Stuttering MKV/x264 playback with GF8600GT

[SweMart]

TV-Server Version:
MediaPortal Version: 0.2.2.0
MediaPortal Skin: BlueTwo Wide
Windows Version: Win XP MCE 2005 RU2
CPU Type: AMD64 3200+
HDD: Seagate 320GB
Memory: A-DATA "Hi-Performance 2*1GB
Motherboard: Asus A8N-E
Motherboard Chipset: Nvidia Nforce4
Motherboard Bios: Asus
Video Card: Asus Geforce 8600GT 256MB SILENT
Video Card Driver: 158.22
Sound Card: Soundblaster X-FI Xtreme Music
Sound Card AC3: coaxial out
Sound Card Driver:
1. TV Card: Digital Everywhere FloppyDTV-C
1. TV Card Type: DVB-C
1. TV Card Driver: 4.8
2. TV Card: Digital Everywhere FloppyDTV-T
2. TV Card Type: DVB-T
2. TV Card Driver: 4.8
3. TV Card: Hauppauge PVR2 USB2
3. TV Card Type: Analog
3. TV Card Driver: 2.24.117
4. TV Card:
4. TV Card Type:
4. TV Card Driver:
MPEG2 Video Codec: Nvidia PureVideo 1.02.196 + PowerDVD 7 Rev 2911
MPEG2 Audio Codec: Nvidia PureVideo 1.02.196
Satelite/CableTV Provider: Boxer
HTPC Case: Cooler Master Cavalier 4 Black
Cooling: Antec Cyclone PCI Blower
Power Supply: Cooler Master 350W
Remote: MCE 2005 Remote+Keyboard
TV: Samsung LE40R51 40"
TV - HTPC Connection: HDMI

Hi,

I've just done a fresh install of my HTPC, I used to have performance problems with H.264 content so today I put in a GF8660GT. HDTV broadcasts and HD DVD playback is now fine but I'm still experiencing problems with .MKV files encoded using x264.

CPU utilization is now down to approx 30% but there's still a bit of stuttering when it comes to the picture. Some movies are worse than others.

The problem occurs both in MP as well as in WMP. The following software is installed except MP:
- PowerDVD 7 rev 2911
- Latest PureVideo codec from Nvidia
- Latest Haali mediasplitter from http://haali.cs.msu.ru/mkv/

Is there something I need to do? Some magical setting? It's pretty strange since CPU util is not at 100%.

Is the CPU getting to old? AMD64 3200+.

Any input is much appreciated!

Cheers,
Martin

[thematrixz]

I have a feeling that the PureVideo codec you have is of an old version which doesn't contain HD codec. I have the 8500GT card and use the latest Nvidia driver which should include the H264 codec. I have no stuttering issues.

[rocky500]

If you don't mind trying something different.
I would uninstall the Purevideo codec.
Download and install the latest ffdshow from freecodecs.

I have a similar system and have installed Powerdvd v7, FFDshow & Haali.
All works excellent on a PJ at 1280x720

[ThaClown]

Could you guys tell me if this will work on my system?
I am thinking of getting a Radeon HD 2400...
Do you think that will be a good choice, and will my system then be capable of showing full HD?

[pastimer]

Hardware H.264 playback is not yet supported in the XP driver for the 8K Geforce series. You have to install vista or wait for the new drivers to arrive. The purevideo decoder is obsolete for your card. You need purevideo HD and that needs no software.

Regards, Eppo

[thematrixz]

I tried both Vista and XP (using latest Nvidia drivers) and both work fine with H264 files, not stuttering at all and CPU usage is around 30-40%. Though I can sometimes get lip sync issue on XP (audio runs ahead of video)

This is on a Core 2 Duo 2.4ghz, 2gb, Nvidia 8500 video.

[pastimer]

You are not using purevideo HD when CPU is at 30-40% with a 8500 or 8600 card and viewing h.264 content, i think. Use graphedit to check.
As ALL decoding is done on the card, the CPU should be at 5-15% max, for any dual core or single core like Athlon 64 3800+.

Eppo

[SweMart]

Originally Posted by pastimer

Hardware H.264 playback is not yet supported in the XP driver for the 8K Geforce series. You have to install vista or wait for the new drivers to arrive. The purevideo decoder is obsolete for your card. You need purevideo HD and that needs no software.

Regards, Eppo

Thanks, also found this info when downloading the latest Nvidia GPU driver beta.

[pannivas]

try decoding your x264 files with FFDshow found here http://x264.nl

[arfster]

Hardware acceleration of mkv h264 doesn't work properly with total bitstream offload cards (8500/8600, and ATI 2400/2600). It's some sort of timing error, and results in the frame rate dropping to 19/20fps. It only happens with mkv h264 and these cards - the same video muxxed into another container works fine.

Incidentally, when you have hardware acceleration working with these types of cards, cpu will be 2% or lower.