H.264 hardware decoding of mkv

[rak]

TV-Server Version:
MediaPortal Version: 2.3.0
MediaPortal Skin:
Windows Version: Vista 32bit
CPU Type: Athlon BE-2400
HDD:
Memory: 2GB
Motherboard: GA-MA78GM-S2H
Motherboard Chipset: ATI RS780
Motherboard Bios:
Video Card: integrated HD3200
Video Card Driver:
Sound Card: integrated Realtek
Sound Card AC3:
Sound Card Driver:
1. TV Card:
1. TV Card Type:
1. TV Card Driver:
2. TV Card:
2. TV Card Type:
2. TV Card Driver:
3. TV Card:
3. TV Card Type:
3. TV Card Driver:
4. TV Card:
4. TV Card Type:
4. TV Card Driver:
MPEG2 Video Codec: Cyberlink cl264dec.ax
MPEG2 Audio Codec:
Satelite/CableTV Provider:
HTPC Case:
Cooling:
Power Supply:
Remote:
TV:
TV - HTPC Connection:

Hi, I try to setup my HTPC to decode 1080p H.264 videos using ATI HD 3200 integrated graphics. Before I tried to use ffdshow and CoreAVC to decode H.264, however first codec loads CPU to almost 100%, the CoreAVC is much better with around 40-80%, but I still loose frames. So I want to use the ATI to accelerate the video. I installed PowerDVD 7 and registered its cl264dec.ax. Now I can use it in MP, however the codec still do not use HW. I also tried to play the file in GraphEdit, but enabling/disabling DxVA has no effect on CPU load, which is around 40-80%. Then I found, that I have to enable EVR. This however caused, that I have only blank screen when playing this particular mkv (I have only one - Transformers trailer), while the cpu load is almost 0%.

With PowerDVD I cannot play mkv, as it does not recognise it, but other 1080p files I can play, and enabling/disabling hardware acceleration has big effecft in CPU load.

[us1111]

Hmm... I did all the steps you did except the "enable EVR".. You could play the mkv file however if you have installed haali and drag and drop the file to powerdvd.. That works for me..

[rak]

PowerDVD does nothing if I drag the file to it. Haali is installed.

I tested it again with GraphEdit. I changed the standard video renderer with EVR. If DxVA is enabled in Cyberlink codec, I have no output. With .mov movie the HW accel works perfectly. So maybe the cyberlink codec wont HW accelerate the .mkv file for some reason.

[S.O.P]

Not that I know for sure, but I do remember reading that .mkv files to be hardware accelerated have to meet specific encoding parameters.

Try downloading another file perhaps and testing again?

[rak]

The other thing is, that the EVR corrupts screen. It does not matter if I play it in GraphEdit or MP. It does not corrupt the video itself but window frame, icons in MP after return from full screen, etc. PowerDVD works well.

[deebo]

x264 (not h264) hardware decoding is pretty much hit or miss

it works or it doesnt, dont ever count on it

get a cpu that can decode 1080p x264

[rak]

Now I tested ts file with H264/DTS-HD content. Well, MP does not output any sound while playing this file. So I opened the ts file in GraphEdit to see the graph. This was ok.



Then I remote connected GraphEdit to MP to see how MP builds the graph. The result is very strange. Any idea?



Edit: I've just tested another ts file. This time I have sound, however the graph is weird. And more, In MP I can't change the language (soundtrack). I noticed, the Haali spliter was not loaded.

[JackTramiel]

As far as i know MKV movies must be 4.1 profile encoded, so only 720p files could be accelerated if the have the right profile.
Hope it is ok to link to avs, there is an interesting thread about it: x264 Encoding Options for Hardware Compatibility & DXVA - AVS Forum

[S.O.P]

That was an interesting thread, thanks for posting it.

Easiest way, I assume, to go about it is just to re-encode your files to the right profile using a MP4 GUI. Plenty to be found here: MPEG-4 Encoder GUIs - Doom9's Forum

Or use the IDC Changer that is linked in the thread from Jack.

Didn't read the entire thread (started linking off to tangent threads) but they do mention 720p files being HA'd in the beginning. The OP wants 1080p files accelerated so is that sorted as the thread goes on?

[deebo]

1080p can be hardware accelerated if properly encoded

According to the H.264 standard, the max DPB (Decoded Picture Buffer) size is 12,288 kilobytes.

Since each frame is stored in YV12 format, or 1.5 bytes per pixel, a 1920x1088 frame is 1920 * 1088 * 1.5 = 3133440 bytes = 3060 kilobytes.
12,288 / 3060 kilobytes = 4.01568627, so you can use a maximum of 4 reference frames.

Remember, round both dimensions up to a mod16 value when doing the math, even if you're not encoding mod16!

Let's do the math for 1920x800.

1920 * 800 * 1.5 = 2304000 bytes = 2250 kilobytes. 12,288 / 2250 kilobytes = 5.45777778, so you can use a maximum of 5 reference frames.