100% CPU Usage When Playing Vid at Certain Res (1 Viewer)

[cheetah05]

Hi there,

I have a weird problem.

I am trying to create a low powered htpc therefore i have a low powered cpu.

When playing a video at 1024*768 in Media Portal, I get a CPU usage of around 32% CPU usage and maxes out at around 40%.

But when I switch the resolution to 1280*768, the CPU usage shoots up to 100% rendering the video unviewable, is this supposed to happen, an extra 60% CPU usage for stretching the video an extra 250 pixels wider and an extra 150 pixels taller (it's taller because its a widescreen video), does that sound right?

This happens with both the VLC player and the MPlayer plugins.

When I play the video in these players without MP running, the video runs fine, using around the same amount of CPU usage at each resolution.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

MediaPortal Version: 2.3.0.0 (inc. SVN)
MediaPortal Skin: SimpleMP
Windows Version: Windows XP Pro (inc SP3)
CPU Type: Epia Via M10000n (1Ghz)
HDD: Seagate 7200.10 300GB (7200rpm)
Memory: 512MB
Motherboard: Epia Via M10000n (1Ghz)
Motherboard Bios: Latest
Video Card: Integrated
Video Card Driver: Latest

 

[Taipan]

Motherboard: Epia Via M10000n (1Ghz)
Video Card: Integrated

My guess is that the video card/chip does not support DirectX 9 (which MediaPortal uses) and hence the DirectX 9 work is being done by the CPU - that could explain the increased CPU% as you increase the resolution, and would explain why you don't see the same effect with other video applications ...

 

[cheetah05]

Motherboard: Epia Via M10000n (1Ghz)
Video Card: Integrated

My guess is that the video card/chip does not support DirectX 9 (which MediaPortal uses) and hence the DirectX 9 work is being done by the CPU - that could explain the increased CPU% as you increase the resolution, and would explain why you don't see the same effect with other video applications ...

Thanks for the reply.

Surely if I am using external players anyways, the work isn't being done by MP, its being done by the external players, so technically if it can handle it outside of MP fine, it should be able to handle it inside MP, or have I missed your point?

 

[Taipan]

Surely if I am using external players anyways, the work isn't being done by MP, its being done by the external players?

Oops sorry - I missed that bit about using external player plugins. I am not familiar with those plugins, so please take my comments with a "grain of salt" ...

 

[Paranoid Delusion]

Still think this is graphics related, same as Taipan, x200 passing the workload over to the cpu, directx is still running with MP loaded, so it does not matter which player is used, thats where the high cpu is coming from.

To be clearer

VLC\MPlayer = graphics output only to overlay (no directx action)

VLC\MPlayer\MP = graphics output to both overlay and directx (this is where a good graphics card takes the strain).

So i would say the higher output resolution, just tips the x200 over the edge of it abilities.

Regards

 

[cheetah05]

Ah sorry for the confusion - this is on a different system to the one in my profile, but the comments still apply, I see the problem now.

Is there anyway to overcome this or do I deffo need better graphics?

(For anyone reading the forums - my onboard graphics handles the films fine)

 

[Paranoid Delusion]

There are so many midrange graphics cards out there now for £40-60 price range is not worth the hassle not to upgrade.

Even the second hand market, must be awash with some very good cards nowadays (just in case you like computer fairs).

 

[tourettes]

Actually Nvidia 8500 & ATI 2400 are pretty cheap. And those are pretty good cards (maybe 1080p with HW decoding might be an issue for 2400).

 

[cheetah05]

Thanks for the replies guys, much apprechiated.

I can only fit a half-height PCI card in the system, so tbh an upgrade is not really possible.

---------

When playing a video at 1024*768 in media portal using the VLC Plugin, there is less than 50% CPU usage, is there nothing else i can try before i give up on MP (which i don't particularly want to do )?

 

[canarygsr]

how did you go with your video, I have a Epia CN1000 I am trying to use in a multi seat setup, but the video playback is crap