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HTPC finished - not impressed!

3060 Views 42 Replies 19 Participants Last post by  hdkhang, 
A
So I finally completed my "beginner" HTPC. I've posted a few times in the last couple of days, I figured I'd put all my problems in one thread to see if I can find some complete answers.


Here's my setup:


Intel Celeron 1.8ghz.

512mb memory.

Nvidia GEForce 4400ti 128mb gfx card.

400gb hard disk.

16 speed DVD Rom.

Soundblaster Live 5.1.

Nvidia DVD Decoder (latest drivers).

MCE 2005.

Audio Authority Transcoder.

PowerStrip.


Display: Sanyo Z2 projector using component input in 720p mode.


Problems:


1. First of all, the picture is nowhere near as good as my standalone Sony 400 multidisc player in 480p mode. I've lost the vibrant picture I previously had. Instead, I have a washed out, over contrasted, overly pixelated image and rubbish black levels. I tried compensating by adjusting the settings on my display but it seems it's source related. Pixelation is really bad in light/white scenes and wasn't that noticeable from the Sony unit.


I've tried Overlay and VMR9 mode and both seem the same to me.


2. Video playback is dropping frames both from DVD disc and HD. It's noticeably worse playing from the DVD drive.


3. The image projected onto my screen is chopping off the top and bottom of the screen by about 1 inch. Tried adjusting in Powerstrip but all this does is stretch/compress the image within the same boundries.


I've put a lot of time and money into this over the last couple of months and i was expecting the image to be much better quality (reason I did it in the first place). Now I am just thinking of selling it and buying a 720p standalone player instead.


If anyone can help with some suggestions on improving the image quality and fixing the above problems I'd really appreciate it.


Thanks!
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G
I gotta tell ya I wasn't as impressed with mine as I thought I would be either, in fact with a little tweaking and upgrading it is now my GAMING pc. I just did not have the the time or patience to "do it right". I am happier with my sony 775 at 480p.


I guess I'm just not as much of a "gearhead" as I thought I was. Sometimes (usually all the time) I just want to watch a movie on my pj without booting windows.:)
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C
Do you have your desktop resolution set to 1280x720? What are you using for playback? And I don't think your Overlay/VMR changes are doing anything, because if you have your display calibrated to Overlay levels, VMR will appear very washed out in dark areas. If you have your display calibrated to VMR levels, switching to Overlay will make it seem very dark in the mid-to-dark areas.


Also, take a look at this guide:
http://htpcnews.com/main.php?id=ffdshowdvd_1

I don't know if you have the CPU power to do very much, but you might be able to get a small resize (to 1280x720) with a little sharpening in Overlay. Otherwise, you might need to upgrade your CPU and/or video card to get decent results.
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repair4man
FWIW, my system is excellent. NEC HT1000 projector, HTPC: 2.4Ghz P4 Northwood, PC2700 RAM, Audigy2, Radeon 9000 Pro 128 MB, Logitech Z-680. I use the dual display mode of my video card and keep both resolutions the same. Projector is a 4:3 1024x768 native resolution. I use the RGB input on the projector, not the component input. I would set the resolution on your video card to match the native resolution of your projector. If I go up to 1280x1024 on mine, the picture shifts and I have to auto adjust to straighten it out (every time I power up) and the picture doesn't get any better ('cause it has to descale to 1024x768). Try that and let us know how it works out. BTW, HTPC is not for the faint of heart.
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J
The Audio Authority transcoder is not known for the best video quality.


With a 1.8 Celeron you probably won't be able to run VMR9 very well.
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K
Quote:
Originally posted by jvincent
The Audio Authority transcoder is not known for the best video quality.
Given the problems described, I really, really doubt that's the issue here.


I cannot tell the difference between the PQ of my Comcast Moto box running DVI to my set, and my HTPC running component through an AA transcoder.
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G
That 400 gig drive is probably a little large for your system drive, and I don't think MCE 2005 is compatible with your video card or processor.


Those parts don't look like great HTPC choices, all a year or more behind.


Garth
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A
I have my resolution set at 1280x720. I am also using the Nvidia decoders with MCE 2005. I have a seperate 40gig HD for system and the 400gb is reserved for media files. Note though, that I am still getting skipping/dropped frames directly from the DVD rom drive.


I have the chance to send the AA transcoder back and swap it for a 6600GT board and therefore I can use the component breakout box instead. Worth doing?
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B
Why not use VGA or DVI instead of component ? You won't need a transcoder or powerstrip. Also I think you will have problems with HD material.


best of luck
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A
The problem I have faced all along is that my HTPC/DVD source is about 50-65 foot from my projector. At one point it was a tossup of purchasing a new video cabinet ($400) or build a HTPC. Obviously, the HTPC was more appealing.


I also have a seperate HD tuner for HD source and that uses the same component cable so I would like to keep the cable for now.
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N
Well, I already indicated to you in another thread I would NOT use a transcoder to convert your VGA to component and then send it to a PJ that has a VGA input. Having said that, do you have the same 65' cable run to the Z2 when you use the stand alone player? I ask that so we can be sure your cables are up the the task. I expect you have other issues since you mention dropped frames. You may want to look into reclock (a small software utility). I would Not try to adjust the problem from the PJ until you get the computer output as good as you can get it. I would suggest if you are interested in the 6600 you read the long thread about it since it is a great card but you may need to do some tweaking to get it best.


edit: just saw your response you posted same time as mine.


edit2: BTW I have only 35' from my VGA card to my Z2 and I use an amplified splitter to drive the line. I never tried to remove it to see if it is really needed since i do need the three way split from it.
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A
Hey netman - yeah, I looked into the VGA input on the Z2 after you suggested it but there is none. They did away with it after the Z1. Now it's just a DVI input.


Also, to answer your questions about the cable, yeah it's the same one for both HD and DVD standalone. My DVD standalone has never been great, but HD is a trip so I know it's not the cable.


The problems I am experiencing though, especially the image quality, to me seem more like decoder issues. I mean, artifacts are clearly present and it just doesnt seem as sharper picture as my STB unit. The question is, where do I start with the tweaking. Do I tweak in MCE, in Nvidia settings, or at the Z2?
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B
doesn't the Z2 have a component 2 vga adapter like this one :

http://members.shaw.ca/technut/x1faq/SP-VESA-ADPT.jpg
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N
alougher


The Z2 has VGA in. It is on the DVI connector. You need an adapter but it IS vga; trust me, I own one!
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N
Quote:
Originally posted by alougher
The problems I am experiencing though, especially the image quality, to me seem more like decoder issues. I mean, artifacts are clearly present and it just doesnt seem as sharper picture as my STB unit. The question is, where do I start with the tweaking. Do I tweak in MCE, in Nvidia settings, or at the Z2?
I agree with you. Stay away from the PJ if it looks good on the sony. Search around for the card you use; see if others talk about it on the forum. The 6600 is VERY well regarded.
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B
the problem isn't your filter. it's that transcoder and powerstrip combo. just take the HTPC into the same room with the Z2 and use a VGA connection and tell me how it looks.
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N
Quote:
Originally posted by bullgates
the problem isn't your filter. it's that transcoder and powerstrip combo. just take the HTPC into the same room with the Z2 and use a VGA connection and tell me how it looks.


I also suggest going VGA direct but the transcoder is NOT causing artifacts, pixelation or dropped frames. I have a AA transcoder feeding my CRT RPTC and it looks great.
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C
With nVidia's drivers, you should be able to create custom resolutions and timings, without needing Powerstrip.
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N
BTW: the adapter you need is VERY common. You can even buy a cable with the VGA connector on one end and the DVI connector on the other (many LCD monitors come with a cable like this)
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B
1. First of all, the picture is nowhere near as good as my standalone Sony 400 multidisc player in 480p mode. I've lost the vibrant picture I previously had. Instead, I have a washed out, over contrasted, overly pixelated image and rubbish black levels. I tried compensating by adjusting the settings on my display but it seems it's source related. Pixelation is really bad in light/white scenes and wasn't that noticeable from the Sony unit.


" but it seems it's source related." ----- How can it be source related when it looks fine playing from your STB DVD player? Source seems to be good. What is the problem is the delivery.


Is it the HTPC ? Software or HArdware or Both?



You'll find out real quick what the problem is if you take the HTPC into the same room and use a different connection method.



Those dropped frames on HD are from lack of power. Plus he is trying to run VMR. Even more intensive.




How do you play DVD's on your HTPC? Hard Drive or DVD player? If from the dvd player what mode is it set to?



Once you connect via vga or DVI try adjusting your video card properties.
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