AVS › AVS Forum › Video Components › Home Theater Computers › Assassin's Simple/Beginner HTPC Buying Guide
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Assassin's Simple/Beginner HTPC Buying Guide - Page 415

post #12421 of 15524
4/7/12 at 4:43pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wilky13 View Post

It's a MB/WMC thing not a MKV issue. You can still skip fwd/skip back, or simply hit 1+0+play and that will fwd you to the 10:00 point in the mkv.

The issue I have found is that LAV doesn't like some AVI containers. I have a few with some sort of MP3 mux/demux for the audio that it doesn't like.

Run them through handbrake though and they play just fine.
Reply
Reply

Gear mentioned in this thread:

post #12422 of 15524
4/7/12 at 5:18pm
Hey Assassin, I have a question on how to view "file" mode on my movies (not TV shows).

I set up my guide with the Aeon skin just like in this thread. However, for the past few months I still can't get used to all the Genre options for my movies. It bothers me that movies like Shrek, The Princess Bride, Paul Blart Mall Cop and Kangaroo Jack are in the "Action" Genre. I guess there's some action in them..but I don't classify them as such.

Is there a way to view them in "library mode" which would give me my personal folder structure? I know in the classic skin I can do this from the side menu on the left, but can't find that option with this Aeon skin. I can provide pictures if you need to, and I probably should but I can't remember my websites ftp logon and don't have an acct on another picture host site right now :/

Also, is there a way to modify the directory that the sub-menu's point to? For instance, on the home screen if I look under "Movies" there are a few options like Genre, File, Recently added and such...but whenever I click any of those I just get directed to the generic list which includes Movies, TV Shows, Recently Added Movies, Recently Added Episodes, Playlists and Video Add-Ons. If I selected "Recently Added Movies" from the home screen..shouldn't it automatically direct me to that folder instead to this menu? Sorry....confusing.......I should give you pictures, right?
Reply
Reply
post #12423 of 15524
4/7/12 at 5:45pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by HunterX82 View Post

Hey Assassin, I have a question on how to view "file" mode on my movies (not TV shows).

I set up my guide with the Aeon skin just like in this thread. However, for the past few months I still can't get used to all the Genre options for my movies. It bothers me that movies like Shrek, The Princess Bride, Paul Blart Mall Cop and Kangaroo Jack are in the "Action" Genre. I guess there's some action in them..but I don't classify them as such.

Is there a way to view them in "library mode" which would give me my personal folder structure? I know in the classic skin I can do this from the side menu on the left, but can't find that option with this Aeon skin. I can provide pictures if you need to, and I probably should but I can't remember my websites ftp logon and don't have an acct on another picture host site right now :/

Also, is there a way to modify the directory that the sub-menu's point to? For instance, on the home screen if I look under "Movies" there are a few options like Genre, File, Recently added and such...but whenever I click any of those I just get directed to the generic list which includes Movies, TV Shows, Recently Added Movies, Recently Added Episodes, Playlists and Video Add-Ons. If I selected "Recently Added Movies" from the home screen..shouldn't it automatically direct me to that folder instead to this menu? Sorry....confusing.......I should give you pictures, right?

XBMC, Media Browser and others can only sort movies based on the information that is given. So if the genre classifications are bothering you then you will have to modify the metadata to remove the genres that you don't agree with from each and every movie.

Sounds like a lot of work to me. But if it is bothering you that much then its something that you will need to do.
Reply
Reply
post #12424 of 15524
4/7/12 at 5:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

XBMC, Media Browser and others can only sort movies based on the information that is given. So if the genre classifications are bothering you then you will have to modify the metadata to remove the genres that you don't agree with from each and every movie.

Sounds like a lot of work to me. But if it is bothering you that much then its something that you will need to do.

Yah not sure I want to do that. No way to turn Library mode off quickly from the side menu like in the Confluence skin?
Reply
Reply
post #12425 of 15524
4/7/12 at 5:57pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by HunterX82 View Post

Yah not sure I want to do that. No way to turn Library mode off quickly from the side menu like in the Confluence skin?

I believe that with the new Eden build the skin developers did away with "library mode" as this was confusing to new users.

Someone can correct me if I am wrong but I remember reading this multiple places.
Reply
Reply
post #12426 of 15524
4/7/12 at 6:18pm
Thanks for the replies, I appreciate it :-)
Reply
Reply
post #12427 of 15524
4/7/12 at 9:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post


XBMC, Media Browser and others can only sort movies based on the information that is given. So if the genre classifications are bothering you then you will have to modify the metadata to remove the genres that you don't agree with from each and every movie.

Sounds like a lot of work to me. But if it is bothering you that much then its something that you will need to do.

I do not use XBMC, but I am very picky about my 'Genres' in MB. After MCM downloads all my metadata and backdrop/posters, I lock the metadata in MCM. Then I open the 'mymovies.xml' in notepad and change the genres to 1 or 2 of the preset 16 I like to see with my custom icons in MB.
Reply
Reply
post #12428 of 15524
4/7/12 at 11:10pm
I saw someone on another forum mention that the Sandybridge CPU's suffer from a 23.976fps problem and just wondered if anyone could give me some more info/help as hopefully ill be building my HTPC soon and have a sandybridge cpu, is it a big problem?
Reply
Reply
post #12429 of 15524
4/8/12 at 12:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by josh_parker123 View Post

I saw someone on another forum mention that the Sandybridge CPU's suffer from a 23.976fps problem and just wondered if anyone could give me some more info/help as hopefully ill be building my HTPC soon and have a sandybridge cpu, is it a big problem?

I'm curious about this as well, I believe if you get an appropriate video card it eliminates this problem?
Reply
Reply
post #12430 of 15524
4/8/12 at 2:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by josh_parker123 View Post

I saw someone on another forum mention that the Sandybridge CPU's suffer from a 23.976fps problem and just wondered if anyone could give me some more info/help as hopefully ill be building my HTPC soon and have a sandybridge cpu, is it a big problem?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shanndogg View Post

I'm curious about this as well, I believe if you get an appropriate video card it eliminates this problem?

This subject has been quite a heated debate on this forum , I can assure you

I call B/S on the ability to see the missing frame ! If most folks did not know about this issue I doubt they would have ever claimed to be able to see it

Rock on and don't worry about it
Reply
Reply
post #12431 of 15524
4/8/12 at 5:34am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by josh_parker123 View Post

I saw someone on another forum mention that the Sandybridge CPU's suffer from a 23.976fps problem and just wondered if anyone could give me some more info/help as hopefully ill be building my HTPC soon and have a sandybridge cpu, is it a big problem?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shanndogg View Post

I'm curious about this as well, I believe if you get an appropriate video card it eliminates this problem?

Quote:
Originally Posted by flocko View Post

This subject has been quite a heated debate on this forum , I can assure you

I call B/S on the ability to see the missing frame ! If most folks did not know about this issue I doubt they would have ever claimed to be able to see it

Rock on and don't worry about it

I have been trying to correct this for about a year at AVS.

Yes, Intel has the "24p bug". But so does everyone else. Often, even after using multiple pieces of hardware and software trying to correct it. LINK

Second, it is absolutely NOT true, as many claim, that you can simply add a card and "fix it" (again, see link above). I find it interesting that before I created that thread almost a year ago many people were doing just that. They were plopping in a card or adding one from the start and considering the problem "fixed". Then I started the thread and it has become more accepted that they all likely have some sort of imperfection. So if the 24p issue wasn't necessarily fixed why wasn't AVS flooded with thread/posts about this issue of the "24p bug" persisting despite adding a discrete card? What were people actually seeing (or not seeing)? A very interesting topic to say the least.

I have built dozens of HTPCs. I cannot give you even a single example where someone has noticed or commented on the "24p bug" or the HTPC not looking right.
Reply
Reply
post #12432 of 15524
4/8/12 at 6:36am
it's a non issue for me...
Reply
Reply
post #12433 of 15524
4/8/12 at 7:20am
It was an issue for me on a 65" Viera plasma. The opening sequence from Cowboys and Aliens is the definitive test; a long slow pan across the desert. On my system the picture jerked several times. I got around it by installing a GT430, tweaking/hacking the custom resolutions to get it to use 23.976 exactly and using Reclock. I now get liquid pans in the C&A sequence and in all other material. Takes a fair bit of fiddling and time to get right though so if you do not notice it in that test then don't bother. Unfortunately when you have seen it happen once you become hyper sensitive to it. My wife complained vociferously about my constant meddling with the HTPC ("it was OK as it was, leave it alone") so I switched the fix off, showed her the C&A sequence and let her get on with viewing something else. Within an hour she was moaning about picture judder and we are now back to smooth running. Unfortunately she now spots judder on recorded TV programme's and there is nothing I can do about that!
Reply
Reply
post #12434 of 15524
4/8/12 at 8:48am
You couldn't find a definitive test in a GOOD movie?
Reply
Reply
post #12435 of 15524
4/8/12 at 11:09am
Nope, but at least this definitive test is in the first minute of the movie before any dialogue starts
Reply
Reply
post #12436 of 15524
4/8/12 at 1:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by josh_parker123 View Post

I saw someone on another forum mention that the Sandybridge CPU's suffer from a 23.976fps problem and just wondered if anyone could give me some more info/help as hopefully ill be building my HTPC soon and have a sandybridge cpu, is it a big problem?

Have been running integrated graphics on an i3-2100 for 8 months now on LiveTV, mkv, avi, mp4, divx. Have never noticed a stutter in video from the "24fps issue."
Reply
Reply
post #12437 of 15524
4/8/12 at 2:21pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Heuer View Post

It was an issue for me on a 65" Viera plasma. The opening sequence from Cowboys and Aliens is the definitive test; a long slow pan across the desert. On my system the picture jerked several times. I got around it by installing a GT430, tweaking/hacking the custom resolutions to get it to use 23.976 exactly and using Reclock. I now get liquid pans in the C&A sequence and in all other material. Takes a fair bit of fiddling and time to get right though so if you do not notice it in that test then don't bother. Unfortunately when you have seen it happen once you become hyper sensitive to it. My wife complained vociferously about my constant meddling with the HTPC ("it was OK as it was, leave it alone") so I switched the fix off, showed her the C&A sequence and let her get on with viewing something else. Within an hour she was moaning about picture judder and we are now back to smooth running. Unfortunately she now spots judder on recorded TV programme's and there is nothing I can do about that!

This is present in all films and as I have said is present in all types of hardware (Intel/ATI/NVidia, etc) unless you go to great lengths to try to minimize it like you have done.

You are also from the UK where your TV, unlike those of us in the States, does not have judder. All of us in the US have this and have had it since the day we were born.

I also find it interesting how people describe the "24p bug". I have seen it described as the picture speeding up for a split second, slowing down for a split second, "skipping" for a split second, "pausing" for a split second, motion judder only noticeable on fast sequences, motion judder only noticeable on slow sequences, motion judder constantly noticeable, tearing, macroblocking, etc etc etc. In the end I really question how much people notice anything, if at all, and when they do how many of them quick quickly blame the "24p bug" when its clearly something else.

Consider me a guy who thinks this is WAY overhyped. Just watch the damn movie with the iGPU to start. Enjoy the movie as you always have and don't go out of your way trying to nitpick and find every little flaw that you can. However, if despite all of this you notice something is off then (and only then) add a discrete card, reclock, hours of tinkering, etc.

Your example is classic. Had you not read AVS and been hyper aware of this issue its likely that you (and subsequently your wife) might have never noticed this "issue" and just enjoyed your media and your HTPC.

This is probably the best discussion I have ever seen on the issue:

The Big Judder Problem and the Overhyping of 24p
Reply
Reply
post #12438 of 15524
4/8/12 at 2:21pm
Thanks guys , the fact so many of you consider it a non issue makes me much happier
Reply
Reply
post #12439 of 15524
4/8/12 at 2:25pm
Thread Starter 
Never noticed this paragraph from that article I linked even though I have read and re-read it many times. Interesting...

Quote:


Now, before we conclude, it is important to acknowledge that many videophiles today prefer the judder of the 24 fps film experience. To some film buffs, tampering with the natural judder is a sin, because it just doesn't look like authentic film if it lacks the inherent instability of the low sampling rate. And indeed, they are right, it doesn't. Frame interpolation techniques can make the picture look too clear, too stable, to the point that it can be unnerving if you are not used to it. (For this reason, the AE3000 gives it to you as an option, and you can turn it on or off as you see fit.)
Reply
Reply
post #12440 of 15524
4/8/12 at 5:12pm
Do you guys notice a big difference between the 32MB cache hard drives and 64MB? I plan to keep my main media center console in the living room on all the time, so I am not sure I would benefit too much from the SSD. Maybe down the road, but not right now.

The prices in the HDD's that Assassin recommends are coming down in price again ($129/$139 respectively).

Looks like the main difference is just the 64MB that the WD Caviar Green WD20EARS 2TB comes with.
I guess the nice thing about the other one, SAMSUNG EcoGreen F4 HD204UI 2TB, is the extra year warranty.

Edit: I should mention I use this for XBMC 90% of the time right now. I plan on getting a TV Tuner and recording shows as well.
Reply
Reply
post #12441 of 15524
4/8/12 at 5:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by HunterX82 View Post

Do you guys notice a big difference between the 32MB cache hard drives and 64MB? I plan to keep my main media center console in the living room on all the time, so I am not sure I would benefit too much from the SSD. Maybe down the road, but not right now.

The prices in the HDD's that Assassin recommends are coming down in price again ($129/$139 respectively).

Looks like the main difference is just the 64MB that the WD Caviar Green WD20EARS 2TB comes with.
I guess the nice thing about the other one, SAMSUNG EcoGreen F4 HD204UI 2TB, is the extra year warranty.

Edit: I should mention I use this for XBMC 90% of the time right now. I plan on getting a TV Tuner and recording shows as well.

Any 5400rpm drive is good for media playback.
Reply
Reply
post #12442 of 15524
4/8/12 at 7:13pm
Thread Starter 
Updated the optical drives section of the hardware guide as I had a request to do so.
Reply
Reply
post #12443 of 15524
4/8/12 at 10:14pm
If I wanted to set up my HTPC with HD HomeRun Prime, two Xbox 360s as extenders, and Slingbox ---- is an i3 processor (no GPU) enough to handle it all?

I would think not if I were watching live HD on 3 screens simultaneously.
Reply
Reply
post #12444 of 15524
4/9/12 at 12:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by 80r View Post

If I wanted to set up my HTPC with HD HomeRun Prime, two Xbox 360s as extenders, and Slingbox ---- is an i3 processor (no GPU) enough to handle it all?

I would think not if I were watching live HD on 3 screens simultaneously.

I have an i3-2100 and 2 Xbox extenders. I can watch live HD TV on all 3 simultaneously with no problem. I did go overboard on the RAM last month when 8GB (2x4GB) ripjaws were on sale so my HTPC has 12 GB total now. I am also on a wired gigabyte LAN. My tuner is a PCI Ceton InfiniTV 4.

Even though the i3 is a 2 core chip it hyperthreads to 4 threads so it should be able to handle even a third extender. If you are worried the i5-2500 has 4 cores, but you gotta pay for it and it doesn't hyperthread so you still have 4 threads.
Reply
Reply
post #12445 of 15524
4/9/12 at 4:06am
Well, at wits end...have been trying everything and my rig won't bitstream to my AVR...have updated all drivers, can see the AVR as a device and it says it supports all hd modes...dolby digital rips from dvd sound is fine and some blu ray rips the sound works fine too, comes out as dolby digital...

probably only thing i'm not sure on is which audio device is used? i have both intel display audio and realtek hd audio as devices under sound. One last thing, all videos play fine using VLC, although not sure that is unusual.

here is my set up

AVR Onkyo NR709

Asrock z68 pro3-m
G620 cpu
6 gb mem


some screen shots
LL
LL
LL
Reply
Reply
post #12446 of 15524
4/9/12 at 6:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by 80r View Post

If I wanted to set up my HTPC with HD HomeRun Prime, two Xbox 360s as extenders, and Slingbox ---- is an i3 processor (no GPU) enough to handle it all?

I would think not if I were watching live HD on 3 screens simultaneously.

Many pages back (between 375 and 400, I think closer to 375) someone posted a test of their i3 set up for this exact purpose. I had already purchased an i5 but after reading his test results running 3 extenders + live TV from the htpc itself and the available system resources (was using like 35% of available resources) came to the conclusion that an i3 would suffice despite MSFT's outdated recommendation of 1 core/extender. Bandwidth is the issue, you'll need GB LAN.
Reply
Reply
post #12447 of 15524
4/9/12 at 12:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tydas View Post

Well, at wits end...have been trying everything and my rig won't bitstream to my AVR...have updated all drivers, can see the AVR as a device and it says it supports all hd modes...dolby digital rips from dvd sound is fine and some blu ray rips the sound works fine too, comes out as dolby digital...

probably only thing i'm not sure on is which audio device is used? i have both intel display audio and realtek hd audio as devices under sound. One last thing, all videos play fine using VLC, although not sure that is unusual.

here is my set up

AVR Onkyo NR709

Asrock z68 pro3-m
G620 cpu
6 gb mem

some screen shots

In your first screen shot did you click on the "Disable LAV Audio" button?

Inside WMC>Settings did you setup your speakers as a 5.1 setup, vice the default 2.0 Stereo?
Reply
Reply
post #12448 of 15524
4/9/12 at 12:34pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wilky13 View Post

In your first screen shot did you click on the "Disable LAV Audio" button?

Inside WMC>Settings did you setup your speakers as a 5.1 setup, vice the default 2.0 Stereo?

Good point. Make sure that you have LAV setup correctly if that is what you are using inside Shark007.

Also you can try to use just LAV and see if that corrects the issue.
Reply
Reply
post #12449 of 15524
4/9/12 at 1:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Good point. Make sure that you have LAV setup correctly if that is what you are using inside Shark007.

Also you can try to use just LAV and see if that corrects the issue.

Yes, I did click the disable lav audio and wmc is set for 5.1..i've also tried the lav splitter from your guide and got the same results...i've also swapped the hdmi cables, changed hdmi ports on AVR, played around with driver settings, played around with AVR settings all to no avail.

in reading i'm also wondering if this is some kind of hdmi handshake issue?

on side note, does anyone know shark007 HTPC set up?
Reply
Reply
post #12450 of 15524
4/9/12 at 1:42pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by tydas View Post

Yes, I did click the disable lav audio and wmc is set for 5.1..i've also tried the lav splitter from your guide and got the same results...i've also swapped the hdmi cables, changed hdmi ports on AVR, played around with driver settings, played around with AVR settings all to no avail.

in reading i'm also wondering if this is some kind of hdmi handshake issue?

on side note, does anyone know shark007 HTPC set up?

Did you tell your avr to process the signal and not "pass through" that input to the hdtv?
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Home Theater Computers

Gear mentioned in this thread:

AVS › AVS Forum › Video Components › Home Theater Computers › Assassin's Simple/Beginner HTPC Buying Guide