thinking of SS51G TvOut + PVR-250

[ynnek888]

So I'm thinking of getting a SS51G with TvOut, and getting a PVR-250.. a good 80 gig drive, 512 megs of ram, and a Celeron 2.2 Ghz.. So I'll be using the onboard sound and tvout..

Any comments on this? Anything I should watch out for? The ss51g uses the SIS651/962L chipset - how is the tv out quality on this (I have a Sony Wega)


I read a Tomshardware report saying mpeg and mp3 encoding between the Celeron and P4 is virtually the same (you'd think the cache would make a difference)... If I read correctly, the current ver of SnapStream supports PVR-250's HW acceleration so I should have more than enough grunt.... right?

Operating system wise, is there a preference for 2000 vs XP?

If not the PVR-250, I'd be getting a AIW 7500, but reading up, it sounds like the PVR-250 would be a better choice with SnapStream (unless the soon to be released v3.2 helps)

Also, is it a realistic expectation to be able to turn on and "forget" about this box? (perhaps besides ocasional windows/driver updates)


Thanks ahead..
-Ken

[RobertH]

you may want to look into using a secondary video card, instead of the onboard one. Some users have found that several motherboards with onboard video (sis/via included) have problems because the manufactuer has not updated the driver to support directx 9 fully. Snapstream uses many of the features present in DX9 including VMR9 support in video cards to allow for 3rd party mpeg decoders, on cards that do not support VMR9 extensions snapstream cannot attach 3rd part drivers to help with decoding (this is a 3.2 feature) I would stick with the pvr250 and get an nvidia (or your preference of video) card with a tv out on it.

You might have to occasionally restart pvs it gets stuck sometimes but I have seen uptimes of over 2 weeks without probelms only time I really restart snapstream or the server its running on is for hardware/software upgrades, or when ss releases a new version to the beta group

[tjdmobile]

Agree. You should use a separate video card. I have the intel onboard video on my board disabled. I have tried a lot of video cards for use on my HTPC. The Nvidia has outshined all others. The latest drivers for the 440MX are nothing short of incredible. The Nvidia has by far the BEST overscan area coverage. MUCH better than my ATI card (demoted to the family computer)

[ynnek888]

Good points.. I've also noticed the TV-out card for the SS51G looks like it takes up a PCI slot..

I've also found out the PVR-250 already comes with a remote.. perfect.. (for about 110 after rebate)

The local computer shop also carries a FX5200 128 for 80 bux..


vs


AIW 7500 and remote.. about 170ish...


whatever way I take, I'll be sure to post a review!

[jblust]

The TV-out option for the SS51G takes up the AGP slot, and leaves the PCI slot open for something like the PVR 250. This is my current setup. As mentioned above, I am having some DirectX9 problems (can't use the 3rd-party decoders feature of the 3.2 beta) with the SiS 651. I'm considering getting an NVidia card.

For people who have Shuttle boxes and NVidia cards, does the video card fan cause a noticeable amount of additional noise? Is it worth trying to get a passively-cooled card like Abit's Geforce FX 5200?

[ynnek888]

Hmm, well i doubt the integrated graphics on the sis651 has any decoding ability on it.. but can you still get hw encoding support on the PVR-250?

You know what, the tvout option is 5 bux, so I'm gonna just get it and the PVR-250 and fool around too.. worse comes to worse, I'll have to eat the $5 tvout and get a Nivida card..

ahh, the joys of tinkering when building a PC

Originally posted by jblust
The TV-out option for the SS51G takes up the AGP slot, and leaves the PCI slot open for something like the PVR 250. This is my current setup. As mentioned above, I am having some DirectX9 problems (can't use the 3rd-party decoders feature of the 3.2 beta) with the SiS 651. I'm considering getting an NVidia card.

For people who have Shuttle boxes and NVidia cards, does the video card fan cause a noticeable amount of additional noise? Is it worth trying to get a passively-cooled card like Abit's Geforce FX 5200?

[WillP]

For people who have Shuttle boxes and NVidia cards, does the video card fan cause a noticeable amount of additional noise? Is it worth trying to get a passively-cooled card like Abit's Geforce FX 5200?

I don't have a Shuttle pc but I'd recommend passive cooling. Low end nVIDIA cards (geforce4 mx / geforce fx5200) do not need a fan. The ones with the fans are only for show / overclocking. You're better off saving yourself whatever noise the fan would create. I have a passively cooled GF4mx and it works great.

Hmm, well i doubt the integrated graphics on the sis651 has any decoding ability on it.. but can you still get hw encoding support on the PVR-250?

Yes, and the hw encoding is wonderful!!! As a side note, I read a post recently involving someone having serious problems with the onboard SiS graphics on their shuttle board. So don't be surprised if you need / want to purchase a video card. I'd recommend a GF4mx or GF FX5200 if it comes to that. On another side note, PVS v3.2 will be released soon and it will support 3rd party decoders. I'm using a beta version w/ the nvidia decoder and my cpu usage has dropped 55% (results may vary ).


Will

[RobertH]

It seems that the onboard video drivers including sis and those found on via epia motherboards are having a problem with one of the features snapstream uses in 3.2 to provide 3rd party decoder support (VideoMixingRenderer9 VMR9) without this support 3rd party mpeg decoders cant be used, and then you can only use the built in mpeg decoder wich is kinda lack luster in performance

[WillP]

and then you can only use the built in mpeg decoder wich is kinda lack luster in performance

"kinda lackluster" is quite an understatement. Using a 3rd party decoder can make a very significant performance difference.

I don't mean to insult SS's decoder, but I think everyone should be aware of better options. Once 3.2 is released everyone that has the option should definitely try a different decoder. Like I mentioned above, my cpu usage dropped 55% with the nvidia (nvdvd) decoder. I went from 65% to 10% in LiveTV using DVD Ready Hi-Res quality. For me this was a nice bonus. For others (especially those without a hw encoder card) it could mean the difference between being able to watch TV using mpeg2 or not. It could mean the difference between purchasing PVS or not.

When 3.2 is released I hope SnapStream makes a big deal out of this new feature.

Will

[Swank]

I am slightly confused by the following KB article:

http://kb.snapstream.com/Kb.aspx?kbid=1150

Right now I'm using SS on my HTPC which has a 15" LCD and a 51" RPTV connected to a Radeon 9600. The LCD is on the SVGA port and the TV is on the DVI port. To use SS I must set the DVI port as the primary display and everything works fine. The start menu is still on the LCD, which works out great for me.

I'm considering purchasing another HTPC + PVR-250 to use in the bedroom with my 27" TV. The TV only has s-vid input so I'll need a card with decent TV output via the svideo port. I also have a spare 15" LCD w/ DVI connection that I can use on it as well.

What I need to know before I do this is whether this will work or not. According to the KB article it sounds like a big "maybe" depending on if the video card can set the tv-out as the primary display. Anyone know?

Thanks.