Struggling here with MP (3 Viewers)

[jsimo01]

Have you set up the channels for epg grabbing in TVServer config? What other satellites are you tuning to?

Also does you DVB-S card support DiSEqC, it may not be able to supply the current needed if not. (try the forums for this one to see what works with your own equipment!)

 

[MLH01]

When I get a chance (tonight - like you I have family commitments that hinder troubleshooting progress... ) I will send you my codec details. I have the same mobo as you and am using Catalyst driver 9.4 with an ATI HD2400XT video card. Version 9.5 came out recently, but I haven't upgraded yet.

OK as promised, the following are my codec settings. Note that I tried 2 different settings, both with success in video, TV and DVD playback - all SD as I only have an old CRT TV.

Setting 1 (for video, TV and DVD):
Audio codec = MPC - MPA
Video codec = MPC - MPEG2 (Gabest)

Setting 2 (for video, TV and DVD):
Audio codec = ffdshow
Video codec = ffdshow

I think the bottom line with codecs is to use the same codecs for audio and video where possible, and to avoid installing too many different codec packs that may cause graph generation issues. If you have used filmerit and it shows no issues, then you should be fine.

One thing to watch out for though is that the ATI Catalyst drivers (including the latest 9.5) seem to have issues with the Cyberlink PowerDVD8 codecs for HD (Blu-ray) content. The 9.5 version has resolved progressive VC1 video content issues though. See the ATI Catalyst 9.5 release notes for more information. Other driver version release notes can be viewed on their site. Just change the 95 in the link to the version you want to look at, leaving out the dot in the version number.

Hope this helps.

 

[globaldonkey]

Ok may 1st problem I have already posted here :-https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/get-support-90/problem-sky-uk-hd-channels-stuttering-60239/#post423298

For some reason I get BBCHD playback fine, but any HD channels from Sky either Stutter badly, or come to a halt with or without any sound.

Yes, it is most likely codec related, and you probably need to look into what SkyHD uses. Pretty sure it's h.264 from what I can google. The "worst" combination (as far as impact on performance and therefore drop / jitter), is h.264 and interlaced. Decoding h.264 AND de-interlacing it is very taxing on GPU / CPU.

You might want to read this thread on your mobo. Assume you are using the inbuilt graphics card. You are probably going to need to DXVA going to accelarate h.264 decoding. It's possible that it isn't working for you. Make sure you read Hoborg's instructions on configuring for SAF to get DXVA going.

https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/...80g-mediaportal-43361/index28.html#post419706

If you get stuck, you could try CoreAVC. It's probably the most efficient h.264 decoder, but you need to pay for it.

 

[Owlsroost]

It might be an idea to start another thread for the EPG setup questions - post as much info as possible about which broadcasters/satellites etc you are interested in.

(I just run UK DVB-T so no personal experience with sat epg stuff).

Tony

 

[chrisuk76]

Ok may 1st problem I have already posted here :-https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/get-support-90/problem-sky-uk-hd-channels-stuttering-60239/#post423298

For some reason I get BBCHD playback fine, but any HD channels from Sky either Stutter badly, or come to a halt with or without any sound.

Yes, it is most likely codec related, and you probably need to look into what SkyHD uses. Pretty sure it's h.264 from what I can google. The "worst" combination (as far as impact on performance and therefore drop / jitter), is h.264 and interlaced. Decoding h.264 AND de-interlacing it is very taxing on GPU / CPU.

You might want to read this thread on your mobo. Assume you are using the inbuilt graphics card. You are probably going to need to DXVA going to accelarate h.264 decoding. It's possible that it isn't working for you. Make sure you read Hoborg's instructions on configuring for SAF to get DXVA going.

https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/...80g-mediaportal-43361/index28.html#post419706

If you get stuck, you could try CoreAVC. It's probably the most efficient h.264 decoder, but you need to pay for it.

Yep, reading through that thread now to try and get ideas to try with different catalysts, different powerdvd version etc.

But I am thinking a complete re-install of Vista and all drivers may be beneficial now, but will try and recover what I have first.

It might be an idea to start another thread for the EPG setup questions - post as much info as possible about which broadcasters/satellites etc you are interested in.

(I just run UK DVB-T so no personal experience with sat epg stuff).

Tony

Yeah I will, but tbh, it is a bit further down on priority list at present.

Cheers



Ok can someone please clarify a few things:-

DXVA - How do I enable this and do I need to install any software to use this?

EVR - How do I enable this?

 

[globaldonkey]

As I said, read Hoborg's SAF guide. You need to use codecs that support DXVA, which SAF does, and you have that installed. It's a bit of hard reading / work, but stick with it.

Enabling EVR is in MediaPortal Configuration - DirectShow Filter Control - Video Renderer. You need to enable Aero in Vista as well.

 

[Owlsroost]

DXVA = DirectX Video Acceleration - it's the method used by (some) codecs to off-load part of the decoding to the video card hardware.

Modern Ati and nVidia video cards can partially handle MPEG-2/H.264/VC1 decoding in hardware - Cyberlink & MPC-HC H.264 codecs will normally use DXVA if it's available, FFDShow and CoreAVC won't.

Tony

 

[globaldonkey]

The bottom line is that you will need to set your codecs correctly in the TV section of MP configuration. You're most likely not using MPC-HC, because I just remembered that MPC-HC doesn't (yet) work with the MediaPortal TS splitter.

Q: Did HDTV (h.264) working with SAF?
A: Not until Media Portal TSreader will suport MPC-HC decoder (0002069: TsReader is not working properly with some H264 codecs - MediaPortal Bugtracker)


You'll need to make sure h.264 TV uses the PowerDVD codec (for DXVA) or ffdshow or Coreavc (for non DXVA). How are your codecs currently set?

 

[chrisuk76]

Just to add I think I may know what my 1st problem is. It looks like Sky HD is transmitted in 1080i, whereas BBC HD is in 720p, so I am guessing the 1080i playback is the problem, either codec related or Hardware?

Anyone else able to view the Sky HD channels with the same or similar spec as mine?

I am thinking about doing a complete re-sinstall starting from Vista, as I from reading posts I see that everyone recommends Catalyst version 8.9 works the best with HD playback, so will try that.

Does anyone have a guide on how to do a clean install for MP and codecs?

BTW, I am also going to use Cyberlink PDVD 8.0.2217.50 Ultra, is this the only codec I need to install or am I better using the SAF package?

Cheers

 

[globaldonkey]

I think I already said that, but yes, h.264 1080i is as bad as it gets when it comes to stressing a CPU and/or GPU.

h.264 = very complex encoding / decoding algorithm (much more complex the MPEG2 ie DVD)
1080 = lots of pixels to process
i = interlaced picture that requires de-interlacing

I'll ask again, what h.264 TV codec are you currently using? It is probably not necessary to re-install.