CPU usage and codecs

[tHirdeYe]

Area: Media Portal Program
MediaPortal Version: 0.2.0.4 (2006-08-11)
MediaPortal Skin: BlueTwo
Windows Version: Windows XP (SP2)
.NET CLR Version: 2.0.50727
DirectX Version: 4.09.00.0904 (9.0c)
Audio Codec: DScaler Audio Decoder
Video Codec: DScaler Mpeg2 Video Decoder
CPU Type: Intel Pentium 4 - 2.26GHz
Memory: 1 GB
Motherboard: P4B533-E (ASUSTeK Computer INC.)
1. TV Card Model: Hauppauge 150 MCE
1. TV Card Type: Hardware
1. TV Card Driver: 2.0.43.24054
2. TV Card: Hauppauge 250
2. TV Card Type: Hardware
2. TV Card Driver: 1.18.21.23257
Video Card Model: Nvidia Geforce FX 5200 (128 MB)
Video Card Driver: 9.1.3.1
Video Card Resolution: 1024x768
Video Render Type: -
Audio Card Model: CMI8738/C3DX PCI Audio Device
Audio Card Driver: 5.21.1.637
Remote: Microsoft MCE
TV - HTPC Connection: Cable
Synopsis::

I am new to media portal. I am using one Hauppauge 250 (hardware encoding) for TV viewing and one Hauppauge 150MCE (hardware encoding) for TV recording. I am using DScaler currently as my video codec. I am also using FFdshow with MyTv.

The on-screen display for ffdshow shows my CPU running at mostly 100%. When I record a tv show while watching the same show or another show, the video and audio stick every 3 or 5 seconds. This also happens when I have timeshifting turned on while not recording.

I have tried different codecs that came with MP with no help (i.e. MPV Decoder Filter, CyberLink MPEG Muxer). How do I install and try different codecs? I have installed DivX and Xvid but they do not show up in the MP configuration.

Does any body have the same motherboard as me? Could you tell me what codecs you use as well as some of the configurations in your bios (i.e. cpu settings, etc)?

[Spif]

Hi.

I don't have any experience with your motherboard but something seems wrong. You have a very capable HTPC and should not have any performance problems.

The best codec with regard to CPU usage is in my opinion Nvidia Purevideo. You should download the trial version and give it a try. Be sure to enable hardware acceleration (dxva). I am using Purevideo on one of my systems with great success.

The other thing to do is the usual. Upgrade motherboard BIOS to the latest. Be sure to have all windows patches installed, upgrade to the latest drivers, etc.

In your case you could also check that DMA is turned on for your harddrive and that you don't have any IRQ-conflicts. You could also use the PCI Latency tool to set the latency on your graphics card to 32 or 64. It is most likely set to 128 by default. Setting it to a lower value may make your system more responsive.

Good luck.

[elorentz]

As long has you are using ffdshow post processing in the TV configuration it does not matter wich codec you use, ffdshow forces software rendering and thereby disabling dxva. What kind of filters do you use in your ffdshow configuration, denoise, resize ? ffdshow will easily peg your cpu at 100% if using some of filters.

[Paranoid Delusion]

have installed DivX and Xvid but they do not show up in the MP configuration.

Because they are a video format decoder, not a mpeg2 decoder.

Try the trial version of nvidia purevideo, seems to have the lowest cpu use of any codec with good results.

definately do not use ffdshow postprocessing, cpu intensive as stated above.

[Marcusb]

To install more codecs, all you have to do is install the programs that they come with. IE, if you install the trial version of WinDVD you will end up with the intervideo WinDVD codecs.

The cryberlink muxer isn't what you should try. If you want to use the PowerDVD codecs, just install PowerDVD trial and they will appear.

I think also that if the trial version of the software expires, then the codecs will keep working, but I'm not too sure. If you use them though, it's only fair to pay for them.

[tHirdeYe]

Originally Posted by Spif

Hi.


The best codec with regard to CPU usage is in my opinion Nvidia Purevideo. You should download the trial version and give it a try. Be sure to enable hardware acceleration (dxva). I am using Purevideo on one of my systems with great success.

In your case you could also check that DMA is turned on for your harddrive and that you don't have any IRQ-conflicts. You could also use the PCI Latency tool to set the latency on your graphics card to 32 or 64. It is most likely set to 128 by default. Setting it to a lower value may make your system more responsive.

Good luck.

Thanks for the reply

I checked out the DMA for the hard drives and they were already set. I didnt have any IRQ conflicts and found a PCI Latency tool. The latency for my video card was set at 248 and I changed it to 64.

I did download and install Nvidia Purevideo and checked the hardware acceleration.

I did not know to check these things so thanks for the valuable info.

[tHirdeYe]

Originally Posted by elorentz

As long has you are using ffdshow post processing in the TV configuration it does not matter wich codec you use, ffdshow forces software rendering and thereby disabling dxva. What kind of filters do you use in your ffdshow configuration, denoise, resize ? ffdshow will easily peg your cpu at 100% if using some of filters.

Ok, I did not know this....definitely good to know. I do not have any filters setup thru ffdshow. This is my first HTPC so I have alot to learn.

I have a feeling that my setup shouldnt need this program for processing. Is there a manual that teaches newbies basic settings? ffdshow has so many settings it will take forever to figure out what everything is without a manual.

Thanks for the info!

[tHirdeYe]

Originally Posted by Paranoid Delusion

Because they are a video format decoder, not a mpeg2 decoder.

Try the trial version of nvidia purevideo, seems to have the lowest cpu use of any codec with good results.

definately do not use ffdshow postprocessing, cpu intensive as stated above.

I am still learning about video/audio, so the difference in the decoders is good to know.

I have the Nvidia Purevideo codecs installed and I am going to try using them without ffdshow.

again for the info!!

[tHirdeYe]

SWEET!!!!!!!!

My HTPC is running awsome right now!!

For the last 40 minutes I have timeshifting on, I am recording tv and I am watching tv with none of the prior problems (no video and audio sticking every few seconds).


Thanks to everyone for all the advice!!!!!!

[tHirdeYe]

Originally Posted by Marcusb

To install more codecs, all you have to do is install the programs that they come with. IE, if you install the trial version of WinDVD you will end up with the intervideo WinDVD codecs.

The cryberlink muxer isn't what you should try. If you want to use the PowerDVD codecs, just install PowerDVD trial and they will appear.

I think also that if the trial version of the software expires, then the codecs will keep working, but I'm not too sure. If you use them though, it's only fair to pay for them.

Ok, I was wondering about this. It did not make any sense the way I was thinking about it. Makes more sense now.

for the info!