split screen

[Bob Booey]

My tv room has satellite and computer feed to a projector. I want to split the screen, so I can look at tv channels and be on the net at the same time. The projector doesn't allow 2 inputs to be on the screen at the same time. I know there is something out there, but at the same time it needs to be affordable with little resolution loss. Any help is appreciated

[Ted the Penguin]

um, I am not sure you know what you want, if you have a projector then it has a maximum resolution, and you cannot exceed that, the end. so if you are trying to split the screen you will get MAX half the original resolution.
questions... begin

• do you use gbpvr?
  
• what is the max resolution of your projector?
  
• what format is the satellite feed (coax cable, composite/svideo/component from STB)? do you have a TV tuner card?
  
• have you tried putting GBPVR in a window and using a web browser next to it?
  

[elite]

Yep, I think running GBPVR in windowed mode is the most simple option (setting can be found in the 'General' tab of the config app

[Bob Booey]

Obviously I am a novice when it comes to this stuff. Directv goes to projecter by component(3 input lines). the computer uses a line for computer monitor( i don't know what it is called). The projector can jump to each input (component,computer in my case, but also s-video and hdmi if I had something connected). I wanted to combine the 2 signals to a split screen format, then send to the projector. If this exists, then I would imagine the signal would not lose much resolution(I believe max is 1080i). I don't have gbpvr or tv tuner card. However, I am open to new things, but I am always afraid of screwing things up. And I'm never sure if these unknown products will work with my system, so I generally stay away. Ease of use is important for my family. I will jump through hoopes to get what I need,but need to be able to revert back to a mode of straight forward tv.

[elite]

Ah ok - sorry thought it was GBPVR related...

I think you'll need something like a quad splitter (I think they're called) - commonly used for viewing multiple CCTV cameras on one screen

[Ted the Penguin]

MORE QUESTIONS

• what is your projector's model number? that will probably help us
  
• do you watch HD channels?
  
• also does your STB have outputs for svideo?
  
• and can they be used at the same time as the component outputs?
  
• can you tune in channels from the sattalite without the STB?
  
• does your STB have a DVR built in?
  
• are you interested in using GBPVR?
  
• do you want to be able to record shows?
  
• I am kinda curious about why you posted your question here, whatever the reason I am glad to help (be warned that I will probably try to convince you to try using GBPVR).
  

elite: I think he is in a bit of a pickle with that, since those probably dont do different input types/ such high resolutions. it looks like this is going to have to be a software solution

[Bob Booey]

mitsubishi 3000hu
I watch hd
It has all outputs
they all work at the same time exept not in hd rca/s-vid,composite,component,hdmi
Cannot tune in without stb
My next purchase is going to be hddvr(unless you change my mind) but the one now is not a dvr
gbpvr is of interest if it can be an addition/enhancement to what I have
now
I found your site by googling split screen add on, and to be honest I got to reading entries, and really didn't know it was more of a specific forum to your product. However I am interested in your product, but I tell you computer applications get hazy to me with terminology and what not
I thought what I want would have wide interest out there,even though I thought it would be more reversed to putting tv on pc instead

[Ted the Penguin]

ok heres the situation, there is no possible way for you to watch HDTV and use your projector as a monitor at the same time. at least not without loss of resolution. HDTV will take up all of your monitors available resolution.

now on to solutions for you

1. get a normal monitor for your computer
   probably the easiest thing to do, you can get a vga splitter if you want to hook it up to both.
   
2. use software to watch TV on the computer.
   

now if you use software you can record TV in standard definition. here is the catch, unless you spend thousands of dollars on hardware you will never be able to capture raw HD video (from HDMI or component cables), the bandwidth is too large and the hardware to do it is not easy to find.

you could watch TV on the computer in a window, and then if you want to watch the HD version of that you could switch the input of the projector to the component inputs, making it HD (hopefully, not sure how your STB handles that).

the hardware investment in a tv tuner card is small, you can get the Hauppauge WinTV-PVR 150 for under $100. you wold just install the card and drivers, then install GBPVR, there is a whole setup guide in the wiki http://gbpvr.com/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Quick...QuickStart

now if you are wondering how HDDVRs work, they store the encoded video signal. since its encoded and compressed already it is much easier to deal with, this is also how HDTV tuner cards work.