Video on Computer

[onedash]

I have a question about video quality on the computer.
When I watch a DVD on the computer it looks almost as good as it does on a TV (not HI DEF) and some video from the internet looks almost as good. Whenever I watch shows from TIVO or from my win tv they do not come close to that. Is it the codec? I have no idea how to make it lol better. I have a GeForce 7200 ( i think) 256MB PCIE card. Games and everything else in general looks very good. But recorded TV looks far worse. Its acceptable but was wondering if it can be improved with a new codec.

[DaveS]

What kind of TV do you have (size, type, age)?

What exactly doesn't look right about the Tivo videos?

One thing to keep in mind is that Tivo records at like 320x240 resolution (which is what "standard definition" tv is. So, if you play it back on your 1280x1024 PC screen, it has to "invent" those extra pixels to display - sometimes the algorithms do a pretty good job at "up converting", sometimes they don't.

Also, the default record option for Tivo is "standard" (i.e. low quality) - this uses more compression (which equals lower picture quality). Usually this shows up as blocky looking images, or jaggy looking straight lines - typically when things are moving rapidly (sports, etc).

Try recording something at "high quality" and see if it looks better to you.

There is *tons* of information about playing Tivo video on your PC - so, do a quick Google and you should be able to find some info.

[25]

Like DaveS said, there is a resolution difference between a TV and a computer monitor which is probbably where a lot of the picture degredation comes from.

Also standard TV over cable or air isn't the best quality in the world.

DVDs are better quality since the tranmission distance is much shorter. Also depending on the cables(type not brand) you're using there will be a difference as well.

[LCHIEN]

I would imagine the default Tivo video quality is probably akin to VHS VCR SLP mode (6Hrs) which is lower than the old standard broadcast video quality and much lower than DVD and much, much lower than HDTV. Probably Tivo has a higher quality option closer to SP (VHS at 2 Hrs per casette), still not as good as DVD, but will eat up twice as much memory for the same time.

[25]

Another question, is it an original Tivo or one of the later models?

[onedash]

its a series 2 Tivo (usually use best quality). It looks as good as if I was watching live on my TV but when I transfer it to my computer the same show that looks fine on the TV doesn't come close on the computer. Computer is an Amd about 6 months old 1.25 GB RAM and GeForce PCIE video card. I get about the same quality on my Laptop which is newer but the graphics are not as good as my desk top. (DVD's look better/brighter on laptop, Games are not as good)
I haven't tried to adjust the resolution on the monitor (Sony 17" LCD) and its 1280X1024. Maybe if I lower it it would look better????
I know some games look better at lower resolution.

I did get an offer to transfer my lifetime service to a new HD series three box for $199 and keep service on my orginal box for 1 year for free. but then I saw the box was $800...Looks like i will stick with my series 2.

[scorrpio]

Standard TV resolution - which TIVO records - is rather low quality. It looks fine on TV cause it is viewed from several feet away. Step up to the TV and view it from same distance as your PC monitor - you'll see that up close, it is really low quality. Standard DVD resolution is 740x480, and is quite crisp. Far as videos from Internet, they vary in resolution and compression. DVD video is about 1.3MB per second - so if that 20-second video from Internet is 26MB, it'll look as good as DVD. But if it is like 1MB, it'll look like crap.

Hi-Def TV is mostly 720p or 1080i, which is actually somewhat better than DVD. Dunno about TIVO, but Cablevision's DVR can record Hi-Def content. It looks very sharp both on TV and a PC monitor. When I stand right next to my 37" LCD HDTV and the broadcast is in HD, it is still very high quality.

When watching standard-definition TV on you PC, I suggest running it in a window, or moving several feet away if watching full screen.