Hi Everyone,
This OHP/LCD project is so addicting! I thought I was satisfied with my set up (http://www.geocities.com/parksplanet2002/Home_Theatre_Project.html) but now I think I want to look into improving it more!
I recalled someone talking about line doublers, specifically a TV3000. I researched this on the site and ran across the posts on dscaler, now I am a little confused.
I do have an extra computer I could use with my OHP/LCD projector, but I would still need to buy a DVD drive and I guess a TV Video card and the dscaler software.
From what I have read, the computer DVD picture is better than from my regular dvd player. Right?
Which would be the best way to go:
1) upgrade my computer and use dscaler
2) get a TV3000 ( I heard it is about $99, right?)
Would a line doubler significantly improve my picture (using NView Z215)?
It would be nice to have better picture quality control using the dscaler.
Can anyone help me?
Thanks
🙂
This OHP/LCD project is so addicting! I thought I was satisfied with my set up (http://www.geocities.com/parksplanet2002/Home_Theatre_Project.html) but now I think I want to look into improving it more!
I recalled someone talking about line doublers, specifically a TV3000. I researched this on the site and ran across the posts on dscaler, now I am a little confused.
I do have an extra computer I could use with my OHP/LCD projector, but I would still need to buy a DVD drive and I guess a TV Video card and the dscaler software.
From what I have read, the computer DVD picture is better than from my regular dvd player. Right?
Which would be the best way to go:
1) upgrade my computer and use dscaler
2) get a TV3000 ( I heard it is about $99, right?)
Would a line doubler significantly improve my picture (using NView Z215)?
It would be nice to have better picture quality control using the dscaler.
Can anyone help me?
Thanks
🙂
I would say go for the tv-3000. With a computer, you need to boot it up, wait... Who wants to do that to watch tv. Also, the tv-3000 will get rid of any macrovision issues.
I say go with a computer. The picture is much better. Even if you have a line-doubler. With a computer, your getting a true non-interlaced image and sometimes a higher resolution.
Descaler is for analog NTSC signals going to your TV tuner card, like a VHS player or a Playstation 1, or a regular TV signal. It is the same thing as a line-doubler. With a DVD-rom, your eliminate the need for a line doubler, because the image is rarely interlaced. Even if you have an older interlaced DVD (I have some anime movies that are), the DVD software takes care of the line doubling already.
Descaler is for analog NTSC signals going to your TV tuner card, like a VHS player or a Playstation 1, or a regular TV signal. It is the same thing as a line-doubler. With a DVD-rom, your eliminate the need for a line doubler, because the image is rarely interlaced. Even if you have an older interlaced DVD (I have some anime movies that are), the DVD software takes care of the line doubling already.
LCD Panel Resolution
My LCD Panel is an Nview Z215, 640 x 480 , I think...
I was hoping I could attach my VCR through my computer (with a new TV Tuner card) so I could get a better picture and be able to adjust the colors better using dscaler (as some people said you can do).
I also figure I could keep using my DVD player (connected through the VCR) and the computer with the descaler program will give me better resolution.
Is the Dscaler a free program? I saw on where you could download the program off the web. I didn't see if there was a charge.
My LCD Panel is an Nview Z215, 640 x 480 , I think...
I was hoping I could attach my VCR through my computer (with a new TV Tuner card) so I could get a better picture and be able to adjust the colors better using dscaler (as some people said you can do).
I also figure I could keep using my DVD player (connected through the VCR) and the computer with the descaler program will give me better resolution.
Is the Dscaler a free program? I saw on where you could download the program off the web. I didn't see if there was a charge.
If it were a higher resolution I aould say computer, but i would think the best you can do is tv-3000.
If your using a computer anyways, then there is no debate. Buy a DVD-Rom. They're as cheap as $40. Using your TV-tuner card for a DVD-player is a waste. Your taking a non-interlaced image, interlacing it, and then doubling the lines so it appears like it's not interlaced. That's like taking pure water, adding lead to it, and then filtering out most of the lead so you can drink it.
Verbose makes a good point that if you don't want a computer involved because of boot-up times (there are ways to help w/ that, like leaving it on standby or hibernating it), you may prefer to live w/ a weaker image. But your using a computer anyways, so it defeats the purpose.
I know people have stand-alone DVD players and they like them because they look cool or whatever, but the fact is that your not getting the most out of your DVD's. It'd be a different story if you had a progressive scan DVD player, and your TV tuner card had progressive-scan component inputs. But none of them do to my knowledge. The only way to get compnent inputs on a computer is to buy a $1000 and up capture card.
Also, if your running the DVD player through the VCR, the Macrovision will kick in. Practically unwatchable.
Trust me. DVD-Rom + PowerDVD + X10 remote. You can't go wrong.
Verbose makes a good point that if you don't want a computer involved because of boot-up times (there are ways to help w/ that, like leaving it on standby or hibernating it), you may prefer to live w/ a weaker image. But your using a computer anyways, so it defeats the purpose.
I know people have stand-alone DVD players and they like them because they look cool or whatever, but the fact is that your not getting the most out of your DVD's. It'd be a different story if you had a progressive scan DVD player, and your TV tuner card had progressive-scan component inputs. But none of them do to my knowledge. The only way to get compnent inputs on a computer is to buy a $1000 and up capture card.
Also, if your running the DVD player through the VCR, the Macrovision will kick in. Practically unwatchable.
Trust me. DVD-Rom + PowerDVD + X10 remote. You can't go wrong.
If you were to do a setup with windows xp media addition (I have never used it and have no clue other that it is for dvd, pictures, music etc) would that may be a good solution??? I am not even sure if you can buy it for a regular computer??? Any thoughts?
What TV card's have people used and how do they compare?
I've got a "Win-TV", I've read it uses a version of DeScaler for recording but it did'nt look that great(not sharp and the recording took more CPU power then it should) .I've also got a "I-O Magic Capture" thats a little cleaner and uses less CPU power.
Also can Descaler play back MPG2 files yet, I use my computer as a TIVO to record shows, and do time-shifting.
I'm probably getting the TV4000 for when I upgrade my LCD.
I've got a "Win-TV", I've read it uses a version of DeScaler for recording but it did'nt look that great(not sharp and the recording took more CPU power then it should) .I've also got a "I-O Magic Capture" thats a little cleaner and uses less CPU power.
Also can Descaler play back MPG2 files yet, I use my computer as a TIVO to record shows, and do time-shifting.
I'm probably getting the TV4000 for when I upgrade my LCD.
looking for a better picture
Thanks everyone, for your advice.
I have been considering everything you all said. But unfortunately budget does come into play.
If I went the computer route I would have to buy a DVD drive and a TV tuner card. Probably a $200 to $300 investment.
Since I already have the DVD and VCR and I mostly watch Videos (from my collection), if I bought the TV-3000 that would only be a $99 investment.
But given I have a Nview Z215 (640 x 480) do you all agree that the line doubler will significantly improve my picture resolution? (I hope the answer is yes)
Are there other brands of line doublers that will work? Maybe something less than $99?
I currently plug into my LCD panel through the RCA video connector. It is my understanding that if I use the TV 3000 I will have to plug into the LCD panel using the computer plugs ( Is that called a VGA, SVGA or what?) Right?
But I will be researching this more for a while. Money is kind of tight. Would anyone recommend buying a TV-3000 off of ebay?
Thanks
Thanks everyone, for your advice.
I have been considering everything you all said. But unfortunately budget does come into play.
If I went the computer route I would have to buy a DVD drive and a TV tuner card. Probably a $200 to $300 investment.
Since I already have the DVD and VCR and I mostly watch Videos (from my collection), if I bought the TV-3000 that would only be a $99 investment.
But given I have a Nview Z215 (640 x 480) do you all agree that the line doubler will significantly improve my picture resolution? (I hope the answer is yes)
Are there other brands of line doublers that will work? Maybe something less than $99?
I currently plug into my LCD panel through the RCA video connector. It is my understanding that if I use the TV 3000 I will have to plug into the LCD panel using the computer plugs ( Is that called a VGA, SVGA or what?) Right?
But I will be researching this more for a while. Money is kind of tight. Would anyone recommend buying a TV-3000 off of ebay?
Thanks
Why so cheap?
I have been browsing the web for line doublers. Why is the TV-3000 so inexpensive. Every other line doubler seems to be hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Is the TV-3000 a quality product?
I would like to hear from those of you who have a TV-3000.
Thanks.
I have been browsing the web for line doublers. Why is the TV-3000 so inexpensive. Every other line doubler seems to be hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Is the TV-3000 a quality product?
I would like to hear from those of you who have a TV-3000.
Thanks.
Rydad. Here's what you should do.
Buy a DVD-Rom on ebay for $30-40.
You don't need a TV tuner card because you can plug your TV signal/VCR into the RCA jack while plugging your computer into the VGA port.
You'll get a better DVD image than you would with a TV-3000, and you'll be paying $60-70 less.
If money is a concern, that's what I would do.
Buy a DVD-Rom on ebay for $30-40.
You don't need a TV tuner card because you can plug your TV signal/VCR into the RCA jack while plugging your computer into the VGA port.
You'll get a better DVD image than you would with a TV-3000, and you'll be paying $60-70 less.
If money is a concern, that's what I would do.
Another option is to do what I've just done and buy a progressive scan DVD player with VGA out. They're not very expensive now (75 UKP + VAT) and with the VGA out plugged straight into my Spectra C the picture quality is fantastic.
Thanks for all of your suggestions. I am going to try my son's computer on my system. It has a DVD player.
One more question, if I use the DVD drive on the computer, will it be improved even more with a TV-3000?
I'll try the DVD/computer first. I really don't have that many DVD's in my collection and we haven't rented too many DVD's recently, so I still plan to eventually get a TV-3000 for watching VCR tapes.
Thanks all.
One more question, if I use the DVD drive on the computer, will it be improved even more with a TV-3000?
I'll try the DVD/computer first. I really don't have that many DVD's in my collection and we haven't rented too many DVD's recently, so I still plan to eventually get a TV-3000 for watching VCR tapes.
Thanks all.
rydad said:
You *could* just get a video capture card... like a TV tuner card that also has RCA video inputs. You can probably get one at Best Buy for $60 or so. Just a thought.
Keep in mind you'll need a decent CPU in order to perform real-time deinterlacing. My box is a P3-933 and I occassionally get dropped frames during panning watching interlaced PAL sources. <br><br>
What you will be able to do is play around with all the different deinterlacing methods/algorithms, which after six months will drive your insane. There is something to be said for a black box solution after all...
What you will be able to do is play around with all the different deinterlacing methods/algorithms, which after six months will drive your insane. There is something to be said for a black box solution after all...
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