PDI card Xcard Dscaler support thread

[MaxC]

PDI/Xcard/dscaler newbie and I have a quick question, but did not want to read through 13 pages for now. :D

I have a Radeon 9800pro hooked up to a Sharp projector via DVI. I just added the new PDI deluxe with Xcard. I have installed the drivers and have added dscaler. Now how do I play a DVD?

Do I need to connect something from the DVD rom to the Xcard or something from the card to the Radeon? What about for sound? I currently have a connection from the DVD rom to my Audigy, but I want to use the PDI/xcard to pass the digital audio to my receiver.

I want to keep my DVI connection, but it sounds like the Radeon has to hook up the the Xcard with a S-video cable, and then a VGA cable needs to be hooked up to the Sharp from the Xcard?!?

[Rick Guynn]

Max, as for video, you should only have to go into DScaler and set up your PDI card, select the correct video input, and away you go (although you might want to do some video adjustments).

For audio, you will either have to hook up to the SPDIF output on the XCard, or run the XCard to a SPDIF passthrough on your Audigy (if it has one). Then just select the SPDIF output in the audio tab of the XCard media player software and you're set.

RG

[DFA]

You really just need to go back and read the first page or two. But basically, you need to have Dscaler open AND the XCard player application open for control.

There is an internal SPDIF out on the XCard that you can take to an internal SPDIF input on the Audigy. There is some information on the Net about this and a reference I made to it somewhere in this thread or forum.

The DVDROM properties should be set for "Enable digital CD audio.....". No other hookups needed or wanted other than ATA cable and power.

DFA

[Rick Guynn]

Originally posted by DFA
There is an internal SPDIF out on the XCard that you can take to an internal SPDIF input on the Audigy. There is some information on the Net about this and a reference I made to it somewhere in this thread or forum.

The DVDROM properties should be set for "Enable digital CD audio.....". No other hookups needed or wanted other than ATA cable and power.
DFA

Are you sure the XCard passes its SPDIF signal through that internal connector? I tried running a jumper from the internal out of the XCard to my 'CD Digital' in port on my SB Live and couldn't get anything out of it. I hooked directly to the XCard and it worked....

I'll see if I can find your other posts...

RG

[MaxC]

Originally posted by Rick Guynn
Max, as for video, you should only have to go into DScaler and set up your PDI card, select the correct video input, and away you go (although you might want to do some video adjustments).

For audio, you will either have to hook up to the SPDIF output on the XCard, or run the XCard to a SPDIF passthrough on your Audigy (if it has one). Then just select the SPDIF output in the audio tab of the XCard media player software and you're set.

RG

Thanks, but....

What is the correct video input? I have the DVD playing through the DVD rom. I have the Dscaler properly set to RS BTcard and have it set to CCIR1 for video. I have all the video setting adjusted according to the manual. I put in a DVD press play on the player with dScaler open but I get nothing but a blue screen.

I will go back are check out the first few pages, but if you have any more incite, feel free to reply. :D

[MaxC]

Just read the first page.

1. Why does the Xcard need to be installed first? I followed the manual which installs the PDI card first.

2.) When setting up Dscaler, why select SDI Silk 100 (c-video jumper)? Then manual says to select RS BT card.

[dstroot]

Dude - you really need to read the manual - if you have a PDI card you install version 4.1.7b of Dscaler and then select the PDI card as the input, not SDI silk or RS BT Card.

[Rick Guynn]

I have the 'standard' PDI card, not the deluxe. I also have a Fusion II. I ran into problems with XP wanting to install Fusion drivers for the PDI card when I installed it. If I manually installed the BT drivers for the PDI card, I could successfully get video, but it broke my Fusion drivers. So I followed Li On's initial installation method, which leads to using the PDI card without anydrivers. I then selected the Silk 100 (c jumper), selected SDI in the video input, and it worked fine.

I am using DScaler 4.18. I will mention that after initially setting up the card, I had to quit out of DScaler and then bring it back up for the changes to kick in.

I'm not sure if this same process will work withe the Deluxe card.

RG

[DFA]

The Deluxe card requires selection of "PMS PDI" card type configuration and Dscaler 4.1.8. On the other hand, a standard modified bt878 or original non-Deluxe PMS PDI card requires selection of "SDI Silk 100 (C-Jumper)" and select "SDI" as input source. And yes any card configuration changes requires a restart of Dscaler. Again, all discussed in this thread.

There was a link for how to internally connect XCard and Audigy via SPDIF and required some new / modified Audigy drivers or something but that link is no longer working. Here it is anyway: http://www.shspvr.com/reviews/xcard/dd51.html .

Read my friend, read.

DFA

[MaxC]

Originally posted by dstroot
Dude - you really need to read the manual - if you have a PDI card you install version 4.1.7b of Dscaler and then select the PDI card as the input, not SDI silk or RS BT Card.

Dude- the PDI/Xcard deluxe manual I have says RS BT....so which is it?!

I have switched it to PDI and am using Dscaler 4.18 and still nothing. What do I set the video output on the Xcard to? Component RGB, Scart, VGA? I am trying to use my DVI from the Radeon.

Do I not have to connect anything from the DVD rom or Radeon to the PDI or Xcard?

[Rick Guynn]

You do not have to connect anything except the ribbon cable between the XCard and PDI card. You do not have to touch the video out options on the XCard, the digital out signal is independent of the output port selection.

The BT drivers (as I understand it) are only necessary for accessing the the capture capabilities with programs other than DScaler.

RG

[ashen-shugar]

I have been following this thread exhaustively and attempted most of the recommended settings. The major point of comparison for me was between the zoomplayer-ffdshow-reclock setup vs the xcard-pms bt878 -dscaler pdi solution. Before any pundit out there starts to flame me regarding fairness of comparison, let me just say that these are the most popular modes of playback available to 'low-end' htpc users so i must insist that a comparison is fair.

Anyway after weeks of testing with lotr fellowship and gladiator dvds I must say that in the end i was a little disappointed with the results that the pdi solution produced. the software solution was still superior!

My zoomplayer/ffdshow/reclock setup included powerdvd video/windvd audio/ffdshow filters with most of the recommended settings by Owen (the'ffdshow resize dude'). I must say that colours appeared more vibrant, SHARPER, and no 'jaggies'. In particular there was little judder with reclock implementation and non of the 'panning artifacts' that were described by some. As a bonus the software solution was also more user friendly, with direct mouse intervention and on the fly adjustment capabilities.

It was very disappointing for me, therefore, after having forked out 200 odd bucks for the xcard/pms video pdi solution, to find that colours were less natural, background details were less sharp and most importantly, the irritating judder problem. I have pored through and implemented all the anti-judder solutions posed in this forum and the screen still occasionally breaks up during fast panning scenes. As for the so-called superior scaling of dscaler, all you need to view is the first few seconds of the "entry to rome' scene in gladiator, and see that the circus maximus in the lower right corner is an unstable flickering image. this never occurs with the software solution, and can be curiously reproduced in zoomplayer if the dscaler deinterlacing function of ffdshow is activated. Last but not least having to open two program windows in order to play the movie, coupled with a flaky remote, makes for an inconvenient viewing experience.

I have been tweaking and reconfiguring the system so much over the past month that i do not think my findings are unique. If Li On or some other pdi promoter can analyze my settings below and suggest a method by which i may still regard the pdi solution as more than an overpriced high school experiment, i will be extremely grateful.

Xcard/pdi/dscaler settings

Xcard ver 2.1 drivers
500-480-480 video
pms bt878 drivers
ccir-1 input
dscaler auto pulldown mode
filter settings recommended by Li On

Zoomplayer settings

power dvd video
windvd spdif
ffdshow with resize sharpen settings as recommended by Owen
denoise3d
reclock
powerstrip

hardware

P4 3 GHz
gigabyte sinxp1394 mb
512 mb ddram
radeon 9700 pro with catalyst 3.10
sanyo plv-z1 projector (with above settings at 960 by 540 via powerstrip)

[Ewingr]

I really hate to ask, but what is a PDI card. I'm interested in xCard, but can't follow this until I know what it is.

I looked in the Glossary and it is not there.

Thanks

[KBK]

OK.

what's been going on the HTPC forum for the past year, while I was gone?

New dscaler toys?

[Ewingr]

Sorry about the PDI question. I finally got off my but and did more searching and figured it out. Sounds like a good combination, although I saw another post by Li ON saying he is now doing something with PDI and an external player. More than I want to do. I may go with this, unless other feedback stops me.

Roger

[malefactor]

Ken,

It's a homebrewed PCI card that has a bunch of inputs including a digital one that appropriately complements the "realmagic xcard"'s digital out.

Info at pmsvideo dot com. The PDI deluxe is actually, imho, worthwhile even if you dont want to use it with the xcard. Lotsa inputs.

[Li On]

Hi,

Sad to see people still having problem with PDI solution. I agree that PDI (internal or external) is not a foolproof setup for j6p, especially those only watched mainstream Hollywood DVD and never know the differences of proper video deinterlace, bad flag source, 3/2 pulldown removal, chroma bug effect etc etc.

That's why I stopped talking PDI long time ago. Unless you live in my area so I can help you out personally.

regards,

Li On

[geofstro]

I have been using the xCard + original PDI card combo since last summer.

Comparisons with the ZP+WinDVD+FFDShow+Reclock route are inevitable; but I feel some of the remarks knocking the xCard + PDI combo as being overpriced or whatever, are a little unfair.

I think of this forum as an R&D think tank where members are continuously searching for better methods to attain the highest quality possible. When it first came out the xcard + PDI card combo with DScaler was perhaps the best method that had been discovered up to that time. Since that time, though, further research has forged ahead spurred by Owen and others on the ZP+FFDShow, etc. front, and this might now be the preferred method for many of us.

Still the xCard + PDI card +DScaler combo may still offer many advantages, not least of which being that it's likley to be less demanding on your CPU than pushing your luck with many of the options FFDShow offers.

Personally I hope development continues on both these fronts and Li On, I hope you're not feeling discouraged?

After experimenting with both these methods, one thing I'm still not clear on is what happens under either method when there is no need to deinterlace?

DSCaler is basically a de-interlacer, which is needed for video based material and NTSC film material which utilises 3-2 pulldown (or telecine).

But what about film based PAL DVD's? My understanding is that there should be no need to de-interlace them at all, yet it seems to me there is no way to turn off de-interlacing in DScaler? Does de-interlacing when you don't need to, do more harm than good?

With FFDShow even if you don't select any of the de-interlace options your video decoder may still be applying de-interlacing, especially if you've chosen "Force Weave" or "Force Bob" under WinDVD 5 for example. Perhaps WinDVD5 know's not to de-interlace when it's not necessary or perhaps you have to set it to "Auto" for that?

Can anyone clarify this point for me?

Thanks


geoff

[Ewingr]

The PDI deluxe is actually, imho, worthwhile even if you dont want to use it with the xcard. Lotsa inputs.

Can I take that to mean that I can put my Satellite through that card (after passing through the UltimateTV STB, of course) to improve it's signal, and will NOT have to purchase a TV card of some kind to put it through?


Thanks
Roger

[malefactor]

Yes, but keep in mind that the PDI is a very restricted card--it only works with Dscaler, and currently only custom-modified builds of it provided by pmsvideo.

TV cards would be more flexible/universal. If you wanted to use sagetv, or showshifter, for example, a TV card is a better bet AT THE MOMENT.

"Improve" is relative. That depends if in your view Dscaler improves the viewing. (To me it does--I would never give it up, but you need to be clear on what you're looking for).

[malefactor]

ashen-shugar,

One of the advantages of the PDI is that it is much simpler. I'd like to try the setup you find to be superior (I have an xp2100+, so CPU should be no issue) for myself, but the setup seems to be so complex and ethereal.

Can you point to a guide, or multiple guides, as to how each and every tool should be set up? I'm not an idiot, but there is a dizzying array of settings available in each of these tools, and little to nothing it the way of guidance toward proper setup.

[Li On]

Hi geoff,

All interlace source (both NTSC 480i and PAL 576i) needs to be de-interlace.

For NTSC, they are either video deinterlace for 60i source, 3/2 removal deinterlace for 24fps source and 2/2 pulldown for 30fps source.

Dscaler will auto detect and switch between video deinterlace and 3/2 pulldown mode. You need to manually select a correct 2/2 mode for 30fps source.

For PAL, there are only 2 deinterlace modes - video deinterlace for 50i video source or 2/2 pulldown for 25fps source. Dscaler will auto detect and switch between these 2 deinterlace mode.

regards,

Li On

[geofstro]

Hi Li On,

Thanks for the clear explanation.

Regards

geoff

[m3wannabe]

This may seem a little silly, but...

Could use the component input on this PDI card for scaling to 720p?

I have a z2 projector and all my video sources are run to a Yamaha rxv1400 that does component video upconversion.

Sources are:
Xbox (component)
Sony progressive dvd(Component)
Dishnetwork pvr (svideo converted to component)

I really like the automatic switching the receiver offers, but I am unable to use it with my HTPC unless I use the svideo outputs of my sources.

What I would be really interested in is if the PDI could handle HD component from an 811 Dishnetwork receiver.

[pdermody]

The PDI Deluxe can not handle any kind of HD input at all.

-pd

[bedo]

Sources are:
Xbox (component)
Sony progressive dvd(Component)
Dishnetwork pvr (svideo converted to component)


You're good to go for all except the XBOX will only go through the PDI for 480i or 576i stuff. I just got mine installed and have been playing with it on my monitor and I really like what I see. I can't wait for it to really show what it is all about when I get my 2HD and see it used on a projected image. :D

Edit: Can the PDI accept a progressive signal??

[pdermody]

The PDI Deluxe can not handle progressive signal last I looked.

-pd

[Fatyogi]

Help with xcard + PDI combo

Hello to all,

Please forgive the newbie question. I have been following this thread and my head is spinning with all the dizzying array of information.

I currently have an xcard hooked up to a benq 7100 pj via component in. I am mildly satisfy with the performance and was considering this combo.

Question??

With the xcard/PDI/dscaler combo, dvd playback would be outputted to dscaler and the xmedia player becomes completely useless? Is this correct? I would no longer use the component in to my pj but switch back to vga (no dvi in on pj) in to my pj. Same as software dvd playback like I had pre-xcard? Correct?

Thanks to all those who responds.

FY

[pdermody]

You still need Xmedia player to interface the xcard for playback. Just hide it offscreen or minimize it and use the remote.

As for output, you will no longer use the Xcard's external outputs, but instead the vga output as you guessed.

-pd

[David Pluggedin]

Yes, but keep in mind that the PDI is a very restricted card--it only works with Dscaler, and currently only custom-modified builds of it provided by pmsvideo. TV cards would be more flexible/universal. If you wanted to use sagetv, or showshifter, for example, a TV card is a better bet AT THE MOMENT.

Not any more - we have released a driver for the SweetSpot (European version) and PDI Deluxe which gives support for any application that supports WDM drivers , including ShowShifter.

check w w w.pluggedin.tv/sweetspot/support/downloads.html for more information.

enjoy!

(apologies for the link format - posting rules etc)

[bedo]

Will the drivers work on the PDI Deluxe combo bought at pmsvideo website?

[pdermody]

It should, its the same card.

-pd

[kweezr]

Just read through 15pages and still have a question. I have The PDI/Xcard
combo, Dscaler 4.17b and set up everything per Li on's 1st post.

The Xcard player says the disc is playing, I get audio but no video from
Dscaler, the lower right corner of Dscaler say "no video signal found".

When I look under sources(Dscaler) RS BT card is checked.

What am I missing?

Using ATI9600 vga-vga to plasma

[Ewingr]

The instructions that come with the PDI/xCard combo say to select PMS PDI Dexlux for the card when setting up dScaler. LiON's notes in the very first post of this thread say to select SDI Silk 100 (C-Video Jumper). Which is right?

[jimwhite]

depends on whether you have a PDI Card or PDI-Deluxe card :D

:cool:

[Ewingr]

On my post above, although I have tried both SDI and PDI settings and found they both 'appear' to work, I see that I should be using PDI Delux, as that is the card I have.

I am quite surprised to find that my CPU is running 95-100% playing a DVD with this combination. I've read of 10-15% up to 50, but not this high.

My system is:

AMD 2600+ Barton CPU
512MB Mem
DFI Lanparty Ultra II B motherboard

I've read this entire thread over the past quantiy of minutes (hours?). Have tried the various settings; have set several different delinterlace settings...currently on Mocomp2 (which by implication earlier in this thread may be high usage need for CPU); but not finding variance on CPU useage, in general. ( A couple of them gave me solid 100%). Have the 2 filters on that LiON first recommended.

Also experience some stuttering. Have made teh changes recommended in this thread, and it is much better but still there.

[JohnE]

I'm experiencing a delay between sound and video using Xcard/PDI/DScaler. Comparing with the VGA output from the Xcard itself the video routed through PDI/DScaler/ATI graphics card seem to be delayed with up to 100-150 ms. It's strange though it doesn't seem to be a constant delay. The delay between sound and video differs between different films and also at different times in the same film.

My system is based on AMD 2000+, PMS PDI/Xcard combo, ATI Radeon 7200 and I'm using the Xcard S/PDIF-out to an external reciever.

Is the delay caused by the processing time needed by DScaler and for routing the video signal through the system or is it just an issue of wrong settings. Using DScaler with or without any filters doesn't seem to have any effect. I've also tried toggling 'Memory Hole 15M-16M' and different AGP aperture sizes in MB BIOS but not to any luck. BTW, I'm watching PAL DVDs using 2:2 pulldown and there's no delay if using the Xcard VGA output.

[Ewingr]

Not any more - we have released a driver for the SweetSpot (European version) and PDI Deluxe which gives support for any application that supports WDM drivers , including ShowShifter.

Does this mean we can get past the 'judder' problem with dScaler? I just got my HTPC going this week, and installed the xCard and dScaler. Used recommendations listed in this trehad, and have judder. I can't live with that. I'd rather have worse picture w/No judder if I have to.

BTW...I will be playing this to a Sim2 Projector which has Faroudga upscaling. Given that, am I fine to forget dScaler?

And, going this route, am I really getting anythign from the xCard?

[DHunt]

Roger,

If your using a digital projector with a HTPC, you should not be using the built in scaler (Faroudga). Install Power Strip on your HTPC and set your resolution to match the native resolution of the projector. Now you can use DScaler to do the deinterlacing of the picture, and your video card to do the scaling. If you have DVI inputs on the projector, and DVI outputs on your video card, it would be beneficial to use it to keep the whole path in the digital domain. The Faroudga will do a decent job, but I believe you should get better results using DScaler and the XCard/PDI card.

Just remember, you want to match the native resolution of the projector and let the computer do all of the deinterlacing and scaling. Keeping it all digital is the whole purpose of using the XCard and PDI card.

Darren

[Atman]

Hi Roger,

Judder problem is not related to the driver. Actually DScaler can drive the PDI/PDI Deluxe card directly without the driver.

Here is the checklist for solving the stuttering problem:
http://www.pmsvideoforum.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17

[Ewingr]

If your using a digital projector with a HTPC, you should not be using the built in scaler (Faroudga).
So, you are saying 'turn off Faroudga' on the projector? I haven't opened the box yet. I'm not sure if I can even do that. Would it actually hurt to leave it on?

and your video card to do the scaling
I have to beg for a little education. What is scaling? I am presuming setting of resolution. No?

Install Power Strip on your HTPC and set your resolution
The resolution settings from the native drivers for the ATI won't set the right resolution? Or will I find that I have to change resolutions often for various things, and Powerstrip is quicker/easier for accomplishing that? Ultimately I would like to have the resolution changes be automatic when I change sources. Don't know if that is possible.

The Faroudga will do a decent job, but I believe you should get better results using DScaler and the XCard/PDI card
I have found that my judder problem is based on using 2 filters (Chroma and Sharpen) along with the MoComp2 Video setting. Drives the processor too high (I have an AMD 2600+ Barton...most talked like that would be more than enough...maybe not.)

That being said, if I have to run w/o the settings in dScaler that bring the better picture, will the picture really be better? (Of course, once all hooked up I can test this for myself...but interested in your thoughts).

One setting in particular I want to leave on is the Chroma filter. I presume that compensates for the Chroma bug in the xCard.

Judder problem is not related to the driver. Actually DScaler can drive the PDI/PDI Deluxe card directly without the driver.
Hmmm...actually I'm a little confused on that one. When I installed the card, the instructions had me install drivers for the xCard, and specifically NOT for the PDI card. Then I read the thread post earlier in this tread pointing to new (beta) drivers. I presume that is for teh xCard, not the PDI, and that I DO need the drivers for the xCard. No? BTW...those drivers cause blue screens on my system if I change resolution settings on my ATI card. So I went back to the original drivers.

[DHunt]

I'm not an expert at this, but I will give you my impression of what happens. If I'm off base, I am sure some one will correct the little details I miss...

Originally posted by Ewingr
So, you are saying 'turn off Faroudga' on the projector? I haven't opened the box yet. I'm not sure if I can even do that. Would it actually hurt to leave it on?

If you set your video output from your computers video card to match the native resolution of your projector, the Faroudga will not be used as the picture is the perfect size for the projector. You don't have to turn anything off, just make sure your output matches the pj input native resolution.


Originally posted by Ewingr
I have to beg for a little education. What is scaling? I am presuming setting of resolution. No?

Scaling is the process of taking a video signal and changing it to fit the native resolution. If your PJ has a native resolution of 1280x720, and you input a 800x600, the scaling will change the 800x600 to a 1280x720 size to fit. Depending on your scaler, it can either do a good job at this, or a poor job. Using your video card allows you to do this in your computer, rather then the built in scaler in the projector. On top, going through DScaler via XCard/PDI allows you to apply filters to the signal, giving you the ability to tweak the picture even further using filters. The built in hw of the projector does not give you this flexibility.


Originally posted by Ewingr
The resolution settings from the native drivers for the ATI won't set the right resolution? Or will I find that I have to change resolutions often for various things, and Powerstrip is quicker/easier for accomplishing that? Ultimately I would like to have the resolution changes be automatic when I change sources. Don't know if that is possible.

Depending on the native resolution of your projector, it might be listed in the ATI settings. In my situation, my ATI settings did not have a 1280x720 resolution so I had to use Power Strip to create the setting for my projector. Power Strip also has the ability to change the resolution settings for each program. The problem with this is that if your program needs a different resolution, then you are making the internal scaler of the projector resize/format the picture to fit its native resolution again. Try to set your desktop to the native resolution, and run all programs in this resolution. If your trying to play games, many of them do not allow you to change the resolution from their defaults, which means the projector will have to do the scaling for you, resulting in a stretched picture (assuming the game is 4:3 and your projector is 16:9). I actively look for games that can run at my native resolution to avoid this visual distraction.

In the situation of Satellite TV, I have it inputted into my PDI Deluxe card, which then allows my video card (Scaling) and DScaler (Filters/deinterlacing) to adjust the picture to a 1280x720 signal for my projector to use. I depend on my HTPC to do everything for me. More control, more options.

Originally posted by Ewingr
That being said, if I have to run w/o the settings in dScaler that bring the better picture, will the picture really be better? (Of course, once all hooked up I can test this for myself...but interested in your thoughts).


I believe this is an easy thing to do. If you bought the PDI Deluxe card, it has multiple inputs and you could use this as a A/B comparison. Plug your DVD player into the projectors composite input and watch some DVD for a while. Then, plug that same input into the PDI Deluxe composite port and run the same DVD video again through DScaler and see if the picture is better. I've never done this, and I wouldn't recommend using composite signals as they aren't as good as VGA or PDI for on going use, but as a test, it should be interesting. In the end, using the DVDROM and keeping everything digital within the computer will give you the best picture. The above experiment should show you what differences DScaler makes.

Originally posted by Ewingr

One setting in particular I want to leave on is the Chroma filter. I presume that compensates for the Chroma bug in the xCard.


Correct.

Darren

[Ewingr]

DHunt

Thank you! Your detailed reply is greatly apprecaited. Thanks for the time and effort.

I will report back my findings (albeit based on my views) as I work on this.

BTW...after I had gotten feedback from someone that the xCard had the Chroma bug, I had sent an email to Sigma Designs Tech Support askign if it would be fixed, or if a flash could be applied against the card to fix it. Here is their reply:

Hello

The Xcard does not have this problem. You can check the movie "Moulin
Rouge" at the time 00:12:50 to see the red jacket display, "Monsters, Inc"
at the time 00:07:45, and the menu of "Toy Story" 3-disc set and you won't
see this problem.

PLEASE NOTE: Please include this whole thread of correspondence in your
answer for proper follow-up. We'll have to ask you to resend your message if
it does not contain the case history.

Thanks
Sigma Designs
Tech Support

[DFA]

I have XCard / PDI (home brew Zoltrix). I got no judder ever. Just good picture from day one. It's hard to beat hardware decoding.

If you can't get this running, you'll have tons of fun with the [ZP / FFDShow / Reclock / Codec route]. The possible combinations there are infinite. The possible combinations for getting it wrong are staggering. And in the end, you'll be hard pressed to out do the HW deocder.

I'm of the opinion that some of the improved PQ claims made by the software approach are artificial meaning the original source material (film) did not even look that way. But that's my opinion. Many of these techniques add "flavor" to the video material but need to be careful about categorizing this as improved and better PQ. My 2 cents.

DFA

[Ewingr]

DVA

I have gotten it to not do the judder. But I have to turn off the filters and I can't use Mocomp 2. Not sure if any of those are 'required' to get the great picture everyone is talking about or not. I'll just have to play with it.

[Ewingr]

Well, now I'm trying to play Trailers that I've copied to my Drive through the card, and the app that ships with xCard won't play from a drive.

Anyone know how I can remedy that?

I have heard that Zoomplayer will play through the xCard/PDI combo, I suppose I need to look at that.

Boy, I read it was so easy with the xCard. I'm not finding that to be the case. I guess that is based on if all you do is pop in a DVD, and play it on your computer, as opposed to calling it with apps like MyHTPC, Mainlobby, etc, and do things such as want to also play from a drive.

[JohnE]

Ewingr,

You might want to try out JovePlayer. It's a very nice frontend for Xcard. You will find a 10 day trial version at 8 Dimensions (http://www.8dim.com/) .

[JohnE]

I still have problems with audio/video sync. I tried to overclock FSB from 133 to 148 MHz and it seem to have helped a bit for AC3 sound. By a coincidence I noticed that it is when sending DTS sound through S/PDIF the video delay is the worst. Might it be a bandwidth problem?

/John

[Alex Simon]

Hi Roger
Your AMD 2600+ Barton should easliy be able to run DScaler with Mocomp 2.
I run a Tualatin 1.2 and mocomp is fine.
Run DScaler in windowed mode and check the df/s info. It's the number of dropped frames. If you get judder with zero dropped frames then something else is wrong.
Usually the judder will coincide with dropped frames.

Turn off all the filters these can be intensive. Lets get you smooth playbeck before we start introducing the chroma filter.

In the deinterlace settings - you can change the number of fields mocomp uses to compare. If you still get dropped frames, lower the search effort (I think the default is 5 so try 4 and look for dropped frames again).

Hope this helps
Alex

[Ewingr]

This dScaler thing is becoming quite frustrating. I thought I had it working pretty good. The other night it was using only 40% CPU.

tonight I can load dScaler, have nothing playing in it, no filters turned on, nothing selected in delinterlacing, and it is ustin 90% of the CPU.

Then, I can load XMP PLayer and play a video, and it seems to drop for a while.

If I change Delinterlace modes (i.e. Bob, Simple Bob, others), it may change, and it may do nothing....wait, maybe it's just not updateing because my CPU is at 100%.

Is all this normal?

Does anyone have any suggested settings? Teh ones in the xCard thread up front definitely don't work for me.

I was pointed to a thread for things to do for the studder problem, and I think I've done them all. I'm on the way back to check again.

...Just checked, I've tried those things.

BTW, mentioned earlier to set the search settings lower on MoComp2. They are already down to 1.

Oh, and I am showing 2 - 5 dropped frames when I have judder.

I may try to reinstall dScaler.

Sigh...

[Rick Guynn]

Roger, even when you do not have anything actively playing, DScaler is running its algorithms. That is why you see high CPU usage with nothing playing. With regards to the XCard, I suggest you go to the SigmaDesigns web site and download either the 2.0b or 2.1 drivers and application. You can play files by creating a playlist with either one of these.

I would suggest turning everything off and starting one at a time.

As regarding your dropeed frames, what drivers are you using for your motherboard? When I tried to use the SW-IDE driver for my NForce2, I was getting dropped frames like crazy. I reverted to the ITB (MS) drivers and evertything is smooth now.

RG

[Ewingr]

Rick

Thanks. The fact it is still running the algorythms makes sense, although with zero input, i'd think there woudl be a difference.

I'll go look for the Sigma site and look for the latest stuff you mention. I thought I had done that...but, now that I think about it, I probably went to the PMSVideo site...for the PDI card. I presume the xCard drivers at Sigma is what I would want. The PDI card didn't have drivers.

BTW...I just verified, I do have the drivers and app you reference at Sigma Designs. Your saying it plays files made me look harder. I have to insert them into a playlist. As I am calling this from Mainlobby, I'll have to see if I can figure out how to do that.

As far as your quesiton on drivers for motherboard...are you speaking about drivers for the IDE controller? For the DVD? (I don't know what you mean by ITB)

By looking at the driver listed from Hardware/DVD Rom/Driver Details, I am using Microsoft driver version 5.1.2525.0, dated 7/1/2001.

[Rick Guynn]

The Nforce2 motherboards have a problem with the SW-IDE driver that was made for them. The alternative is to use the 'In-the-Box' (ITB) drivers, which is the Microsoft drivers included in XP. Depending on which driver package you installed for your motherboard, you may have installed the SW-IDE driver. In order to check, you need to go to: control panel=>system=>hardware tab=>device manager=>IDE ATA/ATAPI Devices
Look in there ans see what is listed. If ther is only one device under that heading and it says something along the lines of NVidea SPP... then it is the SW-IE driver and you'll need to change it.

RG

[Ewingr]

The ATAPI drivers are Nvidia SPP/IGP. The DVD Rom is MS, as noted above.

I might mention that my drives are running on a Promise Raid5 controller, with it's drivers.

I have improved the performance on my dScaler. At least for tonight. Don't know what it will look like tomorrow night.;)

Settings:
Below 300 MHZ
Best Quality
Priority given to other SW (Although I thought dScaler would need it if to keep from judder...??)
Video: various, including MoComp
No Filters
And the one that really seemed to help was something to the effect of play all frames. But...I can't find it now to say for sure which one that is. I must need to go to bed.

ONe thing I cannot figure out is how to get dScaler to launch maximized.

[AlanIbra]

In dscaler.ini , there is a setting that would allow you to start it full screen, it is in the main window section, change the value of force full screen to 1, the default is 0 :

dscaler.ini >>>
....
....
[Main Window]
AlwaysForceFullScreen=1
....
....

Roger, I am glad you are zeroing in on the performance issues, I am myself struggling with this combo. I will have to look at my ATAPI drivers since I have nforce2 mobo, I will give your settings a shot though, you are right, they don't seem to make sense but I will try them.

Got a question for you, did you try feeding the the PDI card live TV feed? I did it and not happy at all with the outcome, the folks here told me that I am doing something wrong, but believe it or not, I have the best PQ using ZP+ffdshow - It is the limited options of Dscaler that drive me nuts. and as you said, sometime changing the setting does not give any results.

As far as my setup goes, I don't know why I got the Xcard (was part of the PDI combo), I am sticking to the ZP+ffdshow route since it is problem free (yes it took me a loooooong while to get it working, but now I can setup a new PC in under 15 minutes).

-Alan

[Alex Simon]

Roger
Your computer has plenty of power to run the settings you mention. It definitely points to something being wrong in the system.

I think Rick has found something worth trying.

Most of our customers are running lower spec pcs than yours with mocomp2, search effort 5, no filters and no dropped frames.

Are you always using Xcard as the source? Have you got an old dvd player you can connect to PDI Deluxe/SweetSpot or a STB?

I just want to narrow the problems down to XMP or DScaler.

Cheers
Alex

[Rick Guynn]

I think you are running the SW-IDE driver. Double-click on the SPP/IGP listing in the device manager, go to the drivers tab, click update driver, check 'I will pick my own driver', next, select standard IDE and finish it up. That should fix your problem with dropped frames.

Your color adjustments are just something you'll have to work on. Start by going into the XCard adjustments and seting brightness to 500, contrast to 420, and saturation to 500. If you have AVIA, you should try out the auto-calibrate feature in DScaler. After doing those two things, then you can fine tune by using the overlay adjustments.

RG

[DHunt]

Rick,

I have not heard about an auto-calibrate feature in DScaler. Could you expand on what this is? I'll take alook after work today.

Speaking about settings for MoComp, I took a look last night at mine and it is set to one. I tried increasing it to a higher number, but the results on the screen did not look as good. Any diagonal lines became choppy (stair steps). Lowering it back to 1 made it look smooth again. Can anyone comment on what this deinterlacer actually does with these numbers? I am imagining it has something to do with analyzing frames.

Darren

[Alex Simon]

Hi Darren

Auto-calibration works like this
1. Get a DVD source into PDI Deluxe/SweetSpot (preferably using the same method of connection as your intended source). Obviously in an Xcard setup you would use that.
2. Use AVIA, VE, or a THX Optimode DVD. and navigate to the Testcards listed in the DScaler settings menus, or in the included DScaler help files.
3. Use the DScaler menus to tell DScaler what Testcard you are using
4. Select one of the calibration methods (that will now be enabled)

I know this isn't completely self-explanatory but the DScaler Help files do go through this in some detail with screenshots of the testcards to help you identify them.

NOTE: if you want to calibrate the analogue inputs seperately and don't have a standalone DVD player you can loop out of the S-Video output on Xcard and back into SweetSpot by using a S-Video to S-Video lead if you have one.

[llama]

Also, as an FYI.. For the THX Optimode DVD, you need an 'older' version. The newer one found on ATOC won't work. I ended up using the one off my Toy Story I DVD.

[Ewingr]

This is good input, everyone. Great forum. I will be working on these things tonight.

I do have a couple other questions related to using xCard, but a little off topic from the past few posts: In the XMP program, you can select Analog or SPDIF for audio. If I select analog, it does NOT play out my speakers. Do I need to do something else or is that normal?

The other question is: Is there a command line I can use to open teh XMP and have it start at a bookmark on the CD? I see that you can save bookmarks in the new version of XMP; and I want to call it from Mainlobby. I'd like to launch that way so I don't have to bring up the prog on teh screen and mouse to the bookmark.

Oh, one other question: JohnE earlier indicated experiencing problems with delay in sound/non-synch between video and sound, a couple times. I've seen no response on that. Is this a normal problem? CAn this be resolved? I've also seen posting from another complaining about sound quality out SPDIF and surround. I haven't hooked up sound yet, other than for 10 minutes to verify that it works on SPDIF, so I suspect these will my my next challenges.:(

I'll update you after tonight from above posts.

P.S.: I see mention of dScaler help files. I should probably read them. As well, I read with interest the topics on calibration above. First I've run into that. Is that for calibration of Video, Audio, or both? Maybe that needs to be done for fix of sound sync I just mentioned?

[Alex Simon]

If I select analog, it does NOT play out my speakers Xcard has it's own sound outputs - are you using those?sound/non-synch between video and sound
This can be helped by lowering the search effort in DScaler's deinterlacing settings. Otherwise it shouldn't normally be a problem.I see mention of dScaler help files. I should probably read them. I've a feeling this might not be included with the custom 417p2/3 that comes with PDI Deluxe/SweetSpot. The help file can be used form another version though.
Let me know if you can't find it (from another DScaler version or from the DScaler.org site) and I'll get it put on the Pluggedin.tv download page.

Hope that helps
Alex

[Rick Guynn]

I do have a couple other questions related to using xCard, but a little off topic from the past few posts: In the XMP program, you can select Analog or SPDIF for audio. If I select analog, it does NOT play out my speakers. Do I need to do something else or is that normal?

There should have been a jumper cable with the XCard. You connect the jumper to the XCard and the other end to one of the analog in's (like Aux or CD) on your soundcard. If it still doesn't work, then check the recording mixer to make sure you have selected the correct input and check the playback mixer to make sure that the ouput on that channel isn't muted.

The other question is: Is there a command line I can use to open teh XMP and have it start at a bookmark on the CD? I see that you can save bookmarks in the new version of XMP; and I want to call it from Mainlobby. I'd like to launch that way so I don't have to bring up the prog on teh screen and mouse to the bookmark.
Can't help you on that one. I have never looked into it.

RG

[Ewingr]

Well, I'm back at it, and ready to go, and starting on trying things from that last several posts :). Just a few comments to start:


Xcard has it's own sound outputs - are you using those?
and
There should have been a jumper cable with the XCard. You connect the jumper to the XCard and the other end to one of the analog in's (like Aux or CD) on your soundcard.

The only thing that came with the xCard was the cable to hook it to the PDI card. Of course, I purchased it as a bundle from PMSVideo, and I've already learned that was a bad idea. It was only $10 less expensive, and it came minus $40 worth of cables.

So, I have nothing except the ribbon cable between those two cards. I guess I need to find an audio cable somewhere and hook it from the line out on the card to the CD-Audio in on my motherboard in order to get sound from the PC speakers.

I've a feeling this might not be included with the custom 417p2/3 that comes with PDI Deluxe

That's an accurate feeling. I will search for it, although I presume to find it I just need to DL dScaler, somewhat recent version, from the dScaler site, and I'll get that.

Well, off to the races.

[Ewingr]

HOLY COW!!!:D

I changed to the standard drivers from the nVidia, and my CPU is at zero!

So, for fun I:

- Turned on MoComp2
- Increased Search Effort to 5 from 1
- Turned on Automatic Film/Video Detection
- Turned on Judder Terminator
- Turned on Sharpness AND Chroma Filters

And CPU for dScaler is at 8%.

I am still seeing droped frames, but haven't seen judder. Haven't watched long enough yet to see though. But, I guess I'm ready to at least focus on what is the right settings. Probably need to move on for now and do that after I get it hooked up to my projector, and look for those instructions for dScaler.

ONe thing...based on the earlier post and problems with sound, I may want to drop that search effort back down. Well see what happens.

BTW...I had a scare:p . After installing the new drivers, it did not ask me to reboot. And the DVD disappeared. But, after rebooting, it is back.

BTW...AlanIbra...

did you try feeding the the PDI card live TV feed? I did it and not happy at all with the outcome, the folks here told me that I am doing something wrong

No, I have not messed with that yet. I plan to feed a Satellite to it, and maybe VHS. Not there yet.

[AlanIbra]

I changed to the standard drivers from the nVidia, and my CPU is at zero!

Roger; would you please elaborate on that, what did you do exactly, I have almost the same setup as yours.

It would be interesting to hear your review when you get to VCR/SAT input.

Regarding the Xcard combo, I hear ya! I did the same thing, I should have paid attention to school, specially the math class.


-Alan

[Ewingr]

Oh. I was so excited I forgot to say what I did.

I installed the MS drivers for my IDE, eliminating the nVidia drivers, per the post by Rick Guynn.

With regard to math...it's even simpler for me. I need to learn to read. It states on the site that it does not ship with the cables.

My review re: VCR/SAT may be a ways off...few weeks. Remodeling of the room is to start end of this month. Then probably at least 2-3 weeks before stuff gets set up.

In the meantime, I am trying to configure my system. Waiting for USB-UIRT to arrive and start working on integration with that, Mainlobby, and Girder. I may drag it all downstairs and temporarily hook up just to 'test' the sound, and SAT, as I am anxious to see, but that's probably a waste of time.

[Alex Simon]

Roger - now that you've got some headroom, I would switch the usage back to 'all resources to DScaler' and 'over 1GHz processor'.

Horses for courses, but I wouldn't use the sharpen filter.

Otherwise your settings look fine.

[DHunt]

I have my satellite hooked up to the PDI Deluxe and I'm happy with the picture.

Right now I am scaling the picture up to 1280x720, then use DScaler to put it in 4:3 mode (adds bars on left and right) so I am guessing the real res I am using for the picture is around 960. Its really nice that DScaler does this for me, and does not make me change the output resolution of the computer to get a 4:3 picture (native 16:9 pj). The picture is soft, which is understandable since I am essentially doubling the size.

My biggest issue with the whole setup is actually my wife. I have found out that she is very susceptible to motion sickness. Using the big screen, any movement on the screen now causes her nausea. :( DScaler does have a mediocre fix for this called Zoom. This may sound really funny, but it is the only way I can watch a movie right now with my wife without her leaving the room in a hurry. Since the lowest zoom setting of my projector still makes too large of a picture, what I do is set it to its largest picture size and then use DScalers zoom settings to zoom out from the picture, essentially using only half of the projectors capable resolution for watching the movie. I end up having a 95" diagonal 16:9 screen, with huge dark bars on all 4 sides of the picture, with this small, 56" ish size picture in the middle that my wife can stand. Of course, this could be made a bit large if DScalers Zoom function supported more settings. Right now I have to us 0.5, but I believe 0.75 would be perfect. Any DScaler guru's around that might explain how this could be accomplished? Is this a feature I am only using? I am guessing the threshold for my wifes motion sickness will lie around 60" diagonal. Need a more flexible DSCaler Zoom function to figure this out.

In summary, Satellite looks good for its size, but no where as good as the DVDROM does via the XCard/PDI (DVD has more data to allow a better enlargement then Satellite does). The few clips I've dl'd from the net of 720p source material looks fantastic, but those do not use the XCard or PDI solution to view. Thats a different story.

Darren

[DHunt]

Last few days I have tried getting SnapStream Beyond TV to work with the PMS PDI Deluxe Capture Card. I have had it working (barely) but I am finding the Beyond TV to be extremely finicky. I have had it blue screen on my multiple times during setup and even during normal use. I am unsure if I have a driver issue that is not working very well due to my first attempts at getting my PJ working with my HTPC. Has any one else ever tried using it? I might redo my OS over the weekend as I am also having trouble with the one game I want to be able to play (Colin McRae Rally Racing 4).

I will probably reinstall the OS without any cards in it, see if the game works, then install the two cards (XCard & PDI Deluxe card) and see if that affects the game. I am confident on having DScaler work for DVD watching, so that should not be an issue.

We will see...

[JohnE]

sound/non-synch between video and sound

This can be helped by lowering the search effort in DScaler's deinterlacing settings. Otherwise it shouldn't normally be a problem.

I can only find the setting "search effort" for video deinterlacing methods like Video (TomsMoComp). Is there a similar setting for 2:2 Pulldown?

[Jacob B]

@alex
Is it correct to assume, that showshifter or Joveplayer replaces the XMP?

Is it also correct that showshifter and Joveplayer are competing products?

If yes, has anyone reading this thread tried both?

Can I use any of these to make harddisk copies of laserdiscs?

(still waiting for the PDI deluxe/x-card combo to arrive, together with the newly bought Sanyo Z2 :) )

Jacob

[Jacob B]

bump

[Alex Simon]

Hi Jacob
Firstly, I'm sorry to hear you are still waiting for your SweetSpot.
We use a Royal Mail Priority Air Mail service which states 'usually 3 days'. I'm sorry if this hasn't been the case this time.

Now - onto Xcard :)
Joveplayer will replace XMP and is a media player interface in the same way as ShowShifter. However, it's output (it's display) is outputted through Xcard's normal outputs.

If you were a TV user, SweetSpot wouldn't be used. You would just see Joveplayer as your interface on TV.

Using SweetSpot connected to Xcard's PDI output, Joveplayer would then display through DScaler/ShowShifter/any WDM compatible software.

The main use for this would be to use DScaler as your main launch app, then access your media (including dvd via Xcard) through Joveplayer.

ShowShifter would also do this - but then you'd end up with a media player inside a media player :)

If you like ShowShifter, then I *think* the best way to do this would be to carry on using XMP.

You would then also use ShowShifter to record from Laserdisc, or anything plugged into SweetSpot's analogue inputs.

I know this is complex because Xcard is a unique product, but I hope this helped.

Cheers
Alex

[Jacob B]

@ Alex,

If I want to use showshifter to record or timeshift from my analog inputs, what wil my "front end" be? Dscaler or showshifter? I mean can dscaler be launched automaticly and just run in the background while showshifter controls the inputs to Sweetspot - both PDI input and analoge?
(Things might clarify once I install dscaler and XMP, but it's the integration with other multimedieprograms I still don't quite get...)

Thanks!
Jacob

[videobruce]

This is probably the wrong thread for this, but I didn't want to start another one on the same item.

I just don't see the logic of spending $320 for this card combo for a hardware based solution for a DVD player when good DVD external players can be had for under $200.

Am I missing something here?

[Jacob B]

You can't get an external DVD with digital video out (DVI) AND quality bulit-in scaling for under 200$.
So if you want to connect with DVI to a digital projector, a HTPC is a good solution.

What makes this an even more intersting combo compared to software (HTPC) DVD players is the analog video inputs on the PDI Deluxe card paired with Dscaler. This combo can't be matched at this price, if you want RGB/component inputs - for instance from external digital cable-tv, X-Box/Playstation etc.

Now if you don't need to scale the 480P/576P DVD signal, well then this (or a HTPC) is probably not for you.

Just my thoughts about this.
Jacob

[bilboda]

Just from a cursory glance at the thread and the web site it appears that you can upscale to hd resolutions and out put thru component connections.

[Alex Simon]

Hi Jacob
If you want to record - your front end would be ShowShifter (or another WDM-compatible app).
Only one input on SweetSpot can be used at a time, and also DScaler and ShowShifter might fight for the overlay surface, so I don't think having both on at once will work.

I know that probably isn't what you wanted to hear, but I'm sure you'll find a way to plug all this stuff together :)

Let us know how it works out.
Alex

[Alex Simon]

Hi Videobruce - I hope Jacob and Bilboda answered your question, basically when used in an HTPC with the right software, SweetSpot/PDI Deluxe act as a scaler and PVR for external sources with both very high quality SD analogue inputs and a SD digital input for Xcard.

It's the very high quality scaling all in the digital domain that differentiates it from the external dvd players.

Plus when part of an HTPC - video, music, games, etc are all available through the one interface.

Hope that helps
Alex

[videobruce]

Originally posted by Jacob B
You can't get an external DVD with digital video out (DVI) AND quality bulit-in scaling for under 200$.
So if you want to connect with DVI to a digital projector, a HTPC is a good solution.

What makes this an even more intersting combo compared to software (HTPC) DVD players is the analog video inputs on the PDI Deluxe card paired with Dscaler. This combo can't be matched at this price, if you want RGB/component inputs - for instance from external digital cable-tv, X-Box/Playstation etc.

Now if you don't need to scale the 480P/576P DVD signal, well then this (or a HTPC) is probably not for you.

Just my thoughts about this.
Jacob How about that Bravo player that many are talking about (and have) with a DVI out for $200??

[videobruce]

Originally posted by Alex Simon
Hi Videobruce - I hope Jacob and Bilboda answered your question, basically when used in an HTPC with the right software, SweetSpot/PDI Deluxe act as a scaler and PVR for external sources with both very high quality SD analogue inputs and a SD digital input for Xcard.

It's the very high quality scaling all in the digital domain that differentiates it from the external dvd players.

Plus when part of an HTPC - video, music, games, etc are all available through the one interface.

Hope that helps
Alex I understand putting all your eggs in one basket idea, BUT at $320 it is $120 more than the Bravo with the same capibilities. You are saying the PQ is better than a stand alone player??

[Alex Simon]

Hi Videobruce
No one is trying to bully anyone into a purchase here. We're just trying to offer choices. We have no interest in having unhappy customers :)

I personally have no experience of the Bravo DVD player that you mention but I am confident of the Xcard/PDI Deluxe combo's ability. The Radeon card is doing the scaling and DScaler is doing the deinterlacing. Both are very highly regarded. It's worth remembering that many people on this forum have HTPCs that cost $1500+ just to play dvds because they regard it as the best solution bar none.

The Bravo looks like a great little solution but for someone not scared by a HTPC, I'd be surprised if it offered a pq to match.

You might find a standalone solution more convenient though, horses for courses.

Better still for both convenience AND pq is an SDI modified dvd player, put through PMS Video's SDI capture card.

However, it has to be said, some people still prefer the pq offered by a Theatertek/ZoomPlayer/FFDshow/etc solution.

You're spoilt for choice :)

Regards
Alex

[videobruce]

Didn't say anyone was...........

This sounds as a vinyl vs CD arguement.

I know that there are over $1,000, DVD players out there. I also know that there are $70,000 cars , but even if I could afford either I wouldn't bother when for a fraction of that cost there are just as good alternatives (at least close enough).

Programming just isn't worth it anymore! Most of this stuff makes I Love Lucy look good!

"TV, the vast wasteland"

[Alex Simon]

lol - yes tv is poor
Just be happy that you don't have to put up with SKY here in the UK. Pitiful bitrates and hundreds of shopping/gameshow channels. Europeans would kill for your HD broadcasts :grin:. Murdoch just isn't interested.

My point about the $1500+ HTPCs was to illustrate that fact that they are mostly still using a Radeon and DScaler and that (well set up) they are regarded as peerless scaling and deinterlacing solutions. Xcard and PDI Deluxe/SweetSpot are here to deliver the best quality signal to these.

[Rick Guynn]

I understand putting all your eggs in one basket idea, BUT at $320 it is $120 more than the Bravo with the same capibilities. You are saying the PQ is better than a stand alone player??
Actually, a better comparison would be the basic PDI card coupled with the XCard. This combo is only $200 (Cheaper if you're handy and into DIY). The PQ is great and you can dial it in a heck of alot better than with something like the Bravo.

Of course, as Alex said, (paraphrasing)people have their preferences with regards to ease of use versus picture quality. People who don't want to mess with a PC will opt for something like the Bravo.

RG

[videobruce]

After building or rebuilding 8 or more boxes in the last 5 years I have no problem with tinkering, it was only the cost issue I was addressing especially if you have a external player already!

[Jacob B]

Unless your display's resolution is native DVD size (720x480 / 720x576), then you must scale somewhere...
The question is: Can the Bravo DVD scale and deinterlace as well as a HTPC with Dscaler? I doubt it - but I haven't seen a comparison.
Can your display scale as well? Probably not...

jacob

[Jacob B]

Just got my "combo" today and installed it.
The X-card works with its own video outputs.
But together with PDI Deluxe, I get a green screen when playing.

The PDI-card's analog video capture is working fine.

I read in this thread that a green sceeen will come if the format is (wrongly) set to NTSC.
- but the input is set correctly in Dscaler.

WHAT to DO??

[DShooter]

I suppose you need to set the video output of the Xcard to anything other than VGA, with HDTV disabled. For example, set the output to "Composite/S-Video" and TV Standard to "Auto" in Video Setup of xmplayer. Otherwise, there will be no digital output from the Xcard.

[Jacob B]

Unfortunatly I did already do that - after thouroughly having read the whole thread...

Any other catches?

[DHunt]

Can anyone answer how MacroVision is handled with the PDI and XCard combo? I'm not that familiar with how MacroVision works, and would like some insight into it.

Does MacroVision get added in at the analogue output and thus would only be visible via the XCards video outputs?

Or is MacroVision added at the digital level and is passed along to the PDI card to be processed with the rest of the video data?

How would MacroVision be handled with a DVI output of a Radeon Video Card with the XCard and PDI card?

Thanks.

[ThomasW]

Maybe OT, but what about the Sigmadesigns Odyssey card ? One of them is based on the new EM8620L chip, and according to Sigmadesigns it is able to decode HD WMV9 files with 720p output.

I wanted to get a X-card, but now I'll wait until the Odyssey kits are available for purchase. A simple and hopefully reliable upgrade for watching HD material.

Thomas

[johnbrisbin]

Originally posted by DHunt
Can anyone answer how MacroVision is handled with the PDI and XCard combo? I'm not that familiar with how MacroVision works, and would like some insight into it.

Does MacroVision get added in at the analogue output and thus would only be visible via the XCards video outputs?


I can speak to the theory, but my PDI card is not here yet.

On DVDs, macrovision is a flag in a sector of data. After the data is decoded, the various flavors of macrovision (there are three) are added to the analog output of the DVD player (or XCard).

In addition, the XCard will not attempt to scale the video to greater than 480i or 576i if macrovision is flagged in the source material, disabling its HD output modes. But you want it in these sizes for connection to the PDI card, so it does no hurt the output at all.

However, all of the macrovision processing happens after the stage where the cable connects between the PDI card and the XCard, so no macrovision tainted material will get into your digital stream or find its way to your DVI output.

[DHunt]

Thanks John!

That is what I suspected, but I wanted to be sure before running off to find a SW fix for removing the MacroVision. Now I don't have to worry about it.

[Jacob B]

I have a lipsync problem of a couple of tenths of a second - both with RGBs input from Digital Satelite and from PDI/X-Card DVD sources.

Is this a standard problem with Dscaler?
For me its very distracting, I feel like I´m watching german dubbed movies (Ich heisse Bond, James Bond), even though its the right language.

I also have 100% CPU usage all the time when using Dscaler (P4 2.4 GHz with Asus P4PE MOBO - Intel chipset). I have trouble keeping auto detection, Judder Terminator and the likes ON - I get dropped frames shown as a short flash/blanking of the screen (for less than a tenth of a second)

Am I doing anything wrong? I think I read something about MS Messenger has to be removed - but I can't do it, it doesn'nt show up in the remove programs list. It's integrated into Outlook somehow (by the way, Outlook has started to hang for a minute or two on start up, after installing this combo...HELP!)
Help Sincerely appreciated.
Jacob

[DHunt]

Jacob,

I'm assuming your using Windows XP. To get rid of MSN Messenger, goto the following website and follow the directions in Number 7. It involves finding and replacing a word found in the sysoc.inf file. This will allow you to see Messenger in your Add/Remove Windows Program section.

http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/supertweaks.htm

I have another link at home which has other interesting things to disable in Windows for maximum efficiency. I'll post it when I get home.

[DHunt]

The other website I've used for tuning my new XP installation for a clean and mostly trouble free system is:

http://www.musicxp.net/tuning_tips.htm

Read what they recommend and choose what you feel is worth while.

[Ewingr]

I also have 100% CPU usage all the time when using Dscaler

I had this problem as well. I fixed it by changing drivers (see posts just a little earlier in this thread...). I have an NForce chip set. Someone suggested using the Microsoft drivers in stead of the NForce drivers for my IDE, and that fixed my problem. Don't know if you have NForce or not, but thougt I'd point this out.

[Rick Guynn]

Also check in the advanced settings to see what the sleep interval is. A setting of '0' will usually lock the CPU into 100% utilization. If it is at 0, bump it up to '1' and see if it helps.

RG

[Jacob B]

Currently working on dhunt's inputs. will give feedback later. As for chipset:

I also have 100% CPU usage all the time when using Dscaler (P4 2.4 GHz with Asus P4PE MOBO - Intel chipset).

So I dont know if that would help. I guess I don't even have the drivers mentioned.
Thanks anyway.
Jacob

[DHunt]

Originally posted by Jacob B
I think I read something about MS Messenger has to be removed - but I can't do it, it doesn'nt show up in the remove programs list.

Jacob,

MS Messenger can be installed or not on your system. It doesn't matter. It is a memory and processor hog, so in most HTPC cases, it is definitely something you would NOT want on your system. I do not believe it is the cause of your troubles though. Spend some time on your drivers as that could be the issue.

Darren

[leitchk]

I have 91% CPU usage using a Athalon 3200 with nForce2 chipsets. I replaced the nForce IDE driver with the Windows standard driver. CPU stays at 91%. I checked the sleep interval and it is at 1. I checked the nVidia website for new nForce2 IDE drivers and a new one dated 3/31/2004 was available. I tried newest driver and still have 91% CPU. It does not seem to matter how many filters I have turned on or off I stay around 90%. I have tried dScaler 4.1.8 and 4.1.7p with no differences.

I am using two SATA hard drives with Raid 0. I do not have an Xcard just the PDI Deluxe.

[Jacob B]

I finished Dhunts Windows XP tweaks and I'm now getting fewer dropped frames - but still dropped frames once in a while. It's acceptable now, though :-)
I'm still not happy with the lipsync problem though. It's just ever so slightly out of phase, and I guess it's due to the fact that the audio does'nt go through Dscaler, so it's not delayed. Is this something you just hyave to live with??

My CPU is still 100% with Dscaler given all ressources and around 96% with Dscaler given priority. This seems wrong... (no filters on, just deinterlacing.)

Which drivers should I update?
Regards,
Jacob

[johnbrisbin]

Originally posted by Jacob B
My CPU is still 100% with Dscaler given all ressources and around 96% with Dscaler given priority. This seems wrong... (no filters on, just deinterlacing.)

In my very limited experience with XCard/PDI/DScaler, if you give DScaler all resources, it will use them to no productive end. In fact, it looks like it does not even give up enough time for the XCard player to run properly.

However, as soon as I told it to take priority but allow other applications to run, my world got very much better.

In general, deinterlacing a film based DVD is cheap, easy and uses only a small fraction of the availble CPU.

Deinterlacing a video based DVD is very expensive and can use all the available CPU depending on the method chosen.

I am running a dual Athlon 1900+ MB, but the second CPU does not get much work.

[chrispy]

Hello everyone! I'm a fellow Xcard user, although I'm using it with H3D card (the original). I have two issues which I think are Xcard-related, and I thought I'd see if I could find any fellow sufferers here.

1. When I eject a DVD while XMP is playing it, the XMP application locks up. It doesn't respond to anything, I can't kill it, and I can't shut down/restart the PC. If I hit the stop button on the remote or in the XMP application, ejecting the DVD works just fine.

2. The video from my Xcard/H3D is mostly smooth... until I use the fast forward/rewind features in XMP. If I try doing such a seek, the video is extremely choppy from that point on. It is a regular stutter that is very hard on the eyes during camera pans or other regular motion.

Is anyone else having these issues?

- Chris

[johnbrisbin]

Originally posted by chrispy
1. When I eject a DVD while XMP is playing it, the XMP application locks up. It doesn't respond to anything, I can't kill it, and I can't shut down/restart the PC. If I hit the stop button on the remote or in the XMP application, ejecting the DVD works just fine.

Patient: Doctor, doctor, it hurts when I do this.
Doctor: Then don't do that.

Originally posted by chrispy 2. The video from my Xcard/H3D is mostly smooth... until I use the fast forward/rewind features in XMP. If I try doing such a seek, the video is extremely choppy from that point on. It is a regular stutter that is very hard on the eyes during camera pans or other regular motion.
[/B]

I have seen DScaler lose sync (or fail to identify the correct method of deinterlacing) after a change like a fast forward. You can tell if that is happening (at least on a film based DVD) if it is dropping frames (press enter twice to get the status screen and look in the upper right corner. It will also probably indicate that it is using a video style deinterlacing method instead of one the drops frame x (upper left area of the same status page).

If you force it to search and lock, then set it back to automatic, it will probably recover from this. Both are in the deinterlace sub-menu, as I recall.

[leitchk]

This thread was pushed off of the main listing so I wanted to bump it up again. Any help with Dscaler high CPU usage problem would be appreciated.

[Jacob B]

I wrote this a week ago, but no response, so I'm reposting:

I finished Dhunts Windows XP tweaks and I'm now getting fewer dropped frames - but still dropped frames once in a while. It's acceptable now, though :-)
I'm still not happy with the lipsync problem though. It's just ever so slightly out of phase, and I guess it's due to the fact that the audio does'nt go through Dscaler, so it's not delayed. Is this something you just hyave to live with??

My CPU is still 100% with Dscaler given all ressources and around 96% with Dscaler given priority. This seems wrong... (no filters on, just deinterlacing.)

Which drivers should I update?
Regards,
Jacob

Anyone?

Jacob

[Ewingr]

Wish I could offer some help.

The Drivers change fixed mine. Hmmm...although you don't have the nForce drivers, maybe you do have other than the Microsoft drivers, and that is still the problem. Have you tried that? (Again, the Microsoft drivers worked for me when teh nForce didn't.)

[Jacob B]

I have the microsoft windows drivers installed for the primary and secondary IDE ATA/ATAPI-controllers and for the DVD drive.
I do, however, have Intel drivers for the Ultra ATA controller. Can these be changed?


jacob

[Jacob B]

No ideas anyone?

[Jacob B]

I changed the Hardware setting to "priority to other programs" and the CPU usage started to drop:
90-100 % with JudderTerminator, Auto filmmode detect, sharpness and Chroma filter.
50 % with all of the above OFF in videomode (mocomp2).
20-30 % in Filmmode (2:2 pulldown)
(P4 2.4, MOBO P4PE Intel chipset, Radeon 9000 PRO)

Does that mean I shouldn't worry about the CPU usage reading 100% when Hardware is set to "All resources given to Dscaler" - no matter how many/few filters and options are on??
And what Hardware priority setting should I use?

Jacob

[Ewingr]

Jacob B

I'm curious, is your DVD playing satisfactorily, irrespective of CPU usage, or is it problematic, and that is why you are chasing the CPU thing?

At this point, I am finding that my DVD is not satisfactory. I watched my first full movie last night, and throughout the movie, it had little pauses. I presume this is the judder? Very Very annoying. One scene in the movie had, for example, a scene in front of an old movie house with the lights that chase around a sign. Smooth chase, pause for 1/8-1/4 second, smooth, pause.

I can't watch DVDs like that.

I've tried different deilnterlace settings; I have my CPU running down aroudn 50%-80%.

BTW...I run the same DVD through an old old DVD player via S-Video through the PDI card, and no pauses. Well, actually by now, I was very picky, and maybe, just maybe, there were some very very short ones. (It's one of those "Am I looking too hard" kind of things.

I wonder of my DVD drive in the HTPC is not sufficient. It is a Hitachi, I t hink 8 speed.

Oh, another BTW...I just read a thread about problems with DVD Play through the MyHD 120 card, and one person said when they ran their audio through the SPD/IF card, it fixed a lot of problems with his video playing. I am playing audio, for now, through my PC. And, when I played it on my DVD player, I didn't play audio at all. Had no say to pull the audio into the PC.

[Jacob B]

It's due to "non-smooth" playback (dropped frames) I want the CPU usage down - also for using more filters.

[NTHEZONE]

I currently have the Pinnacle PCTV Rave capture card modded with a PDI interface connection from the Xcard. (Soldering the wires was not an easy task and it didn't look to pretty when I got done)
This setup works perfectly and no problems so far.
I can watch DVD movies while Recording HDTV shows on my Accessdtv Card at he same time without any problems.

I am only running a XP1700+ processor and a KT-233 chipset.
Hardly a super computer.
The only settings that I have enable on Dscaler is the Sharpness filter. The others don't improbe the image quality or make the picture even worse.

The Xcard can even play .VOB files :D (DVD)

Darin

[bedo]

Sorry to veer from the thread but could someone please suggest where to find a s/pdif cable to run from the xcard to my s/pdif input on the motherboard(Abit NF7-S v2)? The s/pdif on the mobo is two pins. I believe the output from the xcard is a two pin as well but I'm not certain as I can't look at it now. Thank you for any help!

Jeff

[chinadoll]

Bedo,

Here. Is this what you're looking for?

http://www.directron.com/spdif.html

IQ

[bedo]

The Holy Grail!!!

Thank you! $10 minimum..Doh!

[Bon Tan]

I follow your instruction to install the PDI deulex and Xcard as top,
when I use the XMP V 1.2 to play DVD from my PC dvdrom, it nothing
show in the dscale window, although the XMP V 1.2 is in running....
then I try to open file from my harddisk , but it's work. would you give
me some advise? thk's

[DShooter]

Hi Bon Tan,

PDI deluxe card and PDI card are different. So, pls try to follow the installation instructions (i.e. somehow different from installing the original PDI card) as described in the PDI deluxe card manual.

[SHS]

Try here
http://www.abccables.com/ca-002012.html
You could use Google by type in "Internal SPDIF cable" but keep in mind bedo no sound card Internal SPDIF will not work with AC3 decoder off that input port it only over PCI I have done check min other sound card manufacturer.
This will work Creative Lab's SoundBlaster Audigy with Optical Digital I/O 2 or any Sound Blaster Platinum or Sound Blaster Audigy 2 NX and maybe the Sound Blaster Extigy.

[Heartburn]

Sounds to me like PDI runs great for playing back and scaleing dvd's, but can it do the same for television reception. I live in Los Angels area and I have comcast which has gone 85% digital and everything is 480i. Some movies come in pretty sharp, but most often it looks pretty bad on a 42" Sony display. Can I run my signal from the box to the card via componet cables? And will it scale the program I am watching and can I configure this thing to record gilligans island.
The only HD channels out here are KBET (free) and your Hbo hd, Showtime hd ext. (Pay premium channels) 2005 is coming up and I find it strange that channels are not converting to hd as of yet. 480i may be around for a while.
Regards
Toms

[Jacob B]

I'm running a 3 week old setup with xcard/pdi deluxe and I'm expereriencing some sort of "not smooth scaling" / lack of colordepth.
In the opening scene of LOTR: The two towers, when panning the mountains, the sky abow the mountains lacks colordepth - like changing a photograph to 256 colors.
Switching my only filter - Chroma filter - to off doesn't change anything.
I don't have any previous experience with Dscaler.

I'm projecting on a 100'' 2.35:1 Dalite HP screen with the Z2, and the computer is P4 2.4, intel MOBO and Radeon 9000 pro.
I should add, that this is the PAL version of the two towers.

NOW,
When I set INPUT signal to any other PAL setting than "PAL BCDEFG" (PAL Nc for instance), the picture improves....
And I'm in a PAL B country (Denamark) and the DVD is a danísh version...

AND
When playing the same scene with TheaterTek, it's also better (best?)??


Advice needed!!

JAcob

[DHunt]

Originally posted by Heartburn
Sounds to me like PDI runs great for playing back and scaling dvd's, but can it do the same for television reception.

I use the PDI Deluxe card for capturing signals from my Satellite and then DScaler for deinterlacing it and the picture looks great. Keep in mind that I am capturing a 480i (I only wish it was this good) signal and then scaling it up to a 960x720 picture on a 90" diag 16:9 screen in 4:3 mode. Depending on what channel I choose, I get very good results or average results. It depends on the quality of the original signal.

I also use AVI_IO for capturing with the PDI Deluxe card using the DIVX 5.11 compression (and windows capture driver) and it works pretty good too. The picture is cleaner straight from the Satellite when compared to a compressed signal, but it is still good enough to make me happy watching the video play backs. Its also handy to use the XMedia player for playing back the captured video since it can be feed through DScaler for a slightly better picture.

Keep in mind that this can only been done with 480i signals (NTSC). If you plan on going HD, then you will need a different capture card. The PDI Deluxe will not do High Def.

Darren

[Heartburn]

What type of DVD Burner out today would work well with the PDI Deluxe?
I am thinking multi-burner, single or double sided, buffer memory?
to cut down on compressing to DVD to get better video.

On my Sony 42" display it has progressive scan built in and does a pretty good job on 480i depending on what they are broadcasting at the time. (HBO HD and regular HBO) . When looking at the same movie at the same time they look pretty much the same. Its only when you get up close you can tell the difference. I have a Harman 101 and I have played new DVD's that look like HD? will I get the same results and better when running through DScaler and PDI Deluxe?

Thanks Darren for a rock solid answer.

Thanks again
Toms

[DHunt]

Originally posted by Heartburn
What type of DVD Burner out today would work well with the PDI Deluxe?
I am thinking multi-burner, single or double sided, buffer memory?
to cut down on compressing to DVD to get better video.


I am confused on what your asking here. Do you plan on capturing straight from the PDI Deluxe to the DVDROM? I have no idea how well this would work. If your looking for high quality, then I would capture to a large Hard drive and then save that to the DVD after some video processing using VirtualDub.

This is what I would do:
1) Capture the video using Huffyvu codec (Lossless codec for high quality) and capture at 640x480 since you will be viewing this on a large monitor. Huffvu uses up a lot of Hard drive space!! Also record the audio using PCM.
If you were only going to play back on a small monitor (ie. 27" TV or less, then you could capture at even smaller resolution as you won't notice the scaling artifacts on such a small screen. The moment you go BIG, you want as much info as possible so the higher resolutions are recommended at the cost of much more disk space.
2) Use VirtualDub to convert the above LARGE video into a smaller video file using either DIVX5.11 (with adjustable compression scheme) to create a much smaller file that still has a very good picture. Use the LAME sound codec? for converting the sound into a good compressed file to save more space.
3) Save that file on the DVD

There are a few details I've left out (one being I don't have a DVD Recorder myself so I've never done that half of the puzzle). I know you can encode the whole thing into a VOB so that it plays back on your home DVD player. When its in that form, you can play it back through the XCard/PDI Deluxe using XMedia so that DScaler can work its magic on it.

Originally posted by Heartburn
On my Sony 42" display it has progressive scan built in and does a pretty good job on 480i depending on what they are broadcasting at the time. (HBO HD and regular HBO) . When looking at the same movie at the same time they look pretty much the same. Its only when you get up close you can tell the difference. I have a Harman 101 and I have played new DVD's that look like HD? will I get the same results and better when running through DScaler and PDI Deluxe?


If your asking if DScaler will out perform your Sony for scaling and deinterlacing, thats in the eye of the beholder. It really depends on how well the Sony scales the picture and deinterlaces it. I have no idea how well it does it. Try it and tell us what you think.

My experience with DScaler/ATI 9800 Pro video card is that if you have it setup properly, you will get really good results. On my system I find that DScaler/VC and my front projector do about the same (maybe DScaler/VC is a bit better) when watching DVD's. Not that the projector doesn't do it well, but DScaler/VC does it just a bit better. I also like the flexibility for adjusting it through DScaler/VC. Watching DVD's, the two are very close in quality, but through video (television signals) I think DScaler/VC does a much better job then the projector. DScaler/VC also can change the aspect ratio without fooling around with the resolution of the HTPC which is something I love. I can watch a DVD and have it in its widescreen anamorphic glory, and then switch to TV watching and have DScaler switch to a 4:3 mode (black bars on left and right) to preserve the aspect ratio without any issues. On my old rear projection TV I couldn't do this and spent 8 years watching TV with everyone being short and fat (stretched out) because of fears of burn in. DScaler definitely has an advantage here connected to my projector which does not have a burn in issue.

Darren

[Heartburn]

What's the difference between the PDI Deluxe and the PDI Deluxe plus X-Card?
The PDI Deluxe plus X-Card shows a remote control, Is it an IR unit or a Radio type?
Does the remote serve other functions besides the PDI Deluxe software?

This is somewhat important because all my multimedia devices are in a remote room and
Everything is controlled by IR receivers (Xantec) via Harmony universal Remote which is an IR unit. I do have some control over my HTPC with the Harmony. But I do have to drag out the (Crystal Graphics power point) keyboard and mouse (Radio type) once in a while.
As far as your video capture information is great, makes a lot of sense to me. I have made copy's of all your information. I was planing on saving to hard drive then saving it to disk
.
To Record In Real Time to DVD-R. The only software that I know of that claim they can do that is Sonic My DVD. Well IBM's multi-burner advertise this (real time) on there web site supplying Sonic software part of there package a few months ago and then took it off. I think it was some sort of sale's gimmick by Sonic. Not to take anything away from them, they make some good software products. I just wish they had better support. But, I am sure real time DVD recording is just around the corner.

Thanks Again
Toms

[JohnE]

What's the difference between the PDI Deluxe and the PDI Deluxe plus X-Card?
The PDI Deluxe plus X-Card shows a remote control, Is it an IR unit or a Radio type?
Does the remote serve other functions besides the PDI Deluxe software?
PDI Deluxe is a capture card while Xcard is an MPEG decoder card.
The Xcard comes with an IR remote control and serial adaptor. I believe you can only control Xmedia player with the remote control and software included in the Xcard package.

Using Girder (http://www.girder.nl/) together with the Xcard RCU you can control almost any software.

/John

[DHunt]

Originally posted by Heartburn
As far as your video capture information is great, makes a lot of sense to me. I have made copy's of all your information. I was planing on saving to hard drive then saving it to disk.

If your really serious about doing some video capture, I would recommend reading through this website:

www.aussievideosearch.com

The guy who runs the site appears to be a GURU when it comes to video capture. My only recommendations I would say about his setup is that I do not think he is blowing the picture up to gigantic screen resolutions like I am doing with my front projector. As a result, his suggestions of capturing at low resolutions and then watching them at 640x480 (or his equivalent PAL resolutions) do not really apply. I tried a few lower resolutions out and though I did save a bunch of Had Drive space doing it, when I blew it up to 960x720 it just didn't cut it for me. As a result, I stick with capturing at 640x480.

He also had issues with using the newest DIVX5.X1 version as he felt there was a loss of resolution. I gave both the V5.00 and V5.11 a try and ended up liking the 5.11 better. Personal choice.

His methodology is to capture and the convert via VirtualDub, and then save to disc, which is not what I'm doing. I capture, then watch, and finally then delete it. As a result, I do not use VirtualDub as I am happy with the results of the DIVX codec for a first pass capture. However if I ever did what to record and save the file for later use, I would definitely follow his instructions with AVI_IO/Huffyvu, VirtualDub/DIVX/LAME for storage but at 640x480.

Darren

[DHunt]

Originally posted by Heartburn
What's the difference between the PDI Deluxe and the PDI Deluxe plus X-Card?
The PDI Deluxe plus X-Card shows a remote control, Is it an IR unit or a Radio type?
Does the remote serve other functions besides the PDI Deluxe software?


Like JohnE said, the XCard is a HW MPeg Decoder. The two are available separate or together, depending on where your looking (PMS Video website or SigmaDesigns website). They are identical in either way.

The whole reason for the PDI capture card (prior to the PDI Deluxe capture card) was designed to get video from a DVDROM drive into a format that DScaler could be used for viewing. As a result, someone figured out that they could play a DVD in their DVDROM, have the XCard do the decoding of the signal, and then send the raw data through the PDI bus via the PDI Capture Card to eventually be accessible through DScaler. The original PDI Capture card could only do this; there were no external inputs available.

Shortly after wards, they came out with the PDI Deluxe capture card which can be hooked up to your Satellite/CableBox/XBox/PS2/whatever you want to allow that video to be captured and then sent through DScaler for viewing.

Why DScaler? It gives a great picture while deinterlacing the signal. Combined with your video card which does a pretty good job at scalling, and you have a moderate solution and decently priced video scaler/deinterlacer which could cost thousands of dollars.

The Remote with the XCard is IR.

The Remote does not control the PDI software. It controls the XCard software called XMedia. This software is what is used with the XCard to play back the DVD's or other mpeg files through the XCard to be captured by the PDI card for DScaler to access (thats a twisted sentence :rolleyes:).

The key element I found with the whole system is to use a capture program such as AVI_IO and capture using a mpeg codec such as DIVX so that the resulting files can be played back via XMedia. Doing this I end up with one interface and little hassle for regular viewing. Of course, if I'm going to save the video, then I use Huffyvu codec (not playable via XMedia) and then convert it via VirtualDub into mpeg (DIVX) which can be viewed via XMedia.

Darren

[melechmet]

I posted elsewhere but this thread is perhaps the most relevant: IS Ffdshow compatible with the Xcard as Dscaler is?

[pdermody]

It depends on what the meaning of the word 'IS' is.

-pd

[melechmet]

he he.. I thought the antics of the former president is out of site and out of mind....

Lets then clarify the interrogative: As of today's latest builds, will "Ffdshow" (esp. w/ the Dscaler 'filters') allow "post processing" of an Xcard's "video output"?

p.s., I still don't know the "real deal" between Dscaler and Ffdshow developers, but I'll reserve that one for another thread.

[Heartburn]

How do you set up a pass though of a separate HD signal coming from your cable box with the PDI Deluxe?
Is the remote control for the PDI Deluxe necessary?

All in all this sounds like a pretty nice board, I think after reading a lot about Video Editing and burning disc's. Producing the signal from the card into a stand alone recorder would be better for me. The prices have really fallen in the DVD recorder market these day's. So I am more interested in the quality output that the card can perform.
If by chance HD becomes available on every channel. I think there are boards out there that can go from HD to 480i. It would be easier and less expensive to produce good quality video in 480i then HD.. sort of high tech going backwards. Just might be able to get a few more miles out of the thing before I have to get something else. I am going to be replacing my old HTPC with a new build in the month ahead and I think this may be the video capture card I will be purchasing.
Thanks Again
For all the great information
Toms

[Heartburn]

How do you set up a pass though of a separate HD signal coming from your cable box with the PDI Deluxe?
Is the remote control for the PDI Deluxe necessary?

All in all this sounds like a pretty nice board, I think after reading a lot about Video Editing and burning disc's. Producing the signal from the card into a stand alone recorder would be better for me. The prices have really fallen in the DVD recorder market these day's. So I am more interested in the quality output that the card can perform.
If by chance HD becomes available on every channel. I think there are boards out there that can go from HD to 480i. It would be easier and less expensive to produce good quality video in 480i then HD.. sort of high tech going backwards. Just might be able to get a few more miles out of the thing before I have to get something else. I am going to be replacing my old HTPC with a new build in the month ahead and I think this may be the video capture card I will be purchasing.
Thanks Again
For all the great information
Toms

[pdermody]

Originally posted by melechmet

Lets then clarify the interrogative: As of today's latest builds, will "Ffdshow" (esp. w/ the Dscaler 'filters') allow "post processing" of an Xcard's "video output"?

p.s., I still don't know the "real deal" between Dscaler and Ffdshow developers, but I'll reserve that one for another thread.

Yes it is possible with a little effort to post process an Xcard's video output with ffdshow.

-pd

[JohnE]

Originally posted by pdermody
Yes it is possible with a little effort to post process an Xcard's video output with ffdshow.

-pd

Will you please tell us more.

/John

[melechmet]

pdermody,

Is it the lack of direct show filters that one would have to custom "graph" the output, in order for Ffdshow to pick it up?

[pdermody]

The only way for ffdshow to process the xcard output is to feed it back into another card that is graphable, and to create a graph connecting the input from said capture card into ffdshow and then into what ever video renderer you want.

-pd

[Heartburn]

How do you set up a pass though of a separate HD signal coming from your cable box into the PDI Deluxe?

[pdermody]

you dont, card cant handle it. nor can the pci bus handle uncompressed HD

-pd

[Heartburn]

I understand the PDI Deluxe card can not handle an HD signal.
I think its the mechanics of figuring out the cabling between 480i and 1080i on my system.
On my Comcast 5100 cable box.
Would I run Component OUT to the Display Monitor for HD content like I normally do. Which is YUV?
And Then, On my Comcast 5100 cable box. Would I run an S Video OUT to the PDI Deluxe Card and then Out of the PC to the Display Monitor for 480i content. Which is RGB?
Or should I split the Component signal as it comes out of the source of the Cable box?
I am sort of at a loss of a practical and logical solution to the problem with out having to purchase another product like a Component switch with 2 component outs. To Handle the task.
I just want to improve the 480i broadcast Quality on my set. With out having to dance back and forth from YUV to RGB. Is there any other way of doing all of this...
Confused
Toms

I have a broadcast 42" Sony Display 1080ix1080 with Two VGA's in

[Ewingr]

I posted earlier about a problem I'm having with pauses and non-smooth playback. No replies to that.

Any thoughts?

Some of the pauses come across as just non smooth playback, some are a second or two long. If I watch a scene where it's snowing, for example, it is very obvious.

My PC consists of:

AMD 2600+ Barton
512MB Memory
Hitachi 16X DVD
xCard/PDI card combo
Dscaler, set simple for lowest CPU usage (avg 50-80%)
- Simple Bob
- No filters
- No auto pulldown stuff, etc, checked.
Raid via Promise SX4000 - 3 Seagate 200GB drives

If I turn on any of that stuff, or use a more complex Deinterlace setting, CPU goes up a bunch. Playback pauses worse.

BTW...I have playback problems from recordings in MyHD when played from the raid set. But, those problems show up less frequently than this problem, and manifest themselves as 2-3 second sound dropouts, and digital breakup of the picture. When I record to a separate drive on the IDE channel, it plays back fine (based on just a couple tests so far.) I do NOT have any problems playing back DVD through that card.

That being said, I have presumed that playback of DVDthrough xCard shouldn't b e affected by disk problems, but of course dScaler is working. I don't know if it is constantly hitting the drive or not.

[scottgames]

I recently purchased a Sigma Designs Xcard. I'm using the default Sigma Designs Media Player and directly connecting my TV to the Xcard S-Video port. It works with most of the videos I have tried. I have a strange problem where some videos show up in black and white. These files have nothing in common (some are SVCD's and some are DIVX or XVID avi's). I can't figure out what's causing this, please help.

I haven't tried Eugene's Player or Jove Player yet, and I haven't picked up the PDI loopback card yet. These are both upgrades that are planned for the near future, will these fix my problem?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

[RobScreene]

I can't think why S-Video is black and white for some material, although I've never used any of the X-card analog outputs myself.

I would have thought if your TV can only take interlaced video (i.e. not progressive Component), like S-Video, Composite or by Euro-SCART then there's nothing to be gained from de-interlacing it to progressive scan, then re-interlacing back to a standard definition TV via S-Video.

regards,
Rob.

[Martin Rendall]

I've had the PDI/XCard (original) combo for quite some time now. Initial setup went smoothly (following the instructions exactly), but then I ran into issues with dropped frames and the evil lip sync issue. Colours have always been great, however.

After much tweaking, I'm happy to report that I'm about 100% satisfied with the combo. It really is great stuff.

Here are a few random observations:

- this combo really benefits from hyperthreading. I can't stress that enough. It was the only way I could get the computation I wanted without heavy frame loss. Obviously, dual processors would be as effective or better

- mocomp2 is an excellent video deinterlacer, and doesn't require too much cpu power

- 100% CPU is bad, only because it will starve xmp or Jove

- don't stress out over the "no wait" counter in dscaler. I downloaded the code and analysed it. It simply shows a count of times in which dscaler couldn't block the "work" thread because the next frame was available for processing. Basically it means that dscaler chose to immediately start work on the next frame since it was available for processing. You'll know if you really have a problem if you get dropped frames. Othewise - don't sweat it.

- don't bother with judder terminator. Doesn't really do much in the code, but does drive up CPU usage.

- TomsMoComp is the best video deinterlacer, IMHO. I downloaded a version he tweaked which never made it into the dscaler project, which seems to handle more lookahead frames before the machine runs out of horsepower. I'm sure you could find it if you looked hard enough

- I'm going to upload my dscaler.ini file (renamed to dscaler.txt due to some inexplicable restriction on this site) for anybody who wants to try out my settings. I normally scale to 1080i, and that might be reflected in the file. You may want to simply cut and paste the "[MainWindow]", "[Pulldown]", "[Timing]", and/or "[Deinterlace]" stanza's into a COPY of your own as an experiment.

- lip sync, while surely a real problem, is exasperated by bad content. There's been more than one instance where I was watching TV on DVD, noticed a lip sync issue, only to discover the problem was the DVD encoding. Pausing and resuming seems to get things sync'd if it really is the HTPC.

- Not much more to say... even though my ISF calibrated RPTV does 480p natively, I prefer the picture when it's upscaled to 1080i. I use an old version of JovePlayer as my playback engine.

One day I'm going to have to see what strides PMS video (I still laugh at that name) has made with regard to drivers and software integration. But for now, my nice stable longtime unchanged HTPC is good enough.

Good luck to all,
Martin.

[Li On]

Hi,

Time passes, thing changes. Once you have a good PDI setup, try the ZoomPlayer & ffdshow way of doing!

:)

regards,

Li On

[bedo]

Martin,

I look forward to trying your dscaler.ini as I no longer use my deluxe pdi combo. The frames dropping or skipping (that's what it looks like) makes using it unacceptable. My cpu is not maxing out and the only filters I use are chroma and sharpness. I also let dscaler auto choose deinterlace method. I am running with a 2800+ barton.

[malefactor]

err, I haven't seen these problems. But I mostly use the PMS card for dscalering my tivo--haven't had time to watch significant number of movies on it. Seemed to, mostly, work for me on the few I did, though?

[Birdman71]

I tried to read the whole thread, but didn't see anything quite like what I was looking for so here goes.
Is anyone using the PDI deluxe with their external DVD player? I realize the best use of this card with DVD is via PDI from internal drive but I have a Sony 400 disc changer that I'm trying to figure out a good way to scale with my HTPC. The deinterlacer in my Sony is not very good compared to using my HTPC with Zoomplayer. I'm just curious about the quality of an external DVD via interlaced component into the PDI deluxe. Is the interlaced video from a typical external DVD decent enough to try this? My changer has SACD processing so if this works, I think it could be a great solution.

My next question may be kind of stupid for the pros but...
I use powerstrip to feed my HD RPTV a 1080i signal. Am I introducing more artifacts that I'm gaining by taking something 480i, deinterlacing via dscaler, then scaling up to 1080i?

Thanks in advance,

Mike

[Martin Rendall]

bedo: let me know how it goes. I would be interested to hear whether you can make anything from it.

Birdman71, I'll take a quick kick at the second question. Common sense would suggest that you would indeed be introducing artifacts when going from 480i to 480p to 1080i. And I think the right way to consider it is that there are both pleasing and distracting artifacts. My experience, which seems to be echoed by some others, is that the picture is more pleasing after all that conversion. That is, the artifacts are generally more pleasing than distracting. Odd, but true - for me.

There are some cases where a 480p image of a curved object will show "stair steps" at the edges, but will be more "smoothed out" at 1080i. I think that's an artifact, since the original information encoded on the dvd surely had stair steps introduced during authoring, but smoothing it out appears more pleasing.

But perhaps the biggest difference could be due to strengths of any particular display device. If that's true, then your only hope is to try it out yourself, and see what you get.

Regards,
Martin.

[Alex Simon]

Hi Birdman
Using Component 480i out of your Sony into PDI Deluxe/SweetSpot should product very nice results. It's going to look a lot better than the progressive output of the Sony direct to your display, but I'd be surprised if the colours and ultimate sharpness could match your Zoomplayer solution.

You don't say what kind of display you use, but it's likely that something, somewhere is doing the scaling and deinterlacing for you (ie your plasma/dlp/lcd). It's best to let a dedicated device to do this for you and output the native resolution to your display.
You will introduce FEWER artifacts by using an HTPC/external scaler.

[bedo]

Originally posted by bedo
Martin,

I look forward to trying your dscaler.ini as I no longer use my deluxe pdi combo. The frames dropping or skipping (that's what it looks like) makes using it unacceptable. My cpu is not maxing out and the only filters I use are chroma and sharpness. I also let dscaler auto choose deinterlace method. I am running with a 2800+ barton.

Unfortuantely, I am using the pdi deluxe and it appears your .ini is for the BT card, no way to try your ini with my combo....

As for the skipping, I went back and tried it again, it had been awhile. It is the panning that is always taking a halting appearance. I had thought that would be one of the strengths of dscaler with pdi. It drives me crazy and ruins any chance at being able to enjoy it. Not using judder terminator, just auto-select for deinterlace and the chroma and sharpness filters.

[Alex Simon]

Hi Bedo
The chroma and sharpness filters are both pretty processor-hungry filters. I would turn off the sharpness for starters and see what happens.
Cheers
Alex

[bedo]

Hi Alex,

Turning off sharpness has not made a difference in the past regarding the jerky panning....

[Alex Simon]

Hi Bedo
Are you running at a standard refresh rate (ie a multiple of the source)?
I take it your PC specs should be comfortable?
The only other thing I can think of is to drop the searh effort of the deinterlacing method your using it's in deinterlace>video method settings>mocomp2 (for example)>search effort.
Try setting it at 2.

[bedo]

Originally posted by Alex Simon
Hi Bedo
Are you running at a standard refresh rate (ie a multiple of the source)?
I take it your PC specs should be comfortable?
The only other thing I can think of is to drop the searh effort of the deinterlacing method your using it's in deinterlace>video method settings>mocomp2 (for example)>search effort.
Try setting it at 2.

Alex,

Thanks for the advice, I will def try that tonight. I have the pc refresh at 60Hz to match the 2HD/Z2 pj I have.

I'll let you know and thank you!

[Alex Simon]

No problem
Sorry for not having a more definite solution.
So you're running 60Hz and are in an NTSC region, is it during films or video-based material that you notice the stutter? or both?
Cheers
Alex

[bedo]

Yes, NTSC and it is with film based content. It's been a little while since I viewed video through it. I'll have to revisit it.


Jeff

[jtgrunden]

Has anyone else experienced aspect ratio problems with the PDI/XCard combo on certain movies? Some DVD movies that are widescreen will have a border all the way around and do not fill the width of the screen. A few examples are Phenomenon, Top Gun and Sling Blade. The only way I have been able to correct it is to adjust the Image Shift/Size Adjustment settings in dscaler but the picture seems to suffer. I am using a Sony G70 Projector. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Alex Simon]

Hi there
I haven't got any of those movies unfortunately.
Could it be that they are letterbox (i.e. not anamorphic transfers). If so, the picture will suffer when zoomed as there is simply less resolution on the disc.
If they are anamorphic, then I'm sure we can help you get around the problem, but have a check for that in the first instance.
Cheers
Alex

[jtgrunden]

Alex,
I think they probably are letterboxed as opposed to anamorphic, although it is hard to gather too much info off the packaging sometimes. Even so I thought they should still fill the width of the screen as they do on a tv when played thru a set top box. Apparently the pj interprets the video information differently. I tried the Zoom setting in dscaler but that produced an unacceptable picture, the Image Shift/Size adjustment is better but still suffers. I guess I will have to look for widescreen and anamorphic, I just hate to burn my crt's at anything but full width.

Thanks,

[Alex Simon]

No, your absolutely right, they should fill the screen width.
I can't access DScaler currently as I'm testing Crystalio, but there should be a setting under Aspect Ratio>mmmumble for letterbox - select that and all should be well :)
Someone here should be able to confirm the submenu that I can't remember.

[bedo]

Originally posted by jtgrunden
The only way I have been able to correct it is to adjust the Image Shift/Size Adjustment settings in dscaler but the picture seems to suffer.

I always use shift to bring the picture as far down the screen as far as I can and never compared between the two. I never gave thought to it. Should the PQ be affected?

Still haven't given things a good second look yet, the kids out of school has drastically changed the environment for the movies I want to watch and be able to critique le PQ...

Happy 4th everyone!!!

[Alex Simon]

No worries Bedo - I'm subscribed to the thread, so I'll get to hear sooner or later :)

[jtgrunden]

I have tried all of the aspect ratio settings and none of them will cause the image to fill the width. I experienced the same problem when I was coming directly out of the xcard with a breakout cable to my pj so I don't think it is a dscaler issue. The video is obviously handled differently on these disks. Fortunatley I only have 6 or so that have this issue. I think the pq suffers because I have to make a pretty drastic adjustment to fill the screen. If you are just making a 2.XX ratio fit a 16X9 then you wouldn't require as much adjustment. I picked up a couple of old Clint Eastwood titles, The Good The Bad and The Ugly (not the recent release but an older one) and For a Few Dollars More for about $8 each and they have this issue. I haven't spent much time with it yet but I believe the AVIA calibration disk does this as well. The best disks seem to be the anamorphic widescreen enhanced for 16X9. They seem to look better and fill the screen without any fussing around. Someday if I am on a digital pj and don't have to worry about uneven CRT burn it won't be such an issue.

Alex, you will have to give us a review of Crystalio once you have formed an opinion.

[Alex Simon]

I already have formed an opinion on Crystalio, I'm just testing obscure video formats, and badly edited discs, trying to trip it up.
So far so good. It's easily the equal of my HTPC setup and seems to offer a more 3-dimensional image. Even Euro2004 football on SKY (low bitrates) looks really good (on the BBC anyway).
I'm looking forward to the next firmware release becasue they say they've improved it even further! Especially the connectivity.
PMS have done a great job once again.

I still find it strange that more people wouldn't have shouted out about this AR thing if it wasn't solveable. I'll be back on an HTPC on Monday, I'll have a look then.

[bedo]

Alex,

Edited the dscaler.ini for SearchEffort and changed it from 5 to a 2 and it makes a terrific difference. Very few skips, panning is beautiful! Do I want to bump it up as high as I can towards 5?

Should bringing the picture down to fill the bottom of screen have any difference in PQ vs. keeping it at default center?


Thank you!!!

[Alex Simon]

Position should make no difference to skipping. I do the same for 2.35 material as my screen is over a fireplace and slightly higher than ideal.

Glad it worked out - yes by all means try and move it to 3 and see what happens.

[navarros]

I followed all instructions to install XCard, PDI Card + DScaler, but I don't get any image from DScaler.

I have a few questions:

1) My HTPC outputs through DVI. Do I need to use VGA instead? (My Sharp Aquos doesn't have DVI inputs and I would need to use a DVI to VGA converter....

2) Which drivers should I use for the PDI card? In the instructions at the beginning of this thread, Li On says to Disable the PDI card and then Enable it again. I don't understand what is the purpose of this, since the computer keeps trying to look for the appropriate drivers when it reboots...

Thanks!
:confused:

[Alex Simon]

Hi Navarros
1] Output whichever format your display supports.

2] If you run the btwincap installer it will give you the option of uninstalling all bt878 drivers, if you don't have any other bt878 cards in the machine, do that. Then I would install the WDM driver included on the CD (or downloadable from the website)

Cheers
Alex

[Jacob B]

Hi Alex (or ANYONE),
I still have lipsync problems using the combo, and with RGB from digtital SAT it's even worse.

I use MoComp2 with the default setting, which is 1 or 2 frames analysed, I believe. (P4 2.4 with intel Mobo)
Switching filters on and of doesn't change the sync problem, only effects dropped frames.

The sync-problem, combined with the effect on colors, that I described a couple of months ago, has caused me to use TT instead :-(

The color thing looks like color compression or something like that, but it looks better choosing PAL-Nc instead of PAL-B?! Still not as good as TT though.
I have heard NOTHING from anyone about this. Its very easy to see in the opening scene of LOTR The two Towers, when panning the mountains and the sky. The blue sky shows the problem.

Regards
Jacob

[Alex Simon]

Hi Jacob
Have you done any calibrating, are are you running defaults?
Cheers
Alex

[Jacob B]

I'm running defaults, except what Li On recommended i the beginning of this thread. That's so long ago now, I can't remember excactly what changes that was.
I have contrast/brightness/color in XMP set to 500 420 500 (in order to get below black).
Thanks for your response.
Regards
Jacob

[Jacob B]

This is what I have done:

Dscaler - initial setup
- under Settings->Video Adjustments, change Brightness to around 0, I use 2, Contrast MUST at 130, Color around 130-140, I use 135.
- under Settings->Image Shift/Size Adjustment, reduce Top/Bottom/Left/Right to 6 from default 12.
- under Filters, select Sharpness and Chroma.
- under Filters->Filters settings, select Sharpness Filter and adjust Sharpness Value from 96 to 128 (default). I use 112.
- under Filters->Filters settings, select Chroma Filter, select Vertical Low-Pass Filter and enable it.
- under Deinterlace, select your preferred video deinterlace mode depends on your CPU power and taste. I use Video (MoComp2). Better than DCDi IMO.
- under AspectRatio, select your source (DVD) and display (desktop/projector) aspect ratio for a proper picture.

Just leave the Xcard player XMP v1.2 in the background and watch the picture fullscreen in Dscaler.

Last but not least adjust the Radeon overlay to fine tune the picture. My setting is all overlay value at default except Gamma at 1.2

More later.

regards,

Li On


Regards
Jacob

[Rick Guynn]

I believe you are going to have some lip-sync issues regardless. It is a matter of degree. The image is going through processing while the audio is not. Depending on how much processing is going on, you will get more or less sync issues.

RG

[Jacob B]

Can RECLOCK do something to help this? I don't know the program, but I thought you used it to sync stuff??
I know my dig. SAT will always have problems, since the audio isn't routed through the PC, but with DVD it should be possible??

Maybe thats why standalones using for instance Faroudja FLI-2310 Decoding do it better - as I understand it the FLI-2310 has the ability to delay the audio to match the videoprocessing.

:confused:

Jacob

[Alex Simon]

Hi Jacob
It's good that those settings are documented and repeatable.
We can use those as a benchmark.

Firstly make sure you are using DScaler 4.1.7p4
It would be usefull (and interesting) to do an auto calibration with a test-disc supported by DScaler - original VE or Avia are the best.

The PMS recommended Xcard settings are 500, 500, 500

Try those with the auto-calibration.

WRT lipsync, are you taking the spdif straight out of Xcard or routing it through the PC?
The FLI2310 has no audio function at all AFAIK.

Also, can you send us screengrabs of the LOTR problem you were talking about (both versions if possible).
support@pluggedin.tv or post them on here.

Cheers
Alex

[Jacob B]

I have the Digital Video Essentials DVD, but not the original. I couldn't find it anywhere when I was "shopping" and thought DVE was better anyway.

How do you "grap" ? Do you pause the movie at the excact scene and then what do you do?
I've never had a need for it before, so.. :o

I couldn't get below black with 500 x 3 and other people in the beginning of this thread couldn't either and used the settings I'm using instead.
But I'll sure try 3x500 and autocalibrate if I just had the rigth disc to do it.
Can you use a grap of the DE DVD and if then, can you mail me that?

Thanks for your time,
Regards,
Jacob

[Alex Simon]

A grab of VE wont work, but it's possible that DVE will do - you are looking for the attached test pattern.
The positioning of the bars and black space below is important as you'll see when you try calibrating.

Taking a screengrab in DScaler is easy - there's a setting to say where and how it saves them in Advanced Settings>Still Settings, but you just press L when you need to grab - pausing the dvd is fine for colour info.

Hope that helps
Alex

[Jacob B]

Thanks, I'll give it a try. Unfortunately I'm on a businesstrip the next two weeks, but I'll report back with the results later.
jacob

[Alex Simon]

Thanks Jacob
Have a good trip!
Regards
Alex

[ulisse]

Dear everybody

can i tell you if the " XCard, PDI Card + DScaler"is bettr than TT+FFdsow?
and how much better?

Thank you

best regards

Ulisse

[pdermody]

On video material, and poorly flagged material - way better.

-pd

[probeski]

Can you explain the differenced between video based material and what was the other one again?:confused: Can you please give examples of each type as well?

[OTS]

Hi,

1. Film-Based material --> referring to those material originated from 'film' for which it is born to be display in a 'full frame' manner (24 frame per second in commercial theater). It is not that difficult to 'perfectly' re-construct back the 24 full frame on a progressive TV/Plasma/Projector by using the alrogithm commonly known as 2-3 pull-down (to fit the 24 frame into the 60 frame scan rate of most display unit). There are tons of way to archive that, the most simple and for which has been adopted by most SOFTWARE based DVD player is to do this 2-3 sequence by referring to some kind of 'sync' signal stored on the DVD disc. HOWEVER, there are cases for which these 'sync' signal is all WRONG, result in a basically unviewable picture when displaying on a progressive display unit. (This refer to the poorly flagged material)

2. Video-Based material --> referring to those material taken using a video cam (be it a traditional cam, HD-Cam , etc). In 'most' case, the pictures are being captured in an interlace manner (e.g. 1080I), with that, there is NO PERFECT algorithm to display it back in a non-interlace (or Progressive) manner without introducing artifact. Still, some algorithm (those many choice of Video Material de-interlace algorithm in DScaler) would do better than other (the simple, very straightforward one used in Software DVD player).

These are just my limited understanding, please correct me if I am wrong.

Enjoy!

[malefactor]

Should an Athlon XP 2200 be sufficient to handle this task? I find it a bit anemic. I can just barely the use PDI input, with no filters, with autodetection to watch a DVD. (A contributing factor may be the ATI AIW radeon 7500, that seems to not be as fast with dscaler as more modern cards (geforce3, for example I've tried)) ... and even then, it is jumpy during the menus.

[malefactor]

By the way: I recently had and resolved a serious problem; dscaler would freeze intermittently during PDI capture [xcard playback]. No reasonable debug info was available; I ended up having to move the PDI card close to the AGP slot and the xcard far away, most likely separating them to different PCI busses. It would seem that one or the other is misbehaving, but I don't have any more specifics than that.

As a side note, it may be possible to get this quality via software, but this sure is nice and easy.

[navarros]

Has anybody compared the difference in PQ between a HTPC with XCard + PDI card + DScaler and the standalone MOMITSU DVD-V880?

I own the card combo, but I am considering getting the Momitsu to play both PAL and NTSC DVDs upscaling them to 720p for my 37" Sharp Aquos display.

ThankS!

[Martin Rendall]

I find that the S/PDIF output from the xcard has a lot of hiss. It's intolerable at reference levels. Can anybody suggest anything? I'd hate to abandon this wonderful video solution for an audio problem.

Thanks,
Martin.

[Jacob B]

try turning down the volume to about center/medium position. That's where it's supposed to be as reference level. If it's not there, that could be the problem.
regards,
Jacob

[Prehjan]

xcard pdi combo....is it good???
i havent been able to find any reviews of these two cards...
anyhow
thanks