Hi,
I haven't posted in long time because I've been enjoying my big screen. Thanks for all the help on getting that set up so it was more than just watchable.
I have a question about video cards.
I've got a Dish Network PVR (which they're now calling DVR), that I'd like to keep, but move to a different room. "Some people" have problems using the VCR and since the PVR/DVR is easier to use, I'd like them to have access to the PVR/DVR and not have to worry about using the VCR anymore.
To do that, I need to replace my PVR/DVR Dish unit with a standard Dish receiver, which I've got, and then turn my extra PC into a HTPC.
The machine I plan to use currently has these specs:
AMD T-Bird 1.1GB Processor
Windows XP Home (Still SP1)
1GB PC133 RAM
Maxtor 30GB Hard Drive
Hercules 3D Prophet GTS 64MB Pro
40X CD ROM
----
I want to add a 60GB Seagate Hard Drive. It will be an IDE drive, the mobo doesn't accept SATA and I don't want to buy the PCI card to add an SATA. I don't think it's necessary.
The mobo is limited to 4X AGP as far as I know, unless a BIOS upgrade will change that. But let's assume it won't.
So, with that information, I'd like recommendations for a CHEAP video card so I can use this computer as my new PVR/DVR/HTPC. By cheap I mean less than $125, if possible.
I don't need or want anything too fancy. With the 60GB drive, I'll have all the room I need to record shows. I'll use the 30GB drive for software and the 60GB drive will be dedicated to recording and nothing more. This'll almost double the space of the PVR/DVR. I think that's got 36 or 37GBs.
What I need is the cheapest way to get this machine capable of taking in my Dish signal and recording it for me.
I know there are sites where I can get TV schedules, I even subscribed to a free one. But if anyone has recommendations for that, I'd like to hear them too.
I also know about PowerStrip, but if anyone has recommendations on PVR/DVR/HTPC software - preferably FREE software, that would be good to hear about too.
Thanks for the help.
I haven't posted in long time because I've been enjoying my big screen. Thanks for all the help on getting that set up so it was more than just watchable.
I have a question about video cards.
I've got a Dish Network PVR (which they're now calling DVR), that I'd like to keep, but move to a different room. "Some people" have problems using the VCR and since the PVR/DVR is easier to use, I'd like them to have access to the PVR/DVR and not have to worry about using the VCR anymore.
To do that, I need to replace my PVR/DVR Dish unit with a standard Dish receiver, which I've got, and then turn my extra PC into a HTPC.
The machine I plan to use currently has these specs:
AMD T-Bird 1.1GB Processor
Windows XP Home (Still SP1)
1GB PC133 RAM
Maxtor 30GB Hard Drive
Hercules 3D Prophet GTS 64MB Pro
40X CD ROM
----
I want to add a 60GB Seagate Hard Drive. It will be an IDE drive, the mobo doesn't accept SATA and I don't want to buy the PCI card to add an SATA. I don't think it's necessary.
The mobo is limited to 4X AGP as far as I know, unless a BIOS upgrade will change that. But let's assume it won't.
So, with that information, I'd like recommendations for a CHEAP video card so I can use this computer as my new PVR/DVR/HTPC. By cheap I mean less than $125, if possible.
I don't need or want anything too fancy. With the 60GB drive, I'll have all the room I need to record shows. I'll use the 30GB drive for software and the 60GB drive will be dedicated to recording and nothing more. This'll almost double the space of the PVR/DVR. I think that's got 36 or 37GBs.
What I need is the cheapest way to get this machine capable of taking in my Dish signal and recording it for me.
I know there are sites where I can get TV schedules, I even subscribed to a free one. But if anyone has recommendations for that, I'd like to hear them too.
I also know about PowerStrip, but if anyone has recommendations on PVR/DVR/HTPC software - preferably FREE software, that would be good to hear about too.
Thanks for the help.
Ok. My guess is that when you say video card, you mean a video card that has video input as well. I suggest that you get a seperate video card (agp4 or 8x, they are both compatable in 4x), and a seperate tv tuner card. The one I use is an MSI TV@nywhere TV tuner. Its abit old, if you wish to go the MSI way, the the Master version of it, it has a stereo cable tuner instead of mono, and has FM radio too.
I dont know much on americal prices, but looks like a radeon 9200se would be great, probably too much for just video. It costs about 40-50$? And the tv tuner should cost about the same. BTW, the MSI tv tuner does have a small remote control and sensor.
Suggested Software for best display quality (deinterlacing and scaling) DScaler, its a free program.
The software that I use for recording is Intervideo WinDVR 3. It encodes in DVD format pretty fast, in real time. It stuggled abit with my Duron 900MHz, but your 1.1 should do ok. If not, than you can always lower the quality to 640x480, or to SVCD (480x480). What sucks about this simple to use software is the image quality is not as good as DScaler. WinDVR blends the 60fields (or 50 if you use PAL) to 30 fps, and has annoying fading inbetween. Still looks ok though. DScaler does 60 progressive scan FPS, and looks very sharp, sharper than WinDVR. But recording in full quality on DScaler, I estimate a need for about a 6-8ghz processor!
I suggest that if you buy the stuff I recommended, take the money left over from that 125$ bugget, and buy yourself a soundblaster live, or Audigy, if possible, so you can have a dolby digital decoder on your pc, for the best digital sound from a sattelite. (it does have digital out doesnt it?).
If you need anymore help or have any more questions, post.
ANC
I dont know much on americal prices, but looks like a radeon 9200se would be great, probably too much for just video. It costs about 40-50$? And the tv tuner should cost about the same. BTW, the MSI tv tuner does have a small remote control and sensor.
Suggested Software for best display quality (deinterlacing and scaling) DScaler, its a free program.
The software that I use for recording is Intervideo WinDVR 3. It encodes in DVD format pretty fast, in real time. It stuggled abit with my Duron 900MHz, but your 1.1 should do ok. If not, than you can always lower the quality to 640x480, or to SVCD (480x480). What sucks about this simple to use software is the image quality is not as good as DScaler. WinDVR blends the 60fields (or 50 if you use PAL) to 30 fps, and has annoying fading inbetween. Still looks ok though. DScaler does 60 progressive scan FPS, and looks very sharp, sharper than WinDVR. But recording in full quality on DScaler, I estimate a need for about a 6-8ghz processor!
I suggest that if you buy the stuff I recommended, take the money left over from that 125$ bugget, and buy yourself a soundblaster live, or Audigy, if possible, so you can have a dolby digital decoder on your pc, for the best digital sound from a sattelite. (it does have digital out doesnt it?).
If you need anymore help or have any more questions, post.
ANC
BTW, there is no need for SATA, you are right.
its just not worth it if you dont have a SATA controller.
its just not worth it if you dont have a SATA controller.
Thanks for the response.
I guess I did leave my soundcard out of my specs. I have an SBLive Gamer in that machine.
Regarding digital sound, the standard Dish box has these outputs:
svideo
RCA video
RCA Left sound
RCA Right sound
So, that means no digital audio. I guess. Right?
I do like the idea of keeping the seperate video card. The current card does everything I anticipate needing it to do, which is playing old Atari and Nintendo games using emulators. And if I need or want to upgrade, I'm not replacing my TV card too. Good idea! Thanks!
I was looking at this product from Leadtek, but then I noticed the difference between the I/O's on this unit and on the MSI unit and based on that I'd go with the MSI unit.
http://www.leadtek.com/multimedia/winfast_tv2000xp_expert_1.html
And here's their pages at Newegg. There are better pictures of the I/O's.
Leadtek: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-122-180&depa=0
MSI: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-127-998&depa=0
I guess I did leave my soundcard out of my specs. I have an SBLive Gamer in that machine.
Regarding digital sound, the standard Dish box has these outputs:
svideo
RCA video
RCA Left sound
RCA Right sound
So, that means no digital audio. I guess. Right?
I do like the idea of keeping the seperate video card. The current card does everything I anticipate needing it to do, which is playing old Atari and Nintendo games using emulators. And if I need or want to upgrade, I'm not replacing my TV card too. Good idea! Thanks!
I was looking at this product from Leadtek, but then I noticed the difference between the I/O's on this unit and on the MSI unit and based on that I'd go with the MSI unit.
http://www.leadtek.com/multimedia/winfast_tv2000xp_expert_1.html
And here's their pages at Newegg. There are better pictures of the I/O's.
Leadtek: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-122-180&depa=0
MSI: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-127-998&depa=0
No problem.
Yea, the MSI seems better, both cards use the same 10 bit chip.
Too bad that you dont have digital out. That soundcard is pretty decent for Dolby Digital 5.1 .
The only reason I see for you to buy a new video card is if that one doesnt have TV out, or the TV out isnt very decent (ATi Radeon cards have great TV output).
That reciever seems abit old. I expected digital sound and component (maybe even progressive scan component) out.
BTW, about the software. DScaler is free, and WinDVR3 is free with the MSI card (maybe Leadtek too, i dont know).
Yea, the MSI seems better, both cards use the same 10 bit chip.
Too bad that you dont have digital out. That soundcard is pretty decent for Dolby Digital 5.1 .
The only reason I see for you to buy a new video card is if that one doesnt have TV out, or the TV out isnt very decent (ATi Radeon cards have great TV output).
That reciever seems abit old. I expected digital sound and component (maybe even progressive scan component) out.
BTW, about the software. DScaler is free, and WinDVR3 is free with the MSI card (maybe Leadtek too, i dont know).
What I use for getting the PC picture onto my projection panel is the monitor output on the video card. It works fine. I could use S-Video too, but I think the reason I used the monitor output was that I didn't have an S-Video cable. Although, I did just find the S-Video cable that came with the 9500 Pro I have in this PC. Maybe I should give it a try.
As for the receiver, it's the same one that they were using 2 years ago when we had our dish installed and they're still using it now. It's still the basic receiver. All the other receivers are recorders too. It is sad, but that's the way it is.
Thanks again for the advice.
As for the receiver, it's the same one that they were using 2 years ago when we had our dish installed and they're still using it now. It's still the basic receiver. All the other receivers are recorders too. It is sad, but that's the way it is.
Thanks again for the advice.
actually yes it does. If not on the breakout card or live drive, usually extras, than on the card itself, its called SPDIF in, you will have to get a 2 pin wire and a mono mic or headphone jack to make the connection.
Trev,
If you are trying to find something wrong with my posts, to start a debate 😉 about digital in on a live card, I have one in my hands right now, and can get pics to proove it.🙂
If you are trying to find something wrong with my posts, to start a debate 😉 about digital in on a live card, I have one in my hands right now, and can get pics to proove it.🙂
ancorp said:
No not at all, its just that from a few sites that ive read about sb live cards one of the things manny have complained about is the inability to connect an external digital signal into the card, or atleast the right format.
I have sb cards here too, always have done, i have a audigy2 zs, a audigy2, and 2 sb live 5.1's.
Not at all, the debate was simply in the other thread where it was a case of where you didnt understand or comprehend on what i was trying to say. I got sick of repeating myself 🙂. As for other threads that you and i have posted in together, i have corrected you because sometimes you have been wrong. Just that.
Trev🙂
SB Live
Hi Ancorp
I have a SB Live sound card, model CT4830.
It has a space marked on the board for a SPDIF connector which is not fitted.
Are you saying that if I fit this connector, the facility will work?
Are any other mods or different drivers required?
It looks like there is a chip (U10) mising. Do I need to fit this and, if so, what type is it?
Thanks for any help.
Rob
Hi Ancorp
I have a SB Live sound card, model CT4830.
It has a space marked on the board for a SPDIF connector which is not fitted.
Are you saying that if I fit this connector, the facility will work?
Are any other mods or different drivers required?
It looks like there is a chip (U10) mising. Do I need to fit this and, if so, what type is it?
Thanks for any help.
Rob
Re: SB Live
Not fitted as if it has nothing connected into it, or that id doesnt exist, just a white square with the words SPDIF on the PCB? If its just has nothing connected into it, than with the right wires, I dont see why it cant be used for an external device (try it with digital out on your cdrom drive, and even better - on a dvd drive.
The soundcard on my hands is the 4 channel version with no digital OUT, model CT4670.
It has a 2 pin jack labled CD_SPDIF, and also a 12pin (3 of them are not soldered to the pcb) that is labled SPDIF_EXT, which is for the digital in/out card, and maybe for the live drive, i dont know, I think LiveDrive and Audigy Drives are connected with a 40pin - ide style cable. My sound card has a U10 chip, but the U12 chip space is empty.
BTW, anyone wanna buy a Soundblaster Live for cheap? Any offer over $1 is considered.
rpapps said:
Not fitted as if it has nothing connected into it, or that id doesnt exist, just a white square with the words SPDIF on the PCB? If its just has nothing connected into it, than with the right wires, I dont see why it cant be used for an external device (try it with digital out on your cdrom drive, and even better - on a dvd drive.
The soundcard on my hands is the 4 channel version with no digital OUT, model CT4670.
It has a 2 pin jack labled CD_SPDIF, and also a 12pin (3 of them are not soldered to the pcb) that is labled SPDIF_EXT, which is for the digital in/out card, and maybe for the live drive, i dont know, I think LiveDrive and Audigy Drives are connected with a 40pin - ide style cable. My sound card has a U10 chip, but the U12 chip space is empty.
BTW, anyone wanna buy a Soundblaster Live for cheap? Any offer over $1 is considered.
SB Live Value edition CT4830
Yes, the socket is not on the board.
I notice some other missing components; crystal X3, Volume control connector J11.
Can the cards capabilities be extended by installing them?
Also, what are connectors J13-1 & J13-2 used for?
Anybody sucessfully hacked one of these?
Thanks
Rob
Yes, the socket is not on the board.
I notice some other missing components; crystal X3, Volume control connector J11.
Can the cards capabilities be extended by installing them?
Also, what are connectors J13-1 & J13-2 used for?
Anybody sucessfully hacked one of these?
Thanks
Rob
Lol Thats why i got so many of em, worth nothing now, sound good though for what they are.
If the sound card dont have the chip ( wich i can get u the number of) try pins 5 and 6.
In here if you look at the pinout for the audigy2 take a note at pins 5 and 6, its the same on the live card but pin 5 becomes the ground and pin 6 is the spdif in. If that dont work i guess u need a newer card. Just soldering a chip wont do it, you need a couple of smd caps and resistors aswell, and more then likely a bios/ver upgrade on the card.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=486568#post486568
Trev🙂
SB live
Hi Ace3000_1
Thanks for the connector info.
I would be interested in the chip type number for U10 if you can get it and also the component values for R81, R86, C95, C96 & C117 & the frequency for X3 if possible.
I'm an experienced electronics tech and can handle surface mount components (with an illuminated magnifier).
Thanks
Rob
Hi Ace3000_1
Thanks for the connector info.
I would be interested in the chip type number for U10 if you can get it and also the component values for R81, R86, C95, C96 & C117 & the frequency for X3 if possible.
I'm an experienced electronics tech and can handle surface mount components (with an illuminated magnifier).
Thanks
Rob
Re: SB live
Nice one mate 😉, i wish you the best of luck trying to solder these in lol, kinda the REAL small smd stuff here lol.
Parts requested are:
U10 9130
VHCU04
R81 smd 103
R86 Cant find one, ive got everything else but that one, probally a 103.
C95 smd unkown rating and i dont have a meter to measure cap value.
X3 Well i have a X1 the freq is 24,576HF1B
The model number of this card is SB0100, its the latest they made i think of the sb 5.1 live.
Trev🙂
rpapps said:
Nice one mate 😉, i wish you the best of luck trying to solder these in lol, kinda the REAL small smd stuff here lol.
Parts requested are:
U10 9130
VHCU04
R81 smd 103
R86 Cant find one, ive got everything else but that one, probally a 103.
C95 smd unkown rating and i dont have a meter to measure cap value.
X3 Well i have a X1 the freq is 24,576HF1B
The model number of this card is SB0100, its the latest they made i think of the sb 5.1 live.
Trev🙂
- Status
- Not open for further replies.