Need Help for Multimedia Video Controller?

Someone gave me a PCI video controller card labeled as:

NTSV/NTSC-J 48432 Rev 1110 Wintv

I am hoping it will enable me to record some video clips I have from
my old VHS tapes to DVD.

On my XP SP3 system, after boot with the card installed it is called a
Multimedia Video Controller in Device Manager - needing drivers to no
surprise.

Something called 'mcekit.exe' was provided by DriverAgent which
installs drivers for the card - apparently successfully, because
Device Manager is now happy. But no relative icons to execute
anything show on my system.

I want to use the card - but I can find no application/software on the
web to do that.

Help anyone?

Thanks

Big Fred

Frederick wrote:
Someone gave me a PCI video controller card labeled as:

NTSV/NTSC-J 48432 Rev 1110 Wintv

I am hoping it will enable me to record some video clips I have from
my old VHS tapes to DVD.

On my XP SP3 system, after boot with the card installed it is called a
Multimedia Video Controller in Device Manager - needing drivers to no
surprise.

Something called 'mcekit.exe' was provided by DriverAgent which
installs drivers for the card - apparently successfully, because
Device Manager is now happy. But no relative icons to execute
anything show on my system.

I want to use the card - but I can find no application/software on the
web to do that.

Help anyone?

Thanks

Big Fred

http://www.shspvr.com/smf/index.php?topic=3973.0

"I have a Gateway MCE that has been upgraded to XP MCE 2004.
I have the 48432 Freestyle OEM PVR-250. On the card there
is a big sticker that says NTSC / NTSC-J."

It sounds like it is the equivalent of a PVR-250.

mcekit is a way of saying, I guess, that it would work with
a version of Windows with MCE. If you don't have the MCE version
of Windows, then mcekit might not do you much good.

If I go here, I find...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hauppauge_Computer_Works

PVR-250 Various PCI SAA7115 1x SAA7115 Composite In S-Video In
1x ivac15

PVR-250 Various PCI SAA7115 1x SAA7115 Composite In S-Video In
1x CX23416

So, yes, you can record from a VCR via the baseband output. You'd
run either a 75 ohm composite cable, or an S-Video cable with four
pin Mini-DIN.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Xy1ZADlyL.jpg

Your journey starts with review comments from other owners.
They'll identify possible software solutions. If the card
is an OEM (is actually the Freestyle one), it's possible
the Hauppauge software won't work. They mention Beyond TV 4.0.

http://www.amazon.com/Hauppauge-WinT...DateDescending

There is a trial version of Beyond TV here, for your testing.
It is commercial software as far as I know.

http://www.snapstream.com/download/beyondtv/

The thing is, some chipsets are easier to find free solutions
for than others.

MythTV may sound perfectly free, but the setup isn't always that
easy, and it isn't intended for "simple recording" from a VCR.
I've had it working, and did manage to make real-time
recordings, but without a firm understanding of what was happening.
(The MythTV software thought I was "viewing" the incoming content,
but it was also writing the recording to disk. Grabbing the disk
file and bringing it over to my Windows box, installing a special
CODEC for it, and I could view the recording later.)

MythTV has the notion of "front end" and "back end" elements, where
one part of the software does recordings, and another part plays
back stuff. It uses an annoying "on-screen menu" concept for doing
so. What happened to me the last time, is the software tells me
"you have no tuners", and I was unable to convince the stupid
thing that yes, there was a tuner in the box. So I had to chuck
my MythTV setup. I got it working another time, about two years
about that, complaining about the same error. Why the stupid
software can't discover the hardware properly, on its own, is a
big question mark. It requires entirely too much coaxing. I
couldn't remember what recipe was required to get the tuner
recognized.

My current tuner is BT878 based, and thank goodness for DScaler.
Not all TV software works with all chips, and DScaler works
great with BT848/BT878 designs. Your card is more fancy than
mine (possibly doing compressed output, to save disk space),
but on the other hand, my chip has more software for it. For
example, I've even plugged my BT878 based card into a Macintosh,
and used some software a Mac user wrote. So my card has been on
many adventures. There *is* software for your PVC-250 look-alike,
but it'll be a full time job tracking it down and testing it.

You may have purchased that card for not much money off Ebay,
but now you're going to need to invest two weeks of time
testing and installing possible software solutions. Now
the card isn't so cheap any more.

If you look on Newegg, in the tuner card section, an enduring
theme is "software issues". The hardware hardly matters
at all, and the software makes or breaks a product. If
nobody can get the software to work, that's why the cards
end up on Ebay.

Paul

On Wed, 29 Jun 2011 08:51:06 -0400, Paul wrote:


http://www.shspvr.com/smf/index.php?topic=3973.0

"I have a Gateway MCE that has been upgraded to XP MCE 2004.
I have the 48432 Freestyle OEM PVR-250. On the card there
is a big sticker that says NTSC / NTSC-J."

It sounds like it is the equivalent of a PVR-250.

mcekit is a way of saying, I guess, that it would work with
a version of Windows with MCE. If you don't have the MCE version
of Windows, then mcekit might not do you much good.

If I go here, I find...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hauppauge_Computer_Works

PVR-250 Various PCI SAA7115 1x SAA7115 Composite In S-Video In
1x ivac15

PVR-250 Various PCI SAA7115 1x SAA7115 Composite In S-Video In
1x CX23416

So, yes, you can record from a VCR via the baseband output. You'd
run either a 75 ohm composite cable, or an S-Video cable with four
pin Mini-DIN.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Xy1ZADlyL.jpg

Your journey starts with review comments from other owners.
They'll identify possible software solutions. If the card
is an OEM (is actually the Freestyle one), it's possible
the Hauppauge software won't work. They mention Beyond TV 4.0.

http://www.amazon.com/Hauppauge-WinT...DateDescending

There is a trial version of Beyond TV here, for your testing.
It is commercial software as far as I know.

http://www.snapstream.com/download/beyondtv/

The thing is, some chipsets are easier to find free solutions
for than others.

MythTV may sound perfectly free, but the setup isn't always that
easy, and it isn't intended for "simple recording" from a VCR.
I've had it working, and did manage to make real-time
recordings, but without a firm understanding of what was happening.
(The MythTV software thought I was "viewing" the incoming content,
but it was also writing the recording to disk. Grabbing the disk
file and bringing it over to my Windows box, installing a special
CODEC for it, and I could view the recording later.)

MythTV has the notion of "front end" and "back end" elements, where
one part of the software does recordings, and another part plays
back stuff. It uses an annoying "on-screen menu" concept for doing
so. What happened to me the last time, is the software tells me
"you have no tuners", and I was unable to convince the stupid
thing that yes, there was a tuner in the box. So I had to chuck
my MythTV setup. I got it working another time, about two years
about that, complaining about the same error. Why the stupid
software can't discover the hardware properly, on its own, is a
big question mark. It requires entirely too much coaxing. I
couldn't remember what recipe was required to get the tuner
recognized.

My current tuner is BT878 based, and thank goodness for DScaler.
Not all TV software works with all chips, and DScaler works
great with BT848/BT878 designs. Your card is more fancy than
mine (possibly doing compressed output, to save disk space),
but on the other hand, my chip has more software for it. For
example, I've even plugged my BT878 based card into a Macintosh,
and used some software a Mac user wrote. So my card has been on
many adventures. There *is* software for your PVC-250 look-alike,
but it'll be a full time job tracking it down and testing it.

You may have purchased that card for not much money off Ebay,
but now you're going to need to invest two weeks of time
testing and installing possible software solutions. Now
the card isn't so cheap any more.

If you look on Newegg, in the tuner card section, an enduring
theme is "software issues". The hardware hardly matters
at all, and the software makes or breaks a product. If
nobody can get the software to work, that's why the cards
end up on Ebay.

Paul


Thanks Paul. Once again, I can depend on you for help. I will have
to digest all of what you say. There is a lot. My driver retrieval
from DriverAgent also downloaded a folder called MCE_soft_encoder
containing SoftMCE_Setup.EXE, but it failed, saying it did not fit my
hardware or the drivers were wrong.

Big Fred

On Wed, 29 Jun 2011 08:51:06 -0400, Paul wrote:

http://www.shspvr.com/smf/index.php?topic=3973.0

"I have a Gateway MCE that has been upgraded to XP MCE 2004.
I have the 48432 Freestyle OEM PVR-250. On the card there
is a big sticker that says NTSC / NTSC-J."

It sounds like it is the equivalent of a PVR-250.

mcekit is a way of saying, I guess, that it would work with
a version of Windows with MCE. If you don't have the MCE version
of Windows, then mcekit might not do you much good.

If I go here, I find...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hauppauge_Computer_Works

PVR-250 Various PCI SAA7115 1x SAA7115 Composite In S-Video In
1x ivac15

PVR-250 Various PCI SAA7115 1x SAA7115 Composite In S-Video In
1x CX23416

So, yes, you can record from a VCR via the baseband output. You'd
run either a 75 ohm composite cable, or an S-Video cable with four
pin Mini-DIN.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Xy1ZADlyL.jpg

Your journey starts with review comments from other owners.
They'll identify possible software solutions. If the card
is an OEM (is actually the Freestyle one), it's possible
the Hauppauge software won't work. They mention Beyond TV 4.0.

http://www.amazon.com/Hauppauge-WinT...DateDescending

There is a trial version of Beyond TV here, for your testing.
It is commercial software as far as I know.

http://www.snapstream.com/download/beyondtv/

The thing is, some chipsets are easier to find free solutions
for than others.

MythTV may sound perfectly free, but the setup isn't always that
easy, and it isn't intended for "simple recording" from a VCR.
I've had it working, and did manage to make real-time
recordings, but without a firm understanding of what was happening.
(The MythTV software thought I was "viewing" the incoming content,
but it was also writing the recording to disk. Grabbing the disk
file and bringing it over to my Windows box, installing a special
CODEC for it, and I could view the recording later.)

MythTV has the notion of "front end" and "back end" elements, where
one part of the software does recordings, and another part plays
back stuff. It uses an annoying "on-screen menu" concept for doing
so. What happened to me the last time, is the software tells me
"you have no tuners", and I was unable to convince the stupid
thing that yes, there was a tuner in the box. So I had to chuck
my MythTV setup. I got it working another time, about two years
about that, complaining about the same error. Why the stupid
software can't discover the hardware properly, on its own, is a
big question mark. It requires entirely too much coaxing. I
couldn't remember what recipe was required to get the tuner
recognized.

My current tuner is BT878 based, and thank goodness for DScaler.
Not all TV software works with all chips, and DScaler works
great with BT848/BT878 designs. Your card is more fancy than
mine (possibly doing compressed output, to save disk space),
but on the other hand, my chip has more software for it. For
example, I've even plugged my BT878 based card into a Macintosh,
and used some software a Mac user wrote. So my card has been on
many adventures. There *is* software for your PVC-250 look-alike,
but it'll be a full time job tracking it down and testing it.

You may have purchased that card for not much money off Ebay,
but now you're going to need to invest two weeks of time
testing and installing possible software solutions. Now
the card isn't so cheap any more.

If you look on Newegg, in the tuner card section, an enduring
theme is "software issues". The hardware hardly matters
at all, and the software makes or breaks a product. If
nobody can get the software to work, that's why the cards
end up on Ebay.

Paul


Wow - I had no idea the process was such a gray area. Actually the
board came from a now defunct Media XP machine. It cost me nothing.
There was a time when I thought to try the process because I had some
old VHS tapes worth converting. But I postponed the attempt. When I
saw this PCI card, I thought just maybe I could now do it.

I am going to take a quick look at the current state of the art for
this process just to see if I should try it another way. But this PCI
card is headed for the dump. My wife currently has a medical
situation that requires my 24/7 support anyway, so I really can't
devote a lot of time to get the process to work. Old age is
wunnerful. 'Nuff said. My problem, huh?

Thanks again

Big Fred

Frederick wrote:

Wow - I had no idea the process was such a gray area. Actually the
board came from a now defunct Media XP machine. It cost me nothing.
There was a time when I thought to try the process because I had some
old VHS tapes worth converting. But I postponed the attempt. When I
saw this PCI card, I thought just maybe I could now do it.

I am going to take a quick look at the current state of the art for
this process just to see if I should try it another way. But this PCI
card is headed for the dump. My wife currently has a medical
situation that requires my 24/7 support anyway, so I really can't
devote a lot of time to get the process to work. Old age is
wunnerful. 'Nuff said. My problem, huh?

Thanks again

Big Fred

I didn't want to spoil your fun. I just see a lot
of video capture products that are let down by the software.
The hardware is just fine and is capable.

MCE for Windows did not help matters. It meant some capture
devices only had MCE software written for them, and no
"conventional" software. There are some third-party PVR
applications that can address some of the cards.

It means the cards are a "patchwork quilt". Some will
work without too much problem. Others require a lot
of effort.

Another way to do this, would be to visit the Newegg
page, look in the video section for capture devices,
sort the products by rating, then find the cheapest
one with a good rating. That might be the quickest
way to get the function you need. If the customer
reviews indicate it works, you're done.

In terms of spending time, you could download MythBuntu,
and you don't have to sit in front of the computer while
that is going on. Burn a CD with the software. Boot
the computer, and there is some chance your 250-lookalike
could work. It might not take much time, to be sitting
in front of the software. But I won't be able to help
you if it says "no tuner found", because the last
time I tried it, I couldn't figure it out.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...rol_Centre.png

The download page for the CD is here. i386 is 32 bit software,
suitable for Pentium 4 or older. AMD64 is 64 bit software
for Intel or AMD 64 bit processors (stuff a bit more
modern than the Pentium 4 roughly).

http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/mythbuntu/...11.04/release/

mythbuntu-11.04-desktop-i386.iso 645MB (32 bit OS)
mythbuntu-11.04-desktop-amd64.iso 698MB (64 bit OS)

There isn't much incentive to get the 64 bit OS, so just
use the 32 bit one. You might have better luck with that.
You'll need a broadband connection for download, as
dialup would take too long.

Just for fun, I'm downloading the i386 one now (as I'm
going back down the basement to work on a project and
won't be watching the download). Should be interesting
to see if the latest version can "find my tuner" :-)

Paul

On Wed, 29 Jun 2011 07:59:48 -0400, Frederick
wrote:

Someone gave me a PCI video controller card labeled as:

NTSV/NTSC-J 48432 Rev 1110 Wintv

I am hoping it will enable me to record some video clips I have from
my old VHS tapes to DVD.

On my XP SP3 system, after boot with the card installed it is called a
Multimedia Video Controller in Device Manager - needing drivers to no
surprise.

Something called 'mcekit.exe' was provided by DriverAgent which
installs drivers for the card - apparently successfully, because
Device Manager is now happy. But no relative icons to execute
anything show on my system.

I want to use the card - but I can find no application/software on the
web to do that.

Help anyone?

Thanks

Big Fred

I can't give a technical response like Pauls but have a suggestion.

When I used devices to input video from an anologue source, eg VHS or
older style videocam, I often had success with the hardware being
"seen" by Windows but could only be used with certain software.

I recall a programme called Videowave "seeing" the device and allowing
me to record but other software (unable to remember which) could not
find the input device.

To do what you are planning will probably be well served by using one
of the USB devices which are very cheap and will probably come with
software allowing capture of your old video.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Audio-Video-.../dp/B002H3BSCM

when I converted all my old films, a few years ago, an input
video/audio device was costing near the £100 mark.

km

I didn't want to spoil your fun. I just see a lot
of video capture products that are let down by the software.
The hardware is just fine and is capable.

MCE for Windows did not help matters. It meant some capture
devices only had MCE software written for them, and no
"conventional" software. There are some third-party PVR
applications that can address some of the cards.

It means the cards are a "patchwork quilt". Some will
work without too much problem. Others require a lot
of effort.

Another way to do this, would be to visit the Newegg
page, look in the video section for capture devices,
sort the products by rating, then find the cheapest
one with a good rating. That might be the quickest
way to get the function you need. If the customer
reviews indicate it works, you're done.

In terms of spending time, you could download MythBuntu,
and you don't have to sit in front of the computer while
that is going on. Burn a CD with the software. Boot
the computer, and there is some chance your 250-lookalike
could work. It might not take much time, to be sitting
in front of the software. But I won't be able to help
you if it says "no tuner found", because the last
time I tried it, I couldn't figure it out.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...rol_Centre.png

The download page for the CD is here. i386 is 32 bit software,
suitable for Pentium 4 or older. AMD64 is 64 bit software
for Intel or AMD 64 bit processors (stuff a bit more
modern than the Pentium 4 roughly).

http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/mythbuntu/...11.04/release/

mythbuntu-11.04-desktop-i386.iso 645MB (32 bit OS)
mythbuntu-11.04-desktop-amd64.iso 698MB (64 bit OS)

There isn't much incentive to get the 64 bit OS, so just
use the 32 bit one. You might have better luck with that.
You'll need a broadband connection for download, as
dialup would take too long.

Just for fun, I'm downloading the i386 one now (as I'm
going back down the basement to work on a project and
won't be watching the download). Should be interesting
to see if the latest version can "find my tuner" :-)

Paul


Thanks

I have downloaded mythbuntu and xubuntu (both versions). Have to burn
the disks now. Can I safely boot and use xubuntu without hurting XP
now loaded on my hdd? I have done a backup this AM.

Big Fred

On Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:58:39 -0400, Paul wrote:

In terms of spending time, you could download MythBuntu,
and you don't have to sit in front of the computer while
that is going on. Burn a CD with the software. Boot
the computer, and there is some chance your 250-lookalike
could work. It might not take much time, to be sitting
in front of the software. But I won't be able to help
you if it says "no tuner found", because the last
time I tried it, I couldn't figure it out.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...rol_Centre.png

The download page for the CD is here. i386 is 32 bit software,
suitable for Pentium 4 or older. AMD64 is 64 bit software
for Intel or AMD 64 bit processors (stuff a bit more
modern than the Pentium 4 roughly).

http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/mythbuntu/...11.04/release/

mythbuntu-11.04-desktop-i386.iso 645MB (32 bit OS)
mythbuntu-11.04-desktop-amd64.iso 698MB (64 bit OS)

There isn't much incentive to get the 64 bit OS, so just
use the 32 bit one. You might have better luck with that.
You'll need a broadband connection for download, as
dialup would take too long.

Just for fun, I'm downloading the i386 one now (as I'm
going back down the basement to work on a project and
won't be watching the download). Should be interesting
to see if the latest version can "find my tuner" :-)

Paul


Well Paul, When I tried Mythbuntu I was stopped cold twice. First
when I tried to use it under Ubuntu, it required a password. When I
tried to boot from its cd I made, it required a 'back end' serial.

I have neither.

Now what?

Thanks

Big Fred

On Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:58:39 -0400, Paul wrote:

In terms of spending time, you could download MythBuntu,
and you don't have to sit in front of the computer while
that is going on. Burn a CD with the software. Boot
the computer, and there is some chance your 250-lookalike
could work. It might not take much time, to be sitting
in front of the software. But I won't be able to help
you if it says "no tuner found", because the last
time I tried it, I couldn't figure it out.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...rol_Centre.png

The download page for the CD is here. i386 is 32 bit software,
suitable for Pentium 4 or older. AMD64 is 64 bit software
for Intel or AMD 64 bit processors (stuff a bit more
modern than the Pentium 4 roughly).

http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/mythbuntu/...11.04/release/

mythbuntu-11.04-desktop-i386.iso 645MB (32 bit OS)
mythbuntu-11.04-desktop-amd64.iso 698MB (64 bit OS)

There isn't much incentive to get the 64 bit OS, so just
use the 32 bit one. You might have better luck with that.
You'll need a broadband connection for download, as
dialup would take too long.

Just for fun, I'm downloading the i386 one now (as I'm
going back down the basement to work on a project and
won't be watching the download). Should be interesting
to see if the latest version can "find my tuner" :-)

Paul


Well Paul, When I tried Mythbuntu I was stopped cold twice. First
when I tried to use it under Ubuntu, it required a password. When I
tried to boot from its cd I made, it required a 'database login
credential' and/or a 'security key'. (I said something else a minute
ago-sorry)

I have neither.

Now what?

Thanks

Big Fred

Frederick wrote:
I didn't want to spoil your fun. I just see a lot
of video capture products that are let down by the software.
The hardware is just fine and is capable.

MCE for Windows did not help matters. It meant some capture
devices only had MCE software written for them, and no
"conventional" software. There are some third-party PVR
applications that can address some of the cards.

It means the cards are a "patchwork quilt". Some will
work without too much problem. Others require a lot
of effort.

Another way to do this, would be to visit the Newegg
page, look in the video section for capture devices,
sort the products by rating, then find the cheapest
one with a good rating. That might be the quickest
way to get the function you need. If the customer
reviews indicate it works, you're done.

In terms of spending time, you could download MythBuntu,
and you don't have to sit in front of the computer while
that is going on. Burn a CD with the software. Boot
the computer, and there is some chance your 250-lookalike
could work. It might not take much time, to be sitting
in front of the software. But I won't be able to help
you if it says "no tuner found", because the last
time I tried it, I couldn't figure it out.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...rol_Centre.png

The download page for the CD is here. i386 is 32 bit software,
suitable for Pentium 4 or older. AMD64 is 64 bit software
for Intel or AMD 64 bit processors (stuff a bit more
modern than the Pentium 4 roughly).

http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/mythbuntu/...11.04/release/

mythbuntu-11.04-desktop-i386.iso 645MB (32 bit OS)
mythbuntu-11.04-desktop-amd64.iso 698MB (64 bit OS)

There isn't much incentive to get the 64 bit OS, so just
use the 32 bit one. You might have better luck with that.
You'll need a broadband connection for download, as
dialup would take too long.

Just for fun, I'm downloading the i386 one now (as I'm
going back down the basement to work on a project and
won't be watching the download). Should be interesting
to see if the latest version can "find my tuner" :-)

Paul


Thanks

I have downloaded mythbuntu and xubuntu (both versions). Have to burn
the disks now. Can I safely boot and use xubuntu without hurting XP
now loaded on my hdd? I have done a backup this AM.

Big Fred

Well, I had a look at the latest Mythbuntu... and nothing
has changed.

It looks like you might still have to install it on a disk
drive, to be able to use the back end. When I tried to set up
the back end, it told me the database wasn't running. And there
were no instructions of note, to help me.

As for booting those discs, yes, they're safe to boot on a Windows
machine. They're not safe to *install*, while the Windows disk is
connected. For safety, I use separate disks for Linux test
installs. A couple years ago, I had a Linux installer overwrite the
MBR on my Windows disk ( *not* the same disk I was doing the Linux
install on). So the Linux installer can choose to write the MBR
of *any* running disk. As a matter of fact, even if you enter
the BIOS of the computer, and disable all disks except the
target Linux disk, Linux is stupid enough to turn all
the disks on again :-( That means, you can't use the BIOS
as a means to prevent Linux from damaging disks.

For me, that means unplugging the data cable on my
regular Windows SATA drives, before doing anything with
Linux installs. Once installed, then it is safe to plug
all the disks in again. (It's not likely an update-grub
will overwrite the MBR.) And is one of the reasons I do
few test installs, as it's wearing out my connectors...
SATA connectors are only guaranteed for around 50 insertions,
for the internal red colored cables. ESATA, on the other hand,
is rated for 5000 insertions. So I guess all my disks
should be external, to be doing this.

So if you want to try Mythbuntu, it still looks like a
PITA. I had it running once, and it did make good looking
output, but haven't run it since. Since I have a limited
set of "scratch disks", I can't keep every install I ever
do. I just overwrite them and move on.

Maybe the path of least resistance, is to use that trial
version of Windows software I linked to in a previous post.
Maybe that will work, without "hair loss".

Paul