Is DVD playback on G400 Dual Head as good as Dxr2?

[Chris H]

I'm planning on buying a G400Max as soon as they're available in the UK . What I want to know is, how good is the DVD playback on the G400? I've got a Creative Dxr2 which is very good, is the G400 as good? better?

Chris.

[Kruzin]

My Dxr2 is now collecting dust in the closet
Definatly as good or better with the G400.
And no crappy pass-through

------------------
P2-350(@103*4=412), Asus P2B(1009), 128meg PC100, MillG400 32meg(PD5.20.???), CL SB Live!Value, CL PC-DVD, Mitsumi CD-R, WD UDMA 8.4&6.4 gig, (2)USR 56k(multilinked), 3Com 905B-TX, etc...

[Chris H]

Thanks Kruzin,
Yes indeed the pass-through is bad news
I want a G400!

Chris
-------------
AMD K6-III 450, TMC TIVGF, 128MB PC100, Marvel G200 8MB, SBLive Value, CL DVD 5x, Dxr2 (Not for much longer ) 22GB IBM HDD etc etc

[This message has been edited by Chris H (edited 07-17-99).]

[Manoj Mahtani]

What about AC-3 output. I have the Creative Encore DVD decoder as well. I will be removing that when I get my G400 Max.

But then how will get AC-3 output. I have the SB LIve and a digital I/O card. Can I connect my Desktop Theatre 5.1 speaker system to my Digital I/O Card and get AC-3 output from the DVD Software that is bundled with the G400.

Regards,
Manoj Mahtani

[VonKruel]

The DVD playback on my MAX is just *great*. I have no plans to buy a hardware decoder. The only caveat is that you need a decently fast CPU (e.g. >= PII 350 or 400).

I don't know what the advantage of a hardware decoder really offers. Sure it's lower CPU utilization but when you're watching a DVD you probably don't need to play a game at the same time... or do you? ;-)

Anyway I really love this card.

------------------
"Anyone who is truly interested in self-improvement should not rule out becoming pure energy." -- unknown

[Elie]

I went to Comdex Canada and the Hitachi booth were demoing the Millenium G400 on a 60" projection Hitachi TV and all I can say is WOW

I have the Marvel G200 with the add-on card and the G400 looked better by far

Regards,
Elie

[Kruzin]

No, I'm also reffering to DVD playback on my 31" TV. I have the Dualhead wired to my VCR with an RCA cable. There is also an S-vid connector on the Y that comes with the cards.

You're gonna have to make the call yourself when you see it. But I have no intention of putting my Dxr2 back in

[Fleabus]

Kruzin (or anyone else)

See my sig. I'm planning a Max and a Pioneer DVD-103s. My Dxr2 and G200 are connected now by S-video Out to a 33" Panasonic 2 tuner GAOO TV and the results are terrific.
Would the TV Out on the Max likely be good enough to allow me to drop the Dxr2?
In your reply above you seem to be referring to just the monitor results.

TIA,


------------------
P2-450;256MB PC100;Asus P2B;16MB G200 Mystique 5.13,2.3; 12MB CL Voodoo2;CL SB Live Full(LW2.1); ViewSonic 17PS; 10GB Maxtor 7200RPM UDMA2;3.2GB Quantum FB ST UDMA2;CL 2X Encore;USR 5686 External Sportster V.90;Win98;DX6.1;IE5a etc.

[Trav]

Hey Kruzin.

Do you get macrovision problems when playing DVDs if the second output on your g400 is plugged into your VCR?
I've got a DXR3 and it just doesn't happen.
Hopefully the new version of remote selector will crack that B*****d macrovision.

Cheers.

Trav

[Kruzin]

Define "problem". I can play a DVD through my VCR no problem. I cannot record it though...which is the point of macrovision, so that's not really a "problem".

[TheMorg]

Manoj:

If you check out Creative's <a href="www.sblive.com">SB Live!</a> web site, you'll see in the FAQ section that AC3 output through the digitial I/O board will be a feature of LiveWare in a future release. Until then, you'd have to live without it.

I'm in the same boat, mate. Except that I don't have a dxr2 as an alternative.

[TheMorg]

Sorry, the link screwed up... it's www.sblive.com

[Trav]

Hi Kruzin,

Okay, when I play DVDs thorough my VCR from the DXR3, the screen just flshes up for a couple of seconds then dissapears again.
If however I plug the DXR3 straight into my TV via the scart socket, it works no problem.
I've been told that it's because macrovision simply confuses the AGC in the VCR weather you're recording or just playing through it.
Maybe my VCR is just tempremental, maybe it's a "feature" of the DXR3.

I realize this is how macrovision is supposed to work, it's just a pain at the moment as I have to unplug the VCR when I want to watch DVDs on the TV.


Trav

[This message has been edited by Trav (edited 07-19-99).]

[Kruzin]

I think that's a picky VCR...dunno though, I never tried a Dxr3...just a Dxr2. I never had that problem with it, the G400, or the ATI Rage Fury! I tried out a while back...

[Trav]

Thanks Kruzin.

Think I'll see if I can borrow another vcr to try out.

Just for Info, If you have a DXR2, there is a piece of software available at http://www.visualdomain.net/ which cracks macrovision as well as the region codes.
There is a version for the DXR3 but only cracks the region code at the moment.

Trav