ATI needs preview pin to use WME?

[atiaok]

After hunting around for a bit, I discovered that in order to use wme 7, the ATI cards require the preview pin to be enabled. The UI only allows for a preview pin if you select the directshow encoding option. Is there a way to force a preview pin if you want to use WME?

A workaround is offered at the following site. However, I was hoping to find a cleaner solution. http://www.ati.com/support/infobase/3692.html


FYI:
Using ATI AIW 8500DV with latest drivers + Win XP

[Tuck]

Originally posted by atiaok
After hunting around for a bit, I discovered that in order to use wme 7, the ATI cards require the preview pin to be enabled. The UI only allows for a preview pin if you select the directshow encoding option. Is there a way to force a preview pin if you want to use WME?

A workaround is offered at the following site. However, I was hoping to find a cleaner solution. http://www.ati.com/support/infobase/3692.html


FYI:
Using ATI AIW 8500DV with latest drivers + Win XP

Going to that link, I see "This issue affects capture products supporting DirectShow capture under the following operating systems..."

So my question is that since your card supports DirectShow, why aren't you using it?

[atiaok]

Hi Tuck,

I am unhappy with the quality of my directshow recordings. I am able to record at VHS quality without too many dropped frames and about 60-70% cpu. Trying close to DVD, I max out my cpu and start dropping frames (I also noticed that the vid starts to lag behind sound). My hope was toi get better quality without increasing CPU dramitically with WME v7. Let me know if you think I am wasting my time. I have since been able to clean things up a bit using directshow by bumping up the priority of the ssn process to high.

[Tuck]

Originally posted by atiaok
Hi Tuck,

I am unhappy with the quality of my directshow recordings. I am able to record at VHS quality without too many dropped frames and about 60-70% cpu. Trying close to DVD, I max out my cpu and start dropping frames (I also noticed that the vid starts to lag behind sound). My hope was toi get better quality without increasing CPU dramitically with WME v7. Let me know if you think I am wasting my time. I have since been able to clean things up a bit using directshow by bumping up the priority of the ssn process to high.

I honestly don't believe that between WDM and VFW there exists a significant (or any!) change in CPU usage.

However, if you're using a TV-WONDER or a TV-WONDER VE, you can use these "generic" drivers:

http://btwincap.sourceforge.net

Every user I've spoken to (with the exception of one individual who installed the drivers incorrectly) has reported MUCH better quality (less CPU usage). This will, however, disable your proprietary applications. Not to worry -- there are numerous replacements that will work with the btwincap drivers.

One other thing... NearDVD is set up rather, ah, non-cleverly when PVS shipped. It's set to capture at a ridiculous 60 frames per second. While PVS attempts to keep you from editing NearDVD quality settings, as I mentioned in another post, this is possible.

Just click on the following link (with PVS 2.0 open) to edit the "Near DVD" quality profile. PLEASE rename it and "Save as new" before you do so. Better safe than...

PVS 2.0 only