40% discount at ArcSoft eStore (TotalMediaTheatre) (ends 5 Dec 08)

[csy]

40% off all eStore purchases to 5th Dec 08

http://www.arcsoft.com/estore/

(remember to enter the coupon code to claim the discount)

[topperdude]

Looks like Arcsoft TMT does not have the ability to playback HD-DVD anymore (unless there's a different version on their website that does have that ability)

-Topper

[whurlston]

It still plays HD DVD. They have removed the branding on the product but the feature still works.

[topperdude]

It still plays HD DVD. They have removed the branding on the product but the feature still works.

Thanks for the clarification!

[topperdude]

Have been on the fence re. which HD playback software to get (PowerDVD or TMT). Am leaning towards TMT - looks like it has less issues than PowerDVD, still allows HD DVD playback and the icing on the cake would be if the plugin by whurlston would enable playback of HD material on the GBPVR server via the PCH (sweet! ). Anyway, have couple questions re. TMT?

1. How do upgrades work? Does Arcsoft offer free upgrades forever (similar to the soon to be discontinued Slysoft upgrade policy) or are the upgrades free within the same version of the software and then pay a small upgrade fee for the next major release?

2. I am also considering getting a Blu-ray drive for my PC. Is an OEM version of TMT included with any Blu-ray drives (or TV Tuners)? Looks like it may be cheaper to upgrade from OEM to full version.

P.S. So far, it looks like some Kworld tuners, Hauppauge's HD PVR and Asus's Xonar soundcard include TMT, but do these OEM versions of TMT allow playback of HDDVD/Blu-Ray material? Moreover, if I plan to user whurlston's plugin to playback HD material, would I just need certain files (perhaps manually registered?) to playback HD material via GBPVR?

Thanks,
-Topper

[whurlston]

1. How do upgrades work? Does Arcsoft offer free upgrades forever (similar to the soon to be discontinued Slysoft upgrade policy) or are the upgrades free within the same version of the software and then pay a small upgrade fee for the next major release?

Upgrades are free within each major release. I'm not sure about between major releases but I wouldn't expect it.

2. I am also considering getting a Blu-ray drive for my PC. Is an OEM version of TMT included with any Blu-ray drives (or TV Tuners)? Looks like it may be cheaper to upgrade from OEM to full version.

P.S. So far, it looks like some Kworld tuners, Hauppauge's HD PVR and Asus's Xonar soundcard include TMT, but do these OEM versions of TMT allow playback of HDDVD/Blu-Ray material? Moreover, if I plan to user whurlston's plugin to playback HD material, would I just need certain files (perhaps manually registered?) to playback HD material via GBPVR?

Thanks,
-Topper

I know that the HD-PVR and the Xonar versions support Bluray. Note that if you upgrade the Xonar OEM version to the retail version, you lose the HD Audio bitstreaming features of the Xonar.

[topperdude]

Upgrades are free within each major release. I'm not sure about between major releases but I wouldn't expect it.

Thanks for this clarification. I too dont expect upgrades between major releases to be free.

I know that the HD-PVR and the Xonar versions support Bluray.

I got excited when I read this as I had been considering getting the HD-PVR if we decide to switch from cable to satellite service, but then I came across this post by babgvant which says the opposite. Not sure if he has a newer version (D2) than your HD PVR and the newer version includes a version of TMT which does not support Bluray/HD DVD anymore or if you have a newer version than his and the software included supports Bluray? :confused:

-Topper

[whurlston]

I got excited when I read this as I had been considering getting the HD-PVR if we decide to switch from cable to satellite service, but then I came across this post by babgvant which says the opposite. Not sure if he has a newer version (D2) than your HD PVR and the newer version includes a version of TMT which does not support Bluray/HD DVD anymore or if you have a newer version than his and the software included supports Bluray? :confused:

-Topper

I got one of the first HDPVRs shipped. I could be wrong that it supported Bluray but it won't matter if you are using a plugin for GBPVR to play them. The HDPVR version of the video decoder and demux will work fine. ffdshow can be used for audio.