video output problems

[JUC]

okay, today was going to be the day that I put my newly set up shuttle in the living room to complete my HTPC. I had previously set it up connected to my monitor to get everything working before I moved it into the living room because I only have a SDTV and I knew installing and getting it optimized might be difficult (I did test it on the TV however just to make sure the fonts and menus were readable--which they were). So, I brought it down to the living room hooked it up and got it working...but if I am watching anything with motion the playback is not good. It is jerky and has trails. This was not present when I had it hooked up to the monitor so I suspect it is my crappy 64mb no name video card. I am outputting by S-video to the TV. So, is it the video card that needs upgrading or is there anything else that I am missing. If anyone else is outputting from video card to SDTV with good results post your video cards please. If it is the video card, which I suspect, any suggestions? I would only like to spend around $150. I know the ATI 9800Pro is $199 but i would prefer to keep it to $150. Thanks in advance because I really need to get this figured out so I can place the order today. I do not play any games on this rig either.
JUC

-specs:
SN85G4V2
Athlon 64 3000
1gb Corsair XMS
160GB seagate HD
Roselyn TV card
'crappy' 64mb video card (suspect)
NEC 2510 dual layer DVD burner

[mlbdude]

I have used an ATI 9000, ATI 9600, nVidia 5200, and an nVidia 5700. All produced good results with Overlay. Only the 5700 was able to do VMR9 well (but only at 640x480).

I would look into how you are deinterlacing first. I would recommend hardware deinterlacing first since it is the simplest to employ. This needs to be configured in your decoder.

What decoder are you using?

[JUC]

Thanks for the quick reply mlbdude. I am using the default decoder that came with sage. The only reason I stuck with it was because I was getting good results with my 21" CRT. Are there any settings in the default decoder that i can change or am I going to have to change decoders? I was hoping not to have to fiddle around with different decoders but... Also, since it did work fine on my monitor but is only affecting my TV using the s-video out, could it just be that my crappy video card has a crappy S-video out which is causing the problem? Thanks
-If you think it is the decoder then I know there is a TON of info on this site about that--i was looking into it but once again opted out because it was working on my monitor--whats your preference?
JUC
JUC

[mlbdude]

Sage does not come with a MPEG2 decoder, but I think you mean the Hauppauge Intervideo one that some with your tuner card.

My first guess was to enable hardware acceleration in those decoders. However, that is very dependant on your video card. I would still try it though.

[JUC]

I am pretty sure my card doesn't have a hardware accelleration option. Its a couple of years old. I have to go to the dentist and will try when I get home. Your right, I am using the Hauppauge intervideo decoder. If my card doesn't support HW accelleration--should I start looking at other decoders. I am still struggling with why it would work fine on the monitor but not on the TV if I am using the same decoder. Once again, could it be the video card. I originally upgraded from this one to the ATI AIW 7500 to give you a sense of how outdated it may be.
JUC
JUC

[kny3twalker]

it is party a decoder issue
NVDVD and sonic will be much better
and if you are using the svideo output
my 5200 on my client works fine
I set it to NVDVD video with VMR9 rendering and sonic audio with default wave out rendering and it never skips or stutters

[JUC]

Thanks, Which decoder would you recommend: NVDVD or sonic. My video card can't support VMR9 (i don't think). So, are you guys saying that it is not my video card? would it be worth it for me to upgrade anyway to get a card that does allow me to use VMR9?

[mlbdude]

Since none of those decoders will fully work with your card I would start with a new card. Hardware deinterlacing would want something a little newer.

However, you can test that by enabling it in the Intervideo decoder. With Overlay, all of the decoders give very similar results.

[JUC]

I was thinking the same route. My card is so outdated it needs replacing anyway. Is there a chance that a new card will solve the problem without me worrying about the decoders? Also, and now here is the big question: which card. MlbDude, I know you have talked alot about this in recent threads but if my limit is around $150--any suggestions? It would be nice to be able to use the VMR9 option.
thanks
JUC

[JUC]

One more thing, since I am using this in an HTPC shuttle, noise is a big issue---so ideally a passively cooled card would be ideal but I am not sure if I can get the results I am looking for without the fan...

[mlbdude]

The lowest I could find to do VMR9 well was an nVidia 5700 non-ultra. It only does it well at 640x480 though. I could not find one without a fan. It was around $130 at the time I think.

[JUC]

I am thinking about the ATI 9600Pro---fan is small and it is fairly cheap. $110 or so. Does anyone have any good things (or bad) to say about this card. I don't play games so that is not a concern of mine. Just using it for the S-video out. Any other suggestions...i would like to order one tonight. VMR9 would be nice but is not really important at this time.
thanks
JUC

[kny3twalker]

you can get a 9600 XT like I have for 140
it was in the Sunday paper
but if you wait (I know a horrible word ) about another month the 9800 will be there
they are already going for 190
ATI version not some off brand

[JUC]

I have been tempted by the 9800 but since I have it in a shuttle I would prefer not to get a card that needs extra power (i think the 9800 needs it). That's why I was looking at the 9600XT or now I just found the 9600XT Ultra. SO, I probably will be getting one of those. Should I also look to getting another decoder like the NVDVD one? (to bring this more back on topic) I have no problem spending $10-$15 for a registered version of a decoder...but only if I will still need it.
Thanks
JUC

[kny3twalker]

I will help you out with it if you pm me(NVDVD)
since it is not for sale now
also do not use the audio decoder(NVDVD) it causes sage to crash but the video decoder is awesome
with my 9600 XT VMR9 is not smooth with NVDVD, Sonic, or ATI cynerlink only intervideo and elecard
but thats on the HDTV side on a TV through the TV out (svideo) you should be fine
who makes the Ultra?
I would go personally with an ATI product before a powercolor or any of those other brands

the 9800 seems to be an great choose though
wonder if there is a maker that does not need the extra power cable
(even though I would still want a built by aTI card)

[JUC]

what other things have you implemented to get a good video quality: registry changes etc...
thanks
JUC

[kny3twalker]

I like Radlight Filter manager for tweaking setting on the decoders rather than registry regediting

but with NVDVD you have a task bar icon that appears

I did enable post processing though in the application itself

[JUC]

as far as post processing--you mentioned you enabled it through the application itself...would that be NVDVD or Sage. If its sage, I don't know how to do that. Any help would be appreciated.
thanks
JUC

[TunaBoo]

ATI drivers are very buggy, I highly reccoment to use Nvidia...

[JUC]

which is better for S-video out