TV function not running properly

[kermit5]

MediaPortal Version: 0.2.0
Windows Version: win xp pro sp2
CPU Type: Celeron 2.8
HDD: Maxtor 6Y080L0
Memory: 2 x 512mb DIMM, 60ns
Motherboard: Asus Pundit-R, P4R8L
Motherboard Chipset: North Bridge: ATI RS300; South Bridge: IXP200
Motherboard Bios: AMI 1005.001
Video Card: Ati on board 9100, 128MB
Video Card Driver: ATI drivers V6.14.10.6392
Sound Card: ADI AD1888, 6 Channel, onboard
1. TV Card: Hauppauge WinTV-Pci-FM
1. TV Card Type: Software Encoder
1. TV Card Driver: WDM-Video Driver, Hauppauge MCE-driver
MPEG2 Video Codec: Indeo video 5.1
MPEG2 Audio Codec: Indeo audio software
HTPC Case: Asusu Pundit-R

I installed mp 0.2.0 successfully. Everything (movies, music, pics, ..) runs fine except the TV-function. I use a Hauppauge WinTV-PCI-FM card combined with the onboard ATI Radeon9100 (128mb) graphic adapter. After the standard installation MP was "unable to create graph for this device". So I followed the instructions how to install "Hauppauge WinTV 878 based" cards from the MP homepage. This solved the first problem.

But now the picture I get in MP is very unclear and seems to have a lot of interference. I also cannot change the chanels (I have already set them up via the MP setup). when I change to another chanel, MP shows the right name of the chanel, but doesn't change the chanel in the tv-window.

When I use the TV card with the original Software WinTV2000 everything runs smoothly. I also tried Intervideo WinDVR 3, which also runs smoothly, but shows an error message at startup (Overlay not available, reduce color depth, resolution or....).

Any ideas what i can do to get the TV function running?

thanks a lot
k.

[Pom]

Check the quality settings under the TV card configuration in Media Portal Setup. Set Default to High and make sure the bit rate settings for high are set to something like 8000 (avg) 12000 (Peak). You can experiment with these settings.

Failing that do some extensive searching of this forum where you find the answer to your problem (as this sort of problem is common). Just warning you before you get all the bitchy comments telling you to do this!

One other thing which you're not going to like, i'm not convinced your onboard Graphics card is DirectX9 compatible which is a minimum requirement of MP - you best double-check this, i could be wrong.

[Spragleknas]

This is pprobably not it, but; some comments on your HW:
- Your CPU is probably to weak to handle a SW-based cards
- Your gfx-card is not a DX9 (recommended)

PS: I belive the quality settings Pom ref. to is only for the Hauppauge! 150/500.

[Marcusb]

yep, I agree with Okay. Your specs are pretty low and TV with a software card takes a lot of power.

In order of suggestions:

1) turn off timeshift and see if that helps.
2) borrow a newer gfx card and see if that helps.

Your CPU isn't too bad, but non dx cards really put pressure on the CPU, so do software cards.

My money is on you buying a new gfx card very soon. Even a cheap GF5200 will be a great improvement.

[kermit5]

Originally Posted by Pom

Check the quality settings under the TV card configuration in Media Portal Setup. Set Default to High and make sure the bit rate settings for high are set to something like 8000 (avg) 12000 (Peak). You can experiment with these settings.
thanks for the tip. i will try out differnet settings and post the result.

Failing that do some extensive searching of this forum where you find the answer to your problem (as this sort of problem is common). Just warning you before you get all the bitchy comments telling you to do this!
actually I read many of the posts in the forum. all dealing with my problem, but none of the suggested sollutions changed anything.

One other thing which you're not going to like, i'm not convinced your onboard Graphics card is DirectX9 compatible which is a minimum requirement of MP - you best double-check this, i could be wrong.

I installed directX9 and didn't get any error report. how do I find out if the onboard graphic chip works with directX9?

[kermit5]

The problem with buying a new graphic card is that my media-pc is quite small. Also it has only pci slots, which will be filled up with the graphic card and the tv tuner card and the case might get quite hot (i.e. noisy??).
Also having only PCI it makes it harder to get a card at all. Do you think a Radeon 9250 (128MB) will be sufficient? Or would it be smarter to buy a PVR card (WinTV 150 PVR for example)?

Is it possible that I can use my original software and also winDVR3 without problems, while I cannot use MP? Does MP use that much more CPU-power?

Thank you

[kermit5]

The ATI homepage states that my Radeon 9100 chip supports DirectX 8.1. Does that mean it won't support DiectX9 or are the datas on the homepage just older than DX9?
For the Radeon 9250 it also says it supports DX8.1. Wouldn't that mean I am not really better off with that card?

I read that onder Versions of MP also accept DX8.1. Is that true, could I possibly find one of those older versions and are software encoder cards already implemented in those older versions?

thanks

[Spragleknas]

According to these specs: http://www.techfever.co.uk/products.asp?partno=3682

... your gfx is a sis?

Anyway:
Radeon 9000/9100/9200/9250 does not support DX9 - many ppl thought 9250 did (including me, a while ago)

[kermit5]

Originally Posted by Okay

According to these specs: http://www.techfever.co.uk/products.asp?partno=3682

... your gfx is a sis?

Anyway:
Radeon 9000/9100/9200/9250 does not support DX9 - many ppl thought 9250 did (including me, a while ago)

I think Asus had two versions of the Pundit-R. The specs of my model can be seen here: http://ch.asus.com/products4.aspx?mo...l1=1&l2=3&l3=0

So if Radeon 9250 also doesn't support DX9, it means I won't definately be able to watch TV with MP?

[SciDoctor]

What ATI Catalyst package are you using for your setup ?

Don't be fooled into buying a newer gpu card to early, unless you desperatly have the desire.

The RADEON spec gpu from the very first release has enough hardware power to run MP with smooth GUI and low cpu load; use the ATI mpeg codec and the hardware assist in the GPU is excellent.

To give examples:

dual p3 500MHz with RADEON 8500 WIN2k and CATALYST 6.5. totlal cpu load never exceeds 12-30% unless heavy database activity during EPG grab. TV and MOVIES smooth and look great. (I even have had a p3 celeron 733 running MP but the dual cpu is the smoothest/best)

The other extreme is a dual opteron running VISTA RC1 with a first gen RADEON 64vivo: here cpu usage didn't show above 4% within the GUI.

If you genuinly have a RADEON spec gpu ensure you have a minimum 64MB allocated (from the bios or CCC for the on board gpu) and CAT 6.5 are very stable and great for pre X800 series ATI cards.

If your gpu is SIS then that is your problem as it is a very poor hardware wise.

Either buy a good pci gpu or better still junk the MB and get a good MB with on board RADEON gpu and pci express slots (this may even be cheaper)

Is this your PC

http://www.asus.com/products4.aspx?m...l1=1&l2=3&l3=0