Same Codec as XBMC? (1 Viewer)

kazooless

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November 22, 2010
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Hello,

I keep coming back to look at MediaPortal and in the end I end up going back to XBMC. But it has a problem that MediaPortal doesn't (which is why I keep looking at MP).

However, I just can't seem to make the quality of the video anywhere near as good as the video quality when I play the same file in XBMC. I am wondering if anyone here knows what codecs XBMC uses and if they can be applied to MP.

I also have trouble with it playing 5.1 surround via S/PDIF but no problems on XBMC. Sometimes I can get it right with MP, but it seems that I can't get all types of files at the same time to play correctly.

To me, it seems MP is much more powerful and customizable, but that is its downfall too. I'm willing to keep trying and put the work into it, but I have an entire day into this again and still I don't have satisfying results. :(

Help me become a Media Portal user! :D

Thanks,

kazooless
 

Steelman1991

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  • March 28, 2008
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    xbmc codecs are proprietary (using ffmpeg as their source). My understanding is that they are not configurable as use in other applications. What you could try is using vlc as an external player (AFAIK, there codec parameters are based very closely on xbmc source).

    I hover constantly between xbmc and MP, but set-up correctly I have found little difference in picture quality between the 2 - if anything MP is slightly better, because it is more configurable.

    What areas are you struggling with - MP set-up using either saf6 or indivdually loaded codecs should provide you with an equal if not better video playback experience than xbmc.
     

    Paranoid Delusion

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    VLC quality sucks big time, would be nice to know some pc specifications, my video quality is excellent using LAV cuvid (need nvidia gpu), but even with the likes of PDVD or M$ codecs results are pretty good as well, so I'm really surprised about quality, are you using digital (hdmi\dvi) or analogue cable to connect screen.
     

    Steelman1991

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    Never used it personally - only recommended as a close link to xbmc. Like you I'm really surprised at the comment, though agree some further info would help to make a more considered response.
     

    kazooless

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    November 22, 2010
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    I am using an Intel DG45FC board. It has Intel HD Graphics and my audio is going over S/PDIF. Quality is great on XBMC so it is powerful enough for these videos. I am somewhat new to MP, so I used the wiki to try and figure out what I should do to setup. I installed Haali Media Splitter as well as the Quicktime splitter. I tried DivX too. I tried setting the codecs to "auto." It definitely isn't as friendly as XBMC but I am willing to keep trying things.

    I don't know what saf6 or LAV is.

    Thanks,

    kazooless
     

    emphatic

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    Yes, the "Automatic" filter selection in MediaPortal has never worked for me. SAF 6 is a great starting point. Download, install (click YES for passthrough audio and NO for subtitles) then setup the filter use in MediaPortal's Configuration app as shown in first post or just enter LAV for everything (assuming you're using the *locked* SAF 6) There's no reason IMHO to use the *unlocked* (need to PM the author of the SAF package for that) now that it's relying on LAV .

    https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/codecs-331/saf-v6-00-based-lavf-95635/

    Emph
     

    kazooless

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    November 22, 2010
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    Thanks guys. I will give this a shot. I might not be able to get back to it until the weekend though. Did I just not read far enough in the wiki? Or has it not been updated yet to refer to SAF?

    Kazoo
     

    elvis56

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    January 5, 2009
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    Not much info to add other then I have been playing with XBMC lately and I am actually less impressed with the video quality on my LED and LCD tvs. I get much crisper video using Hoborg's SAF package and Media Portal. The one thing I like about xbmc is how fluent you can move through the skin's menus. Seems (to me a least) to be less resource hungry.

    Good Luck and enjoy.
     

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