PVR500 card installed but problems w/software installation

[volksman]

Anderma8:

what software isn't available from the start menu? GB? From what I can tell it sounds like GB isn't installed. Before you lauch GB you need to run the Config app which will be in the start menu when you complete an install.

Try re-installing GB.

But if you don't have a sound card you're going nowhere fast....

[anderma8]

Thanks everyone for getting back to me. I was out with a friend who was laid off from my company. Needless to say, I won't be working on this tonight :-s

The card has an s-video and RCA jacks on the back that I connected to the input 1 on the TV. I have not connected headphone jacks to the back but I will try this tomorrow. I was under the impression that the cable line goe into the card and the RCA jacks go from the PC to the TV input1 which would then display what is being selected via the software. Based on what I read from the prior two posts, I have this backwards.

It's late here in NJ but I will work on this tomorrow. As for my friend getting 'outsourced' it really stinks!!!!! Thanks for your support and I will post an update tomorrow!!!

[sub]

The card has an s-video and RCA jacks on the back that I connected to the input 1 on the TV. I have not connected headphone jacks to the back but I will try this tomorrow. I was under the impression that the cable line goe into the card and the RCA jacks go from the PC to the TV input1 which would then display what is being selected via the software. Based on what I read from the prior two posts, I have this backwards.

Yep, you've got it wrong.

The PVR500 is a capture device. It does not display anything on a TV. It has no output connectors. All the connectors on the back are inputs. It pulls video into the PC. To display stuff on your TV you need a video card with tv out.

[anderma8]

ok, I connected external speakers and as expected, I get sound. Next, I wanted to make sure I have the cables correct and I'm not sure I do. I have the cable line into the TV. From the TV, I have RCA jacks connected to the back of the PC. I am thinking that this is not correct since the RCA jacks on the TV are 'Video 1'. Tell me if I'm wrong, but I think I need an 'output' from the TV to go to the PC.

[JonnyCam]

Correct.

If you dont have an output from your TV, then you could plug a TV aerial into your PVR500, or if you are using a cable box or similar, then an output from that to the PVR.

I would advise against using anything on the TV called "output" except for testing purposes. I say this because if the TV is not on, then there is no output from those jacks. (=nothing for the PC to record)

If I read correctly - you have a cable box? If this box only has one output - then get a set of piggyback leads, or 1 RCA plug - 2 RCA socket adapters. Then you will have the cable box feeding to the the TV, while feeding into the PC (via the PVR's input connectors) (so you need to split the cable boxes output into 2 sets of 3xRCA cables)

Once all of this is done, then you can check if you are getting a signal through (which I guess you are, as you have sound)
Then you have to move onto getting the PC to output to the TV (or you can just watch on the monitor - not as good, but still usable)

If you dont have a TV out on your PC (it will be an S-video or RCA connector on the back of your PC) then you will have to either buy a new video card which has TV out
(most ATI / Geforce cards do these days - do you know if you havean AGP / PCI slot in the PC for a new card?)

The other solution is a PC to TV box - you can find them at electronics stores, or quite cheaply on ebay.

Then you get to the fun parts - setting up the decoders and making sure everything works exactly how you like it - although most of the people here have probably not got perfection to their systems yet! (always something else to try / new toy to buy )

[anderma8]

GREAT - you confirmed what was thinking. I don't have a cable box so I guess I will get one from ebay (any suggestions?) and split the output. I then think I'm going to get a video card and connect that to the TV. I think THEN I'll be able to install the software. Thanks for the input!!

[JonnyCam]

I dont think I was too clear. How do you watch TV at the moment? Do you just watch the free to air channels over normal coax / TV aerial?

If so, then you will need to use the aerial signal input into your TV and PVR500 so that it can pick up the signal and tune / record programs.

I have the cable line into the TV

Soirry - thought this meant you had some cable box connected.
I was talking about a cable box as if you have Sky or some other subscription based TV setup - doesnt sound like you do, so you will have to do the coax route.

You cant get a cable box from ebay - you get one when you subscribe to whatever pay-TV network. What country are you in?

Thanks

[anderma8]

I'm in the US (New Jersey). I have regular cable (coax line) with cable internet. If I subscribed to any pay services (High Def. TV, Pay-Per-View) then I would need a box, but currently the cable line connects to the VCR, then to the TV. When a friend of mine told me about PVR, I figured I'd try it on the new machine I got. He explained that it was pretty easy. I guess it is if you have the right equipment ;-) If I get a cable box then I'm thinking I can split it and go to the cable box & TV. From the Cable box, go to the PC. After I get the video card, then I can return to the TV via 'Input 2'. Is my thinking right?

[JonnyCam]

You can probably just split the cable in 2 before it goes into the TV.

Just get an adapter which takes the Cable as input and gives you 2 x outputs - one to TV, one to PC.

It should look like the pics below (depending on the connection of your cable - if it's a screw type, or simple 75 Ohm coax)

After that - you will have to look at tuning the PVR into your cable signals.

Oh - yeah, what you said about the splitting if you had a cable box seems correct, box to TV & PC(PVR500) , PC video card (TV out) to TV.
Doesnt the PVR500 come with dual tuners? - if so then you can set it up to record 2 x shows at once, but you have to split the cable into 3 for this to work.

Thanks

[anderma8]

I didn't think I could connect the cable directly into the card. If I understand you, then I CAN directly connect the cable and let the software handle the signal. (BTW: THANKS for your help!!!!)