canopus advc 50 or hauppaugue wintv pvr250?

[txpharoah]

So it's VBR over 2-3 sec chunks rather than over the whole duration of the capture - is there any real difference between than and CBR?

The file size may be smaller.

The ATI AIW Radeon cards can capture in VBR on a fast machine (like mine). Quality-wise, I do notice a slight improvement sometimes, but not unless the VBR bitrate is low.

And the system can only handle small lengths between target and max. Setting a target of 4.0 with a max of 8.0 is asking for dropped frames or other errors. A max of 5.0 would be more appropriate, at least from my findings. On this subject, that's about all I have to go from. I've not had the time to tear into ATI video theory and EXACTLY how their MMC functions, though I do know enough to get by and answers questions.

[rhegedus]

Ahhhhh. It's a bit clearer now.

[Ego_Shredder]

Is there anywhere that I can download some sample clips containing high motion scenes throughout, that have been captured with the WinTV 250/350 PVR card? Or is anyone willing to make some available for download that they have done themselves?!

I think this will then make my mind up either way and I am hoping I won't be forced into buying the £400 Canopus card which I can't really afford at the moment, although I have read that even this new card has a some shortcomings like only recording audio at 44.1kHz which isn't DVD compliant.

Is the ProVideo PV-256CDV card the same chipset etc as the WinTV 250 PVR? It's just that I noticed the link to SageTV on SHS's site and that had a link to the ProVideo site where I noticed this other card with similar features.

Hmmmm......sigh......the choices are never completely clear are they!


Ego

[SHS]

ProVideo PV-256CDV as a Cirrus Logic CS92210
The only ProVideo card that work with SageTV is PV-256C Pro which a CX23415 based chip just like the some WinTV-PVR 250 or all 350 some of newer 250 now come with CX23416 chip.
If don't mind NTSC clip I post a NASCAR or Formal One this has by the fastest action a round I Moto Bike but there thing playing.

[thayne]

I definitly recommend using SageRecorder instead of the oem app. Very nice and uses no CPU! I have been playing with the trial ver for the last couple of hours and am ready to buy! It's only $20

[SHS]

Ego_Shredder do you want clip yes or no I try rec one just for you

[Ego_Shredder]

Ego_Shredder do you want clip yes or no I try rec one just for you

Yes please, preferably one with constant high motion scenes throughout, i.e. a sports football clip etc. Do a DVD MPEG-2 quality clip 704 x 576 at 8000 VBR and audio to anything you want. An additional standard SVCD VBR clip for comparison would be fantastic too, but if you are too busy the DVD one above will suffice.

Thank for very much it is REALLY appreciated!

Ego

[Ego_Shredder]

SHS

I just want to ask you a few questions:

(1) Is there a particular chipset version/revision I should avoid with this card?

(2) Do all the drivers and tweaks for the 250 model work with the 350 model?

(3) Have Hauppauge released a new firmware that makes the captured files SVCD and/or DVD compliant. If so...which firmware should I look for?

(4) Apart from SageTV and the Ulead software, what other programs can be used to capture with and which ones do multiple segment files (4GB limit etc)?

(5) Can you have an overlay window running to see what you are capturing at high resolutions or can you only use preview like with VFW drivers?

(6) What is the card like with poor quality VHS tapes that normally cause huge frame losses for every second of capture with my usual WinTV FM PCI?


Thanks,

Ego

[SHS]

Sorry I can cap PAL nor can I cap 704 but I can cap 720x480 ok will do I let know when.
1: None far I know of.
2: Yes and the new WinTV-PVR2 USB as well and some older tweaks from first PVR they to also work.
3: Yes drv was released a few ver back, Firmware build in the drivers it self.
4: Well under Tools you fine list 3rdpary that do work as for Ulead software that not ready i fact I wait on new of Ulead DVD MovieFactory, There no segment files unless your runing Win9x OS or if you tell it do span files but only Womble MPEG2VCR can read them span files.
5: Yes.
6: So far it been petty good with me cap VHS, VHS-C and Hi8, but if tape are that bad you my need get TBC.

[Amontillado]

Ego_Shredder,

If you want I can make you a couple of PAL files.
I allready have some available from my website (see Sig) but those are made with the very first driverset, and quality has improved considerable.
I'll see if I can find a soccer game to record (not a lot of soccer on tv now)

About the spanning of files, You can span files with wintv2k, wich I have been able to play back in all mpeg players. Don't know if burning those will cause a problem, since according to SHS most editors seem to have problems reading them (havent tried that myself).

I personally have been able to capture most of my bad tapes without frameloss or sync problems. I did have 2 really old tapes wich where recorded in LP that did give a lot of problems but I kinda expected that.

[Ego_Shredder]

Thanks for the great replies as usual guys.

Actually although I live in a PAL country (UK), I don't mind whether the clips are in PAL or NTSC format because I can use either. Also the reason I mentioned sport is because this is a huge test of motion quality in my experience.

I asked about multiple segment capture because capturing at high bitrates of say 8000, will probably require more than one file when recording films etc.

I asked about chipsets because some people keep going on about two types........a 15 and a 16 or something and some people have said 'oh I should have got the older one' etc. Anyway going by the comments of SHS, he implies there are no real differences.

As for needing TBC for VHS tapes in poor condition, I guess this is another item I need for my video toolbox now! This was one of the attractive features of the new Canopus MPEG Pro MVR but I am looking more seriously at the WinTV-PVR 250 right now, because I suspect the capture quality is very similiar and a LOT cheaper!!!

Thanks for the help so far guys

Ego

[SHS]

I done well over 10GB recodering one file with no multiple segment under Win2000 and edit it and split it up for DVD disk the movie was 6 Hours long.
Oh I see, The 15 is encoder and decoder in one chip where the 16 encoder only and low power device.

[Ego_Shredder]

Oh I see, The 15 is encoder and decoder in one chip where the 16 encoder only and low power device.

Is this important and something to be wary of, or simply nothing to be concerned about?


Ego

[SHS]

Not really something worry about.
Here you go Ego_Shredder
http://www.shspvr.com/movie_other/nascar_truck_racing.mpg

[Ego_Shredder]

SHS

Just downloaded and watched the Nascar clip on my PC and the motion quality is plenty good enough for me. I notice you used a 6000 VBR setting and it looked good and it made me wonder what the 12000 setting looks like (don't worry I'm not asking for another clip ). Is this setting there for the DVD purists among us or is it genuinely useful? I just wondered if this would be good for me and my old VHS archiving.

Anyway thanks for the clip.


Ego

[thayne]

I've never used 12000, but it might be good to capture at that rate, then re-encode it down to a size that will actually fit on a DVD with a good software encoder. While the hardware encoder is pretty good, it cant match a good software multi pass encoder.

[Ego_Shredder]

I've never done a multi-pass encoding for obvious reasons.........my life isn't long enough!

Well it looks as though you guys have dragged me away from the Canopus card and saved me a huge chunk of money in the process, so it's another Hauppauge card to add to the WinTV FM PCI that I have now. All that remains is for me to try out a few capture programs and settle upon the one I find most comfortable to use. My favourite capture programs that I use with my current card are AVI_IO and WinVCR v2.0 and anything like those would be great. I need to go see how much a TBC unit is gonna cost now for my old VHS tapes.


Ego

[SHS]

Ego_Shredder that was custom 2hour NoN editing Template that I made I just forgot drop down 4MB setting that all.
I most CVD and my 2hour temptale
As for 12MBits/sec I find kind of point to use it but as thayne said you have re-encode it down to a size that will actually fit on a DVD being DVD MAX 9800 any way

[Ego_Shredder]

Sorry for resurrecting this old topic but I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who helped me in this thread. I have just bought the new Hauppauge WinTV PVR-150MCE for £51 ($94 USA) and I believe it has the CX23416 chip. I'm so glad I waited because the old PVR-250 card costs double and the 350 model nearly triple! I'm very happy with the results from the card so far and I haven't gone beyond using the WinTV software yet. I was going to buy a standalone DVD recorder too, but I may just assemble another PC and fit a WinTV PVR-150 (with remote) and use SageTV v2.01 or GB-PVR etc. All I need now is a good low cost TBC machine and my setup will be complete.

Ego