6-7 seconds delay on TV signal (composite) (1 Viewer)

[geirgp]

TV-Server Version:
MediaPortal Version: 1.0RC4
MediaPortal Skin:
Windows Version: Vista SP1 64bit
CPU Type: Athlon x2 5600+ 2.9ghz
HDD: WD GreenPower 1TB
Memory: 2x2GB DDR2
Motherboard: Abit A-N78HD
Video Card: Nvidia GeForce 8200
Video Card Driver:
Sound Card: Realtek ALC888
Sound Card AC3:
Sound Card Driver:
1. TV Card: Hauppauge HVR-4000
1. TV Card Type: Hybrid: DVT-T/S/S2 + Analog tuner + composite/s-video
1. TV Card Driver: 88x_2_122_26109_WHQL
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:
h.264 Video Codec:
Satelite/CableTV Provider:
HTPC Case: Thermaltake DH101
Cooling:
Power Supply:
Remote:
TV:
TV - HTPC Connection: Composite from my STB


I am experiencing a delay that seems to be 6-7seconds on the tv signal displayed by MediaPortal. I am confident this is not related to the tv card's driver or hardware because when I use a different software for the tuner there is NO delay!

This is not a big problem when watching tv, but when changing channel on the STB it is really annoying having to wait more than 5 seconds for channel change. in fact, is is a killer in terms of the WAF either!

I am using a stock MP setup with no customizations except for the channels that I have added, TV's priority to which I have set to "Realtime", but that is all.

The pc is totally clean, just installed vista with no stuff running in background. Does anyone know what may cause this severe delay of tv signal in MediaPortal?

 

[zosoDK]

which decoder have you selected in the [TV client] setup?

 

[geirgp]

Hi,

After reading your reply I have tested MP using several different decoders including MPV and ffdshow without seeing much difference.

I seems however that you might have given me a valuable clue in terms of looking into decoders. I have not managed to find out what the problem is but I have made the following observations:


I experience the big video startup delay when:

• Tuning in a DVB-T signal (MPEG4, H.264 - only SD, no HD)
• Tuning in Composite signal
• Starting a recorded tv-show (recorded from DVB-T source, H.264?)

Interresting thing is that the delay also applies to the recorded shows, i.e. not a tuner-delay problem.


I do NOT have the same delay when I

• Start playing a high def video that I have downloaded from somewhere, eg. 720p x264.
• Change to a different channel (without changing frequency) from the DVB-T source (provider multiplexes a heap of channel into the same frequency).

When a channel is tuned in the UI also works perfect with very quick response for all types of functions including timeshifting, ff, rewind.. There is only this looong delay when I fist tune in the channel or start a recorded show.

Again, when I use the media center software (iMEDIAN) that came with my HTPC case there is no such delay. Unfortunately that is the only good thing about that software too, so I am using MP despite this annoying delay because overall it is much better.

Considering the tv delay issue seems to happen only to video from the tuner (both live and recorded) is it correct to assume that MP may have difficulties decoding this type of media? If so, does anyone have a clue where I might start troubleshooting?

Thank you very much!


Geir

 

[zosoDK]

Try and open a downloaded 720p video in Mediaplayer....right click on the file name in the playlist and select properties....
You'll see what codec Windows uses for decoding Audio/Video.
Select the same codec for your H.264 content inside the [settings] area concering TV codec selection in MediaPortal

Happy Newyear

 

[geirgp]

Try and open a downloaded 720p video in Mediaplayer....right click on the file name in the playlist and select properties....
You'll see what codec Windows uses for decoding Audio/Video.
Select the same codec for your H.264 content inside the [settings] area concering TV codec selection in MediaPortal

Thanks for the tip.

I get this when open a 720p (x264+dts) video in Mediaplayer and view its properties:

Video codec: 0002
Audio codec: AC3Filter


Both of these codecs are not listed in the TV codec selection in MediaPortal. The selection list that MP gives me is:

H.264 Video decoder:

• CyberLink H.264/AVC Decoder (PCM45)
• CyberLink H.264/AVC Decoder (PDVD7x)
• ffdshow Video decoder
• PCM H.264/AVC Decoder

The Audio decoder list is much longer, but as with the Video decoder missing "0002" I am also unable to find "AC3Filter" in the Audio decoder list (so I didn't bother writing the whole list)

Besides, I am not sure if this is a pure decoder-selection problem because the same delay appears also when tuning in analogue signal from the tuner card (which to my understanding is not h.264 content) - and again ,using other software than MP there is no such dealy.

 

[zosoDK]

Are you using vista codec pack or a clean ffdshow?

I'm using Vista codec pack

the 0002 codec is actually ffdshow that loads vobsub, haali mediasplitter and coreavc/libavcodec...

You should be able to select AC3filter...i have it and i'm using a mix of Windows XP, Vista, Server 08 and x64 editions...

My setup is always:
Install windows
Install Cyberlink powerdvd
Install Vista Codec Pack (and x64 components if vista x64)
Install MediaPortal client and connect to TVserver hostname
Run MediaPortal Configuration and select codecs for all sections (TV, DVD and Video)
Switch to advanced view in configuration and within DirectShow Filter configuration set it to EVR instead of VMR9 in Video Render Settings

Test that it works and then on to skins and plugins....

 

[RWolfgang]

Hello geirgp,

have you found a solution for your problem? I have the same delay for composite input when using media-portal and no delay when using WinTV (I have an Hauppauge PVR 150).
Or does anyone else have an suggestion?

Thanks
Wolfgang

 

[Spragleknas]

Just reading through quickly, but:
I guess what's used here is software encoding analogue cards. If I'm not mistaking, support for these type of cards will hopefully improve after MisterD has done his magic.

See: https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/development-91/patch-improvements-analog-cards-33290/

 

[zosoDK]

The Hauppauge 150/250/500 series have onboard HW encoding (mpg2). That is why they are supported in XP mce...
but....
Try installing WinDVR 3 trial....it will supply software encoding capabilities

 

[RWolfgang]

Do you think the problem is that I am using HW encoding or that I am NOT using HW encoding? The WinTV application supplied with the card doesn't have this delay and I would suspect it to use the HW. But which encoder in media portal uses the HW, too? Or may it be a problem with timeshifting?