ATi TV Wonder PCI vs Hauppage 250 PVR ?

[kenmo]

I presently own a ATi TV Wonder card for 3 years and I've had no real problems with it. I mostly use VirtualVCR to capture to 704x480 AVI and then enode via Tmpgenc to a DVD compliant Mpeg2. The audio/video always stays in perfect synch.

The Hauppage 250 PVR is now on sale for $149.00 (Canadian $$$) and I was wonder if this would be a good upgrade. BeyondTV recommends the Hauppage 250 PVR over the ATi as it does hardware mpeg encoding.

Would the DVD complaint Mpegs captured with this card be better then the ATi TV wonder ->AVI->TmpgEnc->DVD Mpeg route.?

Does the Hauppage 250 PVR support AVI capturing ?

TIA

Kenmo

[yoda313]

Hello,

Does the Hauppage 250 PVR support AVI capturing ?

NO.

Other than it is a very good capture card. Though I don't cap off of tv directly (I don't have a good enough anntena near the pc). But it's EXCELLENT for video tape captures off of vcrs/camcorders.

Kevin

EDIT - My opinion - Going straight to MPEG instead of encoding AVI is not only easier but probably better since you encode straight to MPEG the FIRST TIME.

[EAO]

I too was just using VirtualVCR along with the WINFAST 2000XP to cap in avi...transcode,etc.

Get the Hauppauge. I would be very surprised if you regret the decision.

I'm using the 150 - but I've read where it uses the same chipset as the 250 for mpeg2 captures. The quality is very good...after updating my Video Card (not Hauppauge) drivers.

I've just capped 4 shows while I've been working. Three movies and 2 hours of Star Trek

When I get home I can burn all of it to DVD and be capping again on the same PC within the hour - in fact I could cap while I burn the DVD's if I wanted too.

At least try the Hauppauge, and if you don't like it you can always return it and go back.

Couple things. I don't know if your ATI has a realtime delay from TV broadcast to PC input - but WINPVR does. And the TV scheduler has about a 12 - 14 second delay before kicking on. (But it's been incredibly reliable compared to the schedulers for Virtual VCR)

[kenmo]

How does the mpeg capturing compare on the two ? I know the ATi does it via the cpu. But what about quality ?

[spiderman2k1]

I have a ATI AIW and a Dazzle 2. I find the Dazzle 2 to have better MPEG 2 its hardware. ATI AIW is software its good but Dazzle 2 is better. But I have stopped using capture cards after getting my Panasonic E80 DVD recorder. Its so easy edit on the deck and burn. saves tones of time if I had to use the PC.

[lordsmurf]

ATI TV Wonder uses cheapo chips.
ATI All In Wonder cards use good Theatre chips.
Big difference.

ATI AIW, Hauppauge .. both great MPEG quality.

[jdizzy40]

My 2 cents. I have been running Beyond TV and its previous version for 2 years. Three of my systems have the PVR 250 and 3 have ATI All In Wonder Pros. The PVR takes the load off the CPU. The PVR 250 allows me to watch and record at the same time. I still enjoy GuidePlus that comes with the ATI card and use the AIW cards for VCD capture as well as Security/Motion sensing duties for my home security cameras. Beyond TV is an amazing little program. I capture straight to DVD, and then De-mutilplex with TMPGEnc and Author with IFOEdit. Then pull the resulting file into DVD Shrink, chop/edit out commercials and burn to DVD. Never have had a audio/video sync issue. Simple, quick and very repeatable. I would highly recomend the PVR 250 and if planning to use it with Beyond TV, follow the driver install instructions. As far as difference in quality, I cannot tell any with my 43 year old eyes. Both are excellent products.

[SCDVD]

Does the Hauppauge DVR 150 balk when reading Macrovision protected VCR tapes? I am considering buying one but I want to be sure that I can backup my collection of VCR tapes.

[xxiangg]

http://www.softwareandstuff.com/CRD10186.html

I have used WinTV GO card with virtualdup, Wtv2000 + scheduler
(free for download), and PicVideo (very inexpensive codec and with
a free trail version) to capture to AVI. It worked very well.

[EAO]

I don't know if the 150 can copy macrovision tapes. I believe I read somewhere that it can't...but I wouldn't swear to it.

Not sure about the other question. I could never get a high quality MPEG2 capture from my WINFAST card. It uses software and was pretty fuzzy at the highest settings...when it worked. It was very buggy. the 150 is mpreg2 hardware and works well.

[yoda313]

Hello,

The Hauppauge 250 circumvents macrovision.

Kevin

[FulciLives]

Here is a website with great information on the Hauppauge WinTV PVR line of products:

http://www.shspvr.com/

I have never used these capture cards myself (though I have researched them a lot) but I've seen still image captures and even short video samples (most made with the WinTV PVR-250 model) and the quality does indeed seem to be most excellent.

I have heard that they don't do so well with "poor" quality video like VHS tapes ... in other words it seems that a TBC is essential when the source is not "perfect" i.e., from a videotape.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[EAO]

I'm checking things out at that site now.

I just read that Virtual VCR will recognize the 150, and will allow you to capture in... whatever avi, mjpeg,...

No one responded to the post so I'm not sure how accurate the info is and what the quality is like or what the value of capping this way would be, but it's an option I guess.

[yoda313]

Hello,

I have heard that they don't do so well with "poor" quality video like VHS tapes ... in other words it seems that a TBC is essential when the source is not "perfect" i.e., from a videotape.

Nope never had a problem with it. In fact I only use my 250 to capture tapes. I don't have a good antenna to go straight off tv (no cable either). Though I've had one or two really bad tapes that wouldn't dub well but if they are decent at all it will dub well.

I just read that Virtual VCR will recognize the 150, and will allow you to capture in... whatever avi, mjpeg,...

No one responded to the post so I'm not sure how accurate the info is and what the quality is like or what the value of capping this way would be, but it's an option I guess.

If it's the same chipset as the 250 and 350 than it is 99.99% MPEG only. As those two cards are MPEG only.

Kevin

[kenmo]

Can the Hauppauge 250 be used with other capturing apps like VirtualVCR or VirtualDub as I'm a very big fan of both of these apps and I can't imagine my passion for this hobby without either.

[yoda313]

Can the Hauppauge 250 be used with other capturing apps like VirtualVCR or VirtualDub as I'm a very big fan of both of these apps and I can't imagine my passion for this hobby without either.

Hello,

I haven't tried. Some of the earlier versions didn't seem too. Like the early versions of Ulead dvd movie factory. But apparently the newer versions are more compatible.

http://www.shspvr.com/

Check out that website and it may give more details about compatible capture software

Kevin

[FulciLives]

I'm checking things out at that site now.

I just read that Virtual VCR will recognize the 150, and will allow you to capture in... whatever avi, mjpeg,...

No one responded to the post so I'm not sure how accurate the info is and what the quality is like or what the value of capping this way would be, but it's an option I guess.

You have to realize that the 150 model (like all of the Hauppauge WinTV PVR units) is a MPEG hardware encoder.

So if you capture to AVI you are still getting a HARDWARE MPEG capture (via the card) then a conversion to AVI on your end. I don't see the point in doing that.

If you want the best quality possible for editing and later re-encoding I know that the 250/350 models (as well as the USB2 external model) support MPEG-2 up to 15,000kbps which is what you should use if you intend to then later re-encode with a software MPEG-2 encoder.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[kenmo]

Is there really that much of an improvement over capturing with the PVR 250 over the ATi TV Wonder ?

Has anyone used the PVR 250 with VirturalDub or VirtualVCR ?

Thanks

[tipstir]

Key here is Hardware MPEG 1/2 Encoder doesn't use your CPU.
Word is that Software MPEG 1/2 Encoder does use your CPU.

Hauppauge!

PVR-150 (Hardware Encoder/Software Decoder), Stereo dbx
PVR-250 (Hardware Encoder/Software Decoder), Stereo dbx
PVR-350 (both Hardware Encoder/Decoder) + FM Radio Tuner, Stereo dbx
PVR-USB2 (Hardware Encoder/Software Decoder) + FM Radio Tuner, Stereo dbx

Pinnacle PCTV Pro (Software/Encoder/Software Decoder), Stereo dbx

If I had a choice between ATI All-In-Wonder PRO, VE, LE I would past.
Pinnacle PCTV Pro is okay, but once you get your hands on PVR 150, 250 and even 350 you'll wonder way you would consider buying ATI or Pinnacle.

Key Sharp, Clear, Images, no ghost, no fuzzy grainy images with MPEG Hardware Encoder.

[lordsmurf]

Is there really that much of an improvement over capturing with the PVR 250 over the ATi TV Wonder ?

Has anyone used the PVR 250 with VirturalDub or VirtualVCR ?

Thanks

PVR250 is better than TV Wonder, yes. But only does MPEG, no AVI.
ATI AIW card is better than TV Wonder, does both AVI and MPEG.

[daniel9801]

Hi people. I am getting a 250/350 PVR soon. I hear it has a lag because of the hardware Encoder.

Viewing/Capturing computer games out of the picture then? (via S-Vid input)

Are the any out there that you can play comp games with?

Cheers

[kenmo]

Is there any lip synch problems with the PVR 250 ?

I used to have terrible lip synch problems with my ATi TV Wonder until I switched about 2-3 years ago to VirtualVCR. Now I have no more synch problems.

[Brent212]

@daniel9801:

Actually I think there is a way to bypass the lag, although I've never tried it. Here's a link: http://www.cask-of-amontillado.com/pvr_reg.html#_Enable_Live_Preview

If it doesn't work, then no, I wouldn't recommend using it to view/cap video games.

[EAO]

I thought I had read somewhere that enabling live preview may cause the image to stutter?

If this is so, do you know if this tweak is reversible?

[daniel9801]

From what I have just read this is interesting. It is a simple registry change, so yes it is as easy as reversing what u did in the registry I would assume

[EAO]

Tried it.

It's very close to in synch. If I leave my PC speakers on there is a slight tolerable echo effect - however if I turn my PC speakers off the TV audio (In the room) matches well.

However the Hauppauge image now shows the interlacing bands when there is movement.

[daniel9801]

yes i was afraid that would happen. I was just reading, the encoder uses a deinterlace on the output...and as u are bypassing.....

there maybe another way however, another tweak to fix it (or maybe a program that runs a software deinterlace).. Keep me posted.

EDIT: also been thinking.

Since it is now possible to bypass the decoder, possibility of output being avi? I doubt it....also does your capture work ok, even though this tweak is enabled (yeah i know....this is prob just for previewing not bypassing recorder)

[EAO]

On further investigation...

Records fine.
Image while recording = no bands and audio delayed
Playback = no bands
Live watching = bands

I turned it off for now.

[tipstir]

Don't forget to do the Sharpeness trick. I've tried most the tricks they've helped a lot in both recording and LIVE TV.

As for recording AVI, why bother, MPEG2 is the best way to go yeah you can save space, but HDD are cheaper now!

PVR 150 output is the same as PVR 250 just the cost is different. OEM versions are cheaper PVR 150/250MCE, gives you FM Radio Yellow, White Red video stereo L/R inputs, but no remote, cables and software/drivers.

[daniel9801]

If anyone knows a way around getting those interlace bands using live prewiew, let me know