Couple video issues

[lucasbuck]

First time user, and after several days everything is working pretty good. I have a couple issues though and would appreciate any help:

Setup: DISH set top runs via coax cable to HVR-2250, computer outputs through a GeForce 8800 GT Alpha Dog via S-Video to TV. The TV isn't HD, it's an older projection but has a really good picture (normally). Drivers all updated. Running Sage 7 and Win 7.

Issue 1: Live TV is grainy. Also, when there is fast motion on the screen I get a horizontal line across the middle, like the top and bottom isn't syncing, and artifacts. I tried outputting to a monitor, same thing, grainy. The DISH box running straight into the TV is very crisp, never had a problem with picture. I played a DVD and the picture is perfect. Menus look sharp and clear. It's just live TV.

Issue 2: On streaming video (Netflix, etc.), video clips, etc. when I try to fast forward and rewind, it scrambles the clip into a mess. You can hear it fine, but the image is completely messed up.

Thanks for any help!

[Spectrum]

Issue 1:
Stab in the dark here, but what mpeg2 decoder are you using? Decoder could cause problems like the graniness; you might want to try the SageTV internal or switch to the MS decoder. As for the line across the screen it may be tearing. Check your renderer; in Win7 if you have aero enabled and use EVR you shouldn't have tearing at all.

Issue 2:
Reinstall Flash and Silverlight? You shouldn't have any codec issues with Netflix, Youtube, etc.

[lucasbuck]

The bad thing is, I don't understand much about any of the video settings, so I haven't changed/set anything since I installed. Same with Windows, I just installed the new drivers for the video card. I'm not sure what Aero has to do with it, but I did try to add an Aero Theme (just the default one), and nothing shows with transparency. Not sure why.

All the settings in Sage are default, and not sure what you mean by checking my renderer. I apologize, and would be happy to read if someone can point me to a good writeup on the settings. Or at least some points on what to look for.

[lucasbuck]

Here's a little more info if it helps. Under source details it says Network Encoder: false (not sure if that means anything. I tried the different input types (s-video, composite, digital tuner, and tv tuner channel 4), and s-video seemed to make it clearer, but still grainy. Like I said, coax from DISH to 2250, s-video from 8800 to TV. What should it be set at?

The tearing and artifacts are still bad. I do have EVR enabled, and the decoder is Sage.

[Striker:WG]

To get AERO to work you have to run the system analysis rating. This is usually required after installing windows and after updating major system drivers like your video drivers.

Right-Click on Computer, select Properties, then use the "Rate My Computer" feature if your unsure of what I'm referring to.

Once the system rating has been done, EVR, theme transparencies, and other visual effects will be enabled.

This should help significantly with your tearing issues.

-Striker-

[lucasbuck]

Thanks for the suggestions folks. I got Aero to enable finally. The snow problem was my cable (I tried TWO!). Finally I caved in and got a 3rd just to be sure. Fixed it. Thanks again.

[Spectrum]

Originally Posted by lucasbuck

Thanks for the suggestions folks. I got Aero to enable finally. The snow problem was my cable (I tried TWO!). Finally I caved in and got a 3rd just to be sure. Fixed it. Thanks again.

Glad you got it resolved. Cable eh, it's always the little things