So we do have to use Dscaler?

[StylinLP]

Previously I kept asking about using a HOLO3D card but I ran out of PCI slots and I wanted to keep the OSD of SageTV. I was told that the HOLO3D card would strip that away. Version 1

So I got SageTV working and got all 1000 channels programs. Hauppauge pvr350 works well with its remote control but it still does not control the Sat box using Serial cable. Looks like I should either get a new sat box or buy a IR remote controller unit like that Activis.

Question is. The TV channels look horrible on a 50" plasma screen with native resolution of 720p and RGB input. God awefull.

I was assuming that the SageTV software and or the Hauppauge 350 would deinterlace the signal and let the Radeon 9600 pro upscale the image to a beautifull 720 image. Guess I was wrong. So, do I need to use Dscaler program? Im not using the s-video output of the 350 card because there is no s-video input on the plasma screen or my EHome 8500 crt projector. The plasma screen does have 5 bnc inputs as well.

Also Im still using the analog outputs of the Revolution card for 2 channel stereo. Cant get the SPIDF output to play back 2 channel stereo sound from SageTV

[StylinLP]

Does dscaler do a better job than the software mpeg decoder that comes with the Hauppauge 350 card? Is it possible Im not even using the software decoder? Thats only chosen in SageTV menu right? Not something I have to run and setup in the Hauppauge software?

[olyar15]

What plasma are you using? What is its native resolution? I am assuming you have set your video card to that native resolution? I have my HTPC hooked up to a Pio503CMX @1280x768 and I am quite happy witth the picture quality. Of course, NTSC does have its limits. And I am just using the Intervideo decoders that came with the Hauppauge card.

If you are not using the SVideo output of the 350 card, then you are not using the hardware decoder on that card. In order to use the Dscaler plugins, you need to use the Elecard MPEG decoders.

[StylinLP]

Yes. I have the exact plasma screen and the Radeon 9600pro is set at 1280x768.

Unfortunately, that plasma screen does not have s-video or I would have used the pvr350 cards s-video output. I guess there must be some optional card slot that will give this plasma screen s-video. It only has RGB in which im using and 5 bnc inputs. It has some weird in and output plugs that LOOKS like s-video but they call is soemthing else. Cant remember the name of them. Lefthand side looking from the back.

[Sailn]

You wouldn't want to us S-Video, as it will be interlaced.

BTW, in what manner does the video look horrible?

You might want to look at the AVS Forum ffdshow faq

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hlight=ffdshow

[StylinLP]

The image looks like a washed out JPEG picture thats been enlarged 100 times. All pixelated. I found out yesterday that the cable used is RG6 but im sure the dish needs to be adjusted more. The picture doesnt stutter sometimes.

Right now we are not using the s-video output from the 350 card. Using RGB out of the Radeon9600pro

[salsbst]

It sounds like you're talking about some pretty bad MPEG2 artifacting... your description makes it sound like there is something wrong with the encoding or decoding, rather than just a low quality decoding job. Dscaler is not necessary to get reasonable video quality.

Try playing back Sage-recorded MPEG2 files in another application....such as a DVD player.... are they pixelated there as well? If so, you may be getting this pixelation in the recording (blame the PVR card or it's configuration or the source, which I gather is a dish)..... otherwise, you want to look into the decoder that SageTV is configured to use.