PVR newbie

[gshlomi]

OK, so I'm building my first HTPC system, which is (for budget reason) the only computer I've got.
I've got some (many) questions which might be stupid, but I'd really appriciate some help.
I'm using an Epox 8RDA3+ with an AMD AthlonXP 2600+, 1GB RAM, 2x80GB WD in Raid-0 Setup (using the onboard SiL controller), Hauppauge WinTV PVR-350, Leadtek 6600GT AGP (with TV-Out) & Creative Live! Value.
so, for some questions:
1) if the PVR-350 includes hardware MPEG2 decoder, why do I have to install the InterVideo software decoder to watch stuff ???
2) is there a way to display the OSD on the PVR350 TV-Out? (and only on it?)
3) is there a way to display subtitles (using VobSub or the ffdshow) through the PVR-350's TV-Out?
4) is there a way to use the GB-PVR in the background on the TV only (using the PVR's TV-Out & Audio Out for display on TV) while continuing to use the computer for other stuff (skype, games) using the Live for audio?

these are the questions for now.
thanks for any help in advance

[sub]

Dont attempt to use the PVR350's tv out with GB-PVR. I dropped support for it about a year ago. It was lucky enough to continue to function until the most recent release. Its now broken, and will most likely be left that way.

[Decadent Fool]

Does your graphics card support tv out ? May be best if you can get one that does, it'll be a lot easier !

[gshlomi]

Dont attempt to use the PVR350's tv out with GB-PVR. I dropped support for it about a year ago. It was lucky enough to continue to function until the most recent release. Its now broken, and will most likely be left that way.

didn't know it wasn't suppose to work :p so i've connected the tv to the PVR-350 out and installed the latest drivers from hauppauge & installed gb-pvr and everything works (except the OSD).
is this the problem with the 350?

[sub]

The OSD being missing is because of a few changes in the current release. I posted a patch a few minutes ago which resolves this.

The PVR350 tv out causes blue screens and hard lockups on probably 60% of machines. The only work around is replacing your motherboard. This is pretty shitty, and the main reason I ditched support for this product. It had become obvious the manufacturer would not be addressing the issue, and there is no way I could work around this error that occurs in the PVR350 drivers. This was creating too many support issues for me.

[gshlomi]

thanks for the support, sub.
the patch works like magic ;-) i can see the OSD on the tv now using the PVR's out.
now for the other questions (questions 1, 3, 4 above) and a new question arrising from my usage of GB-PVR so far - is there a way to use the software renderer to display on the TV out of my Geforce 6600GT, while using the audio output from the PVR350?
thanks
Shlomi

[sub]

1) if the PVR-350 includes hardware MPEG2 decoder, why do I have to install the InterVideo software decoder to watch stuff ???

You shouldnt have to. It wont be using any software decoder when you watch through the PVR350's tv out though.

3) is there a way to display subtitles (using VobSub or the ffdshow) through the PVR-350's TV-Out?

No, not using VobSub or ffdshow or anything other external subtitle software. You might get some subtitles if you tick the 'enable internal SRT viewer' option in the config app.

4) is there a way to use the GB-PVR in the background on the TV only (using the PVR's TV-Out & Audio Out for display on TV) while continuing to use the computer for other stuff (skype, games) using the Live for audio?

I think several users do this. I cant tell you much more than this. I no longer use my PVR350. It normally gathers dust in a draw.

there a way to use the software renderer to display on the TV out of my Geforce 6600GT, while using the audio output from the PVR350?

No there isnt. The tv and audio out is hardwired to the PVR350's hardware MPEG-2 decoder.

[gshlomi]

thanks for the quick reply, though not my hoped for answer :-(

[sub]

Sorry, I know. The PVR350 provides a great picture, but comes some pretty major limitations.

[gshlomi]

so what is the best solution for outputing to tv on seperate display & audio ?