MVP versus long video/audio cables & remote extender ???

[callagga]

Hi,

Does anyone have any comments on the possibility of, instead of buying a MediaMVP (ie to save a few $), connecting the PC to TV directly by buying 15m-20m of video/audio and somehow extending the remote. In particular:

[1] Re extending the remote - Options would be I guess:

(a) to use the remote that comes with your tuner card [e.g. I see a good deal on the TwinhanDTV Ter D+A http://www.twinhan.com/product_terrestrial_1.asp) at the moment] with a remote control extender. Anyone had experience here? Would you recommend this?

(b) extend the PC mouse itself somehow (perhaps wireless mouse with extension cable?) - this might be better as you can then use the GB-PVR interface directly + use other PC capabilities?

[2] Video output - I guess this concept would require (assuming the PC is not dedicated to the PVR function) to using a non-primary video output and directing the GB-PVR program to that screen (i.e. the PC monitor would be primary, with the TV in the other room being secondary). Assuming I was using a fairly standard PC video card would the quality/resolution be inferior to the MVP?

Any comments on this concept re signal quality, useability, functionality, integration with GB-PVR? (e.g. potentially may end up with a more functionality at the TV) Or is this a bad idea and I should just go out and buy a MediaMVP?


Thanks in advance for any comments.

[Pioneer4x4]

All a matter of personal opinion. I started by getting a MVP to play files that my older capture card was creating. Then I found GBPVR as a front end for the MVP. Then I bought a card that GBVRP supports. But overall, all I really care about is scheduling/recording, and playback on the MVP. I am very pleased with its picture. If you don't have ethernet cables already in the room with the TV, it would still be easier and cheaper to run that, then SVideo, get wireless mouse/keyboard, remote extender...

[A_Brass]

The options I considered were the MVP and a wireless audio video transmitter that had a IR relay. So the remote worked too. Radioshack has such a unit so does X10.

Before I found GBPVR I extended my video and audio from the basement to the first floor via really long cables. The audio and video quality sufferd. For control I used a RF wireless mouse and keybaord. The problem was, I had mount the RF receiver as high as possible in the basement to get it to work. And half the time the keyboard didn't work. Oddly enough the mouse did.

I think you cant beat the MVP for easy setup. But if you like to playback lots of AVI's a hardline or wireless audio/video sender might be a better option. But as someone pointed out to me. The wireless unit works on 2.4ghz just like a router/cordless phone, and Microwave.

Good luck.

[callagga]

But if you like to playback lots of AVI's a hardline or wireless audio/video sender might be a better option
Good luck.

Were you suggesting that playing back AVI's is an issue for a MediaMVP? Can I ask what you meant here?

Playing back AVIs is one of the key things I am looking for. If I go the MVP route I would be looking at running the network cable I think (versus wireless).

[sub]

The MVP can only natively play MPEG files, so if you try to play an AVI file it has to try to convert it in realtime to MPEG as the file plays. This uses quite a bit of CPU and also causes issues for some people.

The MVP does play MPEG files beautifully though.

[callagga]

just to confirm, are your comments valid with the latest version of the MVP, which lists having support for this?

"Tips for DivX playback
MediaMVP's new software release supports the playback of AVI-files, which have been compressed with the DivX codec.
For a successful playback, the DivX codec has to be installed on your PC where the MediaMVP software is running. A DivX
codec can be downloaded direclty from DivX: http://www.divx.com/divx/ (Note: chose the “standard codec”).
http://www.hauppauge.com/pages/products/...amvp.html#

If so, any advice re the easiest/best solution for watching downloaded AVI's on my lounge room TV? Perhaps MVP is still the best bet, but working within its constraints. (other might be a laptop with wireless that you just connect to the TV directly when you need to)


Thanks

[sub]

Yes, its still valid. Hauppauge are doing the same thing with AVI playback, with on the fly conversion to MPEG video.


You can still watch AVIs, but its more problematic than MPEG videos, so you may spend more time tweaking it to work right on your machine. Also you'll need to have a machine with approx 2.4Ghz CPU.

[callagga]

I also just found out the following:

"the MVP will support AVI files that are DIVX encoded. Raw AVI files are currently not supported. this may be supported in the future. Quicktime movies are not supported at this time. "

I'll now have to determine whether my AVI files I have are true DIVX. (e.g. I have some which are marked Video compression = XVID, 68kbps, 12bit sample, 23 frames/sec). I'm not sure what the percentage of AVI files on the net are DIVX.

Sounds like a dedicated PC near the TV, or the long video lead solution may be the best bet re this particular requirement (i.e. playing AVIs on the TV)

[sub]

It doesnt really matter if they divx or xvid or other. They should still play with some tweaking. They'll all require on the fly conversion to MPEG format.

To play smoothly, frames per second and resolution are the most important factors. PAL should be 25fps. NTSC should 29.97 fps. Resolution should be 720x576 or 720x480 or half those numbers.

[LilY0da]

Resolution should be 720x576 or 720x480 or half those numbers.

U sure it works at that resolution??? I thought it *had* to be 640x480... I used to get bad letterboxing & stretching on the MVP display when I use 720 wide...