[mythtv-users] minimum specs for PCHDTV-5500?

[Mary Strimel]

hello mythfolk,
I have put a pchdtv-5500 into my myth box which consists of a 4-years old
AMD Athlon 64 (I think the CPU is rated at 800 mhz).

In theory, my box should be capable of recording from this card in HD.  In
fact PCHDTV minimum specs say 400 mhz pentium would be enough.

As for playback, I downloaded an HD testfile - I forgot from where, it
appeared to be a computer-animated short film that my computer played back
in beautiful widescreen HD with no problems.  My video card is a nvidia
fx-5200.

So how come, when I try to record QAM from Comcast cable on this card, the
results are unwatchable, blocky and hesitating to the point where it barely
looks like tv?  (I think it is a resource problem, since when there is a
still frame or very little movement, the blockiness reduces somewhat).  I
have tried to record, then stop and watch (so as not to be taping and
playback simultaneously).  I have also tried XVMC playback, which seems to
make no discernible difference in the results.

Please try to resist telling me not to buy the pchdtv-5500, 'cause I think
it's too late to return :)  Could it be that the specs on the PCHDTV site
are just plain wrong?  Seems more likely I am doing something wrong.

cheers,
Mary
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