Pinnacle StudioPCTVPro for 29.99 after MIR at Compusa

[NuclearFusi0n]

based on bt878

 

[exisle]

hmm I cant get the remote to do anything, the program shows a signal when i test but the buttons dont do anything with the remote and tv software open

 

[RobK]

Don't forget to download dScaler v3 at http://deinterlace.sourceforge.net for a GREAT viewing program. Cleans up screen noise and converts TV signals to "progressive scan" which greatly improves the quality on a PC Monitor/Good TV.

Also, for the remote, try Girder at http://www.girder.nl
It has a plug-in for the PCTV remote and gives you FULL control over EVERYTHING on your PC. That way you can use the remote to control WinAmp, change channels, play DVD's (if you have a DVD player), etc., etc.

 

[Ecliptic]

I can't get the darn thing to work in my sister's computer!!! Its running Win98SE with a TNT video card. All I get is a pink screen when I try to watch TV. Tried several different detonator 3.x, 5.x, 21.x, 23.11 driver versions with no success. I've heard of the pink screen problem with 2000 or XP but no on else seems to have problems in 98. Argh... about to pull my hear out!

 

[Budarow]

I picked up the card and need some advice on how to install it (i.e., I've never hooked up a TV card). Do I need to hook up a coaxial cable spliter and run a split line to the TV tuner and the other split to my cable modem?

Thanks for any help!

Bud

 

[Magnum]

Ecliptic

Sounds like the video card drivers aren't supporting overlay mode for tv display. Go into the PCTV video settings and check the box that says "force primary surface". If you've already tried that, then please disregard.

 

[manko]

Here are a couple links that might help with the WDM drivers. I haven't tried any of these because mine worked well enough out of the box (on Win2K), and the tv-function is secondary to the remote for me. Anyway:

iuLab WDM BT878 drivers (supposedly work with the PCTV)

bt8xx WDM vidcap driver (no idea if these work)

and of course

the Pinnacle support forums search for beta WDM drivers (I think they are on the .uk or .de Pinnacle site)

Oh, btw, just for kicks I decided to try the official WinTV drivers, but they use hardware detection during the install, so they didn't work.

If you're not happy with the tv-tuner quality, definitely get Dscaler (linked above a couple times). It will improve the picture. If you want the best tv picture, I would suggest NOT using the Coax input or built-in TV-tuner at all. I think the computer itself causes too much interference.

Just plug an old vcr into the composite-in (or s-video-in, if you have an S-VHS deck or Satellite box) and plug the audio cables directly into your soundcard with an RCA to stereo mini cable.

 

[what]

Just downloaded and instaled DScaler and it does make a nice difference. Easy to setup and use with the Pinnacle StudioPCTVPro.

 

[manko]

<< hmm I cant get the remote to do anything, the program shows a signal when i test but the buttons dont do anything with the remote and tv software open >>


exisle, make sure you have the IR receiver firmly plugged in and set up the PCTV Remote software for the correct Com Port # (usually 1 or 2) and use the Test function. If one doesn't work, try the other. Some people have mentioned on the Pinnaclesys.com support forum (linked in my post above), that ambient light can adversely affect the remote, especially flourescent lights.

Finally, the smiplest thing is that you need to be running the PCTV Remote program in your system tray, then press the "TV" button on the very bottom row of buttons on the remote, to make sure the TV function is selected. If it still doesn't work, try the Pinnacle.sys forums.


<< I picked up the card and need some advice on how to install it (i.e., I've never hooked up a TV card). Do I need to hook up a coaxial cable spliter and run a split line to the TV tuner and the other split to my cable modem? >>


Budarow, it's really not a good idea to use a splitter on the line to your cable modem to hook it up to the PCTV tuner. First of all, the splitter may not pass the correct frequency back upstream from your modem (or even downstream). Second of all, the tuner will create line noise which could ruin not only your modem connection, but your neighbors' as well.

If you have a separate line for cable TV in the room, you should plug the PCTV cable into that outlet instead. If you contact your cable company they might be able to split the signal or run a extra line for your PCTV (for a "small fee"). Or just run a long cable from another room (yes, you will suffer some signal loss).


FYI, my card has a Conexant (Brooktree) Fusion 878A chip and a Philips FM1236 Tuner (the Philips NTSC MK2 in Dscaler).

 

[NICKel]

it's really not a good idea to use a splitter on the line to your cable modem to hook it up to the PCTV tuner. First of all, the splitter may not pass the correct frequency back upstream from your modem (or even downstream). Second of all, the tuner will create line noise which could ruin not only your modem connection, but your neighbors' as well.

Wow! I never really thought about this!!! I wonder how much of a degradation you will see?

 

[manko]

<< Wow! I never really thought about this!!! I wonder how much of a degradation you will see? >>


Depending on the splitter, your cable modem may not work at all and you will definitely see an extraneous hum in the TV picture (especially lower channels).

The cable company usually will just run one line into your house, then they put a bi-directional two-way splitter inline (with a certain frequency range to pass modem signals), then split the line in two. The TV line needs a one-way noise/high-pass filter which 1) passes TV signal frequency range to your TV, 2) stops the cable modem signals from interfering with your TV picture, 3) which stops TV/VCR RF noise from going back up the line, affecting your modem and the signals it sends/receives. Depending on your signal strength, they may also have to put in an amplifier (which if done incorrectly can really screw up your modem). Ask your cable company to set you up, because it's in their best interest to keep your TV/VCR line noise off the cable modem signal which can affect everybody's signal on the node (and they don't sell this stuff at Radio Shack).

 

[NuclearFusi0n]

IF ANYBODY WANTS TO SELL THE PCTV, PM OR E-MAIL ME...LOOK IN SIG.

 

[Rally1]

manko you sound like you know what you are talking about.

However I know I have one line coming in from the box, which I have split a couple times, it feeds my cable modem, and 1 TV, and 2 TV cards in PCs, no problem.

The frequencies (TV and WAN) are very different. I do agree that an amp would mess up your WAN connection.

 

[LiLRiceBoi]

they're back in stock now, but i'm guessing the deal is dead...

 

[spanky]

dead? precisely...

 

[TimidOCer]

These cards are sooooooo nice I got one about 6-12months ago and its so cool!

I only paid about $35 for mine ... sych a good deal

 

[Nutzo]

Opps, wrong Thread

 

[Strawberrymom]

<< Check this thread from last month.....

PCTV

>>



why link to the same thread your in?

 

[dc]

i'm having trouble getting dscaler working with my pctv or pctv pro card.
running winxp, cable tv, tried pretty much all the hardware settings.

was runnign pinnacle 4.02a drivers when i tried with the pctv. was running the btxxx drivers from sourceforge when i tried with the pctv pro.

help please.

 

[Budarow]

Finally hooked up this PCTV Pro and it works GREAT! I used an inexpensive 3-way co-ax cable splitter and ran a line to my cable modem and a second line to the tv card. No problems with the picture/sound! I used a 3-way splitter because I plan to buy another one of this PCTV Pro cards the next time they go on-sale for $30.00 and put it in a new PC I'm building.

Two things are not working:

1.The remote channel selector "channel up arror" and "channel down arror" are not working and I have to enter the channel number using the remote key-pad.

2. The remote volume is not working.

I'll have to fool around with this more to get it worked out!