RitzDVB Forum

[herby]

About Budget Cards / Softmode

Budget Cards are DVB-Cards WITHOUT an integrated MPEG-Decoder and WITHOUT an integrated TV-Out.
Such Cards as: SS2(Skystar2),Nova,TT-Budget, Twinhan1020/1030, Pinacle PCTVSAT,...

These Cards needs a stronger machine then Premium-Cards, because Video and Audio is decoded via Software (Codecs).

Budget Cards generally run in "Softmode". "Soft-Mode" means that Video and Audio is made via DirectShow. Graph-Files decide which mpeg decoders (codecs must be installed on your machine) are used to broadcast Video and Audio on your machine.

Premium-Cards can be switched too in "Softmode". But you'll see OSD of course only on Desktop (not via the PremiumCards tv-out) - so simply connect tv to tv-out from grahic card instead Premium card

Handling of using Softmode is for both cards the same. This is why both cards are together in this threat.

[herby]

what are Graphs, and why they are not pre-installed?

As Post above say "a Graph is only a description File which codecs are to use to show Picture and Sound via Directshow"

This means that a Graph must have the installed codecs on your machine.
A graph file without the installed codecs is eg. like an excel-File without an installed Excel.
So don't ask me "Why does the included graphs always show me error that Directshow can't initialize". you have to understand that a graph file without the installed codecs on that machine do not work. this is why I allways recommend to build graphs yourself.

How to get a graph:
a.) The best way is to create these files exactly for your machine. This will bring the best results.
Check our FAQ how to build a graph: http://www.ritzdvb.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=475
b.) If you have an installed MyTheatre you also can try to copy the working xgr-files from MT\Graphs into folder RitzDVB\Graphs
c.) from version 0.9.1.6 some graphs are included in the setup.

P.S:
Important Note: Graphs from ProgDVB do NOT work with RitzDVB.

[herby]

OK, I got the xgr-graphs, and I have copied into folder RitzDVB\graphs. But what are codecs and how to install

Maybe some of the graphs do work at this time.

If you have a graph e.g named as "V-Cyberlink, A-InterVideo.xgr"
This means:
That Video needs the Cyberlink Codec (included in installation of PowerDVD)
And Audio needs the Intervideo Codec (included in installation of WinDVD)

If you have a graph e.g named as "V,A-Cyberlink.xgr"
This means:
That Video AND Audio needs the Cyberlink Codec (included in installation of PowerDVD)

and so on...

So, if you have WinDVD and PowerDVD installed on your machine, both graphs should work.
Otherwise install the missing DVD-Players.

[herby]

yep, got the graphs, got the codecs on my machine. But how to switch in SoftMode?

That's simple:
- Right click on TV-Panel
- Goto Menu "Video Mode" (all xgr-Graphs from folder ritzdvb\graphs are shown)
- Select a graph switching to Softmode

If you get a Directshow Error, needed Codecs for that graph are not installed on your machine (see post above)

If you got Picture and TV all codecs for that graph are installed

PS: After succesfull choosing a graph you'll have a second entrie In RightClick-Menu named "Codec Options"
There you can set saturation,brightness,color,.... of the codecs depending on used graph.

Please notice that complete Picture and sound in Softmode is fully created via Directshow depending on graph you use. Any Sound or Video problems are only related to graph or codecs. It's out of the hand of RitzDVB.
With simple words: Any Sound or Video problems you have in softmode the reason is to search in graph or installed codecs. Not by the author of RitzDVB.

[herby]

I heared that codecs can installed separatly without the DVD-Player Software. Why dont you include these codecs?

Codecs are under license !!!!

Just to let you know that using and providing of any CodecPacks out of the box of original Software whitout respecting their licenses is a illeagal fact.

So, the correct way is installing the required DVD-Player software.

[herby]

At least

Sorry for the long explanation. (1 short post maybe did it too).
But I hope I brought some light behind codecs and graphs. And how basicly works.

Only if you know the backgrounds you'll one day create your own graphs made especially for your machine.
Please take a look into our FAQ how to learn building Graphs. http://www.ritzdvb.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=475

A machine only with a few codecs installed you use, and only a few self made graphs work 1000 times better then installing tons of codecs and tons of different graphs from suspect places.
And believe me: A lot guys "killed" their machines with too much codecs installed with some "hyper-multi-codec-packs". And they will ever have problems now with graphs until point of fresh formating their machines - So, less codecs makes your hair silky, shiny and healthy

rgds