Poor pq with A800

[2010]

Hello All,

I decided to make use of my Shuttle SN41G2 v2 & turn it into a media centre but I'm very disappointed with the picture quality that I am getting through S-VHS with an Avermedia A800 (USB2 dvb-t).

I am only using the intergrated graphics (Geforce4 mx), which I know isn't particularly suitable so I am thinking about buying a cheap graphics card, something like a Gigabyte GV-N62128DS (Nvidia 6200).

Is this a suitable card for MCE & will it improve pq significantly?

Thanks for any input.

[markxtc123]

I'm using the A800 as one of my tuners and it gives an excellent picture. I'm using a Saphire fanless Radion 9600 graphics card and connecting directly with vga output to a plasma screen. Picture is as good as I could possibly hope for.

The card that you are looking at should give a much better picture than the on board graphics you are currently using.

Mark

[springtide]

I have a Passive 6600 and the picture through SVideo is disappointing. Apart from the picture not being clear, the colours are all washed out etc. Yes, I've tried running at 50hz and various resolutions.

I believe this is related to the implementation of SVideo on Graphics cards rather than the card itself. I believe that the SVideo output is now built into the GPU, so I guess that there's not much difference between the vendors of cards.

BTW - I'd be interested to know if I'm wrong.

FYI - I have a XFX Passive Low Profile 6600 cards.

[Johnnie]

Don't give up just yet! I have a similar setup: Need to make your shuttle quiet? (here's a guide)

All I've done is upgrade the CPU to an Athlon 3200+ since building it to enable me to use FFDshow.

This is connected to my Z2 via VGA-DVI adapter and the PQ is amazing

I was actually considering an upgrade to a 6 series nvidia DVI output card to improve playback and keep the signal digital, however my PJ is approx 10mtr away and I think I'll have too many problems with either getting too much signal degradation or having to move my HTPC (not easy or practical)

[deksawyer]

2010, are you using a CRT tv??

If so, see this thread;

VGA - Scart RGB?

It's long but worth a read......

D.

[2010]

Thanks for the quick reply's.
The strange thing is that the picture quality on the MS setup videos pretty decent despite being through S-VHS but live tv is the problem, I have a good outdoor aerial so I know its not that!

Johnnie, your G4MX420 is a dedicated card which unlike mine does not borrow from system ram, that could be the difference because I have only got 512mb ram installed. I also have problems with the tv guide menu's disappearing, apparently because MCE 05 is not compatible with my intergrated graphics.

Basically, I thought instead of buying another 512mb ram I should buy a 6200 which would be more beneficial to video performance, correct me if I'm wrong anyone??

Maybe I should also buy another 512mb of ram as well, what was originally a cheap upgrade has started to become pretty expensive.

[2010]

Yeah, its a crt I'm hooking it upto, thanks for the interesting thread Deksawyer!

I think it's fair to say that you will never get a good picture using s-video.