Just bought Hauppauge PVR-150 - Really poor TV viewing?

[stim141]

Just picked up a PVR-150 - my first TV card - dedicated cable to card - also have an inline amplifier - tried it with and without - no difference. PC: 3.2 GHZ PIV, 512 MB memory and a lowly Radeon 9200 card. Playing DIVX and DVD's is flawless on my 17" LCD with 12ms screen rates in full screen. With the Hauppauge in 1/2 or 3/4 or full video is very washed out - lots of pixelation and seems blury - restalled 9200 drivers and Hauppage's latest - still have problems in WinTV and Sage - tried registry tweaks - no change - any ideas.

Also connected standard TV to cable - picture was clear - no problems - difference between the 13" TV and the computer's picture was much worse. Any help with settings or a possible solution would be appreciated. Thought this card was supposed to be excellent. - Got it at a really decent price at CompUSA for 64 including all rebates - not the MCE version the full 150.

[SHS]

Upload me a short clip so I can check it
ftp.shspvr.com/incoming/
What CD ver number did you get?.

[SHS]

Please post "Driver Details" from WinTV2K. To do that, go to the Help menu and click about. Then go to the "Driver Details" tab and copy the content. Also x out your serial number.
If you don't have WinTV2000 install then download this Product Information Tool by copy and paste what in the box's in your reply.
Also, please start in your post by stating what model card you have and what TV standard your using and input (Tuner, S-Video or Composite).

[stim141]

Thanks for the reply - will do it tonight when I get home. Also going to try a few things to see if its my signal or something else.

1. Attach a standard VCR which I know has excellent output to the input port on the card and play a tape - if get clear video than I'm assuming my signal isn't so clean. If the tape is pixelated than put in a better graphics card - have one from a friend a GeForce 5500 which should be superior to my 9200 which really doesn't have motion smoothing during video playback and its a pretty slow card.

2. If the tape plays cleanly move the system to the cable's origination point in my house - retest - if passes - recheck wiring and if it doesn't call cable company to do a signal test.

3. Otherwise if all tests fail recheck configuration or return card for a replacement - Also getting a loaner ATI Elite - just for comparison (know the software is pretty bad as is 3rd party support).

Will send the information you requested tonight - hopefully you can give me insight.

[FulciLives]

I got the Hauppauge WinTV-PVR 150 about a week ago and so far I am not a happy camper.

Audio seems fine on the TV TUNER input but has a lot of issues when using the line input.

There is also an issue with bright white being too bright and washing out all detail. This seems to be an issue that is more complex than just getting a "proper" contrast/brightness settings.

I bought mine at Circuit City and I am afraid that I've decided that I will be returning it.

As an aside I had tried the ADS Instant DVD 2.0 before the Hauppauge and it was MUCH better in quality ... I gave it up because it wasn't very flexible though when it came to scheduled recordings. However ADS makes the ADS Instant TV Deluxe USB which is basically the same as the ADS Instant DVD 2.0 but adds a TV tuner input and works with BeyondTV and TitanTV. I think I might try that next.

I'm sorry SHS ... I gave Hauppauge a try ... but it has way too many bad issues.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[The_Doman]

Audio seems fine on the TV TUNER input but has a lot of issues when using the line input.

There is also an issue with bright white being too bright and washing out all detail. This seems to be an issue that is more complex than just getting a "proper" contrast/brightness settings.

I'm sorry SHS ... I gave Hauppauge a try ... but it has way too many bad issues.

Well, those are just 2 of the things we are trying to get fixed properly by Hauppauge for a really long time now without succes.

[FulciLives]

Audio seems fine on the TV TUNER input but has a lot of issues when using the line input.

There is also an issue with bright white being too bright and washing out all detail. This seems to be an issue that is more complex than just getting a "proper" contrast/brightness settings.

I'm sorry SHS ... I gave Hauppauge a try ... but it has way too many bad issues.

Well, those are just 2 of the things we are trying to get fixed properly by Hauppauge for a really long time now without succes.

At first I thought I was "lucky" with no audio problems but I was using the TV TUNER input. Tried the line in input and oh my (sigh).

Then the "bright white" thing is a pain as well even after messing around with the brightness and contrast that seems not to be the answer.

The thing that really blew me away was the two images of the two angels that you posted on the SHS forum. Apparently you did find a driver that worked without the bright white issue. The difference between the two is amazingly sick.

I upgraded to the newest pre-release beta driver 2.0.35.23236 (something like that) and no joy. No damn joy at all. This product has been out for how long now? ... too long to have these issues that's how long!

I wish I had the link handy (of the two angels images) so I could post it but I'm in a hurry at the moment ... off to work I go!

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

P.S.
I also notice a (slight) greenish tint along edges. Usually on cartoons but also on the edges of people's faces. Maybe a sharpness issue (I think mine is set at 5).

No matter now ... tonight after work it comes out and tomorrow it goes back to Circuit City.

[lordsmurf]

PVR-150? Shame shame, I told you so.
Get a PVR-250 and you'll not have those audio issues.
Only costs a little extra for the 250.

That green thing on the side can actually be caused by the receiver or VCR.

[reboot]

Someone explain to me, why a PVR-500, which is supposedly two 150's on one card, has none of the issues of the 150's?

[SHS]

lordsmurf is rigth John there nothing you can do about (slight) greenish tint along edges and this apply any Hardware Encoder becuase they don't do per-corp or mask the video like AVI do.

John was you ref to this post http://www.shspvr.com/smf/index.php?topic=8303.msg43210#msg43210

For like of me reboot I have no idea some folks have no problem with PVR 150 or 500 which be only a small handful people that do have problem.

John are see something more like this in below screenshot?.

[SHS]

John besure check your PM

[stim141]

Ok, think I may have isolated my problems with viewing TV but I still can't even get an image like the one posted by SHS. Tried the following tonight:

* Borrowed a faster video card
* Borrowed an ATI Elite Wonder

1. Connected a VCR directly to Hauppauge and played a standard tape. Still had some quality problems with full screen.

2. Pulled the Hauppage and replaced with ATI Wonder Elite - little better but same pixelation problems and video was a little choppy.

3. Put in the faster video card - currently have 9200 Radeon and put in a GeForce 5500 OC, noticed improvement immediately when playing in fullscreen mode. Picture was a little dark and had to adjust - some more improvement.

4. Put the Hauppauge back in - installed the non beta drivers - picture in fullscreen looked like playing a DVD, very crisp with a hint of grain - color had to be adjusted a little - seemed decent. Sound not a problem but picture was a little too bright.

5. Ok, now reconnected the cable. Image was definately better but not as good as an inexpensive 15" TV I have in the kitchen connected to the same basic cable trunk (same splitter). In 1/2 screen window image was ok - a little fuzzy and in full screen mode - can watch it but image was not crisp - a little fuzzy but no artifacts just a little blurry and some of the colors esp blues/yellows were a little washed..

6. Attached kitchen's cable to computer with a 20 ft extension - basically same image as before - little fuzzy. Tried registry tweaks no improvement.

Ok, with a direct VCR connection playing a commercial tape - image was totally clear - so I'm guessing these tuners are VERY sensitive and require a pretty clean and strong signal to function properly. Tried in both SageTV and WinTV - same basic image with cable connection.

Is what I'm going through pretty common with these cards or am I expecting too much? Will call cable service to get a read on my line which is nondigital cable without a settop box and hopefully that will solve some of the problems. May try to move PC to basement and hook it up to the incomming cable if the service call comes up with a clean line. If I can get a clear image the Hauppauge is definately much better in terms of software with one exception - the remote could use a makeover. But it does change the channels pretty quickly and the ir's range is pretty decent.

Any tweaks that could improve my TV video would be appreciated. Thanks.

[jdizzy40]

The 500 MCE (Dual Tuner) is not essentially 2-150's. I have the card and it uses a different chip. The 150's was Happenhauge attempt to lure in the bottom end TV Tuner market and it was a mistake. You can't find a PVR-250 in the stores anymore, on-line yes. Big mistake. I am running two MCE 500's and Beyond TV and I'am very pleased so far.

[SHS]

jdizzy40 500MCE is in fact a pair 150MCE with one small diff

500MCE
Philips FQ1236A MK4 125 channel cable ready TV Tuner
Philips TEA5768HL FM Radio Tuner
2 Conexant CX25843 A/V Decoder
2 Conexant CX23416 MPEG Encoder
1 PLX FastLane 6140 PCI-to-PCI Bridge

150 or MCE
1 125 channel cable ready TV Tuner (MCE model only FM Radio Tuner)
1 Conexant CX25843 A/V Decoder
1 Conexant CX23416 MPEG Encoder

[FulciLives]

Some examples of the TOO BRIGHT when it comes to WHITE

Example 01 - Note the table and plates and pizza box


Example 02 - This one is REALLY bad


Example 03 - Bright spot on skin (some TV AD)


Example 04 - Family Guy (from ADULT SWIM on Cartoon Network)


Example 05 - Aqua Teen Hunger Force (from ADULT SWIM on Cartoon Network)


Example 06 - Note the flare on this man's temple


Example 07 - Look at this man's white shirt


The best looking one is probably IMAGE 5 from Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Also IMAGE 2 might not be fair as I think that TV AD was shot on purpose to have overexposed whites but it really shouldn't look as BAD as it does.

Oh and here are 2 pics from the SHS forum posted by "The_Doman"

Nasty (according to The_Doman using the 2.0.18.22316 drivers)


Excellent (according to The_Doman using the 2.0.30.23070 drivers)


Big freakin' difference ... no?

BTW I just realized, re-reading a couple of threads at the SHS forum ... that the "overexposed" white issue might have to do with having an Nvidia graphics card. Well I have an Nvidia GeForce FX 5300 PCI Express graphics card and I just downloaded the newest drivers like a week ago if that so they must be the newest. The version is 7.8.0.1 and dated 08/02/2005

Sorry for this bandwith killer of a post

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

P.S.
I'm using the most current beta pre-release driver for the Hauppauge WinTV-PVR 150 ... version 2.0.35.23236 and yes I did follow the SHS post/guide on the SHS forum as to how to uninstall and install. The PROC AMP was set according to the "default" in the Hauppauge Tweaker program as seen in the picture below:

[junkmalle]

The Nvidia cards have brightness/contrast/color controls for the overlay function which is used by WinTV2000 to display the video. Check those. I have seen people reporting problems with the default settings.

[SHS]

As for john little problem with white saturation problem I just found out that this has with the board having bad Demodule.

[FulciLives]

I thought that I was not the only one with the "bright white" problem? If so then what is the deal? Are there a large number of WinTV-PVR 150 boards with a bad Demodule?

You know it is a shame because I liked the card for the most part. No issues with my analog cable hooked directly up to the TV TUNER (no audio problem). The wealth and ease of scheduling options with the WinTV Schedular program is very nice. The ability to set the bitrate to exactly what you want, etc.

The major complaint was the "too bright" issue and of course the audio on the LINE-IN input has got to be fixed.

Otherwise, for the price, it was a nice deal.

I did end up returning my Hauppauge WinTV-PVR 150 and instead I bought a Pioneer DVR-531H-s ... tis a shame I had to spend about $350 on a stand alone DVD recorder with a built-in HDD to get the same kind of functionality that I was getting for only $100 with the Hauppauge WinTV-PVR 150 ... of course I am finding it nice to NOT have the computer "tied" up recording all the time

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[The_Doman]

A bit late reaction.

I thought that I was not the only one with the "bright white" problem? If so then what is the deal? Are there a large number of WinTV-PVR 150 boards with a bad Demodule?
...........................
I did end up returning my Hauppauge WinTV-PVR 150 and instead I bought a Pioneer DVR-531H-s ...

The "bright white" problem is still there, but in my situation it only appears on certain cable channels.
That bad demodule was something different it seems.

And a DVD/HD recorder, Yes I have been considering that option too.
Still not decided on that.
(Maybe too buzzy testing out all those Hauppauge drivers )

But a friend was so kind to lend me his new Sony RDR-HX710 DVD-HD (PAL) recorder while he was on holiday so I was able to do some tests/comparisons against my PVR150's 8)

The important things I really liked about that dvd recorder against my PR150:
Very good picture quality of the tuner, no combing,dotcrawl or other weird picture problems we had/have with our Hauppauge cards.
No need to setup or mess around the correct picture adjustments for the recording (colour , brightness..).
Even if you would like to, you can't! (You can adjust playback)
No problems with overexposed whites! Nothing at all!!
(while testing I had on the same channel the overexposed problem on the PVR150!)
All recordings are done in AC3 without weird audio problems too!
Copying VHS stuff gives very good results because of the build in TBC and noise filtering.
Ofcourse the build in timer works very easy (and reliable!)
Recording quality is very nice if you use SP (6000Kbit) and higher.
Very easy and friendly to operate.

But not everything is better.
Ofcourse you can do "editing" (cut, split, make chapters) of your recordings but compared to the tools we are used to on the pc it's very primitive and tedious.
You have todo everything with the remote, no mouse there ofcourse!
Also on the PC PVR you are much more flexible with the recording settings (resolution/bitrates).
Yes you can transfer your recordings to your PC, but still very cumbersome.

But the question ofcourse is which is best?
When I use the S-Video input of my PVR150 and a lot of tweaking I can achieve about the same (maybe little better?) results as that Sony DVD machine.
But again, the amount of tweaking to get those results is not funny anymore.
Testing almost a year all that beta stuff from Hauppauge is no fun!

To get the idea I did some test recordings with the Sony (SP mode) and my PVR150 (Only with S-video ofcourse!)
http://rapidshare.de/files/5289453/Test_Sony_RDR-HX710_Tuner_SP.mpg.html
http://rapidshare.de/files/5289727/Test_Hauppauge-PVR150_SVIDEO.mpg.html
(Use the free download link)

[SHS]

That odd I see Motion Blockness in the Video as well shimming in the video with RDR-HX710 clip vs the PVR 150 clip.

[lordsmurf]

That odd I see Motion Blockness in the Video as well shimming in the video with RDR-HX710 clip vs the PVR 150 clip.

Yeah. Very common on that machine's chipset.

It also does not have a true TBC, and is pretty touchy with video errors. And from what I remember when I last touched a Sony, the filters were only for playback. For recording, they seemingly did nothing. Very minor too, not something major.

I'd personally prefer the work from a Hauppauge 250 or 350, given the choice between the two.