Optical output

[getafix]

Howdy. Been a long time since my last post.

I have upgraded my MCE machine. I run video to my LCD via onboard HDMI out and audio by onboard optical to my amp/receiver.
The problem is I cannot control the volume level via my MCE remote, but only with my AMP's remote, which means that I have to have two remotes at any one stage.

Also, I have a HD and Blu Ray drive, but the only software that I can find is PowerDVD 7.3 Ultra as the latest version only supports Blu Ray.
Any ideas what else I can use.

Another thing, I installed the file for my XBOX HD DVD drive, but when I reboot it says new hardware detected. ANy ideas

Cheers
Gareth

[vlad]

Some audio cards will allow you to manage audio volume via digital output, but ~5-10%.
This is due to the nature of raw digital output, it is raw, and can be amplified if software allows. I use coax cable and manage it from different remote. Universal remote can help you there.
PowerDVD 8.0 does support Blu-Ray.
Microsoft as usually have chosen wrong side, and now bitter about defeat. Let's wait and see. They will have to incorporate Blu-Ray into VMC, or they will loose market, but it takes time.

[getafix]

Thanks Vlad for the reply

It's a pitty that Powerdvd 8 only supports BluRay and not HD as I have a HD drive and a few movies. I am therefore forced to use version 7.3Ultra.

A few more questions if you don't mind?

1. I can watch normal DVDs in Windows using PowerDVD, but when I try any of my HD movies, the movies flickers. I am sure that it's not a region thing as HD movies aren't region locked, so I don't know what it could be.

2. I have a secondary SATA drive that I record tv to. I notice that I can record for about two minutes before MCE locks up and requires a hard reboot. I have formatted the drive and it doesn't have any bad sectors, I can also access it fine in windows. The motherboard is new. What I have also noticed is that pre-recorded tv (from before the problem) would play back for about 2 mins and then lock up.

3. The quality of DVD playback in MCE is not nearly as good as in windows with POwerdvd. I have selected powerdvd as the prefered codec using the codec check utility. What I have noticed is that there are 3 powerdvd codec installed and one Intervideo (Windvd). The 3 cyberlink codecs were installed when I installed POwerdvd, but in the past I must have installed Windvd (I can't remember doing it) but a can't delete the thing.
Also, I see that the MCE seems to be bypassing the cyberlink audio as when I play a dvd with DTS or a non stereo stream, my amp shows PCM stereo. This is not the case if I watch the same movie in Windows with Powerdvd.

4. Is there any place where I can adjust the audio output when watching live tv. I have noticed that listening the musics and watching any of my stored dvds, the audio level is fine. (about -35) If I watch TV, I have to adjust the amps level to about -45 as it is very loud and sometimes distorted. Any ideas what would cause this to happen?

One confession. When installing my new mobo (GA-MA78G-S2H) and processor I didn't do a complete reinstall, I just installed the new mobo drivers, however point 2 above was happening before the new change.

Sorry for the hassle, and thanks again for the help.

G

[vlad]

Originally Posted by getafix

1. I can watch normal DVDs in Windows using PowerDVD, but when I try any of my HD movies, the movies flickers. I am sure that it's not a region thing as HD movies aren't region locked, so I don't know what it could be.

Not sure, I have never used HDDVD, but you can try AnyDVD is any region problems, it will fix it.

Originally Posted by getafix

2. I have a secondary SATA drive that I record tv to. I notice that I can record for about two minutes before MCE locks up and requires a hard reboot. I have formatted the drive and it doesn't have any bad sectors, I can also access it fine in windows. The motherboard is new. What I have also noticed is that pre-recorded tv (from before the problem) would play back for about 2 mins and then lock up.

Hmmm, could be interesting, try to record to first HDD, if OK, then HDD is bad, or you need reinstall for new mobo.

Originally Posted by getafix

3. The quality of DVD playback in MCE is not nearly as good as in windows with POwerdvd. I have selected powerdvd as the prefered codec using the codec check utility. What I have noticed is that there are 3 powerdvd codec installed and one Intervideo (Windvd). The 3 cyberlink codecs were installed when I installed POwerdvd, but in the past I must have installed Windvd (I can't remember doing it) but a can't delete the thing.
Also, I see that the MCE seems to be bypassing the cyberlink audio as when I play a dvd with DTS or a non stereo stream, my amp shows PCM stereo. This is not the case if I watch the same movie in Windows with Powerdvd.

I would uninstall, all decoders and install PowerDVD back, then select it as default. You need to setup PowerDVD to do S/PDIF, done from MCE setup.

Originally Posted by getafix

4. Is there any place where I can adjust the audio output when watching live tv. I have noticed that listening the musics and watching any of my stored dvds, the audio level is fine. (about -35) If I watch TV, I have to adjust the amps level to about -45 as it is very loud and sometimes distorted. Any ideas what would cause this to happen?

It is hard to normalise sound in MCE/VMC going via S/PDIF, I have the same problem, without distortion, as have very powerful reciever and speakers.

Originally Posted by getafix

One confession. When installing my new mobo (GA-MA78G-S2H) and processor I didn't do a complete reinstall, I just installed the new mobo drivers, however point 2 above was happening before the new change.

I would reinstall, too much rubbish in registry/drivers, could cause your HDD issues.

Originally Posted by getafix

Sorry for the hassle, and thanks again for the help.

No big deal, we are here to help

[getafix]

Thanks, short and to the point.

I haven't used my machine for about 6 months and I have become a git rusty. I also thought a complete re-install, but downloading all the updates is going to take hours. I have also bought Video Redo and will need to get my serial as it is not listed in the program itself.

Oh well, it could save hours of troubleshooting.

[vlad]

Originally Posted by getafix

Thanks, short and to the point.

That's me.

Originally Posted by getafix

I haven't used my machine for about 6 months and I have become a git rusty. I also thought a complete re-install, but downloading all the updates is going to take hours. I have also bought Video Redo and will need to get my serial as it is not listed in the program itself.
Oh well, it could save hours of troubleshooting.

I don't really think that you can troubleshoot it. New mobo will create a chaos in you registry and divers/inf's will overlap. Especially if different chipsets.
Clean install on new mobo is a must IMO. It will actually save you some time.
I have changed lot's of mobos, and it never worked to leave OS intact.
Up to you, of course.

[MitchSchaf]

You can program the MCE's remote's volume buttons to use your receiver. That's how I do it. Here's a link to the manual.

And we can't watch HD-DVDs in MCE2005 .

[getafix]

You can program the MCE's remote's volume buttons to use your receiver. That's how I do it.

I have a Harmony 880 which I need to kick start into life again, so I will be using that. But thanks anyway.

And we can't watch HD-DVDs in MCE2005

Yip, I have realised that thanks, but how come? Is there no way of hacking the system to do it?
I have bought an internal LG BD/HD drive. Would I then be able to watch BD/HD movies?

1. I can watch normal DVDs in Windows using PowerDVD, but when I try any of my HD movies, the movies flickers. I am sure that it's not a region thing as HD movies aren't region locked, so I don't know what it could be.

A report back, the problem is/was a 50/60hz issue. Set my output to 60hz and the flickering went away.

Cheers
G