Getting best mpeg2 codec to work properly

[ChillyWilly]

TV-Server Version: 17044
MediaPortal Version: 17044
MediaPortal Skin: SpinSafe Revolve
Windows Version: Vista Ultima
CPU Type: C2D E2180
HDD: 500Gb
Memory: 2Gb
Motherboard: Abit F-I90HD
Motherboard Chipset: 690
Motherboard Bios: -
Video Card: Onboard Ati X1250
Video Card Driver: 8.1 hotfix 1
Sound Card: Onboard Realtek HD
Sound Card AC3: spdif
Sound Card Driver: 1.84
1. TV Card: FloppyDTV-C
1. TV Card Type:
1. TV Card Driver: 4.5
MPEG2 Video Codec: See below
MPEG2 Audio Codec: Microsoft
Satelite/CableTV Provider: Casema
HTPC Case: Antec NSK2480/NSK2400
Cooling: Ninja mini
Power Supply: Antec 380w
Remote: Microsoft MCE remote
TV: Panasonic Full-HD Plasma
TV - HTPC Connection: HDMI

I have a few problems. dscaler and microsoft codec give the best screen quality but both have problems.

1. Microsoft mpeg2 codec doesn't work with 1080i channels.

2. When I use Dscaler as video decoder with VMR9 I get lip sync problems which get worse over time

3. when I use Dscaler as video decoder with EVR I get problems with time-shifting and changing channels.

3. When I use ffdshow as video decoder with dscaler deinterlacing inside ffdshow I get another mpeg2 decoder. I know this as another decoder because if I use OSD or change the hue in ffdshow I don't see it on the screen.

4. When I use MPV as video decoder with deinterlacing disabled and use ffdshow raw filer with dscaler deinterlacing it works (I see the OSD of ffdshow) but my 1080i stutters.

Anybody have an idea of how to get one of the options working?

I disabled VMR exclusive and the lip sync problems with 2 are over.

[SiLenTYL]

its not free but Cyberlink Powerdvd codecs are pretty much the best around for MPEG2

includes support for hardware acceleration

[ChillyWilly]

Thanks, I'll try the evalutation version first.

[Spragleknas]

I also use the Cyberlink codec, but a nice (free) alternative is the AVIVO codec, but I can't find it for Vista (probably not needed?). This can be set as a HD-codec, so you could give it a try.

Btw: Cyberlink might also give lipsync-issues, but select Cyberlink as auido codec and perhaps as audio-renderer as well (works for me).

[ChillyWilly]

I gave Cyberlink a try, but the image was a bit washed out and it looks like it only uses bob deinterlacing.

No AVIVO for Vista alas...

Dscaler is the best quality, it uses weave when possible for a sharper image. I disabled exclusive mode and my lipsync problems are gone.

[samundsen]

I've seen audio sync issues with DScaler5, but they were always related to the combination of audio decoder and splitter used in combination with DScaler. I get superb results using Haali Media Splitter, DScaler5 and FFDShow Audio for AC3 with SPDIF enabled.

In DScaler, try to set the color space to NV12. That will enable hardware deinterlacing support.

My DScaler settings:

3:2 playback smoothing checked
Deinterlace Mode: Automatic
Use accurate aspect ratios checked
IDCT to use: Accelerated
Output color space: NV12
Force field 1 first flag: checked (crucial on my system)

I use Zoom Player for playback (set up as external player in MediaPortal)

[ChillyWilly]

Thanks, I didn't find the NV12 in the Media portal configuration->directshow filter->dscaler video decoder, but I did find it in the regular filter properties.

Picture quality is great!

[ChillyWilly]

I found a way to enable avivo in vista.

Check out this blog: http://www.burningsilicon.net/Blog/t...1/Default.aspx