MUXChecker says

[MikeT]

I have no MUX's installed and that GBPVR cannot run properly without one. It says WinXP SP1 has a built-in one but I've got WinXP SP3 and still no MUX.

Whatever Codec I chose - Defualt, MPEG 2 Decoder or Nero MPEG Decoder, the output is terrible, stalling every couple of seconds, breaking up, freeze frame etc.

Yet when I first installed it, it was close to perfect! The only thing I can think of is previously I had the original PVR software for my USB TV tuner (Presto PVR5) but in my effort to improve GBPVR viewing I followed the suggestion (not sure if it was a forum post or part of the wiki manual - I've read so much and got nowhere!) to uninstall Presto.

Now I want to re-install it as I've read that will have a decoder and mux that I need but can I find the original CD now????!!!!!

This is very, very frustrating. Can anyone help? I don't fully understand all the technical stuff so simple instructions please.

[McBainUK]

What kind of hardware have you got? CPU graphics card etc.

[Graham]

The mux is the software gadget used when writing files to disk when a program is beingrecorded. Your version of Windows includes the gadget that you need to write files in DVR-MS format. This is the default (I think) and is selected on the Misc (or Misc2) tab of config.exe.

Decoders are the software gadgets that are needed to play back recordings. The options are ...

The decoder that comes with Windows (nobody uses this)

The decoder that came with the software supplied with your TV hardware. Some are okay and some are less so.

A decoder that you explicityly download and install. The stock advice on this forum is ...

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/MPV_Decoder.htm

and

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/MPA_Decoder.htm

The decoders are selected on the Playback tab of config.exe.

Good Luck

[MikeT]

Excellent response, thank you very much Graham. I have dowloaded and registered both files then selected them in the config. Unfortunately, it's made no difference to LiveTV so it is probably down to my hardware which has now given me the incentive to upgrade it.

[McBainUK]

I suggest posting your current specs. May save you some money!

[sub]

Whatever Codec I chose - Defualt, MPEG 2 Decoder or Nero MPEG Decoder, the output is terrible, stalling every couple of seconds, breaking up, freeze frame etc.

That actually just sounds like you've got a poor signal. Decoders etc wouldnt make any difference to this.

[MikeT]

McBainUK, I forgot to add that between GBPVR working well, I'd "upgraded" my motherboard but I feel it's actually a downgrade as I went from AGP graphics 512MB to on-board 256MB.

Anyway, in answer to your request;-

MOBO: WinFast 6100K8MB (Nvidia 6100)
CPU: Socket 754 Sempron 3000+
RAM: PC3200 2GB
Tuner: MSI MegaSky 850 Mini TV USB
Drives: mix of IDE & SATA (over 200GB in all).

Need any more info or is that sufficient?

[MikeT]

That actually just sounds like you've got a poor signal. Decoders etc wouldnt make any difference to this.

Yes, I can well believe the signal is an issue as I notice that Presto PVR would work very well, while GBPVR would struggle on some channels during a storm. Trouble is, none of my neighbours are having problems with their set top boxes so I doubt I'll be able to get the housing association to do anything about our community aerial which I believe is being obstructed by trees.

[Graham]

I used to run an onboard 6100. A year or so ago, I bought a 7200GS but my recollection is that was because PVRX2 menus stuttered and not because of problems with video.

I use ...

http://www.nvidia.co.uk/object/dvd_decod...al_uk.html

and I am very happy with it.

My advice would be to try the Nvidia decoder.

[MikeT]

I have located a copy of Presto PVR on my hard drive and have just installed it only to get perfect viewing, every channel.

Even when I had GBPVR working well, there was the odd channel it couldn't show and I had to fire up Presto to watch it.