[Jon_J]

[Solved] see post #2
EDIT: (Oct 9, 09) I'm pretty certain WatchHDTV is for ATSC only, (USA TV).

I've been using the 1.960 version on my XP desktop for a half year now.
It runs perfectly with my Hauppauge HVR-1600 TV card. for digital ATSC-TV. (USA)
I can watch full hi-def 1080i and 720p broadcasts.
The picture is fantastic on my desktop.
This application plays TV much better than the included Hauppauge one.
It also records to *.TS file format, and other formats.

I tried it on my Win-XP Dell mini-10, but the program crashes.
I've attached 2 versions. the v2.0 version is supposed to be for Vista.
I found this program over at avsforum.com
It is a free application.
If anyone with the Dell TV tuner wants to try this, let me know how it works for you.

Thank you,
Jon
EDIT: I'm not sure, but you may need both files to use in Vista.
I already had 9.60 installed and setup before I tried the v2.0 version

[Jon_J]

I got it going on my mini.
I forgot all the settings you need to set using watchHDTVinfo.exe (1rst pic)
I may need a better sound codec for my mini.
I'm using AC3Filter on my desktop.
[Edited:] Also you'll need to manually input channels in setup (2nd pic)
I need to tweak or get better video codecs/drivers as I get stuttering sound and video

[rrfranczak3]

I download this and tried to run it now I get the BSOD with an error on i81xdnt5.dll which is a library for intel graphics and never had it before and all I did was download this installed it and tried to run it and instant BSOD, I am afraid to load it on my Mini, this all happened on my desktop..

[Jon_J]

Originally Posted by rrfranczak3

I download this and tried to run it now I get the BSOD with an error on i81xdnt5.dll which is a library for intel graphics and never had it before and all I did was download this installed it and tried to run it and instant BSOD, I am afraid to load it on my Mini, this all happened on my desktop..

Sorry for the delay, I was replying and firefox crashed and then the power went out here.
This works only for ATSC Digital TV, "Antenna TV"
NOT cable (QAM) or sattellite (DVB)
In windows XP, you don't install WatchHDTV as in using a setup installer.
This is what I did.
I created a folder on my C:\ drive and unzipped all the files (from WatchHDTV1.960-(for-xp).zip) to that folder.
Next, you need to launch "WatchHDTVinfo.exe
This is where all the settings for your tuner card are made.
You need to do 4 things in this setup screen.
1. Look at top-left two boxes: "BDA Tuners:" and "BDA Capture:"
Select your tuner card in both of these boxes.
(you don't need to ctrl+select, just click both items)
Then click the box that says: "Create tuner.txt"
You're done here, go to 2.
2. bottom left corner of dialog contains these 2 boxes:
"MPEG-2 Video Decoders:" and "AC-3 Audio Decoders:"
I usually select the top one of each of these decoders.
Next click the button that says: "Create decoders.txt"
You're done here, go to 3.
3. top right, select "Install DVR-MS"
you're done here, goto 4.
4. bottom right, select "Install TS"
This should be under the box that says:
"WatchHDTV Transport Stream filters:"
We're done here, select [OK] - top right.

Next you'll need to manually setup your local channels.
Launch watchHDTV.exe, and it should take you to the channels tab upon first launch.
If it doesn't, from the GUI, click setup, and go to "channels" tab.
You need to input the "RF" number for your local digital channels.
If you don't know these numbers, go to tvfool.com and input your zip code.
This will give you a downloadable image file showing the information of broadcast stations close to you.
the RF number should be in the list next to your local afillate's "call" number. It's called "Real".
For settings and channels dialog pictures, go to second post and view them there. forum won't let me post them a second time.
One last edit: This does work in win-xp on my mini-10. second pic is local 1080i channel.
One more last edit, I promise this will be last edit.
WatchHDTV thread at avs. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...ight=watchhdtv

[BCCISProf]

Which version of Watch HDTV are you using? Its not clear from your instructions.

Thanks

[Jon_J]

I use WatchHDTV1.960, and the instructions above are for it.
I edited post #4 to include (WatchHDTV1.960-(for-xp).zip) in the instructions.
I use windows XP
WatchHDTV2.0Beta is for vista. I only tried this one on my desktop in XP, but is better suited for vista.

[BCCISProf]

Each time I run WatchHDTV it crashes with the message WatchHDTV MFC Application has encountered a problem and needs to close. Any ideas?

Apparently, choosing the wrong decoders causes it to crash. Initially I had chosen ARCSoft MPEG Video Decoder and ARCSoft MPEG Audio Decoder (since they were first on the list).

When I arbitrarily tried ARCSoft Video Decoder and Cyberlink Audio Decoder it works.

There are many other video and audio decoders listed. Does anyone have any idea as which would give the best performance?

[Jon_J]

I don't know which decoders would have the best performance on my mini 10.
Also I seem to get better picture performance using Dell TV instead of WatchHDTV.
I compared the response yesterday while hooked up to my rooftop antenna.
I wanted to rule out reception problems.

Below are the decoders I use on my mini 10, and my desktop PC:
================================================
On my mini 10, I have a choice of 3 video decoders that all work much the same.
I still get stuttering video/audio.
Cyberlink Video/SP Decoder
Cyberlink Video/SP Decoder (ShEX)
Cyberlink Video/SP Decoder (TVEnhance)
The fourth one doesn't work at all.
PCM Video/SP Decoder
------------------------
I have two audio decoders listed, only the following one works:
Cyberlink Audio Decoder
The following one does NOT work:
PCM Audio Decoder
================================================== ====

On my desktop PC running win XP, and using a Hauppauge HVR 1600 card, I am currently using these decoders:

Video Decoder:
InterVideo NonCSS Video Decoder for Hauppauge

Audio Decoder:
AC3Filter
================================================== ====

[Jon_J]

I Just installed AC3Filter and picture stuttering has stopped.
I installed "ac3filter_1_11.exe"
I'm even using the miniature Dell supplied antenna.
In my setup dialog, "watchHDTVinfo.exe" I have the following video/audio decoder selected:
Cyberlink Video/SP Decoder
AC3Filter
I see no stuttering at all today.
This may be because there are no 1080i programs on at the moment on Saturday morning,
but I had stuttering on SD channels previously. (704x480)
EDIT: By the way, I have no codec paks installed.
I have just the dell TV software installed and Dell drivers on a fresh windows XP installation.

[Impreza.STi]

Can't make WatchHDTV work on XP & 7, but found another one working: Speed TV Player (ver. 1.3.0.15). However, it's not a freeware, you can try it for 15 days.
It works fine on XP (with newest GMA driver) for me, haven't tried 7 yet. So far, it performs better than 7's Media Center, but the picture quality is poorer...