Help with homemade DVR

[Lithan]

Just finished upgrading my rig to include dvr functions, but everything I record has a thin line of static on the top (It appears to be only one line). Anyone know what's causing this? Could it just be that the coax that runs from the cable splitter to my comp is getting old?

[Ugly n Grey]

what kind of input do you have Lithan? Standard analog cable? A standard 10 or 15 dba booster might improve signal quality if you have a few splitters along the way.

[Mr. Tinker]

That sounds more like a line signal problem rather than a computer equipment problem. I could very well be wrong. I'm familiar with the phenomenon. Usually, that line is never seen because of safe zones on SD NTSC TV's.

[carmelo]

That sounds more like a line signal problem rather than a computer equipment problem. I could very well be wrong. I'm familiar with the phenomenon. Usually, that line is never seen because of safe zones on SD NTSC TV's.

You'll notice alot of things that a TV will not pick up, your DVR will pick it up. For example ... if you do have splitters along the way you must maintain a fairly good signal strength to even get an image to display at all with some cards. With my ATi Tv tuner if I split my already poor connection my card just displays gargbage, but my TV will show it just fine. If you can crop your image with your software I would remove the top line. TVs normally don't show "all" of the screen, PVR software does. So your best bet would be to use software that allows you to overscan the image and stuff. I use CTpvr, im close with the developer and hes really good on handling peoples personal issues with the software as well. you should check it out http://www.ctpvr.com (www.ctpvr.com) . Good software will always make a huge difference on how your DVR / PVR will perform.

[KILLorBE]

From what I've read it has something to do with the teletext signal, and there's nothing you can do about it other than cropping, use a TV or different software to watch your recordings (WinTV is supposed to work).

I don't think using different software is a good solution, I'm using a PVR 150MCE and have no problem whatsoever (Except bad reception).

I've also read that some people think it might have to do with the cable provider and the way they process signals, I can't confirm that and I find it hard to believe as it (most likely) should be an issue for all those that use satellite.

You don't happen to use a PVR 350 do you?

A little more info about your system might be useful:
OS
TV/Capture card
Recording/Playback Software

[Lithan]

Thank you all for your help.

Analog cable From Comcast in eastern PA: I Might be on the second splitter, but I think this line is hooked up to the first (I think I have a 3 way with internet line, my tv and connection to a 2 way that goes to the two downstairs televisions.)
Win2k
PVR500
GBPVR/Zap2it (I must say, both are just great so far. I've been warned that gbpvr is light on features, but it looks like it does everything I need)
Windows media player just barely shows it, VLC player makes it very noticable
Yeah, I have come to the conclusion that it's probably just line 21 (close captioning info normally hidden by the edge of the tv box).
I'm thinking of getting a pvr150 for the remote and hardware playback and a third tuner if I'm ever in the desperate situation of needing to record three channels at once, why do you say that it has poor reception? Also, I don't want to lose my audigy (I'm on a dfi nf4 with 2 pci) so does anyone know of a good, cheap USB device with a remote, decoding (encoding isn't necessary), and maybe a nice little software package that ISNT mce only?