both direct the (a) output of windows media player for AVIs and (b) the MPEG-2 output to this too. Then I can send this output to the TV and get both MPEG-2 and AVI output? (I guess the MPEG-2 would then need to be software encoded as opposed to using the power of the tuner card hardware? Perhaps translating the standard PC video output to S-video is the issue here?)

thanks (I'm getting there ... slowly)

[sub]

[1] is it not possible to route the Windows Media Player output (playing the AVI file) to the S-video output on my soon to be purchased digital TV tuner card (as opposed to have it going to the monitor output)?

There is no tuner devices with a video output that is supported by GB-PVR other than the PVR350, but that is not the same as a regular video card and cant play AVI files etc.

[2] if this is not possible - what about using a non-primary monitor output from the normal PC card to both direct the (a) output of windows media player for AVIs and (b) the MPEG-2 output to this too. Then I can send this output to the TV and get both MPEG-2 and AVI output? (I guess the MPEG-2 would then need to be software encoded as opposed to using the power of the tuner card hardware? Perhaps translating the standard PC video output to S-video is the issue here?)

I dont know about the 'non-primary monitor output' bit, but you can certainly put the output of a normal video card into a video sender to send it to another TV. It'd be able to view anything you view on your pc - MPEG, AVI, DVD, Internet Explorer etc.

[mvpaaagh]

For what it's worth I've just spent several frustrating days moving from an MVP setup to a PC connected to my TV via S-Video. Remote control is via an MCE remote. There were a number of reasons I did this: 1. Faster menu response. 2. Ability to play all media types (without transcoding). 3. Ability to play and control ripped DVDs. 4. Ability to view other applications on TV. The 64,000 dollar question is "Was it worth it?" The answe in a word is NO. The reason I say no is because the video quality on my TV is very poor. I have played around with a myriad of settings fo my ATI video card (most of which I don't understand) without any real improvements. My TV is a standard CRT screen. I guess the only answer is to by a Plasma or LCD TV. Any suggestions on how to get that one past my spouse most welcome.

[smeghead]

The 64,000 dollar question is "Was it worth it?" The answe in a word is NO.

I have to disagree. I bought an ASUS Pundit-R and put in next to my TV instead of having an MVP. I still have the MVP and it is now connected to a small TV in the conservatory. I get an excellent picture from the Pundit, equivalent to the MVP. The downsides (and there are many) of the MVP meant I nor my wife could use it regularly. It keeps looking for servers, all the usual MVP problems..... The MVP is just not stable enough for regular use.

PS: My Pundit has 1Gb memory with a 2.4 GHz (Northwood) P4 so it should be able to server the MVP without problem.

[mvpaaagh]

Smeghead the fact that you are happy with your setup offers me some hope. Is your PC connected via s-video to your TV? Maybe I have a bad quality s-video lead. I have also read that an vga/dvi to scrat/composite converted would be better that s-video. If anyone has any thoughts or recommendations please let me know.

[sub]

I've got my ATI card connected to my TV via DVI and it provides a great picture.

[mvpaaagh]

Sub I assume you have a flat panel TV with DVI input as opposed to a regular CRT screen with scart inputs? I'll have to earn a lot of brownie points to buy a plasma/lcd. Any idea about dvi/vga to scart/composite converters?
thanks.
BTW. I am now running Windiows MCE and slick and all as it is it just goes to show what one guy along with a community of developers can achieve because GBPVR in most respects equals MCE and in others surpasses MCE. Thanks for the efforts.

[sub]

Sub I assume you have a flat panel TV with DVI input as opposed to a regular CRT screen with scart inputs?

Correct

Any idea about dvi/vga to scart/composite converters?

No, I've never used one.

[bachjoy]

One benefit to the MVP that I don't believe was mentioned here is the ability to use both your TV and the PC at the same time. If all you are doing on the MVP is watching MPEG files, or viewing television via a MPEG card, the MVP server in GBPVR will only be a very minimal drain on your system resources. My computer is a 4 year old 1.7 ghz P4 upgraded to 620 megs of ram and I can use my computer normally while someone is on the MVP. The only thing that it may cause problems with is playing games.