Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 1850 Questions

[NMeade]

Hi.

I made a thread asking for advice on a better capture card than the one I own now a while ago, and since then I've done some research on my part, and I've become interested in the Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 1850. You can see it here :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116015

I had a few questions about it, I want to be confident when making my purchase.

First off, it basically looks like something you put in your computer. I will state now that I have no intentions at all about watching TV on my computer, the sole purpose for me buying this is to record my gameplay on the Wii.

My first question leading that would be : Are there any cables I would need to buy apart from the actual card ? If so, which kind of cables would I need ? (If I need them, I would assume splitters* (?) or something to put in the video and audio slots in my TV to the card itself).

My other question is if this indeed goes into the PC tower (I am pretty sure it does) , which slot does it go into ?

Here are my computer specs if you feel you would need them :

Microsoft Windows XP
Home Edition
Version 2002
Service Pack 2

Intel(R) Celeron(R)
CPU 2.26GHz, 3.40 GHZ
1.50 GB of RAM

Thanks in advance.

* - Yeah, I don't exactly know a lot of the terms of different things when it comes to this sort of things, sorry if I got that wrong :\

[edDV]

The HVR-1850 uses a PCIe slot. It doesn't record HD video from baseband, only SD.

There are better choices if you don't want to use it as a tuner. First define the problem. Is the Wii putting out SD or HD video?

If SD, all you need is this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116021 and cables. There are several cabling options.

HD recording gets more complicated.

[NMeade]

The HVR-1850 uses a PCIe slot. It doesn't record HD video from baseband, only SD.

There are better choices if you don't want to use it as a tuner. First define the problem. Is the Wii putting out SD or HD video?

If SD, all you need is this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116021 and cables. There are several cabling options.

HD recording gets more complicated.

I didn't exactly find if it puts out "SD" or "HD" video, here is what I found :

Output ports
AV Multi-output port, allowing Composite, S-Video and Component.

Source: http://www.wiisworld.com/wii-specs.html

I'm pretty sure it doesn't put out any HD signal, I think only the XBox360 and PS3 do that, so I guess it puts out "SD" video (I don't know what that is :\)

[jagabo]

Wii is SD only. The HVR-1850 would go into any free PCIe 1x slot. Make sure you have one.

[edDV]

For cabling ideal would be

Wii -> video/audio distribution amp -> computer and TV.

Good enough for most consumers, this cheap cheat uses Y splitters as shown here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ono0-51UmPg

[jagabo]

If the Wii has both s-video and composite outputs, and sends the signal to both at the same time, run one to the HVR, the other to a TV. The picture on the HVR will be delayed by a second or so, so you'll want a "live" feed to a TV for playing.

[NMeade]

If the Wii has both s-video and composite outputs, and sends the signal to both at the same time, run one to the HVR, the other to a TV. The picture on the HVR will be delayed by a second or so, so you'll want a "live" feed to a TV for playing.

Wait a second, you are getting me confused. Here is how my set up is with my capture card I have now :



I have the capture card component (usb) connected to my computer under my bed by a usb extendor, and on the other end, I have the audio and video cables that connect to the capture card connected to the TV, while the normal Wii cables stick into the TV as well. I don't see why I need this extra "live" feed if I get this capture card for..

[jagabo]

So you're using the TV's "monitor out" to get the signal to the capture card? Then you won't need any additional cables.

If you already have a USB capture device why do you need a new capture card?

[edDV]

If the Wii has both s-video and composite outputs, and sends the signal to both at the same time, run one to the HVR, the other to a TV. The picture on the HVR will be delayed by a second or so, so you'll want a "live" feed to a TV for playing.

Wait a second, you are getting me confused. Here is how my set up is with my capture card I have now :

xx

I have the capture card component (usb) connected to my computer under my bed by a usb extendor, and on the other end, I have the audio and video cables that connect to the capture card connected to the TV, while the normal Wii cables stick into the TV as well. I don't see why I need this extra "live" feed if I get this capture card for..

So your TV has video outputs that you feed to the capture card? Is that right? Most TV sets don't have outputs.

[SHS]

Your TV has video outputs there a frist I have never scean one with one

[NMeade]

Yeah. It has input and output set of slots. (Input = Wii, Output = Capture Card).

I want a new capture card for better quality than this one and because this capture card is just about done (it's been extensively used for 1+ years and its started to crap out now).

[edDV]

Yeah. It has input and output set of slots. (Input = Wii, Output = Capture Card).

I want a new capture card for better quality than this one and because this capture card is just about done (it's been extensively used for 1+ years and its started to crap out now).

Then you are set. What is the model number of this TV?

The only TV sets I have (HD Ready) with video out connect only to the NTSC tuner. They don't show base band video inputs.

Second thought, maybe NMeade is using coax RF input (Ch3/4). If so there would be a video output. This isn't a scenario for video quality.

[NMeade]

Yeah. It has input and output set of slots. (Input = Wii, Output = Capture Card).

I want a new capture card for better quality than this one and because this capture card is just about done (it's been extensively used for 1+ years and its started to crap out now).

Then you are set. What is the model number of this TV?

The only TV sets I have (HD Ready) with video out connect only to the NTSC tuner. They don't show base band video inputs.

Second thought, maybe NMeade is using coax RF input (Ch3/4). If so there would be a video output. This isn't a scenario for video quality.

Where can I find the model number ? Also, it is a TV made by Memorex, 22", but I don't know the exact model ..

[edDV]

Usually a label on the back.

How are you connecting the Wii to the TV?

[NMeade]

Usually a label on the back.

How are you connecting the Wii to the TV?

Here :



Red = Wii Cables
Blue = Capture Card Cables

Basically, the top row of slots are for the output (Capture Card), lower row of slots is for input (Wii Cables).

I looked all around the TV ... and I didn't see any name of the TV .. only thing I managed to find was the serial number.

[edDV]

Hard to see. So are you saying...

Wii to TV input
------------------
Yellow
Red
White

TV output to capture device
-----------------------------------
Yellow
Red
White

If so then you would connect a different capture device the same way, or as Jagabo suggests, connect an S-Video cable from the Wii directly to the capture device instead of the Yellow composite from the TV. That would improve capture video quality.

Your TV is fortunately unusual. Most don't have video outputs.

[NMeade]

Hard to see. So are you saying...

Wii to TV input
------------------
Yellow
Red
White

TV output to capture device
-----------------------------------
Yellow
Red
White

If so then you would connect a different capture device the same way, or as Jagabo suggests, connect an S-Video cable from the Wii directly to the capture device instead of the Yellow composite from the TV. That would improve capture video quality.

Your TV is fortunately unusual. Most don't have video outputs.

Yeah, that is exactly what I am saying

Now you sort of have me lost again though. There are no S-Video slots in the Wii ...



Green = Wii Sensor Bar Slot
Red = Input Cable
Blue = Power Supply Cable/Plug

Either way, let's see if this comes back to make my original intent of this thread more clear. I guess the Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 1850 isn't suitable for the way my TV is ? I saw the other Hauppauge thing you showed me, if that is more worthwhile, I am wondering if there are any upgraded models of that one for better capture quality.

Btw, the slots at the top are just usb ports.

[SHS]

What you have is old CRT Memorex 20" model MT2025D

[edDV]

The SD Hauppauge cards are all about the same quality. Nothing new is coming for SD.

The HVR (HD) cards don't capture SD in any better quality vs. the older PVR (SD) cards.

[SHS]

NMeade you have to buy the cable from a place like Wal-Mart or some game store that sell Wii A/V "S-Video" Cable it plug in to some place as Wii A/V "Composite" Cable.
By the your TV only has Composite Out from what I read on Memorex 20" model MT2025D spec

[edDV]

As for cables it seems you have the standard Yellow, Red, White.

[img]http://www.mrgadget.com.au/uploaded_images/Nintendo_Wii_AV_Component_Cable-700599.jpg[\img]


It is possible to buy cable with other outputs including component and S-Video. Don't bother with that TV.


[img]http://www.firstsing.com/Products/Video%20Games%20Accessory/Wii/Wii%20Cables%20&%20Adapters/FS19049/FS19049%20Nintendo%20Wii%20Component%20S-Video%20AV%20Cable%201.8M-A2.jpg[\img]

[SHS]

The SD Hauppauge cards are all about the same quality. Nothing new is coming for SD.

The HVR (HD) cards don't capture SD in any better quality vs. the older PVR (SD) cards.

That is ture after all they all use the pettey much the same chipset codec other then 2250 which has diff chipset.
The only way to get the best PQ is with HD-PVR and go to component but the problem is your TV dosen't support component input.

[jagabo]

Here are some links to Wii s-video cables:

http://www.overstock.com/Books-Movies-Music-Games/Wii-HD-Pro-S-Video-Cable/2541554/product.html
http://www.amazon.com/Wii-S-Video-AV-Cable-White-Nintendo/dp/B000P93GVG

I don't know for certain if your picture will improve though. It's possible but a lot depends on the details.

[edDV]

As for cables, you probably have the standard Yellow, Red, White.



Others are available with S-Video and analog component. No need to change for that TV.

[NMeade]

Okay, so what options do I really have open ? I was always interested in having the Hauppauge HD PVR but it's too expensive, and from what you sai there aren't many SD output cards around.

[edDV]

Okay, so what options do I really have open ? I was always interested in having the Hauppauge HD PVR but it's too expensive, and from what you sai there aren't many SD output cards around.

You said you don't need HD. HD cards are still shaking out so better to wait.

SD cards and devices are plenty but decreasing in availability new. Hauppauge cards are the best supported in third party software. But for simple capture to MPEG2 (DVD spec) the PVR cards are well proven.

If you want to capture uncompressed or to Huffyuv, any cheap TV tuner card (Connextant or Philips chipsets) will do.

SD tuners are rapidly being discontinued new. Newegg seems to be down to three
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000380047%201685342847%20...2842&name=NTSC

Many are available used but be warned, you will need to geek up to be successful with these cards. The Hauppauge PVR cards encode to MPeg2 in hardware.

Unmentioned so far, you can also record your games with a DVD recorder and skip the PC entirely.

[SHS]

Okay, so what options do I really have open ? I was always interested in having the Hauppauge HD PVR but it's too expensive, and from what you sai there aren't many SD output cards around.

You said you don't need HD. HD cards are still shaking out so better to wait.

SD cards and devices are plenty but decreasing in availability new. Hauppauge cards are the best supported in third party software. But for simple capture to MPEG2 (DVD spec) the PVR cards are well proven.

If you want to capture uncompressed or to Huffyuv, any cheap TV tuner card (Connextant or Philips chipsets) will do.

SD tuners are rapidly being discontinued new. Newegg seems to be down to three
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000380047%201685342847%20...2842&name=NTSC

Many are available used but be warned, you will need to geek up to be successful with these cards. The Hauppauge PVR cards encode to MPeg2 in hardware.

Unmentioned so far, you can also record your games with a DVD recorder and skip the PC entirely.

The HD-PVR dose record SD not just HD edDV it dose do 720x480i and 720x480p
Your best option are ATI TV Wonder HD 650 or an Hauppauge HVR 1850 if you go with 1x PCIe there are lot more option with standerd PCI slot.
If your system was recoding fine with AVI Software Encoding format with no frame loss at 720x480 then should be ok with lower cost Software Encoder device but be warned min card do not work will in XP/Vista or have no support what so ever with Windows 7 so check with the Manufacturer before buy anything.
I perf Hardware Encoder over Software Encoder
edDV as for SD tuners been rapidly being discontinued that wrong it the analog tuner them self not SD it will be around for some time.

[edDV]

SHS glad you are here. Several issues and questions.

Issues:

- NMeade's computer spec is a Celeron 2.26GHz and OS is XP home.
It is unlikely he has a PCIe slot.

- I've got an HVR-1600 (PCI slot), a PVR-250 and a PVR-350. I see no improvement for SD capture with the HVR-1600 vs PVR cards. If anything it seems slightly worse.

- NMeade will be capturing from a Wii composite NTSC source.

- As for Hauppauge card availablity, I've noticed almost all the PVR cards with NTSC tuner have disappeared from the retail channel. Are there other than HVR cards available for SD only capture that aren't OEM?


Questions:

1. My understanding is the HVR-16xx and 18xx are similar except for PCI vs. PCIe bus. Is this true?

2. Are you familliar with the OEM Hauppauge 558? It appears to be a tunerless PVR. At half the price of the HVR-1850, it seems a good fit for NMeade.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116021

3. I've seen HVR-12xx cards on sale. How do they compare to the PVR-250 for SD capture?

[jagabo]

I have an HVR-1250 but it's not currently installed in anything. I think the capture quality was similar to the PVR-250 but it was hard to say for sure. Unlike the PVR-250 where you could specify whatever bitrate you wanted (up to 15,000 kbps), it had very limited options. I think there were only two for full D1, something like 5000 kbps, and 3000 kbps. Terrible. I did figure out how to hack the registry to customize the bitrate. I think it topped out at 12,000.

[usually_quiet]

Back in February, I looked at virtually every TV recording device available for the PC. There were very few NTSC-tuner only cards then too.
There were some combo tuner cards from Avermedia with similar features to Hauppauge's WinTV-HVR 1850, sold in a retail package.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815100046
http://www.amazon.com/AverMedia-MTVCBPCIW-Avertv-Combo-PCIE/dp/B000MN8QR4

I bought this instead: http://www.frys.com/product/6119069?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG It did not come with a composite adapter, but one can be purchased here http://www.diamondmm.com/store/product.php?productid=16342&cat=16&page=1