Simplifi Digital AV Expander Review

re: Simplifi Digital AV Expander Review

James Gardner — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 21:10:02 GMT

I have a AVer MEDIA AVer TV USB MCE "unit" attatched through a USB cable, i have attatched my ps2 with a component (YPbPr) cable, however it is not showing up in media center, or in other programs in media center. Please can you help me

re: Simplifi Digital AV Expander Review

chrisl — Sat, 08 Jul 2006 21:09:30 GMT

Seams - All you do to get back to Media Center is press the Green Button. Switching inputs is basically the same. It all works just like any other Media Center plug-in.

David - Yes, only 1 component can be hooked up with S-Video. The other must use Composite.

re: Simplifi Digital AV Expander Review

David — Tue, 04 Jul 2006 17:19:38 GMT

I only see one S-Video. Am I correct that only 1 S-Video can be hooked up?

re: Simplifi Digital AV Expander Review

Seams — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 17:11:56 GMT

Can you expand on how you switch back and forth between an analog component and MCE? How hard is it to get back to MCE from an outside source?

PurePVR » Simplifi Digital AV Expander review at Chris Lanier???s Blog - The PVR & DVR enthusiast site

Sun, 25 Jun 2006 21:00:46 GMT

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re: Simplifi Digital AV Expander Review

sfiorito — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 17:11:17 GMT

I really want an HD input switcher. I've got my XBOX360 hooked up to my Dell 24" and the digital audio hooked up to my soundcard. It would be great if I could switch over to the XBOX directly from MCE rather than switching video inputs on the monitor.

re: Simplifi Digital AV Expander Review

chrisl — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 15:23:44 GMT

It's just for playback, you can't record within Media Center. However, I'll have to check if it works in something like Movie Maker. It's got a Conexant CX23881 on it, so it might work. I'll try that and let everyone know.

re: Simplifi Digital AV Expander Review

Roger Wicks — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 10:21:30 GMT

Hi,

This is for only playback of external sources, can you record?

re: Simplifi Digital AV Expander Review

Bryan Socha — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 00:05:10 GMT

I think this might be a great solution to integrate older changers. But with chris's review on quality I'm wondering how good it will look or if the quality was more related to his video setup. As soon as I can get over to pci-e tuners for atsc, I plan to add one of these for an old vcr and I'll comment then on my quality experience.

I do wish they followed the nvdual lead on how to get everything into 1 backplate using 8mm jacks. Theres even a/v jacks that size like camcorders use. Then it wouldn't take 2 slots. Then again, it would also be killer if that 2 input was in the front and not the back of the case and in that instance, the header is nice :)

re: Simplifi Digital AV Expander Review

chrisl — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 21:55:59 GMT

It launches an external program when you select the input throught the AV Expander app. There is supposed to be a remote control (I'm assuming IR, but didn't have one to review) that allows direct switching of input that way. I can confirm IR or not if needed.

I didn't run a DVD Player through it, but this might be something to think about for your application.

Chris

re: Simplifi Digital AV Expander Review

Brian Binnerup — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 21:30:32 GMT

Chris - great review.

One question. Does this show up as an additional channel in MCE that you can tune to, or does is it a program you launch on top of Media Center to display the video feed?

I was wondering if I should recommend the usage of this card for Sony DVP-CX777ES changers in "My Movies", and add a feature in "My Movies" to switch to the input channel of the DVD changer when selecting a disc.

With plans of supporting other IR based stand-alone changers, it may make sense.

Regards,

Brian

re: Simplifi Digital AV Expander Review

chrisl — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 21:16:17 GMT

The 2-additional inputs are attached via a header on the card (See http://msmvps.com/photos/chrisl/images/102661/413x375.aspx).

I didn't take a picure of the card in the PC with the header attached (I didn't want to screw up the tuners in the PC)

It doesn't use an additional PCI slot on the motherboard, but you need a free spot in the back of your case. Thus, you need a free PCI slot so that you have the open spot in the back of your case.

re: Simplifi Digital AV Expander Review

Jason — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 20:49:10 GMT

So you mentioned that you need TWO free PCI slots to use 4 inputs - how does the additional input chip use the PCI slot? In your pictures of the back of the case, I never saw the additional input chip sticking out of the back - does is sit inside the case or something?