NZ Freeview HD playback quality issues

[Asher]

Hi,

I'm not sure where to start with trying to resolve my picture quality issues here.
TV3 is almost perfect, but TV One, TV2 are Prime are all unwatchable.

I've taken recordings off the media center and tried playign them on other machines, and also tried playback through VLC and Cyberlink directly.

Regardless of where/how I play the recording, the picture quality is rubbish and the audio is choppy which leads me to suspect my HDD, so I switched the recordings to a different physical disk. This didn't make any difference.

I have tried replacing my tuner card (HVR-2200), and that didn't help either.
The Freeview STB gives a good picture, so I think the signal is ok. It's also a brand new aerial, professionally installed.

What can I do to try and resolve my picture quality issues?
Hardware:
AM2-5200+
nVdia 9500GT
Hauppage HVR-2200

Software:
nPVR 2.1.4
Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
CyberLink PowerDVD8
CCCP
Monogram

Current nPVR settings:
Video Renderer: EVR
Audio Rendered: Default
MPEG2 Video: Microsoft DTV-Video Decoder
H.264 Video: Microsoft DTV-Video Decoder
MPEG1 Audio: Microsoft DTV-Video Decoder
AC3 Audio: Microsoft DTV-Video Decoder
E-AC3 Audio: Disabled (and I can't change it)
AAC Audio: MONOGRAM AAC Decoder
HE-AAC Audio: MONOGRAM AAC Decoder


Attached is a screenshot of a TV2 recording (Cougar Town) that I have resized down to 1280x720 and zipped up. The log of the playback is:

2011-07-18 21:59:05.503 [DEBUG][1] OnKeyDown() called: Return
2011-07-18 21:59:05.747 [DEBUG][1] RenderDemux()
2011-07-18 21:59:05.747 [DEBUG][1] Adding system HE-AAC decoder
2011-07-18 21:59:05.747 [DEBUG][1] about to load decoder
2011-07-18 21:59:05.757 [DEBUG][1] added decoder to graph
2011-07-18 21:59:05.757 [DEBUG][1] adding audio renderer: Default DirectSound Device
2011-07-18 21:59:05.812 [DEBUG][1] Adding system AC3 decoder
2011-07-18 21:59:05.812 [DEBUG][1] Adding system MPEG1 Layer2 decoder
2011-07-18 21:59:05.826 [DEBUG][1] Adding system H264 decoder
2011-07-18 21:59:05.830 [DEBUG][1] Adding EVR renderer
2011-07-18 21:59:05.915 [DEBUG][1] about to load decoder
2011-07-18 21:59:05.929 [DEBUG][1] added decoder to graph
2011-07-18 21:59:06.252 [DEBUG][1] Static Reference clock set to: AAC Audio Renderer
2011-07-18 21:59:06.757 [DEBUG][1] setting 'fill' aspect ratio
2011-07-18 21:59:06.839 [DEBUG][1] Playback graph running...
2011-07-18 21:59:06.840 [DEBUG][1] Graph filter list:
2011-07-18 21:59:06.840 [DEBUG][1] - EVR Renderer
2011-07-18 21:59:06.840 [DEBUG][1] - NPVR PES Collector (Teletext)
2011-07-18 21:59:06.840 [DEBUG][1] - NPVR PES Collector (DVBSubs)
2011-07-18 21:59:06.840 [DEBUG][1] - AAC Audio Renderer
2011-07-18 21:59:06.840 [DEBUG][1] - Microsoft DTV-DVD Video Decoder
2011-07-18 21:59:06.840 [DEBUG][1] - MONOGRAM AAC Decoder
2011-07-18 21:59:06.840 [DEBUG][1] - MPEG-2 Demultiplexer
2011-07-18 21:59:06.840 [DEBUG][1] - NPVR TS Reader
2011-07-18 21:59:06.889 [DEBUG][1] CheckCache() indicates:E:\Recorded TV\Cougar Town\folder.jpg:267,347:True is cached (C:\Users\Public\NPVR\Thumbs\AD315AD2E76084896AA2D1B0DD9135B3.jpg)
2011-07-18 21:59:06.889 [DEBUG][1] CheckCache() indicates:E:\Recorded TV\Cougar Town\folder.jpg:267,347:True is cached (C:\Users\Public\NPVR\Thumbs\AD315AD2E76084896AA2D1B0DD9135B3.jpg)
2011-07-18 21:59:06.890 [DEBUG][1] Loading cached file: E:\Recorded TV\Cougar Town\folder.jpg:267,347:True (C:\Users\Public\NPVR\Thumbs\AD315AD2E76084896AA2D1B0DD9135B3.jpg)
2011-07-18 21:59:07.466 [DEBUG][1] PlaybackPositionHelper.GetPlaybackPosition(E:\Recorded TV\Cougar Town\Cougar Town_20110713_21002130.ts)
2011-07-18 21:59:07.473 [DEBUG][1] Using timing.info, jumping to time 281.000000 (offset 294306480)
2011-07-18 21:59:08.666 [DEBUG][1] OnKeyDown() done. Took 3163.103515625 ms
2011-07-18 21:59:08.671 [DEBUG][1] GetEventCode() returned: 0x000d
2011-07-18 21:59:08.671 [DEBUG][1] GetEventCode() returned: 0x000e
2011-07-18 21:59:08.671 [DEBUG][1] audio renderer now AAC
2011-07-18 21:59:08.671 [DEBUG][1] Dynamic reference clock set to: AAC Audio Renderer
2011-07-18 21:59:08.671 [DEBUG][1] Reference clock was already se correctly. No change required.
2011-07-18 21:59:08.671 [DEBUG][1] GetEventCode() returned: 0x8102
2011-07-18 21:59:19.815 [DEBUG][1] OnKeyDown() called: Escape

Any and all help appreciated - I just don't know where to start! :confused:

Thanks,
Alex

[griffy]

looks like your signal strength is crap, how long is the cable from the aerial? I use a booster and solved all my problems

[Reddwarf]

Yep, that's definitly pixelization due to noise or weak signal.

[psycik]

Post your nrecord log as well, which gives some numbers on signal strength.

[Asher]

Thanks guys, I'll grab a recording log later tonight.
That screenshot is actually pretty clean, but I ran out of time to wait for a worse one.
Some of them look like water colour impressionist paintings!

The coax run is only about 12 meters long, professionally terminated at both ends.
Griffy, what booster did you get?

[griffy]

GME Kingray booster from Dicksmith. Also a benefit is it splits to 2 outputs also, good for multiple DVB-T cards. I don't know if its a good brand (they seem generic to be) but I haven't had any pixelation problems since I installed it. I wouldn't think your cable length is too bad actually, mine is about 20m and works good with 1 tuner but not so good when split for multiple.

[psycik]

Hmm I might have the 4 way version of that...or did I get it from cables direct with f-type connectors....i can't remember.

[Asher]

The split for the HTPC/STB is right at the socket in the wall. branch 1 comes out to the lounge, branch 2 pops out in the bedroom (common wall).
Neither the lengths nor the split should be an issue .... .. in theory...

Recording Log of a quick record gives me:
TV1: locked=1, present=1, strength=4, quality=20 (took 93ms to check)
TV2: locked=1, present=1, strength=4, quality=25 (took 109ms to check)
TV3: locked=1, present=1, strength=-4, quality=25 (took 93ms to check)
PRIME: locked=1, present=1, strength=4, quality=30 (took 109ms to check)

TV3 with a strength of MINUS 4 is perfect., The rest are rubbish. Prime is by far the worst to watch.

Thanks for the heads-up about the recording log Psycik.
What numbers do you guys get?

LOG:
2011-07-19 18:24:14.380 [DEBUG][7] allocating recording target filename: E:\Media\New Recordings\ONE News At 6pm\ONE News At 6pm_20110719_18001900.ts
2011-07-19 18:24:14.381 [DEBUG][7] About to start recording (1307): E:\Media\New Recordings\ONE News At 6pm\ONE News At 6pm_20110719_18001900.ts
2011-07-19 18:24:14.386 [INFO][7] DigitalRecorder.StartStream(E:\Media\New Recordings\ONE News At 6pm\ONE News At 6pm_20110719_18001900.ts)
2011-07-19 18:24:14.386 [INFO][7] Creating BDA graph
2011-07-19 18:24:14.423 [DEBUG][7] Using tuner Hauppauge WinTV-7164 BDA DVBT Tuner (1)
2011-07-19 18:24:14.446 [DEBUG][7] About to auto detect capture filter
2011-07-19 18:24:14.454 [DEBUG][7] Got capture filter: 'Hauppauge WinTV-7164 BDA Digital Capture DVBT'
2011-07-19 18:24:14.454 [DEBUG][7] Added capture filter
2011-07-19 18:24:14.458 [DEBUG][7] Connected Tuner to Capture
2011-07-19 18:24:14.513 [DEBUG][7] Graph filter list:
2011-07-19 18:24:14.513 [DEBUG][7] - MPEG-2 Sections and Tables
2011-07-19 18:24:14.513 [DEBUG][7] - BDA MPEG2 Transport Information Filter
2011-07-19 18:24:14.513 [DEBUG][7] - MPEG-2 Demultiplexer
2011-07-19 18:24:14.513 [DEBUG][7] - NPVR TS Mon
2011-07-19 18:24:14.513 [DEBUG][7] - Capture
2011-07-19 18:24:14.513 [DEBUG][7] - Tuner
2011-07-19 18:24:14.513 [DEBUG][7] - Network Provider
2011-07-19 18:24:14.513 [INFO][7] About to start BDA graph
2011-07-19 18:24:14.514 [DEBUG][7] Starting graph...
2011-07-19 18:24:14.540 [DEBUG][7] About to tune BDA graph:
<tuning>
<type>DVB-T</type>
<locator>
<frequency>714000</frequency>
<bandwidth>8</bandwidth>
</locator>
<service_id>1200</service_id>
<tsid>27</tsid>
<onid>8746</onid>
<service_type>25</service_type>
</tuning>

2011-07-19 18:24:14.544 [DEBUG][7] DigitalRecorderDVBT::Tune@1
2011-07-19 18:24:14.544 [DEBUG][7] DigitalRecorderDVBT::Tune@2
2011-07-19 18:24:14.544 [DEBUG][7] DigitalRecorderDVBT::Tune@3
2011-07-19 18:24:14.544 [DEBUG][7] DigitalRecorderDVBT::Tune@4
2011-07-19 18:24:14.556 [DEBUG][7] DigitalRecorderDVBT::Tune@56:25 p.m. 19/07/2011
2011-07-19 18:24:14.556 [DEBUG][7] DigitalRecorderDVBT::Tune@6
2011-07-19 18:24:15.312 [DEBUG][7] DigitalRecorderDVBT::Tune@7
2011-07-19 18:24:15.316 [DEBUG][7] Calling LockChannel()
2011-07-19 18:24:15.421 [DEBUG][7] locked=1, present=1, strength=4, quality=20 (took 93ms to check)
2011-07-19 18:24:15.421 [DEBUG][7] DigitalRecorderDVBT::Tune@8
2011-07-19 18:24:15.424 [INFO][7] DigitalRecorder.StartStream() allocated handle: 0x1
2011-07-19 18:24:15.425 [DEBUG][7] Temp at 19/07/2011 6:24:25 p.m.
2011-07-19 18:24:15.425 [DEBUG][7] Started recording (1307:E:\Media\New Recordings\ONE News At 6pm\ONE News At 6pm_20110719_18001900.ts)

[psycik]

You're on an HVR2200 still? Mine will give different numbers as it's the Nova-T 500, I don't think they're the same chipset, so take my numbers with a grain on salt.

Here;s Shorty St starting to record:
TV2
2011-07-18 18:55:03.500 [DEBUG][7] locked=1, present=1, strength=70, quality=10 (took 141ms to check)

TV1
2011-07-18 17:20:04.107 [DEBUG][7] locked=1, present=1, strength=70, quality=10 (took 125ms to check)

TV3
2011-07-16 20:25:03.171 [DEBUG][7] locked=1, present=1, strength=67, quality=10 (took 172ms to check)

[Asher]

Yikes. I hope they use a different numbering system!!
Yes HVR-2200.