Video seems very grainy

[steprich]

Hi people,
I have just installed the Win-TV 150 into a dedicated system to use with the gbpvr software.

IN
Satelite svideo for video
Satelite coax for sound

OUT
ATI 8500 (using the svideo)
Creative sound card
BOTH going through ONKYO Amplifier then to Panasonic projection TV

I have a Pentium 850 with approx 300MB ram and 120 GB drive to record data, (but using the local drive for caching)

The setup seems to work, I have NOT spent any time with configuration, of the software or remote, but my initial feeling with the standrad setup is "Very Grainy" - and all of the buttons on the remote do not function....

I would NEVER watch the signal because of the loss of quality.
Am I missing something? - does it need to be tweaked? what setting do I need to complete?

steph

[sub]

I suspect it'll be caused by a combination of the TV out on your ATI8500, and the MPEG2 video decoder you're using.

Try some different MPEG2 decoders to see if you find one more pleasing to your eye.

[steprich]

Where would that be set?
is that a setting within Win-TV software...or....ATI driver settings

AND

is that the same reason, I cannot make any of the letters on the XP desktop? (i.e. "My Computer" "Network Neighborhood" etc)

thanks

[sub]

The 'video decoder' setting in the playback tab of the config app shows the MPEG2 decoder you have installed on your machine, and allows you select the one you'd prefer to use.

is that the same reason, I cannot make any of the letters on the XP desktop? (i.e. "My Computer" "Network Neighborhood" etc)

This will be because of your ATI8500 video card and the TV its connecting to.

[steprich]

and how could I resolve THAT issue?....will the decoder change make a difference?

[sub]

and how could I resolve THAT issue?....

By buying a new video card and TV. A regular TV will never show a really great desktop, and text will always look a bit crap. Full screen apps like GB-PVR use big clear fonts to compensate.

Newer TVs with progressive scan technology and DVI (or VGA) connectors do a much better job.

will the decoder change make a difference?

No, but you may find video playback in GB-PVR a little more acceptable if you find a video decoder which works well for you.

[steprich]

THANKS for all of your help