Pixelated TV / Foxtel

[Harold27a]

Hi,

I am having a problem with VMC and the quality of the picture when watching Foxtel.

Before asking your advice, here is my current setup:

• Scart to Component Cable from Foxtel to TV AV1
• Scart to RCA from Foxtel to the tuner card (Dual Hybrid PCIe S2)
• nVideo graphics card using the nVidia Pure Video DVD decoder
• Main Concept's encoder, so i can get Foxtel signal
• Screen Resolution is 1366x768 (Native to the TV)
• The VMC is connected via HDMI to the TV

The problem is that although i can watch foxtel and normal FTA channels when comparing the foxtel channel in VNC as apposed to viewing from the TV (AV1), you get bad pixelation occuring around the logo's (EG: the FoxSports Logo) and the picture is "grainy". And it gets to a stage where after 1 or 2 of watching i cannot bare to watch it anymore.

I have changed all the cables to expensive insulated ones, moved foxtel STU closer to the computer, etc ...

To my thinking the only thing left to do is buy a new TV tuner. From what i have read from this site the Hauppage range is supposidly good ...

The only other thing i can think off, is to pay for the nVidia decoder (still in trial period), and see if that makes a difference to see if they have crippled the software in way. To my knowledge, the Main Concept encoder is free to use...

Can anyone offer any advice on how to get a better picture?

Thanks,

Rob.

[logifuse]

Don't pay for the decoder - it won't make any difference!!!

The issues are:

1. The composite signal out of a Foxtel STU is pretty ordinary.
2. You're upscaling something pretty poor, so it's difficult to get a great result.

Unfortunately, there isn't much you can tweak with Mainconcept's encoder, so about your only avenue is to try s-video instead of composite, but I'm guessing you have a standard Foxtel STU, so it can only do s-video if both scarts are doing it.

Edit: Yu could also try another encoder: http://www.tv-cards.com/messageboard...c.php?id=14508

Justin

[logifuse]

Also - I think you can change the encoding bitrate for the Foxtel capture. Have a look at http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/32896.aspx for some ideas.

Justin