What codec for HD playback - NEW problem (2 Viewers)

[Kalf]

MediaPortal Version: RC2
MediaPortal Skin: Standard
Windows Version: Windows XP Media Center Edition SP3
CPU Type: P4 1.6ghtz
Memory: 256MB
Motherboard: Dell Dimention 4300
Video Card: Nvidia GeForce 7800GT
Video Card Driver: Latest
TV: LG 42" plasma HD-ready (Max 720p)
TV - HTPC Connection: DVI-hdmi


What video codec should I use to get the best playback for HD-movies? I've tried Nvidia Pure video But the image is laging when it hapens to much.

What codecs do you use for HD-playback?

Best regards
Kalf

NEW HARDWARE AND PROBLEM READ BELOW

 

[Pascal]

Hi Kalf,

I use the powerdvd 8 codec h264. Works fine. I do not know if your graphics card supports hardware acceleration for h.264 playback, that would make things even more smooth!

regards,

Pascal

 

[revs]

I use the PowerDVD 8 codec. With and without hardware accel it works well. (I just got a HD 3450 today, so finally have HW Accel!)

 

[Kalf]

Hi.

I'm trying the powerdvd codec at the moment. And it works much better now. But I't is still lagging. But I think it is because I only have a 1.6ghtz processor. But the only thing is that mediaportal works great and don't lagging up like it should if the processor was working at 100%. What do you recomend me to do to solve this?

And do I need to install annything to get hardware acceleration to work(I don't know if I have it or not.)

Best regards
Kalf

 

[doornjoostje]

You use hardware acceleration setting right?

If that doesn't work, it might be time to invest a little in a new motherboard, processor and memory.

 

[revs]

Hardware acceleration will be based on your graphics card. You would need a ATI 2XXX or higher, or a NVidia 8XXX or higer

A 1.6 Ghz processor isnt really enough for HD. I have a AMD X2 3800+ and that just about handles HD. With a Graphics Card providing hardware acceleration however, the CPU woudlnt really matter.

EDIT - just realised ou have a 7800GT, that should accelerate HD, however - you only have 256MB of RAM??? Thats not enough for windows, let alon Video or HD!!

 

[Kalf]

Yes I have a 7800GT. And I was wrong, I have 512MB och RAM. But how do I activate hardware acceleration?

Kalf

 

[mr viggo]

With that card you can probably only acc. dvd-content. If you're intrested in playing HD you should upgrade to a proper card that has full acc. of AVC/H.264(see revs post)

But don't expect an easy ride to get it to work. There are numerous threads of how to enable DXVA (HW acc.) all over HTPC forums.

 

[Kalf]

New problem, please help me

MediaPortal Version: RC2
MediaPortal Skin: Standard
Windows Version: Windows XP pro SP3
CPU Type: celerson 3.06ghtz
Memory: 1024MB
Motherboard: ASRock P4i65G
Video Card: Nvidia GeForce 7800GT
Video Card Driver: Latest
TV: LG 42" plasma HD-ready (Max 720p)
TV - HTPC Connection: DVI-hdmi

Hello again. I realized that my hardware was'nt up to date so I upgraded my HTPC with a new motherboard, CPU and RAM. So now shouldent it be any problem with the harware. But I have problems playing HD-content. If I play smal .mkv files (like 30mb) it is not any problems, most of the time anyway. But when I play larger files the picture sometimes comes after the sound and "laggs". And if sometimes the sound comes after aswell. Why is this and how do I fix it?

I'm using AVC codec. And then I'm streming the file over the network so can that be the problem? And is there any guide to how to set up everything so you can play .mkv's smoothly?

With best regards
Kalf

 

[een_mq]

If you got time you can try the guide below.
Beforehand I couldn't get streaming HD working with nvidia, powerdvd and coreavc.
ffdshow solves my problem though

Check this page for the ffdshow guide, make sure you remove all codec and codec packs beforehand... You can try ghosting your current image and trying this one afterwards
http://users.vic.chariot.net.au/~mitreski/mediaportal codec guide v.2.pdf