No video in GBPVR

[Matt]

Hello,
I just installed my Hauppage PVR-250MCE and GBPVR. When i run the TV tuner app, it tells me it finds the channels but i do not see any video feed. Also, when i run GBPVR and try to watch live TV the programs freezes for a while, doesn't do anything, then a few seconds later i can move around the menu like nothing happened.....

I live in Australia and the PVR-250 retail versions are quite expensive. so i bought the MCE version which was half the price. Only downside is that it doesn't come with much software. But it did come with a little demo program. At first that program didn't work either, but then i realised i didn't have a decoder installed. After i installed the NVIDIA codec that came with my new graphics cards, the demo program worked fine but still no joy with GBPVR.

what can i do? do i need a different codec? are there any free ones i can try?

Thanks!

[sub]

It does sound like it doesn't like the MPEG2 codec. Are there any listed on the Playback tab of the config app (other than system default)?

[rtiangha]

I've had the same problem. Are you using the NVIDIA codec from NVDVD 2.55 with SBE enabled? This configuration gave me the same problem. I either had to disable SBE or use a different codec.

You might want to try installing the Hauppauge WinDVD codec found here:

http://www.hauppauge.com/pages/support_pvr250-350.html

although it's for the retail 250 and not the MCE 250 version. It should work, though (I think). This codec definetly works with SBE.

[Matt]

sub, that was how i realised i didn't have a decoder installed in the first place. Since i installed the NVIDIA codec, it shows up as the only option available (other than sys default).

rtiangha, what is SBE and how do i know if its enabled.

When i installed the NVIDIA codec, i wasn't sure what i needed, so i installed the setup files from both the NVIDIA and NVDVD folders on my graphics cards CD. the NVDVD is only a 14day trial.

i have downloaded the new codec from Hauppage, thanks. i will give it a try tonight.

Do the different codecs affect picture quality?

[sub]

Quote[/b] ]Do the different codecs affect picture quality?

Yes, they vary quite a bit. Different people seem to prefer different decoders.

[rtiangha]

SBE = Stream Buffer Engine. It's some fancy doo-hickey that Microsoft developed for its Media Center Edition and appeared in Win XP SP1. Works only with software decoders, so if your card has MPEG hardware decoding, it won't work. That's about all I know about it; not quite sure how it works myself.

Having SBE enabled theoritically should decrease the time it takes to change channels. I think it also allows you to pause, FFWD and REW live tv. However, when using SBE with my setup (using the Intervideo decoders from the Hauppague website), sometimes I experience syncing issues with the audio and video (or it could be dropped frames or something; I'm not sure what it is but on some channels, the lip movements when people talk aren't synced 100% to the audio). I've unfortuantely had to disable using SBE which fixes my syncing problems but it's alright because I haven't noticed much of a difference in my channel changing times to use SBE anyways.

There's an option in the Misc tab of the Config utility that says "Use SBE for Live TV if available". If it's unchecked, you're not using SBE.