New decoder -- wow!

[Grasshopper]

Just bought and installed the Sonic decoder, and it makes a huge difference. I had been too cheap to spring for a decent decoder and was using an old WinDVD. Picture is much clearer and sharper now. If you're using an old decoder, I recommend that you dig through your couch cushions to find the $15. You'll be glad you did.

Now if only I could resolve the tearing and lack of smooth panning in VMR9 -- I love the translucent menus, but it's unwatchable for me right now.

[RedCoat999]

I am using the same thing. I use to be able to tell when I was watching Sage instead of the TV, now it looks the same to me.

[bmadgett]

I've just installed SageClient on my laptop (Athlon XP1500, some ATI video chipset) along with an ancient WinDVD (v3.1?) and although it works ok, the picture quality is pretty poor, so I'm tempted to buy these Sonic decoders.

The biggest problem though is that the video playback doesn't appear on the laptop's svideo out, so I can't hook it up to a TV. The svideo out works fine for everything other than the actual video playback.

Would you think new decoders would fix this TVout problem? If not, what else could cause it?

Cheers

Barnaby

[SprDtyF350]

Barnaby,

Sure your laptop doesn't need to have the S-video enabled? Something like holding the function key down, and pressing one of the buttons on the top row that has the picture of a display on it.. Should cycle you through the LCD, external, S video, etc.

Randy

[bmadgett]

Randy,

The svideo works fine for everything but the actual mpeg output - I can see Windows, the Sage menus, etc - just when I start playback of a recording, none of the playback gets to the svideo output (although I can still see menus, windows etc). Looks fine on the laptop screen however (so the decoders are actually "working").

I was wondering whether this could just be the ancient DVD decoders simply not routing the output to the TV-out as well as the laptop screen, in which case upgrading might help. I don't much fancy paying money to test a decoder and then find they don't make any difference...

Barnaby

[mls]

Originally Posted by bmadgett

The biggest problem though is that the video playback doesn't appear on the laptop's svideo out, so I can't hook it up to a TV. The svideo out works fine for everything other than the actual video playback.

Try changing between Default, VMR9, and Overlay under the Video settings. Also try turning on/off 3D Acceleration under the Advanced settings.

Some software decoders only work with one combination for the TV out. Don't know if you would (or would not) have the same problem with Sonic also.

Also, sometimes you have to shut down SageTV and reboot before the setting changes actually take effect.

[mbrown3]

Does Sonic require the use of VMR9?

[Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by mbrown3

Does Sonic require the use of VMR9?

No, I have the Sonic decoder running with Overlay just fine. In a perfect world, I'd prefer VMR9, but I have smoothness issues.

[mbrown3]

Yeah, me too...that's why I asked, I much prefer overlay since I can't get VMR9 to work too well. Thanks! Maybe I'll give Sonic a try...

[justplainnuts]

Isn't the Sonic decoder only for Windows XP? Is there any reason I should be running XP over 2000?

[briands]

Originally Posted by bmadgett

Randy,

The svideo works fine for everything but the actual mpeg output - I can see Windows, the Sage menus, etc - just when I start playback of a recording, none of the playback gets to the svideo output

Most (if not all) video cards only support Overlay on one monitor. This may be your problem.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by justplainnuts

Isn't the Sonic decoder only for Windows XP? Is there any reason I should be running XP over 2000?

The installer only works on XP, but if you search there are ways to get it working on 2000.

[bmadgett]

Originally Posted by briands

Most (if not all) video cards only support Overlay on one monitor. This may be your problem.

Hmm interesting - I wondered if it might be something like that - anything I can do about it? e.g. anyone know of a way to select which monitor the Overlay outputs to, so I can switch it off on the laptop screen & 'on' on the TV output?

Alternatively, if I could get VRM9 working, is that likely to work on 2 monitor outputs at once?

Cheers!

Barnaby

[stanger89]

Usually it only works on the "Primary" monitor so you just need to set the TV out as primary (or disable the other one). VMR9 is somewhat similar in that most video cards don't do DirectX stuff well on the secondary monitor. If you use "Default" renderer it should work on either monitor or probably both.

[FreeBSD4me]

I've been wanting to try this out for some time, but they've yanked the trial from the site. Does anyone know where to locate a trial version of Sonic?

Thanks,

Dave H

[edgley]

bmadgett,

What type of chipset is the video card?
I have had this on a friends laptop, and it was fixed with different drivers.

[bmadgett]

Originally Posted by edgley

bmadgett,

What type of chipset is the video card?
I have had this on a friends laptop, and it was fixed with different drivers.

Erm it's some sort of ATI mobility thing, a couple of years old now. So not exactly great shakes but it seems to work ok in Overlay mode on the laptop screen. VRM9 wasn't working. I'll take a look to see if there are any new drivers available, thanks.

Barnaby

[Purple]

Originally Posted by stanger89

The installer only works on XP, but if you search there are ways to get it working on 2000.

This is my issue too. Im not going to switch to XP just to use Sonic. What a pain in the arse