Disappointing HD performance

[zaldwaik]

Yesterday I got my new Fusion Lite 5 card. It worked right out of the box, the included software (FusionHDTV) is pretty decent. I was amazed at the quality of HDTV, I have a 50 DLP TV connected to my computer. However, when I added it to GB-PVR, I was a little disappointed. I had to try few things, but I finally have a working setup (Zulu player, Cyberlink Audio decorder, MS DVR-MS mux). I have not tried other muxes based on feedback in this forum. However, I have some issues:

1- While channel changing in FusionHDTV is almost immediate, it takes at least 10 seconds in GB-PVR

2- My computer crashes sometimes when GB-PVR is trying to tune a HD channel. I suspect this is a Fusion SW issue, rather than GB-PVR ( I am using ver. 3.12 that came with the card)

3- CPU (2 GHz) utilization in FusionHDTV is at worst 70% while watching TV. It is always 100% in GB-PVR during live TV. SD in GB-PVR is less than 20%

4- Timeshifting with HD in GB-PVR is choppy, and is not watchable. However, it is watchable in FusionHDTV

5- Recording in FusionHDTV (either in mpeg or stream transport) is clean and has no stutter, not the case with GB-PVR recording (DVR-MS)

6- Using Zulu decorder (as opposed to Cyberlink) it plays everything in wide screen (16:9) Something I avoided doing until now by using Cyberlink decorder which figures out the aspect ratio correctly (overlay mode) no need for constantly changing aspect ratios.

This is more of an aspect ratio problem and I know many people complained about ( I hope Sub is making some improvements in the next release like setting a default aspect ratio, and interpretting the correct one)

GB-PVR, of course, is a great piece of software. I was wondering if there are ways for me to improve my HD experience and make it as good as the SD one. I hate to have to switch back and forth between Fusion and GB-PVR, I know it will not be acceptable by my wife

BTW, I am using PVR-150 for my analog signal.

[sub]

To be honest, I wouldnt be surprised if HD support is pretty crappy. I dont have access to any HD signals here, so I've just hacked together some code that kind of works. Recording was my only real interest, as live tv is one of those things where I'd need access to the signals to get it working well.

1- While channel changing in FusionHDTV is almost immediate, it takes at least 10 seconds in GB-PVR

Are you in live preview mode or timeshift mode. I'd expect timeshift more to be really crappy.

4- Timeshifting with HD in GB-PVR is choppy, and is not watchable. However, it is watchable in FusionHDTV

This'll probably be related to the 100% CPU you mentioned.

3- CPU (2 GHz) utilization in FusionHDTV is at worst 70% while watching TV. It is always 100% in GB-PVR during live TV. SD in GB-PVR is less than 20%

Assuming the same decode, it may be the difference between Overlay/VMR.

6- Using Zulu decorder (as opposed to Cyberlink) it plays everything in wide screen (16:9) Something I avoided doing until now by using Cyberlink decorder which figures out the aspect ratio correctly (overlay mode) no need for constantly changing aspect ratios.

This is more of an aspect ratio problem and I know many people complained about ( I hope Sub is making some improvements in the next release like setting a default aspect ratio, and interpretting the correct one)

There has been no changes in this area for the next release so far, but I do hope at least have it remember/restore the last aspect ratio...assuming I get time to add this. I've been really busy. Every release seems to get more demanding on my time.

[-stattik-]

3- CPU (2 GHz) utilization in FusionHDTV is at worst 70% while watching TV. It is always 100% in GB-PVR during live TV. SD in GB-PVR is less than 20%

5- Recording in FusionHDTV (either in mpeg or stream transport) is clean and has no stutter, not the case with GB-PVR recording (DVR-MS)

3-There are Zulu drivers that support hardware-based MPEG decoding if you have a video card that supports it. That would relieve the CPU somewhat. I'm not sure if the hardware-assisted zulu driver is selectable from within the GBPVR or not though.

5-What kind of problems are you having with the dvr-ms mux? Stutter? AV synch? That mux has been pretty solid for Fusion owers here so I'm sure we could work that one out.

I can't comment on the live/timeshifted TV since I never watch live televison.

[zaldwaik]

Sub,
Do you want to visit the US? You can stay at my place, visit around ( I live near washington DC), and may be work a little, I will have the whole basement reserved for you, with the right setup including HD signal and computers. If you get bored, you can always watch my children? What do you think?

[sub]

lol

[sub]

I think stattik is correct in his comments about the video decoder. I seem to remember there was an additional Zulu DVXA decoder that support hardware accelleration, which I didnt add to the list supported by GB-PVR.

You could try editing config.xml and add it to the <VideoDecoders> list.

[zaldwaik]

Thanks stattik and sub,
I think the DVXA would definitely help, it is actually an option in the FusionHDTV configuration. The problems I have with playback include losing sound every few seconds, and dropping frames in fast motion scenes (I can see it blaring). I am not sure if the recording is fine, and it is a Zulu problem, or the recording is not good. I do not believe I can play dvr-ms in FusionHDTV which would tell me which one.

As for the DVXA Zulu decoder, it appears from what you are saying is that there is another decorder, not just a setting in the current Zulu recorder, that I should add to config.xml. How would I figure out the name for that, if you will?

Thanks

[sub]

As for the DVXA Zulu decoder, it appears from what you are saying is that there is another decorder, not just a setting in the current Zulu recorder, that I should add to config.xml. How would I figure out the name for that, if you will?

Yes, I'm fairly sure I remember seeing a separate DVXA decoder. A few tools you could use to find the correct name include GraphEdit, or Microsoft's DECCHECK, or www.softella.com's DirectShow Filter Manager.

[wannabepvr]

We have some HD broadcast here in Australia. So close, but so far....

Its a pitty the New Zealand cricket team aren't touring this simmer you could probably get a gig playing with them!

(I noticed I acidently misspelled summer as simmer - really it was an accident, but it seems to fit in this context....)

On zaldwaik's comment, intended or not GBPVR is an excellent child minder when you just need that few minutes or peace.

[sub]

On zaldwaik's comment, intended or not GBPVR is an excellent child minder when you just need that few minutes or peace.

This is one reason GB-PVR exists. We've got a two year old daughter who could barney/maisy/hi-5 till the cows came home...