Hi Def Content

f4ion1 · 2007-08-23, 02:38

If I have missed it somewhere please point me in the right direction.

I would really like to see some specs(cpu,videocard,codecs) used to get different types of HD content to play. I personally switched from XBMC on the original xbox b/c of the lack of HD possibilities. Currently I am running a p4 2.5 with a Nvidia mx440 video card outputting through dvi-hdmi to a 720P TV. I get stutterin on 720p wmv's. This could definately be b/c my video card and or processor, just curious.

I have tried HD wmv's & mkv's.

If you can reliably play Di Def content, could you post your specs and any tweaks it took to get them to play right.

Thanks in advance for any help.

tangmonster · 2007-08-23, 09:21

How much ram do you have?

which windows are you running?

Are you using the pc ONLY as a media centre with media portal as a gui?

if yes search on the net for windows services and disable all those you are not using.

Disable themes.
Disable desktop background.

make sure no other programs are running in the background to keep your pc busy.

antivirus?

what codecs do you have installed currently.

my 2.2GHhz celeron socket 462 cpu with 512mb ram running windows xp pro with mediaportal can play 720p stuff with minimal stutter and ffdshow installed. 1080 is stuttering a bit on the sound.

jburnette · 2007-08-23, 16:23

I've got an old athlon xp, I believe it's a 1700+. The video card is a Geforce 5500. I believe I'm far below the minimum requirements, but it works as long as I stick to 720p x264 files. As for 720p WMV files, they stutter very badly for me and are completely unwatchable. I realize you wanted to see some WORKING configurations, but if I can get x264 to play ok on this system, I'm sure you'll have no problems on yours. Are you using PureVideo with your Nvidia card? That may help out a lot with your stuttering problems.

thematrixz · 2007-08-31, 19:10

I'd recommend either an ATI 2600XT or Nvidia 8x00 video controller (both have H264 hardware decoder built-in), this should lower your CPU usage to about 20-30% instead of 70-80% using software decoder.

Your CPU should be good for a HTPC, make sure you have enough RAM also, I think 2GB is decent.

f4ion1 · 2007-09-01, 15:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by thematrixz

I'd recommend either an ATI 2600XT or Nvidia 8x00 video controller (both have H264 hardware decoder built-in), this should lower your CPU usage to about 20-30% instead of 70-80% using software decoder.

Your CPU should be good for a HTPC, make sure you have enough RAM also, I think 2GB is decent.

ok cool. I'm looking into getting an 8600 then. Would the onboard h.264 decoding help me at all with HD WMV's?

thematrixz · 2007-09-01, 16:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by f4ion1

Quote:

Originally Posted by thematrixz

I'd recommend either an ATI 2600XT or Nvidia 8x00 video controller (both have H264 hardware decoder built-in), this should lower your CPU usage to about 20-30% instead of 70-80% using software decoder.

Your CPU should be good for a HTPC, make sure you have enough RAM also, I think 2GB is decent.

ok cool. I'm looking into getting an 8600 then. Would the onboard h.264 decoding help me at all with HD WMV's?

Absolutely, your WMV will be decoded using the onboard processor.

Spragleknas · 2007-09-01, 16:38

Nvidia mx440 is NOT a DX9 card - which is highly recommended for MP-usage.

I believe that the ATi 2x00-series has more/better DXVA HD-options than nVidia 8x00-series (can't remember what ATM)

2007-08-23, 02:38	#1 (permalink)
f4ion1 Portal User Join Date: Mar 2007 Age: 28 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Def Content If I have missed it somewhere please point me in the right direction. I would really like to see some specs(cpu,videocard,codecs) used to get different types of HD content to play. I personally switched from XBMC on the original xbox b/c of the lack of HD possibilities. Currently I am running a p4 2.5 with a Nvidia mx440 video card outputting through dvi-hdmi to a 720P TV. I get stutterin on 720p wmv's. This could definately be b/c my video card and or processor, just curious. I have tried HD wmv's & mkv's. If you can reliably play Di Def content, could you post your specs and any tweaks it took to get them to play right. Thanks in advance for any help. Last edited by f4ion1; 2007-08-23 at 02:40.

2007-08-23, 16:23	#3 (permalink)
jburnette Portal Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kentucky Age: 23 Posts: 731 Thanks: 135 Thanked 98 Times in 54 Posts Country: My System	I've got an old athlon xp, I believe it's a 1700+. The video card is a Geforce 5500. I believe I'm far below the minimum requirements, but it works as long as I stick to 720p x264 files. As for 720p WMV files, they stutter very badly for me and are completely unwatchable. I realize you wanted to see some WORKING configurations, but if I can get x264 to play ok on this system, I'm sure you'll have no problems on yours. Are you using PureVideo with your Nvidia card? That may help out a lot with your stuttering problems. Last edited by jburnette; 2007-08-23 at 16:26.

2007-09-01, 16:38	#7 (permalink)
Spragleknas Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rogaland Age: 32 Posts: 3,813 Thanks: 179 Thanked 90 Times in 76 Posts Country: My System	Nvidia mx440 is NOT a DX9 card - which is highly recommended for MP-usage. I believe that the ATi 2x00-series has more/better DXVA HD-options than nVidia 8x00-series (can't remember what ATM) __________________ Please read -> HOW TO START A SUPPORT THREAD !!! Support MediaPortal! Donate by clicking HERE Dedicated HTPC board (Norway) -> MSPC.no

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2007-08-23, 09:21	#2 (permalink)
tangmonster Portal Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: cape town Age: 28 Posts: 83 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	How much ram do you have? which windows are you running? Are you using the pc ONLY as a media centre with media portal as a gui? if yes search on the net for windows services and disable all those you are not using. Disable themes. Disable desktop background. make sure no other programs are running in the background to keep your pc busy. antivirus? what codecs do you have installed currently. my 2.2GHhz celeron socket 462 cpu with 512mb ram running windows xp pro with mediaportal can play 720p stuff with minimal stutter and ffdshow installed. 1080 is stuttering a bit on the sound.

2007-08-31, 19:10	#4 (permalink)
thematrixz Portal Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Age: 43 Posts: 75 Thanks: 2 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Country:	I'd recommend either an ATI 2600XT or Nvidia 8x00 video controller (both have H264 hardware decoder built-in), this should lower your CPU usage to about 20-30% instead of 70-80% using software decoder. Your CPU should be good for a HTPC, make sure you have enough RAM also, I think 2GB is decent.