Noob Has Interesting Problem

[andrew_macaluso]

Well, at least I think it is "interesting". By the way, I am a noob!

While watching live tv, recorded programs, etc. I seem to have some video problems. The video sync's fine, the quality is allright, it's not jerky, but it has streaks and weird motion problems when colors and lights change real fast or it things move really quickly.

It doesn't seem to occur when I watch on my monitor and it doesn't seem to be a problem with my capture card (as when I watch recordings on my monitor they look fine). I have deduced that it must be something with my video card and its link with the TV I am playing it on. But, I don't see these problems when I watch something with Windows Media Player on my TV and even when I full screen it. So, something must be going on b/w GBPVR and my video card. Any ideas on what I can try? Different decoder? Different video card settings? GBPVR settings? Any help would be appreciated.

By the way, I have only had this program and my card for about 1 day. I love this program and I love this community!

[Jim bob]

Are you using dscaler? With ffdshow? Try changing the IDCT!

[sub]

Can you see if you get the same problem with Overlay instead of VMR? This is most likely what Windows Media Player is using, and being an older technology, tends to work better with a large percentage of video cards.

[andrew_macaluso]

Okay, first of all... I'm not really sure what dscalar and ffdshow are. Can someone explain to me a) what they are b) how I use then (how do I initialize them or de-initialize them) and c) are they good or bad (new/old, helpful/nonhelpful, mean to compensate for bad hardware/meant to help good hardware)

Secondly, I did try the overlay and it seemed to help a lot, but I am still noticing it some and its a little bothersome. Though, I have a decent and new video card - Nvidia GeForce 6600. Brand spankin new! Any known problems with this card?

Thanks for your help, guys.


P.S. I tried to use a Fullscreen Overlay control on my video card and it seemed to nix the problem a little bit, but the video then controlled my monitor and I couldn't see any of the other things that normally go on top of the video (guide, menu, OSD, etc). Could this information help solve the problem?

[Jim bob]

Dscaler is an Mpeg decoder, you need an mpeg decoder on your system to play back mpeg files. FFDshow is a codec pack (this one's actually good tho, not like all the other sypware infested pap)

Not sure how gbpvr handles none dvb-t systems so it may not be required. Are you using a digital service (freeview) how is your tv card connected to the pc (straight to the aerial?)?

I'd recommend giving dscaler5 and FFDshow a try the quality is, imo, superior to other decoders.

Download both (a quick google will find you the links) and install them!

Then set gbpvr to use dscaler as the mpeg decoder under the playback tab of the config app and check 'use ffdshow post processing if installed'

Try playing with the IDCT setting under the ffdshow config (Start>programs>ffdshow). I hear it solves similar issues to yours (this setting is common and may be adjustable with your current codec, find out what codec your using before you ask how).



PS: You may want to make dscaler your default system mpeg decoder (so anything playing back an mpeg will use it). You can do this by downloading the DECCHECK utility by microsoft (don't worry this piece is actually useful ). Again a quick google will find you the link!

Have fun!

[sub]

P.S. I tried to use a Fullscreen Overlay control on my video card and it seemed to nix the problem a little bit, but the video then controlled my monitor and I couldn't see any of the other things that normally go on top of the video (guide, menu, OSD, etc). Could this information help solve the problem?

I'm not that familiar with the tv out options your video card provides, but is your tv out treated as a second monitor (with desktop extended on to it), or does it just show video. If the latter, some video cards have a 'theatre mode' (name may not be right) that behave like - ie, gives good Overlay video out to TV, but lacks OSD. Could this be the type of mode you're using?

[andrew_macaluso]

that sounds about right... When I use that mode it seems to fullscreen whatever video is there regardless of OSD's and whatnot. But, I think that nixed the problem. I will just have to try it out again and see. But, even if that did fix it, that's no good since I have no control over what I'm watching!

[sub]

Most people dont use their video card tv out in that sort of mode.

[andrew_macaluso]

Oh, I don't... I was just mentioning that the problem wasn't as severe in that mode so that perhaps the problem could be more readily seen by someone.

[andrew_macaluso]

Okay, it seems that I have a new issue. No matter what settings in GBPVR I select I seem to use a massive amount of processor power. I use about 30-40% on one of my processor cores. Now... this is a brand spanking new machine!!! I am not using a P3 or something like that!