I got TV Out on PVR350 Working

[Eoghan]

Hi,

I got a Win Tv PVR 350 on Wednesday.

I put GBPVR on my computer, and I'm using the TV Out option.

It hung the entire computer every few minutes. There was no keyboard or mouse response, and the only way to get control again was to do a hard reboot.

I've seen a lot of threads on this forum about this issue, and from what I see this is a common issue with that card.

I tried the latest drivers from Hauppauge's site (PVR250_22_23070.exe), but I still had the problem.

Yesterday afternoon I found some drivers on shspvr.com (ftp://ftp.shspvr.com/download/wintv-pvr_250-350/inf/) and choose pvr_1.18.21.23257_whql.zip The WHQL means it has been certified to run with Windows. Microsoft apply stringent tests (as well as it being a money making game) to make sure a driver won't crash windows. In this case it seems to have worked.

So I put this on yesterday afternoon and since then until this morning I've done a lot with the system, and it hasn't crashed once. I'm delighted.

I can't understand why Hauppauge don't have these drivers on their website.

Anyway, I just thought I'd post it because it might save somebody else some time / help someone else to get it working. The TV Out looks great, and it's a shame to have to not use it if you have it.

BTW, my motherboard is an Intel SE440BX2

Thanks,
Eoghan.

[Eoghan]

Hi,

OK, I'm new at this and I think my reply was a bit premature.

I was home at lunchtime showing it to a colleague, and guess what: it crashed. Yep, hung the computer completely, just as before. I then realised that even though I had done lots with it last night, that didn't include watching live tv. It's only on live tv that it crashes. So I think I'll use this purely as a recorder and playback, but not as live tv. I'll still watch tv through my vcr.

It's curious though that it only crashes on live TV and not on playing MPEGs. I hear that this is a driver issue. I'm no expert, but is live TV not just playing back an MPEG that was recorded slightly earlier? Or does the TV card have its own onboard cache? I'll try disabling live tv preview tonight (I think that's what it's called) and see how I get on.

Sorry if I raised anybody's hopes!

Thanks,
Eoghan.

[spyork]

In some cases there are compatibility problems with certain motherboard chipsets. In other cases I have heard watching TV using the PVR-350 out causes the card to overheat and lock-up. Personally, I could never get the 350 stable in my setup. When it worked the video quality was great though.

[kayleigh]

I can't recall what version my drivers are, but I've been so lucky with my 350 setup, it's unbelievable - no hardware instability at all. The only thing it lacks (IMHO) is an IR Blaster on board. I wish Hauppauge could stabilize this card with firmware or something, because I'm waiting for the day Sub says "The card's a dud. GB-PVR won't support it anymore - too much trouble."

[gEd]

I don't actually think that Sub does support this card anymore. I think he ripped it out of his system some time ago.

With people reminding me of the great output quality of this card, I am tempted to re-visit the tv-out, with transcoding of xvid files... It'll probably end in tears tho'......

I think that one of the big problems with this card is that the chip generates a huge amount of heat. It really needs a much bigger heatsink or a heatsink with a fan (which would be noisy)

[Eoghan]

Hi,

just to let everyone know, I borrowed a new computer from work (An Acer Veriton 7600GT) and now my TV Out is rock solid. Didn't hang the PC once, and I used Live TV a lot last night. So I'll probably buy this one.

It's great.

It's also quieter than my other computer, so that's good too.

I'd be tempted to get a silent PC, but with all the posts and experience about this card hanging the computer, I think I'll stick with what I have.

Just thought I'd let people know in case anybody wants to know of a pc what will work with it and could do other things too.

Eoghan.

[stefan]

Yep, if you get a motherboard that the pvr-350 likes you will have a great card. Otherwise, it's a piece of junk ;-)

[breaburn80]

That's good to hear that you got it working! I wish that I could get mine to work too. I had Live TV up and running for a bit last night. It was good if I didn't touch anything, and I did pause and unpause once successfully, but really anything else, and it would freeze up.

My mb is an AOPEN AX4SPE-N, Intel Chipset. Has anyone else tried on this setup?

The heat issue is also a good point. Tonight I will look into my system temp and see if that could be the case.

[elite]

PVR 350 tv out is a pile of sh*t - I completley understand why sub has given up trying to sort this out.

After messing about with it for weeks, trying different drivers etc, I have given it up as a bad job! I understand there are compatibility issues with certain motherboards, however I can't beleive none of the newer driver releases have fixed these. I also can't believe hauppague haven't had a class action or similar lodged against them for selling a product that simply doesn't work for the majority of users! [/endrant]

[davisj36]

I love my PVR350. Rock solid after a few problems in the old days but it's perfect right now.