New System - Problems

[jsteele]

I finally have my GBPVR system running in place driving my TV. The system configuration is described in my sig and the output device is a Panasonic Tau-series 26". I have managed to get the configuration so that the GBPVR opens on the TV while the rest of the XP functionality is on a temporary 17" LCD.

I have my Comcast cable running to a +10dB RF Amp/4-way Splitter that feeds the two PVR 150 MCEs. In addition, our Dish Satellite receiver feeds the composite inputs on one of the PVR cards. From a functionality standpoint everything works however I am plagued by audio and video quality problems.

The Hauppauge cards have the latest drivers from SHSPVR.COM.

In my test configuration I had problems with video which I attributed to low signal levels coming off the un-amplified cable TV feed. However, the problem remains even with the RF amplifier in place. I am using the "CyberLink Video/SP Decoder" due to system crashes I experienced with the Intervideo decoder. (I made registry changes to support VMR with the CyberLink video and that works fine.) The video remains "snowy" on many channels and no apparent signal on a number of others. No change to video decoder makes and difference so I am still of the opinion that the Hauppauge cards have very poor performance with even normal signal levels.

For audio I tried several decoders and anded up with the "MPEG Audio Decoder" for best results. The Audio Renderer is the "SoundMax Digital Audio" supporting the onboard AC 97 audio. This combination of decoders is also used for the DVD playback. The audio quality on TV is very poor and exhibits low frequency rumblings, especially when there is music in the TV program sound stream. SoundMax on my machine supports a "Virtual Theatre" feature that allows the user to simulate various types of settings ranging from a hallway to a hanger. I have this disabled but it does not seem to make any difference, the audio is simly terrible no matter what settings I use. Thye audio problems are no where near as pronounced when playing a DVD so I tend to think the problem with the audio is also related to the Hauppauge cards.

As I said everything functions but the video and audio quality are very poor. I have tried every combination of audio decoder and audio renderer and I am unable to get quality sound.

I am looking for advice/suggestions.
Thanks

[reboot]

Try increasing the audio recording bitrate in config.

[jsteele]

Try increasing the audio recording bitrate in config.

Thanks but I don't see anywhere to change the audio bitrate.

[capone]

It's where you set up the TV guide system you're going to use (eg, zap2it). When you edit it, you'll see the recording qualities. Change medium and live.

[capone]

Btw, I had problems w/ the picutre at first...it was wavy on channels, or had flickering. It turned out to be power, or lack there of. I had an eVGA card, and it was a power pig. I have a faster 5600 that uses less, and added a UPS (which cleans the power flow). The picture as been great since.

For a decoder, I love the new nVidia decoders. You can do a trial version of them (1.02 or 1.2...you need to look under purevideo). You have to turn off HW acceleration, but they are so much faster and smoother.

For audio I just discovered using s/pdif, and finally make use of my HM receiver. hearing everything in dolby digital from 2.1-5.1 (automatically detected) is a great thing. It's like ear crack when you get right, because you can't get off it once you have it.

[jsteele]

capone

Thanks. I tried changing the bitrate up to the max at 384KB and down to 160KB. Neither change made a difference, I'm still getting the strange rumbing on some channels.

As to the "snowy" picture problem, I have the unit on a UPS so it isn't that.

[reboot]

Definitely try the Nvidia decoder. It's well worth the $20 (approx).
If you have other mpeg/dvd software players, they usually come with a decoder as well, Intervideo, cyberlink, Mainconcept, Ulead, are 4 more, to name a few. Try them all.

[capone]

It doesn't mean you're not too short on power for the system. I was lucky, and those two small things got me back on track. You may want to try w/ one less card or something to to see.

[jsteele]

capone:
I suppose I can try. I've got a 425 W PS in there and that ought to be enough but you never know. The other thing that makes me think it isn't power is that the satellite input on the composite video is crystal clear.
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reboot:
Does the nVidia decoder work with the FX5600 card? I have PowerDVD installed and I'm using their video decoder. I own WinDVD 6 but when I tried using their decoder I got intermittant system crashes about once a day. When I removed their decoder the crashes stopped.

[reboot]

The nVidia decoder works with GB-PVR. It has better playback quality, decoding the mpg's, thus the output should be better to your TV, regardless of video card.