PVRX2 DVD VOB Playback Probs

[geekdout]

I've re-installed CyberLink PowerDVD AND GBPVR (did a repair without removing it first), and even though GBPVR still can't see it in the DVD Playback section of GBPVRConfig - I can add a new plug-in that successfully starts PowerDVD. PVRX2 doesn't display the new plugin in the menu, but GBPVR does. GBPVR will start PowerDVD, but I can't control it with the Hauppauge remote - or otherwise select Full Screen mode. I feel like I'm getting closer, but still missing some key info here.

[geekdout]

OK - that worked for PVRX2, playing back both DVD disks in the drive and VOB files ripped to the hard drive. I used the default DVD Navigator, and the Hauppauge remote works fine. The decoder was called CyberLink Video/SP Decoder for Dell.

I know you don't want to support GBPVR, but do you know why the same decoder won't provide an output using it instead? The DVD plugin won't even appear on the menu - but it does for PVRX2. I can navigate to the VOB's shown as part of my library using GBPVR, but they won't play.

[sub]

No, nothing springs to mind, but not concerned if it doesnt work in GBPVR.exe. As long as it works in PVRX2.exe then I'm happy.

[HtV]

Afaik for a plugin to work in gbpvr you have to have the plugin files in the plugins-dir directly not in a dir under it. I hope you understand what I mean.

[geekdout]

When I created a new plugin for GBPVR, I specified the Cyberlink program file installation directory and the new plugin showed up in the menu and started the player program on the PC (forgot to check the PVR-350 video out), but the remote wouldn't control the player. A generic plugin doesn't have a place to specify the DVD menu system like the predefined DVD Playback options have in the GBPVR config tool. If I try to use the existing DVD menu plugin and tell it to use Cyberlink for the DVD Playback, it won't output to the Hauppauge 350 video out (black screen). Trying to browse the video library and telling a ripped DVD file to play won't launch the player or otherwise output to TV either. However, playback to the PC VGA display works using PVRX2 with the exact same GBPVR configuration, whether for a disk in the player or from files in the library. I'd like to know how anybody got this DVD playback feature to work in GBPVR using the PVR-350 video out - if it ever happened.

I've looked at using PVRX2 output from my PC to feed the video distribution in my home using an RF modulator and amplifier, but I'd have to almost buy another PC (my system only supports PCI - no PCIE or AGP slots) or make some expensive upgrades. I'd need a bigger power supply and another PCI only video card to upgrade my PC - runs around $200. I have a GrandTech wireless VGA to TV scan converter that works OK, but is a little fuzzy. It uses a transmitter and receiver pair over 2.4 GHz RF link between the PC's VGA output and the TV's RCA inputs. I don't think letting this stay on all the time and trying to drive the RF modulator to the rest of the cabling distribution is a good idea. I'm thinking about trying a different externally connected PC VGA to TV (RCA component) scan converter that claims 1600x1200 resolution output into standard video up to 480i. It's just a one-piece hardwired component, and is only $80 - considerably cheaper than what I'd have to do to upgrade my PC. I think that would be OK to connect to the RF modulator and leave on all the time. You can see why I'm still trying to use the Hauppauge 350 TV out, which otherwise has great video quality.

[sub]

This is by design. The PVR350 TV out is not compatible with DVD playback, which is why GB-PVR doesnt show the 'DVD' button on the main menu if you've got your setup configurned to use the 350 tv out.

FYI, GB-PVR officially dropped support for the PVR350's tv out over two years ago. Some people have been lucky enough to be able to continue to use it over that time without issue. Recently I rewrote the GB-PVR user interface, which resulted in the new PVRX2.exe application. This new interface has no PVR350 tv out capabilities, and I'm only continuing to including the old GBPVR.exe app in the distribution for a couple more months, so its not a good idea to build a system around it.

[geekdout]

It turns out that the Grandtec Ultimate Wireless scan converter I already have is actually supposed to support 1600x1200. I could improve video quality somewhat by taking either the RCA or s-video out right off the transmitter base and not using the 2.4 GHz remote. I don't think my TV has an s-video input, but I have an s-video to RCA dongle/adapter that came with a Dell laptop, so maybe that will work to get just the video with better quality into either a TV or my RF modulator... thanks for the help, I'll follow up with what I find out.

[geekdout]

By reading pages of posts and trying lots of stuff, I've ended up with a decent video output using analog CATV standard definition input for a traditional TV using the Grandtec Ultimate Wireless to scan convert my PC's VGA display and send it to my home CATV distribution. This may change for a satellite receiver and a plasma or LCD TV, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

I didn't think it was possible at first and was very discouraged with the original video output. By tweeking the adjustments for the PC video card, the Grandtec output, and adjusting the TV display, it's now VERY close to a live TV display direct from cable. I was astounded, as it certainly didn't look that great when I started. I don't have a fancy video card, as my Dell Dimension has an integrated video system that uses system memory. I thought this would ruin it for me, but actually there are adjustments for gamma, brightness, color, and overlay modes that can be selected by downloading the graphics utilities. Next, there were several similar adjustments for the Grandtec, with brightness, contrast, and saturation being the most important. I disabled the 2.4 GHz wireless mode, and simply used the transmitter's RCA video out and didn't connect the remote receiver. I had a s-video to RCA adapter dongle that came with the PVR-350 and tried to use it with the s-video out from the Grandtec, but it made all of my output black and white. Hmmm, maybe a bad adapter, or hosed output/connector on the Grandtec. Lastly, a few tweaks to the TV picture controls and there it was.

I noticed that settings that produce a great TV picture aren't the same as what gives you the best visibility for viewing text on your PC, but oh well. To get the picture bright enough and to show sufficient detail and have proper contrast and color representations for TV, the PC desktop and text look too bright, with an oversaturation of white glare that makes reading text very difficult. Maybe in the future there'll be options for toggling between two saved profiles, depending on what you want to use as a display source - PC desktop or video.

I can say now that I'm content using the PC's VGA out for watching TV, so the loss of the old GBPVR and using the PVR-350's TV out isn't such a big deal. I ended up not having to buy another video card or upgrade my PC's power supply. The Grandtec did cost me almost $150 when I bought it a couple of years ago. I also already had a Gyration bluetooth mouse and compact keyboard with 30 ft. range that works great for controlling the PC - practically replacing the Hauppauge remote for use in the same room with the HTPC or very close by. EXCEPT - I also bought an IR to RF convert gizmo that installs inside the remote (replaces a battery - very cool) that gives me a wireless range for the remote of 100 feet. This allows me to control PVRX2 from anywhere in my 3-level home.

Lastly I emailed Hauppauge support and asked them if there was any way to use their app (WinTV) to play VOB format files or directly from a DVD drive and output to the PVR-350's video out and haven't heard from them yet, but I'm assuming that Sub has already investigated that thoroughly. Thanks for everyone's help and Sub's patience. I'm sure I'll be back when I get that satellite dish and new plasma and LCD TV's...