Refresh Rate Control Plugin

ThylakoiD · 2006-06-09, 20:20

I have been playing with MediaPortal and HTPC for 8 months and one thing that I missed on computers generally was the ability to automatically adjust the refresh rate of the monitor according to the played video... so I gathered some knowledge of MP's sources and DirectShow and made this plugin.

First of all this plugin requires PowerStrip to be installed and running. (Support for other programs may be included later...)

Each time video strats playing, Refresh Rate Control will try to get its frame rate and then set best refresh rate from the list of refresh rates (set in plugin's configuration) to prevent "tearing" and get smooth video playback.

Configuration:
Monitor number is number of monitor that will be displaying the video (useful on multimonitor PCs)

Enable logging to file - if checked plugin will write logfile useful for debugging

Refresh Rate Control will snap to refresh rates set in the list of refresh rates.
This is the most important setting. Before adding new ref. rate to the list, you will be given a chance to test if monitor supports it; most monitors will support even more refresh rates than stated in Windows' Display dialog...
The best refresh rates for videos are:
for PAL (25fps): 50, 75, 100, 120, ... Hz;
for NTSC (29.9fps): 60, 90, 120, ... Hz;
for film (24fps): 48, 72, 96, ... Hz.

Here is the download link, copy the RefreshRateControl.dll to the Plugins/Process/ directory in MP's directory:

http://www.team-mediaportal.com/file...eshRateControl

I hope you will find it useful...

ThylakoiD

mzemina · 2006-06-09, 21:38

Interesting :!:

NLS · 2006-06-09, 23:27

definately interesting... I just hope it won't burn down our TVs... (maybe it's time to write a disclaimer?)

mPod · 2006-06-10, 07:05

Please upload plugins here (after quickly getting an account): http://www.team-mediaportal.com/files/

ThylakoiD · 2006-06-10, 12:16

I'm glad you're interested

, please post some notes if you have tried it, or you know about other program than PowerStrip you use to change your monitor settings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mPod

Please upload plugins here (after quickly getting an account): http://www.team-mediaportal.com/files/

Ok, i have uploaded it

smnnekho · 2006-06-10, 12:46

sounds cool. will it be usable on a CRT tv? as far as i know are the refresh rates capabilities of those very limited (-;

ThylakoiD · 2006-06-10, 13:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by smnnekho

sounds cool. will it be usable on a CRT tv? as far as i know are the refresh rates capabilities of those very limited (-;

This plugin is designed mainly for 'normal' PC monitors or HD TVs

I think that PAL TVs might :?: be able to go down from 50 Hz to 48 Hz(24fps film), but I don't know if PowerStrip is capable of changing refresh rate of the TV out.

But if there is a program that can change TVout ref. rate and can be controlled from other apps. or commandline, it could be added to this plugin

NLS · 2006-06-10, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThylakoiD

but I don't know if PowerStrip is capable of changing refresh rate of the TV out

well it can with my TV

AberDino · 2006-06-20, 13:32

ThylakoiD,

Please have a look at this post. Would your utility be able (or could it be adapted) to switch Powerstrip display profiles?

ThylakoiD · 2006-06-21, 13:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by AberDino

Would your utility be able (or could it be adapted) to switch Powerstrip display profiles?

I tried to find if PS API can do it, but didn't find anything...

But i've got an idea that simulating key presses will do that and even more

It will take me some time (maybe weeks

, i'm kinda busy), but i'll post some testing version as soon as possible.

2006-06-09, 20:20	#1 (permalink)
ThylakoiD Portal Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Refresh Rate Control Plugin I have been playing with MediaPortal and HTPC for 8 months and one thing that I missed on computers generally was the ability to automatically adjust the refresh rate of the monitor according to the played video... so I gathered some knowledge of MP's sources and DirectShow and made this plugin. First of all this plugin requires PowerStrip to be installed and running. (Support for other programs may be included later...) Each time video strats playing, Refresh Rate Control will try to get its frame rate and then set best refresh rate from the list of refresh rates (set in plugin's configuration) to prevent "tearing" and get smooth video playback. Configuration: Monitor number is number of monitor that will be displaying the video (useful on multimonitor PCs) Enable logging to file - if checked plugin will write logfile useful for debugging Refresh Rate Control will snap to refresh rates set in the list of refresh rates. This is the most important setting. Before adding new ref. rate to the list, you will be given a chance to test if monitor supports it; most monitors will support even more refresh rates than stated in Windows' Display dialog... The best refresh rates for videos are: for PAL (25fps): 50, 75, 100, 120, ... Hz; for NTSC (29.9fps): 60, 90, 120, ... Hz; for film (24fps): 48, 72, 96, ... Hz. Here is the download link, copy the RefreshRateControl.dll to the Plugins/Process/ directory in MP's directory: http://www.team-mediaportal.com/file...eshRateControl I hope you will find it useful... ThylakoiD

2006-06-09, 23:27	#3 (permalink)
NLS Portal Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 34 Posts: 879 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	definately interesting... I just hope it won't burn down our TVs... (maybe it's time to write a disclaimer?) __________________ NLS ...never thought I would advertise MP around that much, so soon... (and when some dev adds better menu handling, multiple calls to modules and plugins with different options and much better dbase handling, it will be love... ah and a nice 3D front end and inter-module messaging system and...) Don't argue with the founder of Greek Off-Topic Community about taking a thread off-topic. I cannot help it! My webshots album (contains the old version of my HTPC setup too)

2006-06-10, 07:05	#4 (permalink)
mPod Retired Team Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Berlin Age: 33 Posts: 2,086 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Country: My System	Please upload plugins here (after quickly getting an account): http://www.team-mediaportal.com/files/ __________________ Bad news from the stars... We cannot give any support without a properly filled support template and a full mediaportal.log pasted here. Before you ask...

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2006-06-09, 21:38	#2 (permalink)
mzemina Retired Team Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ft Smith, AR Posts: 2,034 Thanks: 33 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts Country:	Interesting :!:

2006-06-10, 12:46	#6 (permalink)
smnnekho Retired Team Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany Age: 24 Posts: 482 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My System	sounds cool. will it be usable on a CRT tv? as far as i know are the refresh rates capabilities of those very limited (-;

2006-06-20, 13:32	#9 (permalink)
AberDino Portal Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Kincardineshire Posts: 113 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Country: My System	ThylakoiD, Please have a look at this post. Would your utility be able (or could it be adapted) to switch Powerstrip display profiles?