Sigma Designs Netstream 2000 TV

[Methius]

Well, I'm able to get my hands on this card for 'bout 100€ (family ties ).
But before I buy it...

Is this thing supported in SageTV?

(Why the Netstream 2000 TV you ask?, well this card has the ability to Hardware Decode Mpeg-2 and put out the desktop at the same time to your tv, so i don't get stuck with OSD's etc...)

Any help would be appreciated.

[AirJunky]

As I recall the card is not supported by Windows 2K or XP. Better check it out on the Sigmadesigns.com website.

[Deadbolt]

Where does it say on the Sigmadesigns.com website that the system outputs the desktop to the tv at the sametime as outputing Mpeg-2?

[kny3twalker]

What should I do when I hook up a television set to NetStream 2000 and want to see the Windows desktop?


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This is possible using a special version of NetStream 2 called NetStream 2T. This is not available in NetStream 2000. A new board, the NetStream 2000TV allows you to do it.



http://www.sigmadesigns.com/products...tstream2.htm#8


System Requirements:


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Intel® or AMD-based PC with 133 MHz or higher CPU
Microsoft® Windows® 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP or Linux
PCI 2.1 compliant expansion slot
Plug and Play BIOS support
32MB RAM and 2MB free hard disk space
SVGA graphics card
DVD-ROM drive (for DVD-Video playback)
Amplified stereo speakers (Dolby Digital, Dolby ProLogic, or DTS receiver and speakers required for surround sound)

it works with Windows XP

[SHS]

NetStream 2000TV card specs:

* Sigma EM8400 MP@ML MPEG-2 decoder
* Sigma EM9010 analog overlay technology for compatibility with all VGA cards
* Supports up to 10 Mbps data rate
* Displays non-interlaced full motion video at full-screen or in a resizeable window from 16x16 up to 1600x1200 on a capable VGA monitor and TV simultaneously
* Plays DVD-Video, MPEG-2, and MPEG-1 interactive titles
* Support for VideoCD 1.0 and 2.0
* Full screen NTSC/PAL TV output
* Frame rate conversion of NTSC titles on PAL TVs, and PAL titles on NTSC TVs
* Brightness, contrast, and color saturation controls for VGA and TV display
* High quality VGA to TV scan converter, supports up to 1600x1200 and up to 150Hz refresh rate
* Advanced 2-D flicker filter for TV output

Yes there are drivers for both Windows 2000 and XP drivers.
Yes it dose it outputs the desktop to the TV at the sametime as outputing MPEG-1/2 but this card cost $250 I think you can still buy off buy.com for that if not you have look a round.

[SHS]

kny3twalker the NetStream 2000 dosen't have build on TV scan converter like the NetStream 2000TV

[Methius]

, so It is supported by SageTv I guess?

[kny3twalker]

kny3twalker the NetStream 2000 dosen't have build on TV scan converter like the NetStream 2000TV

SHS those are just quotes from their website
thats all

but that makes sense thanks

[Methius]

will it run?

[Methius]

It works!!
<insert evil laughter>

Well, the hardware decoding looks really sweet (no blurring etc), and the desktop looks better than my original tv-out (Ati 9600 retail 256mb).
Extra benefit: I can easily correct the size & position of the desktop. (was too lazy to do it with vert sync etc in powerstrip)

[Methius]

help needed...
The audio when playing any form of media in SageTV is bad to say the least.
The sound is "maxed out", the kind you hear when you're speakers are too loud.

The strange thing is, that this doesn't occur when I play media outside SageTV (with windows media player per example). Then sound is just fine.

Any suggestions?

Ow, and PS: I can't get DVD playback to work. (in sage with the SD netstream card) the screen just goes black.

Help really appreciated.

[kny3twalker]

try ripping the DVDs first

and not sure about sound other than render, decoder
decoder settings from radlight filter manager or registry
and finally new media volume in properties file

[SHS]

DVD playback you may as well forget about it just use the player that come with the card I have said this a few time SageTV dose work thoses Hardware Decoder card and DVD disc becuase there not base DVD DirectShow drivers there base on older MCI codec.
What audio output are you using?.

[Methius]

Well I thought that the problem could be that a wrong codec was being used.
So I disabled every audio codec in XP, leaving only the card's codec. Fixed it.

This is great, better tv output than 9600 retail, hardware mpeg decoding so about 2-4% CPU usage while running SageTV & watching LiveTV.

Quality = good, Sports is finally as it was meant to be viewed

Thanks for the help

[xlurkr]

Methius:

How did you disable all the other codecs? I have had the same problem as you, and I'm anxious to fix it. Thanks.

[Methius]

Well first I thought bout the registry hack, but later on found a very simple method:

Config Panel (or however they call it in English) => Audio settings & hardware => Hardware => Audio Codecs => Properties => Properties => *Select desired AudioCodec* => Properties => Don't use this audiocodec

And then for each of them.
Then go into Sage:
Audio renderer : default
Audio codec: default

(Sorry for my bad english, my windows is in dutch)

[xlurkr]

Your english is very good, and your advice was clear and helpful. Many thanks.

[xlurkr]

Methius:

I followed your advice and disabled all the audio codecs. I still have oversaturated audio.

Note that I disabled all of them. Is that the right thing to do? I didn't see any that looked like Sigma codecs.

Also, could you tell me what settings you have under Audio Decoder and Renderer in the Sage setup?

[xlurkr]

Methius:

Sorry, I forgot to reread your previous post where you said you use default for audio decoder and renderer.

Are you sure it wasn't some other change you made at the same time that fixed it?

[KJake]

So I'm thinking that this card would not be capable of VMR though, right? Cheapest I can find it for right now is $260 OEM.