Media Portal + HDMI solve shudder?

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guttedgeek

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Topic # 30047 27-Jan-2009 17:24

Hi, I'm using Media Portal/Freeview DVB-S paired with a Samsung LCD (LA46S81 Jasmine 1366x768) connected via SVGA. We're getting a great deal of shudder when watching content that has panning or lots of action which is a real pain.

My research so far suggests that this is probably caused by the fact that we're watching a 25FPS source on a TV that is capable of only 60Hz on the SVGA input.

Watching DVDs via a Sony upscaling HDMI DVD player, almost no shudder is obvious.

What I'm wondering is, would be worth the investment in a HDMI capable video card for the Media Portal box to attempt to reduce the shudder effect?

Thanks in advance!

Colin.

Seasport

46 posts

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Reply # 192526 28-Jan-2009 17:24

Has your graphics card got a DVI output? If so you could use a DVI to HDMI convertor and do it that way. Same picture.

Not sure if this will fix your shudder problem but you might get a better picture with digital anyway.

guttedgeek

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Reply # 192703 29-Jan-2009 12:43

Yep, it has DVI..will investigate the cost of an adapter. Cheers.

Seasport

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Reply # 192746 29-Jan-2009 16:57

An adaptor plug is about $18 at Jaycar or you can buy an adaptor cable for $30+ depending on the length you need.

I think you'll also find that driving your TV at 50Hz does overcome the shudder problem.

sbiddle

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Reply # 192752 29-Jan-2009 17:28

I'm not sure what resolutions your TV dos support but if you can increase it higher closer to 75hz you will potentially minimise the judder if you want to stick with VGA.

Providing you can get 1:1 pixel mapping via HDMI is the perferable option.

guttedgeek

19 posts

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Reply # 192806 29-Jan-2009 21:58

Thanks all!
Its just a 1366x768 Sammy and can only do 60Hz (I've tried all the powerstrip stuff to create custom modes but the TV won't accept any of them). Over HDMI it has a picture mode called "just scan" which I believe is Samsungs terminology for 1:1 pixel mapping. The HDMI converter sounds like its a cheap enough option to try so I'll grab one in the next few days and report back.

guttedgeek

19 posts

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Reply # 192981 30-Jan-2009 19:05

Grabbed a DVI-HDMI cable today from Jaycar and the picture improvement in terms of shudder is like night and day. Still not as good as our upscaling DVD player but close enough to justify the investment. I'd say the shudder is now less than I've seen on HD-MySky. Well with the $46!
I am also pleased to report that my low end sammy TV is quite happy to output a perfect 1:1 image over HDMI.

Thanks all for your input. Cheers!

Seasport

46 posts

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Reply # 193242 1-Feb-2009 16:30

Now you need to get yourself a DVB-T card and upgrade to Freeview HD. Well worth it. Much better picture than MySkyHD.

guttedgeek

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Reply # 193247 1-Feb-2009 16:42

We live in the western hills above Lower Hutt..which you'd think would afford us excellent coverage. Unfortunately in our case, we can't see a single transponder from our roof (or even close to it).