DavoNogo Posted September 29, 2005 Posted September 29, 2005 Are you saying they'll be broadcast in HD? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm only guessing they will, since last year they broadcast both Fellowship of the Ring and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in HD + 5.1
andczo Posted September 29, 2005 Posted September 29, 2005 Hey Renura, Great to hear the dual tuner card is only days away...??!! Is it still on track for the end of September as you suggested earlier in this thread?? Like others on this thread, I also will be snapping on up as soon as they become available. One question, what is the recommended operating system to be used with this card... XP or XP MCE 2005? Can you give us any indication of the bundled software that will be coming with the card? Will there be a remote included? Just a couple of questions.... Hope you can publically answer them. Thanx Andrew
kenneth1503559512 Posted September 29, 2005 Posted September 29, 2005 One question, what is the recommended operating system to be used with this card... XP or XP MCE 2005? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Either. Note that MCE's Media Center application (whatever it's called) is not 100% compatible with Australia's Digital TV system. Can you give us any indication of the bundled software that will be coming with the card? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> FusionHDTV (just like the other FusionHDTV cards) Will there be a remote included? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I would assume so seeing as DVICO's site has: ◎ Full function infrared remote control Plus the fact they have included a remote in the past. BTW. There is a screenshot of the PIP function at http://fusionhdtv.co.kr/ENG/Products/DualDigital.aspx Also, DVICO's site says late October for the Hybrid and early November for the Dual-digital.
andczo Posted September 29, 2005 Posted September 29, 2005 Thanx Ken. So with all that said, we need to wait another month or two till it gets here. (hopefully this won't be a Topfield 7000 scenario reborn!) I too have heard the issues with MCE2005, so if I was to use this PC for purely HTPC applications, what operating system would I load onto it? Normal XP? How does the DVICO's software stack up agains software like Mytheatre? Any comments.... See this link.... http://www.inventa.com.au/PVR%20Software%20Comparison.htm Thanx Andrew
ocujos Posted September 29, 2005 Posted September 29, 2005 How does the DVICO's software stack up agains software like Mytheatre? Any comments.... See this link....http://www.inventa.com.au/PVR%20Software%20Comparison.htm What a load of crap!!! This comparison must've been written when Media Portal was at Alpha release!
kenneth1503559512 Posted September 29, 2005 Posted September 29, 2005 XP would be a better choice unless you want to play with MCE as well. MyTheatre, from what I have looked at, involves a far bit of work to get it working. You have to ensure that you have the codecs it needs otherwise you have to create your own filter file (which needs Graphedit (from the DirectX SDK) and can be sometimes troublesome to get working). Also, it isn't what I call an application best designed for HTPC use. Neither is the FusionHDTV software (you can look at a demo which is available from the DVICO FusionHDTV website).
andczo Posted September 29, 2005 Posted September 29, 2005 okay... so now for the constructive comments ocujos... ???
renura Posted September 29, 2005 Author Posted September 29, 2005 What a load of crap!!!This comparison must've been written when Media Portal was at Alpha release! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> This comparison would not have been valid even when Media portal was pre-alpha. The Fusion software (as a DTV application), with all its issues is far superior to MyTheatre, Media Portal and many other applications. Great to hear the dual tuner card is only days away...??!! Is it still on track for the end of September as you suggested earlier in this thread??No, there have been delays. Amongst other things there is a shortage of that particular tuner. We still hope for end of October, but it is beyond our control Recommended operating system is XP with SP2, MCE as an OS is fine too. One question, what is the recommended operating system to be used with this card... XP or XP MCE 2005? Can you give us any indication of the bundled software that will be coming with the card? Will there be a remote included? We will be bundling our own application with the device, which has had multi-tuner functionality for nearly three years now The standard DVICO remote will be included.
ocujos Posted September 29, 2005 Posted September 29, 2005 andczo, Please look at my signature below. Apart from Media Portal I also use Nebula DigiTV (have for the last two years). Out of all HTPC apps that I've tested, Media Portal is the only free Windows HTPC app that can handle all HTPC tasks nativly. In other words, it doesn't rely on any external applications to play different media files. This is the reason why it's my primary HTPC application. The other reason is that I couldn't watch HD with DigiTV on my PC (DigiTV doesn't support DxVA). It also supports a wide range of digital and analogue receivers. It is a Windows equivalent of MythTV. Have a look at this long list of features. The only 'feature' MP lacks is stability. This is already being addressed. The latest CSV build that I run atm is looking very promising.
lautray Posted September 30, 2005 Posted September 30, 2005 I am currently running Windows 2000Pro. Will this pose any problems running the dual digital? Didn't really want to upgrade to XP. 2000Pro very stable; no real issues with it.
joeybloggs Posted September 30, 2005 Posted September 30, 2005 It all depends... You shouldn't have any more problems running dual BDA Digital cards in Win2000 vs WinXP. However they both suffer the same problem with Microsoft's TIF filter refusing to run multiple instances in the one process. If you run the cards in separate instances or run a program that offers direct tuning without the TIF or starts a separate process for silent recording, all will be well. Failing that run MCE2005 (just as an O/S) and/or hassle Microsoft to fix the problem in the next DirectX update ( well we can dream can't we )
lautray Posted October 1, 2005 Posted October 1, 2005 Also, is one brand of Radeon 9550 Video card (256Mb/128 bit) better than another e.g: Gecube, Asus, Gigabyte etc? There seem to be quite a few that "seem similar", but their prices vary significantly. Any particular to steer clear of?
DavoNogo Posted October 1, 2005 Posted October 1, 2005 Also, is one brand of Radeon 9550 Video card (256Mb/128 bit) better than another e.g: Gecube, Asus, Gigabyte etc? There seem to be quite a few that "seem similar", but their prices vary significantly. Any particular to steer clear of? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> not really.. the only thing they impact on is gaming performance, and even then it's only miniscule. Also some manufacturers boast extra features and/or software over others such as VIVO capabilities (capturing). Things like that aren't really needed if you plan on buying a DTV card with analogue inputs (Composite and/or S-Video), as long as the card has top quality components. Usually separate capture cards provide better quality for analogue (Composite/S-Video) and digital (Firewire) captures than combo cards, as their ADCs and DACs (conversion between Digital and Analogue) are of a much higher quality. ie. they're 10-bit as opposed to 8-bit. But that's only if you really want the best possible quality for your captures and can cost an arm and a leg, especially when a combo card can do the job "just fine" in most people's books. Another thing: more memory does not always mean better, nor will it have any impact on DTV viewing. The reason behind this is that older generation 256mb cards used to have a slower latency than their 128mb counterparts. These days, that is with the latest generation cards (Geforce 6 series and onwards and Radeon X series and onwards), the more performance can be gained from having more memory, as games start to take up more memory for their intensive operations. But, this only affects gaming, so basically what I'm saying is that if you can get a 128mb card for cheaper than a 256mb, especially with older generation cards, go for the 128mb card
lautray Posted October 9, 2005 Posted October 9, 2005 Another thing: more memory does not always mean better, nor will it have any impact on DTV viewing. The reason behind this is that older generation 256mb cards used to have a slower latency than their 128mb counterparts. These days, that is with the latest generation cards (Geforce 6 series and onwards and Radeon X series and onwards), the more performance can be gained from having more memory, as games start to take up more memory for their intensive operations. But, this only affects gaming, so basically what I'm saying is that if you can get a 128mb card for cheaper than a 256mb, especially with older generation cards, go for the 128mb card <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Probably going for the 256Mb card to keep me going for the next few years. Supposed to be 256Mb, 128 bit.Is the early November release date still looking good for the Fusion dual digital tuner card? Just got the Dell 2405FPW & would like to start enjoying it to its full potential. Am impatient. But I guess the wait will allow me to upgrade some other components.
lautray Posted October 29, 2005 Posted October 29, 2005 Finally ended up buying a Radeon 9700Pro 128Mb, 256Bit card. Supposedly better than a 9550 & 9600 (I hope). But a question regarding AGP 4x & 8X support: does this markedly affect performance as my motherboard is 4x, but card is up to 8x? Real-world differences? Any update on release date & pricing info of the Dual Digital? Early November is just around the corner.
BigBobOz Posted October 30, 2005 Posted October 30, 2005 Hey lautray, I'd be really interested in how your card goes with a 4x board. I haven't really found a definitive answer. I think it may depend on the resolutions you use whether it needs the bandwidth or not...not really sure.
lautray Posted October 30, 2005 Posted October 30, 2005 Hey lautray, I'd be really interested in how your card goes with a 4x board. I haven't really found a definitive answer. I think it may depend on the resolutions you use whether it needs the bandwidth or not...not really sure. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> For a dell 2405FPW lcd: 1920x1200. Hopefully the 9700Pro arrives sometime this week. 9700Pro card more for digital tv & dvd rather than gaming. Current card won't play dvd's full screen. Picture just freezes. Will be adding more ram in the next few weeks too. Can't hurt.
renura Posted October 31, 2005 Author Posted October 31, 2005 Any update on release date & pricing info of the Dual Digital? Early November is just around the corner. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes, should be here within two weeks Price, to be announced today or tomorrow.
DavoNogo Posted October 31, 2005 Posted October 31, 2005 Finally ended up buying a Radeon 9700Pro 128Mb, 256Bit card. Supposedly better than a 9550 & 9600 (I hope). But a question regarding AGP 4x & 8X support: does this markedly affect performance as my motherboard is 4x, but card is up to 8x? Real-world differences? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> No, there's only a marginal difference between 4x and 8x, and the differences will only be apparent in gaming. Just wondering, what DVD player are you using? Does it have DxVA support? (Most current ones do, like Cyberlink PowerDVD and Intervideo WinDVD)
lautray Posted November 1, 2005 Posted November 1, 2005 No, there's only a marginal difference between 4x and 8x, and the differences will only be apparent in gaming.Just wondering, what DVD player are you using? Does it have DxVA support? (Most current ones do, like Cyberlink PowerDVD and Intervideo WinDVD) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> PowerDVD 5 NE. Not sure what DxVA is. Is one DVD player better than another? DVD Drive is a Pioneer DVR-109. Got the 9700Pro for the soon-to-be dual digital tuner & DVDs. Hope it is up to the task of driving the Dell. Don't want to fall short. Renura, that's good news re release date.
renura Posted November 1, 2005 Author Posted November 1, 2005 Renura, that's good news re release date. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes, that is for sure
DavoNogo Posted November 1, 2005 Posted November 1, 2005 PowerDVD 5 NE. Not sure what DxVA is. Is one DVD player better than another? DVD Drive is a Pioneer DVR-109. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I have no idea what NE is New Edition? Net Edition? Neo Edition? (as in Neo Tokyo). I take it your Japanese? About DxVA, all you'll need to do is enable Hardware Acceleration in the PowerDVD settings. I'm hoping the setting will be there in your NE version. Some DVD Decoders are better than others.. it's easiest to just download the trial versions of each of the respective manufacturer's site, to see which one looks best in your eyes. (Different people have different tastes.. personally, I prefer DNTV Live! for HD playback, Media Player Classic + Dscaler5 + FFDShow for DVD playback, and PowerDVD6/WinDVD7 for everything else) Got the 9700Pro for the soon-to-be dual digital tuner & DVDs. Hope it is up to the task of driving the Dell. Don't want to fall short. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Just make sure you first uninstall your current card (it's usually listed in Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs) and download and install the latest driver from ATi (The latest version is always on the front page, down the bottom left hand side...I think the latest version is 5.10a)
anthonysimilion Posted November 2, 2005 Posted November 2, 2005 I think I've seen PowerDVD NE before - it's a special player for files from the JVC Everio HDD camcorder, AFAIK.
lautray Posted November 2, 2005 Posted November 2, 2005 I think I've seen PowerDVD NE before - it's a special player for files from the JVC Everio HDD camcorder, AFAIK. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yep, came with JVC camcorder. & no, not Japanese
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