NVIDIA DualTV MCE - only one coax required

[SHS]

Say jeff are you plan to make used of MPEG-4 and Trasoncoder?.

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by White94Cobra

I ordered one today. I'll let you guys know my findings once I get it installed and have some recordings to compare.

I ordered one too. Should be here Monday morning. I'll let you know what I find out.

Gerry

[korben_dallas]

One of you guys who ordered it, try it on an XP machine if you can.

[White94Cobra]

Sorry... both of mine are MCE 2005. BTW - I ordered the Nvidia card, not the Avermedia one.

[dbfresh23]

I don't seem to see the difference between this new card from Nvidia and the Dual NVTV tuner card that has been available from EVGA for quite some time now. They both seem to use Philips tuners and LSI Encoders. Does anyone actually know what the difference is - if any other then just being directly from Nvidia?

[SHS]

dbfresh23 first NVIDIA DualTV MCE was base on LSI Encoders which really a C-Cube chipset the new NVIDIA DualTV MCE base on ViXS Encoder chipset.
xfx-nvtv-dual-tuner.jpg is the older board with LSI Encoder
nvtv-dual-tuner.jpg is the newer board with ViXS Encoder

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by korben_dallas

One of you guys who ordered it, try it on an XP machine if you can.

I'm on XP Pro so I'll let you know. Shouldn't be an issue.

Gerry

[dbfresh23]

Originally Posted by SHS

dbfresh23 first NVIDIA DualTV MCE was base on LSI Encoders which really a C-Cube chipset the new NVIDIA DualTV MCE base on ViXS Encoder chipset.
xfx-nvtv-dual-tuner.jpg is the older board with LSI Encoder
nvtv-dual-tuner.jpg is the newer board with ViXS Encoder

Ahhh, ok so it is clearly a different model then Nvidia's first go at a tuner that lead to bad reviews. I'll be interested in hearing what people think about this one then. I'm less then happy with my PVR500 and am looking to replace it, so it could be a toss up between this or a couple more ATI tuners.

[jptaz]

The other major advantage over the PVR 500 is that it actually has dual Video and Audio inputs so no more stupid header that wates a slot or requires some case modding.

I might consider this card to replace one of my PVR-250s...or the PVR 500 if it were to go.

[dagar]

The reduced file size sounds very interesting

[mayamaniac]

I'm looking to buy a new dual tuner to replace a bad PVR-250MCE. Was planning to get the PVR-500MCE, but if this one works better, I'll get the nVidia one instead. Please post your results with SageTV if you bought one, thanks.

Also, anyone bought the bundled remote control? Seems like MCE remote, has 2 IR blasters and all the necessary buttons, and layout is pretty good. Wonder if this remote will well work with SageTV.

[BobPhoenix]

I would also like to know the size differences between PVR-500 and this card.

Thanks.
BobP.

[dagar]

Physical, file, or yes?

[BobPhoenix]

Sorry physical size differences specificly is it the same length card or not.

BobP.

[SHS]

It should be shorter then PVR 500 some where a round 6 1/2

[gplasky]

Quick report.

I haven't been able to install the card yet but I did receive it yesterday. I am quite impressed with the overall quality of the build of the card and everything that is included. Cables that are included are s-video, cable, composite adapter, mini-plug y to 2-RCA audio plugs and a 1 into 2 coax cable splitter. Awesome.
Couple of CDs are included. This is obviously packaged for MCE and includes Sonic MyDVD SE with some MCE extensions to it. The other CD is from nVidia and includes the card drivers, app and MCE extensions. It also includes the nVidia Pure video decoder. One of the things I noticed in the readme is the version of the decoder is 1.02-200. Newer than what's on nVidia website. Unfortunately I'm using TheaterTek's nVidia drivers and can't install the ones from nVidia.

I may try installing this on my test computer before I throw it in the Sage box so it will be a little longer before I can get you some picture comparisons, files size comparisons and what not. But so far I like what I see.

Gerry

[White94Cobra]

I cheaped out and had mine sent via Ground. It won't be here until Friday

[SHS]

why not just install the drivers only then go from there.

[gplasky]

Ahhhhh...you're probably right. I just need to see if the wife will give me enough time to throw it in there. I'll give it a shot tonight.

Gerry

[gplasky]

OK-the wife gave me the green light so in it went. Physically the card is shorter than the PVR500. 6 1/2 inches is spot on. Installation was smooth and easy on Windows XP Pro-SP2 (latest patches and DX9-April redist). Despite the warnings to NOT use the Hardware Wizard and run their setup program. (It's designed for MCE) I used the Hardware Wizard and just pointed it to the Driver directory. Showed up in Device Manager fine and dandy. And here was the clincher for me. It uses 1 (one) IRQ !That's right folks. The board registers with 1 IRQ. It shows up in Device Manager as nVidia Dual TV Tuner. Just 1 object. (Unlike the PVR500 which shows as 2 distinct tuners.)

Now for the picture. So I had recordings going on 6 channels at the same time. From comparing the pictures I would have to say the nVidia pictures were significantly better. Keep in mind I'm looking as SD recordings on a 42HDTV plasma so the picture is not going to be great in the first place. I run a 1280 x720 resolution but I can definitely say the nVidia was cleaner, brighter colors and less snowy. Fast action didn't leave any artifacts whatsoever. PVR500s give me a good picture but the nVidia is a step above. As a matter of fact I'm putting 2 more on order and will probably sell my 2 x PVR500s. Just so you know I will let them go at a good price but I'm not giving them away. PM me if any interest. Definitely got my $169.00 worth and I would imagine the price will eventually drop as it becomes more widely distributed. I'll try this weekend to snag some screen shots from the server and a client for comparisons.

Gerry