[mythtv-users] Audio routing on Hauppauge MCE cards?

[Michael T. Dean]

Romain Kang wrote:

>The PVR 250MCE/350MCE cards have the 10-pin "feature connector" which
>includes audio output.  Do you need a corresponding cable to get live
>audio to the computer's sound card, or is that obtained from the
>MPEG stream?
>
The MPEG stream includes audio.  If using a PVR-350's decoder, the 
entire MPEG stream (including audio) is passed to the 350, so the sound 
card doesn't get anything.  Therefore, most people plug a RCA to 1/8" 
jack Y-connector to transfer the audio to the sound card.

Since the 250 doesn't have/doesn't use a decoder (depending on 
revision), the MPEG stream is decoded in software and the audio is 
passed directly to the sound card.  The same applies if using a PVR-350 
but not using the 350's TV out (because the 350's decoder can only be 
used with the 350's TV out).

>How about FM radio?
>  
>
Haven't used it, but I'm pretty sure sound is output through the card's 
stereo output, so you'll need the Y-connector for it, also.

>Background: I'm using a Hauppauge 401 (WinTV-dbx) card and have
>been somewhat disappointed by the video quality.  I wonder whether
>the higher end models are fundamentally better, or whether I just
>need to tweak the recording settings...
>  
>
I'm pretty certain that all PCI Hauppauge tuner cards have a capture 
resolution of 320x240 (NTSC) with the exception of the PVR-250/350 which 
have a resolution of 720 x 480 (NTSC) (PAL numbers are similary 
different).  I would say this is reason enough to choose one of them 
over other Hauppauge tuners.  The hardware encoding is a great feature, 
too--it gives my setiathome process more CPU time.  :)

I'll admit, though, had I known then what I know now, I would have 
bought a 250 instead of a 350.  The TV out on the 350 leaves a bit to be 
desired in terms of flexibility.  It's a beautiful picture, but the lack 
of 2-D and 3-D acceleration and Xv support is rather limiting.  It may 
get better in the future, but by then, I'll have a better solution in place.

Mike