Dropped frames, again - please please please can this be fixed? (1 Viewer)

[jonm]

Having been driven mad by dropped frames when watching TV I have just built a new HTPC with an Asus P7H55-M motherboard and an Intel Core i3 540. I've set the GPU at 1100Mhz in the BIOS. I'm using Win 7 64 bit with 4Gb RAM and an SSD. I'm using 1.1.2 with the Windows 7 standard codecs.

Still, I'm getting dropped frames when watching HD TV.

I'm tearing my hair out here.

I simply can't believe that this hardware isn't capable of playing HD TV without obvious visible dropped frames.

This is my third iteration of hardware and I just can't throw any more money at it. If I use VMR9, I don't get
dropped frames. But the menus don't work properly. So I have to use EVR, and then I see dropped frames.

I know this has been discussed ad nauseam on these forums - I've certainly mentioned it a few times
myself, but it is still a problem, and it is in danger of making me throw in the towel and abandon MP
and I *really* don't want to do that: I really like this software, I've invested a lot of time and effort in
a whole-house multi-seat setup and I don't want to change - but the dropped frames are driving me *bonkers*

Please, can some focus be given to addressing this issue? I'll do anything I can to help.

Thanks in advance,

Jon.

 

[mm1352000]

Hi Jon M

I have just read through some of your postings and I'm genuinely sorry for your troubles. I have to say that I agree with all the other people who have responded to you in the past and said the G45 is underpowered. I mean, it sounds like you've tried different codecs, different drivers, lower resolution etc. What else could it really be, and hence what do you expect us to do about it? I certainly don't know of any way that we can reduce the load on the GPU, but having said that it is not really my area of expertise.

The last thing I want to do is push you away from MediaPortal, but I don't really know how much more can be said/asked.

How many dropped frames are we talking about here, and is there a pattern (particular frame rates, HD channels only etc.)?
Have you tried a lower resolution (720p - to try and reduce load on the GPU) *with* the CoreAVC decoder (to move the decode load to the CPU)?
Have you tried running in windowed mode?
Are you ***certain*** you don't have signal issues?
Have you turned on the "don't drop discontinued packets in TsReader" option in MediaPortal TV Client config?
Do recordings also drop frames when you play them back and if so, have you analysed them to check there are no errors in them?

 

[Smeulf]

Hi,

Please can you post your C:\ProgramData\Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal\log\Mediaportal.log file ?

More, can you zip and post both your entire "C:\ProgramData\Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal\log folder", and "C:\ProgramData\Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal TV Server\log" ?

There is something I'd like to check before I answer.

Thanks.

 

[jonm]

Hi mm1352000, thanks for the response. (And apologies for the slightly over-emotional tone of my posting, it was late, I was tired!)

I'm no longer using the G45 graphics - that's the thing - I conceded that I needed to upgrade and have done, and I still have the problem

It's enough dropped frames that I notice it affecting the picture - not many - but enough.

Running lower resolution isn't really an option on this my main TV, I want to be running at the native resolution of the panel.

The pattern seems to be that it's just the HD channels. I'm not aware that there are signal issues.

Have you turned on the "don't drop discontinued packets in TsReader" option in MediaPortal TV Client config?

That wasn't turned on, I will try it - thanks.

Do recordings also drop frames when you play them back and if so, have you analysed them to check there are no errors in them?

How do I analyse them for errors?

Thanks for the help - it is appreciated.

 

[pilehave]

You can check your recordings with TS-Doctor Cypheros TS-Doctor (30-day trial available) which will report any errors in the stream.

BTW: Does your recordings play back with or without stutter if you play them through "My Videos" in MediaPortal?

 

[te3hpurp]

So if not G45 anymore, may I ask what is your display adapter now ?.
And what yous HD codec ?

Stream analyzing can be done for example with:
hxxp://www.pjdaniel.org.uk/mpeg/index.php

Br,

 

[miroslav22]

Jon - what GPU are you using now?

Have you tried the coreAVC codec? If not it's certainly worth a go

Edit: What % does your CPU run at when viewing HD?

 

[jonm]

I'm now using the onboard graphics with an Asus P7H55-M motherboard and an Intel Core i3 540 as mentioned in my first post.

I have tried CoreAVC, and the picture wasn't as good. I'm at work now, will check the CPU %age and post logs tonight.

 

[miroslav22]

I'm sorry to say it's unlikely an onboard GPU will be powerful enough. 1080i video requires a lot of processing power to decode, de-interlace and render.

You're going to need at least a strong 4xxx series Radeon (At least £100 I would think). I'd recommend a good 5xxx series if you can stretch to it.

 

[RobNorthcott]

I'm now using the onboard graphics with an Asus P7H55-M motherboard and an Intel Core i3 540 as mentioned in my first post.

I have tried CoreAVC, and the picture wasn't as good. I'm at work now, will check the CPU %age and post logs tonight.

I was having loads of problems with HD playback recently, played around with all sorts of things and eventually found it was a codec thing. I've been using PDVD codecs for ages, but they just don't seem to work any more for HD on my system (no idea why). Tried a few other codecs and settled on the ArcSoft one. It seems to have as good a picture as PDVD IMO and plays back smoothly. Could be worth a try - worked for me...

(I'm still using PDVD for SD)

Rob