Dscaler & Cable Tv

I use it with a 55" Toshiba RPTV with good results. The Toshiba's line doubler is not bad to begin with but I still like DScaler better.


Of course it's still just cable NTSC but not bad.


- Tom

Hi Peter,


Definately check it out. I have a DLS8 driven by a GeForce based HTPC and I use DScaler for the Satellite and s-vhs vcr. The results are very good.


But the best part about it is that you've got nothing to lose by trying it. I believe that the IOMagic card is available for $40 at CompUSA. I recommend picking that up at your local store and downloading DScaler. Spend some time with it to see if you like it. If you don't, just take the card back. I'm pretty sure CompUSA has a decent return policy, maybe with a 15% restocking fee. So if you don't like it, you're only out about $6.


Tony

A lot of times people get turned off because they use the internal tuner. Its an option in DScaler, but maybe it shouldn't be I can't see how you wouldn't be happy with DScaler. I have about the worst analog cable in existence with no way to fix it and I'm still pretty happy with it. People with normal TVs can still see the difference.


Basically even though its probably the same Radioshack part, tuning done by a computer card tends to stink. You get lots of interference.


The popular trick is to use something like a VCR or TiVo to tune channels and send a video (baseband) signal to the computer via a composite or s-video cable.


Almost any VCR does a pretty good job. I picked up a Memorex at Target and it looks fine. I also use my RCA DTC-100 sometimes because it will do s-video out and optical sound out even from cable, but frankly, I was too lazy to manually program it into my learning remote

I picked up a Pinnacle Studio PCTV Pro today. I couldn't find IOMagic anywhere, including Compusa and Best Buy. Unfortunately, I keep getting lockups when configuring & exiting Dscaler 3.09. Still trying to get it to work.

I use DScaler using analog cable and a WinTV/FM dbx, aka Hauppauge model 401. I get very good results with an XGA projector using the internal tuner.


Picture quality is primarily dependant upon signal quality. Those channels that look crappy on the projector/DScaler also look crappy on my Wega TV. Don't expect DScaler to improve a poor signal, it has limited capabilities in this regard - I get best results with the various DScaler filters OFF.


The very best quality signals are those from cable signals that are direct from satellite without ever being broadcast over-the-air, like FOX news channel...on such channels you get a smooth picture with a very slight horizontal twitter due to scaling to XGA, and deinterlacing artifacts visible only in vertical/diagonal motion - and you can spend hours tweeking DScaler to minimize those - then decide the defaults are just as good...


Gary

Dscaler, very cool. Hats off to the developers! The quality is far from DVD, but is watchable on some channels Which was not possible before dscaler. Any tips on settings?

If you set the CPU speed correctly when you installed it, you should be pretty close already. If you get into changing the thread priorities you may lock yourself out of the menus. If that happens, reboot and blow away the dTV.ini file - when you start DScaler after that it will then go through the short configuration dialog again and you'll be back where you started (but wiser).


Gary

Okay, I'm revising my estimate of DSCALER. I'm watching the talented mr. ripey on Showtime. AMAZING! Dscaler is umbelievable. It is actually matching *some* of the DVD's I've watched. The only downside is the color information is not the same as DVD, but the resolution is very very good. This is incredible software. Faroujda better watch out. Anyone who laughs at that statement, think again. The best part about it is that it's locked into openSource. Unlike LinDVD (the linux dvd project which was bought out by Intervideo and subsequently killed the hopes of DVD for linux) this can't happen to Dscaler....

pcostanz,


What connection in are you using on your Pinnacle card: coaxial in, Svideo, or composite? And which deinterlacing are you using?

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Yeap, a good cable signal and DScaler comes pretty close to matching DVD quality, although fast action shots tend to break apart. I find the colors are awesome though.

Ya, some channels seem to be more 'compressed' than others ... "Crap in, Crap out" as they say . It is difficult enough to derive information that doesn't 'exist' with good material ... let alone deriving that information from poor signals!


I am fairly happy with my DirecTv Sunday Ticket signals ... that is about all I use the satelite signal for on the pj. All other channels are viewed on my 29 incher .


-Mike

Quote:
Glad you like it. I'm using Dscaler most of the times in this situation ; watching movies from my dvb receiver using a Pinacle Rave card. With auto aspect ratio and auto pulldown, watching a movie in progressive scan form on my fptv is a pleasure.


Regarding colors, perhaps the (officially) upcoming auto calibration feature will help you setup your card so that the result is even better.

Geez, "umbelievable" I wish I would have caught that before all the quotes


The colore seems to be of a smaller scale, i.e. less headroom, less contrast. I'm using a DLS8 projector, which is low on the out of the box color anyway, so I always have to boost it. What's interesting is how the channels vary so much colorwise. CRT's are so forgiving, unlike digital.


Does anyone have any good tips regarding the filters of Dscaler? Are any of them a 'must use'?