Pulling my hair out w/ DVD playback

[chrispy]

Hi all,

Hopefully I can provide enough details to get a resolve to my issue here. I have been playing around with DVD playback, off and on, for a couple of months, and am turning to the forum for help.

Today I recently reinstalled the OS (XP Pro) and SageTV in a last ditch attempt to get DVD playback to work. Was able to make progress, as now I can see the DVD on the computer screen, but cannot get it to pass out the s-video through the PVR250 to the TV. I can get TV output to the TV, just not DVD. While playing a DVD I do see the SAGETV GUI on the screen, but the picture is the last image (frozen) from live TV.

Here is my info

PVR250 (using driver 1.18.21.22266, tried many others)
XP PRO
3600 Barton CPU 1gig memory, 300gb HD
SAGETV 2.2 (beta I know, but I am trying everything).
Tried just about every type of render, mentioned in this forum.
Also have a ATI All-In one wonder 9600 in the system.

A couple of things that I have noticed that might help in solving this.

1. In order to get LiveTV to display on the SVIDEO I have to "Enable TV out for PVR-350" set to enable, same for the "Enable UI on TV out of PVR-350". Is this correct even though I have a PVR-250?

2. In device manager with the current drivers it IDs the card as a "Hauppauge WinTV PVR PCI II (Encoder / Decoder). SAGETV IDs it the same. Is this the correct ID?

3. This I had asked in a previous post, but I never followed through. The GUI for SAGETV never fits on the screen of the TV. It does fit fine on the computer. It was suggested that I use the overscan settings, in my previous post. This will not work as the SAGETV GUI is to large for the screen. Meaning that the top / bottom and left / right side are already off the screen. The overscan settings would only push them further off.

4. Even though the DVD does play on the computer screen through SAGETV, it does randomly cause the ATI VPU recovery to come up, and I have to kill SAGETV.


That is about all I have at the moment. If more is needed please let me know.

I am destined to get this working today. I have been kicking myself for not going to Wal-Mart and buying a $49 DVD player!

Thanks in advance,
Chris

[stanger89]

What video renderer do you have selected in the DVD section of Detailed Setup?

[chrispy]

Stanger89,
Thanks for the quick response. I have tried all three that I have "Default", "Video Overlay Render", "VMR9" all with the same results.

Chris

[GbrNole]

this line

>>In order to get LiveTV to display on the SVIDEO I have to "Enable TV out for PVR-350" set to enable, same for the "Enable UI on TV out of PVR-350". Is this correct even though I have a PVR-250?<<

would lead me to believe you actually have a pvr 350 not a pvr 250. i'm actually shocked you could even get dvd video out of it if it is a 350.

to clarify the pvr card has an s-video output or you are outputting s-video from the radeon 9600?

[chrispy]

gbrnole,
That is what I was thinking, regarding the Enable TV for PVR-350. I did order a PVR-250, and it was a OEM version with no boxes or such. Wondering if there is a way to ID the actual card from the OS. Save, for opening the case to get some visual ID.

I am not getting any DVD video out the card, unless you are referingto the SAGETV GUI.

Yes the PVR card (now in question) has a SVIDEO and I am trying to get the video out there. And yes I am checking the Radeon card for output and always come up with no signal. Heck I do not even know how to get the video directed to the Radeon.

Hope this helps,
Chris

[stanger89]

How do you have your TV connected? (to which card)

Re the "250" It sounds like you got a 350 for free, I've never seen the "Enable TV out for PVR-350" or "Enable UI on TV out of PVR-350" with my 250, and I thought it was only displayed if you have a 350.

[GbrNole]

pvr 250's DON'T have video output, just input. so if you have s-video out then it's a pvr350.

pvr 350's also won't play dvd's just unencrypted mpeg files.

to play dvd's you will have to use the svideo out on your radeon 9600. this is actually the main reason why many of us would love to have an xcard be able to work properly with sage UI and all.

[chrispy]

I just realized the same thing. I saw that the 350 has FM on it as well. So in fact I do have a 350. Checked my order and I did order a 250. Oh well.

I guess all is not lost, as I can send it out the Radeon card. Question is how do I do that?

Thanks again for the help,
Chris

[stanger89]

Theoretically, just move the S-Video cable from the 350 to your 9600 and then go into display properites and enable clone mode.

[GbrNole]

just remove the svideo cable from the 350 and plug it into the radeon svideo output. you will have to install a dvd codec though (like nvdvd or windvd) if you haven't already.

the sage codecs that come with 2.2.2 wont play dvd's unless you have some macrovision and css defeating software like anydvd installed.

you may have to enable the s-video out though in the ati options screen. i assume you have the radeon hooked up to a monitor?

[chrispy]

Thanks to both of you I am know Watching "The Wall" (I still think DVD was MADE for the Wall.)

Now when I went to purchase this card way back in Sept of this year, I had no idea that it was a 350. Sort of folish of me.

I am sure that I studied which card was the best, and had picked the PVR-250, but now it seems that I have the 350. What the heck is the difference? I assume that I could of used the 250 and have all the video go out the Radeon. I am wondering if this is still the best route to go?

As it sits now, to change from Live Tv to DVD I have to switch the input on the TV and change the selection on the Pre-amp. Anyone see a way to make this more seemless? Why would I not just toss the 350 and use the Radeon for TV in as well? I could use the 350 to just record something other than what I am watching???

Anyone have any thoughts on the SAGETV GUI problem?

Thanks again,
Chris

Happily watching a DVD through 380lbs of amps (a better way to rate them )

[mlbdude]

The Overscan settings in Sage are there so you can SHRINK the UI to fit your TV. Try them out.

Also, you need to use the 350 as your encoder in Sage, but there is no reason you can't use your Radeon for ALL of the output from Sage. Try it out to see if you like it.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by chrispy

Thanks to both of you I am know Watching "The Wall" (I still think DVD was MADE for the Wall.)

Now when I went to purchase this card way back in Sept of this year, I had no idea that it was a 350. Sort of folish of me.

I am sure that I studied which card was the best, and had picked the PVR-250, but now it seems that I have the 350. What the heck is the difference? I assume that I could of used the 250 and have all the video go out the Radeon. I am wondering if this is still the best route to go?

The 350 is just a 250 with the addition of a decoder+TV out, for recording they'er the same. I'd say there's no reason to get rid of the 350.

As it sits now, to change from Live Tv to DVD I have to switch the input on the TV and change the selection on the Pre-amp. Anyone see a way to make this more seemless? Why would I not just toss the 350 and use the Radeon for TV in as well? I could use the 350 to just record something other than what I am watching???

Exactly, just stop using the 350 for viewing, use the Radeon for everything. There's no reason to get rid of it since you didn't pay for the extra features it's not like you're out anything by not using them.

One question, what kind of TV are you running, it sounds like you've got a nice setup, is it an HDTV?

Anyone have any thoughts on the SAGETV GUI problem?

You talking overscan, if so just go into Detailed Setup -> Multimedia and adjust the Overscan settings to fit your TV.

Thanks again,
Chris

Happily watching a DVD through 380lbs of amps (a better way to rate them )

Darn, and my amp is only like 62lbs.

[mayamaniac]

I have a 350 and use it for TV-Out. Picture quality is a lot better than what you get from S-Video out from your 9600. But the 350 has limitations, it can only output MPEG2 files or basically only your recordings along with the SageTV interface thru the TV-out, no DVD, no Mp3, no, AVI, etc. I'm fine with it as I only use SageTV as a PVR. I think the other components such as DVD, Music, and Picture tools need to improve alot before I use it. But if you are fine with it, you have to output through the Svideo of the video card to get full TV-Out functionality.

[chrispy]

Well I think I just found a reason to not use the Radeon. I am planning (and have been ) using an Airpanel (10" tablet that does an RDP session to the HTPC) to control the HTPC. Problem is that when I log in with RDP it will kill the active session on the machine, thus killing the Radeon card. It was working well with LiveTV. I could control it all through the Airpanel.

Seeing that I cannot use the Radeon card with Airpanel, might I not get a 250 to put the inot the HTPC this allowing me to use the Airpanel? Object is here to ditch the KVM to the HTPC as I have NO ROOM for them. Nor do I care to have them.

Looks like I pretty much have a usless Radeon.

I just got a new TV yesterday, a 56" Samsung DLP. New to the video thing as this will replace a 20" sony. LOL Always joked that my speaker cables cost more than the TV. Now at least they are close.

Now I just need to figure how to get the Airpanel to control the DVD. Again am I correct that if I added a 250 I could send the DVD output through that?

I need the Airpanel, as It is my bread and butter for the CD system (The Nirvis CDJ software which I have interfaced to Main Lobby). With the NEVO card in it for remote control. So I am trying my best to keep it all on the Airpanel.

Do I need the PVR-250 or will the PVR-150 do? Can I get the MCE versions or do I need that?

stanger89,
be thankful that it is only 62lbs. At least you can put it on a A/V shelf. I have to leave all of mine on the floor near the speakers (fine by me as I can use shorter speaker cables). I have bent two A/V racks before I went this route.

Thanks again for all the help,
Chris

[chrispy]

Another thought. I am looking at upgrading to Digital cable. What limitations or PVR cards should I be looking at?

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by chrispy

Well I think I just found a reason to not use the Radeon. I am planning (and have been ) using an Airpanel (10" tablet that does an RDP session to the HTPC) to control the HTPC. Problem is that when I log in with RDP it will kill the active session on the machine, thus killing the Radeon card. It was working well with LiveTV. I could control it all through the Airpanel.

Seeing that I cannot use the Radeon card with Airpanel, might I not get a 250 to put the inot the HTPC this allowing me to use the Airpanel? Object is here to ditch the KVM to the HTPC as I have NO ROOM for them. Nor do I care to have them.

Looks like I pretty much have a usless Radeon.

I just got a new TV yesterday, a 56" Samsung DLP. New to the video thing as this will replace a 20" sony. LOL Always joked that my speaker cables cost more than the TV. Now at least they are close.

OK, back the bus up. If you've got a DLP, throw that S-Video cable away and get a DVI cable. Especially for DVDs, you don't want to view them over S-Video unless you have to. Upconverted to 1080i (or 720p in your case) is SO much nicer, especially with the new nVidia decoders.

Now I just need to figure how to get the Airpanel to control the DVD. Again am I correct that if I added a 250 I could send the DVD output through that?

No the 250 doesn't have an output, none of the PVR cards support DVD playback.

I need the Airpanel, as It is my bread and butter for the CD system (The Nirvis CDJ software which I have interfaced to Main Lobby). With the NEVO card in it for remote control. So I am trying my best to keep it all on the Airpanel.

That's tough, the aripannel sounds nice, but it's limiting you, especially for video playback.

Do I need the PVR-250 or will the PVR-150 do? Can I get the MCE versions or do I need that?

Unless you want another card, you don't need to replace your 350, the 150 or 250 won't allow you do do anything you can't on the 350.

[chrispy]

No I see why xcard support is so important. I imagine in this case it would work wonders for me.

How would I hook up the DVI cable. I am assuming that it would connect from the Radeon card to the TV? If I did that would I not loose the computer monitor connection? Or are you suggesting that I make the DLP my main monitor?

Let me change the secenerio. What if I were to rip the DVDs to the hard drive and remove the CSS. Could I then play them out the 350? Ass backwards; CDs in changers and DVDs on the hard drive.

I am starting to belive that I might have to rethink my DVD setup. Main reason for any type of DVD playback was for the wealth of music on DVDs now with video. If I could dream I would like to call a chapter / song from one of the DVDs just like I do with MainLobby, so I can go from a CD to a DVD within a playlist.

Not being able to call the DVDs from the Airpanel is a show stopper. Put my vote down for xcard support.

[kny3twalker]

just forget about svideo
get a nice DVI cable make the computer monitor secondary and the TV primary

then use the digital audio output to your reciever
there is no substitute for these connections

[chrispy]

Ok,
Now this is getting a little off topic, but a question now arises.

Firstly the DVI cable that is recommended. I have the ATI 9600 Wonder Cards. It does not have the standard DVI cable. It has what looks like a proprietary connector, a little smaller than the DVI connector. Currently it has a break-out cable, to which I have the monitor cable and svideo cable connected. Is there a cable that I should be using, as I am unable to find any DVI cable that has this type of connector. If in fact there is a cable to connect directly from the ATI connector, to the DLP TV, how do I go about connecting the primary monitor?

Or am I using the wrong card?

Thanks again for the help,
Chris