[mythtv-users] Re: Making best use of spare PCs

Nick knowledgejunkie at gmail.com
Mon May 9 16:53:51 UTC 2005


On 5/9/05, Jonathan Link <jonathan.link at gmail.com> wrote:
> On 5/9/05, Daniel Howell <howelld at brumster.com> wrote:
> > > Why are you transcoding these files when they're MPEG2 to start with?
> > > Here's a quick test - transfer one of your DVB recordings to a Windows
> > > machine, rename it to .mpg, and try to play it. If you've got MPEG2
> > > codecs installed, you should see crystal clear video.
> >
> > Yes, I'd thought that, but a straight drag'n'drop to an XP box, rename and
> > play, and WMP doesn't recognise it. Most likely my recording profile is to
> > blame - are there any settings specific to making a DVD-compatible file
> > that I maybe am misunderstanding, do you think?

Could be if the TS is being recorded instead of the PS? I just tried
to play American Grafiti recorded the other day, which played fine
(DVB recorded from ITV1, UK)  This is using myth 0.16, standard DVB
card options.

> Where did you get the MPEG2 codec?   IIRC, I was only able to watch my
> shows after installing WinDVD (which has the MPEG2 codec) on y laptop.
>  They do not come by default with Windows, and the fact that WMP
> doesn't recognize it hints at not having the proper codec installed.
> If you have a Hauppage PVR-x50, you may be able to use the CD to
> install the codec.

The decoder would have come from DVD software (Cyberlink PowerDVD)
which was installed when I built the machine (sorry for not making
that more obvious).

I also get erratic behaviour from WMP playing mpeg2 files/streams.
Since I stopped using WMP 6 I've used Media Player Classic (on
sourceforge I think) to play all my media files (except where WMP is
required). It seems to have far fewer problems playing files, has more
configuration options (such as aspect, stretching) and a far less
cluttered interface than WMP now, and starts up instantly. May also be
worth looking into BS Player and/or Zoom Player.

Nick


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