a few setup questions

[pglenn]

I am using the latest trial version of beyondTV downloaded from teh SnapStream site. I have a few questions regarding the setup of this program.

1 - anyway to eliminate, or at least change, the ANNOYING sounds this program makes on any selections?

2 - During Live-TV the brightness/contrast have no effect on the picture, however they DO affect the recordings. How do I get these to effect the Live-TV?

3 - When initially recording with the "default" setting my recorded pictures were EXTREMELY jumpy, like a yo-yo (normal then slow then normal, about every 2seconds and continual). WHen I changed to the "Snapstream Basic" setting (within the web-manager) I was able to record without any problems. Obviously not sure of the difference between the two except the default is "supposed" to be better and more resource intensive. As tests I recorded w/o the Live-TV active with no difference. The default was "only" taking about 75%CPU. As a comparison, recording with my ATI-MMC with settings of MPEG-2/720x480/8mbs/48khz also took 75%CPU but recorded flawlessy. It is a shame if I am forced to use the "snapstream basic" as there is a HUGE difference in quality between it and the ATI recordings. If the extra processing in "default" mode is not occurring on the CPU then where it is occurring? I believe it is "optimized" for hardware-encoding but that is not a option for me at this time.

4 - Is there a way to make it startup in LIVE-TV mode by default?

any and all assistance will be appreciated.
Thank you

Patrick

XP Professional
1.8gig AMD
1gig Ram
ATI 9800-Pro-AIW

[Bilar Crais]

1 - anyway to eliminate, or at least change, the ANNOYING sounds this program makes on any selections?

At the front page of the Full Screen User Interface, press your keyboard's "Q" button. That'll mute the sounds.

2 - During Live-TV the brightness/contrast have no effect on the picture, however they DO affect the recordings. How do I get these to effect the Live-TV?

These controls only work in 3D rendering mode, but not overlay. If you want to use them, you'll need to set BTV to render in 3D Mode. These controls will not affect your recordings...the only way you can change brightness and contrast of the recording is in the WebUI.

3 - It is a shame if I am forced to use the "snapstream basic" as there is a HUGE difference in quality between it and the ATI recordings. If the extra processing in "default" mode is not occurring on the CPU then where it is occurring? I believe it is "optimized" for hardware-encoding but that is not a option for me at this time.

The default encoder and Athlon processors simply do not "get along" at this point. SnapStream incorporated the new Cyberlink encoder in version 3.5, but it only works efficiently with Intel P4s at this point. The last I heard, SS is still trying to optimize the encoder for Athlon use. I'm sorry to say you may be relegated to the "basic" encoder until the demons are excercised. If I may suggest, please consider getting a hardware encoding card, such as the Hauppauge PVR150. They can be had for as little as $70.00. Having gone through at least five software TV cards and an AIW, I wish to God I had STARTED with an HW card to begin with. I could have avoided years of frustration and disappointment.

4 - Is there a way to make it startup in LIVE-TV mode by default?

Yes. Navigate your web browser to http://127.0.0.1:8129/default.aspx

From the left hand vertical menu on the Web interface, click settings.
Then choose advanced settings. Click ViewScape settings. The second item from the top of the page is "default starting screen." Use the pulldown menu to choose "Live TV."

Good Luck!

[pglenn]

Thank you for your reply. At this time I have already figured out 1(I actually uploaded "new" sounds but will also try the 'Q' elimination method) and 4(starts up in LIVE-TV mode now)

2 - On my setup I had noticed that the bright/contrast were affecting the recording but I will go back and re-verify. I had read on the forum (and seen several heated discussions on the topic) that the 3D-acceleration method had problems both with directx-9.0c (which I unfortunately have) and with ATI cards (ditto).

3 - I am planning on getting a myHD mpd-130 HDTV card in the coming weeks which has hardware encoding so alot of my problems "may" be solved then.

I have also noticed another "problem". When I have created and saved a manual recording (without any errors), I am not able to see that recording as a pending recording under any of the upcoming recording lists. I was also able to save a new recording from the scheduler with the same time/date as the manual recording without any notification or warnings (which I deleted afterwards). unfortunately I am at work now so I cant verify until I get home if the manual recording works or not.

Patrick

[Bilar Crais]

Originally Posted by pglenn

I am planning on getting a myHD mpd-130 HDTV card in the coming weeks which has hardware encoding so alot of my problems "may" be solved then.

I've heard great things about that card, but unfortunately, it is not supported by BTV; at least I don't think so.