Success all around!! ATI TV Wonder, 7.7 MMC, PowerVCR...

[jpb1977]

Wow - I can't believe it - it all works! Everything! I've currently got an..

ATI TV Wonder (running on)
and AMD 1.2, 256 ram (with os)
Windows 98SE

I was determined to...

Get MMC 7.7 to work - done!
Get PowerVCR to record sound - check!
and get PowerDirector to do the same - check!

First off, here's the scoop for MMC 7.7 with the ATI TV Wonder. Regardless of whether you are at 7.1 or 7.6, here are the following steps.
FILEMIRRORS.COM - is where you are going to find MMC 7.5 - you'll need the setup.inx file - changed the HWDetect=0 to HWDetect=1

Keep this file, you'll need it everywhere! Overwrite the setup.inx of MMC 7.6 with this adjusted file - then install 7.6 - there is a zip on filemirrors that is 45MB and contains the DVD software. WHETHER YOU HAVE A DVD-ROM or not, download this file. You may need an ATI CD, you're ATI TV WONDER CD will work just fine, but I was never asked for it. ALWAYS USE CUSTOM INSTALL so that you can verify that every element is being installed!

Download 7.7 - again, replace setup.inx, use custom install. There will only be one option (TV) to install. Now here is where the levels of success are gonna vary - either you will get the new profiles or not. I have 48k audio, but no SVCD profile. No biggy, with Stinky's Tool I've had 480 x 480 for weeks now. Hopefully, you are lucky and the SVCD preset is there.

That's it! Now, let me give you the conclusion before I finish off with PowerVCR and PowerDirector - to me, the SVCD capture is WAYYYY better than anything the MMC can provide. There is horizontal "tearing" with MMC that I don't get in either of the Cyberlink programs. But, many of us have had problems with audio. Here's the fix - it is IMPERATIVE that the TV Wonder and your soundcard be linked not only with the exterior output-to-line-in cable, but the CD-ROM type connection, running from the TV Wonder to the soundcard. Using this, you MAY have to select the CD-ROM in the Windows Control Panel applet for recording, but either way, you'll get audio! You might not be able to hear it as you are recording (again, varying levels of success here) but the audio will be in the file. ***PLEASE, don't test this with Jurassic Park ok, try a few small simple captures!! Make sure it works!***

The SVCD capture that is built resident into PowerDirector is great, way better than all the registry hacks required for PowerVCR. I've only got the trial for now, but there is no doubt Cyberlink will get my business. We've been told that patches are pretty much over for PowerVCR, their focus being on PowerDirector (and with the added features for DV, what a steal) Did you know you can also set PowerDirector to non-realtime capture, batch a DV tape (set ins and outs) wake up the next morning to a completed SVCD?!?!

Hope I've helped a few of you out, many of you have done the same for me! Thanks to modeler_us, next, and most of all susie who was a huge help and never hesitated in responding to my 25 emails!!! Thanks alot!

jpb
racer1977@yahoo.com

[tomreedtoon]

You said...

First off, here's the scoop for MMC 7.7 with the ATI TV Wonder. Regardless of whether you are at 7.1 or 7.6, here are the following steps.
FILEMIRRORS.COM - is where you are going to find MMC 7.5 - you'll need the setup.inx file - changed the HWDetect=0 to HWDetect=1

Only problem is, MMC 7.5 is NOT at http://www.filemirrors.com! Does anyone know where the program can be found?

[susie]

jpb1977, glad to know that you have everything fixed. *Hooray*

When you do a capture with PowerDirector, make sure you do a custom setting on SCVD profile. Change the bitrate from the default of 1900 to 2500. (with bitrate of 1900, you get bad quality)

And do not use the built-in software burner(Disc Wizard) to burn SVCD/DVD because you will get shitty quality due to their low bitrate settings on their templates. I always capture in SVCD and burn with Nero.

I only have TV Wonder linked externally to my sound card but I still get audio when recording and also when watching TV. May be I am lucky?

[jpb1977]

Maybe someone could make the altered setup.inx available for download? I would, but I'm not at home.

jpb

[jpb1977]

Quick addendum....

PowerDirector 2.0 Standard WILL handle DV Batch Capturing. The functionality that is lost (from the Pro version) deals with authoring, menus and disc burning.

jpb