Video Flicker / Hidden TV Guide

[jt!]

TV-Server Version:
MediaPortal Version: .0.2.3.0
MediaPortal Skin: Foofaraw
Windows Version: Vista - Business
CPU Type: Intel Dual 2.4 Ghz
HDD: Western Digital 320 GB
Memory: 1GB
Motherboard:
Motherboard Chipset:
Motherboard Bios:
Video Card: nVidia GeForce 7300 LE
Video Card Driver:
Sound Card:
Sound Card AC3:
Sound Card Driver:
1. TV Card: Hauppauge Nova-DT Dual DVB-T
1. TV Card Type: DVB-T
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:
MPEG2 Audio Codec:
Satelite/CableTV Provider: UK Freeview
HTPC Case:
Cooling:
Power Supply:
Remote: Hauppauge
TV:
TV - HTPC Connection:

Dear all

I have been using media portal for almost a year now but recently i have come accross two problems which at first seemed quirky but now seem quite a nuisance. Any help with these problems is much appreciated.

My first problem is that when watching avi videos the screeen flickers at quite regular intervals. this flickering consists of the video picture swapping between itself and a black screen. I read a thread about this elsewhere on the forum, however the suggested remedy has not sorted my system.

My second issue is that when watching tv on calling the tv guide it appears behind the tv picture, unless i follow push information, view this channel, guide each time i want to view it.

Any help with these matters is much appreciated.

Josh

[The_Stig]

Hey Josh,

to your first problem: Flickering, does that appear in Fullscreen too or only in the small video windows when in MP GUI? And happens that too all kind of video content (avi, h.264, mpeg)?
I am asking because I have that on mpeg content which is not fullscreened currently.

[jt!]

All my videos are mpeg and avi, usually xvid or divx avi. And it happens in both full screen and normal window im afraid. sometimes pushing the information button gives a more stable picture, but as soon as i close it again the picture goes crazy flickering. then randomly it stops for a bit, its very odd.

[jt!]

Ive replicated the problem and hopefully recoreded and added the logs correctly, guessing as no one seems to have any suggestions that this is not a common problem and more specific to my system?

josh.

[Paranoid Delusion]

Try turning OFF "exclusive mode" under VMR9 settings.

And have you any Hardware related codecs, try unticking, use hardware\dxva acceleration.

Which codecs are you using BTW

[jt!]

first off thank you for your help.

ok i found the vm9 setting and turned it off, cant seem to locate the other one yet but i will keep looking.

Codec wise i think i am using the following:

MPEG-2 Video Decoder - MPV Decoder Filter
H.264 Video Decoder - Sonic AVC Decoder DMO
Audio Decoder MPA Decoder Filter
Audio Renderer - Default DirectSound Device

thanks again

josh.

[jt!]

A further update to the problem, turning off vmr9 does not get rid of the flickering, it does however change its characteristics, the flicker is now more jerky and longer periods of black are shown.

where can i find the use hardware\dxva acceleration option? i have also tried using different mpeg2 codecs to no avail, the flickering still happens with all of the availible codecs.

thanks again

josh.

[Paranoid Delusion]

Try updating your nvidia driver.

Hardware acceleration is available in nvidia\cyberlink\windvd codecs, so if you do not have them, don't worry.

take it this card is passively cooled, worthwhile blowing the dust off and making sure it is seated correctly.

[jt!]

Could it possibly be caused by the fact im using a relatively low spec graphics card to drive a 22" widescreen lcd screen? Had a look in the box seems clean and firmly in place, just going to reinstall my nvidia driver. can you get old versions of their drivers, its jsut that ive only recently started experiencing this problem.

thanks.

josh.

[Paranoid Delusion]

Could it possibly be caused by the fact im using a relatively low spec graphics card to drive a 22" widescreen lcd screen? Had a look in the box seems clean and firmly in place, just going to reinstall my nvidia driver. can you get old versions of their drivers, its jsut that ive only recently started experiencing this problem.

If you have Windows set to autoupdate (recommended), then worthwhile using latest drivers for any possible compatibility problems, this also goes for all available drivers for your system.

Old drivers available here