MPEG Capture Settings, PAL, NTSC, Frame rates etc

[PhilTheDoc]

I'm capturing from a Pace 4010 STB using a Hauppauge HVR1300 composite input. The result is OK, but slightly jerky with a bit of shadowing/smearing, especially with fast moving scenes. Capturing from the BDA devices is a lot better. I see the same problem with Hauppauge WinTV software, but when I look at the MPEG capture settings in WinTV for DVD quality it seems to only do it at 720x480, not 576 which I thought was correct for PAL. I can't see anywhere in the WinTV software to change this. In GB-PVR the MPEG capture settings for LiveTV and High quality recording have 720x480 or 720x576 at the top for either NTSC or PAL - I presume it knows which one to select. Also, I'm aware the frame rates between PAL and NTSC are different but nowhere in either WinTV or GB-PVR is there a setting for this -again, I presume it's implicit as I'm in PAL territory.

My question is - is there any way of adjusting these settings so I get smoother playback and recording? Are there some ideal settings for PAL composite capture that I should be using? Could I have a frame rate problem or would it be unwatchable?

Thanks.

[sub]

I can't see anywhere in the WinTV software to change this. In GB-PVR the MPEG capture settings for LiveTV and High quality recording have 720x480 or 720x576 at the top for either NTSC or PAL - I presume it knows which one to select. Also, I'm aware the frame rates between PAL and NTSC are different but nowhere in either WinTV or GB-PVR is there a setting for this -again, I presume it's implicit as I'm in PAL territory.

This all happens automatically. Your PAL HVR1300 will be recording 720x576 25fps by default, which are the correct PAL settings.

You can check by doing a recording, then using something like AVICodec to check (see http://avicodec.duby.info/)

My question is - is there any way of adjusting these settings so I get smoother playback and recording? Are there some ideal settings for PAL composite capture that I should be using? Could I have a frame rate problem or would it be unwatchable?

Its most likely some playback problem you're seeing. Zip and attach your logs and I'll take a look. If its really capturing problem, then you may find that updated HVR1300 drivers help.

Other than minor tweaks to the bitrate, there isnt really anything a user would normally change.

[PhilTheDoc]

Thanks, Sub. Lightning response! Logs duly attached.

[sub]

The logs look ok. Have you tried to see if different decoders and/or video renderer make any difference?

[PhilTheDoc]

Decoders yes - I came down on the Intervideo ones, as the others I seemed to get a lot of lip sync problems. Renderers no -I've always stuck to VMR9 custom. I'll give it a go.

I'm watching on a 32" LG HDTV via a DVI to HDMI cable at a resuolution of 1360x768 and the picture is fantastic when using it as a monitor to the HTPC. Is this relevant to watching MPEG captured from a composite device? Should I alter it?