Stuttering MKV/x264 playback with GF8600GT (1 Viewer)

SweMart

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  • March 25, 2006
    359
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    Stockholm, Sweden
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    Sweden Sweden
    TV-Server Version:
    MediaPortal Version: 0.2.2.0
    MediaPortal Skin: BlueTwo Wide
    Windows Version: Win XP MCE 2005 RU2
    CPU Type: AMD64 3200+
    HDD: Seagate 320GB
    Memory: A-DATA "Hi-Performance 2*1GB
    Motherboard: Asus A8N-E
    Motherboard Chipset: Nvidia Nforce4
    Motherboard Bios: Asus
    Video Card: Asus Geforce 8600GT 256MB SILENT
    Video Card Driver: 158.22
    Sound Card: Soundblaster X-FI Xtreme Music
    Sound Card AC3: coaxial out
    Sound Card Driver:
    1. TV Card: Digital Everywhere FloppyDTV-C
    1. TV Card Type: DVB-C
    1. TV Card Driver: 4.8
    2. TV Card: Digital Everywhere FloppyDTV-T
    2. TV Card Type: DVB-T
    2. TV Card Driver: 4.8
    3. TV Card: Hauppauge PVR2 USB2
    3. TV Card Type: Analog
    3. TV Card Driver: 2.24.117
    4. TV Card:
    4. TV Card Type:
    4. TV Card Driver:
    MPEG2 Video Codec: Nvidia PureVideo 1.02.196 + PowerDVD 7 Rev 2911
    MPEG2 Audio Codec: Nvidia PureVideo 1.02.196
    Satelite/CableTV Provider: Boxer
    HTPC Case: Cooler Master Cavalier 4 Black
    Cooling: Antec Cyclone PCI Blower
    Power Supply: Cooler Master 350W
    Remote: MCE 2005 Remote+Keyboard
    TV: Samsung LE40R51 40"
    TV - HTPC Connection: HDMI

    Hi,

    I've just done a fresh install of my HTPC, I used to have performance problems with H.264 content so today I put in a GF8660GT. HDTV broadcasts and HD DVD playback is now fine but I'm still experiencing problems with .MKV files encoded using x264.

    CPU utilization is now down to approx 30% but there's still a bit of stuttering when it comes to the picture. Some movies are worse than others.

    The problem occurs both in MP as well as in WMP. The following software is installed except MP:
    - PowerDVD 7 rev 2911
    - Latest PureVideo codec from Nvidia
    - Latest Haali mediasplitter from http://haali.cs.msu.ru/mkv/

    Is there something I need to do? Some magical setting? It's pretty strange since CPU util is not at 100%.

    Is the CPU getting to old? AMD64 3200+.

    Any input is much appreciated!

    Cheers,
    Martin
     

    thematrixz

    Portal Pro
    June 20, 2007
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    I have a feeling that the PureVideo codec you have is of an old version which doesn't contain HD codec. I have the 8500GT card and use the latest Nvidia driver which should include the H264 codec. I have no stuttering issues.
     

    rocky500

    Portal Member
    December 9, 2005
    30
    2
    If you don't mind trying something different.
    I would uninstall the Purevideo codec.
    Download and install the latest ffdshow from freecodecs.

    I have a similar system and have installed Powerdvd v7, FFDshow & Haali.
    All works excellent on a PJ at 1280x720
     

    ThaClown

    Moderator - Dutch Forums
    May 28, 2006
    808
    26
    Den Bosch
    Home Country
    Netherlands Netherlands
    Will this work for me?

    Could you guys tell me if this will work on my system?
    I am thinking of getting a Radeon HD 2400...
    Do you think that will be a good choice, and will my system then be capable of showing full HD?
     

    pastimer

    Portal Pro
    May 15, 2006
    59
    0
    67
    Leiden, Netherlands
    Hardware H.264 playback is not yet supported in the XP driver for the 8K Geforce series. You have to install vista or wait for the new drivers to arrive. The purevideo decoder is obsolete for your card. You need purevideo HD and that needs no software.

    Regards, Eppo
     

    thematrixz

    Portal Pro
    June 20, 2007
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    I tried both Vista and XP (using latest Nvidia drivers) and both work fine with H264 files, not stuttering at all and CPU usage is around 30-40%. Though I can sometimes get lip sync issue on XP (audio runs ahead of video)

    This is on a Core 2 Duo 2.4ghz, 2gb, Nvidia 8500 video.
     

    pastimer

    Portal Pro
    May 15, 2006
    59
    0
    67
    Leiden, Netherlands
    You are not using purevideo HD when CPU is at 30-40% with a 8500 or 8600 card and viewing h.264 content, i think. Use graphedit to check.
    As ALL decoding is done on the card, the CPU should be at 5-15% max, for any dual core or single core like Athlon 64 3800+.

    Eppo
     

    SweMart

    MP Donator
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  • March 25, 2006
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    Stockholm, Sweden
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    Sweden Sweden
    Hardware H.264 playback is not yet supported in the XP driver for the 8K Geforce series. You have to install vista or wait for the new drivers to arrive. The purevideo decoder is obsolete for your card. You need purevideo HD and that needs no software.

    Regards, Eppo

    Thanks, also found this info when downloading the latest Nvidia GPU driver beta.
     

    arfster

    Portal Member
    January 2, 2007
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    Home Country
    Scotland Scotland
    Hardware acceleration of mkv h264 doesn't work properly with total bitstream offload cards (8500/8600, and ATI 2400/2600). It's some sort of timing error, and results in the frame rate dropping to 19/20fps. It only happens with mkv h264 and these cards - the same video muxxed into another container works fine.

    Incidentally, when you have hardware acceleration working with these types of cards, cpu will be 2% or lower.
     

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