Display corruption on all video playback via HDMI (1 Viewer)

[finrudd341]

TV-Server Version: 1.0.2
MediaPortal Version: 1.0.2
MediaPortal Skin: Xface
Windows Version: Windows XP Pro SP3
CPU Type: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Processor
HDD: 3 x Wester Digital WD10EACS 1000Gb (RAID 1) & 1 x Wester Digital WD1600Js 160GB boot drive
Memory: 2 x 2GB Kingston (cheap stuff) DDR2
Motherboard: Asustek P5E-V HDMI L775 Motherboard
Video Card: Intel G35 Express Chipset HDMI Output
Video Card Driver:
Sound Card: Realtek onboard
Sound Card AC3:
Sound Card Driver:
1. TV Card: FloppyDTV C/CI
1. TV Card Type: DVB-C
1. TV Card Driver:
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: NET TV (Brazil)
HTPC Case: Zalman HD160-XT PLUS Case Silver
Cooling: Zalman CNPS8500 LED CPU Fan
Power Supply: ZM600-HP Heatpipe Cooled 600W Modular PSU
Remote: Logitech Harmony 525
TV: Sharp Aquos 42"
TV - HTPC Connection: HDMI to AV Receiver - to HDMI on LCD

I am having intermittent problems with all video playback via MP - recently the problem appears to be on all formats, including AVI, and playing directly from DVD folders (VIDEO_TS, containing .vob, .ifo etc).

The problem is evident in 'My Videos' and 'My TV Series' - when playing back the same files via Windows Media Player, without MP running, the problem is never seen.

The HTPC is connected via the Intel G35 Express Chipset HDMI output to the HDMI input on a Marantz AV Receiver, and from there, the HDMI output goes to HDMI input on the TV. This delivers audio and video, and as mentioned, works fine with Windows Media Player. The HDMI cables are good quality, and it does not appear to be a cabling issue, as playback is fine via Windows Media Player. I thought it might be a problem with HDMI 'handshake' but this seems fine for everything else (audio playback etc, and video when not using MP).

Attached are the logs and the screen capture, which shows the problem - vertical blue lines throughout the screen.

If anyone can think of what might be causing this, please let me know - it's driving me nuts!

 

[tourettes]

Please try with different display adapter drivers. Looks like a driver issue to me. btw. I haven't ever heard anything good about the Intel GPUs. Especially when it comes to media playback.

 

[finrudd341]

Many thanks - I am downgrading the G35 driver now to see if this helps, and will report back if this fixes the rpoblems. I also heard things about the G35 chipset, but other than this, it's been ok so far...if this doesn't work, I will revert back to using my old GPU, but it doesn't have the HDMI output on it, which would be a shame, as I will then not be able to have a single cable solution from HTPC to AV Receiver.

Edit: Same problem still...very strange...any other ideas?

 

[tourettes]

Please try to reproduce the issue with MPC-HC (Media Player Classic – Home Cinema - Video Player) by using an custom EVR renderer (this is pretty close what MP uses).

 

[finrudd341]

Hi Tourettes,

I downloaded and installed MPC-HC (great player btw, thanks) and tried a large selection of video formats without MP running, and all worked perfectly, so it does seem to be something running in MP that is causing the challenge.

I thought of two things - firstly, could it be my mini-display pluggin. It's only an idea, but as I am running a 7" display on the Zalman case, and this uses the second instance of the Intel G35 under Windows Device Manager, maybe it cannot power both displays well enough. I am going to try disabling this and see if it makes any difference.


The other work-around I thought might help would be running MPC-HC as an external player in the MP config - what do you think

Thanks for your help with this.

Edit - disabling the minidisplay plugin didnt make any difference - in MP the video is either corrupted with the blue lines, or sometimes has a green tinge to everything. Once MP exits, and I use MPC-HC or Windows Media PLayer, (on full screen, I should add) the films run perfectly again.

One thing I notice - sometimes when MP first starts, the first moview I watch can play properly, but if I then try and play a second movie, it's corrupted. Sometimes it is like it straight away, so it's fairly random.

Very puzzling.

 

[magao]

You don't list your video card driver - I'm betting it's 14.37.x (you can find out by opening the Intel graphics properties and clicking the "i" in the top left near the close button).

Downgrade to the latest version of 14.36.x and I think your problems will go away.

 

[finrudd341]

Hi Magao, thanks for the reply - I have taken a look, and driver is 6.14.10.5009, and when I run the Intel utility to check for newer version, it says mine is up to date.

I am assuming 14.37.x is 6.14.34.x, so a good deal newer than the one I am running, which is strange..I've uploaded the diagnostics report from the GPU, and am going to dig around online for a new driver version.

The puzzling thing is still that it all works fine when using any media player without MP running - could this be the extra 'oomf' needed to run MP and the media I am trying to play?

Edit: I am being a muppet, and have found the right version. I was using the 14.37.0.5009 version - am now downgrading to 14.36.0.5009 with some trepidation, as it says it's for developers..will update shortly.

 

[finrudd341]

Magao,

Many thanks - rolled the driver back to the older version as you suggested (win2k_xp14365.exe) and all is looking good! I have tried a few different films, and no problems - usually flipping between films causes the problem, and so far so good.

If you are ever in Sao Paulo, pop by for a Caipirinha!

 

[magao]

Vou mesmo Morei no Mogi das Cruzes pelo um ano, 15 anos atras, como intercambista. And my Portuguese is really rusty ...

Build 5009 is indeed 14.37 (specifically, 14.37.0.5009).