Torn between PowerDVD and CoreAVC (1 Viewer)

[ThaClown]

TV-Server Version: RC1 SVN-Snapshot:-06-13-2008 23-32h - Revision:19376
MediaPortal Version: SVN-Snapshot:-06-13-2008 23-32h - Revision:19376
MediaPortal Skin: Aeoon Wide 1.1
Windows Version: Windows XP, sp2
CPU Type: AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+
HDD: 3,5TB: 2x320GB+500GB MobileHDD (HTPC), 2x500GB (server), RAID5 3x500GB (Workstartion)
Memory: 1GB: 2x 512Mb DDR2 667MHz
Motherboard: MSI Motherbord K9AGM2-FIH
Video Card: Club3D HD2400 Pro lowprofile
Video Card Driver: ATI Catalyst 8.4
Sound Card: 7.1 with SDIF optical-out (only use 5.1.... Nice DTS!!)
Sound Card AC3: optical out
1. TV Card: Floppy FireDTV-C
1. TV Card Type: DVB-C
1. TV Card Driver: Digital Everywhere BDA 4.5.N, Alphacrypt CAM with filmware v1.4
MPEG2 Video Codec: FFDShow, Haali Mediasplitter, Quicktime Alternative, Real Alternative
MPEG2 Audio Codec: FFDShow Audio, AC3 filter
h.264 Video Codec: PowerDVD 8 Ultra OR CoreAVC
Satelite/CableTV Provider: Ziggo (Cable)
HTPC Case: Silverstone LC11 black (no alot of room but it rocks)
Cooling: St. AMD Athlon64 cooler, CM Ultra Silent Case Fan
Power Supply: Silverstone 300W-SST-LC11
Remote: Logitech MX Air, Microsoft MCE remote & keyboard and Logitech Harmony 525
TV: Samsung LE40F71B FullHD
TV - HTPC Connection: DVI-I to HDMI

I have been testing a little and sofar my conclusion is this:

Best playback of ALL files > CoreAVC

Low drain on pc but not all files (mostly x264) play > PowerDVD with DVXA

I want to use DVXA so that my HD2400 can do the work, but I now come to the point that im thinking that CoreAVC is better.
ALL my files play with CoreAVC! whilst when using PowerDVD I have several movies that won't do...
The only problem is that for some x264 files (like Batman Begins 1080P) when using CoreAVC my CPU% is 80 to 90!

Is there any wat to make PowerDVD work for H264 but CoreAVC for x264?
What are your experiances?

 

[seco]

That's the reason I invested to C2D processor that is powerful enough to do software decoding.

I think many HTPC builders rely too much on GPU hardware decoding capabilities and buy CPUs that aren't powerful enough when needed

 

[ThaClown]

I know what you mean.. for my next build ill got for a more powerfull CPU I think..

 

[Paranoid Delusion]

Best playback of ALL files > CoreAVC

Think you answered your own question, don't you

 

[ThaClown]

Well I guess I do, but still I am troubled about not using my Graphics Card capabilities....
But true, I probably should not thing about it and be glad that it all works!

 

[Spooky]

Do you only have problems playing x264 mkv files with the PowerDVD codec? If so, then the problem relies in the mkv files, not the PowerDVD codec itself. In order to get x264 files hardware accelerated, they have to be encoded in a certain profile, with certain settings. See x264 Encoding Options for Hardware Compatibility & DXVA - AVS Forum for more details.

 

[deebo]

coreavc cannot handle h264 files with nonstandard (h264 spec) pixel aspect ratios

powerdvd can, and even without dxva can multithread

powerdvd on the other hand creates some blocking that libavcodec and coreavc don't, but overall powerdvd is still the best choice (using without dxva)

 

[vlukinius]

I am also trying to decide what codecs to use. I have tried coreavc, powerdvd and ffdshow.
I dont really know what is different between them.

Is there any good summary describing codecs (audio and video) used in HTPC solutions?
I love to read up on all new issues, but I simply find to much information.

 

[riadmelb]

but overall powerdvd is still the best choice (using without dxva)

If you have enough cpu power, yes.
I use CoreAVC because my cpu cannot handle PowerDVD without DXVA.

 

[JackTramiel]

TV-Server Version: latest SVN
MediaPortal Version: latest SVN
MediaPortal Skin: BlueTwo Wide
Windows Version: XP SP.2
CPU Type: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+
HDD: Samsung 500 GB, Hitachi 500 GB
Memory: 2 GB DDR400
Motherboard: ASUS A8N SLI Premium
Video Card: MSI GF8500 GT
Video Card Driver: aktueller offizieller Detonator
Sound Card: ACL850 onboard
Sound Card AC3: optical out
Sound Card Driver: latest driver
1. TV Card: Terratec Cinergy 1200
1. TV Card Type: DVB-S
1. TV Card Driver: latest official
2. TV Card: none
2. TV Card Type: none
2. TV Card Driver: none
3. TV Card: none
3. TV Card Type: none
3. TV Card Driver: none
4. TV Card: none
4. TV Card Type: none
4. TV Card Driver: none
MPEG2 Video Codec: PureVideo 1.23
MPEG2 Audio Codec: ffdshow
h.264 Video Codec:
Satelite/CableTV Provider: Astra 19.2
HTPC Case: Silverstone LC16M
Cooling: AC
Power Supply:
Remote: iMon
TV: Sony KDS55A 2000
TV - HTPC Connection: HDMI

There was a big H264 Codec shoot out on tomshardware. Actually they just tested hdtv with several codecs but might be worth reading. CoreAVC did not satisfy the testers, where PowerDVD7 does. I use CoreAVC and cant complain.