Which codec is recommended?

Spragleknas · 2006-08-02, 20:23

A buddy of mine thinks hte quality he gets using his HTPC is crap, compared to a DVD-player or "standard" TV-viewing.

He complaines about "the dark colors" not looking/moving smooth (don't ask - I really didn't understand

).

He is using MP (off course :wink

MPA/MPV codecs for both DVD and TV.

Which codecs do you recommend:
- PureVideo
- PowerDVD
- WinDVD
- Zoom Player
- Other?

Thanks!

Specs: AMD 3000+ (AM2), nForce430 w/6150 GPU, 1 GB DDR2 (667MHz), Hauppauge 150MCE. OS: WindowsMCE

surfermc · 2006-08-02, 21:22

Personally I like the PureVideo codecs the colours seem smoother, there is no tearng, there are no jagged edges and they appear to reduce the CPU load and hence the heat output and required cooling.

wishywashy · 2006-08-02, 23:23

I use the pure video codecs as well. For my setup they look the best.

Paranoid Delusion · 2006-08-03, 01:36

Okay

i'm playing with all the codec's at the moment, Cyberlink also look good and clear, do not know why but every so often the Nvidia ones get a bit cotton wool effect, but they do change, and there is a definate difference between them.
The problem arises when you have WinDVD, PowerDVD, Nero7.5 and the NVidia purevideo. and even with that there are different versions released.

Clear as MUD

Spragleknas · 2006-08-03, 08:32

Thanks for all yor replys!

Anybody else feel that playing a DVD through MediaPortal (or through a computer) makes the picture inerior to a "standard" DVD?

simmo · 2006-08-03, 10:56

I gotta say there is a noticable difference between my DVD player and MP. DVD player is way more inferior to MP and this is not a cheap crap unit either. Even my wife notices the difference. I can't remember the last time I used the DVD player mainly for this reason.

NorthernJohn · 2006-08-03, 11:45

I was suffering poor quality with the pc compared to a DVD player. Everything was basically a bit fuzzy round the edges. It turned out it was down to the way I had the graphics drivers "tuned".

I installed the latest drivers from ATi and just went through the wizard. There's a bit that asks whether you are using the pc for TV or for a monitor. I chose TV and everything went bright, crisp and clear. It set the resolution to 720x5?? (PAL) with overscan and sorted out the brightness and contrast. Much much brighter and clearer.

I was suffering from overscan on the gui but now that can be tweaked independantly of the video in 0.2 I have never looked back. The DVD player went on ebay. :lol:

I'm just using the MPA/MPV codecs btw. Anything else gives me Navigator issues.

jawbroken · 2006-08-03, 12:27

Has he tried calibrating his brightness, contrast, etc in the codec he is using? This is definitely necessary when you first setup any new monitor/TV from a computer connection.

charger2000 · 2006-08-03, 13:56

@Okay

what kind of connection is there from PC to TV set ? If you're using video composite (the single yellow cable) or even s-video (the one that looks like a PS/2 connector) there is no chance, the DVD player will look always better than your HTPC... You have to use a TV with good inputs, like Component, VGA or DVI/HDMI, then it'll look MUCH better than any DVD player

:wink:

deeps · 2006-08-03, 18:13

Where can i get the purevideo codecs?

Cheers

2006-08-02, 20:23	#1 (permalink)
Spragleknas Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rogaland Age: 32 Posts: 3,972 Thanks: 194 Thanked 106 Times in 86 Posts Country: My System	Which codec is recommended? A buddy of mine thinks hte quality he gets using his HTPC is crap, compared to a DVD-player or "standard" TV-viewing. He complaines about "the dark colors" not looking/moving smooth (don't ask - I really didn't understand ). He is using MP (off course :wink MPA/MPV codecs for both DVD and TV. Which codecs do you recommend: - PureVideo - PowerDVD - WinDVD - Zoom Player - Other? Thanks! Specs: AMD 3000+ (AM2), nForce430 w/6150 GPU, 1 GB DDR2 (667MHz), Hauppauge 150MCE. OS: WindowsMCE __________________ Please read -> HOW TO START A SUPPORT THREAD !!! Support MediaPortal! Donate by clicking HERE Dedicated HTPC board (Norway) -> MSPC.no My Christmas skin 2008 (widescreen)

2006-08-03, 01:36	#4 (permalink)
Paranoid Delusion Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cheshire UK Posts: 7,047 Thanks: 139 Thanked 257 Times in 228 Posts Country: My System	Okay i'm playing with all the codec's at the moment, Cyberlink also look good and clear, do not know why but every so often the Nvidia ones get a bit cotton wool effect, but they do change, and there is a definate difference between them. The problem arises when you have WinDVD, PowerDVD, Nero7.5 and the NVidia purevideo. and even with that there are different versions released. Clear as MUD __________________ Ray\PD Check your codecs are fine with Filmerit. Upload Logs\Pictures etc, use the "Go Advanced" and select the + feature to upload\attach files.

2006-08-03, 08:32	#5 (permalink)
Spragleknas Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rogaland Age: 32 Posts: 3,972 Thanks: 194 Thanked 106 Times in 86 Posts Country: My System	Thanks for all yor replys! Anybody else feel that playing a DVD through MediaPortal (or through a computer) makes the picture inerior to a "standard" DVD? __________________ Please read -> HOW TO START A SUPPORT THREAD !!! Support MediaPortal! Donate by clicking HERE Dedicated HTPC board (Norway) -> MSPC.no My Christmas skin 2008 (widescreen)

2006-08-03, 10:56	#6 (permalink)
simmo Portal Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 43 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	I gotta say there is a noticable difference between my DVD player and MP. DVD player is way more inferior to MP and this is not a cheap crap unit either. Even my wife notices the difference. I can't remember the last time I used the DVD player mainly for this reason. __________________ Simmo

2006-08-03, 11:45	#7 (permalink)
NorthernJohn Portal Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hopefully on my bike. Posts: 147 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	I was suffering poor quality with the pc compared to a DVD player. Everything was basically a bit fuzzy round the edges. It turned out it was down to the way I had the graphics drivers "tuned". I installed the latest drivers from ATi and just went through the wizard. There's a bit that asks whether you are using the pc for TV or for a monitor. I chose TV and everything went bright, crisp and clear. It set the resolution to 720x5?? (PAL) with overscan and sorted out the brightness and contrast. Much much brighter and clearer. I was suffering from overscan on the gui but now that can be tweaked independantly of the video in 0.2 I have never looked back. The DVD player went on ebay. :lol: I'm just using the MPA/MPV codecs btw. Anything else gives me Navigator issues. __________________

2006-08-02, 21:22	#2 (permalink)
surfermc Portal Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dorset Posts: 275 Thanks: 15 Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts Country: My System	Personally I like the PureVideo codecs the colours seem smoother, there is no tearng, there are no jagged edges and they appear to reduce the CPU load and hence the heat output and required cooling.

2006-08-02, 23:23	#3 (permalink)
wishywashy Portal Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hill AFB, UT Age: 33 Posts: 458 Thanks: 15 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Country: My System	I use the pure video codecs as well. For my setup they look the best.

2006-08-03, 12:27	#8 (permalink)
jawbroken Portal Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 23 Posts: 707 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My System	Has he tried calibrating his brightness, contrast, etc in the codec he is using? This is definitely necessary when you first setup any new monitor/TV from a computer connection.

2006-08-03, 13:56	#9 (permalink)
charger2000 Portal Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Age: 39 Posts: 26 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country:	@Okay what kind of connection is there from PC to TV set ? If you're using video composite (the single yellow cable) or even s-video (the one that looks like a PS/2 connector) there is no chance, the DVD player will look always better than your HTPC... You have to use a TV with good inputs, like Component, VGA or DVI/HDMI, then it'll look MUCH better than any DVD player :wink:

2006-08-03, 18:13	#10 (permalink)
deeps Portal Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 67 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Where can i get the purevideo codecs? Cheers

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