Image Quality with Hauppauge PVR500MCE (1 Viewer)

[IanW]

Area: Media Portal Program
MediaPortal Version: 0.2.0.4 (2006-08-11)
MediaPortal Skin: Gate
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: NVIDIA Video Decoder
CPU Type: Intel Pentium M 1.73GHz
Memory: 511 MB
Motherboard: i845GV-W83627
TV Card Model: Hauppauge PVR500MCE
TV Card Type: -
TV Card Driver: 2.0.43.24103
Video Card Model: Nvidia Geforce FX 5200 (128 MB)
Video Card Driver: 8.1.9.8
Video Card Resolution: 800x600
Video Render Type: VMR9
Audio Card Model: Realtek AC'97 Audio
Audio Card Driver: 5.10.0.6050
Synopsis::

I think it's about time I addressed this problem with my media centre. With the above hardware, when I record any TV program the image quality is far from perfect. I've attached an example to this post. It looks like there is some sort of echo occuring when there is a high contrast edge. It's not apparent all the time but it is very distracting.

Has anyone seen this before and can anyone offer a suggestion on how to fix it?

Regards, Ian.

 

[TesterBoy]

Is this a static image? If the "sky" was moving left, it could be that you have motion blur set on in the capture card? To fix it you need to get the Hauppage Tweaker from http://www.cask-of-amontillado.com/pvr_tweak.html (among others)...

 

[Spragleknas]

Make sure you use default direct renderer (or something....) just in case.

Also: Latest PVR500 has a poorer chip (Samsung) than previous (Phillips)

 

[IanW]

Hi,

TesterBoy - The 'Sky' is static, the blue (part) circles are moving. I'll have a look at the tweaking tool.

Okay - Where do I find the setting for the default direct renderer. (I assume you're not talking about the decoders.) The only 'renderer' settings I can find are for the audio.

I don't think it's anything to do with the rendering of the video, as I get the same issues when viewing on another PC. So the problem must be occuring when recording the video.

Regards, Ian

 

[milanp]

IanW,

How is the picture quality with the Hauppage application ?
You can find a lot a about drivers and tweaking in the www.shspvr.com forums.
Look for both PVR150 and PVR500 drivers (PVR500=2xPVR150).
Do you have that kind of ghosting on all the channels ?
To check once more I suggest to try to connect some kind of video device (VCR,camera) to your SVS/composite input on the PVR500.
With this test you will know that the problems are with the tuner or cable.
The problem could also be that the signal is too strong.
I have 4 PVR500 MCE in my server and on none of them I am experiencing the problems you have.(Using SAGETV btw).

 

[IanW]

Hi Milanp

Thanks for your suggestions. I'll try to find an alternative video source. It is possible that the signal is too strong as it's coming from a powered splitter (which also amplifies). I can try a direct connection from my cable box.

Regards, ian.

 

[Spragleknas]

Okay - Where do I find the setting for the default direct renderer. (I assume you're not talking about the decoders.) The only 'renderer' settings I can find are for the audio.

Audio, yes. It seems to affect picture somehow.... don't ask how/why.