How Is The Picture Quality Of Sage POST NOW!

[ccerj8]

Hey Guys,

Just have a question for all.

I plan on buying sage tv ,
I will be using it with a digital cable box,

MY QUESTION is : How will the quality be?, I will be buying a blackbird, one turner for now, using my NVIDIA graphics card tv out.

I understand that the quality will degrade some, but Im wondering what it will be like?,....is it hardly noticable, or is it really crappy, or OUTSTANDING!

Please Post SO I can get an idea.

I plan on watching 99% of it from the tv, not pc.

Thanks, cc

[Radar]

Download the free trial and try for yourself!

http://www.freytechnologies.com/download.html

I've been pretty happy with the quality, but I'm using regular cable. You can also choose the recording quality, from fair to DVD. Just keeping in mind that the higher the quality, the more space it will take up.

[DFA]

The PQ is almost dependent on everything BUT Sage. The video encoder hardware, the video encoder drivers, the HDD and subsystem, the MPEG decoders, video card etc., are all in the loop which Sage has no fundamental control over other than configuration. Sage wraps around so much hardware and software, that if something does not do it's job, the whole thing goes in the tank.

Good PQ can be had if you want to put in the work. One of the first things is it seems that the default values for color etc. for the Hauppauge encoding drivers are way out of whack. Most people are unhappy with PQ until they dial these in (I was). But this is really not a Sage issue as pointed out. Everything has to be right.

DFA

[Radar]

DFA, are there any guides for dialing in the colors for hauppauge cards? Or quality in general? I thought I had seen one a while ago but I haven't been able to find it in the searches.

[kny3twalker]

here's a good one on getting the whites and blacks correct


http://forums.freytechnologies.com/f...0&pagenumber=2

sorry about that
here it is

[codemann]

Originally posted by kny3twalker
here's a good one on getting the whites and blacks correct

where????

[DFranch]

PQ is better on Sage than it was on my TiVo.

[ccerj8]

Hmm, seems like everyone is pretty happy, I think Im sold!

Also, changing the colors, is that hard to do??
is it sliders, or something more difficult??

Also, this is how I plan to have my sage system.
-------------------------------------------------------------
P4 1.8 GHZ 400FSB (On Board Audio)
Reformatted 120 GB IDE Hard Drive (For Starters)
256 MB RAM , will possibly add another 256MB.
--------------------------------------------------------------
I will be purchasing the blackbird card, with sage and remote bundle.

Im hoping to use my serial cable connection for the remote.

I will be using a digital cable box.
--------------------------------------------
Does this sound like it will work for starters, also what mpeg decoder software should I use, I have power dvd, along with others.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also, when I was talking about PQ, I want to know if the quality the live tv shows up on your tv, is due to the recording quality, or is it just for the rewatching??

Thanks, All

,cc

[DFranch]

I have been using 256MB ram for the past 6 months. I just ordered 256 more though, but you can get by with 256. 120GB is good for starters. just make sure their is room in your case for an additional HDD later. What case are you going to use?

[ccerj8]

Hello,

My case is currently a black tower, (nothing special) for now.

Also, I will be using xp home, and have and external dvd burner.

Im pretty sure I have room for another Hard Drive

Thanks, cc

[DFranch]

Their is really very little difference in PQ between live TV (cable)and Sage. The most noticeable thing is ailising on straight lines, and that is most noticeable during sports (Basketball, football). Their are ways to tweak your picture, but I have not been able to explore this too much yet. Now that most of the shows have had their season finale maybe I can mess around with it more.

[stanger89]

I've attached a comparison of live (direct to tv) and live through Sage (3GB/hr).

Sage is on the left live is on the right.

As for color controls, see here.

[ccerj8]

Thanks for the visual pic Stranger, but I really can't tell too good from the pic, to me it looks pretty good. How would you describe the difference??

Thanks, cc

[stanger89]

I guess that's kind of the point.

But (and keep in mind I'm driving an HDTV), if you look at the right side you can seen lines running across the picture, as well as jagged edges (look at the top of the card), neither of those defects are present on the left.

Here's perhaps a better picture, not resized, direct from the camera (cropped though).

[ccerj8]

Thanks for the differnt pic Stranger, that one is much better.

I guess the only true way to see the quality is to JUST TRY IT. I guess its all or nothing.

Also Stranger - what size tv, are the shots taken from, or is it a monitor.

Also, after I was to get sage all set up, would you be willing to help me try to get the quality better (if need be), through email or something?

Thanks All,

cc

[stanger89]

In the interest of science, I hooked up the S-Vid from my 9500. Destop is 800x600 for this comparison, other settings the same. This is probably a better indication of how Sage would compare to live, at least for those with an S-Video connection. Also remember that screenshots aren't extremely useful, being still, motion masks some problems and creates others.

That's from my 36" RCA, taken with my new toy

[stanger89]

One more...

[ccerj8]

Thanks Stranger

Also, whats the difference between the sage s-video & 800X600?

How is the 800x600 connected.

Also, Im trying to find a serial cable to test out my dig box for remote.

Also, would you (stranger) be able to help me though e-mail or messenger?? If at all possible once I get my stuff???

Thanks, cc Oh Yea, The other pictures were a great comparison.

[kny3twalker]

I think he means 800x600 is using a HDTV connection whether it is DVI, a dongle to component or VGA

svideo is using the svideo out port of his video card to his TV

[DFA]

Stanger89:

Thanks for the pix. S-Video got condemned it seems. Was good to see the comparison.

DFA