WinTV USB2. A good buy?

[reboot]

Yes, you do.

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=81006&_LOC=UK

http://www.bargainbuys365.co.uk/home.aspx?ProductDetailID=1&ProductID=28086&refId=dealtime

http://www.morecomputers.co.uk/extra.asp?pn=01083&referer=dealtime

http://uk.insight.com/apps/productpresentation/index.php?product_id=HAUOA041AY&src=DTU4

[sfheath]

LOL Thankyou again Reboot

I was going by the Hauppauge UK site however that doesn't list it. An interesting and useful concept, twin tuners and encoders!

[J-Mack]

Alright. I bought the wintv usb2 from the local comp usa for about $100. Ive been able to watch and recort live tv..I'm not impressed with the video quality when playing back the recordings. I think I need a divx codec for better video compression quality, which is currently compressing to MS-YUV video (???).

I had no problems connecting my vcr to it. I was able to get my bungy jump video on the comp for editing, file type is wm video clip. I havent messed with the video quality issue yet, I hope I can create a better quality recording. Anyone have any questions on the wintv usb2?

[reboot]

No, you don't need DivX.
To get better quality, just increase the bitrate capture settings.
WinTV2000 isn't the best. Look around at gb-pvr, mediaportal, or quite a few other free capture apps that have far more settings you can tweak.
You can also use ffdshow postprocessing in many apps, to help quality.

[J-Mack]

Originally posted by reboot
Look around at gb-pvr, mediaportal,
You can also use ffdshow postprocessing in many apps, to help quality.

Can you talk more about these apps? I can use these in connection with wintv usb2?

[reboot]

Yes, you can use them.
GB-PVR is a (obviously) PVR software.
It will totally control anything on the computer you want, as well as more than you'd expect, all with the Hauppauge remote.
Ffdshow allows post processing of your files. It can be used to apply different filters (if needed).
What you use, depends on what you want to DO with the hardware.

[J-Mack]

I want to be able to record some tv shows, transfer vhs vids to the comp for editing/ authroring. With the best video quality possible.

[reboot]

The (Hauppauge) card and encoder take care of the quality. You can adjust the bitrate to whatever you want, up to (an undocumented) 15000kbps (yes, that's fifteen thousand).
If you want the BEST video quality (from VHS), get a TBC from Datavideo or Canopus, then encode in something like Canopus or Mainconcept, or CCE Pro.
If you want to do it within a reasonable budget, get the Hauppauge PVR-250 and any software you like (GB-PVR, MediaPortal, Sage, Beyond et al).
The USB devices cannot sustain a data bitrate that high, so you're limited to about 6000kbps...still good quality, but not "great"
HTH.

[J-Mack]

I dont see an option to adjust the birate setting. How can I do this? Another thing, my laptop doesnt have a line in, so I the audio is transfered through the usb and it snaps pops, cracks etc is their anything I can do to improve the sound? Thanks

[reboot]

What software are you using to record?
To improve audio, make sure you're using the latest drivers from Hauppauge (new one out today I believe).
Make sure you have the latest USB 2.0 drivers, and audio card drivers installed. Turn off all other sound devices, including windows sounds, during recording.
Don't do ANYTHING else on the computer during recording.
Turn off screensavers.
HTH

[J-Mack]

first of all thanks for all of your help . I'm using the supplied software wintv2000 to record. As for the sound Ill check the haup. web site for updates. For usb 2.0 and sound card drivers - is this just a windows update, or do I need to go to a certain site to dl them?

[reboot]

USB 2.0 would be a driver update from your motherboard manufacturer.
Sound card, from the manufacturer as well, unless it's onboard, then it would be from the mobo mfg too.
Update to the latest WinTV2000 as well. Hauppauge releases new stuff about every 2 months.