questions about playback window

[adamf]

Hi,

Been trying to use GB-PVR for a while and its working out quite well. A great piece of programming.

I had 2 questions:

1. Every time I playback a recorded movie it will play in a "windowed" mode with the movie playing in a window with the taskbar showing. The rest of the program works as it should, taking over the entire screen (as I set this in the setup application) so you cannot see the taskbar, etc. The taskbar returns only when I playback a recorded file (or any file with the player). Is there any way to fix this so that it plays full screen? Can I have playback of all files by an external player like Zoom Player? Suggestions?

2. I have set recording quality to low, but still find a 1 hr program takes up 1.8 gigs. Is there a way to reduce the file size further or further customize the capture size?

I am running the latest version (0.22 I believe).

Again, great product! I look forward to future updates.

Thanks.

-Adam

[sub]

1) I'm no 100% sure this is what you're saying, but there is an incompatibility between the Cyberlink Mpeg2 decoder (which you may have selected, or is your system default) and the VMR renderer. This combination will cause a separate ActiveMovie window to popup. To correct the problem, either choose a different mpeg decoder, or change from VMR to Overlay.

2) MPEG files are usually pretty big, but you could look at reducing the bitrate further by editing the 'low quality' profile in the config app.

[fini]

Whatever programs I choose to keep (half my recorded programs are watched once and then delete) I use nanopeg (comes with hauppauge cards) to get rid of the adverts then auto gordian knot @ about 70-75% quality to take the files down to between 700 and 1.2 Gb. It takes ages and if the program is really staticy it will screw up completely, but I now have a clean signal and use AGK overnight so am happy... By the way this solution gives me avi files so I have to go into the Access db and change .mpg to .avi, but for a file that looks and sounds the same its worthwile. You could probably get the filesize down to about 500Mb before the quality starts looking dodgy

fini

[KingArgyle]

One of the issues for the larger file size is that Sub creates his MPEG files as CBRs instead of VBRs (i.e. Beyond TV 3.4/3.5). The result is of course larger file sizes, but less chance of having audio/video synch issues. Personally, I would like the option to encode with either CBR or VBR if your Hardware Encoder card supports this (which I know the Win TV cards, and the LifeView Walker Ultra support).

It'll give greater tuning control over the final picture quality and filesize. Hopefully, it's something that sub can take a look at as he goes along.

I've found that with AUTO GK, that if you want a really good quality but at a smaller size, you have to record at the Highest quality, and for a half hour show, keep your files to about 350meg or higher. An hour show compresses well to a 700meg file. The key is the quality of the input file.

[adamf]

Quote[/b] (sub @ Nov. 17 2004,10:52)]1) I'm no 100% sure this is what you're saying, but there is an incompatibility between the Cyberlink Mpeg2 decoder (which you may have selected, or is your system default) and the VMR renderer. This combination will cause a separate ActiveMovie window to popup. To correct the problem, either choose a different mpeg decoder, or change from VMR to Overlay.

2) MPEG files are usually pretty big, but you could look at reducing the bitrate further by editing the 'low quality' profile in the config app.

Sub,

I tried a lot of combinations but still no resolution.

If I choose Overlay and one of the decoders that isn't Cyberlink, I get the active window.

If I choose VMR7, then i get 1 second of full screen video, then it goes black and the autdio continues on.

This is with standard decoder or specific ones chosen.

any further ideas?

Thanks.

-Adam

[sub]

Do you have something like FFDshow or DScaler installed, or possibly a "codec pack" from the internet? These have been known to cause directshow problems for some users - although I've not heard a description quite like yours.

[adamf]

Quote[/b] (sub @ Nov. 17 2004,23:44)]Do you have something like FFDshow or DScaler installed, or possibly a "codec pack" from the internet? These have been known to cause directshow problems for some users - although I've not heard a description quite like yours.

I definitely do.

I have FFDshow, DScaler and a codec pack from the net!

What should I remove?

-Adam

[sub]

Any of the components I mentioned can insert themselves into applications graphs without being asked to, which can cause applications to become "broken". I couldn't tell you exactly which one is causing your problems. Remove them all. If you get it working, then reinstall just the ones you actually need. The codec packs can make a real mess of the directshow configuration on you machine.

[adamf]

Quote[/b] (sub @ Nov. 17 2004,23:54)]Any of the components I mentioned can insert themselves into applications graphs without being asked to, which can cause applications to become "broken". I couldn't tell you exactly which one is causing your problems. Remove them all. If you get it working, then reinstall just the ones you actually need. The codec packs can make a real mess of the directshow configuration on you machine.

Sub,

I removed the codec pack and it fixed the problem. That should go in an FAQ somewhere....

Thanks!
-Adam

[sub]

It hasn't really been a frequently asked question. In fact, I think this is the first time I've given this advice.