best dvb card?

[docluv01]

Hi Guys,

I just got my SageTV setup runnign with Mytheatre, and I must say I am MOST PLEASED!!!!

Only question I have is the video quality. I currently use a Twinhan DVB-S card. The video quality, is so so. Channel changes also take a while to kick in.

Is there a better card to use? I heard the Nexus-s card is the best DVB out nowadays because it does MPEG via hardware, and not software. Is there a better card out there then this or is the Nexus-s the one to get? WOudl channel changes be faster with this card?.

If MPEG via hardware decodign is the way to go, how does that effect the SageTv plugin? I understand, if viewign video under Mytheatre that the mpeg via hardware would be ideal. BUT, If i were to use the network encoder, would image quality be effected at all?

Please bare with me, as I'm still new to this.

Thanks in advance!!! GREAT SITE!!!

[Motofreak75]

if you go with a Nexus-s card and plan on running just normal SDTV then get it, But if you want to get HDTV signals then a twinhan is the way to go. Because you cant run Nexus-s in hardware mode to get HDTV signals. It cant do it, you are forced to run software mode (just like the Twinhan) And in software mode, the faster your cpu is, the beter the picture.

[docluv01]

Thanks for the quick reply!

Just wanted to clarify, for SDTV, if i use network encoder, can the card still be run in hardware mode, and if so, will the quality be superior then the twinhan?

I have the twinhan now, and im noticing the video isnt the best. I have a 6600 GT using teh nvidia codec, and component video output. trying to get somethign close to my existing DISH network boxes.

ALso, wil the nexus give faster channel changes?

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by docluv01

ALso, wil the nexus give faster channel changes?

Easy answer, NO. I think it's MT itself. I own a nexus and my channel changes in sage take approx. 10 seconds. I still think your picture quality shouldn't be that bad though, unless you're super picky lol. What codec you using?

Carl

[docluv01]

Hi,

Ok, here is my setup...I just built this thing

AMD 3800+ dual core, 2 gig ram, ASUS MB, 6600 GT PCI-E. VIdeo card hooked to mny TV via component vidio output at 480i, and using dualview, with the TV setup as teh secondary screen. (This is where I keep Sage)

In this, I have the following:

Twinhan DVB-S
PVR500
ATI HDTV WONDER

RUnninG XP, with SAGE 4.1.6, with latest ver of MT (just registered). I also installed the MT plugin.

If i add more then one tuner, I get overlapping of channels etc, which I will worry about at a later time for now.

I have the Nvidia codec installed.

Here are my settings in SAGE:
Video Renderer: VMR9
MPEG2 Video Decoder: Default
DXVA MPEG Mode: B
DXVA Interlacing: Default
Dscaler Deinterlacing Filter: Disabled
Audio Renderer: Nvidia COdec

I have similar setup for DVDs. When using the Sage DVD player, teh video looks Really good. Possibly better then my SOny DVD player.

When I launch a dvd for any video (pvr500 or dvb) i do get teh nvidia icon on teh task bar. On that the settings are as follows:

Display Type: COntent Default
Hardware Acceleration: Checked
De-Interlace COntrol: Automatic
De-Interlace Mode: VMR Pixel Adaptive
Enhanced nView Support: VMR9

To be honest, I;m new to a lot of this, and I don't realy know what a lot of this means. I've been playign with all of teh settings on both Sage and Nvidia, and have been unable to pinpoint the best way to config everything.

I have similar setup for DVDs. When using the Sage DVD player, teh video looks SPECTACULAR.

With the DVB, its ok. nothign specatular. I was really hoping to to get someting similar to my set top DISH Network boxes, if not better. Channel Chnages take approximatly 15 sec.

Even when I use the PVR500, the video is so so. WHen watchign channels, is there is a lot of motion, images tend to flicker a little bit. I get a much better picture when i plug cable directly into back of tv. From what I understand, this card has onboard MPEG2. This is on by default, correct? or is it in software mode? Or is this irrelevant?

Even when viewing DVD's, I occasionally get some horizontal lines and/or pixelation, when video motion is fast. On DVB programmign that has fast video, this is significatnly more noticable.

I do apologize in advance if some of my questions are "stupid". I've been tryign to find optimal settings, for best picture possible...

I appreciate your help in advance....

[CarlG]

Well, I'm not familiar with the twinhan and i don't know what kind of pic quality it produces-but i do know this. As the secondary display you can't have Vmr9 (or 3D acceleration), at least i can't. I would set all that DXVA stuff to default and turn off the 3d acceleration. Here's my video settings:

Video Renderer: Overlay
MPEG2 Video Decoder: Cyberlink (Intervideo works good for me too)
DXVA MPEG Mode: Default
DXVA Interlacing: Default
Dscaler Deinterlacing Filter: Disabled
Audio Renderer: Default

In My Theatre I use the Generic video renderer and make sure MT's video display is off.

Hope this helps....

Carl

[docluv01]

Thanks Carl, I'll give it a try...

You mentioned earlier, that you have the nexus. How is teh quality on your nexus, compared to a set top box?

Is there somewhere that helps tweaks codec? I read several posts, but nothing that takes you thru some steps...

Any help you can ledn would be appreciated.

Thanks

[CarlG]

My rig runs a picture quality VERY close to that of a set top box, if not as good. I bought the nexus probably about 5 years ago though, not sure if they've changed at all or what but I have no complaints. I don't think tweaking the codec is your problem because i've never had to touch mine...and now that i tried the nvidia decoders it's even better. How does it look in MT? If you can get it looking good in My Theatre you can get it looking good on Sage. My stuff was giving me problems when I was trying to set up the extended desktop, the video was moving slow and choppy and stuff...played around with it, install Hydravision (for ATI cards) and now I'm happy as a pig in you know what. If it still isn't workin for you after playing with those settings try running your TV as the primary and only monitor if you can and see how that looks. I spent awhile playing around in my ATI control centre tweaking the output to the TV (figuring out extended desktop seemed screwy). Keep tinkering, you'll get it
Also, I'm not sure what you got goin there but you want to make sure that MT is set to NTSC, which you'll find in the pop up dialog box under hardware options>your card>color system. Let us know how you make out....

Carl

[docluv01]

Hi

U know, I did a comparison, and it looks pretty decent in Mytheatre. not as good as the set top. One key thing I notice , is it doesnt have the sharp quality as teh set top box.

I'm also noticing that my PVR500 is so so.

I'll look around...perhaps ill breakdown and buy the nexus...

Thanks....