Plextor ConvertX (MPEG2/4 encoder)

[White94Cobra]

Has anyone seen/used this device (http://www.plextor.com/english/products/ConvertX.html)? I can't tell from the info available if it's hardware encoding or not. But if the min. PC requirements are a P3-800 I would think that it would have to be hardware. If it is hw based encoding, is there a chance SageTV will support?

[Narflex]

If it does HW encoding, then there's a good chance it'll work with Sage by default. Let us know if it does.

[White94Cobra]

I'll let my wife know that you want me to buy one. I'm having enough trouble explaining why we need SageTV with three tuners and two DirecTV Tivo's You never know when you might need to record seven things at one time!

[Akjun]

FYI.....

I was just told that this device uses a Vweb chip (probably some variation of the VW2005). It does mpeg1,2, & 4 encoding in hardware.

[Akjun]

We just purchased one of these guys to test in our lab.

The Convertx uses a Vweb 2005 chip (see attached pics). I apologize for the poor quality photos (our camera is a little dated). I thought you guys might be interested......

We have not had time to test this unit out (hopefully by next week).

Enjoy!

[SHS]

(poor quality photos) that look good here I figee it was Vweb chip.
Hey Akjun may when get some time can upload some clip to shspvr are you going to do a review?.

[White94Cobra]

Please keep us updated. I'm very interested in purchasing as my fourth tuner. Since it does hw MPeg4, can you record in that format in SageTV?

[Akjun]

I will see what I can do (about the clips). It will probably be at least a week before I can do anything. I will try to provide as much info. as possible. I will also try to see if it works with Sage Recorder (it comes with its own customized version of WinDVD Creator). This thing does not have a tuner, so I do not know how valuable it would be to provide Sage Tv support.

I get the impression that this would basically be used to encode video (VCR/DVD/Tivo/TV/camcorder) to (mpeg1,2,4) for further editing in a laptop or desktop. This does not look like a pvr solution. I am partiicularly interested in the 6mbs mpeg2 limit that is stated in the manual, as well as the hardware mpeg4 encoding. This device looks like a competitor to the ADS Instant DVD boxes (I am hoping that it has a better encoder chip).

This chip may work well in a tuner/pci card configuration. Vweb has the specs listed on their web site for this chip, several reference boards, and a sister chip to the Vw2005 (Vw2010) that encludes hardware decoding (mpeg1,2,4). I will post back when I have some further details.

[White94Cobra]

I'm interested in using it to record from my DirecTV receiver, so a tuner wouldn't be necessary. Thanks for any info you can provide.

[Akjun]

Well, I will try this a second time…….

Here are some preliminary test results concerning the Plextor Convertx:

1. Sage Recorder does not work. I used the latest version of Sage Recorder, and consistently received two error messages when trying to use it with the Convertx.

Message one: Problem utilizing the capture card. Error Code 0X8007001F

Message two: Direct Show Filter Error. Unable to connect the mpeg 2 pin of the capture filter to the dump filter. Error Code 0X80040204

2. The WinDVD creator software included with the Convertx is a customized version. Some options in the software are not adjustable. There are 12 recording profiles available (5 DVD, 5 Mpeg4, 1 VCD, 1, SVCD). You cannot adjust the profiles or create new profiles. You can only adjust the Brightness, Hue, Saturation, Contrast, and Sharpness levels. Gamma, white balance, and backlight composition are not adjustable.

You can choose NTSC or Pal TV standards, LPCM, Dolby Digital, or Mpeg audio formats, and automatic file splitting (with a text box for entering a maximum file size).

The software can walk one through the complete process of capturing, editing, and authoring (although I have only tested the capturing part). I also believe the software can transcode (I remember reading about converting the iso mpeg 4 files into Divx).

I created numerous 5-second test clips for each profile. I could only play the Mpeg 4 files with the included WinDVD 4 software. I tried reading them in QuickTime, MS Media Player, Real Player, and Power DVD. I have not tried a Divx player. All of the DVD test clips played fine in the other players.

In terms of capture quality, I believe this chip has some real potential. I have not experienced any “recycled frame glitches” yet – but I need to perform a several hour-long capture to verify that issue. I am willing to upload some clips for others to see – just let me know. I have not tested a lot of fast motion scenes, but plan on doing that this weekend.

I hope this information is helpful. I will report back as soon as I can.

[SHS]

Yes Akjun I love to see some clips if all possable

[Akjun]

SHS, I have the clips ready to upload to your server. What do you want to see? I have 5 sec. captures from all profiles. I also have a 26 sec. capture of high motion scenes using the highest DVD setting. The 5 sec. captures vary in length from 655k to 2.9 mb. The 26 sec. capture is 20mb.

I was thinking on sending you the 26 sec. capture (20mb), SVCD 5 sec capture (2mb), VCD capture (989k), and one mpeg4 5 sec. capture (at the highest setting): 2.9 mb.

As far as I can tell all profiles are using CBR. You can't modify the profiles at all (can't change to VBR or increase/decrease the bitrate).

I performed several two hour captures over the weekend and have not found any dropped frames.

I have noticed that every capture has some noise along the extreme top. It appears to be coming from the Convertx unit, and not from the input source (or cables). All of the captures have this (even when using a svideo cable instead of composite).

It is too bad about the CBR, and unadjustable profiles.... having seen what this chip can do at 6mbs CBR, makes me wonder what it can do at higher bitrates, and VBR. Perhaps someone will make a pci card based on this chip (or even better, the vw2010 - which also has hardware decoding).

[Akjun]

SHS, I posted the above mentioned clips to your ftp server. I hope the file sizes are not a problem. Please delete them if they are taking up too much space. For everyone else who wants to see what the Convertx can do: the clips are posted at SHS's ftp server: 216.234.188.64.

Go to the incoming folder.

Each clip is labeled as to what profile is used, and how long it is.

Each clip was taken from an analog cable signal.

Please let me know what you think of the encoding quality.

I still have not found a player (besides the Convertx version of winDVD4 that will play the Convertx's mpeg4 streams). I just tried bsplayer and the core media player - neither one would play the file successfully.

Enjoy!

[SHS]

size not a problem I have 10GB disk

[Akjun]

SHS, I just visited your ftp server, and the files are gone. I will upload them again.

[SHS]

nevermind I see the MPEG4 clip
They there it auto hide them when upload is done Akjun

[Akjun]

- Yeah, I just figured that out. Please let me know if you want any more examples.

[SHS]

Xcard fail with MPEG4 clip anyway that MPEG4 clip most be a real odd ball I can't even find the four codec in it.

[Akjun]

I think it is a marketing gimmick. The file ends with a .mpg extension. They say that it is an iso compliant mpeg4 file, but I have not found one software player that will recognize it (other than their customized windvd4 application). I will say that it does a fairly good job at compressing the file size. But if it is a proprietary file format, what good is it?

One can re-encode the file to Divx using the customized WinDVD Creator software, but I wonder how much quality is lost (two encodes - I may try this and post the results). I was hoping for more from this device. Perhaps someone will pick up the ball and create a pci card version using the Vw2010 chip. There are too many constraints on this product.

[SHS]

Ok Akjun there on line at ftp://ftp.shspvr.com/download/moive%20clip/akjun%20clip