Video codec choice for DVB-S

[BigMoose]

Does anyone know how GBPVR (latest version) decides what codec to use for DVB-S channels? Does it use the info in the stream that states what it is or does it work it out itself based on what the stream actually is? I ask as in the UK there's a new test HD channel (ITV HD) that I cant configure to work with GBPVR. According to the digitalspy guys the video stream is flagged as H.222 when it's actually H.264. With software that allows you to specify the codec it works, but I get nothing with GBPVR. It's possible I've screwed up some of the other settings in the cache file but I want to rule out the codec choice before I waste too much time trying.

[Bathman]

Is this the freesat transmission that you are picking up? Are you able to pick up a full epg from the DVB-S transmission.

[BigMoose]

It's the freesat transmission I'm attempting to pick up I've not actually tried DVBViewer (I think it's called that the guys on digitalspy are using) - with GBPVR I get nothing... I'm using XMLTV with the Radiotimes for my EPG so I dont know about the DVB-S one.

[stustunz]

have you selected ts mux

[BigMoose]

I have the BBC HD channel working fine, so I assume my problem with the ITV one is that it claims to be something in the stream that it's not. In the cach file where I have the channel tuning info configured, there's no parameters to set there re mux or codec...

[Bathman]

BigMoose

What card are you using to pick up freesat. Is it a DVB-s or DVB-s2 transmission? Also is the BBC HD transmission mpeg2 or h264

[BigMoose]

I've got a DVB-S card - the BBC HD is H264. The problem with the ITV HD channel is that it is not correctly following the DVB standard. It claims its video stream is H222 but it's actually H264. They've done this to stop non freesat boxes from picking it up (according to the folks at digitalspy) but many there with PCs and DVB-S cards have correctly forced their software to use H264 to decode it. I am trying to work out if GBPVR can be forced to do so of if it will insist on using the codec that the stream reports it is (which I dont have installed, even if I did, H222 wont work as that's not what the stream really is).

[Bathman]

I have used DVBViewer in the past and it is a good piece of software - but it makes a rubbish HTPC. Poor remote interface. Channels a nightmare and no proper recording facilites (record series etc).

Where i used to live I (sheffield) I was unable to receive freeview so I used a floppy DTV-s Dragon Cam and freesat card from sky with DVBviewer to watch channel 4 and five etc. Worked well but the DVBViewer interface was poor and you had to recharge the sky card every 4 weeks or so by putting in back in the sky box overnight. Misses hated it and so did I so I switched back to GBPVR and used an anolgue card for channels 1-4 and the DVB-S card without CAM for all the others (this ment I couldn't get channel five)

I did have a play with the HD BBC channels and i was able to get it to display but boy did it stutter. And as i only had a SD TV i couldn't see any point.

Now I live in york I use DVB-T. However as I now have a HD tele it would great to watch the european championship in HD. I suspect I can get a sky dish fitted for under 100 quid and if the HD channels are using H264 I may well get my underpowered system to play it back with an ATI 3450.

Keep us informed how you get on -I'am interested.

[Bathman]

Another question is the BBC HD transmission 720p or 1080i ?

[gEd]

1080i

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbchd/faqs.shtml