MCE Quality Picture and sound vs Dvico Software

[brentp]

When I run MCE on Live TV on Digital Chanels the picture doesnt look full quality it looks as though its a DIVX movie
eg the in black areas it looks like its made up of black boxes.
and also looks a little dull and shadowey

Also in Live TV the voice is out of time with the picture,

Now when I run the Dvico software the Picture is really crisp and clear and the voice is in-sync.

Any Ideas on How to fix this

[Sambooka]

Hi Brent,

There are a few things you can try which may fix your quality issues...

First, I would try different codecs. The nvidia seems to have the highest success rate for the majority of people so if you're not using it...give it a try

Next, depending on your TV type (Plasma/LCD/CRT), you can try changing the Display Device type in the MCE settings. MCE will adjust some display settings like resolution to best match the selected device. I think they do this to try and give the best quality on average accross a wide range of display types. While this is probably a good idea in general, many have reported quality issues including myself.

MCE seems to soften the TV image making it look dull, so a little tweaking can potentialy gain some significant results...I know it did for me

Another thing is to make sure the latest drivers are installed for tuners and sound hardware to ensure MCE compatability.

Cheers

[R_a_M_a]

Brentp,

Personally, I notice a very slight change in quality between using Dvico software and MCE but its certainly not blocky, dull or shadowy...

Which Dvico drivers are you using?
There have been a few updates out lately that have fixed some bugs and created others. One major change has been the inclusion of a specific Dvico codec that is enabled when you select 'MY TV'. Perhaps try before and after this update (2.99.01) to eliminate it as a possible cause.

Also, what graphics card do you use in your machine, and do you keep those drivers current?

ATM I'm using PowerDVD6, the 2.99.05 Dvico drivers (which I assume overides the PowerDVD6 codec anyway once I click MY TV), and the latest Nvidia beta drivers, if that helps any.

[brentp]

Where do the Nvidia codecs come from or are they part of one of the Nvidia programs.


I am using the latest Dvico Beta 2
And Previously the Beta 1 drivers


I am using a Nvidia 4600ti with current drivers I will try the beta drivers

I am Just using a standard 68cm TV

[Sambooka]

Hi Brent,

Try here for the Nvidia codecs

http://www.nvidia.com/object/dvd_decoder.html

Cheers

[brentp]

Thanks Sambooka

[brentp]

I started my rebuild today,

Just trying to get an understanding of how codecs work.,

when you install a codec pack either from a DVD player or the nvidia or the Dvico MCE codecs with the software to they all install together or is it which ever you installed last it writes over the rest?

[arkay]

Brent,

Typically they all install and co-exist, sometimes not too well. That's why it's better to install as few as possible in a working system. Installing too many always breaks it in the end.

With MCE you can force it to use a particlular codec. Not all are useable with MCE. Nvidia, Cyberlink and Windvd are the most common.

Download and install this:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

It will allow you do see what is useable with MCE and also change what it uses as a default.

Cheers,
Arkay.

[brentp]

Well Im happy to report that things are looking good,
I used MCE all last night without any hitches and I recorded a couple of things,

Are you able to increase the start record and finish record any longer than 2 mins?

For those with older Giga-byte boards dont download the drivers from the Gigabyte site
look at your manual find what the sound chip is eg the AC97 (or chip name ALC650)

then download the drivers from the realtek site

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/...&Software=True

Same with the Via 4 in 1
http://www.viaarena.com/default.aspx?PageID=2

[Sambooka]

Hi Brent,

read this thread regarding the recording padding.

Cheers

[brentp]

FIrst thing is dont "" work on the site I just get the code,

So padding should be ok if you stop the services first

and if you set it to say 10mins before and after and you have a back to back recording it knows to stop on like 8:30 and not wait the 10mins and start recording the next one straight away

And I saw a comment from someone about channel 9, man they dont know how to stick to time do they.


Maybe when proper epg is working (Future)it can live update to adjust to late shows.

[arkay]

What they should be doing is broadcasting show start/stop tags. Actually, they do. It's called Now and Next information. MCE knows nothing about it though.. If it did all you'd need to do is read the next and now tags and record anything from the guide the matches the now tag until it changes. Time would be irrelevant.

Cheers,
Arkay.