soft/hardware encoding tv card (1 Viewer)

[mutte]

MediaPortal Version: 0.2.2.0
MediaPortal Skin: bluetwo
Windows Version: Windows XP Pro NL
CPU Type: P4 1.7
HDD: 60 GB + 120 GB
Memory: 512 Mb
Motherboard: MSI
Motherboard Chipset:
Motherboard Bios:
Video Card: geforce 6600 128 mb
Video Card Driver: latest from nvidia site
Sound Card: creative live! 5.1
Sound Card AC3:
Sound Card Driver:
1. TV Card: hauppage wintv express
1. TV Card Type:
1. TV Card Driver:
2. TV Card:
2. TV Card Type:
2. TV Card Driver:
3. TV Card:
3. TV Card Type:
3. TV Card Driver:
4. TV Card:
4. TV Card Type:
4. TV Card Driver:
MPEG2 Video Codec:
MPEG2 Audio Codec:
Satelite/CableTV Provider:
HTPC Case:
Cooling:
Power Supply:
Remote:
TV:
TV - HTPC Connection:


Greetings !

I've been experimenting with mediaportal for a few days and in general I'm quite excited about it.

But as you can see in my specs I have a software encoding video card and not that much cpu power. So whenever I start the tv it begins to stutter(that means in my case, MP reacting very slow and the sound and view not going fluently).

So I tried almost all the anti stutter actions mentioned on this forum (installing older video drivers, hotfix, installed etc.. ), but without any luck.

So I think what is told in the manual about the minimum CPU power for software encoding tv cards is very true in my case. (except anyone has a golden hint )

My conclusion is that I need an analog hardware encoding tv card, so I wonder if that is also the conclusion of the more experienced MP users? and if so, which tv-card would you recommend ?(one I can easily buy on ebay )

thank you for your answers


Maarten

 

[Roberdin]

Why on Earth would you want an analogue encoding card? Are you not covered by a DVB-T transmitter?

 

[mutte]

I've build this computer with spare parts I still have from earlier days.
Since I'm a student I don't have the money to pay for digital tv. So I'm still grabbing the analogue signal, you think that is a strange situation or am I not getting it ? ( several tv stations(I'd like to have) only broadcast via cable)

 

[FlipGer]

Hi,

Hauppauge PVR 150/250/350.

Flip.

 

[Spragleknas]

Why on Earth would you want an analogue encoding card? Are you not covered by a DVB-T transmitter?

Also: A lot of us are in STB-hell

 

[djurik]

I tried to make SW-encoding analogue card working for long time (Leadtek WinFast). I was successful - but it was terrible practice. E.g. I did this operations to make good picture and sound:
- using InterVideo deconder-encoder (after testing about 4 other collections),
- using MPEG1, not MPEG2,
- using constant bit rate for video, not VBR,
- increasing the CBR,
- some settings about video-sound streams synchro,
- set the original capturing filters to use VMR.
If you want to use the HTPC as toy for everyday settings, testings, restarts - continue and you can become an expert in directshow, filters, grabbing etc.
If you want to use HTPC for usually viewing TV, DVD, videos, listen music and radios - use HW-encoder. With WinTV 150 I was ready to use MP in one day.

Btw., I found some other SW working good with my SW analogue card - e.g. SageTV. But MP is better.