Codec advice for a beginner? (1 Viewer)

[davey78]

Hi,

I am new to media portal, but have been doing alot of research about it. I am going to be installing media portal 1.0.0.1 on windows xp 64 bit as described here https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/348687-post13.html and also setting up codecs as described here MEDIAPORTAL - free media center - simple mediaportal codec guide

I just wanted to see if anyone had any advice further to the codec guide to get the best quality playback possible based on my system (below), for instance which vmr9 filtering option to use, post processing, deinterlacing etc. It is not a standalone HTPC, but a multi-use computer.

System specs:

Intel Quad core q6600 cpu
6GB ddr2 ram
XpertVision Nvidia 8800GT
Compro Videomate Vista T100 TV Tuner
Onboard Realtek HD Sound (Gigabyte ep35-ds3 m/b)

 

[rekenaar]

Hi there and welcome

You can try SAF.

 

[svendis]

Hi

Try PDVD codec installers from dvbsupport.com
CLVD pack for SD and HD Pack. Install haali also..
This works very good for me, and gives brilliant picture.. I use SAF also

 

[davey78]

Hi

Try PDVD codec installers from dvbsupport.com
CLVD pack for SD and HD Pack. Install haali also..
This works very good for me, and gives brilliant picture.. I use SAF also

So after I have installed all these codec packs, what individual codecs should I use for h.264, mpeg2 etc for best picture quality?

 

[svendis]

I use pdvd 8 codec for mpeg2 and pdvd 9 codec h264, both live tv and movies. Gives the best pictures for me.. HD4670 and phenom processor

 

[zumbeam]

Thanks for advices, i'm just testing pdvd8 for mpeg2 and pdvd9 for h264.
mpeg2 is working still at least and i hope it fixies my jamming paychannels.
h264 doesent look so good, jittering really badly, like not enough power to decode it. Any ideas why?
i have nvidia 9600GT, 3GHz dual core, 4GB ram running on Vista32bit.

 

[plaus]

Just follow this guide:
MediaPortal Install Guide - AVS Forum

That way you will playback h.264 (or x264 content) using DXVA (hardware acceleration) whenever possible.

 

[moab]

I use all the defaults and have not had any problems with media.
In fact I am not sure why I would want to tweak the Codecs?

 

[zumbeam]

I use all the defaults and have not had any problems with media.
In fact I am not sure why I would want to tweak the Codecs?

Are you using tv-cards and watch hd-channels?

I did full cleaning and reinstallation of 1.0.2 and still doesent work with default codecs.
Normal tv-channels ok, but paychannels are jamming including recordings.
HD channels is jittering badly with default codec "PowerDVD H.264 (Terratec)", coming with tv-cards.
I have some old scheduled recording from HD channel and i can play that without problems, why can't stream then??
I tried also to record now from hd channel, but it was on playback as jittering as it is from direct stream.

Just how hard this can be to get some channels to work as they should...
I have here 2000€ equipments for media portal and can't watch even tv properly

 

[kiwijunglist]

I'd recommend two options on a fresh vista install and would recommend avoiding any codec packs.
I'd recommend you do a ghost of your install prior to messing around with any codecs.

(1) install SAF

or

(2)

Install PDVD8 Build 2217aU + Haali's MKV Splitter (Click AVI support) + Manually register MPCVideodec.ax (From MPC-HC 32bit standalone filters) + Manually register these files (flvspliter.ax mp4splitter.dll) from MPC-HC standalone filters, then install real alternative 1.9 Lite. Don't install any other codecs. Don't allow WMP to auto install codecs.

You can also install MPC-HC standalone video player, as that is a great media player using internal filters (so is external codec independent)

In MP advanced setup choose
TV = SD: MPV / H264: PDVD8 H264
Video = SD: MPV / H264: MPCVideoDec
Render = EVR

Personally I'd choose option #2 because SAF isn't testing for live HDTV.

Note - latest versions of PDVD8 and PDVD9 are not compatible with MP. That's why i recommend build# 2217aU