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All I want is DVD playback - will this work?

797 Views 16 Replies 9 Participants Last post by dloftis, May 14, 2006

dloftis

Discussion Starter · May 11, 2006

I've been reading this forum for hours now, and all I've gained is a headache.

While all of the possibilities of HTPCs are really interesting to me, what I really want (need) to be able to do right now is DVD playback.

I don't need it to be a PVR. I don't need it to show me my vacation pictures, or play back my MP3 library. I don't want it to schedule my appointments and wipe my ass for me. I just want DVD playback, and leave the rest alone for now.

And when I say DVD playback, I mean really high quality, excellent, DVD playback.

I'd like to connect a HTPC to my Marquee 8500 (CRT projector) --- and run DVD movies to it at some resolution that's higher than what's actually on the DVD. Most likely 960p. It'd be very nice to have WMVHD support as well.

I want to take the DD, DTS, DD-EX, DTS-ES, or whatever audio format is there, and pass it to my receiver via an optical or coaxial digital connection... Just like I do with my DVD player now.

The machine I intend to use is a 2.6 GHz P4 w/ 1GB of ram and a 128MB Radeon 9800 Pro. I'd also be buying a SB Audigy for DVD-A support.

So with the hardware I have, can I do this? What else will I need to accomplish my goal, including software? What software should I be looking at the meet these needs?

There are other things that interest me, here... but they all seem too new to tell. When/if I can use the PVR functions for DirecTV (including support for HD), I'll certainly buy into that. When/if I can playback HD-DVD/BluRay, I'll certainly buy into that. For now, my HD-Tivo will supply the DirecTV function, the HTPC will provide DVD, and I'm not jumping on the HD-DVD/BluRay bandwagon just yet.

Thanks for any and all advice.

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1 - 17 of 17 Posts

wmschultz

· #2 · May 11, 2006

You need a decrypter that will allow you to bypass the macrovision protection on the DVD

so that you can play it higher that 480/540p.

But the rest of what you explained will work. I used the SB Audigy to pass the DD and DTS to

my receiver.

dloftis

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 12, 2006

Thanks for the reply.

Regarding the decrypter - any suggestions?

And how about some software suggestions to make it all happen?

Thanks!

Mr.Bitey

· #4 · May 12, 2006

I dont think that CPU is quick enough to get the 'very best' image - your talking using ffdshow and some additional filters.

A lot of people really like the image created by using LimitedSharpenFaster - however you will need a faster CPU to run it. I run a P4 3.44ghz and a 9800pro - to get Limitedsharpenfaster running nicely I need to use overlay (not ideal) I cannot use VMR9 and be stutter free..

You might be able to run straight ffdshow with lancosz resize and denoising on that cpu with vmr9..

For region/encryption etc - I use Anydvd - it also removed user prohibited operations (so you can skip to the main menu straight away etc). Works very well and is updated regularly.

You might like to have a read of the ffdshow FAQ, complete introduction to limitedsharpenfaster (sticky).

Cheers,

Bitey

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scorch123

· #5 · May 12, 2006

Dustin,

I have a Marquee 8500 and run it at 720p from htpc.

First thing you might want to check for is a used 9800 w/ Mike Parker MP-1 mod to get better video output from the get-go. That wasn't an option for me, and I ended up with an Nvidia 6800 -> DVI->HD15-> RGBHV component out.

Why not try TheaterTek trial demo and see if that picture quality is good before diving into ffdshow and such? I mucked with that for a while and found that TheaterTek more than good enough for me.

I had no macrovision issues playing back DVDs with my setup.

- Steve O.

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dloftis

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 12, 2006

OK - I'm a bit lost here. I'm not talking about ripping DVDs, just playing them back... are you guys saying that special software is needed to decrypt it during playback?

As for ffdshow, etc, I don't really know what I'm getting into. I understand it's basically a set of filters and such to improve quality. I assume I still need to use something else to play back the movie itself, right?

Finally, what is vmr9?

I'll go off and read that faq, if it doesn't make my brain explode.

Hypo_Luxa

· #7 · May 12, 2006

Here is my .02....If reading the forum is giving you a headache, then you should probably wait on trying ffdshow for awhile. I completed my basement home theater last year and I've been there and back again with a half dozen DVD software setups including ffdshow. Since you are feeding a CRT, you would probably see more of a benefit than I did. (800x600 DLP ) Still, it comes down to the fact that what some people here call "night and day" difference is really not noticeable to 90% of people unless you do an A to B side by side comparison and then it's still not night and day. On top of that, there are no magic settings that give maximum image quality for everyone. It's very much a "play with it till it looks good" type of situation. Personally I am using the Nvidia Purevideo Decoders (6600GT) + Zoomplayer Pro as my front-end. Since you have a Radeon...you might look at WinDVD 7 if you want an easy all in one solution with minimal setup. It seems to be pretty popular with the HTPC crowd and it's had a good rep over the years. Otherwise you can try Zoomplayer and play around with different decoders (like Dscaler) to your hearts content. With your setup, a properly calibrated display, and any of the previously mentioned options, you'll get a dynamite picture without having to invest hours in tweaking ffdshow. Later on, once you get comfortable with it you can try out ffdshow and see if it's worth it for you.

**Note to ffdshow fans** I am not bashing ffdshow. I just think it's benefit to cost (time/frustration) ratio is not worth it for everyone. Especially since I know it's possible to get a FANTASTIC picture that will knock people's socks off without ever using ffdshow.

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stanger89

· #8 · May 12, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by dloftis
There are other things that interest me, here... but they all seem too new to tell. When/if I can use the PVR functions for DirecTV (including support for HD), I'll certainly buy into that.

Search for R5000-HD and SageTV.

scorch123

· #9 · May 12, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by dloftis
OK - I'm a bit lost here. I'm not talking about ripping DVDs, just playing them back... are you guys saying that special software is needed to decrypt it during playback?

As for ffdshow, etc, I don't really know what I'm getting into. I understand it's basically a set of filters and such to improve quality. I assume I still need to use something else to play back the movie itself, right?

Finally, what is vmr9?

I'll go off and read that faq, if it doesn't make my brain explode.

dloftis,

You don't have to worry about decrypting DVDs unless you plan on ripping the audio/video to your PC's hard drive. Otherwise, you'll just watch the movie from your DVD-ROM drive.

You're correct on the software playback of DVDs. There are several good free programs to try out (ZoomPlayer, VLC, Windows Media Classic Player, others...)

I would make sure you can correctly output proper desktop resolution and vertical refresh to your 8500 first, re-calibrate it most likely, then move on to video playback tweaks.

Keep asking questions, and step-by-step it will all come together.

- Steve O.

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dloftis

Discussion Starter · #10 · May 12, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by stanger89
Search for R5000-HD and SageTV.

Sheesh - you got me all excited there. $500 plus the cost of a receiver, times at least 2 receivers... no thanks, I'll stick with the HD-Tivo for now. No way I can justify that kind of expense for something I already have.

Thanks for the information though - I didn't know it was even possible until now.

dloftis

Discussion Starter · #11 · May 12, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorch123
dloftis,

You don't have to worry about decrypting DVDs unless you plan on ripping the audio/video to your PC's hard drive. Otherwise, you'll just watch the movie from your DVD-ROM drive.

You're correct on the software playback of DVDs. There are several good free programs to try out (ZoomPlayer, VLC, Windows Media Classic Player, others...)

I would make sure you can correctly output proper desktop resolution and vertical refresh to your 8500 first, re-calibrate it most likely, then move on to video playback tweaks.

Keep asking questions, and step-by-step it will all come together.

- Steve O.

Thanks for the response, Steve.

Regarding resolution, etc, is powerstrip the tool of choice for that? Does the DVD playback software (and/or dscaler / ffdshow) have anything to do w/ resolution, or do they just scale to fit the desktop resolution?

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bullgates

· #12 · May 13, 2006

Typically the software for your video card can accomplish anything that powerstrip can without the headache of learning powerstrip.

scorch123

· #13 · May 13, 2006

Hi,

In Dustin's case, will the ATI 9800 Pro display software enable him to set the vertical refresh rate at 71.94/72 Hz? If not, then he should use PowerStrip.

- Steve O.

vilfrard

· #14 · May 14, 2006

I see that your cpu is weak it you would like to play HD videos, get a video card that supports HD acceleration like Nivida 6xxx video cards or 7xxx video cards.

BOSS10L

· #15 · May 14, 2006

I think one thing that should be pointed out is that this is all very much display dependent. For example, I have a PC built with a 9800 Pro video card, but it will not give me 1:1 mapping on my NEC 50" plasma. On the other hand, if I had an nVidia 6600GT, 1:1 mapping would be no issue.

dloftis

Discussion Starter · #16 · May 14, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by vilfrard
I see that your cpu is weak it you would like to play HD videos, get a video card that supports HD acceleration like Nivida 6xxx video cards or 7xxx video cards.

HD Acceleration? Do tell me more. Never heard of it.

dloftis

Discussion Starter · #17 · May 14, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOSS10L
I think one thing that should be pointed out is that this is all very much display dependent. For example, I have a PC built with a 9800 Pro video card, but it will not give me 1:1 mapping on my NEC 50" plasma. On the other hand, if I had an nVidia 6600GT, 1:1 mapping would be no issue.

Display is a Marquee 8500, CRT. Pixel mapping is not an issue. Resolution and timings are.

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