[mythtv-users] X and PVR 350

[Chris Martin]

> If the files are not the exact size (and therefore need scaling),
> then this has to be done in software. This means each frame has to be
> copied to the 350's framebuffer, which is too slow to be useable. Or,
> if the files are not in MPEG2 format, then you're in the same boat,
> because the 350 can't decode MPEG4.
> 
> Basically, any time the video has to be processed in software,
> bypassing the 350's built-in decoder, you'll have this problem. Even
> my relatively fast machine (3.0 GHz P4) can't copy to the framebuffer
> fast enough.
> 
> --
> Dan Wilga                                         dwilga at mtholyoke.edu
> Web Administrator                             http://www.mtholyoke.edu
> Mount Holyoke College                                Tel: 413-538-3027
> South Hadley, MA  01075            "Who left the cake out in the rain?"
> 

I see the problem, but if I use mplayer -fs -zoom -quiet -vo ivtv %s
then the video plays perfectly smoothly, it's just about 1 and a half
times the size that it should be, so much of it is missing from the
screen.

also quoting from Jarod's guide:
 'with the ivtvdev X driver, the measly 1GHz Via C3 in my EPIA (runs
like a PIII-600) can decode and play back high-resolution xvid and
ffmpeg4 encoded DVD rips without a problem'

Which implies that there should be a solution out there somewhere.

Has anyone using a PVR 350 had decent results using the TV out to play
high resolution XVids and if so what command do you use to start
mplayer?

Currently I can use:

 ivtvfbctl -alpha 0; mplayer -fs -zoom -quiet -vo ivtv %s; ivtvfbctl -alpha 255

which gives me the wrong size video

or
mplayer -fs -zoom -quiet -vo ivtvosd %s

which shows no video and spits out a load of errors along the line of:
Error with sending DMA to ivtv FB! Invalid argument

Chris