Changing OSD size while using PVR 350 TV Out

[Rhino]

I recently installed Sage 2.2 using a Hauppauge PVR-350 for TV out. Everything is working beautifully. Recordings are almost flawless.

I'm extremely happy with everything other than the on screen display while using the composite video out on the PVR-350. The size of the OSD is slightly larger than the confines of the TV. I'm missing about 1 to 2 inches off of each side of the interface. I have found that you can change the size of the displayed video, although I haven't been able to sucessfully change the size of the interface itself. I would like to make it smaller Is this hard coded in the software or is there any way that I can change this?

Also, for some strange reason, when I hit the stop button after watching a show, all I will see is a test pattern. I have to begin viewing live TV or a recorded show to get my interface back. How can I avoid this?

As said previously, I'm currently using the composite out. I am thinking about moving to using the s-vid out. Could this possibly resolve the issue?

I'm sorry for all the questions, I'm a relative newbie when it comes to sage, although I've built plenty of MythTV boxes with the same hardware.

[nielm]

For Sage user interface sizing:
Setup -> Detailed Setup -> Multimedia -> Overscan settings

There are a lot of issues regarding the PVR-350, you might find the answer to your color bars test pattern if you search the forums...

[Rhino]

Originally Posted by nielm

For Sage user interface sizing:
Setup -> Detailed Setup -> Multimedia -> Overscan settings

There are a lot of issues regarding the PVR-350, you might find the answer to your color bars test pattern if you search the forums...

Thank you for the reply. I was aware of these settings, although this is only changing the size of the video, not the entire interface.

For example... if I set the overscan to 50%, Live TV will show up in a small box in the center of the screen, surrounded by black. The interface itself remains too large for the TV.

The one thing I did not do was restart Sage after this setting was changed, would this have any effect on the display area?

[pjwerdna]

Originally Posted by Rhino

Also, for some strange reason, when I hit the stop button after watching a show, all I will see is a test pattern. I have to begin viewing live TV or a recorded show to get my interface back. How can I avoid this?

I had this problem and found no way to get rid of it. I did find that turning the interface off and on again made it appear on the 350 output, btu I needed a monitor connected for that.

I gave up and used the video out of my Epia MII 10000. It takes more processor power, but it works properly.

Originally Posted by Rhino

Thank you for the reply. I was aware of these settings, although this is only changing the size of the video, not the entire interface.

For example... if I set the overscan to 50%,

The percentage one that youre talking about is "aspect ratio settings" this does change the video output size,

The "Overscan settings" one changes the interface and its not a percentage. Its a "position the corner using the arrow keys" procedure.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by Rhino

I was aware of these settings, although this is only changing the size of the video, not the entire interface.

For example... if I set the overscan to 50%, Live TV will show up in a small box in the center of the screen, surrounded by black. The interface itself remains too large for the TV.

There is no place to change the % size for Overscan in the UI; it sounds like you were changing the Aspect Ratio Settings. Try the Overscan Settings just below Aspect Ratio. Note that the process of setting the Overscan is a 2-step process, so check the instructions on both dialogs that will appear. Edit: too late again. Oh well.

- Andy

[Rhino]

Everyone, thanks again for the reply's. Very quick as well as welcoming. This is by far the best PVR forum I've run across.

Originally Posted by pjwerdna

I had this problem and found no way to get rid of it. I did find that turning the interface off and on again made it appear on the 350 output, btu I needed a monitor connected for that.

I gave up and used the video out of my Epia MII 10000. It takes more processor power, but it works properly.

A work around I've found in the meantime is to configure a button on the Hauppauge remote that will take me straight to Live TV. Once I get video playing on that interface, the display begins working properly again.

I've been toying with the idea of using my nvidia TV out for my desktop display, although I don't want to loose the quality and the mpeg decoding that the 350 has going for it. I've seen it mentioned where people daisy chain the two together using the S-vid input of the 350. How is this done? Would there be any negative effects to doing this? it seems like you'd be gaining the mpeg decoding performance of the 350, although I'm sure video quality would suffer.