HAUPPAUGE 150 WINPVR --Almost Perfect

[asdf]

Hmmm. Uninstalled all the codec packs. Any video related soft on my PC.
Problem with synching still persists. Any other suggestions.

Thank you

 

[Mark_M]

Hmmm. Uninstalled all the codec packs. Any video related soft on my PC.
Problem with synching still persists. Any other suggestions.

Next step would be a fresh reformat/reinstall of your operating system.
If you still have problems then it's time to start looking at your hardware,
and basic hardware drivers (e.g. audio card). Or if you have a Via
controller on your motherboard, sometimes an update is required to fix
sync problems.

 

[kony]

Hmmm. Uninstalled all the codec packs. Any video related soft on my PC.
Problem with synching still persists. Any other suggestions.

I'm getting in late on this thread so I may have missed some
details.... but,

Are you sure this is a playback issue or is it possible the
files weren't encoded sync'd?

If you hadn't already, try playing them back on another
system that hasn't had any of these 3rd party codecs
installed, only installing the one mainstream codec needed
(if not already installed or integral to the system).

As another poster mentioned, avoid codec "packs", they're
often problematic. Even so, typically if you find the
correct codec and install it AFTER than codec pack, it will
then take precedent and may work.

What are you using to play these back? Try a different
player software too.

 

[asdf]

today it occured when i started outlook for the first time since
rebooting my machine. While outlook was starting up
my CPU usage went way up (which is normal) the video
stream stopped for a second but when it came back up it wasn't synched.

 

[Mark_M]

today it occured when i started outlook for the first time since
rebooting my machine. While outlook was starting up
my CPU usage went way up (which is normal) the video
stream stopped for a second but when it came back up it wasn't synched.

Outlook or Outlook Express? If the latter, turn off background
compaction in OE's options. Major system killer.

 

[asdf]

Outlook 2003.

Outlook or Outlook Express? If the latter, turn off background
compaction in OE's options. Major system killer.

 

[Bob]

I typoed - I meant ATI.

AVI isn't a codec, it's simply a file format. AVI files can be
uncompressed, or compressed with one of any number of
different codecs.

I do know something about AVI - for example I use Auto Gordian Knot to
convert to XviDs.

 

[kony]

AVI isn't a codec, it's simply a file format. AVI files can be
uncompressed, or compressed with one of any number of
different codecs.

Capturing to uncompressed AVI is preferable if you want to edit
captured video, add titles etc. Once the edits are complete you
encode the files using your choice of codec.

Uncompressed AVI is fine if you really want (need) to do it,
but given the choice it's much more manageable to capture to
a lossless codec. I can only speak for my habits though,
that with several systems having capture cards, I may not
get around to editing or (re)compresssing right away and a
few hours of uncompressed video in multiple events/captures,
can really eat up the HDD space even with today's generous
HDD capacities.

Hauppauge's PVR cards (at least the current ones) can capture
uncompressed AVI. You need to install FFDSHOW and a third
party capture program (TMPGEnc, DScaler etc). These capture
programs will see the PVR as a video source.

Capturing uncompressed AVI without any dropped frames
requires a fast CPU and lots of disk space.

Capturing uncompressed AVI requires almost no CPU
performance at all because it's _not_ compressed. It does
require a semi-modern HDD though, or array(s) of older ones.
Perhaps you have DScaler set to do a bit more that's
creating addt'l overhead.

On the other hand, if you want full HD, realtime Divx/etc
(MPEG 4 or Windows Media moreso than older codecs)
compression while capturing, THEN you will need a fairly
beefy CPU.

 

[kony]

Outlook 2003.

Bloated software.

You might try setting the capture process to a higher
priority, though of course giving it the extra time it needs
will potentially make other things on the system lag a
little.

http://users.accesscomm.ca/gbraun/winxp/priority.htm

 

[asdf]

Ok I've tried everything to make this card synch correctly but
nothing works. My question is which card out there works?
Lets say price is not an issue. Which card can give me high quality
video, no synching issues, works with windows 2000 and hopefully
has decent software included.

 

[Mark_M]

Ok I've tried everything to make this card synch correctly but
nothing works. My question is which card out there works?
Lets say price is not an issue. Which card can give me high quality
video, no synching issues, works with windows 2000 and hopefully
has decent software included.

Did you try a fresh reformat and reinstall of your operating system?

The problem is your computer, not the card.

 

[JohnS]

Ok I've tried everything to make this card synch correctly but
nothing works. My question is which card out there works?
Lets say price is not an issue. Which card can give me high quality
video, no synching issues, works with windows 2000 and hopefully
has decent software included.

What do you mean by synching? Sound and video out of sync?
Most people dont seem to have problems with the 150 Hauppauge its a
very popular card.

The other popular one which Im going to get hopefully someday are the
cards based on the ATI 550 chip.

ATI as usual has their own ELITE package which usually is the most
expensive. Tons of other companies like Sapphire, Powercolor,
Visiontek, MSI etc have their own 550 based cards. Generally speaking
they seem identical.

So getting a MSI etc which I tend to see for 70-80 at newegg and other
places when on sale maybe a good deal depending on what you want.

Where they differ is the package. These are good deals for the retail
package -- software and remote. The problem is --- most of them come
with Power Cinema which most reviewers seem to really dislike. One
reviewer says it gets no scheduling info from a server.

The other thing is -- what kind of remote comes with it? The ATI I
think is RF while the others are IR -- have to be in line of sight.
Additionally some are MCE compatible and others arent.

You can get the FREE GB PVR for both the 150 hauppauge AND the 550
based cards and its a very good program. Looks slick and gets its
scheduling info (or did when I used it) from the free server ZAP2it.
On paper it looks like the most advanced TV tuiner card - non HDTV of
course. Some consumers have claimed it seems to get hot though and
turning the channels --- theres a slight lag. It doesnt require a loop
back plug for your sound card ---- and the claim is it avoids a lot of
sound and video out of sync problems.

People have reported problems with all brands of cards though so who
knows if this is the card for you or if you can fix the Hauppauge
issues due to some software or hardware problem in your system.

Ive yet to test one in my system since Ive ordered TWO of them and one
the MSI came with a part missing off the circuit board - a cap was
rolling around the bag. The second one a PCI express version --- Power
color has a PCI express version. It wont fit on my motherboard!

Ive decided to take a break and wait maybe the prices will come down
on them in the summer and i have a cheapo TV tuner card that actually
works OK and I think Im buying a music recording card instead this
month.

Newegg has some cheap prices but if you have a problem ---- Amazon
(UGH) does have similar prices on the MSI and has free shipping too.
They also have free shipping back IF its defective. If it isnt they
will charge you shipping back I think.

My recent experience with Amazon after they acted like weenies on a
mistake they posted on a Audigy ( advertising a rebated price with
rebate that doesnt apply to the item they were selling !) and selling
me a defective MSI card ---- nothing but problems recently , has been
good about taking the returns I have to admit. But then they accepted
ZERO blame for the mistake. Newegg then sold me the card that wouldnt
fit on my board and I had to threaten to dispute it with my CC firm to
not pay a restocking fee. Still had to pay shipping from and back for
nothing $26 shipping both ways for a $65 card I returned - so Amazon
still is bit better I guess for me.

 

[kony]

Ok I've tried everything to make this card synch correctly but
nothing works. My question is which card out there works?
Lets say price is not an issue. Which card can give me high quality
video, no synching issues, works with windows 2000 and hopefully
has decent software included.

Specifics... we don't necessarily need to know if they're
the two you watch the most but it would be helpful to know
what channels (range) works and which two do not.

For example, if the tuner is set to the wrong standard
(check the card software configuration menus) it might be a
problem.

Beta drivers or beta software? It could be that the
software and drivers need be a matched set, or on the other
hand if you had changed both, possibly only one is the
problem. Drivers and software are always the weakest points
of video capture (tuner) cards, if you find one that works
well then remember the version. If your windows
installation is now full of junk it might be good to make a
second, testbed installation for trial.

Certain sound cards (and their drivers) as well as
generalized motherboard PCI issues could also cause
problems. A motherboard bios update, a different sound card
driver or entire sound card, or PCI latency adjustment tool
might be helpful (Google for the latter, "PCI Latency
Tool"). Also try to capture to different video and audio
codecs if possible. If you hadn't already be sure to try
MPEG1/MPEG2.

 

[asdf]

Yes installed winxp pro with all the updates.
Latest drivers from Hauppauge website.
Same problem is observed.

 

[Mark_M]

Yes installed winxp pro with all the updates.

SP2?

What DirectX version?

Have you checked for updated motherboard (chipset etc) drivers?

Updated drivers for any onboard devices?

Have you tried a different audio card?

I've read thousands of posts in two dozen different forums regarding
Hauppauge's PVR cards, and reports of sync problems are
/extremely/ rare. But at this point I'd try another card and see if it
works better in your system.

 

[Quaoar]

Ok I've tried everything to make this card synch correctly but
nothing works. My question is which card out there works?
Lets say price is not an issue. Which card can give me high quality
video, no synching issues, works with windows 2000 and hopefully
has decent software included.

Have you tried without the splitter? Your signal quality might be just
slightly compromised from either too many splitters in series or poor
cable/connectors.

Q