question about non-frey stuffs mentioned periodically

[hufnagel]

Browsing through various threads there are many items mentioned that I don't recognize, such as...
dscaler
Elecard

can anyone point me to a URL to explain these, and any of the other esoteric (to someone new to the whole PVR/HTPC/whatever-you-wanna-call-it) things that are occasionally mentioned in various threads. Maybe there's a FAQ I need to read to become an educated soul?

Also, I've seen several threads mention 720x480 as being a prefered resolution for recording ordinary cable TV 4:3 format. Is that correct? I've got my twin PVR-250s set to 'Aspect Ratio: Use Source' and 'Recording Quality: DVD Standard Play ~ 3.25GB/hr'. What if anything should I do. I'm mostly waiting on my MediaMVP box to show up on the 17th to determine how good/bad my current settings are, but if anyone has a definite "What you got is BAD" and a why I'd appreciate a point in the right direction.

-- John H.

[stanger89]

dScaler, powerfull, open-source tv viewing program that provides deinterlacing and filtering of the incoming signal: http://www.dscaler.org

Elecard, mpeg decoders for decoding/playing the video recorded by the 250: http://www.moonlight.co.il/consumer_p_mpeg_player.htm

While you can't use the dscaler app with SageTV, if using the Elecard decoders, Sage can also use some of Dscalers deinterlacing methods when playing back the video.

Your recording quality should be fine to give you good recordings.