DVB-T Picture Quality

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fisher191

59 posts

Master Geek

Topic # 25620 27-Aug-2008 12:07

I have been playing with terrestrial freeview since the start and have tried quite a few combinations of applications and hardware. I am now trying to finalise a setup for the family to use (I left things alone while the Olympics was on).

I recently upgraded to a 8500gt from a 7950gt and (finally) managed to get hardware decoding to work. I am now runing ~4% TV1&2 and ~8% tv3.

BUT, the picture quality seems to be worse after changing from VMR9 to EVR. The juddering has gone from tv3 and the other interlaced channels, but it doesn't look as crisp for all channels. There are a huge number of variables: application, codec, tv and PC settings, etc.

So, who has noticed differences in picture quality and what settings work best for you?

My current setup:

MB:        MSI 945GCM5 V2
CPU:      E8400 c2d 3.0GHz
RAM:      2 GB
GPU:      MSI NX8500GT-MTD256EH/D2 HDMI
Tuner:    Haupaugge HVR3000
Monitor: Philips 47PFL9532 1080p

Application: MediaPortal TV Server RC2
Codec:        PowerDVD H.264 (all others uninstalled)

browned

611 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 32

Reply # 160639 29-Aug-2008 09:49

I have notice a lot of quality difference without testing any different codecs, or DVBT applications. I have used DVBViewer and PowerDVD from the start.

I have had Freeview HD running since it went live in April, it not a week or two before it went live. I have only ever upgraded video drivers and Power DVD codecs based on software updates.

There is a difference betweem TVNZ and TV3 right out of the box, I think TV3 has a slight advantage on my 1080P TV. In saying that I find NCIS on TV3 has skin colour issues. The Olympics looked good on TV1 and the slow mo's they played a lot of looked very good except the cycling which always looked dark in slow mo. Dirty Sexy Money on TV2 looked great, Ugly Betty also looked great (not Betty though :-) on TV2. Jackie Brown Diaries looks good on TV3 and is HD....a NZ show in HD already Great.

I currently have the pixelated/jaggy problem on TV1 some people have been reporting. We think it is down to the Codec from PowerDVD as some people have reported it is fixed by changing to the totalmedia codec.

I think software/codecs alone could make a difference but most are just plug and play. I also think a lot of the difference between the quality I have noticed over the past months is down to the recording quality and post production work done on the show. So lets hope all the studios are getting the best equipment available.

cheers
db

charley

183 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 160660 29-Aug-2008 10:27

browned: In saying that I find NCIS on TV3 has skin colour issues.

cheers
db

I've noticed that, dont like it at all. Also happens on Outrageous Fortune. Thought it was my composite signal. So upgrading to component wont fix that :(

digitalepsilon

41 posts

Geek

Reply # 160773 29-Aug-2008 16:57

browned: The Olympics looked good on TV1 and the slow mo's they played a lot of looked very good except the cycling which always looked dark in slow mo.
...
I also think a lot of the difference between the quality I have noticed over the past months is down to the recording quality and post production work done on the show. So lets hope all the studios are getting the best equipment available.

You're right there in that the equipment used makes a big difference. The super slow motion shots of the olympics were recorded on cameras at a very high shutter speed which often leads to an underexposed (dark) image. That wasn't really TV1's fault since it had more to do with the quality of the cameras used by the host broadcaster, their lenses and the available light in the arena. Well-exposed high speed photography requires an extraordinary amount of light, or uberexpensive lenses. Despite being dark, it was still great to watch.