Closed Captions

[Steerpike]

I own the WinTV PVR250 and the Media MVP device.

Using registry hacks from Amonitllado's website, I'm able to capture Closed Captions in my recordings made natively with the WinTV2k capture, and with the 'WinTVCap' software.

But the Media MVP software does not playback the Closed Captions. Getting Closed Captions to work is crucial for the 'overall success' of this setup - my partner is deaf.

Through searching over at shspvr forum, I came across GB-PVR, both the capture app and the MVP replacement app. I searched this forum for 'Closed Caption' but got no hits. But over at shspvr, I saw a release note for GB-PVR MVP that suggests that CC's are supported in some way.

So .... my question is, if I cut over to GB-PVR to record, and to GB-PVR's MVP replacement for the MVP device, will I be able to view CC's from either my captured material?

Thanks! This looks like a great product!

[sub]

Unfortunately, I still run the original Hauppauge software on the MVP which means I cant display Closed Captions. Hauppauge would need to change this in their software. Sorry.

[Steerpike]

OK, so the MVP side of things won't display CCs. Fair enough ...

What about the recording side, though? I said in my post above that I'm capturing CCs with both WinTV2k and WinTVCap; I tested again and WinTVCap does NOT capture CCs; so only WinTV2k's native app is capturing them (after I made registry changes). So is GB-PVR able to Capture CCs during the record phase?

I'm not happy with WinTV2k for capturing, because the actual GUI (the TV display) has to be 'on' during the recording. I tested WinTVCap because it does not require the 'TV display' to be on during record ... but no CC's. If GB-PVR captures CCs, and does not insist on displaying the TV, that would still be a big plus!

Do you envision ever modifying the MVP software? I saw extensive discussions over at SHSPVR forum on the topic of CCs, and the implication is that it's possible, but ... not done yet! I'd pay for that feature (and I'm assuming here that the rest of GB-PVR and MVP stuff is good)!

[sub]

Yes, GB-PVR can record closed captions. You have to change one setting the direct.ini file. Open direct.ini in a text editor and to each recording quality section (including live TV) add either OutputType=14 or OutputType=10

If you wish to view closed captions during playback (not MVP sorry), then you need to select the Intervideo decoder, using VMR9.

Quote[/b] ]Do you envision ever modifying the MVP software?

No. I dont have access to any of the Hauppauge software, so I couldn't just modify it. It would mean implementing a total replacement, which would be a huge job.

[krypton_john]

Here's the MVP source code... apparenty. I've not looked closely.

ftp://ftp.shspvr.com/download/mediamvp_l....21315.tgz

[sub]

Thats very old and only really the linux distribution.  It doesn't actually include the proprietary Hauppauge software that runs on the MVP (on this linux image). This is made available by Hauppauge to meet their obligations for using GPL software (Montvista linux distribution). They not obliged to release the source code to their custom software.

[Steerpike]

Quote[/b] (sub @ Oct. 09 2004,17:43)]Yes, GB-PVR can record closed captions. You have to change one setting the direct.ini file. Open direct.ini in a text editor and to each recording quality section (including live TV) add either OutputType=14 or OutputType=10

Would I be revealing my ignorance to ask 'what is the difference between output types 10 and 14'? Thanks!

[sub]

Its been so long since I looked at this that I cant remember.

[Steerpike]

FYI, I got CC's to work during a recording with OutputType=14 AND with OutputType=10 ... so not sure which one to use! I'll stick with 14 for now.

After making this change, I restated the 'recording service'. I believe this is necessary.

As for playback, I first selected the 'InterVideo Video Decoder' on the 'playback' tab in the config module, but it didn't work. I then selected 'InterVideo Non CSS VideoDecoder ... (rest of title cut off)', and it worked. 'VMR9' was already selected.

I have some comments on the overall experience of using the program, but I believe they are more appropriate in another forum. Thanks!

[bitter_old_man]

Type 10 is what Hauppauge calls a DVD stream. They call type 14 "Special-2". Some people, myself included, started using Special-2 when the drivers had a "recycled frame" problem. (A frame from earlier in the video would show up again later in the video.) Supposedly Special-2 gets more testing as it's used in Windows MCE.

I always use type 14.

Barry