Which Windows PVR do you like?

[MrMoody]

I'm now the proud owner of a KWorld 340U ATSC USB tuner - it seems to work great. I have it on my last-generation P4 3.0C with FX 5200 card, connected through DVI to my 47" 1080p LCD.

PVR programs on the other hand seem to leave something to be desired.

TotalMedia 3 came free with it. Pros - works with minimal fuss, has built in commercial editor. Cons - Decoder seems less than efficient, causing occasional stuttering/skipping. No way to get 5.1 sound. Channels are in RF order instead of channel no. order and have to be manually rearranged.

BeyondTV 4 seems better but pricey at $70. Pros - Works very solid. Plays 5.1 through SPDIF. Cons - Pricey. Default mpeg decoder causes ratio flickering and odd picture distortion where bottom line is repeated over the bottom 1/10 of the screen. The only decoder that works right is the one that came with Nero 6. Scan FF & REW works great while buffering Live TV but watching a recording in progress (which I would think would be the same) causes lag & picture freezing making it useless-and the lag continues even after the recording stops. Somewhat involved setup to get working well. The only editor is automatic and predictably doesn't work that well at snipping commercials.

Tried installing MythTV- couldn't get it to configure with my tuner.

Any suggestions before I pull the trigger on BeyondTV - 18th is the last day for a free remote. At their price it should always include a remote. And an editor. And a less buggy decoder. Then I'd have bought it already.

Ideally I'd like to find something that works efficiently and has 5.1 output like Beyond but has an editor and lower price ...

[fritzi93]

I have similar complaints re ArcSoft TotalMedia3. There is stuttering when playing DVDs, although playback of transport streams within TM is fine. Since I only have 2/0 stereo, the audio isn't an issue for me. My card: LeadTek WinFast HDTV_Cinema, seemingly none of the freeware PVR applications will work with that card. For example GBPVR, using the filter info from GraphEdit one can get the card manually recognized, but no channels will tune. [shrugs]

As to editing out commercials and converting transport streams to MPEG2, HDTVtoMPEG2 is very good. The SoundGraph iMon remote works well with TotalMedia3 and can be programmed to work with other programs, MediaPlayerClassic_HomeCinema, for instance.

You may have answered your own question. If BeyondTV meets your requirements, and the remote is acceptable, that's not a bad price really. My iMon cost approx $50, no regrets. Sorry I can't suggest any alternatives for you. Good luck.

[EDIT] The lagging you mention is a tough one, shouldn't be with your specs. Just a thought, but I had a lot of trouble until I uninstalled, cleaned the registry and re-installed the card and TM in Safe Mode. What's your CPU usage when using BeyondTV?

[MrMoody]

As to editing out commercials and converting transport streams to MPEG2, HDTVtoMPEG2 is very good.

Does it simultaneously edit the AC3 track without ruining sync? I'm also assuming it doesn't (have to) re-encode the video.

I will buy BeyondTV unless someone comes up with something better pretty shortly.

[fritzi93]

As to editing out commercials and converting transport streams to MPEG2, HDTVtoMPEG2 is very good.

Does it simultaneously edit the AC3 track without ruining sync? I'm also assuming it doesn't (have to) re-encode the video.

HDTVtoMPEG2 has always worked for me without problems of any kind. I have AC3Filter installed. I suspect a few people who wrote negative reviews complaining about no audio missed something very simple.

Your assumption is correct, it's very fast.

Good luck.

[crackerjack84]

i just got the part today and i can't seem to get it to work. i'm trying to capture just from a vcr. that is possible right?

[Video Head]

I am using Media Portal. It is open source and requires some tweeks to get it going properly, but once it is going it is solid.

I have also used the Titan TV application within ATI's Catalyst with good results.

[crackerjack84]

it doesn't see my tuner, what tweaks can i do to fix this

[Video Head]

it doesn't see my tuner, what tweaks can i do to fix this

Media Portal?

[crackerjack84]

yeah

[crackerjack84]

any thoughts?!?!

[Video Head]

I just noticed that you are not the OP...hmmm.

Try here: http://www.team-mediaportal.com/

[crackerjack84]

OP?

[hudsonf]

Original Poster