WD62725 and MCE Computer

[mfgdml]

Has anyone hooked up their firewire connection to a MCE computer? I have an HP z545 Media Center computer that works great with the Mits, but have no way of recording OTA HD via the MCE computer. Is this possible? I am hooked up to the HDTV via HDMI/DVI connection at 1200x666 HD resolution on the computer. The MCE machine has two analog tuners, but no HD tuner.

[MRPETEH]

I'm wondering the same. Good question. I just purchased the Z556 over the weekend. I'm using it on a WD-52825. I've tried everything possible to get HDTV on the computer without having to use an OTA antenna. Can't seem to figure it out. I can't seem to get a very clear picture either. I've tried using the DVI/HDMI cable, VGA cable and Component Cables. The picture through the computer is not too sharp. Of course I'm comparing it to the TV's origianl digital tuner, but for $1500 of a computer, I expected better.

[mfgdml]

I'm using Powerstrip and forcing 1200x666 hdtv resolution, HDMI to DVI with a great picture. Invest in powerstrip, its the best way to control the computer setup I know of. I tried vga and component, but the hdmi hookup was best by far. The normal video drivers on the computer will not give you near the control that you get on powerstrip. My HDTV is running at 720p with the computer screen, 480p with analog tv through the mce tv tuners and 720p with DVD's. I discussed this in an earlier post when I was running through the best setup options. Now, I'm like you and would like to try to utilize the OTA HD tuner on the tv and record to the MCE computer via firewire. I've never hooked anything up via firewire so I'm not sure what the capabilities are. Doesn't the z556 come with an HD tuner card? If so, hook up an amplified antenna, not just standard rabbit ears, and you should be in business. You have to direct the antenna to the HD source to get the signal. I'm about 15 miles from my hd stations and get a good signal on the tv. The z545 doesn't have an hd tuner, only two analog tuners, which is why I want to use the tv's hd tuner for recording.

[MRPETEH]

Cool. I downloaded Powerstrip last night. I have not yet installed it, but will this weekend. I'll will also switch to the DVI/HDMI cable. Any other tips (settings) on using Powerstrip that would be helpfull???

Yes, the z556 does have the HD tunner, but I was trying to avoid the OTA antenna. Sounds like I'll have no choice though. Thanks.

[57U]

The following post should help with a couple of links.

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showpost.php?p=129452&postcount=4

[mfgdml]

Install Powerstrip and it will default to whatever your current video settings are. It will install a 'tray' icon. Right click on the tray icon and choose "Display Profiles" then 'configure'. Click on Advanced Timings, then Custom Resolutions. On the left, go down the list of "Predefined" custom resolutions until you find 1200x666p (HDTV 720p). Click on this, then the button "Add New Resolution" on the right. Don't change any of the settings that are predefined, once you click on this resolution. It will give you a warning, just click OK and proceed through to apply this setting. Once it is applied, close this window and the remaining window will have blue arrows you can use to change the Overscan and/or Recenter the display on your screen in the Position and Size section. Each time you reboot/log-in Powerstrip will load these settings. You can try other predefined settings, but do not experiment too much, some settings can actually harm the display. In particular, watch the refresh rate. The tv can probably only do 60hz. 1200x666 allows me to comfortably read my display from my couch which works great with the wireless keyboard.... :rockon:

[tattootearz]

mfgdml,

So ur saying that the 1280 x 720 setting on my latest ATI display driver will not fill the screen of my TV? (I have not tried)...

[mfgdml]

When I go with a full size setting like that, portions of my screen are off the edges. I tried to use Powerstrip to shrink the width to fit the screen, but once it got close to being right the tv went blank. I had to go back to the 1200x666 to get a full screen...

[Toaster]

I've been using a custom built mce box on my 62525 with powerstrip at 1200x666 .. works great. I have not actually recorded any hdtv, but would like to. My mce has firewire - can I connect the tv to the mce box firewire and record using the tv's tuner? (record hdtv to the mce box from the tv over firewire?) THIS WOULD BE AWESOME. please explain how! :)

Also, I've got mine connected via vga pc port, directly out to the tv... it looks ok to me ??? are you guys saying you get better PQ thru another connection method?

[mfgdml]

I tried the vga connection, but seemed to have a better picture/control using HDMI to a DVI connection. I don't have a second monitor (just my HDTV), but if (when) I get one, I'll use the vga out for that. As far as the firewire connection for recording HD using the TV's HD tuner, that was my original question on this post, but haven't got a answer to that. On another board, I posted a similar question, but was told that you would have to have specific hardware drivers for the computer in order for the computer to be able to control the tuner on the HDTV. That doesn't seem likely to happen. Another approach, which I am exploring, is an external HD tuner that will hook up to the PC via USB or Firewire. Anyone have any experience with that?