Refubished PCH A-100 - Success and a Question about setting up 4:3

[fering]

I have to admit I was a little shocked at how easy this was to setup. I had a bit of an issue with it not being shipped with any apps on it. But the recent update on 10/19 fixed that.

Now everything appears to be working.

I do have one question though. My TV is a older Sony CRT that supports HD, but is a 4:3 format. I originally configured everything for 720p, to change that to NTSC is it going to be just a matter of changing the PCH format, uncomment the rigth line in the startmeup file, and modify the NMT entry in the config.xml?

[ww4397]

I had a bit of an issue with it not being shipped with any apps on it. But the recent update on 10/19 fixed that.

Now everything appears to be working.

I just received my A-100s and I'm planning my installation. Sorry to be ignorant on this, but what update are you referring to? Is there a link?

Thanks.

[fering]

I took me a while to figure out what was going on. Reading through the Dummy's guide it says to test the connection by running "the Network Browser from the Source menu." Well I didn't have that item. My Sources menu was empty.

I thought I'd check to see if there was a firmware update (through the NMT) and there was so I updated it (I think it said NMT Apps only) and then I had the Network Browser, and GBPVR would launch from the browser and from the share. And I rejoiced, because up to that point I thought I was an idiot for not being able to find the Network Browser...

Of course now that I've been poking around a bit I don't see an update on the PCH firmware site (http://www.popcornhour.com/download/A100...-A100.html) or the NMT forums so maybe its a beta (the date on the confirmation screen when loading the new firmware was 10/19/2009).

Does that make any sense?

[mvallevand]

On one of the other refurb threads the need to check the firmware was noted http://forums.gbpvr.com/showpost.php?p=3...ostcount=4 but I will update the Dummies guide. No point in being a dummy that feels like an idiot.

As for that firmware I am checking, I am using a 10-14 beta but I don't know anything about anything newer.

Martin

[Jaggy]

I have to admit I was a little shocked at how easy this was to setup.

Yep I found basically the same thing, reading the forum make it sound like it is going to be a nightmare to setup but the exact opposite is actually the way it is, if you follow the dummy's guide to the letter that is.

I do have one question though. My TV is a older Sony CRT that supports HD, but is a 4:3 format. I originally configured everything for 720p, to change that to NTSC is it going to be just a matter of changing the PCH format, uncomment the rigth line in the startmeup file, and modify the NMT entry in the config.xml?

I am fairly sure & Martin can correct me if I'm wrong, you only need to modify the NMT entry in config.xml & leave the rest they way they are now.

[Jaggy]

On one of the other refurb threads the need to check the firmware was noted http://forums.gbpvr.com/showpost.php?p=3...ostcount=4 but I will update the Dummies guide. No point in being a dummy that feels like an idiot.Martin

Martin while you are at it you may want to edit the top line...

An automated downloader and installer for GBPVR 1.3.11 and mvpmcx2 for the NMT is now ready for release.

or just get rid of it entirely?

[mvallevand]

I do have one question though. My TV is a older Sony CRT that supports HD, but is a 4:3 format. I originally configured everything for 720p, to change that to NTSC is it going to be just a matter of changing the PCH format, uncomment the rigth line in the startmeup file, and modify the NMT entry in the config.xml?

You should be able to run Video Output 720p and select the 4:3 TV Type from the NMT Setup-> Audio/Video screen.

Also if you installed using NMTInstall you shouldn't have to change the command line at all.

The 10-19 beta was released in error, the proper version is online now. You can d/l to the older release version if you like, there are some memory leaks and other problems in the file.

Martin

[fering]

Had to put things on hold for a while to get over a cold. Now I'm back.

I've been able to get my PCH working in 2 modes (oh and I did go back to the previous firmware, thanks for that). 1080i and NTSC both on my 4:3 Sony Tube. Both have their positives and negatives though and I'm hoping that somebody can help me iron them out so I can have the best viewing experience.

When set to 1080i my TV basically runs letter box, but its HD so GBPVR looks crisp and clear. The problem is when I watch a SD recording, it puts pillars (is that the right term?) in. So now I'm watching a 4:3 show on a 4:3 screen but with huge black borders on all sides.

Now when I exit and restart everything as NTSC (change my startmeup to uncomment the ntsc and change my config.xml for the proper MVP resolution/offset) the recordings play full screen, but the fonts for GBPVR come out too big (maybe the same size but BOLD?). I still have my HTPC hooked up to the TV so I can actually flip between my video out and the PCH and it just looks bad on the PCH, lines wrap or are drawn over other lines. I saw another thread here saying that if you put the config.xml MVP settings to 0 offset it doesn't do this to the font which is true but then I run into bad overscan issues, so that is not an option.

So I have 3 questions.

1. In 1080i mode is it possible to have the PCH revert to NTSC video mode when playing SD recordings in GBPVR? (long shot I think but worth asking).
2. In NTSC mode is it possible to NOT have GBPVR alter the skin to make the fonts look bigger/bolded?
3. If neither of those is possible how do I use this situation to convince my wife that we need to get a new flat screen???

I'm this (picture finger an thumb an inch apart) close to getting the PCH up to 100% WAF and I can retire my loud HTPC to a dark corner of the basement. Please HELP!

Joel

[mvallevand]

In 1080i mode, do you have the NMT setup with an aspect of 4x3? That should remove the pillars.

Martin

[fering]

Yes TV Type is set to 4:3. I forgot that I could get it to stretch or zoom to get the pillars to go away, but that still leaves the top and bottom borders. I have a feeling that I'm wishing for something that can't be fixed with the 1080i mode, since it would seem that mvpmc would have to be switching output modes on the fly.