Poor quality video (1 Viewer)

[Starfinder]

MediaPortal Version: 0.2.0.0
Windows Version: XP SP2 - Full updates
CPU Type: AMD 2400+ (2ghz)
HDD: Maxtor 200 GB
Memory: 512 RAM
Motherboard: ASRock
Video Card: nVidia gForce4 MX440 (also tried readon 9800Pro)
Video Card Driver: Latest nVidia / readon drivers
Sound Card: SB live 5.1
Sound Card AC3:
Sound Card Driver: Generic SB driver
1. TV Card: WinTV-PVR-150
1. TV Card Driver: Latest hauppauge drivers for the card.
MPEG2 Video Codec: Default MP codec
MPEG2 Audio Codec: Default MP codec
Satelite/CableTV Provider: Stofa (Denmark)
Cooling: Regular fans (80 mm CPU fan, 120 mm case fan x 2) + 2 x HDD fan
Power Supply: 500w
Remote: MCE remote
TV: LG 32" LCD, HD supported
TV - HTPC Connection: VGA cable



The problem im having is that the video feed is "blurry".
I were suggested to upgrade my gfx card from the nVidiia gForce4 mx440 to a higher grade gfx, so i installed a readon 9800 pro - but this dident solve the problem.

I am a compltet newbie at setting up MP - so it might be a very simple problem / solution.
Please advice.....

 

[FlipGer]

Hi,

what do you mean with "video feed"?

Is it generally the windows desktop / MP GUI and your TV?
How long is your cable between PC and TV?
What resolution do you use?
Whats the native resolution of the LCD?
Or is it just the TV picture of the PVR 150?

Flip.

 

[Starfinder]

its when i watch TV on via the media portal.
My native resolution on the desktop is 1024 x 768 (crystal clear)
Watching DVD's via MediaPortal is also perfect it is just the picture of the PVR 150 thats blurry.
The cable is 1.8 meters i think (prehaps less - but not a lot)
The native resolution of the LCD is 1300'and something x 700-800 i think.. (not quite sure)

 

[knutinh]

Analog tv will usually be more blurry than DVD. The effect may be even more visible when using a sharp lcd screen when the eyes have been "used to" crips fonts etc before.

Did you compare to a regular CRT tv using its internal tuner on the same tv source?

-k

 

[Starfinder]

yes.. if i use the TV cord directly in the LCD.. the picture is crystal clear.. it is def. either the TV card, the decoder or something else.. it is not the feed from the antenna (cable) it self...

 

[FlipGer]

Hi,

try setting quality control for your PVR:
Configure->Television->Capture Cards->Edit (PVR 150)->Quality:
- Check "Use Quality Control"
- Set "High" as standard

You could also try different decoders. nVidia (not free) is reported to give a good picture.

Flip.

 

[Starfinder]

thanx.. will try that when i get home from university...

 

[Flerbizky]

I'm just wondering - When you say "Latest Drivers" for the Hauppauge card, exactly what version is that ?...

I was having the same issue with my 500, and upgrading from 2.0.35.xx to 2.0.42.xx made a world of difference. I'm still not completely satisfied, but I'm getting there I hope.

Also, under "Deinterlacing", I've found, for some reason, that "Weave" works better than "Best". I'm still messing about with Dscaler settings as well as the nVidia decoder.

My DVDs looks far better from the HTPC than they do from our regular DVD player, so it has the power, I just need the settings..

I'll report back later !,

Cheers,
Steff

 

[knutinh]

Could you try an external DVD-player into the hauppage just to check if it is a tuner problem or more of a software problem?

 

[Starfinder]

no external dvd player avalible.. sry..

Trying nVidia decoder + hauppauge tweaks.. + latest drivers now.. will report back if it gets solved + solution..