Tips for Improving TV picture quality?

Novasolan · 2006-07-25, 08:41

I'm running an ATI TV Wonder Elite card and I'm wondering if anyone has any tips for improving my TV picture quality through MediaPortal?

My main complaint is that nothing I do removes or improves the fuzzyness of the picture. I've upgraded all of my codecs and have done the steps in the MPEG2 guide in this forum.

Is there anything else I can do?

My comp specs:
AMD Athlon 64 x2 4800+
Geforce 6800 Ultra PCI-E
MSI Neo4 Platinum SLI nForce 4 MB
1GB OCZ Platinum Rev.2

Thanks!

Spragleknas · 2006-08-06, 23:49

You should give us more info, like:
- Codecs you use
- How is your GFX and TV connected
- TV-type
- Resolution

Watching TV throuh MP right now, I can say for sure it is better than through the tuner in my TV....

pierreye · 2006-11-30, 04:50

I have a different experience. Through MediaPortal, I always get fuzzy and interlace picture. Also, I'm having issue where local analog tv is always having border issue (always smaller than fullscreen due to most tv will overscan). Also color doesn't look as saturated/vibrant as my tv built in tuner.

My equipment as below:
VGA output to TV
Hauppage PVR 150 MCE
Input: Analog UHF signal PAL-D.

TV:
Panasonic Plasma PV60H

pjam001 · 2006-11-30, 23:08

MediaPortal Version: 0.2.1.0 (2006-10-21)
MediaPortal Skin: MePo Green Wide
Windows Version: Windows XP (SP2)
.NET CLR Version: 2.0.50727
DirectX Version: 4.09.00.0904 (9.0c)
Audio Codec: MPA Decoder Filter
Video Codec: MPV Decoder Filter
CPU Type: Intel Pentium 4 - 3.00GHz
Memory: 446 MB
Motherboard: 089C (Hewlett-Packard)
TV Card Model: Kworld DVB-T 300u
TV Card Type: DVB
TV Card Driver: -
Video Card Model: Ati Mobility Radeon 9000/9100 Igp (64 MB)
Video Card Driver: -
Video Card Resolution: 1280x800
Video Render Type: -
Audio Card Model: SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio
Audio Card Driver: -

I'm having the same sort of problem. I can't say I've done alot of setting up pc's with the tv out so it will probably be something I'm missing. I just can't seem to get the picture quality as good as the standalone dvd player or dvb-t box.
(Not as clear / sharp)

I'm connected to the tv using an s-video lead.

TV is a 32" widescreen CRT using PAL.

Any advice would be very welcome.

pierreye · 2006-12-01, 06:34

You should try using Component, VGA or DVI input for your TV. S-Video is interlaced and max 720x540 rez.

Flerbizky · 2006-12-01, 09:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by pierreye

You should try using Component, VGA or DVI input for your TV. S-Video is interlaced and max 720x540 rez.

Huh ?... I'm running 720x576, PAL, through SVHS - Looks absolutely beautiful. And isn't the native resolution of PAL DVDs 720x576 as well ?..

Cheers,
Steff - Confused in Copenhagen

ziphnor · 2006-12-01, 10:11

S-Video is not limited to any particular resolution, but it just doesnt have the bandwidth to transfer high resolutions and around 800x600 is propably the best it can do without messing up completely:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-Video

In general if you feel the colors are not vibrant enough or the image seems washed out, then check your black/white levels and calibrate accordingly ( you can find calibration tests if you search the net). Try visiting the HTPC forum at avsforum.com .

As for fuzziness and noise with analog TV its mostly up the tuner determining the picture quality. Try using another program to watch TV and see if it looks less fuzzy.

pjam001 · 2006-12-01, 22:45

Thanks for the ideas.

My graphics card will only do 640x480, 800x600 or 1024x768 on the tv.

Could this be causing the problem?

I have tried the different pal settings.

It's not that it's fuzzy, just not not as sharp or full of colour. Although overlay is set to theatre, the options for changing contrast etc are greyed out. Can only change against direct 3d or open gl.

ziphnor · 2006-12-02, 02:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjam001

It's not that it's fuzzy, just not not as sharp or full of colour. Although overlay is set to theatre, the options for changing contrast etc are greyed out. Can only change against direct 3d or open gl.

Use the fullscreen 3d settings to adjust the appearance in MediaPortal.

Flerbizky · 2006-12-02, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjam001

Thanks for the ideas.

My graphics card will only do 640x480, 800x600 or 1024x768 on the tv.

Could this be causing the problem?

I have tried the different pal settings.

It's not that it's fuzzy, just not not as sharp or full of colour. Although overlay is set to theatre, the options for changing contrast etc are greyed out. Can only change against direct 3d or open gl.

I'm fairly sure something like Powerstrip will let you tweak you resolution to 720x576.

Cheers,
Steff

2006-07-25, 08:41	#1 (permalink)
Novasolan Portal User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Tips for Improving TV picture quality? I'm running an ATI TV Wonder Elite card and I'm wondering if anyone has any tips for improving my TV picture quality through MediaPortal? My main complaint is that nothing I do removes or improves the fuzzyness of the picture. I've upgraded all of my codecs and have done the steps in the MPEG2 guide in this forum. Is there anything else I can do? My comp specs: AMD Athlon 64 x2 4800+ Geforce 6800 Ultra PCI-E MSI Neo4 Platinum SLI nForce 4 MB 1GB OCZ Platinum Rev.2 Thanks!

2006-08-06, 23:49	#2 (permalink)
Spragleknas Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rogaland Age: 32 Posts: 3,968 Thanks: 194 Thanked 106 Times in 86 Posts Country: My System	You should give us more info, like: - Codecs you use - How is your GFX and TV connected - TV-type - Resolution Watching TV throuh MP right now, I can say for sure it is better than through the tuner in my TV.... __________________ Please read -> HOW TO START A SUPPORT THREAD !!! Support MediaPortal! Donate by clicking HERE Dedicated HTPC board (Norway) -> MSPC.no My Christmas skin 2008 (widescreen)

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2006-11-30, 04:50	#3 (permalink)
pierreye Portal Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have a different experience. Through MediaPortal, I always get fuzzy and interlace picture. Also, I'm having issue where local analog tv is always having border issue (always smaller than fullscreen due to most tv will overscan). Also color doesn't look as saturated/vibrant as my tv built in tuner. My equipment as below: VGA output to TV Hauppage PVR 150 MCE Input: Analog UHF signal PAL-D. TV: Panasonic Plasma PV60H

2006-11-30, 23:08	#4 (permalink)
pjam001 Portal Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country:	MediaPortal Version: 0.2.1.0 (2006-10-21) MediaPortal Skin: MePo Green Wide Windows Version: Windows XP (SP2) .NET CLR Version: 2.0.50727 DirectX Version: 4.09.00.0904 (9.0c) Audio Codec: MPA Decoder Filter Video Codec: MPV Decoder Filter CPU Type: Intel Pentium 4 - 3.00GHz Memory: 446 MB Motherboard: 089C (Hewlett-Packard) TV Card Model: Kworld DVB-T 300u TV Card Type: DVB TV Card Driver: - Video Card Model: Ati Mobility Radeon 9000/9100 Igp (64 MB) Video Card Driver: - Video Card Resolution: 1280x800 Video Render Type: - Audio Card Model: SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio Audio Card Driver: - I'm having the same sort of problem. I can't say I've done alot of setting up pc's with the tv out so it will probably be something I'm missing. I just can't seem to get the picture quality as good as the standalone dvd player or dvb-t box. (Not as clear / sharp) I'm connected to the tv using an s-video lead. TV is a 32" widescreen CRT using PAL. Any advice would be very welcome.

2006-12-01, 06:34	#5 (permalink)
pierreye Portal Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	You should try using Component, VGA or DVI input for your TV. S-Video is interlaced and max 720x540 rez.

2006-12-01, 10:11	#7 (permalink)
ziphnor Portal Developer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Copenhagen Age: 29 Posts: 727 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 6 Posts Country: My System	S-Video is not limited to any particular resolution, but it just doesnt have the bandwidth to transfer high resolutions and around 800x600 is propably the best it can do without messing up completely: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-Video In general if you feel the colors are not vibrant enough or the image seems washed out, then check your black/white levels and calibrate accordingly ( you can find calibration tests if you search the net). Try visiting the HTPC forum at avsforum.com . As for fuzziness and noise with analog TV its mostly up the tuner determining the picture quality. Try using another program to watch TV and see if it looks less fuzzy.

2006-12-01, 22:45	#8 (permalink)
pjam001 Portal Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country:	Thanks for the ideas. My graphics card will only do 640x480, 800x600 or 1024x768 on the tv. Could this be causing the problem? I have tried the different pal settings. It's not that it's fuzzy, just not not as sharp or full of colour. Although overlay is set to theatre, the options for changing contrast etc are greyed out. Can only change against direct 3d or open gl.