DVICO Fusion 5 HDTV tuner

[Tyrod]

I'm kinda new at this HTPC thing. I have built an HTPC with the Fusion 5 Gold card. I get good reception and the audio/video live viewing is spectacular with local HD. Recording of HD is also very good except I get no digital audio with the digital recording. I only have my HTPC connected to my receiver with a optical cable. Recordings just don't have any sound. I did network the recorded file to another computer that had regular computer stereo speaker and the recording did have analog stereo sound. Dvico's Q & A indicates I should be able to record digital audio, I'd like to get at least PCM. Any ideas?

[MKANET]

daphatty, you have almost an identical configuration as mine. 2 Fusion 5 Lites + Hauppauge USB2 PVR. Does GBPVR support all your hardware well? How do you like it? I'm currently using SageTV 3.0.7 Beta. It currently blue screens my XP machine if I enable my second Fusion 5 Lite (complaining about ZuluTScap.sys).

[BenCJedi]

I watch OTA and have a fusion 3 gold card I am happy with, but I am intriqued by the new fusion 5. I've tried getting info from the various posts but have gotten a bit confused. I just want to know what the big improvement is with this newer card before I plunk down $100+ for one. Also what's the difference between the gold and the lite versions?

thanks,
t.b.
Perhaps another difference is that the Fusion 5 Lite is PCI-X slot compatible? It has the extra notch on the pin-out about 1" in that allows it to physically fit in a PCI-X slot. I'm not sure if the Fusion 3 Gold has that notch. MyHD MDP-120 doesn't have the notch (that was one determing factor for me in getting a second HD tuner card.. to put in a server). Just happy my Fusion 5 Lite works in my server. A soundcard is also required for the Fusion 5 Lite to operate. It seems like a no-brainer, but this particular server also did not have any onboard audio and required a soundcard with a notch to also allow it to work in a PCI-X slot (Audigy 2 Value has the notch).

[Joe F]

My problem is I'm not doing this with a new computer. I'm going to pick up a used on and either run Windows 98 or 2k. Since MCE is not available, except for new computers, I can't use it. I could set it to pause to do this but I'd also like to try to do it with automatic recording.

You can get MCE 2005 OEM from Newegg (and probably other vendors). You have to buy some hardware (like a floppy drive or a power cable) with OEM software. I would NOT recommend using Win95/98/ME for anything anymore. Haven't used Win2K for a couple years so I don't know how it holds up under modern HTPC conditions. XP is quite nice, and MCE is essentially XP with an integrated multimedia interface.

[DaveinTucson]

You can get MCE 2005 OEM from Newegg (and probably other vendors). You have to buy some hardware (like a floppy drive or a power cable) with OEM software.

This is probably asking the impossible / improbable, but has anyone heard of Fusion drivers for XP Pro x64 bit? I recently got XP Pro x64 OEM from Newegg, bundled with an AMD 64 processer and mobo combo. I used that to build my new desktop PC, and used my previous PC to build an HTPC. Fusion3 gold is working happily in the HTPC with "standard" XP Pro, but I put a Fusion5 Lite in the new desktop. The latest Fusion software intalls OK under Xp Pro x64, but of course the (32 bit) Fusion drivers won't work in 64 bit XP Pro.

[ElectricLegs]

I'm kinda new at this HTPC thing. I have built an HTPC with the Fusion 5 Gold card. I get good reception and the audio/video live viewing is spectacular with local HD. Recording of HD is also very good except I get no digital audio with the digital recording. I only have my HTPC connected to my receiver with a optical cable. Recordings just don't have any sound. I did network the recorded file to another computer that had regular computer stereo speaker and the recording did have analog stereo sound. Dvico's Q & A indicates I should be able to record digital audio, I'd like to get at least PCM. Any ideas?

Your problem is likely in the sound card setup. The Fusion audio config must be set to one of the spdif output settings too. The sound is part of the TS file so it's there but you're not passing it out to the reciever.

[CK1]

This is probably asking the impossible / improbable, but has anyone heard of Fusion drivers for XP Pro x64 bit?

I asked them that a few months ago... Their response: "Soon" I'm not holding my breath.

[doromo]

I am not sure where to pose this problem, but this forum seems like the best bet.

I have had the Fusion 5 Gold card for about 2 months now and have very good to excellent results with it until today. Two events occurred today which could have caused it. I had CV come out since I was having poor reception on certain channels on a regular TV set. He found that the cable connections to that box were bad and spliced a new connector to that TV and to the splitter on the outside of the house. The splitter has three joins: 2 regular TVs and one to a cable modem which is split in the house to my Fusion card. I was watching him (basically to get some education) and he did not change the other two connections. The second event was my house was powerwashed after he left and literally hundreds of gallons of water were sprayed on the house.

Later when I was browsing on the channels on the PC I noticed that the picture was extremely jerky on most of the HD channels. Also, the signal strength percentages were below about 5 to 15 % lower than they were yesterday; the dB numbers were down about 2 or 3 points as well. Channels (e.g. PBS) that I received just last night and even recorded do not even play at all.

I experimented with various builds of the software that are available on the FTP site and verified that it was not a problem in the latest program; they all failed. I have had most of these versions on this computer in the past and all of them had decent signal strengths. I mention this only so that we can eliminate Dvico from the problem.

Questions: Could CV have changed this , or will it resolve itself when the house (and outside cables) finally dry? Is the solution to put a broadband drop amplifier on the internal line to the cable modem/TV? Or what??

Thanks in advance for any assistance in this matter

[TPeterson]

doromo--

A good way to test for marginal signals is to check the reception without any splitters in the signal path. If removing the splitter helps, then you know that either (a) the incoming signal level is low, so an amp. may help, or (b) the splitter is faulty.

[doromo]

doromo--

A good way to test for marginal signals is to check the reception without any splitters in the signal path. If removing the splitter helps, then you know that either (a) the incoming signal level is low, so an amp. may help, or (b) the splitter is faulty.


Thanks for the insight. I never would have thought that the splitter could have caused the problem, especially with the other events of the day. Going direct to the Fusion card raised the percentages back up to the levels that I was getting the night before. The percentages (not counting the OTB type channels) now range from 86 to 91, with most on the higher side.

Putting back the splitter, so that I got the cable modem back on, returned the readings to unwatchable levels. I will probably get a new splitter today; is it also a good bet to pick up an amp as well?

Thanks.

[TPeterson]

Thanks for the insight. I never would have thought that the splitter could have caused the problem, especially with the other events of the day. Going direct to the Fusion card raised the percentages back up to the levels that I was getting the night before. The percentages (not counting the OTB type channels) now range from 86 to 91, with most on the higher side.

Putting back the splitter, so that I got the cable modem back on, returned the readings to unwatchable levels. I will probably get a new splitter today; is it also a good bet to pick up an amp as well?

Thanks.From the results you describe it seems that either the splitter is faulty or the signal level upstream is marginal, but it's not possible to decide which is the problem. Because amplifiers are more expensive, and can cause their own problems, I'd try swapping splitters first, using a good-quality 1-GHz one rated at not more than 3.5 dB/pairwise split, and then try a high-quality distribution amplifier if changing out the splitter has no apparent effect.

edit: Another tack you could try is to ask the cableco to increase the signal level input to your service connection if changing splitters doesn't solve the problem.

[doromo]

From the results you describe it seems that either the splitter is faulty or the signal level upstream is marginal, but it's not possible to decide which is the problem. Because amplifiers are more expensive, and can cause their own problems, I'd try swapping splitters first, using a good-quality 1-GHz one rated at not more than 3.5 dB/pairwise split, and then try a high-quality distribution amplifier if changing out the splitter has no apparent effect.

edit: Another tack you could try is to ask the cableco to increase the signal level input to your service connection if changing splitters doesn't solve the problem.


I bought a new splitter and a signal booster. The splitter gave me the same bad results that I was getting the day before. I then put on the signal booster (just before this splitter) and I am getting percentages between 91 and 96!!

What potential problem(s) might the amp cause?

BTW I think that CV may have changed my cable modem connection on the three-way splitter on the outside of the house. This splitter has two -7 dB and 1 -3.5dB connectors. Since I reported the old analog TV as having reception problems he may well have switched that TV to have the smaller signal loss. That would also explain the lower readings on the Fusion card. Anyhow, the signal booster (or amp, are the two synonymous??) seems to have raised the signal to a watchable range.

Thanks for the help.

[wooblewobble]

I've had this card for a few weeks and, combined with the latest Beta software from the FTP, it's been working very well on Cablevision (Oakland, NJ). There is just one problem I'm having that I didn't expect to have. On ANY 1080i broadcasts, I get a noticeable stutter (it's not THAT bad, but you definitely notice it) with and without time shifting. This only happens when using DxVA and Bob deinterlacing. It doesn't happen with Weave, and it doesn't happen when I have DxVA off altogether. 720p broadcasts are flawless.

I'm not sure if it's an IRQ problem like others have mentioned, but I tried shuffling my PCI cards a few times to see if anything changed with no luck. The specs of my machine are as follows:

3.2Ghz P4 640 w/HT, 1GB DDR2 SDRAM, ATI Radeon X300SE 128MB, 1680x1050 display.

I know the video card is the cheapest money can buy, and I intentionally did this because I play absolutely no video games and assumed that any card would be fine for 2D video. I've read some suggestions here that this is a bad video card to have for HD but I wanted to make sure before going out and buying a replacement. Any thoughts?

[stylinlp]

Yes. Thats absolutely the weakest under performing card on the market right now. If its even on the market still.
The rest of your equipment is top notch. Besides the HDTV issue you really should get a matching card to go with it. For only around $150 you can get a 6600GT card.

About HDTV> yes. HDTV requires a power video card or you will get skipping. Basic DVD watching doesn't. To watch basic DVD's all you need is a radeon 9000 or 8500. But with HDTV its just too much.

[TPeterson]

wobble--

I don't have any ATI cards (except in my Thinkpad) but, with several Fusion cards, I have used very successfully both Nvidia MX 440 and MX 4000 cards that I picked up for about $50 each many months ago. So, aesthetics of "matching" your other gear aside, I don't think that you need to lay out $150 for an HDTV-capable video card. ;)

[E Jackson]

What potential problem(s) might the amp cause?

It shouldn't cause a problem if it's plugged into the same strip/power conditioner as your PC. Even if they aren't using the same power strip, there still may not be a problem. Grounding issues (wavy lines cycling through the image) can sometimes result when you're using different grounds to devices that share connections.

...Anyhow, the signal booster (or amp, are the two synonymous??)...

You say tamaytoe, I say tamahtah. Same thing. :)

BTW, upgrade your card. You'll be glad you did.

[TPeterson]

EJ--

Yes, ground loops, as you describe, could be an amplifier-caused problem, but what I had in mind really was problems with the OP's cable modem. Most amps will reduce or eliminate the return signal from such equipment. If the amp is in a different branch than any two-way gear, that won't be an issue.

[jeffspam]

HDTV requires a power video card or you will get skipping. Basic DVD watching doesn't. To watch basic DVD's all you need is a radeon 9000 or 8500. But with HDTV its just too much.

FWIW, I'm using a 64MB ATI Radeon 8500 w/ my Fusion cards just fine, watching both 720p and 1080i HD material with no skipping. This is with an Athlon64 2800 (and IIRC it even played smoothly when I had the same card paird with an AthlonXP 1800).

[wooblewobble]

FWIW, I'm using a 64MB ATI Radeon 8500 w/ my Fusion cards just fine, watching both 720p and 1080i HD material with no skipping. This is with an Athlon64 2800 (and IIRC it even played smoothly when I had the same card paird with an AthlonXP 1800).

I was hoping that my card would be more than sufficient, especially if the specs say that it can use any Radeon and can have as little as an 800mhz P3. I should've mentioned that I was unsuccessful in getting the card its own IRQ, but I wasn't sure if that was the problem or not. If it's an IRQ conflict, does the stuttering happen with any resolution, or just the ones that require more processing? Again, it's only with 1080i signals using Bob or Auto as the deinterlacing method. It seems like deinterlacing is where my setup is choking, as motion with the Weave setting (no deinterlacing?) is fluid. I had an HDTV wonder that I tried before buying this card and the same thing was happening with 1080i content. I'll have to try finding a friend who will let me borrow their awesome video card to see if I need to buy a new one.

[wookie_trainer]

I've been trying to read through these posts. I'm after a HDTV tuner card that I can plug my cable into from the wall, I do not want to use an receiver. I just want to use the coax that I'm paying for from my cable company and then decode the hd signals that are already there plus my regular analog channels. Will the ati hdtv tuner this? or is the dvico fusion 5 the only option for this?

[KAXKID]

wobble--

I don't have any ATI cards (except in my Thinkpad) but, with several Fusion cards, I have used very successfully both Nvidia MX 440 and MX 4000 cards that I picked up for about $50 each many months ago. So, aesthetics of "matching" your other gear aside, I don't think that you need to lay out $150 for an HDTV-capable video card. ;)
i'll second that about the mx440. i also have two different mx440 versions(64mb and 128mb), either one seems to be fine for my fusiuon3goldt card.

[CK1]

Will the ati hdtv tuner this? or is the dvico fusion 5 the only option for this?

The ATI will work for only OTA (over the air) (aka antenna) but not digital cable. If you can plug your TV straight into the wall and see the channel, then the ATI can do it too.

The FusionHDTV will work for both OTA and cable (if your cable company doesn't scramble the channels... you don't know until you try or your nieghbor tries and tells ya about it... it will not work with premium channels (HBO, Skinemax, etc...))

[wooblewobble]

I've been trying to read through these posts. I'm after a HDTV tuner card that I can plug my cable into from the wall, I do not want to use an receiver. I just want to use the coax that I'm paying for from my cable company and then decode the hd signals that are already there plus my regular analog channels. Will the ati hdtv tuner this? or is the dvico fusion 5 the only option for this?

The HDTV Wonder will be able to display fine with your analog cable channels when directly connected to the cable feed, and the DVICO will show you the analog cable channels plus the digital ones that are UNENCRYPTED, which are usually just the broadcast networks (i.e., ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, et cetera).

[voovoov]

I got a Fusion lite yesterday, and I really like it. It is much better than my AccessDTV, which is being used on a P III 450 for my daughter to watch PBS kids now. This card can catch weak signal very well, and I don't need to rotate the atenna anymore. I am using it on Dell 8250, P IV 2.4G, 6600GT. I got the card from copperbox for $78 shipped last friday. What a steal.
By the way, can I play the record using other software rather than the Fusion software. Thanks.

[Karyk]

SageTV's beta will probably work with your Fusion 5 lite, but it is a beta still.

[Wayno]

SageTV's beta will probably work with your Fusion 5 lite, but it is a beta still.

Sounds like SageTV will work with his Fusion. It works for OTA, which it sounds like he's using, and through a cable/satellite box. It doesn't do QAM though, which is what I'm looking for. :( (just say NO !#$!@$ WAY to big, ugly, slow crappy STB's!!)

Sadly until SageTV 3.x comes out of Beta and goes into release the only way to get at it is to have a SageTV 2.x license. That can be a big gamble for someone with only an HD card to work with since 2.x won't work with any HD card (except though 3rd party add-ons to Sage which will work).

However downloading the current 2.2.x trial version will give you a good feel for the user interface and the capabilities of the program. SageTV 3.x betas have some nice UI tweaks plus the first HD card access for Sage.

LINK: SageTV website (http://www.sage.tv/)
LINK: SageTV Forums (http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/) So you can do some research and see some feedback on how the Beta is going. Just go to the Beta forum and read the various threads for the latest version (3.0.11 currently) and any threads dealing with your particular HD card.

[horsecca]

I got the lite version yesterday from the copperbox deal last week as well.But I am not so lucky here.I found it's almost unable to use the software that I downloaded from fusion's website(v3.00.03?). I got great jerkiness either with 1080i or 720p, either with OTA or QAM. Can't watch any HD channel at all.
Another thing is that the program crashes every time when I tried to scan the QAM channels. Any other software I can use instead of their crappy s/w?
My config of pc is: A642800+ oc to 2.4Ghz, 6600gt. 1gig ram.
Any thought of the cause of the jerkiness? Appreciate your inputs.

I got a Fusion lite yesterday, and I really like it. It is much better than my AccessDTV, which is being used on a P III 450 for my daughter to watch PBS kids now. This card can catch weak signal very well, and I don't need to rotate the atenna anymore. I am using it on Dell 8250, P IV 2.4G, 6600GT. I got the card from copperbox for $78 shipped last friday. What a steal.
By the way, can I play the record using other software rather than the Fusion software. Thanks.

[CK1]

Yes, I would suggest the one from their FTP... version3.1. The link is in the ' New FusionHDTV 3.0 Software posted' thread

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6299418

[voovoov]

Yes, I would suggest the one from their FTP... version3.1. The link is in the ' New FusionHDTV 3.0 Software posted' thread

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6299418

Yes, I used this version on a new installed XP. No problem at all so far on OTA.

[horsecca]

Thanks,I will do this after work tonight. Let's see what will happen
[QUOTE=CK1]Yes, I would suggest the one from their FTP... version3.1. The link is in the ' New FusionHDTV 3.0 Software posted' thread

[horsecca]

Still have the same problem.Should I re-install my OS,which is a big pain?

Thanks,I will do this after work tonight. Let's see what will happen
[QUOTE=CK1]Yes, I would suggest the one from their FTP... version3.1. The link is in the ' New FusionHDTV 3.0 Software posted' thread

[KAXKID]

I got the lite version yesterday from the copperbox deal last week as well.But I am not so lucky here.I found it's almost unable to use the software that I downloaded from fusion's website(v3.00.03?). I got great jerkiness either with 1080i or 720p, either with OTA or QAM. Can't watch any HD channel at all.
Another thing is that the program crashes every time when I tried to scan the QAM channels. Any other software I can use instead of their crappy s/w?
My config of pc is: A642800+ oc to 2.4Ghz, 6600gt. 1gig ram.
Any thought of the cause of the jerkiness? Appreciate your inputs.
this could be the dual channel memory settings on your motherboard. you should be able to find some posts about this with a search.

[horsecca]

My MB doesn't support dual channel. Should I tweak my bios settings?
Thanks
this could be the dual channel memory settings on your motherboard. you should be able to find some posts about this with a search.

[KAXKID]

My MB doesn't support dual channel. Should I tweak my bios settings?
Thanks
sorry, i don't know how to answer that question. maybe if you posted more details about you mb brand and model, some one might be able to give some advice.

[horsecca]

Ok,here is my rig: Amd 64(754pin) 2800+ OCed to 2.5Ghz, DFI|NF3 LANPARTY UT nF3 250GB, Kingston 1gig ddr400 runing at 400Mhz, which means the front bus and memory are running at different speed. Video is Leadtek 6600gt running at default speed.
If any one can comment on my settings, it will be appreciated.

sorry, i don't know how to answer that question. maybe if you posted more details about you mb brand and model, some one might be able to give some advice.

[coddon1]

I just bought the Fusion HDTV Lite from Copperbox the other day. Everything work fine except sometime it crash my OS when I minimize the screen. It is not big a problem. I downloaded the 3.11 version from Fusion website. I tried to view the Closed Caption but couldn't view it. I tried to hit Alt + S (from Fusion website) but still couldn't see the caption. Does anyone having this problem? Thanks

[KAXKID]

I just bought the Fusion HDTV Lite from Copperbox the other day. Everything work fine except sometime it crash my OS when I minimize the screen. It is not big a problem. I downloaded the 3.11 version from Fusion website. I tried to view the Closed Caption but couldn't view it. I tried to hit Alt + S (from Fusion website) but still couldn't see the caption. Does anyone having this problem? Thanks
where on the fusion website did you find the info about "closed caption" and Alt+S???

[coddon1]

where on the fusion website did you find the info about "closed caption" and Alt+S???
My Bad... It mention the DVB-T which I thought is the one I bought. Oh well... So we can't view Closed Caption right now? Is there any other software I can view the show with Closed Caption?

I check here

fusionhdtv.co.kr/ENG/Support/Default.aspx?act=RD&id=44&pg=1

[KAXKID]

My Bad... It mention the DVB-T which I thought is the one I bought. Oh well... So we can't view Closed Caption right now? Is there any other software I can view the show with Closed Caption?

I check here

fusionhdtv.co.kr/ENG/Support/Default.aspx?act=RD&id=44&pg=1
i don't know of any other software providing "close captioning" for fusion cards yet. it would be a nice feature. i think the MyHD card's software supports "close captioning" for analog stations only. maybe using the search function here might turn up an answer.

[TPeterson]

i don't know of any other software providing "close captioning" for fusion cards yet. it would be a nice feature. i think the MyHD card's software supports "close captioning" for analog stations only. maybe using the search function here might turn up an answer.MyHD's latest software (v 1.66) supports both analog and digital closed captions on NTSC and ATSC/QAM stations, respectively.

[coddon1]

MyHD's latest software (v 1.66) supports both analog and digital closed captions on NTSC and ATSC/QAM stations, respectively.

Thanks Peterson!! I will try to install MyHD today!!! FusionHD software is still buggy on my comp. Now I can't even start the software. Its displays an Authentication Failed error message. Weird. They need a better QA team!:)

[rdunnill]

Does this device work with both old-fashioned NTSC and HD-TV? Also, will it work with HD via cable?

[TPeterson]

Does this device work with both old-fashioned NTSC and HD-TV? Also, will it work with HD via cable?Not sure what you're referring to, but, yes, both Fusion 5 and MyHD MDP-130 will tune NTSC and DTV (OTA and clear-QAM) stations. Neither is recommended for recording NTSC, but both can do so if carefully set up.

[DCypher]

I have read a little bit about the stuttering problems people have with lower end video cards. I too am getting some stuttering, even with a very strong signal (95- 100%). I have a P4 2.6 Ghz machine with 768MB RAM and an ATI 9700 Pro video card. This seems like it should be enough horsepower to get smooth video, doesn't it?

When looking at CPU usage, i see it at around 40%, then it drops to 5% when the stuttering happens. I expected to see the opposite! Any ideas?

Thanks,
Jeff

[TPeterson]

Jeff--

Yes, IRQ conflict.

[DCypher]

Ah, ok.

Here i was thinking i NEVER had to worry about IRQ's for the rest of my life! HA!
Is there a link somewhere describing the problem and how to fix it under XP (actually, i'm running MCE 2005). Can you manually assign IRQ's to each piece of hardware or tell XP not to share the IRQ for the Fusion?

Maybe i should do some more reading, eh?

[TPeterson]

You can't manually assign IRQ values generally in machines set up using ACPI, but you can try shuffling PCI cards from one slot to another, which often changes the IRQ assignments.

[DJRobX]

I put in my DVIco Fusion 5 Gold card yesterday. I am using Comcast Cable. Using the included software, I had recuring trouble when flipping through the channels. I then updated to the latest version, much better but still had problems. I did manage to find ABC-HD during all this and set up a recording to record "Lost". I accidentally put it in for 2 hours instead of 1. Turns out my DVR screwed up and didn't record "Invasion", but guess what, the DVico caught it! HAH! I love this card already!

Another bonus, I am tuning Music Choice channels. I've always wanted that on my desktop. Now I have it... sort of!

The only real problem I have with my shiny new card is that the auto-scanning of QAM channels manages to confuse itself. I can see that they tried a new channel numbering idea. I like it, but it's creating duplicate entries when there are more than 10 QAM subchannels. For example, it makes channel 1081 for both Channel 107, subchannel 10 as well as 108 subchannel 1. That wreaks all kinds of havoc when changing channels! Is there any solution to this? Anywhere where I can manually make up my own channel "numbers" to differentiate them? Are they stored in the registry or a data file somewhere?

[KAXKID]

... For example, it makes channel 1081 for both Channel 107, subchannel 10 as well as 108 subchannel 1. That wreaks all kinds of havoc when changing channels! Is there any solution to this? Anywhere where I can manually make up my own channel "numbers" to differentiate them? Are they stored in the registry or a data file somewhere?
no one has posted a solution, except to delete the unused duplicate channels from your config map in the control panal or just import the channels you use to the favorites list and use that list only. try the 3.0 software and the 3.11 threads.

[jeffspam]

Well, I've done something to upset the Fusion app. It's likely because I upgraded my ATI drivers, 'cause I'm now having the same stuttering problems that others had reported earlier in this thread. I've got a Radeon 8500, which has always worked perfectly fine. I updated my video drivers to the latest version available on ATI's site as of this past Wednesday (10/12/05). Now, when I try to watch either live or recorded content, my CPU goes sky high. Worse, when I ctrl-alt-del to bring up the task manager, the fusion app totally freezes up.

Did we ever figure out what version of the ATI driver works well with the latest version of the Fusion app?

[Neil L]

Did we ever figure out what version of the ATI driver works well with the latest version of the Fusion app?Maybe. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6332623&&#post6332623)

[APorter]

Installed Fusion 5 Lite and was only able to scan 3 digital channels (OTA). With my Voom box I'm able to scan 16 digital stations. Any ideas to be able to scan more channels?

[APorter]

I used a beta version found in this thread and now get all the digital stations I'm suppose to get.

[KAXKID]

I used a beta version found in this thread and now get all the digital stations I'm suppose to get.
which beta version?

[tangfoot]

MyHD's latest software (v 1.66) supports both analog and digital closed captions on NTSC and ATSC/QAM stations, respectively.

Are you saying the MyHD software will work with the Fusion card?

Does anyone have a link to the MyHD download site?
I only see version 1.65.2 available currently.

[TPeterson]

Are you saying the MyHD software will work with the Fusion card?No.

[tangfoot]

No.

Dammit. Why the hell was I thinking that a post in the Fusion thread would include software that works with a Fusion card?

:p

[TPeterson]

Dammit. Why the hell was I thinking that a post in the Fusion thread would include software that works with a Fusion card?Maybe because you didn't read the question that I was answering in the first place? :rolleyes:

[tangfoot]

Maybe because you didn't read the question that I was answering in the first place? :rolleyes:

i don't know of any other software providing "close captioning" for fusion cards yet. it would be a nice feature. i think the MyHD card's software supports "close captioning" for analog stations only. maybe using the search function here might turn up an answer.

What did I miss? I took the question AND answer to refer to software "FOR FUSION CARDS" only.

[TPeterson]

What did I miss? I took the question AND answer to refer to software "FOR FUSION CARDS" only.The answer actually was a clarification of the OP's misaprehension about MyHD's sw. :)

[belevin]

So I want to buy the very best HDTV tuner card (regardless of cost) for a MCE 2005 and I would like to know the very best card? Is it the DVIco Fusion 5 ?

I have a Microsoft MCE remote so I guess I only need the Lite? Does the Gold offer any other better features beside remote control?

[TrogdorJW]

I'm in the same situation as belevin. Here's the deal, I have Comcast + HDTV. I want to be able to do DVR through my PC. If I get the Fusion 5 (or the MyHD MDP-130), can I receive both SD and HD channels, including digital? Encrypted channels (i.e. HBO HD) are still impossible to receive, right? But I should be able to connect a coaxial cable to either card and receive all the standard channels?

OTA HDTV is not an option where I live, due to poor signal quality, and since I already have Comcast I really don't care. All I want is the ability to record HDTV at times. I'd like to record *all* HD channels, but it looks like that isn't an option right now.

Thanks!

Edit: I'm also still trying to figure out if MyHD or Fusion is better. I'm leaning towards the MDP-130 right now. Is that the better card?

[DJRobX]

MCE doesn't support QAM. So no matter what card you buy, you cannot record Comcast HDTV in Media Center, at least not yet.

The fusion5 itself with the Fusion software does work great with my Comcast service.

[Karyk]

Edit: I'm also still trying to figure out if MyHD or Fusion is better. I'm leaning towards the MDP-130 right now. Is that the better card?

Right now the MyHD card is clearly superior for what you're asking. It has a better method to setup QAM recordings, far more stable software and offers hardware based playback. The Fusion card offers more potential for the future in that someday the BDA drivers might allow programs like MCE, SageTV, etc., to support QAM.

BTW, I wouldn't give up on OTA reception. You don't need a great signal to get HDTV. If you're in a flat area without any major obstructions between you and the towers, you might get signal.

[bbig119]

I recently installed a fusion 5 lite in my htpc, and its been little more than dead weight. I can lock in all stations, but it seems I get much more frequent signal dropouts on on the htpc using the fusion than I do with my tv OTA tuner.

I'm 7-7.5 miles from the antenna farm in philadelphia. They're all coming from about the same direction too. I've got an old antenna on the roof currently hooked up, and I've bought a radioshack one to put up there when I get the chance thinking it might improve signal(considering the old one is rusted on solid and I can't move it an inch). I can tell that I get decent reception using the TV tuner with both the antenna on the roof and the new one on the living room floor currently. I get frequent drop outs on the htpc with both of these antennas.

My question here is this: Would getting a different tuner card( an avermedia) improve my tuning?

Other related questions: Why am I not able to receive a glowing 100% signal since I'm less than 10 miles from these broadcasts? I do have large trees surrounding the house that are above the antenna on the roof. I'm reluctant to buy another antenna in hopes that it'll do the job when I've tried four( an indoor radioshack cheap antenna, and a terk POS indoor antenna). Would a signal amplifier help me out? I could try one from radioshack.

[avekevin]

I am very confused about Fusion cards and QAM - I've heard lots of stories of inconsistent results. There seem to be a few versions of the Fusion 5 cards and a bunch of Fusion 3 cards. Which has the best QAM support?

I'm not using MCE. This will be a second HD card - I plan to put it into the same machine as my myHD card. Can someone confirm that the Fusion's TP files correctly play on the myHD decoder?

I appreciate the assistance.

Kevin

[KAXKID]

I am very confused about Fusion cards and QAM - I've heard lots of stories of inconsistent results. There seem to be a few versions of the Fusion 5 cards and a bunch of Fusion 3 cards. Which has the best QAM support?

I'm not using MCE. This will be a second HD card - I plan to put it into the same machine as my myHD card. Can someone confirm that the Fusion's TP files correctly play on the myHD decoder?

I appreciate the assistance.

Kevin
in my experience with the fusion 3gold-t card, qam has more to do with the cableco and the version of fusion software. i have excellent picture quality and recording quality using version 3.00.08(a beta version ). the only reason i keep checking other versions of the fusion software is to get other enhancements to the software working. reading the other two main fusion threads relating to the software may be more helpful to you.

[Karyk]

I am very confused about Fusion cards and QAM - I've heard lots of stories of inconsistent results. There seem to be a few versions of the Fusion 5 cards and a bunch of Fusion 3 cards. Which has the best QAM support?

I'm not using MCE. This will be a second HD card - I plan to put it into the same machine as my myHD card. Can someone confirm that the Fusion's TP files correctly play on the myHD decoder?

I don't think it really matters for all that's available new is the Fusion 5. I have the 3 and it recorded QAM fine for the short period I tried it (about a week). In any case, I've never heard one is better than the other at QAM.

The MyHD card will play the files. On some systems, some files won't FF/REW properly due to time issues being messed up. You can drag the status bar to move forward and back in time, which is not as convenient, but better than having to sit through all the commercials. On my system it's 10% or less of the files that have this issue, but I think some others have reported larger percentages.

[bbig119]

Signal checker program not working on Fusion 5 lite.

I managed to ressolve the stutter problem, the Fusion doesn't like to share IRQs well. I still can not get the signal checker utility program to function properly. I can watch TV with the Fusion app and get strong signals of around 100%, but the signal checker utility doesn't find squat. I'm trying OTA at the moment and not QAM.

I wouldn't care about this so much, except that I'm also trying to get this thing to work in SageTV and when I install the fusion in sage it won't tune digital channels OTA. It doesn't pick up any signals, but will tune if installed as an analog tuner. I'm not sure if its a problem with my card/system, or if I need to have a license from a previous version of Sage to get OTA HD to work on the RC13-- which I don't.

Suggestions?

[Karyk]

I wouldn't care about this so much, except that I'm also trying to get this thing to work in SageTV and when I install the fusion in sage it won't tune digital channels OTA. It doesn't pick up any signals, but will tune if installed as an analog tuner. I'm not sure if its a problem with my card/system, or if I need to have a license from a previous version of Sage to get OTA HD to work on the RC13-- which I don't.

Suggestions?

How are you getting RC13 to work at all without a license?

It's actually RC3, 3.0.13. RC4, 3.0.14 is out today.

Here's a wild guess as to a solution, although your symptoms are not the same as mine. Do not use the SageTV audio codec.

[Karyk]

According to Opus in the SageTV forum, the SageTV betas are now available on a trial basis. I'd strongly recommend that owners of Fusion cards give it a try. My only concern is that I don't know how long the trial lasts or whether the trial will be reset for the final version.

But 3.0.14RC3 is very good for me so far, and the prior versions have been better than anything Divco ever created.

The main problems seem to be getting the right audio/video settings, but this new version seems more flexible than prior versions. For me the PowerDVD video codecs with the WinDVD audio codecs work the best.

[bbig119]

How are you getting RC13 to work at all without a license?

It's actually RC3, 3.0.13. RC4, 3.0.14 is out today.

Here's a wild guess as to a solution, although your symptoms are not the same as mine. Do not use the SageTV audio codec.

Thanks for the suggestion. I gave that a try without any luck. Sage recognizes the card immediately, and I'm able to set it up until I get to channel scanning. It just appears like something is using the card, or the software(SageTV and the DVICO signal checker aren't able to access the card properly).

Anyone else have a problem with the signal checker utility?

[Karyk]

Thanks for the suggestion. I gave that a try without any luck. Sage recognizes the card immediately, and I'm able to set it up until I get to channel scanning. It just appears like something is using the card, or the software(SageTV and the DVICO signal checker aren't able to access the card properly).?

Did you try changing the audio codec? That sounds like the same issue I had.

[TheGreatOne]

:mad:

Just received my DViCO FusionHDTV5 USB Gold yesterday afternoon from COPPERBOX.COM (Advance Logic Inc.) and found out it too like the Sasem Co. Ltd. OnAir USB HDTV that I have owned for almost a year, is also a 100% qualified Korean piece of junk.

The DViCO FusionHDTV5 USB Gold has extremely “buggy” software (3.11), only fair picture quality (SDTV), good picture quality (DTV & HDTV), no STEREO audio, some slight flickering, really bad audio and temperamental software (looses setting when shut down).

I will probably pack my new DViCO FusionHDTV5 USB Gold up into its box, and toss it on to a shelf in the garage where I have tons of dead, obsolete hardware and software (I am a “reseller”, so I do really have tons), since it is extremely doubtful that I can make the DViCO FusionHDTV5 USB Gold product produce a reasonable image with listenable audio. Moreover, I know from past experience that Korean manufacturers like Digital Video Innovation (DViCO), Sasem Co. Ltd. and OnAirSolution Co. Ltd. are far from responsive to the requirements of the US market, and are slow (if ever) to offer or develop a solution.

The main reason I rushed out to purchase the DViCO FusionHDTV5 USB Gold was the fact that I had a “crash” about two weeks ago in which the setup of my functioning Sasem Co. Ltd. OnAir USB HDTV was “trashed”. And I could not revive it to its former operating state despite using many versions of the software and drivers on 100’s of installs over a few days, since in between each install I had to ensure that all traces of the previous install were removed (registry and drivers et al.). The best I could get out of my Sasem Co. Ltd. OnAir USB HDTV was SDTV, and the software was more of a “resource” hog than the previous working install that worked fine for the prior three months.

After several installs (and uninstalls) of the required software for the DViCO FusionHDTV5 USB Gold, FusionHDTV3.11Web.exe, over a several hour period, I kept running into this error after selection of the processor/video controller, “RegDBSetItemFailed”. It even occurred after I ensured that every driver, every other application on the system was at the “latest and greatest” version, and then using four different tools to “scrub” the registry, followed by a “boot defrag”, and a normal “defrag”.. Also had another error, while exiting the application, something about “UnableToCreateDirectory” that flashed.

I am using a close P4 2.8, with a 9600XT video controller, with Windows XP SP2 (+several HOT FIXES), HT is ON (and needed for other applications on system), outputting to a Samsung 910t display.

If I never had the Sasem Co. Ltd. OnAir USB HDTV working correctly, I may have been much less critical of the DViCO FusionHDTV5 USB Gold, but the image quality of the DViCO FusionHDTV5 USB Gold was just not equal to Sasem Co. Ltd. OnAir USB HDTV whether it be SDTV or DTV/HDTV. In addition, color saturation of DViCO FusionHDTV5 USB Gold was not as good as the Sasem Co. Ltd. OnAir USB HDTV, tending to be lighter, and more pastel. Also “red eye” was more noticeable with the DViCO FusionHDTV5 USB Gold. Screen handling is also not as good as the Sasem Co. Ltd. OnAir USB HDTV, especially when adjusting to full screen.

Any ideas or suggestions anyone? Any other solutions?

Thanks,


Tim

:mad:

[TPeterson]

Tim, what the heck is the point of all these l-o-n-g cross posts?? See your first post for an answer.

[TheGreatOne]

Tim, what the heck is the point of all these l-o-n-g cross posts?? See your first post for an answer.


Tom,

Thanks, because I am not really sure where to place the question, is it the hardware, or the software or both.

I just would like to have some sort of workable HDTV solution that would use my Samsung 910t.

Thanks,

Tim

[Bob Sorel]

TheGreatOne, I know you are having trouble deciding on where to place your post, but please pick one spot and stay there. Crossposting is most definitely a no-no on this forum.

[Socio]

My Fusion HDTV 3 card died, so I am looking at the Fusion HDTV 5 as a replacement but looking at a picture of it , it appears to only have one RF coax input.

So my question is can this card to both OTA and Cable at the same time like the Fusion HDTV 3?

[KAXKID]

My Fusion HDTV 3 card died, so I am looking at the Fusion HDTV 5 as a replacement but looking at a picture of it , it appears to only have one RF coax input.

So my question is can this card to both OTA and Cable at the same time like the Fusion HDTV 3?
you would have to swap the connections or use an a-b switch.

[Socio]

you would have to swap the connections or use an a-b switch.

Thanks for the reply!

Aside from some signal degrading with an A/B switch that would not be so bad as long as one does not have to do a channel scan every time you switch input signal.

[KAXKID]

Thanks for the reply!

Aside from some signal degrading with an A/B switch that would not be so bad as long as one does not have to do a channel scan every time you switch input signal.
i don't have ota and cable on my setup, but i'm pretty sure you only do the scan once for each and then just use the change input button in the software.

[TPeterson]

i don't have ota and cable on my setup, but i'm pretty sure you only do the scan once for each and then just use the change input button in the software.I do have both, and...sorry to bear bad news, but...it doesn't gracefully switch modes when you change inputs. You should count on using the rf input either on cable or on antenna, not both.

As was just discussed in the MyHD130 thread, it has currently the only practical means of handling both types of inputs on one card, AFAIK (unless, you go with Linux, AIUI).

[KAXKID]

I do have both, and...sorry to bear bad news, but...it doesn't gracefully switch modes when you change inputs. You should count on using the rf input either on cable or on antenna, not both.

As was just discussed in the MyHD130 thread, it has currently the only practical means of handling both types of inputs on one card, AFAIK (unless, you go with Linux, AIUI).
i guess i should have explained my setup a little more. i do have the ability to use ota and cable and when i first got my first fusion 3goldt card last january i had tried various tabletop antenna to see if it was ok to cancel my cable service. i'm about 40-50 miles from the "locals antenna farm". i can receive 3-5 stations ota, but i opted to keep my cable service because of the "extras" the fusion card decodes. i still have two different settop antenna, a silver sensor and a rca model ANT1250. the rca has a built-in amp and a coax connector that can be used to hook-up sat or cable. it also has a built-in a-b switch. i have just set the rca back up and the fusion software does work fine switching back and forth between cable input or ant without re-scanning the channels between the different inputs. i don't even have to close the fusion app to do it, just swap the input in fusion and than toggle the a-b switch. no glitches at all.
sorry for the long post, but it was necessary to explain the situation.

my set-up is in my sigature line. it's about as generic as can be, a simple compaq presario i bought last feb when the price was less than $300 and an old mx440 card pulled from an old gateway.

[Brad M.]

Brand new Fusion5 PCI here, have Comcast Cable in Baltimore City, can't find one signal on cable (analog or digital), and that was primary reason for buying it. I've tried using different segments of cable, even pulling the cable from the cable box, still nothing.

Just for the hell of it I hooked it up to the jack that used to have a DTV dish. The cable runs through the house and out to a back roof where the dish used to be, no physical antenna, no termination. Much to my suprise, I can receive 9 digital channels with strength in the area of about 75-80%. No analog channels come in that are worth even trying to look at. I'm impressed that anything can pull signal out of the air that well and be able to decode/display them with no trouble.

I have to admit that even having only seen a couple hours of the Fusion5HDTV programs abilities, they do lack, and I managed to crash it within the first hour of use.

So here are my questions:

Is there any way to find out if a cable system actually carries QAM channels without a slew of e-mails/phone calls to tech support which will ultimately end up with "you'll have to lease our HD receiver" ???

Would a different piece of software do better at telling the card how to find QAM channels?

[KAXKID]

Brand new Fusion5 PCI here, have Comcast Cable in Baltimore City, can't find one signal on cable (analog or digital), ...

So here are my questions:

Is there any way to find out if a cable system actually carries QAM channels without a slew of e-mails/phone calls to tech support which will ultimately end up with "you'll have to lease our HD receiver" ???

Would a different piece of software do better at telling the card how to find QAM channels?
here's a link to your local info that might be helpful. when you let the software do the autoscan you should have seen the strength indicator pick up something as it went thru the rf channels. if you had no indication, my guess is you don't have a good connection, or not a good software install. even encrypted stations have a signal on cable, but maybe there is some info in the local link.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5288144&&#post5288144

here's another post that is from beltsville, md.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6500911&&#post6500911

you can also use the tsbrowser2 app as a secondary piece of software to check for channels. here's a link for that.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6449961&&#post6449961

[Brad M.]

here's a link to your local info that might be helpful. when you let the software do the autoscan you should have seen the strength indicator pick up something as it went thru the rf channels. if you had no indication, my guess is you don't have a good connection, or not a good software install. even encrypted stations have a signal on cable, but maybe there is some info in the local link.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5288144&&#post5288144
I've already been through that entire thread. From what I can tell there *should* be signal (A & D) available on cable, but have no way to verify it with the F5 card since it shows 0 strength on every channel (A or D). I didn't know that I should have seen some indication that there was signal present, even if scrambled. Now I have something more to work from. How would I know if it's a bad install? Everything seems to work fine, and OTA did find channels using that same connecting cable, so I think the cable is ok.

you can also use the tsbrowser2 app as a secondary piece of software to check for channels. here's a link for that.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6449961&&#post6449961
Yep, found that but haven't had a chance to try it yet on cable.

Quick questions about a cable splitter. We have need of 3 devices for cable connection (ReplayTV, Cable Box & now F5 card). I have a 4db splitter at the moment and have a 9db splitter available. 1. What's the difference between them? Which should be "first" in line? Should I just get a 3 way?

[KAXKID]

...
Quick questions about a cable splitter. We have need of 3 devices for cable connection (ReplayTV, Cable Box & now F5 card). I have a 4db splitter at the moment and have a 9db splitter available. 1. What's the difference between them? Which should be "first" in line? Should I just get a 3 way?
try it with out any splitter. in other words, try connecting the f5pci card directly to the cable coming into the house before it gets split to the cable box or replay device. run the install again. when you get to the screen that gives an option to "modify" or "repair", pick "repair". let the install do it's thing and wait for all hd activity to stop. drag the install window around your desktop to make sure there is not another window under it still installing. look in the task bar for an install window that was minimized, etc. the install program takes a while and has not changed in a long time. this has been an ongoing problem-"incomplete installs". did you read the post from beltsville on comcast that said he has the same problem??he used tsbrowser2 to find channels. good luck.

[doromo]

Has anyone had any success in connecting an HDTV set top box to a Fusion card AND getting the HD encrypted channels that would be available on an actual HDTV set. I rented an STB from my local CableVision store and have been able to get all of the stations that I would be entitled to based on my subscription. However, none seems to be in HD. Actually, they seem to be in analog and not digital. Thus, the PQ is much, much better for the non-encrypted channels when using the cable (from the cable modem) directly in to the Fusion card. I would like to be able to receive these entitled-to encrypted channels (and in HD) by using this device.

I have read in various posts about using firewire to accomplish this. If this is the way to go, please elaborate. Or is there some "magical" way that I can configure the card, or some other method that anyone may have used to accomplish getting HD from an STB.

Thanks in advance.

[TPeterson]

Has anyone had any success in connecting an HDTV set top box to a Fusion card AND getting the HD encrypted channels that would be available on an actual HDTV set[?]

I have read in various posts about using firewire to accomplish this.PC Tuner cards don't work with STB tuners and therefore are not compatible with encrypted cable channels, period.

If you have a STB with firewire output you can use that to transfer the Transport Stream to your PC's HDD. (See the thread in HDTV Recorders Forum) However, if the cableco is using 5C protection (which they eventually will if they're not already) you won't be able to view the saved encrypted files.

[zaldwaik]

I just acquired and installed the FusionLite 5 card with accompanying software. Great card and SW by the way. Picture quality is great. I have a number of questions for those who used this card, I am not sure if these are limitations or things that can be fixed.

1. The software that came with the card is ver. 3.12 which is newer than the one on the web site, anyone received the same CD?

2. When I use timeshift mode in FusionHDTV, I am not able to FF or RW, even when I have 10 minutes of recorded material. I can continue to play, or jump to the end of the segment, but I cannot FF or RW since the buttons are disabled.

3. When in timeshift mode, there is stutter (picture freeze) every few seconds. The CPU and HDD utilization at the time is average, so I am not sure how to eliminate the stutter since it does not appear to be CPU/HDD related. Stutter does not appear with regular mode.

4. Recording a show seems to require that the FusionHDTV be open and running. Is there a way to do the recording without having to keep the software open and tuned on the specific channel? Note that I do not want to watch another channel, but rather use the computer for other purposes but still keep it recording.

5. The conversion software does not work, it says that it is not compatible with DVB-T lite. Is that a license restriction or a hardware limitation? I am not sure why coverting a recorded file matters based on capture hardware.

6. Signal indicated on the control pannel and during channel change is not accurate, it is always 100% with 0 Db, which not correct (bug?). Signal is correct using signal checker. Have you experienced the same thing?

7. I am using an external reciever with the SPDIF Out option. However, audio is slightly out of synch. Is there a way to correct that?

Thank you for your help with this.

[Royal Tee]

Can someone PM the latest ftp for the betaware on dvico.
I've gone on the ftp and can't seem to find the latest Beta's anymore.
I understand there are a few testers uploading some stuff but is it that they movet the ftp or they are no longer posting betas?
TIA :)

[hziemba]

ftp://ftp.dvico.com/Products/FusionHDTV/download/FusionHDTV3.15Web.exe

If you go to the "download" folder, you'll also find a 3.19.02 version.

I started using the 3.19.02 version today, and there are still problems with it. It may be more stable than the earlier ones, but the improvements aren't blatantly obvious.

One problem that is still there is that you can't change the label on "service" corresponding to digital channels (QAM) (e.g. D710 can't be changed to FoxHD).

[roller11]

I'm considering getting a Fusion 5 lite for the purpose of
QAM tuning/recording CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, WB, PBS from Comcast Cable in Longmont, Co.
I would like to know if there are any known problems/issues doing this,
such as picture quality issues, recording function not working in some way,
etc. In other words, I'd like to know if recording
cable HD channels works exactly like recording OTA, except that cable is hooked up
to the QAM port, OTA to the 8VSB port.

[TPeterson]

roller11--

The short answer is, "no", it doesn't work exactly like OTA. There remain many issues with DVICO's implementation of QAM for U.S. cable systems. They're working on it, but the rate of progress toward a robust PVR solution has been painfully slow. If you want a functioning, reliable system today for HTPC QAM, you'll have to get a MyHD MDP-130.

[roller11]

roller11--

The short answer is, "no", it doesn't work exactly like OTA. There remain many issues with DVICO's implementation of QAM for U.S. cable systems. They're working on it, but the rate of progress toward a robust PVR solution has been painfully slow. If you want a functioning, reliable system today for HTPC QAM, you'll have to get a MyHD MDP-130.

What are the problems? Won't record? Won't tune? Poor PQ?

[Brad M.]

What are the problems? Won't record? Won't tune? Poor PQ?
From what I've been reading here, the problem is poorly written software. When it works, it works quite nicely (QAM looks great). Picture quality on non-digital CATV channels is less than perfect, but that's not this cards primary function (might also be that I'm on HRC cable, and it's not directly supported by this card).

Tha main problems with the FusionHDTV software seem to be the tuning of channels at scheduled record time (it often doesn't change to the right one), and loss of QAM channel info in the full stored channel list (re-assigning type/range at random).

I've experienced both of the above problems (along with a few others), and if I had a clue as to how to write code to utilize a TV tuner card, I'd be trying to roll my own version.

[roller11]

Tha main problems with the FusionHDTV software seem to be the tuning of channels at scheduled record time (it often doesn't change to the right one), and loss of QAM channel info in the full stored channel list (re-assigning type/range at random).

I normally don't schedule recordings, so that isn't a problem for me.
As to the other problem, that sounds like a significant inconvience. Is it a matter of
rescanning the channels if the channels disappear from the list?

Any other problems you can think of?

[Brad M.]

I normally don't schedule recordings, so that isn't a problem for me.
As to the other problem, that sounds like a significant inconvience. Is it a matter of
rescanning the channels if the channels disappear from the list?

Any other problems you can think of?

Rescanning channels will fix it, but still may end up losing some of the QAM stations when you save the new scanned list. They are aware of the problem and are working on it, but at this point, I don't think anyone has a clue of when it'll be fixed.

If you read the "New fusion...3.11" thread here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=588032), you can find out more about what's new/different/good/bad in the current version. Just make sure you read the whole thread, there's a lot of changes listed in varying places.

[Meteor]

Beyond TV version 3 FAR at Outpost.com with free upgrade to version 4.
Hurry end soon.

[tangfoot]

Beyond TV version 3 FAR at Outpost.com with free upgrade to version 4.
Hurry end soon.

where do you see a reference to free upgrade?

[dallas27]

Snapstream is offering free upgrades and ANY version 3's currently sold because version 4 is now out.

[amendegw]

I just ordered a FusionHDTV 5 Gold. I just looked at the documentation and it apears as if my video card is not listed in the required hardware. My card is an ASUS Xtreme N6200TC (NVidia Geforce 6200 with Turbocache) Is my video card compatible with the FusionHDTV 5?

...Jerry

[TPeterson]

I just ordered a FusionHDTV 5 Gold. I just looked at the documentation and it apears as if my video card is not listed in the required hardware. My card is an ASUS Xtreme N6200TC (NVidia Geforce 6200 with Turbocache) Is my video card compatible with the FusionHDTV 5?

...JerryProbably. The listed cards are a minimum spec. Later models are generally also OK, but sometimes their most recent drivers are problematic.

[Royal Tee]

ftp://ftp.dvico.com/Products/FusionHDTV/download/FusionHDTV3.15Web.exe

If you go to the "download" folder, you'll also find a 3.19.02 version.

I started using the 3.19.02 version today, and there are still problems with it. It may be more stable than the earlier ones, but the improvements aren't blatantly obvious.

One problem that is still there is that you can't change the label on "service" corresponding to digital channels (QAM) (e.g. D710 can't be changed to FoxHD).
Thanks.
For some reson I couldn't get into the older link I had. :confused:

One thing I hope they fixed is the channels disappearing fron the list and not appearing on the Drop down in the recording scheduler. :mad:

[TPeterson]

One thing I hope they fixed is the channels disappearing fron the list and not appearing on the Drop down in the recording scheduler. :mad:Not yet. It's changed but not fixed. :(

[psxjunky]

Anyone know which tuner chipset the newly released USB version of the Fusion HDTV 5 uses ? Is it same as the tuner on the Gold version or the Lite version or something entirely different ?

Also, is there any other fundamental difference between the hardware of the USB version versus any of the PCI versions (other than the USB interface of course ;) ) ?

[KAXKID]

Anyone know which tuner chipset the newly released USB version of the Fusion HDTV 5 uses ? Is it same as the tuner on the Gold version or the Lite version or something entirely different ?

Also, is there any other fundamental difference between the hardware of the USB version versus any of the PCI versions (other than the USB interface of course ;) ) ?
this info was debated at the beginning of the month in another thread about the f5usb, now buried beneath a flood of threads started by "self professed noobs".

here's a link to my post that set the record straight.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6494484&&#post6494484

you might be able to find some of the info you want at dvico's website that has a comparison of the different cards.

http://www.fusionhdtv.co.kr/eng/Products/ATSC5Gold.aspx

[psxjunky]

this info was debated at the beginning of the month in another thread about the f5usb, now buried beneath a flood of threads started by "self professed noobs".

here's a link to my post that set the record straight.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6494484&&#post6494484

you might be able to find some of the info you want at dvico's website that has a comparison of the different cards.

http://www.fusionhdtv.co.kr/eng/Products/ATSC5Gold.aspx

Hmm ... I read all of that but am still slightly unsure what was the conclusion after all that discussion. Am I correct to assume that the actual tuner and demodulator chip is same across the PCI and USB versions, but the USB version uses a separate Cypress chip for the USB bridge ?

If so, can it be stated that the tuner hardware is essentially the same between the two versions, but the bus is implemented in a different way ... so the reception and demodulation of the signal will be same for either one ?

What was all that issue about the power draw of the USB version being close to 500mA ? Does the USB headers that are present directly on a typical motherboard provide this much power ? Or are we better off using an externally powered hub ?

Thanks very much for the pointers, BTW !!

[KAXKID]

Hmm ... I read all of that but am still slightly unsure what was the conclusion after all that discussion. Am I correct to assume that the actual tuner and demodulator chip is same across the PCI and USB versions, but the USB version uses a separate Cypress chip for the USB bridge ?

If so, can it be stated that the tuner hardware is essentially the same between the two versions, but the bus is implemented in a different way ... so the reception and demodulation of the signal will be same for either one ?

What was all that issue about the power draw of the USB version being close to 500mA ? Does the USB headers that are present directly on a typical motherboard provide this much power ? Or are we better off using an externally powered hub ?

Thanks very much for the pointers, BTW !!
the user that was having the usb power problems was also running a number of other devices from his usb ports. i have not had any problems running my f5usb by it self or with a thumb drive installed on my system. some systems may have less reliable usb chips or more power hungry usb devices installed.

i have not tried an externally powerd hub. it was suggested that might not work by one user, but no reason was given. so that option has yet to be proven.
device manager should give you a spec for available power on each usb controller. i don't know how reliable that info is.

my f5usb has the chips i stated in my post, i assume i have a production version as i bought it from dc, therefore i have no reason to disbelieve any of the other chip info on dvico's site about their other cards.

[psxjunky]

Thanks KAXKID. I had also asked this question to DVICO tech support and they also confirmed that the tuner is exactly the same between the PCI and USB version.

Here is the reply I got from them --


> TUNERS and other HARDWARE differences between FusionHDTV5 Gold PCI and FusionHDTV5 USB versions ?
>
> Hi,
>
> I would like to purchase a FusionHDTV5 product and I am trying to decide whether to get the USB version or the PCI version. Could you please answer the following questions so I can choose one of these. Pricewise they are exactly same for me.
>
> I will be using the FusionHDTV5 with MCE2005 only and will NOT use the DVICO software.
>
> 1. Does the USB version and the PCI version use the EXACT same HDTV tuner and demodulator ?
>
> 2. What are the HARDWARE differences between the USB version and the PCI version ?
>
> 3. What are the DRIVER differences between the USB version and the PCI version ?
>
> Thanks very much !

Reply to your question is as below.

Hi.

1. That"s right. hardware is used to same tuner and 3303 modulator.
2. there is a different inteface-Whether USB or PCI.
3. If you use the MCE, you may ignore the driver. You can use the digital channel without any problem.

Thanks.

[moyekj]

New software release today (3.19.02) with supposedly a bunch of fixes:
http://www.fusionhdtv.co.kr/Eng/Download/Software.aspx

Just getting my Fusion 5 USB today so will probably try it with this latest software to see how it goes. I plan to use mostly QAM mode.

[TPeterson]

New software release today (3.19.02) with supposedly a bunch of fixes:
http://www.fusionhdtv.co.kr/Eng/Download/Software.aspx

Just getting my Fusion 5 USB today so will probably try it with this latest software to see how it goes. I plan to use mostly QAM mode.For the moment you may as well stick with the 3.11 sw that I presume came with the unit. Save your upgrade effort for the next beta, which I expect will actually fix QAM scanning & mapping.

[GrantMeThePower]

Whats the difference between the FusionHDTV5Gold and Lite???

Are they both better than the Vbox for MCE?

Thanks!!!!

[moyekj]

For the moment you may as well stick with the 3.11 sw that I presume came with the unit. Save your upgrade effort for the next beta, which I expect will actually fix QAM scanning & mapping.
I see what you are talking about - QAM scanning + mapping is very messed up. Why they can't at least let you add your own channel names in a description field is beyond belief. At least through TitanTV you can edit the channel numbers to match what Fusion mapped them to.

[KAXKID]

Whats the difference between the FusionHDTV5Gold and Lite???

Are they both better than the Vbox for MCE?

Thanks!!!!
you might try a search next time for some answers, as i posted a link to a comparison table on dvico's website on 11/28/05.
here is a link to that post.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6615311&&#post6615311

[Munkeung]

I've been using a FusionLite for a few months now. Of course the software is far from perfect but it sort of works and I've never missed a scheduled recording with TitanTV.

Beyond TV 4 is supposed to be able to support multiple Fusion cards. The Fusion FAQ claims that beta software after 3.02 should support multiple cards.

Has anybody tried using mutliple cards in a PC? What software do you use? I don't have MCE. I run XP only, both home and professional.

[KAXKID]

I've been using a FusionLite for a few months now. Of course the software is far from perfect but it sort of works and I've never missed a scheduled recording with TitanTV.

Beyond TV 4 is supposed to be able to support multiple Fusion cards. The Fusion FAQ claims that beta software after 3.02 should support multiple cards.

Has anybody tried using mutliple cards in a PC? What software do you use? I don't have MCE. I run XP only, both home and professional.
i have a 3goldt pci and a f5usb that co-exit using the same pc. i believe the pip option started with 3.11 which shipped with the f5usb. dvico appears to be working with the multicard options, so it is still a little "buggy". i have not tried two pci cards in the same machine yet. maybe i will just to get a feel for it as i have two 3goldt pci cards. i'll post results to the main 3.11 software thread when i try it.

it does work fine, i installed the second 3goldtpci card in the slot next to my first 3goldtpci card, both using the same drivers. i also plugged in the fusb and the pip option lists all 3 cards available as tuners. i'll post a screen dump in the main 3.11 software thread. i happen to have the next version 3.2beta1 installed, but it should work with ay that have the pip option.

[Munkeung]

i have a 3goldt pci and a f5usb that co-exit using the same pc. i believe the pip option started with 3.11 which shipped with the f5usb. dvico appears to be working with the multicard options, so it is still a little "buggy". i have not tried two pci cards in the same machine yet. maybe i will just to get a feel for it as i have two 3goldt pci cards. i'll post results to the main 3.11 software thread when i try it.

Thanks. Multiple tuner cards would make my version of HDTV server a reality. :cool:

[GrantMeThePower]

you might try a search next time for some answers, as i posted a link to a comparison table on dvico's website on 11/28/05.
here is a link to that post.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6615311&&#post6615311

Thanks for the link. I did search, but a search comes up with pages and pages of stuff when its a lot easier to ask and get a quick answer. I don't like redundant questions and answers but in this case it seemed appropriate.

Thanks again.

[trippank]

Hi all. I love the forum. Very helpful and informative.

I have the Fusion 5 Gold. When I connect to the Charter cable, I see the encrypted and the unencrypted channels. Finally, with v3.14 I can see some of the local unencrypted HD channels. But, they dissapear after you tune to them. I reinstalled 3.14, scanned, and immediatly added them to the Favorite Channels. They have dissapeared from the channel pick list, but I GOT them still in the Favorites.
I Just installed 3.19 and it seems that they don't disapear anymore.

My question, however, is that it doesn't find all the local HD channels. Just 3, WCFT(ABC), WIAT(CBS), APT(PBS).

Channel service type rf
D780 CFTHD 256Q 93
D782 IATHD 256Q 93
D784 APTHD 256Q 93

Those are found in the scan. On the Charter Lineup website it agrees with the above channels, but also shows .

780 WCFT-DT - ABC Hi-Def Lifeline
782 WIAT-DT - CBS Hi-Def Lifeline
783 WVTM-DT - NBC Hi-Def Lifeline
784 WBIQ-DT - PBS Hi-Def Lifeline
786 WBRC-DT - FOX Hi-Def Lifeline

Bottom line,it doesn't auto find the others, I I can't find how to maually add them

Any Ideas? Sorry for the long post

Tripp

[TPeterson]

Tripp--

Wrong thread. Find the rf channel of your QAM locals on the appropriate Local Reception thread. (If they turn out to be above Ch 125 you're out of luck so far with PC tuner cards)

[trippank]

I am sorry it was in the wrong thread. My question was about the fusion gold card and app and how to manually add the appropriate channels. I Know that the rf channel is 93, but how do I make the Fusion card add the others.

Just to clarify, this is not OTA but thru the cable using 256 QAM.

BTW, I know the latest official version is 3.11, but what is the latest beta. I am using 3.19. Is there anything later than 3.19?

Tripp

[TPeterson]

There can only be 2 HD channels per QAM channel, so the others in your list must be on a different one or more. That's why I said to check the local thread, because I suspect that the ones you're not finding are outside the Fusion's scan range of 1-125. 3.19.05 is the latest beta.

[moyekj]

I am sorry it was in the wrong thread. My question was about the fusion gold card and app and how to manually add the appropriate channels. I Know that the rf channel is 93, but how do I make the Fusion card add the others. I was able to use the "Add" button to manually add channels that were missed by the scan. You have to know the exact RF frequency AND subchannel of the missing channel. For example for me I knew the missing channel (TNT-HD) was on 103-2 so entering 1031 with the "Add" button worked (make sure you specify digital in the cylic before pressing "Add"). It's still a little quirky however as it reverts back to being "Analog" in the channel listings but it seems when you first add it you can tune to it and then add it to your favorites and then you are OK.

NOTE: Dvico in their infinite wisdom choose to start numbering sub-channels as 0 instead of 1 which is why 103-2 maps to 1031 in their numbering scheme.

[TPeterson]

Tripp--

BTW, how many times did you try the autoscan? It finds all of my QAM channels, but sometimes it takes more than a single scan to do so--that's just the nature of realtime data acquisition.

[trippank]

You were right, on my 4th scan it found the channels I was looking for. But they still either disappear or get renumbered.. I did save them in my favorites, so I still got them.

Before the 4th scan, I saw them in tsbrowser2 so I knew they were there.

Thank you.

Tripp

[TPeterson]

"But they still either disappear or get renumbered"

You must not have version 3.19.05, huh?

[amendegw]

Hi! I just purchased & installed a Fusion HDTV Gold 5 and the hardware seems to work just fine, but I’m somewhat (there’s an understatement) disappointed in the software interfaces.

The reason I chose Fusion is because my cable provider is Comcast – which sends its HDTV via QAM. In doing my research, it appeared that the Fusion support for QAM made it the card of choice.

Titan TV & Windows MCE were listed as a supported by the Fusion card, but now I read the fine print and find that QAM is not part of that support. Titan TV starts the Fusion app just fine, but can’t find the specified QAM channel.

Here are my questions:

1. Is there a light at the end of this tunnel? Will Dvico ever fix the QAM interface between the Fusion card and Titan TV &/or MCE?
2. If there is a fix in the works, does anyone have an idea when it might be released?
3. Are there other working applications that would allow me to view program schedules and schedule recordings? If so, what are they?
4. I’m using the 3.11 version of the FusionHDTV software. In reading thru this forum, it appears that the 3.19(beta) offers no relief on the QAM front, but is it more or less stable than 3.11?

…Jerry

[KAXKID]

...
4. I’m using the 3.11 version of the FusionHDTV software. In reading thru this forum, it appears that the 3.19(beta) offers no relief on the QAM front, but is it more or less stable than 3.11?[/INDENT]

…Jerry
there are two versions of 3.19beta. the latest version is 3.19.05 and is a BIG improvement in the qam module. try 3.19.05 for yourself, it might be just what you need. most recent posts in the main fusion software thread show there is "relief on the qam front". try 3.19.05!!

[amendegw]

there are two versions of 3.19beta. the latest version is 3.19.05 and is a BIG improvement in the qam module. try 3.19.05 for yourself, it might be just what you need. most recent posts in the main fusion software thread show there is "relief on the qam front". try 3.19.05!!

Hooray! 3.19.05 solved a lot of problems; however, I’m still not ready to light up a cigar.

I now can get Titan TV to launch FusionHDTV and change the channel, but only if I customize Titan TV to a pseudo channel number. Problem is: I can’t figure out the logic in assigning these pseudo channel numbers. Here’s what I’ve found through trial-and-error:

Scan Tuner Titan
D1110 1110.1 1111
D1180 1180.1 1183
D1183 1180.4 1184
D1190 1190.1 1191
D1100 1100.1 ????
D1111 1111.1 ????
D1184 1184.1 ????
D1191 1191.1 ????

Can someone help me fill in the blanks? Or better yet, enlighten me with an algorithm to determine the channel number Titan needs in order to tune to a Fusion channel.

…Jerry

[0ctane]

I now can get Titan TV to launch FusionHDTV and change the channel, but only if I customize Titan TV to a pseudo channel number. Problem is: I can’t figure out the logic in assigning these pseudo channel numbers. Here’s what I’ve found through trial-and-error:
Scan Tuner Titan
D1110 1110.1 1111
D1180 1180.1 1183
...
D1191 1191.1 ????Can someone help me fill in the blanks? Or better yet, enlighten me with an algorithm to determine the channel number Titan needs in order to tune to a Fusion channel.
…Jerry Yee seek the holy grail.
My cable provider pushes local HDTV, but titantv does not include those channels in the regular lineup. Therefore, I too cannot schedule HDTV recordings through titantv. I manually schedule stuff via the DVIco interface. I, however, hate their buggy software. Am trying to get a PVR setup under Linux right now (which has its own scheduling issues, but fewer crashes).
BTW, how did you do that pseudo channel mapping?

[amendegw]

BTW, how did you do that pseudo channel mapping?

Octane,

On the Titan TV Program Grid you should see a "customize" button in the upper righthand corner. Click there and you will be taken to a web page that contains a column "CH #" where you can change the channel number for the specified call sign.

Good Luck,
...Jerry

[amendegw]

BTW, how did you do that pseudo channel mapping?
I need to update. I've done mucho more trial-and-error and there is no consistancy between what I map the Titan TV channel number to and the channel FusionHDTV switches to. It will even switch FusionHDTV to "Antenna" mode from "Cable" and go to an analog channel. Let's hope Dvico fixes this in the not-to-distant future.
...Jerry

[kindhacker]

hi,
i just bought this fusion 5 lite card just to watch OTA HD and am very disappointed so far.

It tunes about 10 channels, so thats good.

But on my P4 2.53Ghz with built in accelerated Intel 845G graphics, the CPU load is near 100% when playing any HD, in WMC, BTV4, and FusionTV, and the picture freezes and skips and is totally not watchable.

I am guessing that my video card is the problem but i want to confirm before i shell out more $$ for something that may not work.

The 845G uses 128MB of main memory for video ram, and has hardware acceleration set to full with Write Combining enabled. WMC graphics and games are all fast, so I had thought this would work.

Would a Nvidea 5200 FX get rid of this problem and reduce the load to near zero which is what i want? Or would a Nvidea 6xxx series be better at getting me to zero load b/c I see it supports HD in some sense where the 5200 does not?

Or is there some other problem altogether and I'm on the wrong track?

thanks much
steve

EDIT - I just did some more testing:

Using BTV4 or WMC, the load is so great that the entire Windows GUI comes to a halt, the video freezes after playing fine for 5 seconds, and I must force terminate the players to regain any control of the computer.

Using Fusion app (the one included with the 5 Lite), the load is still at near 100%, but the video at least continuously plays (albeit with some stuttering every 5 seconds or so), and the rest of Windows remains operable...ie there is no need to force quit Fusion. I could reasonably watch TV this way, if I didnt mind the frequent skips and 100% load.

EDIT-- I tried switching b/w the 3.11 and 3.12 drivers, back and forth. At this point, with either one, I am in even worse shape. With Fusion, I tried with both DxVA on and off. I think thats HW or overlay on/off? At one point it worked either way, but now I get "Overlay not available" and no audio in Fusion with DxVA on, and audio only with DxVA off.

[TPeterson]

Yes, a faster video card would help a lot. I don't know about BTV, but the Fusion app will work nicely with the Nvidia MX-440 even, so it should be fine with anything faster/newer (assuming no driver incompatibilities). BTV4 seems not to like to run with the MX-440, so you may want to look at their specified requirements before buying a card.

[kindhacker]

thanks tpeterson.

should i be using the Fusion 3.12 CD drivers or the latest web download, 3.11?
it is odd the the web has an older version.

is this Geforce Purevideo of the 6200 series better in the application of offloading CPU?
http://www.nvidia.com/page/geforce6200_agp.html

or would the 5200 FX series do as well?
http://www.nvidia.com/page/fx_5200.html

somehow in the process of all my uninstall/reinstalling fusion, WMC now no longer works and gives me the message where the video should be (even PVR150 video) -- "A critical Media Center process" has failed or some such...please contact your hardware vendor...wonderful :-)

I don't know how to proceed in fixing this WMC error now, things have gotten a bit worse.... i'm getting ready to pull the old 13" b&w set from the garage lol.

[TPeterson]

thanks tpeterson.

should i be using the Fusion 3.12 CD drivers or the latest web download, 3.11?
it is odd the the web has an older version.

is this Geforce Purevideo of the 6200 series better in the application of offloading CPU?
http://www.nvidia.com/page/geforce6200_agp.html

or would the 5200 FX series do as well?
http://www.nvidia.com/page/fx_5200.html

somehow in the process of all my uninstall/reinstalling fusion, WMC now no longer works and gives me the message where the video should be (even PVR150 video) -- "A critical Media Center process" has failed or some such...please contact your hardware vendor...wonderful :-)

I don't know how to proceed in fixing this WMC error now, things have gotten a bit worse.... i'm getting ready to pull the old 13" b&w set from the garage lol.I know very little about video card specifics--I generally try to stick with cheap ones. ;)

Try using System Restore to go back to a time before you installed the Fusion sw to fix MCE.

Watch for the release of FusionHDTV3.2, which I expect to happen soon, and try that instead of either of the other versions.

[A2D]

Finally, I finished reading this thread ;) and I am about to pull the trigger.
From what I read, I am leaning toward Fusion 5 Lite since I only care about HD channels.
It seems that there is NO difference at all between Lite and Gold for HDTV viewing and recording. Can any one confirm this?
Gold can convert TS to MPEG2 while the Lite cannot. However, is this MPEG2 HD format or just DVD format?
If we want to transfer the recorded HD to DVDs (only for storage, not for DVD players), do I need the software/hardware from Gold?

Thanks! :)

[kindhacker]

I know very little about video card specifics--I generally try to stick with cheap ones. ;)
.

yeah me too :-) thats why i wanted to use my built in intel extreme graphics chip.
i dont get it...WMC sees it as accelerated, and it shows up as having 128MB of RAM, so i'm not clear why i really need a better card.

i'd hate to buy a new card and only have the same problems.
i feel like i'm just throwing more $$ into the mix hoping problems will go away.
i am this close to returning both the Fusion 5 Lite and the PVR150, which I only bought since WMC needs it to see the Fusion.

i did manage to roll back System Restore and get WMC runnable again so thats good.
But even so, WMC at its best only shows the PVR150 picture maybe 1 in 10 times. And the Fusion5 the same, except dropping video/sound like crazy.

The most frustrating this about this is that the Fusion support is in non existant and the BeyondTV support has no phone number and WMC who knows. I am so frustrated right now :eek:

I don't know what to do. To me, this seems like multiple unrelated problems. Like driver related, as if I am not using the best driver for each card. Is it really likely all these problems will go away with a different video card?

BTW, before I installed the Intel Extreme 845G accellerated drivers, WMC would not run at all. It said that I needed a better video card to use WMC... so I kind of took that to mean that my 128MB built in video (from my 1GB main memory) was sufficient. Ahhh...I wish i hard some more data points before making yet another possibly poor purchase.

EDIT - is my 2.53Ghz 133FSB (OCd to 2.85Ghz 150FSB) just too slow to play back 720p/1080i sources? I know that MS recommends at least a 3.0Ghz machine to play back 1080p.

[jim tressler]

I have used the fusion5 (gold) with a 5200FX in an AMD Athlon 2800 system with 512mb ram - no problems / cpu load is around 45-50% on 720p and about 45-45% on 1080i..

I now use the fusion 5 with a geforce 6600 heatpipe - so its silent :) and an amd64 3000+ venice core with 512 mb ram - cpu at 720p is at 30% and 1080i is at 25%

jim


thanks tpeterson.

should i be using the Fusion 3.12 CD drivers or the latest web download, 3.11?
it is odd the the web has an older version.

is this Geforce Purevideo of the 6200 series better in the application of offloading CPU?
http://www.nvidia.com/page/geforce6200_agp.html

or would the 5200 FX series do as well?
http://www.nvidia.com/page/fx_5200.html

somehow in the process of all my uninstall/reinstalling fusion, WMC now no longer works and gives me the message where the video should be (even PVR150 video) -- "A critical Media Center process" has failed or some such...please contact your hardware vendor...wonderful :-)

I don't know how to proceed in fixing this WMC error now, things have gotten a bit worse.... i'm getting ready to pull the old 13" b&w set from the garage lol.

[TPeterson]

yeah me too :-) thats why i wanted to use my built in intel extreme graphics chip.
i dont get it...WMC sees it as accelerated, and it shows up as having 128MB of RAM, so i'm not clear why i really need a better card.

i'd hate to buy a new card and only have the same problems.
i feel like i'm just throwing more $$ into the mix hoping problems will go away.
i am this close to returning both the Fusion 5 Lite and the PVR150, which I only bought since WMC needs it to see the Fusion.

i did manage to roll back System Restore and get WMC runnable again so thats good.
But even so, WMC at its best only shows the PVR150 picture maybe 1 in 10 times. And the Fusion5 the same, except dropping video/sound like crazy.

The most frustrating this about this is that the Fusion support is in non existant and the BeyondTV support has no phone number and WMC who knows. I am so frustrated right now :eek:

I don't know what to do. To me, this seems like multiple unrelated problems. Like driver related, as if I am not using the best driver for each card. Is it really likely all these problems will go away with a different video card?

BTW, before I installed the Intel Extreme 845G accellerated drivers, WMC would not run at all. It said that I needed a better video card to use WMC... so I kind of took that to mean that my 128MB built in video (from my 1GB main memory) was sufficient. Ahhh...I wish i hard some more data points before making yet another possibly poor purchase.

EDIT - is my 2.53Ghz 133FSB (OCd to 2.85Ghz 150FSB) just too slow to play back 720p/1080i sources? I know that MS recommends at least a 3.0Ghz machine to play back 1080p.You didn't mention before that you can't even view the NTSC picture! That's a piece of cake in comparison to the HDTV pix and should be easily doable with the mobo's graphics chip. You have still some configuration problems in that PC that have nothing to do with FusionHDTV.

[A2D]

Here are the differences between Gold Lite from Dvico’s website.
- Fusion converter: Converts HD stream to DVD or DivX (Gold)
- Ulead Video Studio8SE DVD bundle for DVD writing (Gold)
- Remote (Gold)
- 10 bit (Gold) vs. 8 bit ADC (Lite) for analog
- AanalogTV Setreo (Gold)
- D-VHS Support (Gold)

According to the paper, there are no differences for HDTV viewing and recording. The only differences are in analog viewing and DVD conversion (to a lower resolution?).
:confused: Any comments?

[miketech]

The lite has D-VHS support. No analog inputs. $20.00 for a remote.
To be delivered soon. My older fusion2 still works great!

[kindhacker]

yes, i agree there are multiple problems.

the pvr150, while not working at the moment, has worked, and worked without undue load, so i'm less worried about that.

whats frustrating are the version numbering systems used here. dvico has seemingly out of order#s and so does the hauppage pvr150.

what is the best version # for dvico to use?
3.11 from the web?
or
3.12 from the CD?

[TPeterson]

yes, i agree there are multiple problems.

the pvr150, while not working at the moment, has worked, and worked without undue load, so i'm less worried about that.

whats frustrating are the version numbering systems used here. dvico has seemingly out of order#s and so does the hauppage pvr150.

what is the best version # for dvico to use?
3.11 from the web?
or
3.12 from the CD?Neither. Download the 3.2Web version that was posted last night. But until the PC will display NTSC smoothly, I wouldn't bother messing with an HDTV app.

[tangfoot]

a geforce 6600 heatpipe - so its silent

Which make/model? I'm in the market for one.

[jim tressler]

GIGABYTE GV-NX66128DP

bought it from newegg - but they dont seem to have it anymore - $107

http://www.gigabyte.de/VGA/Products/Products_GV-NX66128DP.htm


very nice card for hdtv and with the new nvidia drivers.. no powerstrip

[tangfoot]

GIGABYTE GV-NX66128DP

bought it from newegg - but they dont seem to have it anymore - $107

http://www.gigabyte.de/VGA/Products/Products_GV-NX66128DP.htm


very nice card for hdtv and with the new nvidia drivers.. no powerstrip

Dag. I need an AGP card. The gigabyte that NewEgg is currently stocking is $170, which is almost double what I'm willing to pay.

[kindhacker]

thanks jim for the benchmarks.

yes, tp, i got the ntsc pvr105 working now, not a problem.

i reread their manual and their clearly state than even intel extreme built in graphics should be more than enough....so i dont think me buying a new video card will solve the current problems...

i'm hopeful these new dvico drivers make a difference....dl now..

[txmetabaron]

Cool.
Let us know if it fixes it.
I'm pretty much in the same boat,I have a HTPC that works great with a P4 2.4Ghz /ATI AIW8500DV for DVD watching and I was not planning on upgrading my video card for HDTV.
Is there anybody out there who can confirm the Fusion 5 could work with a P4 2.4Ghz / ATI 850DV ? I'm only interested in OTA HDTV.
Thanks,

[kindhacker]

afaiac this fusion is a waste of my time....poor drivers, poor support and poor documentation.
i have reinstalled windows 3 times today
i simply cannot get it to work.
fusion5 complains about no overlay on a black screen.
btv4 shows a picture only to load 110% cpu so i must kill the computer power to regain control...

very frustrating... no phone#s to call, and the dvico support website is down

[KAXKID]

...
EDIT - is my 2.53Ghz 133FSB (OCd to 2.85Ghz 150FSB) just too slow to play back 720p/1080i sources? ...
is it possible that the overclocking setting has caused a timing conflict with the pci bus speed, where your fusion lite pci card resides??

[TPeterson]

afaiac this fusion is a waste of my time....If you're in this to watch HDTV and not to tinker with HTPCs, I fully agree with you. You should find another time investment. ;)

BTV4 evidently requires a very beefy video card (and doesn't support properly "3D acceleration" AIUI). I've seen the same problem with my MX-440 NVidia card.

[jim tressler]

thats the truth... I have spent more time tinkering with the htpc then I have wathing hd or movies on it.. lol

If you're in this to watch HDTV and not to tinker with HTPCs, I fully agree with you. You should find another time investment. ;)

BTV4 evidently requires a very beefy video card (and doesn't support properly "3D acceleration" AIUI). I've seen the same problem with my MX-440 NVidia card.

[Moeken]

Kindhacker, read my response to the following post: here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=614472)

I've read about many people having the 'stuttering/pausing' problem and I think it all boils down to a problem with IRQ assignments. This problem baffles me. I should think that XP and the card should work properly together and have no conflicts. I have also read that some have this card running smoothly with no problems, so I start to think that we maybe screwed something on the install.

If I hadn't managed to get 1 hour of HD nirvana last night after I had hacked my OS and BIOS to bits trying to assign IRQs (I hate those things), I would be in the same boat as you and want to get rid of this card. I know this card works, I just have to iron out the wrinkles so that everything on my system works together. After spending hours trying to get it working, and also after a messy divorce brought about by wife neglect :p , I am confident that I will be able to watch crystal clear HD.

[KAXKID]

Kindhacker, read my response to the following post: here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=614472)

I've read about many people having the 'stuttering/pausing' problem and I think it all boils down to a problem with IRQ assignments. This problem baffles me. I should think that XP and the card should work properly together and have no conflicts. I have also read that some have this card running smoothly with no problems, so I start to think that we maybe screwed something on the install.

If I hadn't managed to get 1 hour of HD nirvana last night after I had hacked my OS and BIOS to bits trying to assign IRQs (I hate those things), I would be in the same boat as you and want to get rid of this card. I know this card works, I just have to iron out the wrinkles so that everything on my system works together. After spending hours trying to get it working, and also after a messy divorce brought about by wife neglect :p , I am confident that I will be able to watch crystal clear HD.
i have two fusion pci cards installed in my system and one shares an irq with the video card, with out the problems being discussed here. here's a link to a post showing a device manager scan showing the irq assignments .

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6686156&&#post6686156

[Starsky]

I don't own a Fusion but have been looking into them and have some basic questions, maybe someone can clarify. According to their manual:

Supports PIP (Picture in Picture)
The FusionHDTV multicard is like having two TVs in one! With the Picture in Picture (PIP) function you can now watch two of your favorite programs all on a single screen...

This language is confusing, is "The FusionHDTV multicard" a single discreet product or do they mean any two Fusion HDTV products in the same system? Secondly, if "multicard" is two unique cards, can one be setup for OTA and the other for QAM and (most importantly) does it work reasonably well? Thanks for any feedback.

[TPeterson]

Starsky--

DVICO's language is always confusing because we're not reading them in korean.

The "multicard", AIUI, is a not-yet released product that will have two tuners on board. The current PIP function requires two separate FusionHDTV devices (PCI or USB). On fast enough hw it works "reasonably well" for live TV (assuming that you define "reasonable" similarly to the way I do). The recording functions, esp. for QAM, are still rather flaky. Oh, and PIP doesn't yet allow you to use cable on one device and OTA on the other.

[wbrack]

I have a question about the OTA performance of the Fusion Lite HDTV tuner.
I installed v. 3.20 software a few days ago, which has improved the stability
to the point where I can watch both OTA and Cable QAM without