My new WinTV-HVR-1600 only shows B&W video

[gigantibyte]

I know my S-Video output and cable are working, as I used it without problems with my DVR. I've installed all the latest drivers and software from Hauppauge, but my s-video source shows up in black & white. (All the color settings are at default.)

Can anyone help? Is my new card possibly defective? I really hope I missed something...

[guns1inger]

Is it set to output PAL, by chance ?

[gigantibyte]

No, its set at the default NTSC_M mode. I even tried some of the other NTSC modes (like Japan), but with no luck.

Lemon?

[jman98]

You might do a search for a Hauppauge forum and ask there. I remember only that the HVR-1600 isn't problem free. I have a very vague recollection (I wouldn't bet on it being totally correct) that someone said the card was OK for high def but had various issues with standard def, which would be what you are using with S-video. I have a PVR-350 and I love it, but all Hauppague cards aren't great and some don't work very well at all for some people. The PVR-150 is another example of a troublesome card that either works great or doesn't work at all.

[SmokieStover]

Using WinTV2K with a PVR 250 and an S-Video feed, I get a black and white picture if I switch from S-Video (my channel 210) to C2 (Composite 2), using the source selector button.

The HVR 1600 uses a different WinTV application. I bet you will find two S-Video sources when you enter Suite Manager to add or delete channels. Go back in and delete the S-Video channel you created the first time, then re-create it using the other S-Video source.

If that doesn't work go here: http://www.shspvr.com/

[gigantibyte]

When I got the card, I skipped installing the CD, and used the latest software available at Hauppauge's website. The software package installed WinTV v6.0.25156, and WinTV2K v5.2.25122.

I tried deleting all the devices, then re-added S-Video with no luck.





I'll try that forum you pointed out. Thanks

[SmokieStover]

Your version looks nothing like mine.

Looking at your last screen shot, you have selected the S-Video source, I would have first tried S-Video 1, then would click on "Channel" and look for an "Add" button and follow it from there, making sure any S-Video box appearing later is checked. I would eventualy expect to see a default channel number of 200 created, which could be edited and then a chance to name the newly created channel.

If it's anything like the PVR 250, you add "Channels" (not Sources), after first selecting the source (Tuner, Composite 1, etc.). You don't add or delete sources independently.

You can switch from source to source using a red button on the live TV GUI of the old WinTV2K, even if no new channels have been created, but without a channel number, recordings from external inputs can not be scheduled.

[gigantibyte]

I beginning to miss my old ATI ALL-In-Wonder card....

This WinTV software is nuts. Anyhow. I went back to 'Sources' and deleted the source I had, and created a new one. This time I selected the second S-Video device.


I gave it a name and description.


Clicked the save button.


Did nothing on 'Devices' page.


Not much to do on 'Channels' either.


Now I get no picture at all. Pressing the red button does nothing.

[SmokieStover]

How about Composite under the source tab, when you switch to the device tab, can you arrow down in the small source box to "S-Video".

Hauppauge software is counter-intuitive in parts.

[gigantibyte]

An Update:

I've been working with SHS to try and solve my problem:
http://www.shspvr.com/smf/index.php?topic=11278.0

I followed SHS's suggestion and went through an extensive process to completely remove the software and drivers I had installed, and installed v4 of the WinTV CD that is posted on their FTP site. No luck.

A suggestion was made to try different cables, which I did. No luck.

I plugged the same source back into my DVR. Color! ...Drat.

How about Composite under the source tab, when you switch to the device tab, can you arrow down in the small source box to "S-Video".

If you have time, could you explain exactly what you want me to try? The software I installed looks exactly the same, only now the sources page looks like this:



I deleted the two existing S-Video sources. The one you see is the one I created, which I connected to the first S-Video source (not S-Video1). [[Holy crap. WTF is that about? Friggin stupid software.]]

What do I do now? Do you want me to delete the S-Video source I made start over. A step-by-step (as far as possible) would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

[SmokieStover]

I am only guessing what to try next. The Best thing would be for SHS to walk you through the process of using your S-Video input.....from beginning to end.

On your last screen shot, what happens if you type in a number (say 210) in the "Name Box", then type in S-Video in the "Description Box", then hit "Save"? Will channel 210 then tune to your S-Video Input?

My previous suggestion was to keep your S-Video input connected, and try to use the composite source, looking out along the way for a small box were you can change the source from Composite to S-Video.

Your card probably has a pin-out or header for use with other composite and S-Video connections or inputs. Thats probably what the C1 or S-Video1 is about.

[gigantibyte]

My previous suggestion was to keep your S-Video input connected, and try to use the composite source, looking out along the way for a small box were you can change the source from Composite to S-Video.

Your card probably has a pin-out or header for use with other composite and S-Video connections or inputs. Thats probably what the C1 or S-Video1 is about.

I'm away from my home computer for the next few hours, so I'll try the first part of what you asked me to try later tonight.

My old ATI All-In-Wonder Pro came with one of those pin-out cable you spoke about, but this model (WinTV-HVR-1600) only has an adapter to fit a composite video cable into the board's S-Video input. It is impossible (from what I can see) to connect both at the same time.

[SmokieStover]

My previous or first suggestion involves using the composite source "within the software", while using the S-Video input on the card, and then proceeding with whatever steps you used before, but looking out for the oppurtunity in the software to switch from composite to s-video.

The pin-out or header I spoke of is a white rectangular connection on the side of the card....not visible when the card is installed.

Again, my WinTV2k software for the PVR-250 is so much different than yours. It requires that I create a new channel for each external input on the back of the card. It has Composite and S-Video. I can't create or delete sources...just channels which correspond to them.


Gee, I thought EdDV had one of these!

[gigantibyte]

My previous or first suggestion involves using the composite source "within the software", while using the S-Video input on the card, and then proceeding with whatever steps you used before, but looking out for the oppurtunity in the software to switch from composite to s-video.

Where's the "scratching head" emoticon? I'm still not sure how do what you are asking. Maybe when I have the software in front of me I'll have an easier time...

[gigantibyte]

On your last screen shot, what happens if you type in a number (say 210) in the "Name Box", then type in S-Video in the "Description Box", then hit "Save"? Will channel 210 then tune to your S-Video Input?

I get a channel 2 that is called "210". I can switch to it, but its the same as channel 1.

My previous or first suggestion involves using the composite source "within the software", while using the S-Video input on the card, and then proceeding with whatever steps you used before, but looking out for the oppurtunity in the software to switch from composite to s-video.

I made 2 more channels, for composite and composite1. Composite shows the same as the S-video channel, composite1 shows nothing. Switching between them does not enable color. I also found no way on the Devices page to connect composite to S-Video or vise-versa.

Over at SHS, they got me to try composite video with the adapter. That does work in color. Not sure what that means, other than composite is working. Hooked up like this, if I switch to the Svideo channel, I see video, but it is in black & white.

[SmokieStover]

I would say you have a defective card.....a pin in the S-Video input is not connected.

If you get another one, I would first try what comes with the Installation Disk....it should also have a help file.

Regarding my PVR 250, like you, I didn't use the installation disk. Went out and downloaded the latest apps and drivers from Hauppauge's web site.....that was a mistake......they were older than what came with the card and I wasn't happy with the results. Later tried the then latest Lite CD version from SHS and that caused odd problems. So I'm back to what came with the card and Registry edits to correct the audio and improve the video.

Overall, I am happy with the PVR 250 using analog cable. Absolutely reliable, easy to use EPG (Titan TV) and also does an acceptable job converting MV corrupted VHS tapes via composite and S-Video inputs.

[gigantibyte]

Can I get the PVR 250 or other to control my sat box, i.e. change channels? (If not, I've got a Sony usb remote commander, the RM-AX4000, with learning and timer functions, that I might be able to use to control everything. I just have to get around to learning how to program the sucker. Talk about software that is not intuitive...)

[SmokieStover]

The PVR 250 does not have an IR blaster. The PVR 150 and HVR 1600 do.

There are third party apps that use other third party USB IR blasters, but these are more for the heavy record and watch (PVR) crowd. There is a free one...GB-PVR and I believe they have a forum.

Try that HVR 1600 using the composite imput and see if you can get the IR blaster to work with your set-top box. Burn some recordings to DVD, and if your happy with the results, do an RMA and get a functional S-Video Input. It will probably work better than composite.

I am curious if you can create a custom bit-rate for recording analog with the HVR 1600. Comes in darn handy with the PVR 250 when I know I need a few more minutes that the standard profiles allow to fit on one disk. Figuring out how to do it, even when told, was a counter-intuitive experience for me.

[gigantibyte]

My replacement card came in today, and I'm happy to report that S-Video now works in color.

I am curious if you can create a custom bit-rate for recording analog with the HVR 1600. Comes in darn handy with the PVR 250 when I know I need a few more minutes that the standard profiles allow to fit on one disk. Figuring out how to do it, even when told, was a counter-intuitive experience for me.

It's fairly simple with the 1600's included software. Menu > Configure > MPEG Settings. There you can select one of the quality settings, or click the 'Advanced' button to make adjustments as seen below:

[SmokieStover]

My replacement card came in today, and I'm happy to report that S-Video now works in color.

I am curious if you can create a custom bit-rate for recording analog with the HVR 1600. Comes in darn handy with the PVR 250 when I know I need a few more minutes that the standard profiles allow to fit on one disk. Figuring out how to do it, even when told, was a counter-intuitive experience for me.

It's fairly simple with the 1600's included software. Menu > Configure > MPEG Settings. There you can select one of the quality settings, or click the 'Advanced' button to make adjustments as seen below:

Glad to hear a replacement card fixed your color issue.

But what the hell are those "OK" Buttons for on the Video and Audio Tabs?
To save the new configurations made on the Video and Audio Tabs, I must go to the Configurations Tab........click inside the lower box (opposite "Save New Configuration", which is greyed-out)......type the new or old name........then hit the "Save New Configuration" Button, which is no longer greyed-out. Who would even think of such a convoluted work flow?

Let us know how the card works out. How about VHS?

[gigantibyte]

But what the hell are those "OK" Buttons for on the Video and Audio Tabs?

Once you configure the settings, you click OK to apply them. (The Apply button is redundant, but not uncommon.) It seems to be standard in the programs I use, like Firefox, VirtualDub, Windows...

Let us know how the card works out. How about VHS?

It works great so far. I have it set to the max 12 mb/s CBR and it hasn't missed a beat yet. At that level it eats about 6 GB per hour. The longest recording I've tried is 6 hours (a 36 GB file) with no audio sync problems. Image quality is as good or better than what I got with my Toshiba DVR. The files generated are also perfect MPEG-2 files that don't need to be "stream fixed" before I edit them with VideoRedo; unlike my DVR's vob files.

I can't seem to get "Pause" mode to work properly though. It pauses fine, but when I unpause it jumps ahead to live TV. Also, I can't get it to record with AC3 encoding. The option is grayed out. I haven't tried any VHS captures as I currently don't own a VCR that works.

[SHS]

Pause mode is only used like let say you need run to bath room, Yes Pause mode automatic jumps ahead to live TV when exit Pause mode it not same if was Rec then Pause.
AC3 encoding is not supported
Take note that DVD do not 12mb peak data rate you must keep under 9.8 if plan burn them to DVD disc for an Standalone DVD Player but I haven't tested HD-DVD or Bluray Player they may be able decoder high data rate unlike reg DVD player which are limet to max 9.8

[SmokieStover]

Hit the pause button, the control panel will drop and show a message about initializing the buffer and then start displaying the time behind live TV. That's when you can hit the play arrow in the control panel. To continue pause, hit the pause button in the control panel.

[gigantibyte]

Hit the pause button, the control panel will drop and show a message about initializing the buffer and then start displaying the time behind live TV. That's when you can hit the play arrow in the control panel. To continue pause, hit the pause button in the control panel.

doh! That's more like it. Thanks.

[JimBarbasol]

The WinTV software isn't that great, and the Hauppauge audio and video decoders render store-bought DVDs useless in Windows Media Player. Switch to GB-PVR.