(Possibly) Stupid hardware/software decoding question re pvr350

[GrayGh0st]

If one is using the tv-out on the 350, yet you disable hardware decoding, will/can it use software decoders such as nvdvd? Or if you are using the 350 tv-out, will that automatically use the hardware decoder?

The options are separate for enabling Hardware decoding only, and using the 350 tv-out. Logic would tell me that since these two features are decoupled, you can use software decoding + 350 tv-out.
Is this correct? Or simply misleading?

If the answer is yes to the first question, is there any benefit in using software decoders+ 350 tv-out vs. the 350 hardware decoder (aside from the cpu usage)?

Justin

[carlgar]

I believe the only way to get a show output from the 350 is to use hardware decoding. If you disable hardware decording you are disabling the 350 TVout. If you use only software decoding you will only see the show where your video card shows it (usually just the monitor unless the video card also has TVout).

[mikejaner]

Yes, by enabling Hardware Only, there is no playback on the monitor, only TV out on the 350. The advantage of this is the use of only 2-3% cpu for recording and watching at the same time.

Some people use the output of the monitor to control Sage, while the 350 output to the TV is used to watch actual video. For example. I could have a VGA capable touch screen sitting on my coffee table, and have the 350 output going to the TV.

[GrayGh0st]

mike:

ok, but let's say I disable Hardware decoding (Set 'Hardware Decoding Only' to Disable), sage can still output video through the 350 (b/c 'Use PVR-350 Tv-Out' set to Enable is a separate option). At this point though, will sage use software decoders?

Basically, I can imagine two scenarios (I know - greatly simplified), both output to the tv via the 350:

1) Hardware Decoding Only set to Enable
Storage (HD) -> 350 Hardware Decoder -> TV

2) Hardware Decoding Only set to Disable (PVR-350 TV-OUT set to Enable)
Storage -> Software Decoder -> TV

I know I am simplifying things, but are either one of these scenarios correct? Or will hardware decoding ALWAYS be done if outputing via the 350?

Justin

[mikejaner]

Hardware decoding is always out of the 350 output . Software decoding is always out of the video card you have, whether that is out of the vga port, or the svideo port. When you enable hardware only, it turns off the "local" output, meaning what is being displayed on your video card. Your 350 is outputting video only. When you disable hardware only, also having the 350 output enabled, you have output on your video card, and on your 350.

[kny3twalker]

yes the TV out on the pvr 350 is for hardware decoding only

use your video card if you want to do software decoding

[GrayGh0st]

I gotcha. Those options are misleading. Thanks guys for the help! - J