HTPC problems - need help

[farscapesg1]

I thought I would post this here in hopes of getting a larger number of responses to the problem. The original thread was over at htpcnews

Basic summary:
I've got a XGI Volari V3XT (128 MB version) that has gotten good reviews for it's TV out capabilities. It is running in the following system, connected to a Sanyo Standard TV via S-Video;

Athlon XP 2500+
512 Geil Value Memory
Windows XP SP2 (with latest patches)
Asus A7N8X Deluxe motherboard (onboard Soundstorm)
WD Raptor 36 GB (OS drive)
Seagate 160 GB SATA (storage drive)
SageTV 2.2.7
Nvidia codecs (latest version)

When watching LiveTV or recorded TV, the image is blurred during any movement (even just normal TV shows such as Stargate, CSI, etc). The blurring is bad enough to make my wife and I "seasick" trying to watch it. Watching DVDs gives a very slight blur that would probably only be noticable if you are told to look for it.

This is using the NVIDIA Video Decoder or the Nvidia Video Post Processor in SageTV with Overlay and setting the recordings to DVD Standard Quality. Trying to use VMR9 gives horrible stuttering problems in Sage.

If I swap out the video card with a Radeon 9800, LiveTV works great and the prerecorded shows that showed blurring do not have that problem. I really think it is the video card, but as I have said the reviews of the card have given it nothing but praise for it's TV out capabilities.

Any advice would be appreciated

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Why would you use the nVidia postprocessing filters with a Volari?

- M4H

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Yeah, nuke the nV software and just try playing the files with Media Player 9/10 or another player and see if your problems go away.

 

[farscapesg1]

OK, my plan wasn't to use the post processing codec, it was just a trial to compare it to the Nvidia Video Decoder.

As to just playing the files in WMP10, I still need to install a codec to play the MPEG2 files right? I thought that Windows doesn't support MPEG2 playback natively without installing a codec to play the files.

Further, the NVidia codecs are considered the top-of-the-line for MPEG2 and DVD playback at the moment.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

The Nv DVD Decoder system requirements are here

MP9&10 I can't recall not playing MPEG2 for me, at most you should just have to go to tools/options/file types tab and check the DVD Video box. I use PowerDVD 5.1 myself.

 

[farscapesg1]

Well, I have tried the PowerDVD codecs with the same result. I can try uninstalling the NVidia codecs and see what happens. In Sage I have tried using the SageTV decoder also, but still get lots of blurring (and the picture isn't as clean).

Like I have said in the other thread, the DVD playback seems to work with just a very slight blurring (and maybe I am just imagining the blurring) but the SageTV and MPEG2 playback is the real issue I have with the card.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Using the latest drivers for the card? XGI drivers scare me so I wouldn't be surprised if they are at fault. Getting the nV stuff off there would be a good place to start just to be certain they aren't borking things up.

 

[farscapesg1]

Yeah, I'm using the latest drivers. That is one thing I hadn't thought of. I could try using the older drivers that came with the card and see if that makes a difference.

 

[rbV5]

The Volare has the hardware Cipher video processor, I'm not real familiar with it, but how do you enable it for video playback? Is there a enabled media software that comes with the card? Special MPEG decoders?

The NV DVD decoders "should" work with the card, but it may work poorly since it will depend on the shader pipeline for video acceleration, otherwise its in software mode. However, the hardware Cipher engine may be conflicting with the software NV DVD decoders because of the drivers or how it handles DX calls for video playback.

 

[farscapesg1]

Well, I removed the Nvidia codecs from the system and still get blurry playback.

rbV5 brings up a good point about the onboard video processor. I will have to dig a little on XGI's website about enabling or disabling that portion of the card.

 

[farscapesg1]

Well, it is looking more like a defective card. I am working with XGI and they are starting to think that the Cipher video processor is defective. I have already talked to Triocomptuers/TrioInternational in NY and strongly advise everyone stay away from them. Their 15 day warranty is silly and they are unwilling to compromise on it. Guess I will find out how XGI's RMA process is.