Can I get BBC HD with my setup? (1 Viewer)

[son_t]

TV-Server Version: 1.0.0.0
MediaPortal Version: 1.0.0.0
MediaPortal Skin: Streamed-MP
Windows Version: XP + SP3
CPU Type: Pentium 4 3.2GHz
HDD: Seagate 320Gb SCE
Memory: 3.75Gb
Motherboard: Abit AA8-3rd Eye
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 6600LE
Video Card Driver: 6.14.11.8122
Sound Card: Realtek High Definition Audio
Sound Card AC3:
Sound Card Driver: 5.10.0.5591
1. TV Card: Pinnacle 7010iX
1. TV Card Type: Dual Analogue + DVB-T + DVB-S
1. TV Card Driver: 1.0.4.1
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: ffdshow
MPEG2 Audio Codec: MPA Decoder
h.264 Video Codec: PowerDVD9
Satelite/CableTV Provider:
HTPC Case: Antec Veris Remote Max
Cooling: Fans
Power Supply: 500W
Remote: Antec Veris remote
TV: Samsung LE37R88BDX
TV - HTPC Connection: DVI->HDMI

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I'm trying to decode the BBC HD channel using my PC and MP setup (above). Previously, before installing PowerDVD9 to get the HD codec, I used the ffdshow codec (for H.264), and the BBC HD channel picture would be blank but I would get sound (with the audio description at the same time!). Now using the PowerDVD9 codec for H.264, MP just displays a blank screen, freezes and lockups the PC!

The question is, with my above setup with a GPU that only supports DX9, is it possible to decode BBC HD? Would using CoreAVC codec solve the problem? (The reason I have been reluctant to do this, is because the last time I installed this codec, the other channels (SD) pictures started stuttering and were jerky on viewing...)

Lastly to complete, is it possible to get ITV HD? How do scan for this channel, putting the PID, etc and make it appear on the channel list and EPG?

 

[strontium]

Looking at your specs, I would say there isn't enough power in the CPU to decode any HD channels.
You have 2 choices purchase a GFX card that can offload the processing (I take it is an AGP card) this may be difficult as I tried to get an AGP card working but had no end of trouble. Or you could get a better processor you will probably need a dual core.
I decided in the end just to build a new system to be able to use HD.
ITV HD is listed as 90510 in the channel scan If I remember correctly.

Hope that helps

 

[Owlsroost]

The issue isn't really DX9 etc - it's about processing power, hardware decode acceleration (DXVA) and de-interlacing.

I've no personal experience with BBC HD, but it appears to be a 1440 x 1080i H.264 stream.

According to this chart - http://www.nvidia.com/docs/CP/11036/PureVideo_Product_Comparison.pdf - the 6600LE does have H.264 decode acceleration but not high-quality HD de-interlacing.

Try using the MPC-HC video decoder e.g. install SAF - https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/codecs-external-players-55/standalone-filters-mediaportal-saf-44614/, or download the filters from XvidVideo.RU - Ñêà÷èâàíèÿ | Media Player Classic HomeCinema and register 'MPCVideoDec.ax' manually. This filter will try to use DXVA if it can, but fall back to software-only decode otherwise.

Tony

 

[son_t]

Thanks for the tip. I downloaded the standalone filters and registered MPCVideoDec.ax manually (using c:\windows\system32\regsvr32.exe c:\filters\MPCVideoDec.ax). (I could not install the SAF bundle as I am running 1.0.0.0 of MP.)

I then started the MP config and chose the MPCVideoDec.ax for H.264 decoding. But this has not worked, I get a blank screen and MP/PC freezes when I change to the BBC HD channel in My TV (just as before using PDVD9).

I guess my GPU/PC can not handle HD content?!

 

[Owlsroost]

Maybe - I think the MPC-HC filter can be set up to NOT use DXVA, but you'll need to open it's properties page in something else (e.g. GraphStudio) to change this setting. This might prove if it's GPU decode problems or not.

Try recording something from BBC HD in MP, and see if that plays OK or if it also has problems. You could also try playing the recording in the MPC-HC player.

I'd also try looking at the MP filtergraph with GraphStudio ('connect to remote graph') when it's trying to play/show BBC HD - it might not be using the codecs you think....

Tony

 

[son_t]

I've downloaded GraphStudio and used it to change the property of MPC to disable the DXVA option. Still no luck - MP freezes with MP when tuned to BBC HD - although it did not freeze the PC completely...

I also tried it with PDVD9 - disabling the DXVA option. Still no luck here - MP and PC froze...

I haven't used GraphStudio to see if they were the actual codecs being used as I've no idea how to run MP in a window... (Must be a simple configuration option - yes? I have not yet tried looking!)

 

[Paranoid Delusion]

Windowed mode is easily achieved by alt-enter, or setting not as fullscreen startup under the general tab.

Remember we did some HD tests a while ago and the minimum found to run HD graphics was a 6600gt, the gs would not hack it, but do not let me stop you from trying

 

[wonkyd]

I've downloaded GraphStudio and used it to change the property of MPC to disable the DXVA option. Still no luck - MP freezes with MP when tuned to BBC HD - although it did not freeze the PC completely...

I also tried it with PDVD9 - disabling the DXVA option. Still no luck here - MP and PC froze...

I haven't used GraphStudio to see if they were the actual codecs being used as I've no idea how to run MP in a window... (Must be a simple configuration option - yes? I have not yet tried looking!)

Try downloading the trial of CoreAVC CoreAVC.com: World's Fastest High Definition H.264 Video Software Decoder . You'll need the professional version of it as BBC HD is interlaced. I used to get 25fps with the odd dropped frame on a Athlon 64 3200+ and never had any problems using the Cyberlink codec for SD MPEG2.

ITV HD is listed as 90510 in the channel scan If I remember correctly.

ITV-HD is listed as 10510

 

[son_t]

I'll have another go with CoreAVC, but I had stuttering problems with normal SD channels (but only using it for H.264!)

Windowed mode is easily achieved by alt-enter, or setting not as fullscreen startup under the general tab.

Remember we did some HD tests a while ago and the minimum found to run HD graphics was a 6600gt, the gs would not hack it, but do not let me stop you from trying

OK, cheers, I wanted someone just to confirm that my setup was inadequate (which I had suspected).

 

[Paranoid Delusion]

Must admit for HD, I'm very tempted to change to either a 9400\9500 nvidia, or a ATI 4550\4650 graphics card, as my 7900 is not really supported for dxva2 (Nvidia says it is, bah humbug), even though it does it partially which can be seen when using the PDVD h.264 codec, but not the MPC-HC codec

Do not get much chance to play games nowadays, so the higher end GPU's are not needed so much