ATI DVD Player vs. WinDVD

[neomaine]

...continued from this thread:

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=261923&highlight=

(It started as an issue with not being able to use the record button in MCC and I was starting to moderately highjack it so I started this one.)

So, what do you guys think, am I just making a corelation where there really isn't one? That is, the mpeg2 feature was not available in MMC without the DVD player software (thought I read that in the ATI doc somewhere too) but did become available once I installed WinDVD (which does have its own capture feature) and seemingly better quality (as seen through the TMPGenc cut/merge preview window anyway).

Now I'm really curious. Like I said, I'm putting my order in today for two new systems. Parts should be in on Monday. Building them will start on Mon or Tues. Hopefully by Wednesday...oh wait...that's Survivor night...make that Thursday night, I should have some sort of answer.

Well now that I think about it, do you guys have any suggestions on how I should test this one way or another? First I should probably declare WHAT I'm trying to prove. That would be:

1 - That the ATI MMC does require the ATI DVD player software for capture. (ie. Is mpeg2 available without the player)
2 - That using another mpeg2 codec (in this case WinDVD) does enable the ATI MMC to capture to mpeg2.

(These tests are useful if the user does not have an original or valid DVD Player cd for install or upgrade AND wants to capture mpeg2 via MMC).

3 - That using the WinDVD codec is better (I know this is somewhat relative...but I think readily noticable) than using the ATI DVD Player codec. I'll provide screen captures from something neutral (any suggestions?) to show differences for others to see.

Here's what I'll be doing:

1 - Get system up and running.
2 - Install Catalyst and control panel.
3 - Install MMC, no ATI DVD player.
4 - Check mpeg2 capture function.
5 - If successfull
- I'm full of crap and imagining things.
If NOT successfull
- Install WinDVD and see if mpegs available.
(Not sure what this really proves. But it will give me a working setup
on another machine.
6 - Get screen captures.

then

1 - Get other system up and running.
2 - Install Catalyst and control panel.
3 - Install ATI DVD Player.
4 - Check mpeg2 function (shouldn't be a problem)
5 - Get screen captures.

and

Post results.

[green_meanie]

Have fun.