ATI Theater 550 Chip, Where's The Beef?

[satnav4]

The ATI Theater 550 chip boasts MMC support per the Sept. 2004 press release and its add promotion showing a screen shot of the program's user interface. I bought a Sapphire Theatrix 550 with the chip given the advertisement of MMC support; I use the program on my AIW 9800 Pro, and it works well. The Sapphire model had a manual that said it was supported by MMC 9.04. Apparently 9.04 was not released. Instead, ATI released MMC 9.06, which does not support the 550. According to comments in this thread, The New ATI Theater 550, at about pages 27-30, there will be no MMC support--EVER!

Why is this important? Because the Cyberlink software offered instead:

1) Does not allow fine bitrate control;
2) Does not allow vbr/cbr control;
3) Does not allow the saving of mpegs to non-system drives;
4) Does not allow filter control;
5) Does not have an EPG (Not the version bundled with the Sapphire).

To address this "bait and switch", several of us have asked ATI what it will do to correct the problem. We received an encouraging: "We will check into it and get back to you", but the trail has gone cold.

I have a Hauppauge 150 with WinTV 2000 software, which is so much better than the 550/Cyberlink bundle. The 150 is even better with the free GBPVR. ATI's 550 does not work (at least not yet) with GBPVR. No program I have tried runs the 550 particularly well.

We all hope ATI comes to its senses, and provides the software support promised so long ago. In the interim, I recommend you stay clear of the 550. If you read a review from anyone who says the Cyberlink software is good, either they have not used any other software, or they work for Cyberlink or ATI. If full GBPVR support arrives, the card might be worth another look.

S.

PS GBPVR support is now available given ATI's efforts.

[AIW_VID_FAN]

My last plea to ATI for MMC support (one of several)for the 550 got a VERY funny response.
I think ATI support must be a little bit frazzled at this point!!!
I even replied to them asking for permission to post there response HERE.
I got NO response from them, so here it is. THIS IS 100% ATI's RESPONSE.
I did Not edit it !. I guess ATI JUST DOES NOT CARE !

We have responded to your issue.
Solution: We appreciate your feedback. Unfortunately, at this time, there are plans for ATI MMC support for the TV Wonder Elite. The product has been licensed with Cyberlink to use their Power Cinema software. It's possible this may change in the future.
Ticket Information:
Ticket #
LOL

[hrlslcbr]

This could be added to the 'wish list':

-Make it possible to capture to raw avi, WITHOUT skipping the card's filters, and with the same colours the MPEG-2 encoded stream has (you can see a comparison of some captures here , and they DO look different)
-AC-3 encoding support (I don't care if it is software only; it was promised and I want it)

[wenis]

I won't be buying anything from ATI again after this mess. Unless they rectify the problem. They botched the HDTV Wonder too. Why don't they do things right or get out of the Capture/Tuner field.

[satnav4]

This could be added to the 'wish list':

-Make it possible to capture to raw avi, WITHOUT skipping the card's filters, and with the same colours the MPEG-2 encoded stream has (you can see a comparison of some captures here , and they DO look different)
-AC-3 encoding support (I don't care if it is software only; it was promised and I want it)

I would like to see ATI provide:

1) Fine bitrate control;
2) Vbr/cbr control;
3) Saving option to non-system drives;
4) Filter control;
5) EPG;
6) Sharpness control;
7) Record volume control
8) Dolby AC3 audio.

Of these, MMC for the AIW provides all but 6-8. If ATI will not provide this support through MMC, perhaps it should insist that Cyberlink add these features FREE to owners of the card. The idea that I can add a couple of these features by paying Cyberlink $30, is offensive. MMC would have most of these features if it was provided, and I would have to pay Cyberlink nothing.

S..

[satnav4]

I found an interesting quote in the capture card list on what to do with a 550 card:

"I'll probably give this to someone I don't like and buy a Hauppage". http://www.videohelp.com/capturecard...d=578#comments

That's probably a bit harsh, but it is continued evidence of disatisfaction with the software support.

S.

[Myrdhinn]

I can only imagine all the money ATi put in R&D, production, for this card only to "screw the pooch" and watch as inferior products walk all over it because the inferior products support what the users want while all we get is the "unpolished turd" known as PowerCinema.

[TB0ne]

Pax Vobiscum you 550 whiners.. still at it, i see!

I've been enjoying mine for over a month now! It runs a little hot, but produces brilliant picture and sound quality.

[satnav4]

Pax Vobiscum you 550 whiners.. still at it, i see!

I've been enjoying mine for over a month now! It runs a little hot, but produces brilliant picture and sound quality.

Using MCE or Cyberlink?

S.

[satnav4]

Further proof the Cyberlink software continues to hold this card back: http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/..._pro/page6.asp

S.

[MBush]

Pax Vobiscum you 550 whiners.. still at it, i see!

I've been enjoying mine for over a month now! It runs a little hot, but produces brilliant picture and sound quality.

What operating system are you running? I'm running XP Pro and would like to use the card to capture composite and s-video, but the video, both displayed and capture video appears sluggish like a slower frame rate than the 29.9 frames per second. Anyone else have this problem?

[satnav4]

What operating system are you running? I'm running XP Pro and would like to use the card to capture composite and s-video, but the video, both displayed and capture video appears sluggish like a slower frame rate than the 29.9 frames per second. Anyone else have this problem?

Mine seems a bit sluggish. but I attribute this to the Cyberlink software. I have edited the NTSC Default registry to change the recording rates to reduced values. I am sure this has not helped matters. The only people who claim satisfaction with this card are people with MCE, who apparently use just the most basic TV viewing functions.

S.

[MBush]

I don't have the Cyberlink software on my computer, as a matter of fact, the driver disk is the only software that came with the card. I've got a fresh install of XP SP2, so that reduce the odds off another program interfering. All I had available was MS Movie Maker that came with XP. Preview and captured video was sluggish and out of sync with the sound. I later downloaded Intervideo's WinDVD Creator 2 trial version and nothing changed. It's like the encoder is running slow.
I started this episode with the Theater 550 using Windows 2000 because the sales info said that it was compatible win2K/XP. When I received the card, win2k wasn't mentioned in the user's manual. Just happens that I have a Xp machine, but as you know, things aren't working correctly on XP either. I hate to go to MCE just to get this card to work. this drives the cost of the card up and still don't know if the card will ever reach it full functionility. Sure would like to see some positive moves soon on ATI's behalf. I'm think the card is going back.

[satnav4]

I don't have the Cyberlink software on my computer, as a matter of fact, the driver disk is the only software that came with the card. I've got a fresh install of XP SP2, so that reduce the odds off another program interfering. All I had available was MS Movie Maker that came with XP. Preview and captured video was sluggish and out of sync with the sound. I later downloaded Intervideo's WinDVD Creator 2 trial version and nothing changed. It's like the encoder is running slow.
I started this episode with the Theater 550 using Windows 2000 because the sales info said that it was compatible win2K/XP. When I received the card, win2k wasn't mentioned in the user's manual. Just happens that I have a Xp machine, but as you know, things aren't working correctly on XP either. I hate to go to MCE just to get this card to work. this drives the cost of the card up and still don't know if the card will ever reach it full functionility. Sure would like to see some positive moves soon on ATI's behalf. I'm think the card is going back.

First, I recommend you approach Sapphire and have them send you the Cyberlink CD. (I assume yours is Sapphire). I received 2 by accident. The second arrived in 2 days. While the software is wholly inadequate, it will give you some function of the card.

Second, sign up for a trial of Beyond TV and install the software. I think that program has some merit. Let the 21 day trial expire. You should receive an email offering the software for $50 (rather than $70). It is steep, but alot less expensive than MiCE at $140 for an OEM copy that cannot be moved to another computer. Also, with BTV, you can add a third tuner (for $20), an option you don't have with MiCE.

I had hope for GBPVR, but he can't get the program to work with audio--not much use there. It is still a great program if you have Hauppauge products.

If you return the 550, consider a Hauppauge 150. I have 2 that run great with GBPVR.

S.

[Cooper420]

I've got to admire everyone here who wonderfully criticizes ATI for "failing" to give a whole solution.

But consider the following.

-ATI has a card that is probably better than 90% of the cards out there.
-The Theater 550 Chip is one of the most advanced chips on the market
-ATI is in the hardware industry.

That said, yes ATI could support the card in their Media Player (I've never liked it)

But they chose to use the Cuberlink software, which really isnt too bad.
My "Beef" is that there is no customization, and I highly doubt the Cuberlink software even supports half the features that the Chip automatically does.

The Chip uses it's "default" settings, and I'll admit sometimes the picture seems overworked, as if the Chip is going overboard with all of these crazy features.

But guess what, almost no PVR software out there supports the card! And any software that does, doesnt let you tweak this cards settings.

So instead of sitting in a forum bitching and complaining... DO SOMETHING.

I own a computer store, and I own this card, It's awesome and the $100 CDN I spent on this thing was well worth it.

If you've got a problem, Call ATI and politely bring it up with them. If enough people ask about it (you have to mention you bought THEIR product or else they'll say it's not their problem) Then maybe something will get done.

Sending e-mails and posting in forums does nothing.

If anything you MUST call and talk to a person, be polite but ask tough questions.

I hope you've learned something from me ) Because this card is rock solid, and I can't wait for real software support... But I never relied on ATI, even tho they're an hour away from me and I know a guy who just started there after leaving RIM (the guys that make Blackberries, who just happen to be 100 meters behind my store)


Cheers

[satnav4]

So instead of sitting in a forum bitching and complaining... DO SOMETHING.

If you've got a problem, Call ATI and politely bring it up with them. If enough people ask about it (you have to mention you bought THEIR product or else they'll say it's not their problem) Then maybe something will get done.

Sending e-mails and posting in forums does nothing.

If anything you MUST call and talk to a person, be polite but ask tough questions.

Cooper

On the companion thread, we have just heard that ATI is about to address many of our concerns in further detail. http://forums.hexus.net/showthread.p...&page=73&pp=15
Unless Andrzej is just blowing smoke, posting IS doing some good. I am prepared to take him at his word.

Regarding the merits of phoning vs. posting, when I research a product before buying, I have no way of knowing what someone may have told you on the phone, but I will know what you have posted on the web. The people who are prepared to install a TV card in their computer are savy enough to do an internet search, and I bet all of them research before buying. I don't doubt the power of direct contact, but I would not dismiss the power of posting.

S.