Noob with many problems-codecs, slow ch. change, choppy vid

[bond00]

First of all, I'm new to DVB-S. I've been using a receiver for a while, but decided to try DVB-S with SageTV. So far, I've spent all weekend pulling my hair out trying to get this to work CONSISTENTLY! No offense, but the forums on DVB-S are not nearly as helpful as FTA receivers. I've posted on now three different forums hoping for answers, and received only one reply. I'm sure the replies will come, it will just take days...instead of hours like I would like. Here my symptons.

1. - I'm using the WinDVD codecs because I get errors with all the others about incompatible renderers or whatever. But the playback is CHOPPY! It's horrible. My quality is between 40-50% and my level is about the same. Is that too low? Could that be causing the choppy playback? Reception is fine on my STB receiver though.

2. - It takes a good 5-8 seconds to change a channel. That is ridiculous. To me, that makes the thing unusable. I have a Dish Pro 500, which means the switch is built into the LNB. Do I need custom diseqc commands? Why does it take so long and is there a fix?

3. - I'm also using the BDA_ALL device driver. My normal device doesn't pick up any channels and the BDA_ALL only picks up about 40 on satellite Nimiq 2 - 82.

These are my main issues. My PC should be able to handle this - AMD X2 1.8Ghz, 2GB RAM, ATI HD 2400, and Twinhan 1027. Is this Twinhan card a piece of crap? I paid like $70 for it off eBay. Is there a better one I should be using that would not have these problems?

Basically, I'm confused with which codec is best, which driver for my card is best, where my problems are originating from, and I've wasted a whole weekend fighting this. Please help me because I would like to get this working!

[bond00]

No replies...can someone please help me? I've done tons of reading, but haven't found any help.

[xmanlolo]

first you must replace the 1027 card its bad bad bad
there is other models good of twinhan 1020a and 1030a or skystar 2 or other good card and then we can talk about other problems

[Glimmerman911]

Ok, you are getting choppy video, couple things to try:

1. Open up your computer case, and put a regular fan blowing on it to make sure the card is not overheating. Not a permanent solution, but will eliminate it as a problem while testing.

2. Is your CPU being maxed out during playback? If it is at 100%, that is why it is choppy, and perhaps codecs can help, or maybe your system is just too slow.

3. Try try try and try again different codecs. Nvidia video and audio codecs are good, cyberlink is worth a try, and Intervideo audio and AC3 audio are worth trying, and ffshow for video and audio as well. Then try all the different combinations. Make sure you reset the program between changes, it takes time but once you hit the right combination you will know. Just keep the CPU meter up while doing it.

4. If NOTHING works, then try a different program. Feel free to PM me for my recommendations.

5. If nothing else works, spend $50 on a Twinhan 1020a. Or if you value your time and are frustrated, buy it right away. But this hobby is about testing and learning. It took me 2 weeks to get my Twinhan Starbox working right, but eventually I did. Now the 1020a I got worked from the second I installed it. Learn on the 1027 then everything else will be easy!

[Dreamer]

I have some problems too, with SS2, perhaps it's related, try the version 1.3c - just to test whether it will be working better. I have the problems only with 1.4, no problems with 1.3c.

Hardware: AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 1GB RAM, ATI RX800 256MB, HDD 320GB SATA II, SB Audigy 2, SkyStar 2 r2.3, Monitor LCD Samsung 215TW 21", Dish-Offset 120cm...
Software: Windows XP SP2, DirectX 9.0c, ATI Catalyst Driver 7.10, ATT, TechniSat DVB 4.4.1, IE7, Abakt, avast! Antivirus, Avant Browser, DVB Dream, FFDShow, Free Download Manager, FreeCommander, HotkeyP, Kerio Personal Firewall, Media Player Classic, Nero, OpenOffice.org, Photofiltre, PTBSync, Skype, Spybot, Trillian, Xnview, ZipGenius...