Assassin's Simple/Beginner HTPC Buying Guide - Page 264

Good point cburbs. I would also play the .mkv file from your computer to see if it runs smoothly as an initial test. You may need to down load a codex pack so you can view mkv's from you pc if you have not already done so.

Even with the new PS3 MS version and Serviio I still have the same issues. Some movies are good and some skip. Doesn't matter if it's a SD DVD or Blu-ray either. Some times I notice I get a Media Server error as well and the movie can't be displayed.

Edit**

I recently installed the OS. I just built this HTPC a week ago. I can try all the same cables, but I'd have to order cables from monoprice so I'm looking at early to mid next week before I'd get them. I am playing my Media files from within my HTPC. I have a SSD for the OS and 2 Samsung 2TB Drives for the Movies. Only using one now seeing how I haven't filled it up yet. I watched a few of my kids SD DVD's and blu-rays with her over the course of the last few nights and everything appeared normal to me. Also if this matters I streamed Netflix through my PS3 and through my recent HTPC build with flawless results and I was on wireless with both. I never really "needed" to go hardline until recently when I have been trying to get this whole PS3/HTPC thing to work.

As far as what I am using to encode the MKV's, I haven't downloaded any codes. I was using what ever came with PS3MS. I did however download and install FFDShow to see if that would help and once it didn't I deleted it. Unless the LAV program contains codecs? I have to read exactly what it is again. When I followed Assassins guide I downloaded it as he said. Once I did that I downloaded the MKV burner. All I do is use MKV to burn the disc to the HD, then open Media Center Master so it downloads the cover art and what not and when I'm ready to watch the movies I open Media Browser.

judd

At least you know the ps3 is working fine if you able to watch netflix. ffdshow can have mixed results and removing it can be difficult. Based on what you said about ur configuration, it is pretty close to mine.

I would still try a direct ethernet cable from pc to ps3 and see if that helps. To view mkv's from pc, DL the combined community codex pack from:

http://www.cccp-project.net/download.php?type=cccpi

To install do the folllowing:

1. It may ask you about latest D3DX9 and if you want to proceed anyway. If so click Yes.
2. Click Next, and select default destination location.
3. Only check the FFDSHow Tryount and Haali Media splitter.
4. Chose defaults for everything else.

After that installs, test playing a mkv file from you pc using windows media player. It should run nice and smooth.

If you are making your own .MKV files that could be the issue as well. Try downloading some .mkv sample movies from the web and test those out. I doubt it is anything to do with your machine or ps3.

Good luck and let me know how it all works out.

Here is the link to the new thread.

So are you using Makemkv to rip your movies/blu rays - that was what I was getting after.

Give us a movie that is causing problems and what you used to rip it -

I realized that I dont like gaming on my projector. I prefer the brightness of my LCD and also dont like the fact that Im using up a lot of the 8700's bulb with gaming. So I want to move my Geforce 560ti to my desktop.

But I was wondering if there's a way to get HD audio over the motherboard's (Gigabyte Z68MA-D2H-B3) optical out to my receiver (Onkyo TX-SR876). Or if I hook it up via the mobo's HDMI out, can I get HD Audio that way? Right now I have it hooked up via my 560's HDMI out and I can get DTS-MA and TrueHD out to my receiver.

Or do I need to buy something cheap like this GT520 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127583 to bitstream HD Audio to my receiver?

thanks assassin for the quick reply

All,
I'm about purchase the following for an HTPC.
I would appreciate a review by those in the know, before I do, especially on the PS/Case combo.
I will be purchasing from Amazon to take advantage of my free two day shipping.
Thanks in advance.

* Core i3 2100 LGA 1155 3.1GHz Boxed Processor - Purchasing from Microcenter
* Gigabyte Intel Z68 Micro ATX LGA 1155 Motherboard (GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3)
* SilverStone Front Panel and SECC Body Micro ATX HTPC Computer Case GD04B (Black) - I just can't seem to go for the hec Case because of the PS.
* Antec EA-380D Power Supply EA-380D OR Cooler Master GX Series 450W 80+ Bronze Power Supply (RS450 ACAAD3 US)
* Crucial 64 GB m4 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive SATA 6Gb/s CT064M4SSD2
* G.Skill Ripjaws-X F3-12800CL9D-4GBXL - Memory - 4 GB : 2 x 2 GB - DIMM 240-pin - DDR3 - 1600 MHz
* Samsung Spinpoint F4EG 2 TB SATA2 5400rpm 32 MB Hard Drive HD204UI/Z4
* LiteOn iHBS112-29 12x Internal SATA Blu-Ray Combo Burner 8Mb Cache, Black

What's the efficiency rating on the VP-450? I can't find it, even on Antec's site. It's part of their "Basiq" line so it might not be 80+ certified.

I'd look at this Antec PSU: http://www.amazon.com/Antec-EA-380D-.../dp/B002UOR17Y as well. It's 80+ Bronze.

Yea I used MakeMKV to rip the Movies to the Hard drives. After I rip them with that program I don't do anything else to them.

I've watched movies from my HTPC hooked up to my 50" Samsung Plasma and my PJ projecting a 120" screen with NO issues. As far as certain movies causing the issue(s) it various. I've had issues with some 1080p Disney Pixar movies like Cars and even some SD DVD's like Over the Hedge. At first I thought maybe it couldn't play the 1080p videos, but when I tried a few more then mixed in some SD movies it didn't seem that that was the problem since it happened here n there. I think my biggest Blu-ray size wise right now is Dark Knight, and that movie plays flawlessly.

I need to try hooking my PS3 directly to my HTPC like mentioned a few posts earlier. I also think there was a cccp codec program I was told to try. I will try both of these one at a time (PS3 to HTPC first) and then report back. Until then can anyone think of anything else?

PS I appreciate the help and Assassin not yelling about me posting here


Judd

Just thought that I'd add my 2 cents. If you've followed Assassin's guide, I'd stay away from installing any of the codec packs. I have no issues streaming MKV's to my PS3 with PS3 Media Sever over a gigabit network. My setup is with CoreAVC, Haali, DirectVobSub, and I've got AVIsynth installed as well. I've had less issues with using AVIsynth/Mencoder as my default player than the other options.

I just tried the codec pack above and the same thing still happens!

FEVER: Did you just dl those codecs and it automatically used them in PS3MS? If so maybe I should try it. When I go to the file on my PS3 it says title00.mkv [MEncoder]* next to all my movies so I would think the MEcoder is installed.

This is frustrating

Judd

I paid for CoreAVC, because it's a good alternative for hardware acceleration on my htpc and desktop (both run Nvidia cards). Let me figure out my exact settings and I'll get back with you. I'm house sitting, so I'm not next to my PS3 at home.

alright I'm ready to go out back and play some target practice with the PS3 since this crap isn't cooperating.

Stardog - Thanks for the note. You are correct. It is only "up to 75%" Efficient per their flyer on the Antec site. Edited out the build above to include the EA-380...

Thanks for the note. I edited the PSU to get the EA-380D per Stardog's recommendation on the 80+ certified Dimensions are 3.4" (H) x 5.9" (W) x 5.5" (D)


Thanks for the reminder. I think I probably have a few lying around here, but your note was a good reminder.

"Amazon.com Thanks You"

That's the note I just got after hitting the Place Order button. Thanks again to all.
I guess now I need to buy Assasin's guide and begin reading. Is there a difference whether I Donate via Paypal in the first post of this thread, or go directly to the Blog to purchase?

I just tried having my PS3 connected directly to my HTPC and movies still skip


Judd

Do you have any other streaming devices available or just the ps3?

Take a movie that is a problem - make sure you have the latest makemkv version and re rip the movie - don't delete the old one and see if the movie has issues or not...that would be my next test.

Dude I am lmao about the live tv button. I didn't even know it was there friggin awesome! That is my opinion exactly about the shark set up. If lav is so easy that is what I need to do, because with the shark when I have a problem there is like 30 different settings I have to check and uncheck and stuff. I will look into lav soon.

Okay, here's how I have mine setup and working:

Go to this link to download AVIsynth and Vsfilter. I zipped them up for you.
Make sure PS3 media server is not running.
Install AVIsynth, and just let it install to the default location. When it's done installing, copy the contents of VSfilter (4 files) to the root of your C: drive. Right click "vsfilter_enable.cmd" and click run as administrator. Your cmd prompt should pull up and give you 2 confirmations that vsfilter and vsfilterx64.dll were registered. Now copy the two dll files and go to the plugin folder of AVIsynth. Mine is C:\\Program Files (x86)\\AviSynth 2.5\\plugins. Paste the two .dll files into this folder and exit out. Open up PS3 Media Server, and go to transcoding settings. Under video file engines on the left, if AVISynth/Mencoder has a "Red X" next to it, instead of a "Green Arrow", then click AVISynth/Mencoder and then click the little plug looking button on the bottom to load the engine. Once it does that, you'll have to restart the HTTP server, so do that at the top. If it already has a green arrow next to it, then don't worry about it. Then click AVISynth/Mencoder and click the up button on the bottom to make it the first priority engine, and restart the HTTP server, and that's it.

This is how mine is set up, and I have no issues whatsoever. Here's a screen cap of mine, so you can see my settings.

Also, be sure to check your transcoding folder to see if any of the other options in there might work for you.

thefever,

I also have CoreAVC but have not set it up for PMS. What addtional settings do you use for AVIsynth and Vsfilter to get CoreAVC (cuda) support. Also, when your streamig a movie to the ps3, do you see the CoreAVC icon light up green in ur taskbar?

I don't have any extra settings except for what I described above. I use AviSynth/Mencoder engine in PS3 Media Server. When I'm streaming a compatible mkv (one that's not encoded in xvid), my coreavc icon, haali icon and usually my directvobsub icon pop up.

Edit: Check out this link.

I followed it some when setting up, but didn't install the Core Codec Pack.

Fever, I appreciate you doing that for me. I am now green and Avisyn.../MEncoder is now at the top. Now the issue is it seems to skip on EVERY movie and there's no sound for the movies that had sound. I am definitely thinking this is a software issue of some sort given all my issues lately.

Stupid question, but when your in the PS3's dashboard so to speak and go to Video you see your PS3MediaBrowser and Window Media Player ( I believe ). I would always select PS3MB. Is this right or should I be going in the Windows Media Player? If so I'd have to set it up. I am sure I am doing it right. It just crossed my mind to ask.


Judd

I always go to PS3 Media Server. When you're navigating your folders on the PS3 inside of PS3 Media Server, have you tried selecting any of the options in the transcode folder?

Edit: Also, don't know if you've tried this yet or not, but have you tried changing the network cable from the PS3 to the router or switch?

I am trying to boot up my computer for the first time, and I am using the ASROCK Pro3-m. When i go to the UEFI menu, it is asking me for the password. I have tried searching the manual, quick installation guide, and Google. does anyone know what to do.