Audio and Video stutter in BTV (1 Viewer)

[Steve Weeks]

I have been running BTV in my HTPC for 2 years now, and I have had an occasional stutter in audio mostly, occasionally in video as well. I am using an AIW video card, and I have a gig of RAM in the system. I know from this and the snapstream forums that the AIW card with its software encoding is not the preferred video card for HTPC use. I also am using generic RAM in the system.

The system is pretty much dedicated for HTPC use. I am wondering if I should be lookingat upgrading the video card/tuner, or the RAM. And if so, what are some budget pieces I can use? I would like to keep any upgrades under $200.

 

[Michael Harris]

I had the same problem with my AIW card. I replaced it with a Hauppauge 250 and my playback is smooth. The Hauppauge does most of the work on the card while the AIW relies on software for encoding and decoding, which taxes a system's resources. A Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 should do the trick for you and keep you below your $200.

 

[Steve Weeks]

I have looked at tew Hauppauge cards before. What are the differences in tew 150 and 250 cards? Do they have different performance, or just some different accessories?

 

[Michael Harris]

The 250 has a built-in FM tuner.

 

[Stephen Orr]

My 250 did not come with a built in FM tuner, but it is the most cherished part of my old dell quasi-HTPC...

 

[Michael Harris]

Actually neither did mine since I dont have the 250 but the 350, which does have an FM tuner. Must have been a senior moment.

My system can also be categorized as "quasi-HTPC" since I took the parts from a refurbished 1.4 Ghz Gateway and installed them in a better case with a new soundcard, video card, and tuner card. One day I'll build a proper HTPC. At least I have experience building a system.