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Windows 7 Media Center : Setup Guide, Knowledge Base & Support - Page 11

post #301 of 4573
5/31/10 at 5:47pm
Thread Starter 
@rexb610 - My latest guide is focused on using Clown_BD for BR folders and Another EAC3to GUI for MKV, but for ripping on your main PC, not on the HTPC.

I personally haven`t used Auto-rip & compress, i found a guide about it and included it into my guide. I will make a more detailed investigation tomorrow since it`s late (4am) where i live.

In the meantime, can you please do something:
In Media Info (once you have loaded that specific m2ts, ofc) go to View tab, select Text. Then go to the File tab and select Export.
On the Export screen, select the Text tab, click advanced mode and select the desired filename and click Ok
After that upload that txt file here.

It`s very strange that your DTS stream has a "Stream Extension". If it would be DTS-HD MA there would be a MA instead of "Stream Extension". If it would be just plain DTS, there would be no extension and you should see the bitrate.
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post #302 of 4573
5/31/10 at 5:51pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alterity17 View Post

Some of my settings were not correct, however it still didn't solve the issue when I changed them. Again it's just movies that are encoded with DTS-HD. Regular DTS is just fine.

Well the good part is that it won`t affect bitstreaming on your receiver, since the audio stream is untouched and decoded on the receiver. So you will not encounter this problem on your HTPC.

The bad part is that we still haven`t solved it. I`m going to some testing tomorrow and see what comes up, cuz it`s late (4AM) here were i live.
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post #303 of 4573
5/31/10 at 6:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenEyez View Post
@rexb610 but for ripping on your main PC, not on the HTPC.
I only have one powerful PC right now and it's this HTPC with blu-ray drive. So it's my all in one purpose for now. My other one is a core2duo laptop but no blu-ray drive.

By the way, here is the text file. thanks again!

 

Blind Side MediaInfo Ttxt.txt 2.3671875k . file
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post #304 of 4573
5/31/10 at 7:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenEyez View Post

Well the good part is that it won`t affect bitstreaming on your receiver, since the audio stream is untouched and decoded on the receiver. So you will not encounter this problem on your HTPC.

The bad part is that we still haven`t solved it. I`m going to some testing tomorrow and see what comes up, cuz it`s late (4AM) here were i live.

Don't stress yourself out. This is just a very temporary setup probably only for like 2 months, so it's not a big deal. I was just a little curious though. It does make me a little worried though when I finally get all the parts ready and have an issue with my final build. This is why I was installing it on this PC, to test everything out.
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post #305 of 4573
6/1/10 at 4:15am
So I have decided to just stick with the Microsoft DTV-Video Decoder for my core i5 HTPC for the time being. I was using PDVD 10 Video Decoder for h264 and Arcsoft Video Decoder for VC-1, but noticed I was getting a slight stutter. I started messing around with different combinations of filters and somehow my system got screwed up because no matter what combination the stuttering got horrible. Did a PC restore, reinstalled MPC HC, and using the MS Video Decoder along with the ffdshow Audio decoder everything is back to normal. I was getting tempted to just buy a low profile 5xxx card, but since it seems that Intel and the MPC HC guys are now finally working together I will wait to see how things unfold. Of course if I ever decide to go 23.976 I will need to get a 5xxx card anyhow.
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post #306 of 4573
6/1/10 at 6:59am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alterity17 View Post

Don't stress yourself out. This is just a very temporary setup probably only for like 2 months, so it's not a big deal. I was just a little curious though. It does make me a little worried though when I finally get all the parts ready and have an issue with my final build. This is why I was installing it on this PC, to test everything out.

Well, no, you don`t have to worry if you plan on doing bitstreaming since it`s the receiver that`s doing the processing, not your HTPC. What receiver do you have?

I haven`t gotten round to test the latest Shark pack (i have the older version) since i slept for 14 hours (lol), but will do i will do it tonight. It`s definitely something with ffdshow audio, since it works with VLC.

In the meantime, you could install MPC-HC & ffdshow (latest builds from the links in my guide), i tested those (use them on my main PC) following Section 1.1 and use it as your main player instead of VLC. It is superior to VLC when in comes to PQ (VLC is worst from all the players i have teste) and supports DXVA.
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post #307 of 4573
6/1/10 at 7:02am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rexb610 View Post

I only have one powerful PC right now and it's this HTPC with blu-ray drive. So it's my all in one purpose for now. My other one is a core2duo laptop but no blu-ray drive.

By the way, here is the text file. thanks again!

Ok, the rip has DTS-HD MA. Ok, what hardware do you have and does bitstreaming work with Blu rays played back with TMT 3?
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post #308 of 4573
6/1/10 at 7:05am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by dbone1026 View Post

So I have decided to just stick with the Microsoft DTV-Video Decoder for my core i5 HTPC for the time being. I was using PDVD 10 Video Decoder for h264 and Arcsoft Video Decoder for VC-1, but noticed I was getting a slight stutter. I started messing around with different combinations of filters and somehow my system got screwed up because no matter what combination the stuttering got horrible. Did a PC restore, reinstalled MPC HC, and using the MS Video Decoder along with the ffdshow Audio decoder everything is back to normal. I was getting tempted to just buy a low profile 5xxx card, but since it seems that Intel and the MPC HC guys are now finally working together I will wait to see how things unfold. Of course if I ever decide to go 23.976 I will need to get a 5xxx card anyhow.

Great news if they finally started to work on fixing the MPC decoder issue. I`m tempted to replace my mATX build (HD5450+Athlon II x2) with a smaller mini-ITX Core i3 build, but i`ll wait untill they fix the decoder. About 23.976 playback, heard any news about it?
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post #309 of 4573
6/1/10 at 8:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenEyez View Post

Great news if they finally started to work on fixing the MPC decoder issue. I`m tempted to replace my mATX build (HD5450+Athlon II x2) with a smaller mini-ITX Core i3 build, but i`ll wait untill they fix the decoder. About 23.976 playback, heard any news about it?

From what I have heard they are aware of it. Now whether or not they fix it, my money saws it will not be fixed. I think the successor to the Clarkdale (Sandy Bridge or something like that) is due out next year so my guess there is limited motivation with Clarkdale to fix the issue.
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post #310 of 4573
6/1/10 at 9:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenEyez View Post

Ok, the rip has DTS-HD MA. Ok, what hardware do you have and does bitstreaming work with Blu rays played back with TMT 3?

Yes I do have bitstreaming when Blu-ray is played through TMT and the DTS-HD master lights up on my Onkyo TX-SR606 receiver. I have Intel QuadCore with 1GB ATI Radeon 5450.
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post #311 of 4573
6/1/10 at 9:32am
Thread Starter 
Oh, yeah, and 2 last things, does bitstreaming from mkv files work and what Catalyst version are you running ? Also, i presume you have the latest MPC-HC and ffdshow from the links in the guide?
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post #312 of 4573
6/1/10 at 10:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenEyez View Post

Oh, yeah, and 2 last things, does bitstreaming from mkv files work and what Catalyst version are you running ? Also, i presume you have the latest MPC-HC and ffdshow from the links in the guide?

No bitstreaming with MKV or M2TS using MPC-HC.

I do get bitstreaming playing blu-ray and ISO with TMT.

I've already updated Catalyst (i was the one with both Catalyst and Realtek audio drivers and since removed the realtek). I'm not at home right now so i can't get the actual version.

I got both MPC-HC and ffdshow from your guide links.
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post #313 of 4573
6/1/10 at 10:29am
Thread Starter 
Ok, try this ffdshow version (this is what i have with my HD5450 + Denon 2310 setup and works) http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DQN7M902

It may be a bug in the latest version. Uninstall the previous one, install this one, make the same audio settings.
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post #314 of 4573
6/1/10 at 12:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenEyez View Post

Houston, we have a problem. A big one.

umdivx - I`ve done some new testing regarding your config, and DXVA does not work when used with a subtitle filter, as i mentioned before in the first page.

See this image above. The video is DXVA complaint and plays fine with DXVA & subs in MPC-HC.

Also, for some strange reason, even if i deselected DirectVob sub in the instalation config, set ffdshow to be the default subtile handler, it still loads up vob-sub. From where? God knows, since it is cleary not installed, because when i click the vob sub settings it gives me a missing dll error (which is normal, since it is not installed).

So finally had a chance to play around more last night and go through my settings. Still can't see the difference. Also not seeing where you can find out if DXVA is being used as one thing is when you minimize or "window" 7MC it is no longer in EVR mode, so wondering if that has something to do with the DXVA and all that.

Right now I am still going back and forth between MPC-HC DXVA and FFDshow DXVA.

- Josh
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post #315 of 4573
6/1/10 at 1:20pm
This is an utterly excellent thread. I have a couple questions, however.

I have my movies separated into three categories, HD (containing MKV's), TV, and SD.

For some reason HD will only show the first movie but none of the others. I have mkvs in my TV folder and they appear just fine. Any reason this may be?

Also, about the downloading of cover art. It's downloading some of the more unknown movie's covert art but doesn't download one like Sweeney Todd. Any ideas?
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post #316 of 4573
6/1/10 at 1:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by umdivx View Post

So finally had a chance to play around more last night and go through my settings. Still can't see the difference. Also not seeing where you can find out if DXVA is being used as one thing is when you minimize or "window" 7MC it is no longer in EVR mode, so wondering if that has something to do with the DXVA and all that.

Right now I am still going back and forth between MPC-HC DXVA and FFDshow DXVA.

- Josh

Enable the ffdshow icon in Shark. When you play a movie in 7MC, look in the taskbar and the ffdshow icon should appear. Right click and you should have a list of codecs/renderers being used, on top of the list. Click the MPC-HC Video decoder and you should get a screen where you can see if DXVA is used or not.

If DXVA is used, the CPU usage should be below 10% (considering you don`t have anything else running that takes up CPU cycles). Also, DXVA can be used even with VRM9, it`s nothing specific to EVR, and EVR can be used in fullscreen or windowed, it doesn`t matter. It`s the Overlay rendere that has issues with Aero (it disables Aero).
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post #317 of 4573
6/1/10 at 1:40pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cackus Jack View Post

This is an utterly excellent thread. I have a couple questions, however.

I have my movies separated into three categories, HD (containing MKV's), TV, and SD.

For some reason HD will only show the first movie but none of the others. I have mkvs in my TV folder and they appear just fine. Any reason this may be?

Also, about the downloading of cover art. It's downloading some of the more unknown movie's covert art but doesn't download one like Sweeney Todd. Any ideas?

How many movies do you have in the HD folder? Also, are those movies stored in a separate folder for each movie?
Here is the correct movie folder structure and tv shows structure.
http://community.mediabrowser.tv/per...ia-collections

Also, be sure that you have the correct name (no funny simbols like dots or underscore between the words). If you need a program that removes things like that automatically from your names, tell me, i`ll give you a link.

The correct name and year (optional, but recommended since there might me 2 movies with the same name, different years (Nightmare on Elm Street from 84 and remake from 2010 for ex) is necesary for correct metadata retrieval and poster retrieval.
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post #318 of 4573
6/1/10 at 1:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenEyez View Post

Ok, try this ffdshow version (this is what i have with my HD5450 + Denon 2310 setup and works) http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DQN7M902

It may be a bug in the latest version. Uninstall the previous one, install this one, make the same audio settings.

Thanks. I'll try it later when i get home.
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post #319 of 4573
6/1/10 at 1:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenEyez View Post

How many movies do you have in the HD folder? Also, are those movies stored in a separate folder for each movie?
Here is the correct movie folder structure and tv shows structure.
http://community.mediabrowser.tv/per...ia-collections

Also, be sure that you have the correct name (no funny simbols like dots or underscore between the words). If you need a program that removes things like that automatically from your names, tell me, i`ll give you a link.

The correct name and year (optional, but recommended since there might me 2 movies with the same name, different years (Nightmare on Elm Street from 84 and remake from 2010 for ex) is necesary for correct metadata retrieval and poster retrieval.

Thank you for replying so soon!

I've found it wasn't registering the HD movies because there simply wasn't enough folders within the HD folder. When I added more it began to work.

What I'm very curious about now is how this whole cover art system works. I did some tests and it seems that they are looked up due to folder names, if that's what you are using. What I don't understand is how it can detect a lesser known show like Red Dwarf, but it doesn't find Lost. I even put Lost (2004) as the folder name to no avail. I'm curious where the cover art is downloaded and if you can go there and check if it even exists (though I'm sure in this case, it does).

Thanks for the help!

Edit: Haha, I maximized the program and Lost was there! But now I'm still wondering how it works as shows like Caprica and Spartacus Blood and Sand still aren't there.
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post #320 of 4573
6/1/10 at 2:04pm
Thread Starter 
For TV series you need a different folder structure (see the link i gave you, it`s at the end of the page)

It`s something like this :
D:\\TV Series\\Lost (2004)\\Season 1\\ Lost S01E01.mkv , Lost S01E02.mkv , Lost S01E03.mkv etc.

Basically in the Lost (2004) folder you need the Season X folder (where X is the season number) and in the Season X folders you can put the episodes named like above. You don`t need separate folders for each episode, just put them in their apropiate Season folder.

I think tvdb.com is for TV series, and for movies, i have no clue, but i`ll check into it. Anyway, Lost should be identified if you organize the folder structure correctly.
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post #321 of 4573
6/1/10 at 2:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenEyez View Post

For TV series you need a different folder structure (see the link i gave you, it`s at the end of the page)

It`s something like this :
D:\\TV Series\\Lost (2004)\\Season 1\\ Lost S01E01.mkv , Lost S01E02.mkv , Lost S01E03.mkv etc.

Basically in the Lost (2004) folder you need the Season X folder (where X is the season number) and in the Season X folders you can put the episodes named like above. You don`t need separate folders for each episode, just put them in their apropiate Season folder.

I think tvdb.com is for TV series, and for movies, i have no clue, but i`ll check into it. Anyway, Lost should be identified if you organize the folder structure correctly.

Wow thank you sir you are a king among men. I wasn't putting season folders into the equation, it seems that was all that needed to be done.
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post #322 of 4573
6/1/10 at 2:20pm
Thread Starter 
Your welcome, it`s my pleasure, it`s good to see that people are getting the most out of their HTPC.
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post #323 of 4573
6/1/10 at 2:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenEyez View Post

Your welcome, it`s my pleasure, it`s good to see that people are getting the most out of their HTPC.

Yes, this is literally the greatest thing ever conceived by man. The only problem I see so far is that some things have characters like / or : in the titles, and you can't name folders or files these things. I suppose I could become a member of the TV and Movie image databases and upload my own images, but, well, maybe tomorrow...
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post #324 of 4573
6/1/10 at 3:06pm
Thread Starter 
No, you don`t need to have the : or / in the titles, MB pickes them up without them. I just ripped Battlestar Galatica : Razor to my hdd and named it Battlestar Galatica Razor (2007), also recently ripped xXx : State of union and named it xXx tstae of Union (2005) and both were picked up by MB.

As for posters, you can put a custom jpeg or png image in the movie folder, and name it "folder" . That way not only does Media Browser take the poster from the movie folder and shows it instead of the automatically downloaded one, but also Windows 7 uses it as an image for the folder thumbnail.
For HD movies and TV series, check out bluray.com , they have HQ posters for everything that has been released on BD.


You can also look at the CovertArt plugin for Media Browser, it automatically does custom covers for your posters (puts Blu Ray or DVD cases on your posters, 3D cases, and whatnot). It`s available for trail for 14 days, and costs 2$ or smth (pay pal) for the full software.
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post #325 of 4573
6/1/10 at 5:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dbone1026 View Post

So I have decided to just stick with the Microsoft DTV-Video Decoder for my core i5 HTPC for the time being. I was using PDVD 10 Video Decoder for h264 and Arcsoft Video Decoder for VC-1, but noticed I was getting a slight stutter. I started messing around with different combinations of filters and somehow my system got screwed up because no matter what combination the stuttering got horrible. Did a PC restore, reinstalled MPC HC, and using the MS Video Decoder along with the ffdshow Audio decoder everything is back to normal. I was getting tempted to just buy a low profile 5xxx card, but since it seems that Intel and the MPC HC guys are now finally working together I will wait to see how things unfold. Of course if I ever decide to go 23.976 I will need to get a 5xxx card anyhow.

I'm using the PDVD 10 Video Decoder for H.264 and Arcsoft Video Decoder for VC-1 on my core i5 with no major problems. I get a little (maybe 2 to 4 times a movie) pixelation on H.264 payback that 5-10 seconds duration. Overall the picture quality is very good.
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post #326 of 4573
6/1/10 at 5:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenEyez View Post

No, you don`t need to have the : or / in the titles, MB pickes them up without them. I just ripped Battlestar Galatica : Razor to my hdd and named it Battlestar Galatica Razor (2007), also recently ripped xXx : State of union and named it xXx tstae of Union (2005) and both were picked up by MB.

As for posters, you can put a custom jpeg or png image in the movie folder, and name it "folder" . That way not only does Media Browser take the poster from the movie folder and shows it instead of the automatically downloaded one, but also Windows 7 uses it as an image for the folder thumbnail.
For HD movies and TV series, check out bluray.com , they have HQ posters for everything that has been released on BD.


You can also look at the CovertArt plugin for Media Browser, it automatically does custom covers for your posters (puts Blu Ray or DVD cases on your posters, 3D cases, and whatnot). It`s available for trail for 14 days, and costs 2$ or smth (pay pal) for the full software.

Haha wow you truly are the man. Thanks again for all your assistance.

Edit: One last quick question, do you have any idea how to change the folder icons in the first menus (Movies, TV, whatever else)? I'm curious because the standard folders are kind of weak. Been looking for a bit and haven't come up with anything solid, thanks again. I've been fooling around with Media Center Studio a bit, but I'm talking about the icons of the folders when you actually enter MediaBrowser, and I don't think that program edits those. Does it?
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post #327 of 4573
6/1/10 at 5:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cackus Jack View Post

Haha wow you truly are the man. Thanks again for all your assistance.

Edit: One last quick question, do you have any idea how to change the folder icons in the first menus (Movies, TV, whatever else)? I'm curious because the standard folders are kind of weak. Been looking for a bit and haven't come up with anything solid, thanks again. I've been fooling around with Media Center Studio a bit, but I'm talking about the icons of the folders when you actually enter MediaBrowser, and I don't think that program edits those. Does it?

In the config tool where you set your folder, you can assing a picture for them there.
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post #328 of 4573
6/1/10 at 5:59pm
Thread Starter 
Also, you can create direct shortcuts in the main 7MC start menu with Media Center Studio for your media collections. Look in the Menu Tab, somewhere down should be the Entry Points button. Click on that and you will see (among others) your media collections (HD/TV series/whatever else). Drag & drop the shortcuts where you want them on the start menu.
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post #329 of 4573
6/1/10 at 6:16pm
Thread Starter 
Guide update : I`ve asked Bob Sorel insert 2 more post and the end of the guide, i`m going to do a little tips and tricks mini guide. Some useful programs for renaming and cleaning out you media library, windows features you can deactivate for a HTPC, stuff like that.
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post #330 of 4573
6/1/10 at 6:59pm
So I decided to give up on 1.2 of the guide since I couldn't figure it out.

Initially when I tried 1.1(MPC-HC) I ran into some problems so thats why I never went back. Well I just tried it again and everything is working perfectly, even my DTS-HD, so that makes me happy.

Am I losing any advantage from running MPC-HC and not the internal player?

Again thanks for all the help and awesome guide
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