DVD Playback problem

[jbarr]

I am having a DVD playback problem that I can't figure out.

I put a DVD (commercial or otherwise) into my PC. From within SageTV, I select "Media Center", and PlayDVD. The information overlay displays, and then the DVD starts playing. So far, so good. The audio sounds great, and the menus are navigable. But there is a problem with the video. The upper 4/5 or so of the screen displays crisply and cleanly, but the bottom 1/5 or so displays multi-colored "noise". Not typical black & white "bug fights" noise, but pink and other colored horizontal lines and pixels. I can skip chapters, FF, Rew, Pause, etc. but I always get the garbage at the bottom of the screen.

I am using SageTV v5.4.0, and my system specs are below.

Any suggestions?

[doublebogey]

Originally Posted by jbarr

I am having a DVD playback problem that I can't figure out.

I put a DVD (commercial or otherwise) into my PC. From within SageTV, I select "Media Center", and PlayDVD. The information overlay displays, and then the DVD starts playing. So far, so good. The audio sounds great, and the menus are navigable. But there is a problem with the video. The upper 4/5 or so of the screen displays crisply and cleanly, but the bottom 1/5 or so displays multi-colored "noise". Not typical black & white "bug fights" noise, but pink and other colored horizontal lines and pixels. I can skip chapters, FF, Rew, Pause, etc. but I always get the garbage at the bottom of the screen.

I am using SageTV v5.4.0, and my system specs are below.

Any suggestions?

I don't know what Video Decoder you're using for DVD, but it sounds like that might be the issue. Try Nvidia Pure, if you have it or, Intervideo.

Phil

[jbarr]

OK. that makes sense. When I did the install, it was with vanilla Windows XP Pro. I didn't install any DVD players or codecs. I'll install them and let you know what happens....

[doublebogey]

Originally Posted by jbarr

OK. that makes sense. When I did the install, it was with vanilla Windows XP Pro. I didn't install any DVD players or codecs. I'll install them and let you know what happens....

If memory serves, the intervideo decoder is part of the basic Windows install. By the way, I saw the writeup on your gmail tips page at pcmag.com. Very cool. I'll be spending time there, I'm sure.

Phil

[jbarr]

Originally Posted by doublebogey

By the way, I saw the writeup on your gmail tips page at pcmag.com. Very cool. I'll be spending time there, I'm sure.

Phil

Oh, very cool! I had no idea! Soon, you'll see SageTV Tips there too...

[jbarr]

I installed the InterVideo codecs, and played around with the DVD decoder and rendering settings, and was able to get clean, full-screen video--problem solved.

Of note, however, was at one point (I'm sorry, I forgot exactly when) while trying to play our "Groundhog Day" DVD, a SageTV popup displayed stating that there was a problem with DVD playback due to DRM or CSS.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by jbarr

Of note, however, was at one point (I'm sorry, I forgot exactly when) while trying to play our "Groundhog Day" DVD, a SageTV popup displayed stating that there was a problem with DVD playback due to DRM or CSS.

It sounds like you were originally playing a home made or non-encrypted DVD. Most commercial DVDs are encrypted and require a DVD decoder than can decrypt them properly for playback.

- Andy

[bcjenkins]

Originally Posted by jbarr

I installed the InterVideo codecs, and played around with the DVD decoder and rendering settings, and was able to get clean, full-screen video--problem solved.

Of note, however, was at one point (I'm sorry, I forgot exactly when) while trying to play our "Groundhog Day" DVD, a SageTV popup displayed stating that there was a problem with DVD playback due to DRM or CSS.

What are you outputting video to? If it is a TV over component, you can't play DVDs above 480p due to CSS limitations.