Leadtek DTV2000H Analog In Vista Media Center

goulin · **13th July 2008, 06:21 PM**

Hi,

Has anyone had any luck settiing up the Leaktek DTV2000H analog component in Windows Vista Media Center? I have installed the Mainconcepts MPEG2 encoder as per the 'Get Most Cards To Work In MCE' post, but I cannot get the video to show in Media Center.

Specifically, I am trying to connect it to my Foxtel STB unit. I have followed the instructions, and selected 'Cable' in MCE, and then Yes to having a STB, but when I go to the next page to select the type of connection, I scan automatically and it selects the appropriate one (i.e. if I have the SCART to S-Video to my tuner, it will select the S-Video 1 input, or if I have the SCART to Composite to my tuner, it will select the Composite 1), but neither of them show any video on the right hand side (I get Loss of Signal). It works in the TV tuner software (WinPVR2). At this stage, I don't have an IR blaster, but I wouldn't think that would affect this part of the setup right?

Any help would be greatly appreciated - I've spent weeks on this! Is there a way I can confirm that the MPEG2 encoder is installed and functioning correctly (other than seeing it in Add/Remote Programs)?

Thanks,
goulin

logifuse · **13th July 2008, 06:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by goulin

At this stage, I don't have an IR blaster, but I wouldn't think that would affect this part of the setup right?

A common misconception. To put it simply, no blasters = no STB capture.

MC doesn't treat the STB like an AV in, it treats it like a tuner & if it can't control the STB, then it doesn't want to know about it.

Justin

goulin · **13th July 2008, 08:28 PM**

Hi Justin,

Thanks for the info. I guess that I need to go and get myself an IR blaster for this to work.

Has anyone got any suggestions on good IR blasters to use (or is it just the Microsoft one pretty much)? Any ball park figures also in terms of cost?

So then for the next step - I have checked the registry and under my analog tuner, it has a key 'PrefEncoder' and it has the value 'ArcSoft Media Center Encoder' - I guess that is an MPEG2 encoder installed as part of the WinFastPVR2 software, which means I don't need to install an MPEG2 encoder to get this card working for analog in Media Center. Am I reading the registry correctly?

goulin · **16th July 2008, 12:04 AM**

Grrrr.... I still can't get it setup.

I borrowed an MCE remote and receiver from a friend and tried to setup Foxtel and again at the 'Select a working TV signal' screen, it selects the correct input (i.e. Composite Video 1), but the box on the right hand side stays black for 5 seconds and then says 'Loss Of Signal'.

When I borrowed the MCE remote, my friend lent me the remote and the receiver, but not the transmitters (the things that plug into the receiver ports 1 and 2). Would this affect this part of the setup (i.e. result in me not seeing a video at this stage)?

Has anyone successfully got their Leadtek DTV2000H working in Vista Media Center with Foxtel? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Thanks,
goulin

logifuse · **16th July 2008, 08:50 AM**

OK, I haven't used the encoder in a while, but are there any PAL/NTSC settings in it? It sounds like the card is finding the signal, but can't actually show it, so it might be looking for an NTSC signal?

Justin

goulin · **16th July 2008, 10:07 AM**

I don't think there are any settings on the codec at all. I think by default when you install the WinPVR2 software it installs the Arcsoft MPEG2 software codec, because I tried uninstalling WinPVR2 and then running Media Center and at the same stage instead of getting 'Loss Of Signal' I was getting 'Video Decoder Error'. I even tried the MainConcepts MCE Encoder but that still hasn't given me any joy.

goulin · **18th July 2008, 10:05 AM**

This does actually work! I rebuilt my PC last night and after installing the Leadtek drivers from the website, I installed the MainConcepts codec and then installed the WinPVR2 software and it worked through Media Center.

Hopefully this post helps someone....

Although in saying that, like most people have mentioned, software encoding for analog TV is YouTube-ish like. It works ok, but the quality is not very good. Good enough to record something and watch, but not for keeping!